April 10, At Leon's Residence—For the first time, Manabu, Mion, Mai, and Taiju visited the place. Maria had brought them.
As they stepped inside, they saw many children playing in the house. The moment they entered, the children froze and stared at them.
Maria smiled at the kids and said, "This is your big brother or uncle, Manabu."
The children looked at each other and exclaimed, "Maria sister's brother!" before running toward Manabu, hugging and cuddling him.
Their warmth felt so soft and relaxing—Manabu could cuddle them all day.
Meanwhile, Sarah stood nearby, noticing that Mion didn't seem to be in a good mood. Concerned, she asked, "What's wrong, big sister? Why do you look upset?"
Mion hesitated before replying, "No, I'm fine. It's nothing."
Maria hadn't spoken to her for the past few days. Mion glanced at Maria, but Maria remained completely silent, not even looking at her once. Mion could tell she was still upset about what had happened before.
But holding onto grudges for so long didn't feel right either. She wanted to befriend Maria again, but she didn't want to apologize to Leon for what she had done. So, she decided to stay quiet for now and planned to make it up to her later.
Maria led Manabu and his friends upstairs.
Roy was in his room, listening to music through his earphones. But when he noticed Manabu and the others arriving, he removed them. Upon seeing Mion, he lowered his gaze and quietly left the room.
Meanwhile, Noor was baking a cake and preparing tea and coffee for them. The children were helping her in the kitchen.
Maria requested Manabu and his friends to sit in the children's room.
At that moment, Sumi came upstairs and peeked into the room. Seeing her, Maria called out, "Sumi, come in and sit with us. Talk to everyone."
Sumi was naturally shy around people. She walked in with her head lowered, quietly sat beside Maria, and hugged her. Then, slowly, she lifted her head and looked at Manabu.
Manabu smiled at her. Sumi turned away, blushing.
Maria introduced her, "She's Sumi, Leon's younger sister."
Mai greeted her with a joyful look. She loved children, and Sumi was like a honeycomb of sweetness. She looked so innocent that Mai wanted to keep cuddling her. Mai gestured for Sumi to sit with them.
So, Sumi got up and sat between Mai and Mion. Observing their hair, she curiously asked, "Why is your hair so weird?"
Pointing at Mion, she said, "Your hair is very cute but short." Then, turning to Mai, she added, "And your hair is short and red, which means you must have a really bad temper."
Taiju gave her a ten out of ten and said sarcastically, "Actually, Mai does have quite a temper." He laughed along with Sumi.
Mai, however, shot him a deadly glare.
In the middle of his laughter, Taiju suddenly stopped. "Uhh—"
Before the conversation could continue, Roy returned, carrying a tray of refreshments. He didn't seem moody, nor did he say a word. He handed out coffee and tea to everyone, then placed a plate of cake on the tray and cut it into pieces.
"Please," he offered.
While they enjoyed the cake and tea, Manabu took a piece and asked Maria, "Maria, I've been hearing a lot of bad rumors about Leon. Are they true?" He took a bite.
Maria looked at him and replied, "I don't know myself… Leon said he'd tell me everything, but after going to the hospital, he never came back. It's been three, maybe four days. He's still in the hospital… His hand got fractured, and the doctor told him to rest."
Manabu listened, thoughts bouncing around his head.
He had already joined college and resumed attending. It was quite a good experience for him. And just a few days ago, Mai and Taiju's parents had arrived in Lafiaza at Kami's request.
Taiju's parents knew Kami and respected him greatly. However, they couldn't accept the way their children had suddenly been taken to Lafiaza and kept there.
Kami then offered them Lafiaza citizenship, but Taiju's father immediately refused.
Later, Taiju's father gave him two options: "Return to Feropia with us or stay in Lafiaza with Manabu and the others. You should decide for yourself. Since you've always wanted to study in Lafiaza, right, Taiju? And now you're already on Lafiaza's land. The choice is yours—either come back with me or stay here and study with your friends. I will cover your expenses either way."
Taiju thought about it deeply. Meanwhile, Mai's parents refused to accept her request. Their daughter had been kidnapped before, and they were still wary. However, Kami reassured them, offering to take full responsibility for her education.
After much deliberation, when Mai's parents couldn't come to a decision, Mai's elder sister asked, "Mai, do you want to stay here, or do you want to leave? Do you feel safe here?"
Mai looked at her parents, hesitating. But before she could speak, her sister said, "Don't worry about them. Sometimes, to achieve something big, you have to take big steps. These old people won't get it."
However, their parents interrupted, "What are you saying?! Keeping Mai so far away from us—are you out of your mind?"
But Mai's elder sister was firm. "I'm saying this for her own good! If she wants to study in such a great country, what's the problem?! And Taiju, Manabu, and Mion are all here. She will be fine!"
Taiju looked at Mai. She actually wanted to stay with them.
