His master once mentioned this during an intelligence exchange.
Normally, every change of ruler will, in subtle ways, shift the governing style of the predecessor in order to consolidate the new king's position.
But in the thirty years since King Kant took the throne, compared to before, the empire hasn't shown any obvious changes.
Especially when the previous king and many ministers died, not a single photograph of their bodies was ever published in the newspapers.
This had never happened with the deaths of any kings before.
But back then, master and disciple only briefly brought it up and didn't investigate deeper.
Now, with a new enemy slowly revealing themselves in the shadows, my master suddenly recalled this crucial clue.
"Let's make a bold guess. If the empire's ruling style hasn't changed in these thirty years compared to the last king's reign, doesn't that mean the one controlling this puppet King Kant… is the previous king himself?"
Master said, "And the previous king simply stepped back into the shadows, took the name 'Shadow,' and continued secretly manipulating the empire's every move?"
Like a dreamer jolted awake, Leon nodded thoughtfully.
"That does make sense... But there's a key problem, if Shadow really is the previous king, then how is he still alive after all this time?"
"The former king was already in his seventies when he died. If he's still alive now, then he's at least a hundred years old."
"Can someone over a hundred really still be pulling the strings of such a grand scheme?"
Of course, master had considered this too. He replied in a deep voice, "I think he must have used some kind of magic, or some special method to extend his life."
"But such forced life-extension magic is taboo. Done wrong, not only would it fail to extend life, it could even cause an early death."
Taboo life-extension magic is different from the crystals that preserve bodily functions.
The crystals seal someone away while they're still alive, unable to move, unable to speak, only able to hear sounds from outside.
But life-extension magic forcefully lengthens a person's lifespan. Just as Leon said, the risks are huge. It could indeed lead to an early death.
"Mm... but it's definitely a new angle to think about. Keep an eye on it," Master said.
"Got it."
Given the current situation, Leon wouldn't let a single clue slip by.
After chatting with his master a bit longer, Leon stood up.
His mistress came over and asked with concern, "How have you been lately, Leon?"
Leon smiled, "Pretty good, mistress."
"That's good. If you have time... bring your wife here for a visit. The last two times you had to leave in a rush, and I still haven't really had a proper chat with her."
'Ah. Mother-in-law wants some casual talk with the daughter-in-law.'
'Reasonable enough.'
"Sure, mistress. Next time Rossweise has some free time, we'll come together to visit you and master."
"Mhm."
"Alright, family time is over."
Claudia crossed her arms, leaned sideways against the bedroom doorframe, and looked at Leon with a smile.
"Now you can tell me, what is it you came here wanting me to help with?"
———
After Leon explained his request, Claudia nearly rolled her eyes into the heavens.
"You little brat, always taking and taking! I already gave you The Nine Hells' Gate and Soul Judgment before, those are enough to last you till retirement! And now you're asking me again?"
"No no, senior, it's not for me or Rossweise this time. It's... for Constantine."
Claudia raised an eyebrow, "For him? Why?"
So Leon told her about how he had promised Constantine things in order to persuade the old man to lend a hand.
The beautiful woman rewarded him with an even bigger eye-roll.
"No. Not giving you anything. Figure it out yourself."
With that, Claudia crossed her arms, turned, and left the room without a glance back.
"Eh, senior! Senior..."
The door shut, and Leon's heart sank with it.
He sighed, at a loss for what to do.
His mistress came up beside him, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, "It's fine, Leon. My sister just has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She won't really refuse to help."
Leon scratched his head, "I don't like troubling Senior Claudia every time either, but this kind of thing really only she can help me with."
"Mhm, I'll go talk to her in a bit. Don't worry."
"Oi—", The door suddenly cracked open, and the Sea Dragon princess leaned on the frame, "Leon little baby, run into trouble and now you've got to go cry to mommy?"
"Senior, you..."
Claudia lifted her chin, "Come on. I'll take you to pick some primordial scrolls."
Hearing this, mistress gave a knowing smile and nudged Leon with her elbow, signaling him to hurry and follow.
'Got it.'
'That classic dragon trait, stubborn mouth, soft heart.'
'Especially dragon kings.'
At home he had Rossweise, outside there was old Constantine, and now even his auntie turned out the same way.
But Leon couldn't help wondering:
Was it being stubborn that made one fit to be a dragon king, or did becoming dragon king teach them to be stubborn?
