This time can be said to be the most bloodshed in the Imperial Capital in a hundred years. This is still because the emperor accepted Lancer suggestion to only act against those with 'solid evidence', otherwise the number would have been more than three times as much.
But even so, Lancer title of 'executioner' has become even more exaggerated. It is even said that in some places, he has become a legendary 'man-eating demon' who needs to bathe in a sea of blood to sleep peacefully...
"What the hell is this?"
Although Lancer is still not the head of the intelligence department, because of his very special status next to the emperor, the unnamed intelligence head still sent all the intelligence related to Lancer to him. And after reading it, Lancer mouth was twisted into who knows what shape.
"Master, is something wrong?"
And at this moment, Leone, wearing a maid's uniform, also came out of the kitchen with a dish.
"No, nothing, just some boring news."
Indeed, to Lancer, it was just boring news. It can be said that this time, he was completely taking the blame for the emperor. The person who actually ordered the killing was the emperor, and Lancer was not even the executioner. Since that night at the Royal Fist Temple, Lancer had basically not made a move.
For an ordinary person, this situation would undoubtedly be very dangerous.
Because of the emperor's favor, he held a high position, but once the favor was gone, a person with such a bad reputation who constantly offended people would definitely not last long. The final outcome would usually be miserable, but for Lancer, the impact was not that big, because he would be leaving in a few months anyway. And the impact of this matter, no matter how you look at it, couldn't be eliminated in a short time. As long as Lancer didn't do something stupid, he was at least safe for the time being...
"Forget it, there's no point in thinking so much. I'll just apply to join the 'pursuit squad'..."
"Master, are you going out again?"
"I can't say for sure yet? After all, I don't know if The Emperor will agree."
After answering the other person with a smile, Lancer sat at the dining table. But he looked around and felt a bit strange. He felt like something was missing?
"Master, what are you looking for?"
"No, I'm not looking for anything, I just feel like something is missing..."
"It's Esdeath, isn't it? Didn't you say that you were a bit busy recently and didn't have time to spar with her? She probably thought you still didn't have time?"
When talking about Esdeath, Leone attitude was very complicated.
The contempt she felt for her was undisguised. This could be seen from the tone of her voice and every word she said when talking to her. But she had to admit that the other person was very serious when teaching her martial arts. Her meticulous attitude was something that even she couldn't find fault with.
She had tried to talk to her several times, but was rejected every time. The two of them had always maintained an attitude that was both like master and student and like enemies. After trying a few times and failing, Leone simply chose to let this strange way of getting along continue...
And after hearing Leone explanation, Lancer also shook his head helplessly. He knew that the reason Esdeath was like this was definitely not just 'discriminating against slaves'. She was purely looking down on people who were weaker than her.
"Forget it. How about we go out for a walk after breakfast?"
Lancer sudden suggestion made Leone, who was sitting across from him, feel a bit strange. After all, it had been several months since she came to this house, and this was the first time Lancer had invited her to go shopping.
"Okay, master."
But even though it was strange, she didn't want to refuse.
If it were before, she might have suspected that Lancer was planning to 'abandon' her, but now that idea was long gone. Even the initial fear had long since vanished. She was very satisfied with her current life.
She didn't have to worry about her future. She only needed to complete the tasks at hand, and that was enough. And she could also train herself during her free time. Her life was countless times better than before. Even her eye-catching status as a slave was gradually no longer a restraint.
The fact that Lancer was a battle maniac with no desire for women, power, or wealth was something that was widely recognized by the high-ranking officials of the entire empire. He always spent his free time training himself and always refused the wealth and women that others sent him. It can be said that he almost lived in his own world, cut off from others.
But in this small world, there was a presence that everyone would have never expected: Leone.
A person who, in the eyes of most people, had an average appearance, a not-so-good figure, and was just a thief from the slums.
Those who analyzed Lancer habits couldn't understand Lancer strange aesthetic.
So, although Leone was still a slave, and people behind her back would still point and whisper, at least no one dared to openly gossip anymore. There were even rumors that the reason the 'Minister of Finance' had his house raided and his family killed was because his son had harassed Leone.
