CHAPTER 35: SUBJUGATION

As he looked ahead, his entire vision was consumed by the silver mane as it lunged at him, swiping at him with its vicious claws. In an effort not to become its next meal, he maneuvered his body backwards, slipping away from its range as it sliced into the stone beneath.

"Greater Strengthening."

Returning the empowering enhancement to his body, he moved forward, slamming his fist against the beast’s nose. He could feel a "crunch", undoubtedly fracturing the bone he struck as the impact threw the Chimera back.

Seeing the massive beast be flung back, bouncing off the road and slamming into a tree, was a sight that stoked a "Holy Shit" from the adventurer watching.

"Remind me not to get into a fist fight with you, Boss!" Phoenix shouted from behind.

Leon ignored the remark, watching the hybrid predator pick itself up, shaking its head with a growl. It was a bit jarring for him, seeing as he certainly held nothing back in his punch and all it led to was a glare from the beast.

’This thing is tough. That just means I need it even more,’ he resolved.

The beast sprinted towards him, lunging with its jaws parted as if welcoming him into its stomach. He stepped out of its maw’s grasp, passing by close enough to feel the warm leave its mouth.

"Yuck. Gotta brush your teeth more often, man," Leon remarked playfully.

Avoiding being chewed on wasn’t enough, catching in the corner of his eye that the serpentine tail coiled, hissing at him.

"Steel Body!"

The quick invocation came just as the rear snake latched onto his shoulder. Its fang pierced his clothing, though failed to penetrate his toughened skin.

’That was close,’ he thought.

Grabbing the head of the malicious serpent, he sucked in a breath, using it to pull the Chimera off balance. Planting his feet on the ground, he held his breath, tightening his core as he began to spin the colossal predator.

"Time for a bit of...tough love!" Leon breathed out, spinning around before flinging the beast upward.

It was a sight that left only speechlessness from both men, surprised at his own strength as the Chimera was sent above the height of trees. For a beast likely foreign to being airborne, it flailed helplessly on the way down.

Leon stood in the same spot, bending his knees and pulling his fist back, waiting as it fell and fell before landing within range–

He let his fist connect with its jaw, meeting it halfway into an uppercut that woke up the slumbering trees, swaying their watchful branches. A natural "critical hit" in its own right sent the Chimera on its back, groggily struggling to stand itself back.

"Alright, let’s try this again," Leon calmly said with an exhale, holding his hand out.

["Subjugation"]

This time, the ethereal bindings spawned around the weakened beast with greater intensity, managing to pin it down effectively. It resisted, though failed to do so as the hum of scarlet light overwhelmed its will.

The process lasted a full minute, taking some concentration as he kept his hand pointed towards the beast before–it fell in line.

[Subjugation Successful.]

As the bindings faded, the Chimera stood itself up, sitting there as it lowered its head in quiet subservience. Leon carefully approached, looking up at the majestic mane that loomed over him.

"Alright, nice kitty, yeah?" He said quietly, lifting his hand to pet the silver fur.

Looking back, he saw the fiery-haired man walking over with far more hesitation to him, unaware of the process that had been taken.

"It’s, err...Good now? What did you do?" Phoenix asked, looking up at the well-mannered beast.

"I tamed him, that’s all," Leon said with a smile. "You’re free to pet him, too."

"Not trying to get my hand bit off right now," Phoenix laughed. "But, if you’ve got a pet chimera now, you oughta give him a name!"

"A name? Hmm...How about Hercules?" Leon thought up with a hand to his chin.

In seeming affirmation, the silver-furred Chimera unleashed a low roar before nudging its head against the much smaller man.

Leon flinched a bit from the sudden affection by the giant beast, laughing as he petted it in return, "Well, I guess that name works."

["Hercules"] [CLASS: Chimera] [Designated Level: 21]

’Looks like it leveled up after being tamed–interesting,’ he thought.

Returning to the mansion, the gates were opened to welcome his return, along with his new furry companion that trotted in alongside him. Of course, the presence of the beast definitely earned some anxiety.

Front and center, the two guards stationed in the courtyard intercepted the Chimera, drawing their weapons.

"A Chimera–?!" Aurora shouted, holding her weapon up.

"Is the Eclipse already starting–?" Karl stammered, holding his shield.

Despite the readiness of the guards, the hybrid lion sat itself down calmly, cleaning its own paw without any fear. Leon laughed, petting its mane as he stood beside it, displaying the lack of malice from the monstrous creature.

"...Huh?" Aurora and Karl watched.

The same disbelief came from the maids and butlers that made their way to the front at the commotion, also seemingly ready for a battle, though watching the nobleman’s friendliness with the predator.

"This is Hercules," Leon introduced. "He’s our new guard...chimera."

While the guards were understandable hesitant, the excitement of one maid couldn’t be contained–

"So cute!" The unrestrained adoration came from the crimson-haired girl, who hopped on the lion’s back.

Ruby was like a child at a petting zoo, practically sinking herself into the bountiful mane of the mystical beast, though it didn’t seem to mind as it laid on the grass.

Watching with a sigh, shaking his head at the maid’s lack of professionalism, Salvatore spoke firmly, "I swear, that girl has yet to act like a proper representative of the Schoeller Mansion."

"I think it’s fine. Ruby wears her heart on her sleeve. It’s nice to have someone so bubbly around," Leon said with a smile.

"I suppose you’re right, Master," Salvatore presented a small smile of his own, a rarity.

"Anyway, I’m assuming you two are about to head out?" Leon asked.

Near the gates, the anxious merchant was humming a tune to himself while setting up to go. It seemed by the impatience of the steer, the carriage was soon to disembark.

Salvatore nodded, "As instructed, we will make certain that Lord Frederick is protected in his travels."

"Thanks," Leon said.

The butler only nodded with a smile before snapping his fingers, getting the attention of the maid all too busy playing with the chimera, "Ruby, it is time to go!"

"Aww, already—? Well, alright! Bye, bye, Hercules!" The maid enthusiastically said, giving a pat on the head to the gentle beast before hopping off its back.

On her way towards the carriage, Ruby leaned towards the young lord with a cheeky smile, "I’ll be back soon, Master!"

"Safe travels," Leon wished.

The sun began to set as the carriage left through the gates, with the turning and tumbling of the wheels becoming distant.

After a nice dinner shared with his companions and a much needed bath after a long day, he found himself in his study room. Dusk peeked through the window as the mana-crystal empowered lamp provided light to the letter he wrote.

As he finished the last swipes of the quill, folding the document, the door to his office opened. The lack of a knock could only come from the muscle-bound oaf of a butler, who stomped in with a hearty yawn.

"You’re still up, Master?" Augustus said as he walked in, running his fingers through his hair. "Just a heads up, me and Ol’ Thor set up some of the old cannons that were in the storage."

"Oh, yeah? Those will be useful, thanks," Leon said, sealing the letter.

"Sending something out?" Augustus asked curiously.

"A shot in the dark, but worth a try," Leon answered, running his palm over the envelope to straighten it.

"I’ll take it down for ya’," Augustus walked over to the desk, holding his hand out.

Leon handed it over with a nod, "Thanks."

Being left to his own, he leaned back in the chair, glancing back at the moonlight that bled through the glass panes behind him. Sitting there in silence, in that moment, he realized just how far he’d come in what felt like a short amount of time.

’It’s hard to remember now, the way I used to live my life–all of this just feels...natural, meaningful,’ he thought.