Stronger Than You, Weaker Than Her

When I remembered what happened in the past, especially that hours-long sermon of her, I felt rather scared.

I cautiously watched Aunt Amelie, worried about how she would scold me, however, her next action broke my expectations.

She opened her arms wide and embraced me. However, as she tried to embrace me from the back of my head, it was inevitable that I would faceplant in her bosom.

Soffftt~ They're bigger than Claire's but not big enough that they would sag. In fact, from my face alone, I can feel its distinct shape and softness as if it was quicksand that slowly devoured my face.

Not!!! Get your head out of the gutter, Leon!!!

I thought of that as I could feel a cold breeze poking my skin. I didn't pay attention to it because the night was naturally cold, however, feeling the breeze coming from a certain direction, I did my best to turn my head that was still planted in Aunt's breasts.

There was Claire, who unlike the usual puffing of her cheeks when Aunt and I engage in some skinship, was now wearing a cold expression as if she's looking at a scumbag, an absolute lowlife of a pervert.

"...So, how long are planning to keep embracing him, Mom."

When Claire finally spoke, Aunt Amelie and I were startled and quickly separated. Unlike her usual cute and cheerful expression, the current

Claire exudes an aura that can probably make someone faint if they're weak-hearted enough.

That expression of hers reminded me of her father. When I was still at the camp, he was the only adult whom I was scared of. Even though the others didn't faze me one bit, that man was simply a monster.

Looking at Claire right now, I could definitely see the connection. Even Aunt Amelie, her own mother, had a face that said 'This is bad!!!'. She turned to Claire and spoke in a pleading.

"Ummm, so- sorry, I was just carried away because I was worried about Leon! Yes, that's right! That Jean didn't do anything to you right!?"

Aunt Amelie quickly worked herself up to change the topic. I wasn't sure if it worked but Claire dropped her cold expression and switched back to her usual smile.

She can shift that fast!?

"What do you mean, Aunt? I don't think he would've been able to do anything earlier though?"

"...I see. Leon, are you hungry yet?"

"Eh? Ah no, not really."

When I asked Aunt Amelie what she meant about Jean doing anything to me, she shot me an understanding look and asked if I was hungry.

Naturally, I would be hungry after a long battle like that, however, I said no, guessing that something more important than eating would come right now.

"Then, care to join me for tea? We won't take long."

"...? Sure?"

"You too, Claire."

"Yes, Mom."

Then, she led to the other side of the mansion, where there was a garden full of flower beds. This place is really huge, huh?

There are small lamp posts that dimly illuminate the area and at the middle of the garden beds, stands a small table with four chairs. There wasn't anything like that the last time I came here before.

When we sat, an unknown woman wearing a maid outfit appeared from the shadows with a cart in tow. That cart carried the tea that she served us with. The two of them didn't seem to have the intention to introduce her so I simply smiled at her as a sign of gratitude.

When she finished serving the tea and stood in one of the flower bed's corners a bit far away from us, I decided to ask about what this was about.

I mean, I'm also a tea lover but having tea in a garden in the middle of the night seemed too poetic for my tastes. Or rather, it just felt off.

"Is there something you wanna tell me, Aunt?"

"Leon, did you get any information about the things that happened in that camp after you left?"

"No."

The moment I exited that camp, it seemed like I completely cut myself off from that matter. My custody was quickly arranged and transferred to my mother. Although I met my Dad a few times, he never told me anything about the camp.

Every time I try asking him something, he would simply brush it off. It even seemed like he got fed up with me asking about it one time and he casually said something like, 'You do not have the right to know anything about that matter anymore.'

After that I also didn't pursue the matter any further and just like that, the tiniest connection I had remaining with my father was finally broken. I never met him after that.

When Aunt Amelie heard my answer, she continued.

"After you left, the camp was, well I suppose you can call it renowned. I didn't hear the full details myself but apparently, the story about you leaving the camp was manipulated when it reached the top brass."

"..."

"Because of that, the camp got even more popular as a 'successful' project and that was the time when the child mercenaries joined us."

"...Mercenary?"

"Yes, it seems like the mercenaries also held hidden camps that nurtured young children to become combatants. Although at the time they joined us, the other students were already stronger than before so they didn't get bullied by the more experienced mercenary children who had gone through even harsher training."

Seems like that project was far bigger than I thought.

"The mercenary children were equally matched with ours, however, one child stood out compared to everyone. I'm sure you already had an inkling but that child is Jean. His full name is Jean Albert, ring any bells?"

"...!?"

Albert... When I heard that surname, there was only one person I could think of who had a connection to all this. Oliver Albert. An infamous mercenary who was recognized as the biggest terrorist leader even by the National Guard themselves.

Why do I know that? Well, he got insanely popular before that he not only appeared in the news but on the internet and even in newspapers and other published works.

Although his mercenary company was affiliated with the National Guard, he apparently betrayed them, not just once but many times already. It caused the indirect deaths of millions of innocent people.

The matter was so serious that an old constitution that allowed the death penalty even resurfaced at the talks. However, that is also when the story peaked. Oliver, who was supposed to be killed as per the death penalty, got out alive and the execution was postponed.

