Gael rushed towards Leo as he activated a mana shield, then...
BOOM!
The whole place blew up as they were buried alive under the rubble.
The knights upstairs had already left the base of the gang, sensing the mana going berserk in the basement.
The remaining mage immediately activated his defensive spell. However, his friend's body was incinerated, not leaving even a speck of ash.
Gael's mana barrier sustained the explosion and the rubble that fell. He and Leo did not suffer any damage as the barrier held firm.
Gael pushed out the rubble as he got up, helping Leo get out as well.
"Young master... was going through this really worth sneaking out?" Gael said as he looked at Leo, who was steadying himself.
"Sorry... I really am sorry. I did not think leaving the palace for a few hours would result in this. I thought that because this was our territory it was fine but... seeing the consequences, especially the losses your men had... I apologize," Leo bowed, his face twisted in pained sincerity.
'Damn, I did not expect it to become like this. I made a mistake just because I was excited. But that does not give me the right to feel bad. Because of me Raymond was stabbed, Gael was injured and lost a loyal subordinate, and countless people were troubled by my immature actions.' Leo knew what he had done was a mistake controlled by his desire to explore this new world, a childish mistake that would have never happened back in his days as the strongest mercenary on Earth.
Gael glanced at the bowing child and started scolding him. "What did you think would happen?! You are the strongest talent in the entire history of the Rosenhart family, hell, even in the empire. You are the prime target for any enemies of the Grand Duke. I mean, do you even know how worried he was? He won't show it, but why do you think I am here? Because he was the one who sent me! His strongest knight and his personal guard to retrieve you from a second rate gang when he could have sent any other unit. Had you even asked before leaving, this would have never happened!" Gael shouted at Leo. However, when he saw the boy's sad expression, he sighed and put his hands on Leo's shoulders.
"Hahh, let's go home. Your mother is worried sick," Gael said as he guided Leo out.
Stepping on the destruction caused by the chimera, Leo saw the knights for the first time. They were forming a perimeter around the base to not let people in. As the base was in the slums of the city, people naturally heard the commotion and sounds of fighting. When the explosion happened, it was safe to say the entire city heard it. A crowd formed outside, everyone pushing others to get a glimpse of the victim and Gael while sharing rumors.
"What do you think happened? I heard someone say it was the Duke's son that was captured," a man in shabby clothes said to his friend next to him.
"Didn't you hear the explosion? There is no way that would have happened if it wasn't the Duke's son. You know, the genius? And earlier they attacked him in the middle of the street and took him," his friend said, an angry expression on his face.
"Those bold bastards even tried to kill him!" the man shouted.
Conversations like this happened all around the city by commoners and nobles alike, each of them shocked at the incident.
"Looks like word got out already. I wanted to return quietly," Gael said.
"Umm... is Father mad because of what I did?" Leo said, trying to gauge what would happen to him.
"Mad? Probably he is more worried about you than angry. Your mother as well," Gael said, mounting his horse as a carriage with the Rosenhart symbol appeared. He gestured for Leo to get inside.
During the entire time back to the palace, Leo spent it thinking of what was about to happen to him.
'Father will probably never allow me to leave again. I have to get stronger and prove I can protect myself before going to the academy.'
When the carriage stopped in front of the luxurious white palace, servants immediately came out from the iron gates and opened the carriage door. As Leo got out, he saw the palace gardens, the green bushes, the large trees, the beautiful flowers, and the fountain in the middle.
'I can never get used to how beautiful this is,' Leo thought while breathing in the air deeply.
Then he saw the head butler, Stephen, standing in front of him.
"Young master Leo, the Duke has sent for you to come to his office," Stephen said while bowing deeply.
"Yes. Inform Father I will come immediately after changing my clothes and bathing. I cannot meet him in my current state," Leo told Stephen as he headed towards his room. "Oh, and do you know where Raymond is? I must see him."
"He is in the infirmary, young master. Do not worry, as he was found immediately, he is in a safe condition," Stephen said, a warm smile on his face.
Leo immediately went to the infirmary to see his loyal attendant who risked his life for him.
As Leo opened the door of the infirmary, he was immediately hit with the smell of blood and medicinal herbs.
He saw Raymond lying in the bed next to the door and walked to him. He stood in front of him and saw the sleeping Raymond, then checked his condition with the system.
'System, analyze his condition.'
[Status window]
[Target name: Raymond Smith]
[Status: Personal attendant of Lord Leo Von Rosenhart]
[Current condition: Stable]
Leo, seeing his condition was stable, let out a sigh of relief and walked out of the infirmary.
Quickly walking through the halls, he reached his room. It was massive and luxurious. It had red curtains and white furry carpets that were very comfortable, and a bed way too big for him. His room was connected to his own bathroom, giving him privacy. As Leo entered the bathroom, he saw the bath already full with water and everything prepared. However, unlike other nobles, Leo did not have any maids to help wash him. Not because he was unable, but because he refused anyone washing him. After the first time he saw a maid enter while he was naked, he refused anyone else. The people in the palace thought it was weird but attributed it to him being young and shy.
Leo, who remembered that awkward moment, was filled with embarrassment and shame. He quickly shook his head, trying to forget.
After washing up, Leo was dressed by the maids and headed immediately towards his father's study.
Knocking on the mahogany door, Leo was thinking what his father would do when he heard his father's voice from inside the room.
"Come in." The voice was calm and commanding.
Leo opened the door, barely reaching the doorknob.
What greeted him was his father's figure sitting in his chair, swarmed by stacks of paper. He was signing some documents, his expression tired.
"Father, you wished to see me?" Leo bowed upon entering.
"Wished? You, my son, were held captive. Of course I would wish to see you." William looked up from the papers, a faint smile playing on his face.
"I apologize for worrying you, Father." Leo's tone was a little constrained. He had not had much father son bonding with his father. Even in his first life, he was born an orphan and his sole father figure was a man that beat him at every mistake.
"No. It is my fault for not assigning guards to you. That will not be a problem from now on," William said. That smile on his face disappeared like it was never there.
'What does he mean?' Leo thought, unable to read his father's meaning.
"After this incident, people have heard about you. I realized that schemes against you have already begun. Something I expected, but not this early," William continued.
"From now on, you will have guards assigned to you, and you will not be permitted to leave the palace without my permission. Of course, you will be under strict monitoring so such an incident will not happen again," William said calmly, as if he had thought this through multiple times already.
Leo, who heard this, was immediately shocked. Just as he was about to object, he was interrupted.
"Additionally, I have asked two instructors to come and teach you in swordsmanship and magic respectively. They were supposed to come when you were ten, however, circumstances led me to have them come now," William said, clearly leaving no room for arguments.
Leo was surprised at the sudden proclamation as he wondered who the instructors were. William stood up and looked outside through a window, his back to Leo.
"And... go see your mother. She has been worried about you."
Leo, hearing this, thought about his kind, loving mother, and his gut turned when he thought about how worried she was.