Chapter 287: The Duke’s Wrath Unleashed
The Duke’s Wrath Unleashed
Leon’s jaw tightened.
That light in his eyes—gone. Snuffed out. Something else sat there now. Something darker. Meaner.
Ronan was right.
He felt it like a punch to the gut.
I should’ve moved sooner... Should’ve never waited for the damn sunrise.
He cursed himself, quietly, deep in his chest. But on the surface, his voice didn’t crack.
Didn’t even shift.
"Where’s Ronan?"
Captain Black was quick.
"Already in the city, my lord. He took a strike team out. He’s been tracking suspicious movement since earlier."
Leon gave a slow nod, breathing in through his nose. The kind of breath you take to hold back something ugly.
"Okay..."
But the world didn’t care.
A scream tore through the night—raw, sharp. Like it was ripping through flesh.
Then another.
Then another.
A death cry echoed past the gates.
Leon didn’t hesitate.
He vanished.
One step. Just one.
Gone. A blur of black and wind.
Void Step cracked the world open, and he slipped through it like it was nothing.
The very next breath—he was outside the gates.
And what he saw made his blood freeze.
They were there.
Eleven of them. Cloaked, masked. Weapons wet and shining under the moonlight.
Around them—bodies. The guards of Silver City, torn up and strewn across the grass. Some twitching. Most still.
Blood soaked the ground. Warm. So much of it.
One man had been split at the waist. He tried to breathe, but it was all rattling and blood.
Another dragged himself forward with what was left of his arms, gasping, nails clawing into the dirt.
The air stank of iron. Of death.
Leon’s eyes—golden and burning—locked on the attackers. He scanned them fast. Cold. Sharp.
Seven were Novices. Three had pushed to the Master Realm. And one...
One radiated Grandmaster. That pressure couldn’t be faked.
Leon didn’t blink.
His fists curled. Heat itched beneath his skin.
The leader raised a hand, voice like poison poured through silk.
"Attack. Kill the Duke."
They came fast. Like shadows ripped loose from hell.
But Leon—
He didn’t move.
Didn’t flinch.
He just lifted his hand. Loose fingers.
Then one word. Low. Calm. Steady.
"Burn."
This wasn’t a spell. This was vengeance with a name.
Fire exploded from his palm—twisting, screaming, alive. A dragon of flame shot forward, furious and wild.
They didn’t even have time to scream.
It hit like a sun breaking the sky open. Lit up the whole night. The ground shook beneath the blast.
The Grandmaster didn’t even react—just gone. No sound. No fight. Ash.
Seconds. That’s all it took.
Eleven turned to char. Bones cracked. Bodies blackened and broke into nothing.
When it was over, all that remained were smoldering corpses, twisted and unrecognizable.
Boots hit the ground behind him—rushing. His wives. His commanders. Soldiers flooding in.
Too late to help. Just in time to witness.
Captain Black and Johny stopped dead.
They stared. Couldn’t speak.
Leon stood where he was.
Still.
Eyes glowing gold, like molten metal that hadn’t cooled.
Not blinking. Not speaking.
Rias stepped forward. Slowly. Her voice wasn’t playful. Not this time. It was quiet. Fragile.
"Daddy..."
Just that.
It broke the silence like glass.
Leon turned—barely.
Met her eyes.
No smile. No tease.
Just fire.
Just death.
Just the cold, merciless stare of Duke Leon Moonwalker.
Captain Black swallowed hard and stepped forward.
"My Lord... orders?"
Leon didn’t look at him. Didn’t turn.
His voice—flat and sharp enough to bleed.
"Report. Where are the elites?"
"They’re close, my lord. Some with Ronan. Some guarding the eastern gate."
Leon nodded once. His tone cut cleaner now.
"Split into five squads. Black—you take the first. Johny gets the second. I’ll take the third."
Then he turned, just a little. His eyes narrowed.
"Last two groups—scatter through the city. Rescue ops are the priority. These weren’t the full force. Just scouts. Ronan says there’s sixty more."
Captain Black gave a crisp nod.
"Yes, my lord." He hesitated. "But... should you really lead one? I mean—if something happens—"
Leon’s eyes snapped to him.
