THE RISE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SINNERS
#19# LEO vs PRINCESS LICIA
For a week Leo recuperated at the Yurei base. He could not be found by anyone including King Charles and forced the king to stay longer in Valdia. On his way out of Yurei headquarters, Leo was greeted by the residents. They prayed for health for Leo and gave him protective amulets. Leo happily accepted the amulets while continuing on the path to the palace with the elder brother.
In front of the palace gate, she was already greeted by Melina. The beautiful girl ran over and immediately hugged her older brother tightly.
" Thank God it's okay, sister" Melina said.
Leo smiled lightly as he stroked Melina's head, "I'm sorry to make you and the others worry. "
Moments after Melina released a hug, an arrow shot towards them. Leos leisurely stared at the arrow and then came a whirlwind that destroyed the arrow.
From far away, a woman wearing light armor with a white iron helmet carrying an arrow bow in her left hand. " I can't believe you cowards can stop that arrow. Come to think of it as a blond hair better than your red hair, "said the arrogant woman. From his voice, it was very clear who the woman behind the iron helmet was. Yeah, who else if not Licia's daughter.
" Stupid gorilla! You can shoot my newly healed sister! " thalia snapped at Licia's actions.
" Give up the gorilla! I was just imitating the way you came to the dorm challenging me! " blown back Licia.
Thalia immediately blushed in embarrassment. He fell silent and hid behind Leo while whistling as if he knew nothing.
" It's no wonder for me that two people are careless fighting each other. But it's weird that you two are both beauty pageant champions, "gigar Leo looked at Thalia and Licia's behavior.
" lao! Fight with me! " Licia threw her bow away.she pulled the sword and pointed it at Leo from a distance.
" Why would I bother serving a careless person like my brother? It's a waste of time, "Lo didn't take Licia's challenge.he just walked into the palace. Licia is upset at Leo's repulsion. He then unleashed fire-slash magic.
Leo reflexes to turn around to avoid the fire." Hhhhhh what can I do? Melina please get me my sword, "
Melina runs towards Leo's room to retrieve her mother's long sword. Not long after, he returned while carrying the sword that Leo meant.
" This is sister, "Melina gave the sword to Leo.
" Hmm thank you Melina. Now you stay away. This guy's as crazy as Thalia's sister, "
" Good ka– "Melina looked back and she didn't see Thalia around her.
" The feeling here is that of Thalia, "
" Leoooo! You have to win! I've bet 200 gold coins with Princess Licia's bodyguard! If you lose, you must return 200 gold coins to me! " thalia cried out from the balcony of the palace with marquis Aiden and King Charles, showing a small bag of money.
" Hhhhh mother seems like the nature of gambling and your duitan eyes are contagious to your three children, " muttered Leo with a sigh and stroked his forehead.
" Heh, Thalia it is a pity that I will win. And the 200 gold coins will be mine, " said Licia underestimated the fight with Leo.
" White gorillas are arrogant before entering the abyss of hell. Hahaha.., I can't wait to see your sorry face! Then your fight both begins! " reply Thalia.
" Who let you be the penga– "has not finished Leo said, Licia immediately ran towards him while slashing two slashes of fire magic.
Leo leaped upwards avoiding the two fire slashes. He retaliated with a wind slash that Licia could also avoid. Seeing an opportunity to attack, Licia approached and pulled her sword. Leo can hold the slash with the sword still wrapped in its sheath. Although he managed to hold back, but Licia actually got a chance to kick Leo's chest, and make it shift a few meters from where it was before.
" Heh, you want to fight me with a magic wand? " scoffs Licia pointing her sword.
" aaa! Why do all consider it a stick! " exasperated Leo because indeed every time he carried that long sword, many considered it a magic wand.
" Okay, Licia, this time I'm going to be a little serious because you've insulted my sword, "Leo draws his sword and throws away the scabbard. The long shiny sword blade was shining in the sun.
" Hoo a good sword. Then I will not have mercy on you! " sniff Licia while jumping and raising the sword. He slams his sword from above and Leo holds it down below. The clash between the two swords caused a shockwave that rattled the palace.
