Strength entered Hugo's previously motionless eyebrows. The temporal muscles from his straight forehead to his temples faintly protruded then subsided.
He couldn't take his eyes off the Grand Madam's profile for a while. Perhaps sensing his persistent gaze, Gladias also slowly turned her head to stare at Hugo.
In one corner of the noisy arena, suffocating silence flowed between the two.
The owner of elegant, dignified bearing and cold gaze always gave the impression of looking down even when viewed from the same position. To the Grand Madam who was naturally announcing the major matter placed before her as if it were only natural, Hugo pondered what reaction he should show.
Do I still look like an obedient child who only waits for decisions to you? He selected and reselected the words lingering on his tongue.
Whether the final sentence he completed was noble as she would have it, he didn't know.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
He countered with the same tone of notification and turned his gaze forward. Gladias, who had been watching his suddenly sharpened profile, showed her displeasure without filter.
"How long do you plan to only avoid? Have you forgotten the duke's duty?"
Hugo silently relaxed his stiff lips. He barely suppressed a bitter laugh from emerging.
"I haven't forgotten. However, haven't I repeatedly said that with many important matters, now is not the time yet?"
"Marriage proposals are piled up to trip over, yet the mistress position has been vacant for over ten years. Are you truly unaware of what rumors are circulating?"
"I didn't know you cared about groundless rumors."
Their eyes met again in the air as they exchanged a few words. The gazes, intelligent enough to be second to none, were sharper than ever today, as if they could cut.
"The duke should care more. About what should be prioritized."
Strength entered Gladias's slender neck, creating a deep hollow above her collarbone.
Around then, Hugo's heart grew heavy again, worried that her mind and body might be strained. He truly couldn't be heartless. It was when he let out a small sigh and was about to concede.
"When I was the duke's age, I had five children. Now that times have changed, I don't expect that much. But didn't you promise me?"
"What promise are you referring to?"
"That you wouldn't act in ways that would harm the family. If you unilaterally settle matters when marriage talks have already been exchanged, it would be considerable contempt and insult to both families. So shouldn't you show at least minimal sincerity? Did I command you to hold the ceremony immediately?"
Gladias was always like this. She would cleverly manipulate situations so that opponents couldn't refuse based on duty and justification, then control people's will. Making even decisions made under pressure seem like personal choices.
"Deal with it wisely. If you are truly the head of Agrizendro."
It was a statement that made it impossible to answer easily. More powerful than a magical incantation.
But in that moment, without time to recall the reason, Hugo naturally thought of one person's face. What followed in his mind was the last vow he had made before parting with him.
That he would become a stronger person, strong enough to protect him.
He quietly reflected on whether his current self truly matched that.
Well, was there any great difference between then and now?
Yet ironically, the voice that flowed out next was more noble than ever before.
"I will properly handle what you say has been exchanged on my end. However, marriage talks proceeding like this time will never come to fruition in the future. Not only is it not proper between the parties involved, but it would also be discourteous to the one who has stayed in my heart."
In contrast to his calm tone, the arena's atmosphere grew even more heightened. Only the space between the two seemed alien, as if placed in another world. The fervor and cheers rushing toward the end of the opening ceremony made minds and ears numb.
Because of this, Gladias couldn't immediately understand Hugo's meaning. Having been someone who had followed prescribed paths and principles all her life, he rarely spoke of personal preferences like what was good or bad.
So his statement revealing such pure-hearted "feelings" delivered a shock similar to that day when he had previously gone against the Grand Madam's will of his own volition.
"Who is it? That person."
Gladias asked calmly, her lips trembling finely.
Hugo merely smiled faintly. There was no answer. That action seemed to protect someone whose existence might not even be known.
He only glanced down at his wristwatch. Darkness had already fallen over the transparent roof, and the opening ceremony's overall manager cautiously approached the two. He hinted to Hugo that he should gradually move to the platform for the closing remarks before the final performance in about 10 minutes.
With an appropriate reason to leave at the right timing, Hugo nodded readily and gestured to the knights lined up behind to come closer.
"Please escort the Senator well."
"Yes, understood."
Their disciplined gestures and voices perfectly matched the pitches that string instruments were building layer by layer and the dancing beats. The melody of the musical piece heading toward its climax harmonized together. Among them, what truly stirred the heartstrings was the aria of the pipe organ, called the king of instruments.
The extreme resonance that tens of thousands of pipes produced surged like rapids and dominated the vast space under the dome. Hugo, with a gentle smile on his lips, looked down at Gladias. Golden light reflected, making the whole world surrounding him brilliant. The deep, reverent tone decorated his dignity, which showed its spirit especially today, even more splendidly.
Hugo gestured to Flynn, who had been hovering nearby, then straightened his attire. Soon he bent his waist and properly fastened the fur cape draped over Gladias's shoulders.
"I'll be back shortly. Let's discuss this matter again later."
The Grand Madam's cold gaze didn't leave him, but there was no response afterward. It was when Hugo, who had withdrawn his hand from her, was lightly bowing.
At that moment, light flashed from one side of the arena as if lightning had struck.
Boom—!
An explosion sound unsuited to the excited atmosphere crossed the arena. It was such a tremendous discord that the crowd, who had been absorbed in the melody, all flinched at once. The sudden bursting sound that made minds distant was so fierce it made one forget to breathe, echoing throughout the entire arena like gunshots.