Like a blade unsheathed.
"You doubt my power?"
"N-No, my lord!" Black dropped into a bow, sweat beading on his skin. "It’s just—the risk. If you—"
"I’m the Duke."
His voice dropped, low and unshakable.
"This is my city."
A pause.
"Now is the time to follow orders."
"...Yes, sir!"
Leon turned to the women behind him.
No softness in his gaze. Just the weight of a commander who couldn’t afford it.
"All of you—take the maids who aren’t Master level. Get them to the basement. Lock the doors. Stay inside."
He was already moving when—
Rias stepped forward.
"We’re coming too," she said.
Firm. No fear in her voice.
Leon turned fast, frown tight.
"No, Rias. You’re not. It’s too—"
"I’m Grandmaster Realm now, Daddy," she cut in. "I’m not a little girl anymore. I fight with you. This is my city too."
Tsubaki moved beside her.
"I’m a knight, Leon. Maybe I wasn’t born here. But you’re mine. That makes this city mine too. I fight with you."
Kyra stepped forward. Silent. Steady.
"She’s right."
Syra gave a rare, serious nod.
"Don’t leave me behind."
Cynthia came next. Calm. Unmoving.
"You need us."
Aria’s eyes burned violet.
"We’re not fragile, Leon."
Mia’s voice was soft. But there was iron in it.
"I’m coming too."
Lira, always poised, gave a single nod.
"We can protect. We can fight."
Even the maids—quiet in the back—nodded. Not one flinched.
Leon stared at them all. His women. His shield. His sword.
Something in his chest shifted. Heavy.
He let out a slow breath.
And somehow—he smiled.
"Fine," he said.
"Then here’s the plan."
He spoke like a man who’d given orders his whole life.
"You come—but in teams."
He pointed as he spoke, sharp and sure.
"Rias. Kyra. You stay. Guard the mansion. Protect the maids. That’s an order."
They nodded. Faces like stone.
"Syra, Tsubaki, Lira—you’re Group One. You lead."
"Cynthia, Aria, Mia—Group Two."
That was it.
No debate. Just the weight of his voice, the finality of it.
Some maids opened their mouths—but Leon raised a hand. That was enough.
"Any maid under Master Realm—stay underground."
His voice carried steel and something gentler, buried deep.
"Master level and above? Support rescue teams only. No direct combat. That’s an order."
He looked over all of them. No blink. No softness.
"Do not argue," he said again.
"Final."
The reply came like a prayer.
"Yes, Lord."
Leon turned. No hesitation. His mind was already elsewhere.
A white horse waited by the gate, reins slack. In one smooth move, he mounted it.
The gate groaned open.
Captain Black was already working, splitting squads just like Leon had ordered. Johny moved fast, already mobilizing.
Leon’s team gathered. His cloak snapped in the wind as he kicked off—
And rode into the burning dark.
He didn’t look back.
...Until he did.
"Protect the estate," he said.
Voice low. But it cut through the chaos like thunder.
Rias stood tall. Her crimson eyes held.
"We will. Come back safe, Daddy."
Leon gave her a single nod.
No words.
Just the promise. Silent. Solid.
Then he turned.
And vanished.
Behind him—the mansion roared to life.
Captain Black moved like fire, barking orders. Johny’s squad tore into the night.
Tsubaki led her team, sword out, her steps silent and swift.
Aria followed with grace and a gaze that could kill.
And back at the estate—
Smoke hadn’t touched it yet. But it would. Soon.
Rias stood in the stillness, facing the mansion.
Kyra stood beside her. Quiet. Razor-sharp.
Only a few soldiers and maids remained. And the air felt thick. Uneasy.
Rias stepped up.
"Guard the mansion. No one enters. No one leaves. If anything feels off—say it."
Her gaze darkened.
"If someone tries to get in and you’re not sure who they are—kill them. Or come find us. Fast."
Kyra gave a nod.
"Everyone, move. We’re going to the basement. Now."
Far away—the city burned.
And inside the mansion that once held peace—
The women of House Moonwalker prepared for war.