After the collision, they fought each other with swords. Licia with her sword agility was balanced by Leo with a sword defense above the average of the other sword users. Slash by slash they sent each other, and they parried each other. But, of the entire series of Licia, no one managed to scratch Leo. It was precisely the young man with blond hair who could scratch Licia's armor several times.
Almost 4 minutes they clashed with swords and Leo ended the sword fight with a hard kick that made Licia bounce and fall away. Licia who did not receive the attack, tried to retaliate by throwing 3 knives coated with fire.
The first blade was fended off by Leo and instantly exploded upon touching his sword. It was fortunate that Leo quickly created a wind shield magic that made him manage to survive without the slightest injury. While the second and third knives he managed to avoid. The two knives exploded and damaged several ornamental trees in the palace courtyard.
" Don't throw something like that! You can ruin the palace environment! " cream Leo saw the trees burning behind him.
" Calm down, the cost of the damage will be borne by me. Now go! " licia said back to the sword.
Leo raised his sword while closing his eyes then in the sword hilt appeared a small magic circle. " Get ready, Licia! I'll end this fight! "
" Go on! " reply Licia.
Leo took one step forward and suddenly disappeared. Licia and the rest of the palace residents who watched the fight were taken aback. But Licia was not out of her mind.she took out a fire sword magic where her sword was covered by blue flames with high heat.
" Soul-feltering magic huh? I can't believe that you cowards can become emperor level wind element users! But what a pity, since you are dealing with emperor level as well! RING FIRE! " Licia did a circular slash. The slash created a giant ring-shaped blue flame wave that struck in all directions. The attack managed to make him know the position of Leo. The silent movement of Leo makes the direction of the fire wave follow the direction of the wind in which the young man moves.
" Caught! " Licia flipped over with her right hand carrying a blue fireball ready to be blown away.
" Find this! "
...Boooom...!...
He unleashed his fireball and instantly exploded right towards Leo who was about to attack him. The explosion resulted in the eastern courtyard of the palace being destroyed.
" How about Leo? Now you admit defeat? " said cocky Licia behind a puff of smoke.
" lost? How could I lose to a careless and stupid person like you, "reply Leo.
Unexpectedly, behind the puff of smoke there are 5 shadows in the same posture as Leo. Licia slashed her sword to remove the puff of smoke. Look behind the smoke turns out Leo who now has 5.
" Stuck, " said Leo. He and his shadow split in 5 directions.
" Let's see how strong you are to withstand my attack, "
Quickly Leo and his 4 shadows attacked Licia in turns. Licia was initially able to withstand the attack, but it was a pity that Leo's attack speed could not be matched by it plus every attack was accompanied by wind magic. Licia could only scream withstanding the pain of that endless attack that left her armor torn apart. Seeing the already helpless Licia, Leo ended his attack with a whirlwind that gently slammed into Licia's body.he deliberately cast a soft magic because he thought Licia was already helpless.
" The winner is decided, right? " leo said confidently while carrying his long sword.
Licia was upset. He can't accept being defeated by his childhood friend who was once a notorious coward. The girl gritted her teeth while trying to get up and endure the pain from the wounds on her body.
" I don't take this! It's not over yet! There is no way the strongest fire user in the kingdom is defeated by the wind user from a coward! I don't accept it! " licia shouted followed by the appearance of a pair of fire wings from her back.
" It's still bringing up the past, "reply Leo.
" Lo, I didn't think you could corner me and force me to use all of my magic energy! Now prepare! " save Licia.he flew away into the sky.
Feeling that his flight was high, he reinserted his sword and formed a body position like an archery person then whispered a spell accompanied by the appearance of 3 magic circles in front of his body.
From Licia's left hand, a blue flame solidified and formed an arc of fire. In his right hand, an arrow from the fire also appeared. The arrow was igniting a huge vortex of fire that was spinning slowly like a giant windmill. Licia's magic was even visible all over Valdia to the point of having the commanders of the border guards send their envoys to find out what fire vortex they saw in the sky.
***
" Lika...! What are you doing! You can destroy a whole city! " cry the panic of King Charles.
" Hey gorillaaaa...! Do you want to start the third holy war!? Stop your magic now! Many of the Angelus pilgrims are here! " thalia Sahut.
