He hadn't intended to ignore the league announcer's explanation. It was just that time was pressing, and he was worried about various things.
If he waited around stupidly in this place for 3 hours, His Grace, who had finished all his schedule, might return to the mansion. And that just hours before his birthday.
However, even after the announcer left, the medical team's treatment continued, and a member briefly explained an unidentified medicine and handed it over, telling him to take it with water.
The gist was this: Plarinerus mucus contained volatile organic compounds that attracted organisms to help with reproduction for species propagation. While small amounts touching the skin posed no problem, if it entered wound areas or if one was thoroughly doused with large quantities, symptoms like headaches and fever could appear.
"Depending on the person, they may experience hallucinations, hypersensitivity, or bioactive symptoms."
Of course, it wasn't toxic enough to threaten life or pose danger, and would naturally recover over time.
Ero complained that his back and head felt uncomfortably hot and quickly took the medicine. However, Leonardo only watched him quietly without putting it in his mouth.
He was naturally suspicious and even when captured by the Council, only took medicine that came through the Commander and his adjutant. Even then, he'd been blindsided a few times despite no ill intent, so there was no way he'd obediently take unverified drugs handed over by strangers.
Leonardo handed his medicine to Ero, telling him to take his as well, while the member handling wound treatment briefly stepped away. Then he got up, saying he would check the outside situation and return.
Since he was a conspicuous person, if he looked quickly he should be able to find him soon. Just a quick look and return, just briefly.
Ero worried about Leonardo going out, but unable to resist his hungry stomach after just finishing the match, he decided to follow along.
They judged there would be no problem if they just covered their faces well, but this was a big miscalculation. Elements that could identify them like their height and clothing were already known here and there. Moreover, reporters and speculators didn't want to miss even a single piece of information that could raise odds regarding betting that would start from the preliminaries.
Before the members guarding the restricted area entrance could stop the two trying to leave, the swarming crowd discovering them first was a predictable commotion.
'Ah... if I'd known this would happen, I should have just stayed holed up.'
Leonardo, whose whole body had heated up considerably from all the running around, leaned his back against the cold corridor wall and covered his eyes with his palm. Whether it was chills from body aches or excited peripheral nervous system, his fingertips trembled faintly even though he was just sitting still.
The tingling sensation felt throughout the match and the heat spreading through his body were probably also due to prolonged exposure to that chemical or whatever it was. Were his increasingly sensitive nerves and pounding heart also because of that? Leonardo rubbed his chest area with his palm and buried his head low.
Ero, who had been peering around the corner and found his condition strange, crouched down and asked quietly.
"Big brother, are you alright? Should I go get medicine even now?"
"...It's fine. I'm perfectly fine."
Leonardo, overcoming dizziness and raising his head, answered as if nothing was wrong. However, his white nape and both cheeks were flushed red and his breathing was heavy. His golden eyes were also tinted peach-colored, and Ero, who could only see his big brother's eyes, swallowed saliva for no reason. A thought that would be terrible if spoken suddenly crossed his mind, which he covered with a cough.
"Ahem, still, I'm glad the terrorist rumors were quickly dispelled. I was hiding in the crowd earlier and heard them talking - it seems to have ended as just a happening. The Council moved unusually quickly."
The chaos brought by F Group's final portal passers had caused anxiety among the crowds, which risked ruining the institution's carefully prepared event. The commanders on site immediately went to the match operations team to hear the circumstances and began handling the situation.
They widely publicized that it wasn't an explosion by forces with subversive purposes, mediating the procession of crowds trying to leave and reassuring them first. Then they doubled security personnel and devised a plan to hold them by offering expensive commemorative goods originally planned for sale free after the event ended.
Afterward, by extending unscheduled performances for two sessions, the opening ceremony seemed to be grandly concluding somehow. Though in the explanation process, the fact that there was a strong individual among test match participants capable of destroying walls inevitably leaked out.
"I'm glad it was resolved."
'I don't want to cause trouble.'
Leonardo self-deprecatingly thought that if the opening ceremony held in Agrizendro territory had ended chaotically because of him, he wouldn't have been able to face the territory's owner. What was all this because of that sadist bastard? He'd quietly tried to pass through by collecting crystals like child's play, but became the center of commotion again, being chased.
In the midst of this, he occasionally looked toward the spectator seats searching for his purpose in coming outside despite breaking his promise, but even in what seemed to be the VIP section, the Commander's figure wasn't visible. Perhaps he hadn't attended, or maybe he'd evacuated during the earlier chaos. The imperial faction had been quite sensitive to explosions these past few months.
