Chapter 682

Chapter 682

Ar decreased the gap separating him from Leo, a solemn expression washing over his features.

Swoosh—!

Without warning, Ar launched a kick directly at Leo’s countenance.

Whish—!

Observing Leo evade the strike by bending his torso backward, Ar’s gaze flashed with intensity.

“A vulnerability!”

Leaping forward, he drove another assault toward Leo using the exact leg that had just been anchoring his weight.

Smack—!

Leo extended his hand flat, intercepting Ar’s strike.

Whish—!

The impact immediately forced Leo’s frame backward.

Thud—!

Stabilizing his footing on the dirt, Leo fixed his gaze dead ahead.

In the blink of an eye, Ar’s clenched fist had already arrived right before Leo’s nose.

Swoosh—!

Ar’s knuckle sliced cleanly through the empty air.

Concurrently, plumes of dust billowed outward in every direction.

Ar wavered.

Unbeknownst to him, Leo’s open palm was now hovering right against his own nose.

“Defeated yet again!”

Ar collapsed flat onto his back against the earth, letting out his irritation.

Monitoring Ar’s posture, Leo remarked.

“That marks the forty-seventh replication. We will find ourselves awake until dawn at this pace.”

The clock had ticked past midnight.

Ar had requested this specific hand-to-hand combat practice session with Leo.

It was a term Ar had insisted upon: an agreement for enduring the training regimen to build up fire immunity in Dweno without uttering a single complaint.

The arrangement was to engage in physical sparring until Ar felt content for the entire duration of their stay within the subterranean labyrinth.

Conforming to this pact, Leo was currently trading blows with Ar, despite the lateness of the early morning hours.

“My reservoir of energy is not depleted!”

“Your endurance is certainly commendable.”

“Let us engage one more time!”

Witnessing Ar snap back into a sitting position, Leo offered a weary sigh.

“I implore you, let us get some rest.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Ar, who had been peering up at Leo with his arms folded across his chest, chuckled.

“Well, if the Black Rabbit pleads in such a manner, I shall grant a reprieve for the evening.”

“Your benevolence moves me to tears.”

Exhaling deeply, Leo peeled off his sweat-drenched shirt.

Having perspired profusely, the fabric of his upper garment was thoroughly saturated with moisture.

Wringing the material out, Leo murmured under his breath.

‘Is it due to his youth? He exerted himself so fiercely, yet his vitality remains unbound.’

Mid-thought, a sudden realization struck Leo.

‘Hold on, my own physical form is likewise that of a child.’

On occasion, he tended to overlook that detail.

‘Could it be a psychological misconception?’

Releasing a self-deprecating chuckle, Leo gave his garments a firm shake.

Ar stared at Leo, voicing his respect, “Ooh-ooh—.”

“What commands your attention?”

“Nothing. Merely observing you in this state makes me recognize that the Black Rabbit possesses a truly remarkable frame.”

Symmetrical muscularity, neither overdeveloped nor lacking substance.

Naturally, when measured against the disciples of Azonia, it might appear slight, but his unadulterated physical power was immense.

“Quite an appealing sight.”

Ar dragged himself closer to Leo, flashing a broad smirk, and jabbed his midsection.

“Refrain from touching me so freely, you deviant feline.”

“You dare label an unblemished maiden with such an offensive descriptor?! Do not presume to categorize me on the same plane as Driana!”

“At the very least, Driana does not request that I strip off my apparel with hidden motives.”

“Gah!”

Ar squeezed his hands into fists, his face contorting with annoyance, before tugging up his own shirt to display his midriff and declaring.

“If it displeases you, you are free to touch it as well! Go ahead! And proffer an apology for branding me a deviant feline! Apologize for associating me with the likes of Driana!”

In response to these words, Leo reached out and pinched Ar’s flank.

“Yowch! I commanded you to touch it! I did not authorize a pinch!”

“Do not dare exhibit your abdomen so shamelessly. You deviant feline.”

“Instead of expressing regret! You insult me with that label once more!”

Managing to wrench himself free from Leo’s grip, Ar immediately lunged onto Leo, sinking his teeth into his head.

“Growl!”

Paying no heed to Ar, who was emitting predatory noises, Leo unbuckled the bands and weights attached to both of his wrists and ankles, placing them aside.

He then gently rolled his wrists.

These were bands imbued with gravitational weight magic.

While they carried no weight to an outside observer, to the person donning them, they functioned as conditioning tools that heavily burdened the physical form—utensils he had routinely utilized since his early years.

