In the bandits' base...

Clifton was now pulled over to the entrance. It's rather an arch-like entrance gate made of wood with the addition of sticks. If you can feel the texture, you'll see that it's also made of some kind of metal that does not allow anyone to pass through.

Once Clifton and the same first bandit entered the base, right before him were medium-sized village houses. And scattering between the houses are the bandits looking like they're working tirelessly day and night. But some decided to take a break. Clifton could tell by a bandit breathing with exhaustion while entering his house.

Some of the bandits were seen forging new weapons and repairing crooked ones. Most especially the katanas, swords and blades. Others were seen carrying heavy sacks, baskets and buckets filled with water with a few helping each other, of course.

Soon, Clifton was brought before the bandit being the second-in-commander.

"So, you have the crocodile kid?" he asked the first bandit.

"Yeah. After all that goes to plan, he'll never be able to fulfill his own purpose," answered the first bandit.

Clifton raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What purpose? What are you guys talking about?"

"Silence!" snapped the second-in-commander, having an angry look on his face. "Otherwise, I'll hang you over the abyss of death."

A gulp went down to Clifton's throat as his eyes were full of insult and determination, but it's also mixed with fear because of a certain bandit's rage.

It took the bandit a few moments before asking the one pulling Clifton the whole time, "What about the other two?"

"They have their own dealings, but it's of no importance," he answered.

"Very well." You can hear a commanding voice from the second-in-commander. "Now, let's take him to the deep abyss where he can face the gnashing of teeth at the very end."

"Right away."

With that being said by the first bandit, he pulled Clifton towards the abyss.

At the edge of the base...

The two bandits and Clifton were now face-to-face with the big crater. And inside that crater was a deep abyss itself. Clifton could feel himself being pushed on the back to the very edge by the first bandit.

He turned his head to him in insult, "Hey! Enough of this!"

"Well, it is enough now," the first bandit said dropping the chain he had been holding the whole time.

At first, Clifton raised his eyebrow in confusion, but then, he could feel the rumbling under his feet. Once he looked down, he saw the cracks exploding under his feet. The ground under his feet started collapsing and the next thing the two bandits heard was a distress scream.

The two bandits looked down at the abyss to clearly see that Clifton was falling through the abyss. Evil smirks were plastered on their faces knowing they have finally won. Or so they thought.

But then, they heard a scream from up above. That, of course, was the same scream they had headed when Clifton was falling through the abyss. The two bandits turned and saw him landing between his legs.

Clifton's eyes widened in quite a surprise. "I'm alive?" He then, rose into his standing position. "I'm alive! I'm alive!" he said jumping for joy.

"What?! H-How?! How is that even possible?!" asked the second-in-commander.

"That's because it is possible," a new voice joined in.

The trio looked up to where the voice came from. Right before their eyes was Lariel standing on one of the roofs looking down at them.

"Only if it's without magic."

"Lariel!" Clifton said overjoyed to see her.

Lariel let out a light giggle. "Actually, it's not just me."

Lariel turned her head from side to side as the three Royal Guardians stood on both sides. Leo on Lariel's left, Intellizo on the other side and Billie next to Leo.

The second-in-commander had a meaningful glare on his face. "You little—!" Then, his voice changed into a commanding voice as he called out and alerted the other bandits. "Intruders in the base! Stop them!"

With that being said, Lariel and the Royal Guardians slid down the roof and hopped from the edge to the ground. That's when bandits crowded the nearby abyss as the battle had just begun.

Billie was seen snapping the handcuffs in half with his super strength. Somehow, shatters started raining on the ground.

Clifton turned to Billie with a big smile on his face, "Thank you... Billie, right?"

"Yup. Come on, kiddo! Let's get out of here!"

With that being said, Billie started carrying Clifton and flew his way out of the base.

Intellizo was seen having his self-defense moves with a few attacks being involved. His wand was used from time to time, but not too much as he didn't want to go crazy with it.

Leo and Lariel were seen fighting alongside each other. Again. She used her bow and arrows to shoot the bandits while Leo used his medieval lance and shield skills to do so. One time, he even thrust one of the bandits' stomach to do so.