To support her, Taiju turned to Mai's parents and said, "Aunty, Uncle, Mai will stay with me. I promise there won't be any problems."
Kami also reassured Mai's mother, "Look, sister, nothing will happen to your daughter. And if she gets citizenship here, you can also move here in the future if you want."
Mai's parents wanted the best for their daughter but weren't ready to let her go alone.
Then Mai herself pleaded, "Mom, please! I promise I won't hang out with any bad people. If I do, Taiju will tell you. I will always be with them, and I won't do anything reckless."
Finally, after much persuasion, Mai's parents agreed.
Overjoyed, Mai hugged her sister and started jumping in excitement. Her elder sister laughed and said, "When you finish your studies, take me with you too."
Mai grinned mischievously. "Aha~ Will I? Can't you do something for yourself?"
"Ehh! After all that arguing with Mom and Dad for you, is this how you treat me?" her sister panicked dramatically.
Mai giggled. "Relax, I'll take you, Mom, and Dad—all of you. And also…"
Blushing slightly, she leaned in and whispered to her sister, "This guy standing next to me, Taiju… He's my boyfriend. And I really love him, and he loves me too."
Mai's sister covered her mouth in shock, blushing. "Brother-in-law?!"
She fully supported their relationship but gave Mai one piece of advice, "No physical stuff before marriage, okay? Always save your first time for your husband. Got it?"
Mai gave a thumbs-up and laughed.
Later, Taiju's parents asked Kami, "Mr. Kami, where will the kids be staying?"
Kami replied, "They will stay at my elder daughter Maria's house. You're welcome to stay for a few days too since you've traveled such a long way. If you want, I can also arrange another place for you."
But Taiju's father declined. "That won't be necessary. Just being able to talk to you is a great privilege. And Taiju, best of luck."
Taiju hugged his father and sincerely thanked him for raising him with so much freedom and support.
His father smiled and hugged him back. "You dummy, is this even a big deal? If my son wants something, how can I refuse? Alright, let's head home."
After that, both Taiju's and Mai's parents stayed at Maria's place for two days before returning. Manabu also spent a good time with his uncle and aunt (Taiju and Mai's parents).
Kami arranged for them to travel in business class and covered all expenses. And they went back to Feropia after 2 days—
In the middle of the conversation, Sumi asked Manabu, "Big brother, where have you been all these years?"
Manabu placed his hand on his cheek, thinking about how to explain it. Maria then explained to Sumi, "Manabu uncle was separated from us years ago due to an accident. After that, no one could find him. After many years, my father, your grandfather, found Manabu uncle again."
Manabu nodded and gave a gentle smile. Sumi then told Manabu, "Uncle, don't get lost again. If you have to go somewhere, tell me. I know everything about this place. If you need to get food or anything else, take me with you." And she sat on Manabu's lap.
Manabu placed his hand on her head. But then, when Manabu saw Roy, he asked, "What's your name?"
Roy realized that Manabu hadn't introduced himself to him yet. He stood up straight and replied, "I am Roy, and I am the caretaker of the children here. Also, Leon's helper."
Manabu looked at him and then asked Taiju to sit on the bed. He also gave Roy a chair and said, "Please sit here. You've been standing for too long."
Roy shook his head and refused. But then, he stood there silently for a while, glancing at Mion and then at Maria.
Roy wanted to say something but couldn't. Maria noticed his restlessness and asked, "Roy? What happened? Do you want to say something?"
Roy then removed his glasses, looked at Sumi, and said, "Sumi, go outside for a bit. Your mission is to make sure no one enters the room except for Noor. Okay?"
Sumi got a new mission and quickly ran outside.
Now Roy bit his lips for a moment. He looked a bit weird. Seeing him, Manabu wondered—what's his deal...
Roy then took a deep breath and said, "I was ordered not to say anything, but I will share some information."
Roy pointed his finger at Mion and asked her to sit on another bed with Maria. Mion didn't respond and quietly sat next to Maria, facing away. Maria did the same.
Then Roy said, "CPUS-Intelligence is a massive organization that was established right here, maybe 300 years ago, even before Lafiaza was born... It's not just an organization but a rule imposed on the world, affecting everything globally. Leon was arrested two years ago. For a murder and rape but I'll tell you the true story. And maybe after this, Mion— You would be able to forgive Leon..."
Hearing this, Mion looked at him.
Roy continued, "I met Leon a long time ago, when he was just about 15... maybe. I got introduced to him through Kenzo. I've known him for a long time... The rumors about Leon are all fake. They're just media and public exaggerations to spice up the story. Leon never harmed anyone, but the murder allegations against him are real."
Mion asked Roy, "Then what actually happened?"
Roy replied, "There is a small town in Lafiaza called Prisha Town... There was a priest there who was highly respected by the people. But that man was not a good person. He used to run a sacred place (God's house), but he molested many children there.
