Chapter 277: A Puzzling Matter for Leon and Miranda
“Master, what exactly happened during my absence?”
Leon didn’t respond, but his steps came to an abrupt halt, and his handsome face turned slightly pale.
Miranda’s words sank in, sending a chilling shock through him.
“Damn it! What’s going on?” Leon inquired inwardly, his nerves tightening.
From Miranda’s earlier explanation, he quickly realized that something had gone wrong without his awareness.
The reason he couldn’t reach her when he was on the cliff wasn’t because Miranda had deliberately ignored him, but due to some unknown force.
That force prevented Miranda from contacting him, and he couldn’t reach her either.
He had no understanding of what that “force” was, only recognizing its oddity after hearing Miranda’s earlier explanation.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Leon closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anxiety creeping through him.
Once he’d calmed down, he slowly reopened his eyes and called out, “Miranda, can you hear me?”
“Yes, I hear you, master,” Miranda’s smooth, gentle voice echoed in his mind.
Leon let out a soft sigh, his expression growing serious. “Miranda, something isn’t right. In fact…”
He then began recounting the events of the day when Athena visited the inner palace to discuss cooperation with Liliana. He confirmed that he hadn’t heard her call or seen her spirit transformation while in the parlor.
He also described the moment when Athena handed him the black token and recounted the times he repeatedly failed to communicate with her at the cliff earlier.
Additionally, he informed Miranda about the appearance of a white-haired middle-aged man named “Nolan” and expressed his doubts about this strange occurrence.
“Basically, that’s how it happened, Miranda. Do you have any idea what exactly is going on?” Leon inquired, his expression a mix of confusion and doubt.
He genuinely didn’t understand what had transpired; this was the first time he had encountered something so strange.
So, he could only hope that Miranda could provide an explanation.
However, his hopes were shattered when Miranda’s voice resonated in his mind once more.
“I’m sorry, master. In this case, I truly don’t have a definite or convincing answer,” Miranda replied, her tone slightly embarrassed.
Leon’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he felt his body stiffen slightly.
“You don’t know the reason either? Are you serious, Miranda?” Leon inquired, his brow creased in disbelief.
If Miranda didn’t have the answers, who else could he turn to for clarity on this strange occurrence?
“I’m serious, master. This situation is very strange and confusing, even to me,” Miranda replied with a soft sigh before adding, “Nonetheless, I have two suspicions that could likely explain it.”
Leon’s eyebrows raised slightly at her words, prompting him to ask in a curious tone, “What are your two suspicions?”
Miranda paused briefly before explaining, “My first suspicion pertains to Athena Hellness. She could very well be the main culprit behind this situation.”
Leon felt a wave of surprise at this revelation but quickly regained his composure, doubts swirling in his mind.
When discussing the strongest dragon in the world, Leon was certain that any human or demon would name one person—Athena Hellness.
Her power was undeniably formidable, leaving him unable to fully trust that he could emerge victorious in a fight with her without sustaining serious injuries—a testament to Athena’s immense strength.
However, no matter how powerful Athena was, he was convinced she hadn’t yet reached the level where she could sever the connection between him and Miranda without him noticing.
Unless the dragon ancestor had intervened, he could still consider that possibility.
Snapping out of his reverie, Leon shook his head and said, “I think you’re mistaken, Miranda. Athena can’t be the main culprit in this matter, and I’m quite certain of that.”
Miranda didn’t refute Leon’s denial; she also harbored doubts about her first suspicion.
“Since you feel that way, I won’t press further on this suspicion of mine, master,” she replied calmly.
Leon nodded in agreement and asked curiously, “Then what is your second suspicion, Miranda?”
“My second suspicion pertains to the white-haired middle-aged man you encountered on the cliff, master,” Miranda stated seriously, catching Leon off guard.
“Oh? Are you confident in this second suspicion of yours, Miranda?” Leon asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Yes, master, and I believe this is the most likely explanation,” Miranda replied confidently before continuing, “Do you remember when you first visited the altar of the Great Sword of Chaos in the Hall of Glory? You mentioned that the reason you didn’t draw the Great Sword was because of the presence of that mysterious white-haired middle-aged man who stopped you.”
