Chapter 22 - A Bad News and Sad Parting

"Oh. Leo sensei." Kiba greeted Leo. Issei also greeted after Kiba alerted him about Leo's presence

"Sigh… You two didn't need to keep addressing me as your teacher." Leo sighed when the greeting gathered a crowd of students.

"Eh! Is he a teacher? I have never seen him before."

"Maybe he is a new teacher from overseas. His hair is white and his eyes are red. Do you think it's natural?"

"He looks very young! Kyaa! Do you think he is single!"

The crowd of mostly female students buzzes in the background while Mittelt tightens her grip.

'She gets jealous too easily.' Leo sighed softly at Mittelt, looking helpless.

"I can't discredit someone who guided me so much in swordsmanship." Kiba replied wryly before he offered to lead them to the club room. "Anyway, let's not keep Rias Buchou waiting."

Leo hummed and followed Kiba and Issei. He didn't know why Rias suddenly called for him so urgently out of the sudden.

———

In the club room, Rias and all of her Peerage, Sona with Tsubaki and Ravel are present. He started to feel nervous. What is so important to warrant this kind of attendance?

"Good you arrived." Rias greeted and immediately Ravel invited him to sit next to her. "My brother just informed me an important information and he asked me to inform you too."

Leo takes a seat next to Ravel and Mittelt sits next to him. He nodded and gestured to Rias to start.

"So, my brother informed me about the sudden changes in the Khaos Brigade. That isn't the real problem. But the real problem was that they show increased movement in Japan."

Leo frowned. If that's the case. Why Kuroka hadn't inform him about anything?

"The leaders are wary about this and they believe their target is Kuoh Town." Rias said.

"What could their goal be?" Ravel asked.

Sona heard the question and tried to think of an answer. The others did too except Leo. He has two possible answers. Either to take revenge on him which is not likely but there is a possibility because of his actions or they are going as the canon did, to reignite the war.

"My brother said their goal is to restart the war."

"What?!"

"Yes. The Khaos Brigade from the start is an organization consisting of rebel forces of other factions like the Old Satan Faction. Their goal is definitely to restart the war. Because of that, he said we should return to the Underworld. It's too dangerous to stay in Kuoh." Rias said regretfully as she looked at Sona who looked unwilling.

"Buchou, how about my family?" Issei asked.

"Of course, you can bring them along. The Gremory Clan is more than willing to accommodate." Rias replied.

Then Rias looks at Leo. The main reason why he was brought into this discussion is because Sirzech wanted him to follow them to the Underworld. But he expects Leo to reject the offer and stay to protect Kuoh due to his previous conduct.

A few others caught on to Rias and also looked at Leo, especially Ravel and Mittelt.

"Leo, you will come with us… right?" Ravel quickly asks Leo but his silence tells her otherwise.

Rias also wanted to convince Leo because she considers him as an ally but he feels like it isn't her place. Besides, Leo has Ophis. He is the last one she needs to worry about.

After the discussion. Leo left without uttering any words from the start. His mind is working overtime, thinking about this matter. He is wondering which faction is the one attacking. The Rebel Faction? The Heroes Faction? Qlippoth Faction? Gods Faction? Or all of them?

Leo immediately tried to contact Kuroka but he failed to reach her which made him feel more restless.

———

"Leo! You can't be serious right? Are you really going to stay here?" Ravel worriedly asked Leo when they returned to his apartment.

"Yeah! It's dangerous. We better go to the Underworld with Ravel." Mittelt also tried to persuade Leo to change his mind.

"Not that I didn't want to, Mittelt, Ravel. But I have a guess that I am also their target. If I go with you. I might put you two into danger." Leo said and explained why the Khaos Brigade would be aiming for him because of what he had done to the organization when he made Ophis abandon them.

"Then I won't leave. I don't want to be separated from Leo." Mittelt throws a fit and defies Leo's wish.

"I won't leave either!" Ravel quickly joins Mittelt in their little revolt which leaves him helpless.

"Don't be stubborn, you two." Leo accidentally raises his voice.

This is the first ever time he showed anger. He did this because these two are basically trying to risk their lives by staying in this soon to be a warzone just because they wanted to be stubborn and stick with him. Not that he didn't understand the reason.

Their high affection now becomes a source of problem because they are stubbornly loyal and want to fight by his side. But the Khaos Brigade aren't some random street thugs or untrained militia. They are a full-fledged faction with powerful mens and well trained soldiers especially like the Old Satan Faction or Heroes Faction that is made up of many Sacred Gear users.