From the story, it seems like he held very valuable information that they couldn't afford to simply waste. Whether that is the only reason for the execution to stop or not was left for the people to guess.

At most, the only news that got out about his state was that he was held captive in a highly regulated prison that was specially made for him and his men.

When I heard that Jean had the same surname, the dots were instantly connected.

"So you're saying that Jean was related to him?"

"Not just related, Jean was his biological son."

"...Seriously?"

"Yes, so you get the picture right? When Jean joined the camp, he quickly rose to the top and finally, contended against Claire. He was severely beaten by her though. But because of that, he also developed a weird fixation on her and it ultimately developed into an obsession."

"He always tried to stick to me, claiming that we were rivals and that we're fated for each other. He challenged me many times with my hand in the line... It was terribly exhausting. I would be happy if it was Leon who's doing that but... not him."

When Aunt Amelie explained how Jean blended into the camp, Claire cut in after the end of her explanation. It was as if she was trying to say that I didn't need to worry about Jean. I couldn't help but smile at such a thought.

"Now, Mom. About earlier..."

Claire turned to her mother as if asking her to explain something she was having a hard time speaking of. Aunt Amelie turned to me and spoke in a light tone.

"Leon... When you aimed your gun at Jean earlier, what was his expression?"

"Hmm? Well, I guess he got a little worried? He didn't seem too fazed though. From my guess, seems like he was just surprised that I actually stepped up."

"Unfortunately, you are completely right."

"What do you mean?"

"Jean's expertise is martial arts, or more specifically, hand-to-hand combat. Of course, he wouldn't measure up to Claire but... At that time when you aimed at him at such a close distance, he could have snatched your gun faster than you can react against ."

"..."

Surprise? No, that would be too light to describe what I'm feeling right now. When the commotion earlier happened, my confidence was going through the roof, I even managed to speak my mind completely, which was hella rare for people who knew me for a long time.

However, what I didn't realize was that it was an extremely dangerous situation where I almost got myself killed.

"Is that why..."

"Yeah, that's why I was worried. Leon might be too preoccupied to notice it but I did. At that time, Jean was really looking for a way to kill you where he wouldn't end up as the bad guy."

My guesses were correct and it seemed that Claire was indeed worried earlier. However, the reason was very unexpected for me. I'm not sure what to feel but I suppose I'm still pretty much in denial as I asked Claire.

"Was he really that strong?"

"Yes... I don't want to underestimate Leon but if the two of you were to fight each other, the odds wouldn't be in your favour. Unless you can shoot him before he can get close to you, your loss will always be inevitable."

"..."

A self-deprecating smile appeared on my face as I finally managed to process the problem.

I... got too confident. No, I was cocky. I severely underestimated Jean and that left me in a situation where I almost got myself killed.

Was it because I was too preoccupied with my thoughts? All those bullshit about being able to kill the living too may have been really just for show.

No, do I even worth anything at all? How can my damned talent even work in a situation like this!? Putting aside adapting, if it took me this long to realize my mistake, then...

All of that just points at me being weak... No, I guess it was also because I was emotionally distracted earlier but that really isn't an excuse. As I thought of that, I only noticed later that the two women were looking at me worriedly.

Looking up at them, I remembered some of my and Aunt's conversations earlier.

——In case things were to get out of hand here, you two can easily and safely get away from here.

——But what about you?

——Worried even for me, are you? Don't be, despite how I look, I can also fight, you know?

——I'm not quite sure what I consider you as, maybe a parent or a guardian but... One thing I'm sure of is that I see you as more than just my friend's mother. If such a thing does happen, please come with us.

Even though it sounded like I was joking, I did mean that. Still, saying such things despite being this weak... How would I even be able to protect them?

Perhaps it would just be better if they were to stick with the other-

"Stop it. Leon."

As if it managed to perfectly interrupt my thoughts, Claire's voice brought me back to reality.

"I know... what you're thinking. You're probably thinking that it would be better for us to stay in this group than come with you, right?"

"...Urk."

Claire's words hit the nails perfectly in the head. I could feel them sinking in my skin as I was fully guilty of such thoughts.

"Leon, you are not as weak as you think you are. So enough with that self-deprecating crap and come back to the usual you... Heck, how did your self-esteem even reach this low?"

I- I can't help it! It's already low enough! But when it finally had the chance to rise, that reveal just pulled it back down again!"

However, it seemed like Claire wasn't finished with what she was trying to point out. When she stood up from her seat, Aunt did so as well. 

The two women smirked at me, making them look like naughty cats. However, the presence they were exuding wasn't any less than a lion's.

"I think you were misunderstanding something and it pisses me off for a while now."

"I can't help but agree, you know Leon, you were with us since you were a child but to think that you still thought of us like that makes me sad."

As I wondered what the hell they were referring to. Claire's next words struck the final nail that was aimed at my heart.

"We're not so weak that we need you to protect us. Remember this well... Leon, you're just like a lion who can only keep up appearances as the alpha... If you dwindle around this any longer... You might be the one who will get... devoured."

Claire said that she licked her lips before leaving and Aunt followed her.

Ahh... How could I forget? I really am an idiot...

Those two are the last women in the world who would need any protection!!!