Shouts for the sake of shouts were thrown in order to prevent Licia's actions. But he didn't make that scream.. The girl was stone-headed and insisted on wanting to defeat Leo with the strongest magic.
" I don't care! Whatever happens after this, at least I have to defeat him! SVARGIYA AGNI TIRA (Heavenly fire arrow)...! " sniff Licia by pulling her magic bow and releasing the fire arrows. The magic arrow shot down while making a roar that shook the entire city of Valdia.
Leo was annoyed at Licia's stubborn attitude. He threw out his sword and raised his right hand.
" Why would a god give a person as stupid as him with this much power! " his complaint.
The blonde youth closed his eyes followed by a magic circle that came out from both palms. At once the air temperature in the city of Valdia became cold. Slowly, the grains of ice floated to form a huge vortex and condensed into a giant ice shield that covered Valdia's palace.
" Escudo da deusa do xeo (Ice goddess shield). "Surprisingly Leo perfected his ice shield magic.
From above, Licia watched how the giant ice shield was formed. A magic element that was already familiar to him. He was reminded of a knight wielding the ice element who saved him.
The stone-headed girl thought that the knight she had been looking for days this time came and made the shield. Originally, Licia was about to undo her magic but it was too late. The magic that had been unleashed was irrevocable.he could only pray that the shield could withstand the attack of his fire arrow while regretting his actions.
...Boooooom...!...
The fire arrows hit the ice shield and there was a deafening big explosion. The explosion rattled the Valdia mainland to Sicily and left half the city of Valdia covered in a thick haze of ice plus a very extreme drop in temperature. But it was fortunate that Licia's attack was successfully restrained by Leo's ice shield and did not result in the slightest damage to the city.
Licia was greatly relieved that the ice-user knight had come and managed to resist her magic. The girl then flew down and hurriedly encountered the Knight she wanted so badly to meet.
In the dense fog, he walked there and there looking for the existence of knights. " Mister knight! Lord kratia! I know you must be here, right? The ice power is yours, right? I look for you every day but you never show up. Now where are you? " close Licia.
" Mister knight? Since when was there a Valdia knight who could use the ice element, "reply someone from behind the fog.
Licia directly approached the source of the voice with a pleased face as she thought it was from the knight lord. he ran over and was surprised to see that he was not a knight but Leo who stood with his hands covered in ice.
Licia was flabbergasted unable to hide her surprise. He began to realize that the knight he had been looking for all this time was Leo. Evidently from the ice that wrapped the right hand of Aiden's marquis son.
" Y-so you saved me first? " ask Licia shriek.
" ha? Rescuing it? Isn't it only here that we meet? " ask back from Leo.
Lia took off her helmet. Look at a face that is familiar to Leo. Yes, the face of a beautiful girl with white silver hair and red pomegranate eyes. She's the girl who made him fall in love.
" Y-you! " leo's eyes are open. He had no idea, the beautiful girl he saved was Licia's daughter and childhood friend.
" Why didn't you tell me from the beginning that you're a knight? " ask Licia again with flushed cheeks. The dilemma struck his mind as to whether he should like or hate. But instead her heart moved Licia's legs to step closer to Leo.
" I didn't know myself that ka– "had not finished saying, Leo was surprised by Licia who suddenly hugged him.
" If only I had asked your name. We definitely don't have to fight. I'd really like to see you. I am also very embarrassed and do not like us to be found in this situation! " said Licia hugged Leo tightly.
" I tried to hate you before coming here, but my heart seemed to say something else after knowing you and the knight who helped me were the same person" the silver-haired girl continued. The surprised Leo could not answer anything, he just fell silent while raising his hand.
" Liciiiaaaaa...! You stupid kid! Hampi– "king Karl immediately came to visit Licia while grumbling but was surprised by Licia who hugged Leo.
Licia let go of a surprised embrace at the arrival of king Karl. " Grandpa! "
" Wah-wah seems like the matchmaking has already been decided huh? " said King Charles with joy.
" Yeshaa...!I-I haven't decided yet! " split Leo spontaneously.
