Grand Return System-Chapter 60: The Arms That Shield the World

The Arms That Shield the World

"You are thinking too much," he said calmly, though the faintest warmth touched his tone. "Cultivate well. Grow strong. That is enough."

Rias smiled faintly through the lingering moisture in her eyes.

"Yes... Teacher."

The fire crackled behind them, sparks rising into the night like wandering stars.

Rias was stunned by his domineering words, and her heart warmed uncontrollably. How could one not feel love for such a Teacher?

Ah... full of security, warmth... something like love.

Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears. Those few simple sentences had struck deeper than any sweet promise whispered in palace corridors.

After pondering for a moment, she remembered that she had once hidden the truth. Guilt crept back into her chest. She lowered her head in shame.

"Teacher... I know my mistake. I will never hide anything from you again."

Leon looked at her lowered head, the way her crimson lashes trembled faintly against her pale skin. He did not rush to comfort her. Instead, he folded his sleeves behind his back and spoke in an even tone.

"When your senior sister entered the division, I told her something."

Rias looked up slightly.

"Our Amethyst Summit Division has a good tradition."

She blinked, curious.

Leon’s lips curved faintly.

"That is to correct your mistakes... and not admit your mistakes."

Rias froze.

He continued without changing expression.

"This tradition was passed down from your grandmaster’s generation. In the future, all of you must pass it down as well. I don’t want to hear any of you admit your mistakes in the future. Even if you’re truly wrong, don’t admit it even if you’re beaten to death."

For a breath, Rias stared at him in disbelief.

Then—

She covered her mouth and laughed softly.

The earlier heaviness dissolved like mist under sunlight.

"Correct the mistake and not admit the mistake?" she repeated, eyes bright. "Does that mean... I should just be stubborn?"

Leon nodded solemnly. "Naturally."

Her laughter spilled freely this time, light and musical.

For the first time that night, she looked carefree—less like a runaway princess burdened by a kingdom, more like a young woman discovering freedom.

She suddenly became curious about the grandmaster she had never seen. What kind of eccentric, audacious figure could pass down such a tradition?

"Yes, Teacher. I’ll remember."

She tugged gently at her red robes, the silk whispering as it settled around her slender legs.

There was no longer any need to hide.

Now that he had treated her this way... she had nothing left to conceal.

She drew in a slow breath.

"Teacher... I am actually the princess of the Drake Kingdom’s royal family."

The words felt heavy, yet freeing.

"My mother died early. Since childhood, my father treated me as a bargaining chip. I have an engagement with the prince of the Blue Empire."

Her fingers tightened in the fabric of her sleeves.

"I was raised to accept it. To sacrifice for politics. But I do not want to be a tool for other people’s interests. I do not want to marry a man I have never loved."

Her voice grew softer.

"So I ran."

The breeze stirred her hair again.

"Teacher has treated me so well. I am deeply moved. But by now, the Imperial Kingdom must have already sent people to capture me. If they catch up..."

Her gaze dimmed.

"I’m afraid I will have to bid farewell to you."

The confession hung between them like a fragile thread.

She did not want to return.

She did not want to leave him.

For the first time in her life, she felt she belonged somewhere—not as a princess, not as a political pawn—but as someone chosen.

Leon stepped closer.

Without hesitation, he lifted his hand and gently wiped the tear sliding down her cheek.

His touch was steady, warm.

"Don’t worry," he said quietly. "No one can take you back while I’m here."

Rias raised her head, eyes widening.

In his purple gaze, she saw no hesitation.

Only certainty.

Her smile bloomed again—radiant, like spring after frost.

It was the kind of smile that made people want to protect her from the entire world.

"Yes," she whispered. "From now on, I will only listen to Teacher. I will do whatever Teacher wants me to do."

Her voice carried trust... and something softer beneath it.

Leon looked at her for a moment longer, then turned his gaze toward the dark horizon.

"Alright. Stop crying," he said gently. "As long as I’m alive, no one will force you to do what you do not want to do. I will always be your strongest support."

The words were simple.

But they carried the weight of a vow.

Imperial Kingdom?

Leon understood what that meant.

An enforcement arm of the Drake Kingdom—feared throughout the Eastern region. Their deterrence might terrify ordinary cultivators.

But to him?

He was now a sage Realm expert—an early-stage Venerable.

A Dao Flower had bloomed within him.

He wielded the First Mist Immortal Sword and grasped the profound mysteries of the Font Sword Art.

Below pinnacle Realm—

He feared no one.

Confidence flowed through him like calm, restrained thunder.

Rias’ eyes shimmered.

"Teacher..." she hesitated, fingers fidgeting at the edge of her sash.

"Can I... can I hug you?"

Her cheeks flushed as soon as the words escaped.

As a princess, she had been trained in etiquette and restraint.

But right now, she was just a girl who wanted to feel safe.

Leon’s mouth twitched slightly.

A hug?

"Ahem... if that is what you wish."

He opened his arms.

Rias did not hesitate.

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing herself gently against him.

Her body was soft and warm, the silk of her red robes cool against his palms. Beneath the layers, her curves were unmistakably feminine—her chest pressed lightly against his torso as she leaned into him without reserve.

She fit perfectly in his embrace.

"So warm..." she thought as she rested her cheek against his chest. "What a strange feeling. I wish I could stay in Teacher’s arms forever."

Leon stiffened for a fraction of a second.

Her softness pressed against him—real, tangible. The faint scent of floral incense clung to her hair. The warmth of her body seeped through the thin layers of cloth.

His heart skipped.

He had lived two lifetimes.

In neither had he ever held a woman like this.

Calm down, he told himself.

Her body shifted slightly—unintentionally—or perhaps not entirely.

The subtle pressure against his chest sent a ripple through his nerves.

This girl... is she doing this on purpose?

He had only just stabilized his Principal heart.

Now it trembled again.

And yet—

His hands slowly came to rest at her back.

Not wandering.

Not greedy.

Just steady.

He held her.

Carefully.

As if she were something precious.

Wonderful.

Truly wonderful. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Her figure was gentle like flowing water—yet warm, alive, undeniably alluring. But what stirred him more was not her body.

It was her trust.

Her vulnerability.

Her decision to lean on him.

He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.

Slowly, he thought.

If affection bloomed, it would bloom gradually.

Not reckless.

Not crude.

He had time.

As for the future...

If others one day walked this path toward him—if Selena, or even others who shared this journey developed feelings—

He would not reject sincerity.

But not through force.

Not through haste.

Everything would unfold at its own rhythm.

For now—

He simply held her.

And for the first time in both his lifetimes—

He did not feel alone.