Ar, who had been biting down on Leo’s head while clinging to his back, slid down and took a seat right beside him.

With a moderately disgruntled expression, he glared directly at the training tools.

He was fully aware.

That if they engaged in combat devoid of such encumbrances, he would stand no chance against Leo.

Even so, experiencing the frustration remained precisely that—frustrating.

Glancing up at Leo, who rose to his feet and commenced loosening his ankles, Ar uttered.

“I anticipate the day we can clash without any impediments.”

“Quite so. When do you suppose you will draw level?”

“Ugh!”

Reacting to Leo’s mildly baiting words, Ar adopted a vexed look.

Beaming softly at Ar, Leo brushed a hand over his hair.

“Your strength is developing with sufficient speed. Therefore, do not be overly restless.”

“Hmph! Regardless, among the successors of the Great Hero, I occupy the second position!”

“The second?”

“Indeed. The Black Rabbit, myself, the ruffian elf, and the deviant dwarf! That is the precise ranking!”

‘I am certain Lunia holds an identical perspective.’

Observing Ar swell with immediate self-importance, Leo erupted into laughter.

“You omitted a single individual.”

“Eh?”

“The Dragon Lord.”

“Ugh!”

Ar flinched.

No matter the degree of Ar’s vivacity, if Melina served as the benchmark, the circumstances altered drastically.

For Dragon Lord Melina was already a legendary figure who bore the weight of an entire epoch upon her shoulders.

“I—I shall close the distance rapidly!”

“Is that a fact?”

“Naturally! Black Rabbit! Initially, I shall overtake you! Following that, it will be Lady Melina!”

Ar bellowed with stouthearted determination.

Witnessing Ar’s display, Leo laughed softly to himself.

‘The sequence is inverted.’

Naturally, Ar possessed no method of discerning this reality, so Leo elected to disregard it.

“What occupies the two of you at this midnight hour? Are you enjoying a romantic rendezvous or something of the sort?”

“Ah! Master Dweno!”

Observing Dweno laughing robustly, Ar leaped to his feet.

Leo, who had detected Dweno’s proximity well in advance, cast a backward glance and spoke.

“We were engaged in exercise.”

“Well, you are certainly conscientious. Are you not already sufficiently potent?”

Watching Dweno stroke his chin with a inquisitive look, Leo countered.

“This degree of strength is far from adequate. Dweno, you ought to comprehend that better than anyone, shouldn’t you?”

Seeing Leo converse with a slightly disrespectful air, Ar was taken aback.

“Th—that, Black Rabbit! Exhibiting such behavior toward Master Dweno!”

“Pay it no mind, it causes me no grievance.”

Dweno snickered and closed the distance to Leo.

“I perceived this fellow’s absence of courtesy from our very first encounter.”

Thump—! Thump—!

Dweno laughed joyfully, striking Leo upon the shoulder.

It appeared to be a gentle pat, yet to Leo, the sensation mirrored being struck by a metal mace.

“For what reason is this elderly codger striking me and making such a scene?”

“Did a minor tap register as a blow? You there. You present a solid exterior, but your internal resilience is lesser than I anticipated.”

Observing Dweno click his tongue, Leo grimaced and shoved his foot directly toward Dweno’s face.

“You deviant elderly codger!”

“Deviant, you say? That is the inaugural instance of someone utilizing that term for me in my entire existence! If it were Enniha, perhaps, but for what reason am I deemed deviant?! Hahahaha!”

Dweno, who had been rubbing his chin and angling his head, laughed out loud and aimed a punch toward Leo.

Leo evaded the perilous fist and delivered a counterkick, but Dweno swiftly dodged that execution as well.

“Whoa.”

Ar, having just observed such profound irreverence transpire right before his eyes, was entirely at a loss for how to react.

Nevertheless, the duo, who had just been trading aggressive maneuvers, shortly thereafter took seats opposite one another and commenced a conversation.

“Thus, the intelligence reports indicate we are entirely isolated?”

“Precisely. External assistance is improbable.”

“Is it unfeasible to neutralize it via sorcery?”

“…It is a barricade forged utilizing Erebus’s authority. Piercing through it is an impossibility.”

“Is that the reality?”

Dweno adopted a grave countenance.

Observing his expression, Leo stated.

“There must exist a focal point anchoring the barricade in the vicinity surrounding the stronghold. Our task is simply to obliterate it.”

To be more exact, it represented a portal into the epicenter of the Legion’s domain.

Upon infiltrating the Legion’s domain via that location, one would locate and eliminate the Legion’s chronicled archives.

