My Love Debts Are Everywhere!-Chapter 589: A Threat Lurking in the Darkness

At the sound of her voice, Leon was slightly startled. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already eight in the morning.

"Time really flies. Eight hours felt like a blink," he murmured wearily.

He had stayed up all night reading, yet had only managed to finish four books—each ranging from one hundred to one hundred fifty pages.

Though slightly disappointed, he knew it was time to stop—for now.

"Come in, Melissa. The door's unlocked," Leon called out, his tone slightly firm.

*Clack!*

The door opened slowly, and Melissa stepped inside, her graceful figure framed by the morning light.

She smiled sweetly as she pushed in a trolley filled with food.

"Good morning, Young Master," she greeted politely.

Leon returned the smile. "Good morning to you too, Melissa. Thank you for the food."

He stood up, neatly stacked the books on his desk, and stepped aside.

"M-mm! It's my job, Young Master, so think nothing of it," Melissa replied cheerfully.

Her eyes lingered on Leon, filled with gentle affection—and just a hint of obsession that made him feel slightly awkward.

"Ahem... Just place it on the table," Leon said, clearing his throat lightly.

Melissa didn't answer, only nodded, then began arranging the food skillfully on the desk.

After spending a week at the palace, she had come to understand Leon's preferences well. The breakfast she brought was filled with his favorite dishes.

Once everything was set, Melissa clapped her hands together and nodded in satisfaction.

"Everything's ready, Young Master. You may eat now."

Leon smiled and thanked her. "Thank you, Melissa."

"Hehe..." Melissa squirmed with delight at his words.

Even though she had once told him not to thank her, hearing it still brought her joy every time.

"Then, I won't disturb you any further, Young Master." Melissa bowed respectfully.

"Very well," Leon replied with a simple nod.

Just as she was about to leave, Melissa paused, her expression shifting as if she had just remembered something.

"Ah, right—Princess Elina asked me to pass on a message. She's waiting for you in the palace gardens."

"Elina?" Leon raised an eyebrow. "Did she say why?"

"She didn't," Melissa replied, shaking her head gently. "But it seemed important."

Leon remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

Eventually, he gave a slow nod. "Alright. Thank you for letting me know. Please ask her to wait a bit—I'll meet her after breakfast."

"Understood." Melissa nodded.

Without another word, Melissa pushed the trolley out of Leon's room. But before fully disappearing from sight, she paused for a moment, stealing one last glance at him.

Her eyes were filled with affection—and a carefully hidden longing.

Once she was gone, Leon sighed quietly and rubbed his temples.

"Was it just my imagination?" he muttered to himself.

Since their first meeting, Melissa's gaze had always felt unusual.

It carried an underlying obsession and desire—similar to the way Athena had once looked at him.

That was why he began wearing a mask—so Athena wouldn't recognize his face.

"Whether it's an illusion or not, I can't afford to let my guard down," Leon whispered, taking a deep breath.

His past carelessness had led him straight into Athena's trap—and into bed with her.

Although that incident had brought them closer, Leon couldn't shake off the lingering resentment.

It wasn't directed at Athena, but at himself. He had always believed he was the strongest, yet he had been foolish enough to fall into her trap.

That was why he never let his guard down—even with Zelda or Elina.

The trauma from that incident still haunted him.

Shaking off his thoughts, Leon returned to his chair and sat down.

He picked up the intricately carved wooden spoon on the right side and began eating.

...

"Is everything ready?"

In the dark, silent cave, a masked man sat casually on a chair made of skulls. He turned to the woman beside him.

The woman had long, cream-colored hair tied in a ponytail. Her figure was petite, yet her curves—especially around her chest and hips—were unmistakable.

Her face was hidden behind a fox mask, making it impossible to judge her beauty.

However, her posture and overall presence made it clear she was an attractive woman.

In response to his question, the woman gave a small nod and replied in a nonchalant tone, "Don't worry, everything is ready. The Elves are in a vulnerable state. Although there are many guards at the border, their vigilance is not strong."

"Good!" The man nodded with satisfaction. "What about the Fated One? Is he suspicious of you?"

The woman chuckled softly. "No, not at all. If anything, he's starting to trust me... much more easily than I expected."

"Hahaha! Wonderful news!" The man laughed loudly. "After thousands of years, our opportunity has finally come. Those elves—it was only a matter of time before they fell completely and became slaves to the Evil God. And as for the Fated One..."

A sinister smile crept behind his mask.

"He'll die in this assault. With his death, the Evil God's resurrection will mark the dawn of a new era—our era of glory!"

The woman remained silent, as if the man's grand ambitions were of no concern to her.

"Don't forget your promise," she said coldly. "Before you kill the Fated One, you will hand him over to me first. I want to play with him."

"Of course," the man replied casually. "I always keep my promises. After all, we of the Temple of Twilight never break our word."

His gaze shifted forward.

There, hundreds of Dark Elves stood with blank expressions, their bodies adorned with black leaf-shaped tattoos that crisscrossed their skin like dark roots growing in silence.

The masked man's eyes burned with a fiery red glow, filled with desire and hatred.

"Just wait, Leon Kruger... Soon, your reckoning will come..."

...

"Achoo!"

Leon sneezed suddenly, rubbing his nose and frowning.

"Damn... Who's talking about me behind my back?"

He glanced left, right, and then back again, but saw no one.

"What's wrong, young master? Is something bothering you?"

Elina, walking beside him, turned with a curious and concerned look.

"Nothing," Leon said with a light shake of his head, quickly changing the subject. "So, what was it you needed? Do you want my help with something?"

Elina offered a faint smile, as if concealing something. "No, young master. The reason I called you... is to travel south and meet the fairy race."

Leon fell silent for a moment, then looked at her in surprise. "The fairies?"

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A/N: Who is the masked man? If anyone can answer, you must be a student of Conan! ( ≧ᗜ≦)