He shook his head, stopped thinking about such nonsense, bid farewell to his master and mistress, and followed Claudia out of the room.
"Thanks, senior. Sorry to trouble you so many times."
Walking side by side down the hall toward the library, Claudia looked straight ahead, her tone calm, "You're my sister's adopted son. In human terms, that makes you family. So there's no such thing as trouble."
"But...", Her footsteps suddenly paused.
Leon stopped as well.
Her blue eyes turned toward him as Claudia said slowly, "But this means you owe me another favor. And I won't forget it."
Leon froze for a second, then chuckled, "I understand, senior. If you ever need my help, just say the word."
Favors don't disappear, they just change hands.
Using Claudia's favor to cover the one he owed Constantine, Leon thought that sounded pretty workable.
After all, the hot-tempered old Constantine was unpredictable, but his "auntie" was much easier to talk to.
(Casmodeous Friendly Reminder: Paying debts with debts is not recommended. Live within your means for a happy home.)
"Oh right, earlier you said the primordial scrolls are for Constantine. Why?", Claudia asked.
"It was the reward I promised for his help. Originally, I said I'd give him a whole room full of primordial scrolls, but that's not realistic... so I cut it down to just two," Leon explained.
The blue-haired beauty smiled, "Honestly, with temporary allies like him, you don't really need to keep promises so strictly. It's not about character, just that in chaotic times, promises are the least valuable thing."
"But Constantine really did help me a lot in the imperial battle, and there's a chance we'll need to team up again. So it's better to keep my word."
Claudia nodded approvingly, "Good. I like that about you. No wonder you managed to conquer the Silver Dragon King."
Leon gave a bitter smile, "Senior, please don't mock us. Me and little Rose being together was totally an accident..."
"Your meeting may have been an accident, but the process of falling in love definitely wasn't."
Claudia spoke like someone who had been there herself, "You have qualities that attracted her. And at the same time, she has things that made you fall for her. That's why you've walked together to this point."
'Things about a dragoness that fascinate me?'
'Hiss...'
'B-bunny girl outfit maybe?'
At that thought, Leon couldn't help but laugh foolishly to himself.
Claudia glanced at him but said nothing, just muttered, "Young people, sigh."
After walking a bit longer, Claudia asked, "I just overheard you and your master talking about that 'Lord Shadow' you mentioned before. So, you're planning to officially investigate him next?"
"Yeah. My master suggested starting from the angle of the previous king. I think it makes sense."
Leon said, "Once I finish what I'm working on, I want to head back to the empire and investigate properly."
"Good. The greatest threats are always hidden in the deepest places."
"You're right, senior."
"We're here."
They arrived at the library doors. Claudia opened the wooden door and led Leon inside.
On the left side sat a set of elegant tables and chairs.
Ancient texts and manuscripts covered the desk, with Claudia's handwritten notes nearby.
She must usually spend her time here organizing and translating those old texts.
"The primordial magic scrolls are over here."
As she spoke, Claudia led Leon into a hidden corner of the library.
There stood a separate bookshelf.
There weren't many books on it, but each looked very new.
"These are the primordial magic scrolls I've sorted over the past decades. They're hand-copied, originals are kept somewhere safer."
Claudia said, "Honestly, knowing these are going to Constantine, I do feel a bit reluctant."
Then she glanced sideways at Leon, "But if it buys me a favor from Leon Casmodeous, I suppose it's not such a loss."
Who knew why his life had turned out so surreal these past years? Just six years ago, he was humanity's strongest dragon-slayer, the kinds trembled at the mere mention of him.
But six years later, General Leon had become a figure of high prestige among dragons. Even ancient relics like the Thunder Dragon King gave him three points of respect.
Hard to imagine what his life would look like another six years from now.
Would the ancient dragon hero, the legendary savior, the primordial Dragon King Noah himself end up being related to him somehow?
Just imagining it gave Leon a thrill.
"If it's Constantine, who's really good with fire magic...", Claudia muttered as she picked out two primordial scrolls,
"Flamebound and Heartfire, I think."
She handed the two scrolls to Leon, "The first is a powerful offensive magic, with sealing effects too. The second isn't mainly for offense, but it suits someone with Constantine's fiery temper."
Leon took the scrolls, "Oh? Why's that?"
"Heartfire is more about self-training. Through meditation, continually strengthening one's spirit. In other words, as long as he still has the will to fight, he will never fall."
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