In the slums of the Empire's outer district, a ragged, lame beggar hobbled along, using a crutch to support himself. With his other hand, he held a chipped porcelain bowl, reaching out to anyone who passed by.
"Hey, nothing here, move along," theyād mutter dismissively.
"Disgusting beggar, get lost."
"Child, make sure you study hard and leave this miserable place when you grow up, or youāll end up just like him, begging in the streets. Understand?"
The people of the slums could barely feed themselves, much less spare any money for a beggar. The beggar continued down the street, hobbling on his worn grass sandals until the midnight bells began to toll.
He followed the sound, heading toward the old bell tower.
Standing before the towerās decaying wooden door, he knocked five times: the first three in a quick rhythm, the last two more slowly.
Soon, footsteps approached from within.
Creakā
The door opened, and a small head peeked out. A girl with twin braids of green hair and sharp, lively eyes looked around cautiously.
"Nobody followed you?" Rebecca whispered.
"No one."
"Good, thank you."
Rebecca opened the door wider, allowing the beggar to enter. She glanced outside one last time before firmly closing the door.
While the bell towerās exterior matched the rundown look of the slum buildings, its interior was entirely different.
Passing through the entryway and a hidden door in the wall, they entered a spacious hall, equipped with makeshift beds, communal tables, a kitchen, and even a station for analyzing intel. At the far end of the room, a circular emblem bearing the image of a fierce lion hung on the wall.
Inside, the beggar shed his disguise and washed his face. Rebecca handed him a towel.
"Any word from the Captain?" she asked.
Nacho Salamander took the towel, wiping his face. "No news. Didn't you say a few days ago that you were planning to declare war on the Empire? Whereās your Captain?"
"The Captain said he was going to find someone to help. Maybe it didnāt go smoothly," Rebecca said. "But Iām sure heāll be back soon. He never makes empty promises, especially about something this important."
Nacho set the towel aside and leaned against the makeshift sink, looking down at the girl with twin braids who was much shorter than him.
"I trust your Captain too. He doesnāt disappointāspeaking as someone who used to stand on the opposite side of him, I can vouch for that."
Every time Nacho thought back on his days leading the dragon warriors against Leon under the Empireās orders, he couldnāt help but marvel, *Did they really think I could take down Leon?*
The Empire had sent at least five dragon kings under Nachoās command, including Statar. But within half a year, Leon had beaten them all, leaving Nacho with a mere shadow of a force.
*How was I supposed to fight with no soldiers left?*
Running was the only option. After enduring several twists and turns, Nacho ended up joining this resistance organization, following Leon in defiance against the corrupt Empire.
Just a few days ago, Rebecca had said that Leon was coming back to the Empire to lead their fight against the current rulers. But days had passed, and Leon was still nowhere to be seen.
Nacho glanced around at the others gathered in the hall.
"This war of oursā¦ itās been dragging on too long," he murmured, narrowing his eyes. "Sure, the people joining the Lionheart Society want to resist the Empire, and many are fervent admirers of your Captain. But, Rebecca, you need to rememberāsome of these people are desperate for revenge."
Rebecca followed his gaze to the members of the Lionheart Society, her small face growing tense.
She remained silent, waiting for Nacho to continue.
"Everyoneās holding their breath, waiting for Leon to come back and sound the horn of counterattack."
"But days have passed, and still no news of Leon."
"I can wait, you can wait, and so can Martin and Walker. But those who are impatient? They might not have the patience to wait any longer."
"Do you know what emotion spreads faster than fear among people?" Nacho asked.
Rebecca shook her head.
"Impatience," he said. "It spreads like a plague, affecting everyone in its path and will, inevitably, impact the Lionheart Society as a whole."
"Impatience also clouds judgment, just like any other negative emotion."
Rebecca frowned. "Clouds judgment?"
Nacho nodded. "I learned that the hard way. When someone lets impatience take over, they start doubting everything around them."
Rebecca opened her mouth to ask something, but at that moment, a member of the society banged his fist on the table, drawing everyoneās attention.
"When are we finally going to topple that wretched emperor? Every day, we hear about the 'right time,' but if we wait any longer, the Empire will capture us all!"
"Rebecca said Leon was coming back soon. I think heāll be here any day now," another member offered.
"Leon, Leonāyou young ones joined the Lionheart Society because of Leon Cosmod. But tell me, have any of you actually met him?"
"ā¦No, we havenāt."
"Iām not questioning the purpose of the Lionheart Society. Iām just dissatisfied with Tigerās methods. Why rely on the name of someone who doesnāt even exist to rally us together? Are we just here to die for someone who vanished long ago?"
"Watch your mouth, old man! I served with Captain Leon in the Dragon Slayer Corps, and I met Mr. Tiger too. Theyāre nothing like the deceitful cowards you make them out to be."
"Just because you met them a few times, you think you know them?"
The argument grew more heated.
Rebecca watched, wanting to intervene, but Nacho held her back.
"If you step in now, that troublemaker will shift all his anger onto you. No matter what you say, heāll have a reason to target you, riling up everyone else against you."
"So what do we do? Just let them fight?" Rebecca asked, frustration clear in her voice.
"Weāll have to wait until they calm down before you explain," Nacho replied. "Althoughā¦"
"Although what?"
"I might have underestimated the situation."
Rebecca blinked in confusion, but before she could ponder it further, the troublemaker directed his frustration at her.
"Rebecca, you said weād declare war on the Empire soon. But whereās Leon? Weāre still hiding in these slums, waiting for nothing!"
"Iā"
Tiger wasnāt here, and Rebecca alone couldnāt keep these men under control.
"A few days ago, you and Tiger went to meet Leon, but only you came back, saying that Tiger was gravely injured and needed to recuperate. You said youād bring back help."
"But I donāt see any help, nor have we seen Leon. Tigerās gone, too. Little girl, have you been leading us on this whole time? Did Tiger and Leon run off, leaving us here to die?"
"Shut up, you idiot!"
The man, letting his emotions take control, grew even more aggressive and insulting. Rebecca, reaching her limit, finally snapped back at him.
Surprised, the man paused but then continued railing against her.
"Donāt just tell me to shut up! Everyone here is waiting for Leon. Bring him to us if heās really coming!"
With just a few words, heād managed to turn the entire societyās gaze onto Rebecca. She could feel the weight of everyoneās expectations on her small shoulders.
Some, like the troublemaker, had begun to waver in their faith in the Lionheart Society, desperate to finally see Leon Cosmod. Meanwhile, the more loyal ones, who had joined because they believed in Leon, were also eager to see him.
In short, everyone was waiting for Leon.
The troublemaker scoffed, sneering at Rebecca. "Cat got your tongue, Ms. Clement? With Tiger gone and your so-called 'help' nowhere in sightā¦ maybe Leon Cosmod is just a myth, too, huh?"
"Noā¦ thatās not trueā¦ The Captain willā"
"Heāll show up at the crucial moment."
A voice rang out from the doorway.
Everyone turned to look and saw Walker standing there, flanked by a man and a woman.
"Walker? Weren't you out on patrol? And who are theseā" Rebeccaās gaze shifted past Walker to the two figures behind him.
Immediately, hope and joy flashed in her deep green eyes.
"Captainā¦ Captain!"
Someone in the crowd recognized him too.
"Leonā¦ Cosmodā¦"
"Leon? Itās himāitās Leon!"
"Leon Cosmod! The Empireās strongest dragon slayer!"
Cheers erupted like a tidal wave through the hall of the Lionheart Society.
Leon stepped forward, approaching Rebecca. Seeing the young girl looking up at him with a mix of relief and frustration, he reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Sorry, Iām late."