Goddammit!
When he sensed the aura radiating from the blue-gold giant, the Shadow King had already cursed Cancer James's mother a hundred times over in his mind.
The intelligence provided by Cancer showed that Leon Douglas had only recently entered the Gold Rank, though he possessed power far exceeding the early stage of the Gold Rank.
According to Cancer, although many people had witnessed Leon fighting the bishop of the Black and White Hand alone, it was likely fake news.
The witnesses were only members of the Alchemists' Association and the Mages' Association. These people had close ties with Leon and might have been instructed by him to spread the word and build up his reputation.
Before setting off, the Shadow King had believed Cancer's words.
Even when he first met Leon, the Shadow King still believed Cancer—Leon was indeed at the Gold Rank.
But now.
“Like hell I'll believe you!”
In front of that massive blue-gold giant, the Shadow King felt as if the entire Crystal Mountains were pressing down on him, leaving him unable to breathe.
Let alone his current severely injured self, even at his peak, he wouldn't be Leon's match!
Put his life on the line to take Leon down?
What a joke!
On the Shadow, the moment the blue-gold giant unleashed its aura, every crew member fell dead silent, save for Pipi, who was still screaming in pain.
Because... they too could sense the immense pressure and terrifying power radiating from the blue-gold giant!
That power could wipe out the entire crew of the Shadow in a single strike!
Seeing everyone's silence, Leon was quite satisfied.
He had come to the Dusk Sea to recruit subordinates, not to find partners, and certainly not to pamper some arrogant outsider.
A maritime force like the Shadow King's, which claimed to be adventurers but actually took on quests while also plundering...
Leon didn't need to play the humble guest and repeatedly beg them to join him.
What he wanted was an obedient pawn, a nail driven into the sea that would never defy his orders.
If they couldn't do that... then the Shadow King could just die.
For the citizens of the Heron Empire and the residents of Eldenborg who looked up to him, Leon naturally viewed them as living human beings and his fellow compatriots.
But for outsiders... after the lesson of Soleneum, Leon had discarded all thoughts of mercy.
Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different hearts!
The words of the ancients still held true today!
“Give me a tour of your ship, the Shadow.”
Leon placed his priest's scepter behind his back and said calmly.
“Yes, Young Master Leon!”
The Shadow King dared not show any anger. He stood up and began to lead the way as Leon's guide.
At the same time, he discreetly waved his hand. Seeing this, his trusted subordinate immediately dragged away Pipi, whose legs had just been severed.
“Treat his wounds. After that, put him in solitary confinement for a month!”
The Shadow King's subordinate said,
“And while Leon is still on the ship, make sure to keep him down in the cabins. Don't let him appear in Leon's sight!”
It was a well-known fact that Pipi was defiant toward Leon and disagreed with the Shadow King's decision.
However, considering that Pipi and his mother had stood by his side during the rebellion, the Shadow King had still brought him aboard.
Who would have thought... instead of being grateful, he would cause such trouble!
“Fortunately, Leon didn't press the matter. Otherwise...”
The Shadow King's subordinate shook his head, a chill running down his spine.
Otherwise, facing a squad of Limit warriors, plus that incredibly fast and capable pink-haired girl, and Leon, the big boss himself, they would have been in grave danger.
Perhaps they all would have died on the ship for offending Leon...
...
“Not bad.”
After touring the Shadow, paying close attention to the ship's heavy artillery firepower and defense, Leon was quite satisfied.
He turned around, looked at the Shadow King's injuries, and said:
“Was this caused by Burns V?”
There was a massive handprint on the Shadow King's body, as if a giant had grabbed a piece of human-shaped clay and squeezed five distinct knuckle marks into it.
The Shadow King's face darkened. “Yes, Young Master Leon.”
“Indeed, it lingers with the aura of death, and its power exceeds the Gold Rank. No wonder you haven't been able to heal it despite seeking so many remedies.”
Leon sensed it slightly and said,
“However... I can heal it for you.”
The Shadow King raised his eyebrows. “Is that true?”
“I know you think I'm just making empty promises.” Leon raised his priest's scepter and lit up a Light Prayer Orb.
The Light Prayer cast a warm, gentle glow over the Shadow King. Instantly, a strange, warm current surged into his body, causing him to let out a comfortable groan of relief.
“Do you feel it?” Leon asked calmly.
Having upgraded to Level 3, his Healing Art's restorative power had increased significantly.
In just a dozen seconds, the Healing Art stopped the bleeding of the wounds that had been continuously seeping on the Shadow King's body, preventing his life force from draining away like water from an unplugged barrel.
Feeling his injuries no longer aching and his newly recovered life force finally ceasing to drain away like a fountain...
The Shadow King's expression grew excited, his eyes shining with shock:
“It actually... actually... is slowly recovering?!”
He immediately looked up at the Light Prayer Orb above his head.
This is a priest's Healing Art?!
Since when has the Healing Art evolved to such an extent that it can treat injuries caused by a Diamond Rank powerhouse?
The Shadow King's heart was filled with shock!
To think that his injuries were personally inflicted by Burns V!
That terrifying necromantic power clung to him like gangrene, causing him immense pain with the slightest movement.
Even when he used various healing potions or sought help from the president of the Potion Association to brew top-tier healing potions like the Sacred Crystal Dew, he was still helpless.
It could only temporarily ease the pain and keep the injuries from worsening.
Yet... in the face of such severe injuries, in the face of the residual effects of an attack from a Diamond Rank powerhouse...
Leon could actually... casually cast a Healing Art and make it work directly?!
This was simply unbelievable!
Exceedingly excited, the Shadow King immediately knelt on one knee and performed a knight's salute to Leon: “Young Master Leon! For your benevolence, please accept my—”
Flicker.
Before he could finish, the Light Prayer Orb Leon had lit suddenly vanished.
The feeling of the warm current flowing into his body and repairing his wounds disappeared instantly.
And the injuries on the Shadow King's body had only stopped bleeding and ceased worsening; they were far from fully healed.
“No need for these superficial pleasantries.”
Leon lowered his priest's scepter and said,
“Two things.”
“Do two things for me, and I will cast my Healing Art to fully restore you.”
Leon didn't give the Shadow King a chance to speak, continuing:
“First, you will take all your men and follow my command to launch a punitive expedition against the undead army in the Endless Bay, wiping them out completely.”
“Before we strike the undead army in the Endless Bay, I will give you a second treatment to stabilize your injuries, at least allowing you to unleash your full power without holding back.”
“Second.”
“After wiping out the undead army in the Endless Bay, I will launch a campaign against Burns V's undead warband.”
“At that time, I will need you to fight for me. Before the battle, I will completely heal your injuries.”
“Additionally, I will heal any injuries you sustain in battle from now on.”
Leon stared at the Shadow King. “How do you find this deal?”
The Shadow King fell into deep thought. A few seconds later, he said, “Very fair.”
Rate on N.U.