There was a girl studying there whose parents had passed away, and the responsibility of raising her was taken by that priest. That girl was none other than Sarah... At that time, Sarah was just 9 or 10 years old. She was a good friend of Sumi, and they used to play together. But Sarah was a victim of severe mental torture and was harassed every single day..."
Hearing this, Mion swallowed hard. She herself had been a victim of harassment, and she knew how much it could mentally destroy a person...
Roy continued, "Sarah was threatened that if she told anyone, she would face severe punishment. Out of fear, she never spoke about it. But one day, Sarah gathered the courage to tell Sumi everything. Hoping for help, Sumi informed Leon... That day, Leon's anger reached an extreme level."
In the meantime, as Roy was explaining, it started raining heavily outside. Roy slowly stood up and opened the window. The cold air from outside entered the room, making it feel chilly.
Looking at the rain, Roy said, "That day, too, it was raining this heavily..." He turned back and sat down on his chair again, keeping the window open.
Roy continued, "At that time, Leon used to be very quiet, extremely depressed, and barely spoke to anyone. His anger issues were even worse than they are now—probably a thousand times worse. That night, in the middle of the heavy rain, Leon took an axe, hiding it behind his clothes. He left Sumi with Noor for safety... Leon was filled with rage and went to the priest's house. He knocked on the door and asked, 'Where is Sarah?'
The priest replied, 'Sarah is asleep. Who are you?'
Leon pushed him aside and stormed inside, opening every door to search for Sarah.
Seeing the axe in Leon's hand, the priest sweats crazy in fear and tried to escape.
But I grabbed him and locked the door... Leon finally found Sarah—she was in that bastard's room—on the bed, completely naked and vulnerable state, crying...
Seeing that, Leon's eyes filled with tears. Immediately, he locked Sarah's door from the outside—so she wouldn't have to witness what was about to happen...
The priest was terrified upon seeing Leon and he was crawling on the ground and grabbed Leon's feet, begging for forgiveness.
Leon voice loudens, eyes filled with tears. He screamed and asked:
'Do you even know what it means to be a father?! This girl has no family... she has been under your care. Your like her guardian—Do you even have any idea what's the meaning of raising a child?!'
I was standing there. The priest push me aside to escape. Everything became eerily silent and slow—For the first time of my life. I've seen Leon like this....Just as the priest opened the door to run outside—Leon swung the axe over his shoulder and delivered a deep laceration to the priest's thoracic vertebrae, severing part of the spinal column. The impact sent a jarring vibration through the bones, and the sickening sound of shattering vertebrae still echoed in my ears. With that single strike, a painful scream brust out from the priest's throat, reverberating through the rain to the entire town.
Then, gripping the priest's hair, Leon yanked his head backward. And with a forceful drag of the axe he exposed the cranium, then he split the scalp apart, peeling back the skin and exposing the cranial bones. The parietal and frontal bones became visible beneath the torn layers of flesh.
—I've seen corpses before. I've been involved in brutal gang fights. But for the first time, I felt like throwing up.—
As the priest writhed crazy in agony, Leon swung the axe again, striking him directly in the face. The impact crushed the maxilla and split the lips apart, severing the soft tissues at the corners of his mouth. The priest's upper and lower jaws were nearly cleaved apart, his skull barely holding together as blood poured from the gaping wound. His face was no longer recognizable—just a mess of exposed bone and torn flesh."
I stood there, unable to speak.
Leon took deep, shuddered and turn to me saying, "Roy, take the children—Sumi, Masao, Yumi, and Sarah—and leave. Take them far away with Noor. There's an orphanage in Martyr's Valley. It's run by a few older kids now… go there for shelter. Just leave this place..."
Roy protested, his voice trembling with anger.
"What about you? Do you think you'll just walk away from this? You're going straight to prison!"
Leon exhaled sharply.
"I know. But you need to leave. If you stay here, you'll go down with me."
Roy snapped, his frustration boiling over.
"You're insane! Completely out of your mind! You could've just taken Sarah and left! Why the hell did you have to kill him?!"
Leon met Roy's furious gaze, his voice steady but distant.
"If not Sarah today, then someone else tomorrow… I don't know what I did, or why I did it. My mind wasn't working. I couldn't think of anything else… What if it had been Sumi?"
Roy fell silent.
Leon gestured for him to leave quickly. Without another word, Roy unlocked Sarah's room, covered her eyes, and carried her away. Just before leaving, he turned back one last time. Leon stood there, gripping the bloodstained axe, staring at the mutilated corpse on the floor.
"And I left him behind."
Roy now looked at Mion and Maria, his expression heavy with the weight of the past.
"Leon was never arrested for rape, only for murder. And he didn't do anything evil. Anyone else in his place would have done the same thing."
Mion's mind reeled. The horrifying scene played over and over in her thoughts. Her pupils constricted in shock.
What Leon did—Was it justice?