Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Chapter 18: A Warrior’s Dream

Leon had rented two rooms at the inn. One was for himself, and the other was for Ryan.

Ryan asked with a puzzled look.

“Why’d you bother getting two single rooms? Wouldn’t one double room be easier?”

It was a reasonable question—though at the same time, a foolish one.

Leon pointed to Ryan’s empty pocket and said,

“I told you I’d cover for you for a day or two. That means you’ll be on your own after that.”

“……So you’re saying if I want a double room, I should earn some money too?”

“You’re asking something obvious.”

Ryan looked at Leon in disbelief, then glared at him in annoyance.

“You’ve got dozens of gold coins, yet you’re acting so stingy.”

“That money isn’t mine. Strictly speaking, you could say it’s borrowed.”

“Didn’t Lord Reinhardt just give it to you?”

“There’s no such thing as free in this world.”

Leon cut him off sharply and stepped into his room.

He could hear Ryan muttering something outside, but Leon paid it no mind.

Ryan was a strong man. He might grumble now, but he would manage fine once time passed.

After unpacking his things,

Leon sat cross-legged on the bed.

Even during the journey from Kellyburn to the capital, he hadn’t stopped training.

He was always carving out his own path within his inner world, striving to perfect the Twelve Celestial Sword Styles and the Infinite Void Heart Fist.

Of course, the process wasn’t easy. Even if his physical talent was extraordinary, Leon’s comprehension was not particularly high.

With such an average aptitude, refining the Martial God’s martial arts was no simple feat.

Especially the Body Movement Technique—that was difficult.

The technique he had learned, Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step, was a complex movement method.

Depending on the situation, Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step required different forms of motion to function as part of the Body Movement Technique.

At times like a tiger pouncing on its prey, at times like clouds gliding on the wind—one had to move according to the flow.

That was why Leon’s body often twisted awkwardly whenever he tried to use swordsmanship and footwork together.

His comprehension wasn’t high enough to handle both simultaneously.

If he was to execute swordsmanship, he had to focus solely on that.

If he was to use movement, then only that.

It wasn’t strange. Ever since becoming aware of his past life, Leon had practiced the Twelve Celestial Sword Styles for over ten years.

Yet among its twelve forms, he had mastered only two.

Even if imperfect, most would at least learn every form’s basics.

But Leon’s poor aptitude didn’t allow that.

He was more aware than anyone of his own shortcomings.

That was why he could immediately think of a solution.

It was to reach the state where Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step moved on its own—without conscious thought.

‘I’m not gifted enough to divide my focus. My mind must be wholly devoted to swordsmanship. During that, I can’t afford to consciously control my steps.’

It was purely a matter of consciousness. Therefore, Leon decided to rely on his body—one blessed with heavenly talent.

‘Unlike my dull mind, my body has divine qualities. So I’ll make my body remember, not my head. In a moment of crisis, it’ll move instinctively—stepping into Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step without thought.’

Without hesitation, Leon slowly rose and began practicing the step.

Sometimes walking leisurely, sometimes moving swiftly as though sprinting across open plains.

He was simply hammering Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step into his body.

Soon, Leon realized the room was too cramped. Practicing properly in this space was nearly impossible.

‘Maybe I should’ve just taken a double room after all.’

There was no helping it. Leon stepped out of the inn, searching for a quiet place.

In the capital, such places were rare—no matter where one went, there were always people.

It was troublesome for someone who needed to train.

While walking through narrow alleys, Leon caught sight of a beggars’ den.

Peering closer, he saw an alleyway that reeked of darkness.

Men laughing obscenely as if drugged.

Men stumbling with bottles in hand.

Women, worn out, entertaining whatever customers still stood upright.

It seemed he had wandered into a red-light district while searching for isolation.

‘A sight I used to see often during my days as a wandering swordsman. No matter how the world changes, brothels never do.’

The place was identical to those in the Martial World, and that familiarity stirred strange emotions in Leon.

He walked through the dim street, his mind heavy with mixed feelings.

“Get lost, you bastards!”

A young, trembling voice shouted from across the street. Despite its harsh tone, fear tinged the sound—it was clear someone was in trouble.

Leon turned toward the source of the voice.

As expected, the scene before him was an ugly one. A group of thugs, each gripping a small knife, were threatening a young boy and girl.

“I’m telling you, this is a good deal for you too.”

One of the men approached the boy.

“All you have to do is pour drinks for some noble gentlemen and act cute. We’re actually losing money to get you noticed by them, you know?”

‘So it’s for entertainment.’

Leon’s eyes turned cold. Even in the Martial World, he had seen such filth before—men who preferred the coyness of children over that of grown women.

‘Disgusting pedophilic scum.’

If that boy accepted the man’s offer, the outcome was clear.

He would be drugged until he could never live normally again—or enslaved for life until he died.

And if it were the girl instead of the boy, she’d be forced to sell her body until death seemed merciful.

The boy seemed to understand that much. He screamed desperately, his voice cracking.

“Get the hell away from us, bastards!”

It was both a savage cry and a plea for help.

The men only laughed mockingly at his helplessness.

There was no need to watch further.

