Grand Return System-Chapter 48: Rumors Beneath the Crimson Veil

Rumors Beneath the Crimson Veil

The Holy Water Division disciples continued whispering long after Leon disappeared beyond the horizon.

The sky had already returned to its calm blue, the violent tremor of mana fading into nothing but a lingering warmth in the air. Yet none of them moved. Their eyes were still fixed on the empty stretch of heaven where he had stood.

"Guardian Elder Leon is too strong!"

A gasp escaped one of the younger followers as she pressed her palms together against her ribs. Her gaze shimmered like light on water.

"Too strong? That’s an understatement," another shot back, her voice hushed but trembling with excitement. "That sword technique... it felt like he stood alone between heaven and earth."

A third disciple exhaled slowly, as if only now remembering how to breathe. "When he raised his hand, the entire sky shifted. I swear the clouds parted for him."

"And he’s so handsome. Completely the perfect prince charming."

A few snickers slipped out, uneasy but clear. Nobody said it wasn’t true.

"Did you notice?" a girl with braided hair leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "He didn’t even use a treasure. No divine artifact. No formation. He just lifted a finger and suppressed everyone."

"That’s too domineering."

"Domineering?" another echoed, biting her lip. "It was overwhelming. I couldn’t even move."

"Wow... I like it."

A hush fell - then someone snorted. Laughter cracked through the room like thin ice.

"Shameless."

"You’re one to talk." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Am not!"

Floating on, the taunting stayed soft, almost gasping, as if pretending a giggle could bury what ran deeper than just looking with want.

Heat hung in the air, leftover from the burst of Mana. Their faces felt even hotter by comparison.

Away from them, Amaya stayed still, hands tucked into loose fabric. A quiet shift touched her mouth - almost a smile - as their blunt truth hung in the air.

Are girls this bold now? she wondered.

She turned her head slightly, pretending to examine the distant waterfall, but the chatter carried clearly on the wind.

"You saw his eyes, right?" one whispered. "That shade of purple... it’s like he doesn’t belong to this world."

"He looked down at us like we were nothing," another murmured, and then quickly corrected herself. "I mean—not nothing. Just... small."

"Small?" someone scoffed softly. "I felt protected."

"Protected?"

"Yes. Like no matter what descended from the heavens, he would stand there alone and stop it."

There was a brief silence at that. Not teasing this time. Not laughter. Just quiet agreement.

And yet... she understood.

Life on Holy Water Division was secluded. The days were filled with cultivation, scriptures, and silent waterfalls. The sound of flowing water had become more familiar than conversation. Their world was restrained, disciplined, orderly.

Men were rare.

A man like Leon—calm, refined, terrifyingly powerful—was rarer still.

He had not shouted. He had not boasted. He had not even frowned.

He simply stood there, robes fluttering against the sky, as if the world had arranged itself around him without protest.

Admiration was inevitable.

One of the younger disciples glanced toward Amaya. "Senior Sister Amaya, what did you think?"

Several pairs of eyes turned toward her at once.

Amaya blinked, momentarily caught.

"I think," she said evenly, keeping her voice composed, "that Guardian Elder Leon performed his duty."

"That’s it?" someone complained playfully. "Senior Sister, you’re too serious."

"He saved us with a single gesture," another added. "And you call that just ’performing his duty’?"

Amaya held their gazes for a moment longer than necessary. Then she lowered her eyes.

"Strength should not be romanticized," she said softly. "It is cultivated through blood and solitude."

Her words were steady. Rational. Proper.

But even as she spoke them, something within her felt less certain.

And against her will... her heart stirred.

The memory of him standing alone in the sky—robes fluttering, purple eyes cold and distant—rose again in her mind.

There had been no hesitation in him. No fear. Only absolute certainty.

Her breath caught.

A faint flush crept up her neck.

Why am I thinking like this...

She tightened her fingers within her sleeves, nails pressing lightly into her palms.

"Senior Sister?" someone called gently. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," she replied too quickly.

A few knowing looks passed between the younger girls, but none dared tease her openly. Not her.

She quickly composed herself, pretending not to hear the girls’ continued chatter.

The conversation resumed behind her.

"I wonder if he’ll visit again."

"Of course he will. He’s our Guardian Elder now."

"Then I need to cultivate harder."

"Why?"