When the thought that he might not see him crossed his mind, Leonardo felt deflated and sighed involuntarily. Though today wasn't the only opportunity, he had inwardly anticipated it since deciding to participate in the league.
Leonardo barely managed to lift his particularly heavy legs. Then he gestured to Ero while supporting himself against the wall with one hand.
"Let's head back slowly. They'll find us."
"Huh? Already?"
"Sandra, the match announcer, told us not to leave the restricted area."
Ero looked at him with eyes that said 'Weren't you the one who wanted to go out despite knowing that, big brother?' However, he didn't voice it.
"But big brother... to return to where we were, we'd have to pass through that crowded place again. Wouldn't it be safest to stay here for now—"
Then, murmuring was heard from the other end of the corridor. Not just one or two people. Ero and Leonardo, who instinctively stopped talking, looked that way.
"...."
It was the first time in his life he'd hoped for the Council to appear. Since it said "Authorized Personnel Only" in front of this area, he hoped passing members would discover them and hand them over to a safe place. As the indistinct voices gradually approached, Leonardo looked around and lowered his voice, instructing Ero.
"Hey, if they're reporters, run immediately."
"I'll lure them to the left, so big brother, don't go the opposite way."
"Thanks. I won't refuse."
It was a plan for contingencies, but unfortunately today he had terrible luck. What appeared were three or four men in civilian clothes. They stretched their necks and peered around like people who shouldn't be in this place, approaching with quick steps. Then, discovering the two standing tensely, they briefly made eye contact among themselves before shouting loudly.
"There they are!"
Leonardo and Ero simultaneously burst into sighs and ran backward. When they encountered a fork in the road, without anyone going first, they split in both directions.
"Arena stabilization is almost complete. Though quite a few people left, most have returned and are seated. All ticket holders for damaged walls and adjacent seats have been upgraded to premium seats and guided to new seating. Also, some injuries occurred from spectators pushing and falling during the earlier chaos, but nothing serious."
Hugo, leading the opening ceremony general manager and security personnel behind him, strode through the corridor. After stopping by the operations headquarters to quickly direct situation management, he left the rest to Flynn and Andreas. He was busily heading toward the restricted area near entrance C.
"Additional personnel who came from the Central Branch this morning for security enhancement were withdrawn from gates and redeployed to spectator seats. We didn't know the situation would turn out like this, but... thanks to the Commander ordering personnel reinforcement in advance, swift management was possible. Additionally, we've requested corrections from each newspaper that it was a problem occurring during match progress, so the false report about explosions due to terrorism will be quickly corrected."
"Good work."
While briefly responding, the general manager's voice mixed with heavy breathing trying to match the hurrying Commander's stride. Regardless, Hugo didn't slow his pace. He only crossed the corridor, sweeping back his cumbersome fluttering cloak.
However, a matter that would stop him followed.
"And as you instructed, we issued movement prohibition orders to all of F Group to maintain participant-related confidentiality. But... when headquarters sent people, reports came that several personnel had already left the restricted area. The problem is that Leonardo Blaine is included among—"
"What?"
Hugo stopped and turned around, asking back. At his cold gaze, the manager hurriedly added.
"We're currently organizing tracking teams to search urgently, so we should be able to escort him back soon. However, since he's being discussed among reporters as a likely preliminary qualifier, measures seem necessary to prevent information that could identify him from leaking internally."
"...."
"First, I requested the league operations side pay special attention on my end, so a gag order will be issued soon."
Hugo's brow furrowed as he listened to the manager's words.
Leonardo went outside? The moment he took even one step out, the reporters lying in wait wouldn't leave him alone. If he, who was already surprised, received excessive attention from the start in the league he courageously entered, he would surely be troubled.
Worried that Lion, who had finally come on his own feet, might hide again, Hugo suddenly became anxious.
Just then, mysterious commotion was heard from across the corridor.
"Don't let him escape!"
"Surround from the other side!"
The Commander and other Council members turned their eyes toward the source of the commotion.
Black shadows quickly passed beyond the corridor where they stood. Originally, this was a place where outsiders except those in white uniforms shouldn't enter.
Hugo looked at the general manager's eyes. At his gaze that seemed to ask what was going on, the manager, who didn't understand, sweated profusely. He gestured to the security personnel lined up behind to move quickly.
As they hurriedly moved, Hugo also headed toward where the three or four outsiders had rushed without saying more. There's always a subject of commotion where there's commotion. Instinct led his steps, suggesting 'he' might be nearby.