Leon used Dawn-Drifting Falcon Step, and in an instant, appeared before them.

Before they even realized what happened, his palm struck upward—

His blows sent the men sprawling like autumn leaves in the wind.

They were street rats, ignorant of martial arts. None of them would be getting up soon.

Leon turned to the boy and girl. Up close, they were indeed strikingly beautiful—enough to outshine most women.

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

“A passing warrior. I’m here to take responsibility for what just happened.”

Even at his words, the boy did not lower his guard. It was a good sign. Even if offered help, Leon was still a stranger.

In a world as harsh as this, that kind of vigilance was necessary.

Leon knew how to lower the guard of people —he’d experienced countless similar situations in his past life.

“I’m looking for a place to eat nearby. I’d appreciate it if you could recommend a decent spot.”

Leon spoke as he took out a single copper coin from his pocket.

The boy stared at the coin for a moment, glanced toward the girl, then finally said,

The restaurant the boy led him to was a plain tavern. Normally, such places wouldn’t even let children in, but…

“Where’ve you been, kid?”

The bald man who came out from the kitchen greeted the boy familiarly—it seemed this place wasn’t exactly a clean establishment either.

“Can’t you see the place’s empty? Sit wherever you want.”

Leon took a seat as the bald man said. In the meantime, the boy appeared to have taken the girl upstairs.

Then, looking tense and cautious, the boy sat across from Leon.

“……Aren’t you buying?”

“I only asked you to show me a restaurant. Never said I’d treat you.”

The boy frowned, then nodded slightly, as if admitting Leon had a point.

Since it was only a joke, Leon let out a small laugh and said,

“Tell me what you want to eat.”

“Sandwiches, steak, and potato salad.”

“You’ve got quite the appetite. Fine. Owner, two sandwiches, two steaks, and two potato salads, please.”

“You’ve got the money for all that, right?”

Instead of answering, Leon handed him two silver coins—enough to more than cover the meal. The bald man nodded.

“I’ll have it ready right away.”

He returned to the kitchen to cook, and during that time, the boy asked,

“Why’d you help us? This place is a dump. Helping me wouldn’t bring you any benefit.”

“You think I wanted something in return?”

“There’s no such thing as kindness without a price.”

Leon clicked his tongue inwardly. What a jaded kid. Even when he’d wandered the Central Plains in his past life, he hadn’t been this cynical at that age.

The boy before him was far more tainted by the world than he should have been.

So Leon decided to use the excuse he’d thought up beforehand.

“I’ve already been paid. You led me to a fine restaurant, didn’t you? That’s enough.”

“Do I look naïve enough to believe that?”

Leon sighed quietly. The boy could’ve just let it slide—why make things difficult?

Yet, he couldn’t ignore him either. There was a faint spark in the boy’s eyes.

That spark was hope—and yearning.

Leon instinctively realized that whatever answer he gave now would determine whether that spark burned brighter or died out.

‘This is troublesome.’

The boy’s life could change depending on how he answered—that was a heavy burden.

Thus, Leon decided to speak his honest truth.

If the boy was being sincere, then Leon would answer sincerely. That was what Leon considered righteousness.

He began speaking slowly.

“I am a warrior of Elphrel.”

“Not a knight-in-training?”

The boy asked in surprise, and Leon shook his head.

“I’m far from being a knight. I’m not that strong yet, and my beliefs are different from their chivalry. Still, I do have a dream—to become the greatest warrior in Elphrel. In other words, to become the king of Elphrel.”

The boy’s expression turned strange. The Empire chose its emperor through hereditary succession, while Elphrel’s kingship was determined by strength and merit. No wonder he looked confused.

But Leon continued. He felt that if he stopped now, his sincerity wouldn’t reach the boy.

“To become the king of Elphrel, one must be the strongest among all. Do you know why?”

“……No.” Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel※fire.net

“To protect the people.”

For a moment, there was an inexplicable resonance in Leon’s voice. It wasn’t intentional.

“A king must be stronger than anyone else. And a king must put his people before himself. That’s why I helped you. Even if you’re not a warrior of Elphrel, if I were to turn a blind eye to injustice right before me, I’d only end up disappointed in myself. How could I dream of being the greatest warrior if I couldn’t even offer help in something so small?”

The boy seemed deeply moved by Leon’s words. His mouth hung slightly open as he stared at Leon.

Leon had spoken his true heart.

Even when he had been Chun Gwang in his past life, and now as Leon, he had always wished to be someone admired by others.

And for a warrior like Leon, the most revered position was that of the strongest warrior in Elphrel—

The seat his father, Zeke, currently occupied.

To burn himself for the sake of the people?

He could gladly endure that. So long as he could become someone everyone respected, Leon was willing to bear any sacrifice.

Seeing Leon’s determined gaze, the boy’s expression turned solemn as well. Then he asked,

“What’s your name, sir?”

After exchanging names, their food arrived—a table so full it seemed about to collapse. When Leon glanced toward the bald man—

“Rahan’s a kid I look out for. Figured you helped him out, so I gave you a bit of extra service.”

Leon nodded lightly in thanks and began to eat slowly.