Should that occur, this particular hero labyrinth would dissolve.

Fabricating a story for Dweno, Leo articulated.

“Consequently, beginning tomorrow, I intend to scout the territory encircling the stronghold.”

“Do you require any provisions or aid?”

“Hmm. I would prefer to venture out alongside the novices of Ivaldi’s combatants.”

“With those youngsters?”

“Because it is necessary for us to distribute our available forces.”

Ar, Driana, and Iliana were incapable of shifting positions due to their ongoing physical regimens.

Kal likewise could not abandon the alchemical apparatus, as he was entirely occupied with fabricating the elixirs required for the confrontation against Tartaros.

Ultimately, Leo’s current assembly was suffering from a shortage of available hands.

Ivaldi’s combatants were required to defend the ramparts, meaning they could not be requested for scouting duties.

“Even if they are merely novices, they have been executing scouting operations and beast exterminations around the stronghold, have they not? They will provide substantial assistance.”

Their unrefined fighting capacity fell short of Leo’s circle.

Nonetheless, the expertise accumulated from surviving through the Age of Calamity vastly eclipsed that of the hero apprentices.

As a consequence, they would clearly serve as a major benefit for scouting endeavors.

Dweno, reflecting upon Leo’s rationale, gave a nod of assent.

“Very well. I shall notify the apprentice combatants.”

Dweno, while nodding, shifted his gaze to Ar and smiled.

“You certainly possess an excellent companion by your side.”

“That is undeniable.”

When Ar smiled sheepishly, Dweno chuckled.

“His disposition appears dreadful, yet he seems to be a companion possessing numerous attributes worthy of emulation, so glean as much knowledge as you can from him.”

“For what reason are you instigating another conflict?”

As Leo scowled, Ar bounded to his feet and proclaimed.

“Understood! I shall indisputably grow powerful alongside the Black Rabbit! And attain sufficient strength to vanquish Erebus! I pledge this upon Lord Arion’s reputation!”

Beholding Ar, whose eyes gleamed with fervor and whose hands were tightly balled, Dweno remarked.

“Exceedingly dependable!”

“Hehehe.”

“You are tasked with conquering it. That loathsome dark blaze.”

“Without question! Even if it demands my existence, I shall definitively vanquish Erebus…”

“Negative.”

“Eh?”

“Under no circumstances are you to perish. Avoid death, and vanquish him.”

Dweno commanded resolutely.

“Understood, sir!”

When Ar responded with vigor, Dweno smiled and offered a nod.

“In that case, cleanse yourselves and retire to bed early in anticipation of tomorrow’s scouting mission.”

“Understood!”

Snap—!

Splash—!

As Leo produced a sharp sound with his fingers, a torrent of water cascaded directly over Ar.

Ar, currently resembling a thoroughly soaked feline, glared with pure malice, grabbed Leo by his collar, and agitated him violently.

“What was the purpose of that!”

“I merely provided you with a washing.”

“Wash me with care, if you please! With care!”

Shouting and loudly articulating his grievances, Ar shook his frame with force, spraying droplets of water back onto Leo.

Following that, he emitted a sharp sniff and marched away with heavy steps!

Smiling softly at Ar’s retreating form, Leo trailed behind him and uttered.

“Then I shall depart as well.”

“Leo. There resides an inquiry I wish to pose.”

“For what reason?”

“The focal point of the barrier you intend to obliterate. Should we demolish it, victory will be ours, correct?”

“In all likelihood.”

“What becomes of us… the population of Ivaldi?”

“…”

For a brief interval, Leo found himself devoid of speech.

‘They cease to exist.’

Naturally, he could not give voice to that reality.

To his own perception, this environment was merely a remnant of bygone days, yet to Dweno, it constituted the living present.

“Ought we not depart this location and journey toward Guardslon? This zone persists as a perilous domain. If we deliver a massive blow to the Giant King’s military assets, a window for flight will surely manifest.”

“…”

Dweno gazed unblinkingly into Leo’s countenance.

Leo maintained steady eye contact with Dweno.

“In that scenario, we shall require comprehensive arrangements for a massive population relocation.”

Smiling faintly, Dweno gave a nod.

“Indeed. Arrange matters comprehensively.”

Leo offered a nod and made his way back to his pavilion.

Ar, who had been awaiting Leo’s arrival from a distance, accompanied him back.

The two individuals, having initiated their trek in unison, progressively drifted further into the distance.

Dweno, remaining motionless, simply observed their departing forms.