Chapter 478: The New Wings Of The Aslan Tribe [Part 2]

"Where are we?" Dominic looked at his surroundings. "Are we inside a dungeon?"

His men were just as puzzled. The last thing they remembered was being led into the main residence of the reigning duke of the Helion Duchy.

For a brief moment, Dominic thought that the Duke intended to use their family as hostages in order to force them to clear a dungeon. However, before his imagination could run wild, he heard a voice come from behind him.

"A dungeon? Well, I guess it’s understandable why you think that way."

The Commander of the Gryphon Battalion and his men all turned around at the same time.

Their gaze soon landed on a young man with short blonde hair and eyes as blue as a clear sky. The moment they saw him, Dominic and his subordinates couldn’t help but glare in Leone’s direction.

How could they possibly forget him?

After all, he was the culprit of their fall from grace.

He was the person they saw in their dreams.

He was the person who started everything!

"I like the looks in those eyes," Leone said with satisfaction. "Eyes filled with both anger and life. Eyes that want to beat the crap out of me as much as they could."

Suddenly, Leone took a step forward.

And then another step. Then another, and another.

He walked all the way toward Dominic until he was only a meter away from him.

At that range, Dominic could easily strangle him.

He could easily punch him.

He could even easily... kill him.

This thought was shared by everyone in the Gryphon Battalion. However, just as they were about to execute their deepest desires, Leone spoke a single word.

"Kneel."

One by one, the Gryphon Riders and their families all knelt.

Dominic’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. However, it didn’t take long for him to understand what just happened.

"Those contracts that we signed... they were yours?" Dominic asked hoarsely.

The young chieftain nodded before pressing his closed fist over his chest.

"Allow me to introduce myself," Leone declared. "It is I, Leone Frontera. And from now on, I will be your Lord and Master."

Dominic and the majority of his men suddenly realized something. However, those who didn’t spoke out first.

"W-Wait! You’re Lloyd Frontera, right?!" one of the Gryphon Riders asked. "The one who said ’Water is good. Water is Lloyd. Therefore, Lloyd is good?’"

Leone coughed lightly. "You must be talking about my distant ancestor. I heard stories from my father that he was called the Greatest Estate Developer or something. Anyways, I am not him. So, remember—my name is Leone and not Lloyd Frontera!"

—-------

Somewhere in the vast multiverse, the Copyright God sipped on a glass of water before pondering the meaning of life.

—-------

"Right... your face doesn’t look like someone who resides in hell," the Gryphon Rider muttered.

When the commotion finally died down, the Commander of the Gryphon Battalion decided to take this opportunity to voice his suspicion.

"Are you the son of Marco Frontera?" Dominic asked. "The one exiled to the Borderlands?"

"The one and only," Leone replied without hesitation. "I also know that you and my father worked together during the war. Zephira was very worried about you and your men. I had her lure you away from the main battlefield for that reason. It will be troublesome if any of you got harmed, or worse, killed in action."

Hearing how he didn’t try to hide his identity, Dominic and the other Gryphon Riders understood that this was indeed the famous young noble who had been exiled a few months ago.

"Then, where are we?" Dominic inquired. "We were sent to the Helion Duchy. But you were in the Borderlands the last time we saw you. Where exactly are we?"

"Good question." Leone smiled faintly. "All of you are now in the Borderlands. Well, to be exact, all of you are currently in the territory of the Aslan Tribe. I am their chieftain."

Usually, their first reaction should be one of disbelief. However, after experiencing back-to-back surprises, they felt that, right now, they could believe anything that Leone told them.

"Everyone, please stand up." Leone clapped his hands as he gave his order. "I’m sure listening to me while kneeling is physically uncomfortable. Since we are now family, I will give you a tour of the Aslan Tribe. Grandpa, please come with me as well."

Leone looked at his grandfather, Andreas, who had his arms crossed over his chest ever since he arrived at the Forgotten Temple.

"Good." Andreas nodded. "I hope those words you told me about your city being better than the Helion Duchy are true. Otherwise, I’ll give you a piece of my mind."

"Of course," Leone replied without hesitation. "Well then, follow me."

The young man took the lead as he headed to the underground city that he called Soleil.

It was the hidden city of the Aslan Tribe, located deep underground, a stronghold that served as their last bastion in case the Aslanians were to be forced into complete retreat.

The moment Andreas, Jeeves, Dominic, and the rest of the entourage saw Soleil City, their mouths hung open in shock.

They thought that they couldn’t be surprised any longer, but seeing an underground city with an artificial sun blew their minds.

"H-How is this even possible?!" Andreas asked in disbelief. "How did you do it?"

The Patriarch of the Helion Family stared at Leone, as if trying to understand how his no-good grandson had achieved something even the King of the Radiant Empire couldn’t.

Leone smiled, raising his right hand and making a sprinkling gesture before giving his answer.

"It’s magic, Grandpa. Just pure magic."

"M-Magic?!"

Leone chose to use the term magic. The truth sounded too far-fetched, and they might not believe him, so he didn’t bother explaining that the artificial sun was a special reward he received after completing a hidden quest.

However, if he used the term magic, then anything became possible!

It was the "magic" word that solved anything that couldn’t be explained by widespread knowledge and common sense.

Even Dominic couldn’t help but turn solemn after seeing this majestic city underground. But then, Leone’s next words brought him out of his daze.

"This is just one of the cities of the Aslan Tribe," Leone said with a smug look on his face. "Please follow me for some fresh air. I’ll let you see Aslan City."

He walked ahead, leading everyone to the exit of the underground tunnel. From there, they would be able to see the city located at the base of Grimjaw Mountain.

When everyone stepped out of the cave, they were momentarily blinded by the light, their eyes used to the dim lighting underground.

A minute after they had regained their senses, Leone led them to the ramparts so they could see the pride of the Aslan Tribe that they were willing to show to the world.

"T-This..." Andreas’ eyes widened after seeing a majestic city, which was at least two to three times bigger than the capital city of the Helion Duchy.

From the ramparts, he could see the giant statue that stood at the center of the city, as well as the towering walls in the distance.

Even Jeeves, who had accompanied his master to the capital city of the Radiant Empire, had to agree that this city was quite magnificent in both scale, size, and infrastructure.

But what caught their attention the most were the trees scattered throughout the city.

These trees had pastel pink blossoms that simultaneously added a wonderful scent and enhanced the overall aesthetic of the city.

With Leone’s permission, Daedalus decided to add some finishing touches to Aslan City, so that the squirrels would also have homes within this prosperous land that would become the capital of Leone’s kingdom.

Just as Dominic and the Gryphon Riders were looking at the majestic city at the base of the mountain, a familiar screech from the sky reached their ears.

A moment later, a tear fell from Dominic’s face, followed by another.

Soon, his vision started to blur. High above the skies of Aslan City, Zephira and the other Gryphons welcomed him and his comrades to their new home with glee.