The bustling spectator seats fell silent for a moment as if time had stopped. Then about 1-2 seconds later, confused sighs and murmurs followed. Screams full of fear also burst out in various places.
Anxiety spread quickly through the echoing sounds. The explosion incident that had shaken society a few months ago instantly invaded the spectators' consciousness.
"What's happening?"
"Could it be terrorism?"
As the panicked crowd stirred, the first to move were the VIPs sitting in the VIP section. As they competed to escape the arena, the spectators whose reason had also become clouded jumped up from their seats. Andreas and other battalion commanders felt the seriousness of the situation and surveyed the surroundings. They quickly moved to investigate the circumstances.
Hugo, who had instinctively supported Gladias's head and pulled her into his embrace, looked at the source of the explosion with extremely tense eyes. Smoke was rising from the side of the arena where the light had flashed. However, his view was quickly blocked as the nearby knights rushed to protect the two. Nevertheless, Hugo couldn't take his eyes off one place. The clamor in his ears rumbled as if underwater.
"My lord, it would be better to evacuate for now."
"There's danger of chain explosions. Please move quickly..."
The mana engraved deeply enough to be carved into his bones instantly sent chills through his nerves via his skin and spine. Even from this distance, he could recognize it immediately. Hugo muttered as if sighing.
"...Leo."
Gladias, who heard him, raised her eyelids and stared at Hugo's face.
In the center of the thick human barrier that had formed around the place of honor, the man's heartbroken expression and voice, unsuited to the situation, was so vivid.
Hugo, who belatedly came to his senses, checked Gladias's complexion as his expression completely disappeared. Before she could say anything, Hugo commanded Flynn, who had approached.
"Flynn, escort the Senator back to the mansion. Take the widest and safest route possible. The rest will come with me to determine the cause of the explosion and handle the situation."
"Yes, understood—!"
Hugo hurriedly headed to the opposite side of the ground, leading the knights. The Council's battalion commanders also followed behind him.
Gladias slowly rose from her seat with Flynn and the knights' support. Even so, she didn't take her eyes off Hugo's retreating figure.
Meanwhile, the location where the explosion occurred was the multipurpose hall on the first floor of the main arena's east side, which was also the final goal point for the F Group test match. What poured out from the unstably opened final portal of F Group were tangled passers and tremendous destructive power that swept the vicinity.
Originally, since violent struggles were frequent right before portal passage, the goal point was equipped with various safety devices including soft mats and temporary barrier stones. However, the energy this portal brought couldn't be handled by such things alone. The power was so fierce that the shockwave that penetrated the hall's walls extended all the way to the main arena's ground.
Fortunately, the ground's perimeter was filled with water, so there were no casualties. Moreover, thanks to the effect of partially cushioning the impact, the destruction was limited to the sides.
As the unbelievable scene unfolded before their eyes, the Council's staff members stared blankly at the collapsed wall, only blinking. The dizzying major accident that erupted on the league's first day—no, on the opening ceremony day—sent cold sweat down their spines. Though they later received the manager's instructions and rushed to handle the accident, their minds were still not fully organized.
The personnel who had passed through early and were waiting in the hall also only covered their mouths at the situation that made them doubt their eyes.
In the midst of this, one of the participants sprawled at the bottom of the broken wall stirred. Soon, the person who slowly raised his head while moving his shoulders was Leonardo.
Though his appearance had become quite disheveled, he had desperately protected only his mask. Fumbling his face, he grabbed his ringing head and furrowed his brows. Perhaps due to the explosion's aftermath, tinnitus rang in his ears, so he shook his head randomly before staggering to his feet.
What he could see in his blurry vision were members in white uniforms, white walls and pillars that harmonized with them. For some unknown reason, it was a carpet scattered with debris. As a scene similar to a few hours ago unfolded, Leonardo realized he had safely passed through the portal.
Ah, I made it through. Even though he was still dizzy, laughter leaked out at the joy of victory.
He clenched his fist with one hand and muttered "yes—" as if excited.
'But where is Ero?'
In the meantime, perhaps having grown somewhat fond of him, even in his dazed state, he thought of the guy first. He had firmly tucked him under his side to bring him along, but he was worried he might have dropped him midway. Fortunately, before his concern deepened, Ero appeared in front of Leonardo on his own.
"Big brother."
The guy who would normally shed tears of emotion and make a fuss was unusually calm. His appearance was similarly shabby, but he looked fine without any injuries.
"Ero."
Leonardo found his reaction puzzling, but first smiled and lightly punched his shoulder with his fist.
"Did you see? I told you I'd get you through, right? Serve me as your big brother for life."
"Big brother, well..."
Ero hesitated like a wet mouse, then pointed behind Leonardo with his finger.
"I think you need to look behind you for a moment..."
At the cryptic answer, Leonardo tilted his head in confusion.
Soon, the moment he casually turned around, the pouring light was so dazzling that he greatly contorted his expression. He soon raised his arm to block the harsh glare, but it didn't take long to identify objects.
"...Huh?"
An overwhelmingly large indoor arena and spectator seats loomed majestically as if to swallow him whole.
His blocked ears opened and the tinnitus instantly disappeared, returning his hearing to normal.
The sound of the spectators filling the massive arena penetrated his entire body with the force to shake his heart. He couldn't distinguish whether it was cheers or jeers.
One thing was certain: the entire arena was looking at him and swaying like waves.