The Black Necromancer

With a flash of bright light, the teleportation formation within a building just behind the forward base of the defenders lit up. The soldiers manning the hall-like building all stood straighter and turned their attention to the person who had just stepped through, only to pause with surprise a moment later.

"Y-your Excellency, Leon!" The soldiers collectively greeted Leon when they saw it was him. It was a bit hard to recognize him after the abrupt change, and in their eyes, a curtain of mystery obscured their vision. However, there was a familiar hint in his aura that allowed these guards to link the him of now and the him of then.

Leon nodded at the guards to acknowledge them before walking out of the building and heading into the main building of the forward base. Over time, from using tents, buildings had been constructed to create a proper fortified base. It was not too far from the Wall, but it was so seamlessly integrated that it provided support to the Wall and all of its facilities.

Leon's regal figure drew glances as he walked through the dirt paths that linked the various buildings. Already, a messenger had run ahead to inform Leonidas of his arrival. As soon as Leon stepped into the planning room of the main building, he came to meet the man and four others.

"Leon! You-" Leonidas immediately opened his mouth to speak, but paused upon seeing Leon with his own eyes. He had not felt the breadth of Leon's leap in strength, as Leon had a better control over his aura now, but seeing Leon was enough to take his breath away.

Around the central table were the emperor himself, Richard, Ursula, Damian, and a tall woman with an athletic build and platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. They all paused and stared at Leon with wide eyes.

"Well, damn. I think he's as strong as I am." The athletic woman with platinum blonde hair suddenly said, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement as if she had found something interesting.

"I received a report from the battlefield that your summons had reappeared with greater strength, and I figured that you had grown stronger, but this is just ridiculous." Leonidas was the next to regain his clarity as he sighed and rubbed his face. He was once the strongest individual combatant in this battle, but then Peak A rank fighters started appearing left and right. First, Ursula, and then the woman with platinum blonde hair, now Leon. It was not like he did not welcome their presence, but it was still a bit frustrating.

Leon only chuckled, as he was used to people being stumped by his quick and sudden growth. He walked over to the open space beside Ursula who kept on staring at him with a strange look.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Empress?" Leon asked without returning her stare.

"I am curious." She smirked as if she knew something the others didn't. "You have become a Monarch, yes?" She asked, much to Leon's surprise.

"You know?" Leon asked, finally turning to look at the blue skinned woman.

"As a Monarch myself, I can tell when someone of my same status is nearby." Ursula nodded.

"Monarch? You mean, the Title?" Leonidas asked. As the leader of an Empire, he was privy to these kinds of terms.

"Yes. I became a Monarch after my latest Race Advancement." Leon clarified.

"Bloody heavens." Richard cursed.

"Language, Richy." The woman with platinum blonde hair tutted and reached a hand out to Leon. "The name's Yaika Chancy. I'm the head of the Silver Tooth Mercenary Guild on paper." She grinned.

Leon's eyes widened and he shot Richard a questioning look, to which the man nodded his head.

"She has been in seclusion for some time now, and only just came out. She made good progress, as you can see." Richard explained.

"I see. Nice to meet you, Yaika." Leon turned back to her and shook her hand properly.

"Same here. I've heard a lot in the couple of days that I've been here. I hope you can show me something exciting. Maybe we could spar to see which one of us is stronger?" She suggested.

"Maybe someday." Leon gave a non-committal response. He did not want to commit to anything that was as unnecessary as proving his strength to this woman. She would see what he could do on the battlefield.

Before anyone could continue speaking, Leonidas cleared his throat for silence and everyone looked to him.

"It is good that you are here, Leon. There are some arrivals to the frontlines that have requested an audience with you." He said, looking at Leon.

"Yes, the dragons. I am aware. Where are they?" Leon also got serious as he recalled the reason why he had rushed here.

"We cannot let them stay here, as they do not intend to help us with our fight against the Demons, so they have made a place for themselves not too far away from here. A few kilometers to the northeast." Leonidas explained, tapping a spot on the map that was behind the Wall.

"Did they tell you what they want?" Leon asked.

"No. They said they will only discuss it with you." Leonidas shook his head.

"Hmm, I see. Very well, I will go and see what it is that they want immediately." Leon nodded and turned to leave the room.

"I'm coming with you." Yaika suddenly said.

"There is no need. I can handle it myself." Leon said, brushing her off.

"I know you can, but I'm still coming out of my own curiosity. I haven't seen a dragon in real life before." Yaika had a goofy grin on her face as she made her reason for tagging along known.

"Fine, but if they turn you back, then go back. I don't want any stress." Leon did not want to argue and continued walking without paying Yaika any attention.