“Drawing a connection between this incident and the previous one, it’s likely that he is the culprit. His identity remains a mystery, and the motives behind his interference when you tried to draw the Great Sword of Chaos are still unclear. Therefore, I believe this is the most plausible explanation.”
Leon lowered his head, rubbing his chin as he slipped into deep contemplation.
He didn’t dismiss Miranda’s second suspicion; he had also considered this possibility himself. However, the lack of clarity regarding the middle-aged man’s motives made him hesitant to pursue it further.
With Miranda’s explanation, he found himself once again questioning the middle-aged man’s intentions.
Leon remained silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
“Well, in the end, this is merely a suspicion without any clear evidence to back it up. Am I right, Miranda?” Leon inquired, a helpless smile tugging at his lips.
Miranda sighed softly and replied, “Yes, you’re correct, master.”
Leon chuckled lightly and shook his head, deciding not to delve further into the conversation.
Since this matter remained perplexing even for Miranda, he didn’t want to overthink it and risk giving himself a headache.
He resumed his steps toward Liliana’s room and shifted the topic. “By the way, since you’ve been looking for me since this afternoon, does it have anything to do with that black token?”
When Leon changed the topic, Miranda fell silent for a moment before responding, “Yes, master. This afternoon, I sensed the aura of the token, which sparked my curiosity about why it’s here.”
After a brief pause, she asked in an inquisitive tone, “Is the token in your possession now, master?”
“Yes, I have the token with me,” Leon replied, nodding as he reached into his robe pocket and pulled out a beautifully crafted black token, its surface adorned with intricate star and moon patterns on both sides.
As Leon gazed at the black token in his hand, a faint smile curled on his lips.
Despite Athena’s deception and the kidnapping he had endured in the parlor earlier that afternoon, he felt assured that the black token was authentic, sensing a profound connection to it as if it were an integral part of himself.
“The token is indeed the one prepared for you by the First Hero Luminus Troya and Demon Emperor Amon Crimson, master! Well done!” Miranda’s joyful and excited voice echoed in his mind, prompting Leon to chuckle softly.
“With this token, I suppose I no longer have to fear the hidden races and can strut confidently in their presence. Am I right, Miranda?” He asked with a teasing tone.
“You are correct, Master. However, I must caution you to remain vigilant regarding the hidden races. Given that 7,000 years have passed, it’s possible they’ve been searching for a way to bypass this token’s control. While it’s highly unlikely they could escape its influence, you mustn’t let your guard down, master,” Miranda warned, her tone turning serious.
Leon smiled faintly and nodded in agreement with her warning. Even without Miranda’s caution, he would have remained vigilant against the hidden races.
Afterward, Leon and Miranda continued their conversation on various topics, including his upcoming trip to the battlefield tomorrow.
Lost in his conversation with Miranda, Leon suddenly realized he was just a few steps away from Liliana’s room and chose to end their discussion.
“Well then, that concludes our conversation, Miranda. I have some matters to attend to,” Leon said softly.
“Um, alright, master. I’m feeling a bit sleepy and would like to get some rest. Good night,” Miranda replied, her voice tinged with fatigue.
“Good night,” Leon responded with a faint chuckle before abruptly severing his connection with her.
He then shifted his focus to the door of Liliana’s room, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over him.
“I need to calm down,” Leon murmured, rubbing his chest soothingly.
Once he had steadied himself, Leon reached out and knocked gently on Liliana’s door.
*Knock!*
“Liliana, may I come in?”
He waited quietly, and then, unexpectedly, Liliana’s soft voice floated from inside.
“Come in, Leon.” Her tone was so gentle that anyone who knew Liliana well might question whether it truly belonged to her.
Leon took a deep breath and gradually turned the doorknob before him.
*Clack!*
As the door swung open, he stepped inside and was met with a sight that made his eyes widen in disbelief.
“Liliana, you…”
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