"So I won’t look completely useless in front of him."

Laughter once more, softer this time. Less reckless. More thoughtful.

But the truth was undeniable.

She too felt it.

—

Soon, Maya gathered her composure and led the group away.

Behind them, the wasteland wind carried only the fading scent of scorched earth and scattered blood.

But Leon’s name remained.

After that battle, his reputation spread like wildfire across the Forsaken Domain.

For the first time, many realized that besides Mike and Shera, Celestis Academy possessed another terrifying existence.

The Division Leader of the Amethyst Summit Division.

Leon.

—

On the Ancient Wasteland Path, a bustling restaurant stood beneath a weathered wooden sign. Merchants, cultivators, and wanderers gathered inside, their voices overlapping in excited discussion.

"Hey, did you hear?"

"Celestis Academy produced another monster. His strength is unfathomable."

"He injured two King Realm experts from the Lavahound household with one strike. Those two are among the strongest in the Ashford City region."

"They couldn’t even withstand a single move! That’s terrifying!"

The discussions grew louder.

Someone leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"The Amethyst Summit Division’s leader—Leon. Young. Always in black robes. There’s a piece of spirit jade and a pendant hanging at his waist. Very easy to recognize. If you see him, be smart. Don’t provoke him."

"Or you might lose your life."

Laughter followed, but it carried genuine caution.

—

On the second floor, by a window half-veiled with silk curtains, a figure sat quietly.

Crimson.

Radiant.

Rias.

Her long red hair flowed like liquid flame down her back. The delicate veil covering the lower half of her face only heightened the mystery of her beauty. Her eyes—deep crimson, bright and intelligent—reflected the flickering lantern light below.

She held a porcelain cup between slender fingers, movements elegant and controlled.

"Heaven Mending Sect... Leon," she murmured softly.

Her voice was low and smooth.

Beside her stood Akeno.

Akeno’s presence was equally striking, yet different.

Her long purple hair cascaded like silk over her shoulders. Her black layered robes were tailored close at the waist, accentuating her slender figure before flowing freely down her long legs. The white sash cinched tightly at her narrow waist, emphasizing graceful curves without vulgarity.

Her posture was poised—almost maid-like—but there was a quiet, mature charm beneath it. Her eyes, large and violet, shimmered with curiosity.

"Princess," Akeno asked gently, tilting her head slightly. "What are you thinking?"

Rias set the cup down slowly.

Even that simple motion carried effortless grace.

The red silk of her robe was layered and embroidered with faint dragon patterns drifting like clouds. The fabric hugged her upper frame modestly before flowing in smooth folds along her hips and down her long legs. A golden sash rested at her waist, highlighting the elegant curve of her silhouette.

Her posture was straight, proud—but not arrogant.

Every movement seemed practiced.

Born of royalty.

"I’m just curious," Rias said calmly. "Is this Leon truly as terrifying as they say?"

Akeno considered carefully.

"We’ve seen those two Lavahound elders before. They are indeed strong. If he injured them with a single strike..." she paused, eyes thoughtful, "then he must possess true ability."

She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.

"Princess, haven’t you been troubled about choosing which immortal path to enter? Perhaps Celestis Academy isn’t a bad choice."

Rias’s crimson eyes brightened faintly.

Celestis Academy.

A great sect.

Powerful enough to shield her from unwanted fate.

She had fled the palace because her father intended to bind her in marriage to the prince of the Blue Empire.

A political alliance.

A cage disguised as honor.

She refused.

As a princess of the Drake Empire, marriage was destiny.

But she would not kneel to it.

For a month, she had visited sect after sect.

None satisfied her.

Until now.

A young Division Leader.

Overwhelming strength.

Unshakable composure.

Her fingers traced the rim of the teacup lightly.

"Hmm... that’s not a bad idea."

Akeno smiled faintly.

"I thought you’d say that."

Rias rose gracefully.

The red silk of her robe shifted like flame around her legs. Even behind the veil, one could sense the faint curve of her smile.

"I think we can continue observing," she said softly.

She adjusted her sleeve and turned toward the stairs.

"Let’s go."

Akeno followed without hesitation.

The two figures descended from the restaurant, crimson and black disappearing into the fading light of the Ancient Wasteland Path.

And somewhere in the distance—

Unaware—

Leon’s path had just gained two new shadows.