Everyone instantly fell silent, pressing tightly against the underside of the carriage.
The merchant caravan halted before the Empire's gates for the routine inspection. Of course, the "inspection" was nothing more than a cursory glance. As long as no overtly suspicious or dangerous items were spotted, passage was granted.
The guards' lax attitude was not merely tradition; it was also born from reliance on the Empire's sheer might. As the captain had said, ever since Leon's disappearance, no one had dared to stir up serious trouble within the Empire. As the most powerful human nation, most were simply grateful for the opportunity to trade here, let alone cause problems.
Once the brief inspection concluded, Leon and his daughters successfully infiltrated the Empire with the merchant caravan. After traveling a few streets and confirming no patrols were nearby, they slipped out from under the carriage and ducked into a narrow alleyway.
Leon stood at the mouth of the alley, pressing against the wall and scanning both directions. The coast was clear; they had not drawn any attention.
He turned back to his daughters. "The intel from the informant did not specify the exact location of the heart-protecting scales, only that they are hidden within a secret fortress somewhere in the royal city."
Noah nodded. "If we want to find the scales, we are going to need to put in more legwork."
Leon agreed. He had never expected locating the Heart Scales would be easy. The Empire would not amass such items without a purpose. Heart Scales were essential 'safety mechanisms' for dragons, but what use did humans have for them? The possibilities were disturbing. With such precious commodities, the Empire was bound to guard their location fiercely.
The fact that Noah's mysterious informant had even learned of the Empire's collection was impressive enough. Knowing the exact location would imply a catastrophic failure of Imperial security.
Their enemy was not foolish. Getting past the gate guards was merely the first step. The real challenge lay ahead.
"I have two plans," Leon stated.
"First, we split into pairs and begin searching the areas in and around the royal city until we find the vault."
"Second, we locate and abduct a relevant official and extract the information."
"The first plan is slower but safer. The second is faster but carries significantly higher risk."
"My suggestion is we begin with a systematic search. If we make no progress within a short timeframe, we escalate to the riskier option. Any objections?"
The three sisters exchanged glances and nodded in unison. They had no argument with their father's logic.
"Alright, let's decide on the pairs." Leon said. "Noah and Aurora, you are together. I will take Muen. Sound good?"
Muen's large, bright eyes sparkled with excitement. "I get to go on a secret mission with Daddy?"
"Yep, are you happy?" Leon asked with a smile.
"Super happy!" If not for the need to conceal her draconic traits, Muen's tail would have been wagging wildly.
Noah gently poked her sister's cheek. "Alright, little tagalong, remember to behave once we split up. Do not wander off or cause trouble."
"Hmph, you are still treating me like a kid," Muen pouted.
Noah affectionately ruffled her sister's hair. "You will always be a kid to him."
Hmph~
After finalizing the plan, Leon issued a final reminder. "If you encounter any trouble, avoid confrontation if possible. Try not to use magic. Our sole objective here is the Heart Scales."
At the mention of magic, Aurora recalled a crucial point. "Oh, right, Sis," she said, turning to Muen. "If you are forced to use magic, stick to a single element. Do not use twin awakening. The combination of lightning and fire is exceptionally rare. If anyone in the royal city still remembers Mom and Dad from back then, they could easily connect the dots."
Muen nodded earnestly. "Got it. I understand."
"Alright, we begin now," Leon said. "Whether we find the scales or not, we rendezvous back here in three days."
"Understood."
Noah and Aurora set off first, blending into the flow of foot traffic.
Leon and Muen slipped into a side street, opting for a more discreet route through the city's underbelly.
Noah and her sisters had never set foot in the Empire before, and for twenty years they had deliberately avoided any contact with the Imperial Dragon-Slayer Army. Consequently, no one inside should recognize them, allowing them to move through the streets openly.
But General Leon was a different story. He was a top-level fugitive, a man who had fallen from celebrated Dragon Slayer to infamous human traitor. His notoriety was the stuff of legend, likely even featured in textbooks by now. Even after two decades, the risk of recognition was real, making the back alleys their safest bet.
"Dad, are we going straight to the royal city now?" Muen asked as she walked beside him.
"We will wait for nightfall. Unlike Noah's group, we cannot move freely in daylight. The darkness will be our best shield."
"Oh, okay!"
One advantage of splitting up was that not all of them had to skulk in the shadows. Noah and Aurora, being unknown, could operate with far more freedom. However, a group of three would inevitably draw more attention, which was why Leon had chosen pairs for better mobility and mutual support.
Leon and Muen navigated the labyrinthine backstreets, eventually climbing to the rooftop of an abandoned clock tower that offered a vantage point overlooking the distant royal city. The spires and domes gleamed under the afternoon sun, a picture of grandeur and power.
"Now," Leon said, his gaze fixed on the opulent structures, "we wait for nightfall." He wondered what kind of monstrous secrets lay hidden beneath that magnificent facade.