Although the two of them were going shopping, they didn't choose the most prosperous commercial streets in the Imperial Capital. Instead, they went to the ones near the slums. Why? It's very simple: Lancer hated trouble.
Recently, he had discovered that as soon as he appeared in a public place, there would be an awkward silence.
Almost everyone would hold their breath and not dare to speak when they saw him. Some children who were scared to tears would even have their mouths desperately covered by their parents.
What was Lancer feeling at that time?
Anger? Maybe a little. But it was more loneliness, wasn't it? Unlike when he was in 'Tokyo', he had his comrades, his teacher, his friends, and even an 'observation target' there. But here, he had nothing. His time, besides resting, was spent training or fighting...
Even though he knew that he had chosen all of this himself, he would still sometimes feel lost. And only at these times, when he summoned Jack, would it not be a tsundere and would allow Lancer to hug it, and sometimes even rub its head against Lancer.
And it was at this time that Lancer told himself that time passes quickly anyway, so it's better not to wander around for no reason. But now, looking at Leone, he discovered something.
When his time was up, he would naturally run away. It didn't matter what he did, as the other party couldn't catch him anyway. But if he left, what would happen to Leone? Ask Budo to take care of her? Or someone else?
And if nothing unexpected happened, he would be going to hunt down Honest next. He didn't know if he would ever come back, so he decided to take the other person out for a walk, as a farewell.
"Master, what is this?"
And at this moment, Leone voice made Lancer unintentionally slow steps gradually quicken.
"It should be some kind of hair ornament from the Eastern Island Nations. It's for women to tie up their hair..."
Looking at the hairpin in Leone hand, Lancer explained with a smile, and Leone had an incredulous expression on her face, since in her eyes, it was just a small stick.
"Your hair is too short, or I could demonstrate it for you... Are you interested? Then buy it. Boss, how much is it?"
Unsurprisingly, the price was not expensive. After all, it was just an ordinary wooden hairpin. As Leone thought, it was just a small stick with some decorations. The only thing that made it more valuable was the fact that it was an 'imported item'.
But its greatest value was probably the smile it brought to the face of the girl holding it.
Leone, who took the hairpin from Lancer hand, was stunned for a moment. She then opened her mouth to stop Lancer from spending money on her, but her mouth just opened, and in the end, she didn't say a single word.
As for Lancer, after paying, he turned around and was about to tell Leone to go to the next shop, but when he saw Leone, who was holding the hairpin with both hands, leaning it against her cheek with a happy smile, he was completely stunned.
He then unconsciously stroked the other person's head again.
And Leone, who had a face full of smiles, turned completely red.
"Master! I'm not a child anymore!"
The other person's tsundere tone made Lancer stunned for a moment, but then a more unrestrained smile appeared on his face.
"Yes~ yes~ your development has been quite good in the past few months, Leone~"
Leone face turned even redder when she heard Lancer words, but this time she didn't argue. She just held the hairpin to her chest with both hands, as if she was feeling her fast heartbeat, or as if she was confirming something.
After a few seconds, Leone, with a red face, let out a nasal sound with all her strength.
"Mm!"
It should have been a very normal moment, but perhaps because of what Lancer and Leone had said before, the atmosphere became a bit strange. And when Lancer saw Leone large, watery eyes for some reason, he unconsciously looked away.
"Ahem~ Let's continue shopping. Leone, you should also look for anything the house needs."
While saying that, Lancer led the way, and after being stunned for a moment, Leone also trotted to catch up with Lancer.
Although the two of them didn't have much time to talk because of Lancer 'job', the few months they had spent together had allowed Leone to understand her 'master' to a certain extent. In her opinion, the other party was simply too much of a gentleman. Besides the first time, he had basically never done anything impolite to her.
'Master is not only an Imperial Guard officer, but he is also strong and has a good personality. I wonder which noble lady will win his heart...'
Even though it was just a simple thought, Leone felt that her heart seemed to have trembled. She unconsciously held the hairpin to her heart...
"Leone?"
"Master! I'm here!"
Looking at Lancer who had turned his head, Leone showed a smile and trotted to his side...
'Maybe this is enough...'