With Billie, once he carried Clifton out of the base, a carriage with Solenan driving it was on sight. Billie flew Clifton to the ground as soon as the certain eagle arrived.

"Solenan!" he said placing Clifton down.

"Ah, Billie. Good to see you again," said Solenan, his beak stretching out a smile.

"You gotta take Clifton back to the orphanage. He needs some rest," Billie told him.

"Of course, young one. Of course."

"But what about the action that's still going on?" asked Clifton.

"Don't worry. The story will be told by Lariel herself," Solenan told him.

It took Clifton a few moments before letting out a sigh of defeat. "Okay. Let's go home." That's when his eyes lit up at an idea suddenly popping in his head. "But can I be adopted by the king? Please, please, please!"

Solenan let out a light chuckle in response. "I'll ask him first before I answer."

"Alright."

With that being said by Clifton, he hopped in the carriage and the two took off.

Billie's lips stretched out a smile at the scene. But then, he heard multiple running footsteps approaching him. Right in the corner of his eye, what he saw made him smile with determination. He then, flew himself back to the battlefield.

Back in the battle between Lariel, the Royal Guardians and the bandits...

Soon, after a few bandits were knocked down, an arrow of feeling struck through Lariel and the Royal Guardians.

Lariel turned his head to the others, "There's too many of them!"

"We're being outnumbered!" said Intellizo.

"Then, we just have to find a way to—" Leo started, but was cut off by a vaguely familiar voice ringing in his ears.

"Everyone! Everyone!"

The trio looked up to see Billie flying his way back on his feet. He turned his head to the trio. "I know what you're going to say, but don't worry. The backup will arrive any minute now!"

After a at least ten punches and kicks were delivered to the bandits, multiple running footsteps boomed in everyone's ears. Even punches and kicks grabbed their attentions.

Once they turned around, they saw that the residents of Kung-guó and Shinōkoku were fighting alongside Lariel and the Royal Guardians. Even Bashiri was involved.

"Bashiri! You're okay!" Billie said out of joy.

Kicks were delivered to several bandits by Bashiri. Once she heard Billie's sound of overjoy, she turned her head to him with a smile on her face, "What would you guys do without us?"

That's when multiple punches and kicks were delivered to more bandits. Even slices, hits and thunks were involved.

Soon, it was just a few of them left. The whole group was now standing guard glaring at the few bandits including the first bandit and the second-in-commander.

An evil smirk appeared in the second-in-commander's face. "So, you decide to leave the Leone Kingdom in ruins?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Leo.

"The lead bandit Bashiri fought was all fake. It's just one of the top bandits being the champion when it comes to battle. If you hurry, you might want to stop the real leader from exiting the gates of the base. I doubt you might be a less second late to make it there."

With that being said, Leo turned his head to Lariel, "Lariel, you're in charge."

"W-What?" she asked in quite a shock.

Before she received any reply, Leo ran past the crowd and headed towards the base's exit.

A while later...

Leo was now face-to-face with the real lead bandit. This time, the lead bandit is not as muscular as he and his friends had encountered back in Shinōkoku, but he still has the same amount of strength.

Leo's death glare was shooting at his, "You will not destroy Leone kingdom!"

You can hear an evil laugh from the lead bandit. "You are just some lion prince of this kingdom. You can't destroy me."

"Maybe not as a prince, but I have my other destiny," said Leo as a golden aura began to surround him. His feet were now a few centimeters from the ground. "To protect Leone Kingdom from the evil mercenaries like you!"

The same process happened before the shield started spinning rapidly. Once the glow brightened, a symbol of the Leone Kingdom appeared. It is a lion with yellow fur, light yellow muzzle, brown nose and orange mane.

Before the lead bandit could point things out, he was delivered a directpunch on his stomach by Leo sending him flying towards the kingdom itself.That, of course, leads the bandit to be pushed back by the force. This also createsa big explosion. When everyone in the base saw this, they evacuatedimmediately. Only the heroic mobians evacuated just in time and the base is nomore.