Endless World: The Rise of Leonard Lawson

While Claudia accepted the potions with an ungrateful attitude, she glanced at Leonard.

"Go ahead, you're free to leave." Leonard waved his hand.

Despite being permitted to leave, Claudia remained motionless. The foul stench was still lingering and affecting her.

'Wait… why isn't she affected?' Suddenly, Claudia's eyebrows raised.

She realized Irene didn't seem to be under any effect from the foul stench.

This particular foul stench was so penetrating that even Mirelle struggled to fend it off.

How was it possible for a fragile and timid woman to resist the foul stench?

Claudia thought Irene was suspicious, but little did she know, Leonard had long discovered this anomaly.

Unfortunately, what Claudia believed was fundamentally different from Leonard's. Although he was indeed initially suspicious of Irene's anomaly, he soon realized the truth.

It wasn't that Irene was unaffected by the foul stench. Instead, she had gotten used to the foul stench—to the point where her body had developed a type of resistance.

Her sense of smell was flawed, but not flawed enough to block her nose from smelling the meat's fragrance. She was simply a tragic character who suffered a lot to survive.

This was the reason why Leonard was so infuriated and done with the disguise role.

She reminded him of someone he cherished a lot in the old world, but failed to protect.

What made it ironic was the fact that both women were also named Irene.

'Maybe this was God's way of telling me to redeem the regret even if it was a bit late.' Leonard thought to himself.

He couldn't erase the past incident that Irene had already gone through. But at the very least, he could change her future.

He glanced at the fragile Irene with a calm expression.

"Take care of her properly, Mirelle." He calmly said. His direct calling of her real name instead of the alias made Mirelle understand he was serious.

It wasn't an impulsive declaration or speech whatsoever.

'I also have enough acting as a fake hired bodyguard.' Mirelle clenched her fist and nodded. She was exhausted and mentally fatigued from having to see these scums as a bystander.

'Mirelle? Disguise?' Shirley was left in a confused state. She failed to comprehend all these details into one concise point.

"Since we have a contract established, I suppose it's time for you to know the truth." Leonard stood up and proceeded to explain his true identity.

A few seconds later, Shirley's pupils constricted. She nearly stumbled and fell to the ground from the astonishing news.

"M-M-Master is the Crown Prince of Aldros?" She exclaimed in disbelief.

Never once had she imagined that she would one day be gifted to the literal Crown Prince!

Although she was astonished by the revelation, rationality soon made her realize why he was able to go head-to-head against Lord Wesley.

"I apologize for not recognizing the Crown Prince of Aldros." Shirley hurriedly apologized.

She was about to go on her knees and bow, until Leonard halted her.

"There's no need for any apologies." He said in an amused tone. "The fact that you didn't know until I revealed it myself meant that my disguise was quite decent. I should thank you for letting me know that I can be a good actor instead."

"Uh.. yes, Master." Unsure of what to say, Shirley could only agree to his remarks like a good servant.

Shortly after Claudia left the scene without relaying what she discovered, Leonard had Mirelle take Irene to a safe place.

"Take her and regroup with Caroline. Make sure Irene gets treated well." Leonard commanded.

"That can't be done, Crown Prince!" Since the cat was out of the bag, Mirelle couldn't allow him to remain in this place.

Her magical perception was blocked, which meant there could be more hidden enemies around.

They were merely lucky that they discovered the person hiding was a fragile woman.

What if the next hidden individual was a known killer?

One must remember that there was still a Platinum Rank assassin in the open waiting to assassinate him.

"I'm not going to repeat my words." Leonard glared at her, his eyes narrowed.

Seeing his solemn expression, Mirelle realized he was assuming his Crown Prince role to the fullest.

She obliged with the order and promptly held Irene by the waist.

In response, Irene panicked and glanced at Leonard with a pitiful gaze. It was as if she were trying to say that she would behave, so please don't send her away.

Throughout her many years, she had not once left the Slave Coop. To attempt to leave the Slave Coop means sleeping out in the dark, or worse, being confined in the Dark Chamber and subjected to many degrading torments.

"You don't need to be afraid of leaving. This Slave Coop is no more, and no one else can try to subject you to the treatment you have received in the past. I promise you in the name of the Crown Prince." Leonard calmly reassured her.

His declaration stunned both Mirelle and Shirley.

They couldn't comprehend why his attitude softened a lot when interacting with Irene.

What was so special about Irene?

Her beauty?

That can't be when Shirley was also a beauty herself.

Her tragedy?

That also cannot be, given Shirley also experienced similar plights, albeit not to the degree of Irene's experience.

Alas, the two of them could only remain in confusion as Leonard held no intention of divulging the reason.

They would never know that Leonard was treating Irene as an old companion of the past and trying his best to compensate her.

'I don't know if this is fate or not. But I can guarantee that there would be no more of this kind of degrading treatment.' Leonard vowed.

There was no slave concept in his old world, but in this world, it was extremely common.

Hence, it was hard for him to adapt to the situation even though he tried his best to muster through.

Unfortunately, Irene's situation was the final straw to his suppression.

He was no saint! But he also wasn't going to let these kinds of atrocities continue under his watch, especially when he had the power to put an end to them.

Some might have called him a hypocrite, given that he also enslaved Claudia and treated her harshly.

But so what?

All Leonard cared about was making sure his heart could calm down, and not what the others perceived of him.