After a short while,Constantine looked at Leon, "Follow me."
Saying that, Constantine turned and walked toward the rear of the temple hall.
Leon quickly followed.
They went around several pillars, passed through a long corridor, and then stepped onto a staircase that led underground.
After descending for about five minutes, the two of them arrived at a very hidden stone door.
Constantine slowly raised his hand and injected his magic into the sunken groove at the center of the stone door.
Immediately, the stone door slowly opened to both sides.
"Come in."
Leon followed Constantine into the chamber.
He looked around inside, but there were no special decorations.
Until Constantine, who was in front of him, moved aside. Allowing Leon to see the ice bed right in the center of the chamber.
Cold air drifted from the ice bed, and above it hung a crystal.
Inside the crystal was—
A baby dragon.
The little hatchling's tiny fists were clenched, her eyes half-closed, her small body curled up, looking just like she was asleep.
At this sight, Leon was slightly taken aback.
He hurried forward. Judging from her appearance and size, this hatchling had only just been born not long ago.
As for the crystal that encased her, Leon had seen this before.
In that tragic future timeline, Rossweise had exhausted all her magic and fallen into slumber, and later Veronica's grandmother sealed her inside such a crystal to ensure she wouldn't die.
But this hatchling, barely just born, why would she also—
"Thirty-three years ago, Adam received a mission from a certain Dragon King to steal magical resources from me. So Adam chose to use her to threaten me."
Constantine stared at the little hatchling, his tone burning with uncontrollable rage.
"But in the end, he failed his mission, and even injured this child."
Leon pressed his lips together, "So this child is…"
"Her name is Hefi. Hefi Constantine. She is… my daughter."
He stepped forward. Looking at the sleeping hatchling, the face that was usually expressionless actually revealed a faint smile.
But right after, Constantine's voice turned cold and murderous again.
"And the reason I agreed to cooperate with the Empire, was because Adam was among those Dragon Kings."
"Every day back then, I prayed that I would cross paths with that bastard."
"And then… tear him to pieces."
Honestly, at this very moment Leon found it hard to believe.
The fact that Constantine even had a daughter was already shocking enough; and that this daughter had been injured by Adam more than thirty years ago, forcing Constantine to seal her into a crystal to keep her alive.
And the reason Constantine first chose to cooperate with the Empire was precisely because he learned Adam was part of that group of Dragon Kings. He wanted to use the Empire's connections to find Adam and avenge his daughter.
But for all this time, whether when they were enemies at the beginning or later "allies," Constantine had never once mentioned this matter.
That made Leon always assume Constantine truly was, as he himself claimed, just a "battle junkie" who only lived to fight.
But in reality… Constantine's drive to keep fighting was completely different from his fiery, hotheaded exterior.
Who could have imagined that the mighty Crimson Flame Dragon King, who had stormed through countless battles, was also a father weighed down with guilt and hatred?
"She was so small in Adam's hands back then. That bastard only had to squeeze a little, and he could've crushed her," Constantine's tone carried sorrow. As he spoke, it was as if the scene from that day was replaying right before his eyes.
"If at that moment my decision had wavered even slightly… I might not have been able to save Hefi."
"But in the end Adam still found the chance to gravely wound her. Afterward, I had no choice but to seal Hefi inside the crystal to temporarily maintain her vital signs."
"But the crystal's effect has a limit, about thirty-five years."
'Thirty-five years…'
Leon recalled that in the future timeline, Rossweise had been sealed for twenty years, which was why the three sisters weren't in an immediate panic, and instead devoted themselves fully to researching reversal magic.
"Thirty-five years, for any dragon, it's nothing more than the blink of an eye."
Constantine lifted his hand and lightly placed his palm against the crystal, as if through that thick barrier he could still feel his daughter's faint pulse and heartbeat.
"But I want these thirty-odd years to pass slower. Slower still… until I can find a way to save Hefi."
If Old Con's grudge with Adam had been for some other reason, Leon might not have felt so much resonance;
But if it was for his daughter… then Leon couldn't help but feel it deeply.
His expression grew solemn. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Would the Primordial Power work?"
