The Conquerors Path
chapter-514

In the game, there were a total of 3 playable male characters. Leonardo is the first. This doesn't mean that there are specific girls for specific main males. Each character we play would have to deal with all the other girls. The difference would be just the background, behaviors, and specialties of the character we choose.

The thing is that the most difficult one to play with is Leonardo. His character is the hardest to play due to his naivety and other characteristics, while the other two make the gameplay much easier. I have played with the other 2 and have an idea about their abilities and character. Not to mention that I have been keeping extensive contact and an eye on all the characters to play.

The thing here is that other than Leonardo, the other two will be a greater pain in the ass to deal with. Normally, when the game plays, when we choose a character, the other two will live a normal life in the background. But this is real life, and if there is one thing I learned, it's that in real life, there will always be surprises headed your way.

If I had to choose, then I would be the happiest to just deal with Leonardo. But that doesn't seem like it will happen for now. The other two have different backgrounds and circumstances from Leonardo, and they are more lustful character-wise. Right now, I have the majority of the girls in contact, but sadly for me, they don't seem to be the end of it.

After all, new capture targets keep being thrown into my face whenever I least expect it. But the most annoying thing would be dealing with the extreme amount of luck the world is giving these so-called protagonists.

Right now, just from the file that 007 provided, I understood that things won't head well if I let things be. You see, in reality, before I met the other girls, there seemed to be circumstances where Leonardo seemed to meet up with some of the other capture targets. In fact, right now, Leonardo is a benefactor to Angelina.

Somehow, he ended up helping her and now she owes him one. But knowing her and her mind, she would also have the inner desire to seduce him to take control of Leonardo's mind. After all, he is the wielder of one of the weapons of heroes, and having him under her control would be beneficial to her.

The other one being a pain in the ass is Isabella, that manipulative woman that I am dreading to face. I'm keeping her at a distance, as I told you before. She is manipulative, someone who thinks that anyone she cares about should be under her control all the time. For me to deal with it, I have to wait for her arc to begin.

But now she seems to be making contact with Leonardo. Knowing her manipulative mind, she would have the same reason as Angelina, the greater desire to control a future powerful hero of the world. But in Isabella's case, she has a higher chance of achieving it than a demon princess.

While the others too have the same goal, the only ones aiming for it are the other ring holders, both men. The two of them are the catkin prince Raze and the other prince. One who looks normal in every way but commands power in the academy with Shira being his right-hand "man".

As for the rest, since they are my friends and know that I kicked out Leonardo myself, they aren't going after him due to respect and for some, due to their love for me. Then it would mean that I have another 4 powerful ring holders to keep in check or to prevent from giving him power.

'No, this might be good...' My mind churned as new ideas bloomed. Leonardo's luck is certainly outstanding. Whenever a problem for the capture target pops up, he mysteriously is either there or has some idea about how to deal with it. This makes him a very dangerous variable that can cause damage at a time you won't even think about.

'But pushing him towards that guy can actually make things better for me.' Right now the world is heading towards a state of war. Once it begins, it would lead toward never-ending cascading actions that will soon bring in untold powers. And in that time, Heroes will be needed. And in that list, both I and Leonardo will be at the top. People that want the darkness will target me and Leonardo.

But what I want is for him to take the bigger issues. And currently, it's working very well. After all, in the realm, Leonardo was targeted much more than any other student. And he only survived due to his luck, after which he came out stronger, even when his life was not even really at risk, one can only imagine how much luck will bless him when his real life is in danger. The main reason for this is due to all the missions I had assigned him.

One that gave a significant blow to the people I am against, hence marking Leonardo as their top priority to take down. This also has pushed forward Leonardo's power, giving him much more view into the world and also increased his anger towards the opposing power. But what is most helpful for me is the story that I am weaving around Leonardo.

One that will be very helpful for me...

'I guess I will push him towards Bale.'

Bale is the other prince that holds another ring. He and his kingdom have already been taken over by the other side and are their devoted followers. The Hillcloud family exists in their kingdom, after all, they are a powerful family too with a great ancestry. But sadly, things changed there as time passed.

If I were to push Leonardo and Bale together, then things will get better for me. Bale definitely wants Leonardo. What better way for the darkness than to corrupt the light?

'But knowing that stupid weapon of his, it will alert Leonardo of Bale when things are close.'

By pushing these two together, I will be achieving many things all at once. Getting Leonardo far away from the girls, keeping him in check, and like a loyal dog, Leonardo will sniff out all problems while taking in the majority of the heat. And I, like always, will be chilling in the background as I enjoy the fruits of Leonardo's labor.

'Um... I will do that.'

Finally coming to a decision, I placed the file that 007 gave me in a secure lock before turning to look at him.

"For now, keep at your duties. And whenever he meets someone of unrefined talents, you know what to do, right?"

"Yes, turn them, and make them join your faction."

007 replied. With a final nod, he got up and left, leaving me in my room, deep in my thoughts. Finally getting to a decision, I took my communication orb and activated it.

"Leonardo, let's meet,"

I spoke.

'Looks like it's time to change identity again'

.....

"Barley! It's good to see you!"

Leonardo shouted as he walked up to me and hugged me tight. I, with a good-natured smile, hugged him back with the same enthusiasm as I responded.

"It's good to see you too, my dear friend."

My words were convincing and proud, nothing like a man who before was planning to completely screw over Leonardo.

"So? The usual?"

I replied as we sat at the coffee table.

"The usual."

Leonardo replied as I placed the order. By now, I have become very close to Leonardo. He treats me like a close friend and a fighter for the better future of the world. He trusts me a lot and listens to me with the utmost focus. For some time, the two of us did a light chat until our coffee arrived. Sipping on it, I spoke with a serious voice.

"Leonardo, we have a serious problem."

I spoke. My words brought a serious look to Leonardo's face as he placed his coffee on the table and replied.

"Tell me."

"Before that, why don't you read this first?"

Saying so, I passed a document to Leonardo who took it up and started to read through it. His expression turned worse as he kept reading. Finally, he placed it on the table and spoke with surprised anger.

"That beast!"

While his voice was low, his anger definitely is through the roof.

"Not only does he fund such stuff, he is even conspiring to hurt so many innocents. How can a person be so evil?"

Leonardo spat out his question with disdain. And as you can all guess, he is talking about me after reading the information about me that I showed him. In all the past things I made him stop, I showed the 'proof' as Austin Lionheart funding all those despicable things. And it worked well in getting his animosity about me up.