PAID

With the mention of how the Empire had forcibly taken over Rachel’s family restaurant, the other members of the Lionheart Society eagerly began sharing their own experiences of injustice and mistreatment.

Some of these stories were minor grievances, while others were more severe, yet all pointed to the corruption and darkness within the Empire's rule.

Until now, Leon had assumed that only the lower class suffered under the Empire’s oppression. Yet here, among those who had joined the Lionheart Society out of disillusionment with the Empire, were not only working-class members but also middle-class citizens and even a few from the upper class.

Simply put, as long as one was willing to align with the Empire’s dirty dealings, life could be easy. However, if one dared to uphold their own principles, they’d be labeled an enemy of the state, regardless of whether they openly opposed the Empire or not.

Under such extreme rule, even without the Lionheart Society, someone else would have eventually organized the oppressed citizens to stand against their tyrannical rulers.

Leon listened quietly to everyone’s accounts, mentally noting each story. Sitting on the edge of the Lionheart Society’s speaking platform, he interacted with them as though chatting with friends, without any air of superiority.

In the back, Rosvisser, Rebecca, and Nacho observed this scene in silence.

“I feel like... the Captain has changed a lot,” Rebecca said, watching Leon blend seamlessly into the group, her expression full of emotion.

“Didn’t you say you’ve been in touch with him these past few years? Meeting every three months to exchange information—why does he suddenly seem so different?” Nacho asked.

Rebecca shook her head. “Whenever we met to exchange intelligence, he was still the same as always—calm, wise, able to formulate the perfect plan under any pressure. He’d predict every outcome and strategize every next move. All we had to do was follow his lead.”

“But… I’ve never seen this side of him.”

“In the past, he wasn’t exactly an open person. The Dragon Slayer Corps followed him out of loyalty, but that loyalty came after he pulled us back from death time and time again. It was that shared experience and gratitude that made him our Captain.”

She smiled, her expression softening. "Back then, most people found him reserved, a little stubborn, and difficult to talk to at first.”@@novelbin@@

Rebecca’s smile was warm, like that of a proud family member watching their grown-up child step into their own.

“But look at him now… Just a few hours in, and everyone here has already accepted him and opened up to him,” Rebecca said, glancing up at Rosvisser. “Sister-in-law, Captain must have learned a lot from you, right?”