On Endless Bay.
After clearing the battlefield, Leon ordered the Deep Diver, which had transformed into its mecha-turret form.
“Yes, transforming.”
Before long, under Evelyn No. 0's control, the mecha-form Deep Diver walked into the sea.
With a clanking sound, the five-meter-tall alchemical mecha quickly transformed from a humanoid combat mecha into a small alchemical submarine.
This sight caused a bright gleam to flash in the eyes of the Shadow King and his subordinates.
After all, a five-meter-tall mecha directly transforming into a submarine over fifty meters long and twenty meters wide was truly marvelous to behold.
And... that was mecha transformation!
No man could resist mechas and Ultraman!
“Having eradicated a stronghold of the Burns Court, and given Burns V's nature of aggressively expanding and annexing maritime forces the moment he revived, he would surely not let this rest.”
Before leaving, Leon said to the Shadow King:
“Subsequently, Burns V will certainly dispatch more undead armies to continue contending for Endless Bay.
Before that, I need you to set up a defensive zone on the sea surface and excavate defensive fortifications on the Endless Bay islands...
As for the materials and manpower for the fortifications, I will send people from Heron to assist you.”
Upon hearing this, the Shadow King thumped his chest and guaranteed:
“Please rest assured, Young Master Leon! Your subordinate will wholeheartedly strive to fulfill your command!”
Leon nodded, then led Titus and Alicia back to the Deep Diver, which had submerged.
The Deep Diver rapidly submerged, quickly vanishing from the sight of the Shadow King and his subordinates.
The Shadow King withdrew his gaze from the Deep Diver, then turned and instructed several trusted aides beside him:
“Did you hear what needs to be done?”
“Yes, Boss!”
“Then get to it! If you don't do it well, I'll hold you accountable!”
“...Yes, Boss.”
His trusted aides led their men to work, beginning to construct residential buildings and bases on Endless Bay.
The Shadow King, however, looked at Endless Bay with a relieved expression.
“I really must thank Cancer...”
If not for Cancer's persuasion, he wouldn't have thought of pledging allegiance to Leon and joining the Heron's embrace.
After all.
Based on his previous perceptions of major powers like Heron and Nightmare, becoming a subordinate to these major powers would surely mean being exploited and used as cannon fodder.
But if he pledged allegiance to Leon... well, that's a different story.
Leon, whether in terms of strength, influence, or style of conduct, was different from those Heron nobles.
In terms of strength, he was already Gold rank at a young age, and could even fight three peak Gold rank undead generals alone.
In terms of influence, his background as the Prime Minister's second son and the Sage King's chosen one was profound, with a future brighter than any star.
In terms of conduct... when Leon saw him injured by the undead priest's sneak attack, he actually let him leave directly.
Instead of ordering him to stay and be cannon fodder to attract attention.
This act alone was enough to earn the Shadow King's secret admiration.
“So, joining Leon's command, how could that be considered 'being a dog'...”
The Shadow King felt his healed injuries and thought:
“This should be called... receiving an official position granted by the Heron Empire!”
With an official position, he could live peacefully from now on, without worrying about the livelihoods of so many trusted subordinates.
...
Half a day quickly passed.
Leon, aboard the Deep Diver, returned to the coastline near Eldenborg.
The most convenient aspect of the Deep Diver was that it didn't require a port to dock; it could surface directly in shallow coastal areas.
After surfacing, under Evelyn No. 0's control, the Deep Diver could quickly transform from a small submarine into a one-cubic-meter sheet of metal.
Like a nano-mecha, it could transform into a backpack or a suitcase to be carried.
Leon's group, with Titus carrying the Deep Diver, hurried back to Eldenborg.
“Young Master Leon! You've finally returned!”
Outside Eldenborg, Baron Pizzis, the fort lord, had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Leon return, he stepped forward:
“Young Master Leon, your heroic combat on Endless Bay truly opened all our eyes!”
“Heroic combat?” Leon asked, hearing this. “What heroic combat?”
“Ah? Wasn't it you who spread it?” Baron Pizzis was stunned. He pulled out a recording stone from his怀 and said:
“This recording stone titled 'Leon Douglas's Combat Strength Unveiled,' wasn't it distributed by someone you sent?”
Leon raised an eyebrow, took the recording stone, and examined it.
The image on the recording stone was somewhat blurry, like a picture that had lost clarity after being copied dozens of times from other recording stones.
However, one could still clearly see the entire process of Leon fighting three undead generals on Endless Bay.
“This perspective... was it that undead priest?”
After a moment of checking, Leon finally realized.
“So, the undead priest's suicide wasn't to curse me, but to... transmit a recording.”
Leon looked at Baron Pizzis and asked:
“Has this recorded content already spread?”
Baron Pizzis secretly glanced at Leon's expression and said cautiously:
“It has already spread throughout Eldenborg...”
“If Young Master Leon deems it inappropriate, I will immediately send people to retrieve and destroy the recording stones documenting the battle?”
“No need.” Leon shook his head slightly.
Since it has already spread, retrieving and destroying them would be meaningless.
Moreover... he wasn't worried now about his strength, which surpassed the Gold rank, being discovered and targeted for assassination by enemies.
Or rather, given his previous rate of growth, would enemies underestimate him and not send assassins?
How could that be?
He had already been targeted by the Nightmare Empire when he achieved first place in the priest assessment.
After advancing to the Gold rank, the Nightmare Empire's attention on him must have reached its peak.
But so what?
Archduke Grant, who personally tried to kill him last time, had his last bat wing severed and was now probably somewhere trying to make a fortune.
Many territories within his Archduchy of Grant had been secretly encroached upon by other Archdukes.
And this was even with the Nightmare Emperor personally intervening to stop it.
If the Nightmare Emperor hadn't made a statement, Archduke Grant might have had his very pants swallowed by other Archdukes, leaving him with only Grant Fortress!
In summary, the national conditions of Heron and Nightmare were completely different.
After the last lesson, these Legendary rank Archdukes, if they wanted to move against him and kill him, would probably have to weigh how many wings they could afford to lose.
As for Epic rank vampires below Legendary...
If they dared to come, Leon would have to pull out the Thunder token bestowed by the Sage King and let them know what it felt like to be struck by lightning.
As for Diamond rank and below... it wasn't that Leon looked down on them.
It was that.
He had a Diamond rank Shadow Agent constantly protecting him.
Plus his current combat power, and the Red Fairy Tale, a top-tier sacred relic.
If Diamond rank vampires truly dared to appear in Heron, Leon could deal with them even without the Thunder token!
Therefore, all things considered.
If it spread, it spread.
It would also conveniently boost his reputation and presence.
Making it easier for him to farm experience points.
“There's no need to concern yourself with those recording stones spreading everywhere.”
Leon said to Baron Pizzis.
Having said that, he led Titus back to Rose Cathedral.
Rate on N.U.