"I hate you." Ravel stood up and ran away from his apartment with sobs and tears.

Leo didn't mind being hated if that's what it takes to make her return to the Underworld.

As for Mittelt, she also has watery eyes from Leo raising his voice. But she didn't run. Yet. Maybe because unlike Ravel whose age is exactly like how she looks, Mittelt is much older in the thousands and has mature understanding…?

She at least understands Leo wants the best for them instead of thinking Leo is chasing them away because he sees them as a bother.

He sighed tiredly and said, "You understand why I didn't want you two to be here right?" Mittelt nods silently with a sniffle. "Good. Then please follow Rias and the others to the Underworld. I cannot fight without worry if you two are not safe." Leo said and caressed her hair as an apology for losing his temper.

Mittelt looked like she wanted to say something but she swallowed back the words and reluctantly nodded.

"Promise me you won't die." Mittelt insisted on this promise or else she would not agree to his wish.

"You know that making promises like that will jinx it right?" Leo chuckles but he still made the pinky promise with Mittelt.

"Besides, even if I want to die. I can't really die… in some sense." Leo is reminded that if he dies, he will not enter the Cycle of Reincarnation and will be revived just like how he first died.

"Mhm." Mittelt hummed as she hugged him and they stayed like that for a very long time. Leo let her be and gently comforted her by rubbing her back.

While Leo continues to soothe her feelings, Leo suddenly feels like telling her, to admit his mistake to her.

"Hey, Mittelt."

"Hmn?" She hums while keeping her face planted at Leo's abdomen.

"I actually have something I wanted to admit." Leo said with a heavy tone filled with hesitation but also an unknown desire to confess it.

"I'm actually…" Leo suddenly felt the word stuck in his throat like a big stubborn lump.

"No." Mittelt suddenly stopped Leo. "Don't say it! Not now… Just let me enjoy this moment a little bit longer."

Mittelt sounded so desperate to stop him. He didn't know why but he listened to her plea and let her rest peacefully.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Leo and Mittelt jumped a little from shock. An angry Ravel stood there hyperventilating.

"This is not fair! You are supposed to chase after me and coax me with promises!" Mittelt cried out her frustration which exploded even more when she caught what Leo and Mittelt was doing.

"You shameless crow! Stop hogging him to yourself!" Ravel then jumped into two and chaos ensued.

Leo didn't know how many times he sighed already but he couldn't help but sigh again and step in to stop the cat fight and calm the two down.

Looking at the bright side, at least the two would agree to his wish. Which made him relieved.

———

The following day, Leo brought the girls with their luggage to the location Rias mentioned.

The location is somewhere downtown, away from the crowd and very little people around. Leo was wondering what place it was.

They entered the underground area through a hotel that was suspiciously out of place in the back alley. Once he is underground, he finds himself in a very big underground train station. What's strange is the track connects to nowhere. The end of the track is literally a wall. He can guess this is for the magic train that can cross the world from Earth to the Underworld.

After they made a headcount and confirmed everyone was here, they waited for the train. People didn't talk much because of the heavy air hanging around them. A war is coming and they are forced to evacuate to the Underworld to seek safety. Leo's group is no different.

Five minutes later, the wall on the both ends of the train track suddenly flashes with a magic circle before opening a wormhole where the train passes through and makes a sudden brake until it wheezes to a complete stop. Then the train opened and the carriage door opened up.

"Let's get aboard, people." Rias called and everyone picked up their luggage before entering the train.

Leo sends them off with a farewell and promises that they will definitely return to living like before after everything is done.

Mittelt and Ravel were reluctant to leave. Leo assured them everything is alright and he can handle himself. Besides, the Devils will send their troops here later since Kuoh is their output territory, they will not abandon it that easily.

They cheekily demand a kiss before they board the train. Leo could only agree to their wish and gave each on their cheek before they boarded the train. He waited until the door closed and the train left before he sighed and left this secret train station.

When Leo returns to his now cold and empty apartment, he sits on the couch and stares at the ceiling for a moment before his eyes, face and aura shifted.

He changed into his Hunter persona and immediately went to make preparations. He closes his eyes and enters the Hunter's Dream.

———

"Are you preparing for a war?" Gehrman curiously asked after watching Leo making literally enough supplies for an army.