King Karl smiled, "Lo, I'll be waiting for you in the meeting room after dinner. And Licia, you need to clean this page! "
" Good noble one. I'll be there soon after dinner. "reply Leo on my knees.
" Dasaaar gorilaaaa...! " cries boomed Thalia who ran towards Licia with a face full of vengeance.
" Yes...! Are you a crazy gorilla! Wanna fight! Do I need to use my fire arrows again to burn your chest! " Licia was hooked and even got angry.
" Say you envy my chest, don't you! " snakes Thalia.
" Cih! My chest is bigger than yours, why should I be envious! Come here, you old gorilla! " sof Licia.
They both fight empty-handed but are separated by Leo.
" Your chest sizes are the same. There is no need to fight, " said Leo standing between Licia and Thalia.
" You two are! Quickly sweep the yard clean! " cried king Charles from the front door of the palace.
" two? You mean my majesty too? " Thalia pointed a finger at herself.
" Yes! Gambling is strictly prohibited among the nobility! And you just broke it! Now you and Licia have to clean the yard! If the yard isn't clean, you won't get your dinner rations! " said the annoyance of king Karl.
" Nah, now you two quickly clear the courtyard. I'm gonna take a break, "Lo left them both.
Who would have thought, the punishment even became the race Thalia and Licia. They were racing to clear the courtyard while throwing taunts at each other in mockery that made the soldiers laugh all day by their deeds.
While Leo, he had a conversation with his father and Melina and then spent the rest of the day sleeping until dinner arrived.
When night fell, the King and marquis Aiden and the others were just talking about the unimportant things during the dinner. After finishing dinner, the king called Leo to the meeting room of Valdia's palace where he wanted to speak 4 points with Leo.
***
...Geck! Geck! Toks!...
" Come in, "said king Charles from the meeting room.he already knew that the one knocking on the door was Leo. The marquis' son came in and saw the king sitting in the front seat and there was a chair facing the king.
" Sit down in that chair, "
According to the king's orders, Leo sat on the chair. He bowed his head and pensively with a nervousness that haunted the mind. " Sa-it is very honorable for me to be able to speak both with your majesty, "
" Hahaha, "king Charles laughed at Leo's words.
" There's no need to be respectful or polite to me, Leo. Our caste is parallel, even I should respect you because if not the ancestor Valdius succumbed, how could our descendant Kalius be able to sit on the throne of Gerelia? "
The words of King Charles slightly eased Leo's nervousness but not his head. He continued to convince himself not to change the decision he had previously made.
" Well, now give me your answer, "
Leo looked up, looking into the king's eyes, "Pardon your majesty. Before I give a decision, I want to know what noble reason to match Licia with me. Though many nobles are very influential in the kingdom. I myself am only a newcomer and who has influence and support in the kingdom is only my father and brother, "
King Charles thought Leo would question that. The old man let out a long sigh while comforting the sitting position. " It's you who don't have that support that's what I'm looking for. Indeed many influential nobles, especially Orka. But the greedy nature of the nobles will only destroy the kingdom. In addition, this is all for the sake of revoking Theo's right as crown prince, "
" Relieve prince Theo's right? What the hell is going on? "
" Theo is a man who can't decide things by himself. Back when his late wife was alive, Theo could have been a highly coveted person as a leader. It was his wife who continued to help him make decisions and decisions from him always aimed well for the kingdom. But after he died, Theo was devastated. My son lost someone who could guide him. Licia herself could not replace her mother because she was too young. The result you can see for yourself, right? "
" Yes, from what I hear now prince Theo is a very temperamental man, "
" It's not just that. He now had no mercy at all to anyone but his daughter. This was all because of his closeness to the priest Vlad. He was the elder brother of Count Randa and the high priest in Deusia. And this all fits with my concerns. Theo would sooner or later become a puppet of Vlad and the holy priest Jeremus. If the throne falls into his hands, I'm sure Gerelia could be destroyed. Theo who is now a war-hungry madman. His ears were already deaf with the warnings of the higher-ups and only heard the words of Vlad and Licia alone. Therefore, for the sake of saving the kingdom, I chose you to marry Licia. I am sure that with the throne of Gerelia in your hands, peace with the eastern continent will continue to be maintained, "
" Wouldn't Prince Theo have rebelled if his mandate had been revoked? "
" That's not gonna happen. Last year I, Theo, and Licia talked about the throne. Indeed I appointed Theo as crown prince after my other son died. But I was also surprised when Theo wanted to give the throne to Licia if she wanted it. He even willingly cut off his little finger as his vow. You may be confused as to why he did that, right? It was all because of Licia's mother's last request. Before she dies, she asks if one day Licia wants to be queen, she wants Theo to give her, "
" I still don't understand. How could a prince known to be ruthless by his people hold an oath? "
" Theo is a good boy. Before being friends with Vlad he was the same person as your father. And everything changed after knowing Vlad. But I was grateful that he met his true love. Thanks to the sensibility of Licia's mother, she begins to move away from Vlad and can live peacefully in the palace. His love of death to Licia's mother made him swear to death that whatever she wanted he would grant her. That promise is what he continues to hold until now even though his human nature is invisible, "
Leo remained silent. He still did not understand the story of King Charles. However, he understood how the kingdom was now.
