The best-case scenario for Leech was the first one.
In the second scenario, if Duru Leopold died, the "Golden Stallion" would become the new Duke, and the East Gorge would surely descend into chaos.
Maybe Iron Stone City would truly go from being a "holy land" to a *holy land*.
'The third scenario means war, and I'm used to a quiet life. Mostly, I'm just not ready. My Horse-headed Eagle Cavalry Team isn't established, the Two-Legged Flying Dragon cavalry is still just an idea, the cannons aren't built, and I only have a little over two hundred Soldiers. With such a small population, how could I possibly wage war?'
Leech had a fourth theory, and he believed it was the real reason.
'Leopold doesn't want to die!'
'He wants to live longer.'
'Looking back at the thousands of years of uninterrupted Chinese history on Earth, even the greatest emperors inevitably became obsessed with immortality in their old age, all to live just a little longer.'