Molotov cocktails, Fire Paper, Bolt Paper, Quicksilver Bullet, Numbing Mist, Poison Bomb, etc.

Gehrman watches him spend more than days crafting non stop and storing them somewhere not in the Messenger's pocket space.

"You could say so. There's an upcoming battle and I didn't want to waste time simply waiting. Preparation is all I can do to spend my time more meaningfully." Leo replied while his hands never stopped working.

"Are you going to fight on your own?" Gehrman asked this particular question which made Leo pause for a moment. "So it is. You really like to keep everything to yourself and do it on your own. I watched you long enough to learn your bad habit, Good Hunter."

Leo stared at the material on the workbench for a moment beforehand, his hands resuming their work crafting more supplies.

"This mess is caused by me and I intend to take responsibility for it." Leo replied with determination.

"Indeed, it's a noble act for a man to take responsibility for his actions. However, to shoulder the burden of a world on his own is a mortal's folly. You as a Hunter should know this better than anyone. There is no hero, only men that upheld their duty out of necessity when the time is due." Gehrman said as if he is advising a foolish student that is about to commit a great mistake. "Ludwig should be the best example. You know him and his tale, don't you?"

"Of course I do, Ludwig the tragic hero." Leo exhaled irritatedly. "I get what you are trying to say, old man. I'm not an idiot and I have no wish to die a tragic hero. If I can even die, that is." Leo snorted at Gherman.

"Yet your actions said otherwise. I am not senile yet, Good Hunter. I know someone when I see them. I lived long enough to read through your mind." Gehrman berated. "If you are really not going to fight a war alone. Then why had you stayed cooped up in here making all kinds of preparations alone? Why hadn't you asked for the Hunters in Yharnam to also prepare alongside you?"

Leo was silenced. He cannot refute the fact presented to him. Then Gherman continued.

"You forget something important, Good Hunter. You saved them from the nightmare of the Hunt. With your power they earned salvation. They are relying on you to continue living. If you were to perish, their livelihood will also perish. They are your subject, your people and I do not doubt with simple words they will rally under your cause."

"What I am trying to say is, trust your people a little, Good Hunter. For you are their only hope and salvation just like me. You gained the power to call them to your service for a reason. It's their wish and prayer to you."

"I said enough as your teacher. Whether you will listen or not, it's up to you."

Gherman stood up and gave Leo a room to think over his words.

Leo put down the things in his hands and sighed. He hates when people can read his mind like that.

"Do you also have anything to say?"

[I also dislike when you can anticipate what I will do next, Host. But joke aside. What he said is true. I had seen countless records of RAYs fallen to grief due to their carelessness. I do not wish to see another one fall into the path of evil if I can prevent it.]

[The world and the universe is hostile to your kinds because of your progenitors deed. They tend to strike when you are at your lowest and least expecting. Simply because you are immortal doesn't mean you cannot be hurt.]

[I wish I could tell more but this is the best I could. I hope Host will never come to regret any of his actions.]

"Are you trying to warn me because you already know about the future?" Leo asked but received no reply. But even without it he already has his answer.

Leo groaned.

He lived his life constantly causing only trouble to others due to his ability which he couldn't control at that time and caused misfortune to others. He lived his life always relying on himself. So, it's obvious he felt uncomfortable asking for help from others. It's deeply ingrained in him.

However, after being advised by Gherman and warned by his System. Even if he doesn't like the notion of asking for help and prefers to remain a lone wolf, he has to get out of his comfort zone and ask for help.

Leo scratched his head, a little frustrated. But he soon stood up and left the Hunter's Workshop. Outside, he found Gherman sitting on the stone wall beside an oil lantern near the tombstone that teleports him to Yharnam.

Gehrman sits there with his head tilted down and his face partially covered by his top hat, smoking pipe silently without reacting to Leo's presence. But his sharp eyes manage to catch a smile forming on his face as Leo went to Yharnam, heeding his advice to ask for help.

After Leo left, he lifted his head back up and watched the moon in the sky. It's neither yellow nor red like it used to be. Instead it glows with the gentle silver radiance that makes people feel safe and protected.

"A man with a noble heart but also fragile like a glass." He mutters before he exhales a puff of smoke with a wistful melancholy. "Oh Great Old Ones, may you bless your new kin and shield him from anything that may rob away his gentle radiance." Gherman prayed before he returned to the workshop with slow steps.

—————

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