" If you consent to this match, the rest of my duty is to convince Licia to take Theo's oath" King Charles said.
" Well, I agreed to this matchmaking but on condition, "
King Karl stood up from his chair, excited to hear Leo's reply. " Well what's the condition? I'd definitely agree to that, "
" Need not to make me king. Simply Licia became the sole leader in Gerelia, " Leo replied.
That answer changed the fleeting delight of King Charles. " ha? Whatchu mean? If you don't become king then what is this matchmaking for? "
" I have no intention of becoming a leader. The reason I accepted this matchup was that if one day there was a seizure of the throne, it was clear Valdia would be a threat. For the safety of all the people of Valdia and the integrity of the kingdom, I agreed to my betrothal to Licia and help her to ascend the throne, "
King Karl took a deep breath, he could not help but hear Leo's reply. " Then if Licia ascended the throne would be a big question mark about Licia's husband who did not become king, "
" It's a noble affair. Somehow the noble way set it up. Even if I don't become king, I promise to protect the kingdom from behind and help Licia. He will be the ruler of Gerelia at least until we have a son who will take the next throne. Your Majesty take it easy, I will be responsible for this decision. But if his majesty rejects him, it's also not a big deal to me, "
" It's easy to tell Leo, but you have no influence in the kingdom and then how do you protect from behind the scenes? "
" It should be that your majesty has heard about the troops under my leadership right? Although it was only 200 people, it was more than enough to kill the entire army of the capital. Even corrupt officials whose noble children are kept can be finished off in a day, "
King Karl was silent. He tries to examine all of Leo's words and begins to understand if Leo's ways are not too bad. In addition, indeed the troops that Leo meant were already famous for their ins and outs on the eastern continent. Although Leo had no influence but with his personal army it was more than enough to eradicate the rats and fleas in the government and protect the throne of Licia later.
"All right, I agree with your plan. Maybe it's good to keep your decision a secret, especially from Licia. When are you getting married? "
Leo shook his head, "There's still a lot of work to be done here. Besides that I have to find a cure for Melina too. I swore to heal him. "
" Wait, don't tell me you want to find that mythical flower? "
" Yes, I will try to trace the footsteps of Valdius' ancestor in order to obtain the flower. But relax, I have estimated everything. I'll only be gone for about three years and after that I'll marry Licia, "
" all right. Even if I say the place you're looking for is either there or not, you're definitely going to keep looking for it, right? "
Leo nodded his head while smiling confidently, "Yes, but I'm sure there is a place. "
" all right. With your decision, I now officially match you to my granddaughter Licia. I'm leaving my grandson to you Leo. Please take care of him, "
" Hmh even if I don't like his nature a little, I will take care of him according to noble wishes, "
" Well you can go now, "
Leo got out of his chair and knelt before King Charles, "Great thanks. I asked permission to resign. "
After a conversation with Leo, King Charles announced directly at the palace about Leo and Licia's match. The wedding was celebrated with a small party. King Charles himself went straight back to the capital after the feast. She left Licia alone in Valdia until her vacation ran out without a single royal servant or bodyguard.
^^^To be Continue.^^^
