The Reincarnations of Veldanava

Elmesia's Interlude: The Consequence of Hesitation

Emperor Elmesia and Demon Lord Leon Cromwell sat facing each other under a gazebo. The breathtaking garden gave off a relaxing atmosphere.

A trail of steam drifted from the tea that had just been served. Sweets such as cookies and cakes were present too. Maids waited by the side to refill anything before it ran out.

The two of them silently observed each other for a while.

"As always, you are a man of few words, Leon-kun. It has been a long time since you visited me. It's getting boring, you know?" Elmesia spoke first.

Her tone was rather intimate. It was only natural since Leon and Elmesia had known each other for an extensive period of time. They were both rulers, business partners—and most importantly, friends.

He was acquainted with Elmesia even before he became a Demon Lord. In the past when he was still a Hero, Leon used to operate within this land—within the boundaries of Sarion. The two had been friends ever since.

"I wouldn't smile considering the predicament I'm in," Leon said.

"But you rarely smile as is."

"Does that really matter? I don't have time for it."

Although the table had a variety of sweets on it, Leon hadn't touched anything yet. Unlike Emperor Elmesia, he wasn't a fan of sweets.

He wasn't in a good mood either.

"I was so close..."

For hundreds of years, he had been searching for his sister whom he had lost.

He was so close to accomplishing his goal when he saw her in Tempest's Founding Festival. At that exact moment, he truly appreciated the invitation Rimuru sent to him as it brought his centuries-long blind search to an end.

However, fate played a cruel prank on Leon. "Kya~! A bad man gets a hold of me!" — Chloe's exact words were burned into his mind. It was painful, too painful.

Leon was often called a heartless man, be it because of his cold exterior or his uncaring demeanor.

Yet even the hardened Demon Lord felt as if the sky was crumbling down. His sister had forgotten about him. She didn't show any glimpse of recognition when she looked at him.

"Fufufu. You are always a gloomy man, but it is not often to see you this depressed. It's about Chloe Aubert, right?"

"Clearly," Leon replied. "It's likely because one of my previous subordinates came into contact with her."

"I'm aware. Shizue Izawa, is it? I always want her autograph, but it's quite difficult when she lives in the inner circle of Ingrassia."

Elmesia was a Hero fanatic. People who held the title of 'Chosen Hero' always intrigued her. This interest stemmed from her own encounter with Hero Sarion.

While Shizu wasn't really a 'Hero', her famed reputation as the 'Conqueror of Flame' made her a renowned champion. In other words, Shizue became a 'Hero' via the public perception.

"Leon-kun, don't you think she has the right to call you a bad man?" Elmesia mentioned. "You were detached from your subordinates. That's why champion Shizue never trusts you."

"..."

Yes, Shizu had all the right to see him as the cruel man he was.

Leon was once a Hero who did his best to protect humanity. But when he saw that good deeds didn't pay off, he didn't hesitate to become a Demon Lord and get his hands bloody for his goal.

"How the public sees me is none of my concern. I sacrificed a lot to meet her."

"That is the reason why you got called a bad man, Leon-kun. At this rate, even little Chloe will hate you too."