After all, it was a mysterious force left behind by the dragon ancestors. Surely it could save a little girl?
But Constantine shook his head.
"After returning from the Far North, I immediately tried using the Primordial Power to awaken Hefi, but it had no effect."
"The best alchemist of our Crimson Flame Dragon Clan says that the only thing in this world that can save Hefi is an herb called Ghost Lotus Grass."
"But this herb has practically gone extinct on Samael Continent. In these thirty years I've searched nearly every corner, but not a single stalk of Ghost Lotus Grass could be found."
'Ghost Lotus Grass?'
'Why does that name sound so familiar?'
No. Not familiar. Not to the level of "familiar."
Because in his vague memories, he had only heard the name Ghost Lotus Grass once.
'So… when was it?'
'Where, and from whose mouth?'
Leon was certain this wasn't some trick of memory.
He had heard of Ghost Lotus Grass somewhere.
"The crystal has less than two years left before it fails. Within these two years, I will find a way to save Hefi."
"Of course, if I come across Adam, I'll also make sure to chop off his head and mince it into paste."
Hearing Old Con's grim and unwavering tone, Leon had no doubt that he meant every word.
Well, in a sense, this meant he and Constantine once again shared the same goal.
Before, both of them wanted to crush the Empire; now, both of them wanted to find Adam.
And in both cases, Leon was chasing the truth about something, while Constantine was seeking vengeance.
These two were practically the dragon-and-human version of Mr. Scatterbrain and Mr. Grumpy.
Constantine adjusted his emotions and composure, reverting back into the stern, cold Crimson Flame Dragon King.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
The two left the underground chamber and returned to the temple hall.
"So if you ever find Adam's trail, you must notify me," Constantine said.
"No problem. But before you mince him into paste, you'll have to let me get the answers I want out of him first."
Old Con nodded.
Leon let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Although he hadn't gotten any leads on Adam this trip, he had learned about Constantine's hidden past.
That was an unexpected gain.
And it further confirmed Leon's impression of.Constantine:
'This guy only looks crazy on the surface. In truth, he has principles, and is very trustworthy.'
'After all, how bad can a doting father really be?'
All he wanted was to tear apart the bastard who hurt his daughter. How could that be wrong?
While Leon's thoughts were wandering, Constantine had already sat back down on his throne.
When Leon came back to his senses, he heard Old Con say, "Oh, right, there's another matter."
"What is it?"
"The roomful of Primordial Power scrolls you owe me, when are you going to give them to me?"
The air instantly grew awkward. In the silent temple hall, it was as if a crow went caw-caw as it flew over Leon's head.
'Damn it, I rushed out too fast, thinking only about Adam, and completely forgot about the scrolls!'
Leon scratched at his temple, stammering, "Uh, well… you know, sorting out so many scrolls takes time for review and verification."
Constantine raised a brow, "Review and verification? They were written by the ancients. What's there to review?"
"No no no, even the ancients could make mistakes sometimes, right? These days my wife and I have been working overtime picking out typos. Once we finish correcting them, I'll bring the scrolls over to you."
Hell, even Leon himself didn't believe that excuse as it came out of his mouth.
So he silently prayed Old Con would buy it.
But this time, Constantine wasn't so easy to fool.
He leaned against the armrest of his throne, resting his cheek on one hand, his crimson dragon eyes scrutinizing Leon.
After a pause, Old Con spoke calmly, "Actually, you never had a roomful of scrolls at all, did you?"
"How could you say that—"
"You just don't. Admit it," Old Con's tone was utterly certain.
Seeing his bluff exposed, Leon had no choice but to confess, "Alright, fine. I don't."
"Hmph!"
Constantine gave a cold snort, as if he had already expected Leon to flake out. He didn't complain much, at most a little displeased.
Leon, however, felt guilty. After all, Constantine had helped him a lot. Yes, Old Con also wanted revenge on the Empire, but still, he had put in plenty of effort.
And Leon had just given him empty promises, selling him a dream. That really didn't sit right.
Joking around was one thing, but Leon couldn't let Constantine think he was just a smooth-talking, untrustworthy liar.
Otherwise, their future cooperation might not go as smoothly as last time.
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