"Master, are you going to war again?"
Leone was also experienced by now. Whenever Lancer came back in a hurry, it meant he was about to go to war. It had been like this several times before.
"Yes, this time it's to deal with the northern foreign tribes. After I deal with them, I'll deal with the southern rebels. Then the entire empire might be able to get back on track."
It can be said that the situation of the empire at this time was even 'crazier' than Lancer had originally imagined, but it was also unexpectedly good!
Although Honest was the 'ringleader', the corruption and decline of a country could never be caused by just one person. The method Lancer originally had to kill Honest was more like 'first aid'. As for how long this first aid could last, no one knew. But it was different now.
The great cleansing brought turmoil to the entire country. All the problems were detonated in advance. It seemed like a shaky situation, but in reality, detonating these problems that had not reached their limit in advance was only a good thing. After all, once the problems are solved, there will be no problems, at least the empire will once again reach its peak after dealing with these issues. As for what happens after that... it has nothing to do with him. A person's life is only a hundred years long. To make the empire safe for a hundred years is already something to be proud of. After all, is there really any country in this world that can last forever?
But before that...
"Come to my room in a little while."
Lancer abrupt words made Leone freeze for a moment, but it was only for a moment. She nodded and continued to clear the table.
Lancer, who had returned to his room, sat directly on the sofa and let himself sink into it.
He had to make a decision about Leone. After he dealt with the northern foreign tribes this time, he would at most return to the Imperial Capital to give a simple report and then rush to the south. After all, time waits for no one. And after he dealt with Honest, it would be about time for him to leave. Instead of rushing then, it would be better to handle it now.
But what Lancer found strange was that he had been in the room for a few minutes, but Leone still hadn't come in. It shouldn't take a few seconds to clear the table, right?
"Knock, knock~"
"Master."
"Come in."
As soon as Lancer voice fell, the door of the room was pushed open, and then his eyes widened fiercely.
"Leone?! You..."
The person standing at the door was not Leone in her maid uniform, but Leone in a set of sheer lingerie.
Should I say that this set of lingerie was of good quality? It covered almost more than 50% of her skin, but because of its sheer nature, it was even more suggestive. Especially with the shy expression on Leone face at this time, it made him unable to help but swallow.
Looking at Lancer wide eyes, Leone just grabbed the wrist of her other hand behind her back with a red face, but she didn't turn her flushed face away. Instead, she bravely looked at Lancer.
"Master, I'm ready!"
Ready? Ready for what? Oh my god!!
Lancer suddenly realized that what he had said might have been ambiguous?
"Leone, you seem to have misunderstood. What I originally wanted to say was that I want to remove your status as a 'slave'."
Lancer, whose throat felt a bit dry, quickly walked over to the other person and, under Leone incredible gaze, directly squeezed the 'collar' on her neck.
"Clink~!"
After a crisp sound, the collar was directly crushed. Lancer then crushed the other side and took the collar directly off the other person's neck.
After taking it off, he immediately stepped back. The temperature and fragrance of the other person had already made him feel a bit dazed, and his face was probably already red. To maintain his dignity, he quickly turned around.
"Leone, you are now free."
Lancer had once guessed what the other person's reaction would be when he removed her 'slave' status. Happy? Incredulous? Or something else? But what he found strange was why there was no sound behind him?
He turned around out of curiosity, but what he saw was a pale face. The revealing lingerie made the girl look very strange, and the tears in her eyes made Lancer feel incredibly strange. Were they tears of joy? But paired with the other person's current appearance, it was clearly not right. So were they tears of sadness? Why would she be sad? She had finally escaped her status as a slave.
"Leone? What's... wrong?"
What was originally just a simple question was like a fuse. The girl, who had a stiff expression, instantly couldn't control herself anymore. The tears in her eyes could no longer be held back, and large drops of tears fell onto the floor. Her stiff face became a bit contorted from crying.
"I... I understand... master..."
What do you understand?!
Lancer wondered why he could never understand the thoughts of the people around him?
Looking at Leone who was turning to leave his room, he had a feeling that if he just let her leave like this, he would probably regret it forever. So he grabbed the other person's wrist.
"First, tell me what's going on."
"Master... you don't... want me anymore... I... I..."
Before, she was just simply crying, but with those words, she started sobbing. Her shoulders were even trembling uncontrollably.
Leone answer also made Lancer feel a bit incredible. It was clear that even after living in this country for a year and a half, he was not a person of this country. It was like how Lancer could never understand why Leone, who grew up in the slums, would not want to leave a 'home' she had finally found, even if it was as a slave.
For her, her current life was much better than before. She had delicious food, a warm home, and a soft bed. She didn't have to worry about her livelihood every day and didn't have to be afraid of the dark alleys at night. Even her so-called 'master' was very gentle to her. This was like a scene from a dream for her.
In Lancer eyes, he was giving her 'freedom', but in Leone eyes, it was the time to wake up from the dream...
"Are you an idiot? I just said I'd restore your status as a 'free citizen'. When did I ever say I was kicking you out? Okay, stop crying..."
Lancer, of course, had no intention of kicking the other person out. He was planning to find an opportunity to 'transfer' his property to the other person and then ask Budo and the others to take care of Leone. He was the one who was leaving, not Leone. But looking at the girl who had finally stopped crying because of his words, he wisely didn't say the rest.
Leone, who had been crying, was also stunned when she heard Lancer words. She then stared at Lancer with wide eyes, as if to confirm if he was joking. After a few seconds of meeting Lancer serious gaze, she finally confirmed that Lancer had not just been comforting her, and then she lowered her head with a shy expression. It was unclear if this shyness was because of her reaction just now or for some other reason.
Suddenly, Leone hugged Lancer.
This sudden action startled Lancer.
"Master, do you mean I'm no longer a slave?"
Although Leone was hugging Lancer at this time, she was looking straight into Lancer eyes with her head raised. The fervent emotions in her eyes made Lancer feel a bit flustered. You know, even on the battlefield, facing enemies hundreds of times his own size, he had never thought of retreating, but this time, he instinctively wanted to retreat. But at this moment, he remembered Leone eyes...
He took a deep breath and looked at Leone with equally determined eyes.
"Yes."
Feeling Lancer determined tone and gaze, and the masculine aura emanating from him, Leone couldn't help but bite her lip, and finally, with a trembling voice, she said what she wanted to say.
"Then... can you hug me?"
Accompanied by Leone soft question, the girl, with tears still on her face and an unusual blush, looked at Lancer with a face full of anticipation. There was no doubt that she was waiting for Lancer answer.
Lancer really wanted to tell himself that the other person's words 'just meant a simple hug', but the other person's shy but firm expression was telling Lancer that it was probably not as simple as just wanting a hug.
Lancer didn't know how special his kindness was to the other person. He was just doing everything according to his own principles, but it was precisely this 'principle' that was different from ordinary people that created a strange attraction for the once desperate Leone.
And now, facing the sudden eruption from Leone, Lancer also knew that he had to respond to the other person. This was his resolve as a man!