During their playful banter, movement near the Imperial City gates caught their attention. They both fell silent and looked down.
A relatively simple carriage had stopped. Three figures disembarked. Leon observed their uniforms, posture, and gait, deducing they were likely soldiers returning from the front.
Whether they were from the Dragon-Slayer Army, he couldn't be sure. But Muen recognized them instantly.
"It's the 'Blade Special Forces,'" Muen said seriously, mentioning a name that sounded anything but.
"About five years after you disappeared, the Empire began gaining the upper hand in the war, largely because of these three."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Are they… genuinely powerful?"
"Yes. According to survivors from the defeated clans, these three are incredibly strong, like a return to the 'era of the Black Armor's reign.'"
Ah~ Leon sighed inwardly, reminiscing about that bygone era.
After a moment, he asked, "Do you have any detailed information on them?"
"Well…I only know their names." Muen thought for a moment.
"Blade One, Blade Two, Blade Three."
"'Blade Trio' is just a nickname based on those three guys."
.
.
.
Three days later, the father and daughters regrouped.
Noah provided Leon with more detailed intelligence on the trio.
"Their official designation is the'Blade Unit.' As the name implies, they were trained by the Empire fifteen years ago— five years after your disappearance. Each possesses exceptional individual combat prowess."
After a pause, she added, "Some say… they even surpass the Black Armor from back in the day."
"Mm…Huh?!" General Leon instantly snapped to attention, fully alert.
"Who said that? Who dares say that?"
Noah, having anticipated his reaction, casually shrugged. "That's the word from the defeated dragon clans."
Muen backed him up. "Don't worry, Dad, you're the best."
Noah continued "However, while these individuals are strong, the power they wield… seems somewhat unstable."
Aurora adjusted her glasses and added,
"A few years ago, I happened to witness one of their battles. Their coordination was flawless, but midway, the leader, Blade One, seemed to lose control of his power, forcing a hasty end to the engagement. And, Sis, didn't you get the same impression? The power they use—"
Noah finished her sister's thought,"—doesn't belong to them."
"Doesn't belong to them? What do you mean?"
"It's just a feeling. Their magic is very peculiar, but I can't pinpoint the exact nature of the anomaly," Aurora admitted.
"But that's not the main point. The point is, the Blade Unit's arrival in the capital must be for some kind of awards ceremony, right?"
As Leon had explained to Muen days earlier,frontline soldiers, regardless of rank, could not enter the capital freely unless for a formal commendation.
It didn't matter if you were the'Blade Trio' or any other elite unit; no one bypassed that rule.
"Are you thinking of sneaking in during the ceremony?" Leon asked.
"That seems impractical. The ceremony will be held inside the Imperial City. No weapons are allowed, and everyone will be thoroughly searched."
Noah shook her head. "Getting into the Imperial City is impossible. The barrier is far too complex; even Little Light couldn't breach it. So, we must resort to our second plan: capture and interrogation."
"Capture those three?"
"No. The Blade Unit members themselves won't know the location of the Heart Scale."
Noah explained, "But their superior might."
"Their superior?"
"A man named Nacho Salaman," Noah said.
"He's responsible for liaison between the Dragon-Slayer Army and the capital. Theoretically, the entire Dragon-Slayer Army falls under his jurisdiction. Nacho— Hmm? Why do you look like you know this Nacho?"
Leon stroked his chin,a slight frown on his face. He nodded. "Yes. Twenty-three years ago, he was just a clerk in the Dragon-Slayer Army. I didn't expect him to climb to the top of their administrative ladder."
'Top dog' or 'the boss' was a simplification. In reality, managing an army of hundreds of thousands like the Dragon-Slayer Army wasn't a one-person job.
In his day, Leon's official title had been 'Battlefield Commander-in-Chief,' which essentially meant,
"When the fighting starts, even the major generals take orders from me."
Outside of combat, however, there were plenty of other high-ranking officials in charge.
The position Noah mentioned, "Responsible for communication between the Dragon-Slayer Army and the royal family," could be considered one of those 'top dog' roles.
So this Nacho… from a lowly clerk to one of the bosses. A true career climber.
"The higher his position, the more likely he knows the Heart Scale's location," Aurora reasoned.
"True. If we plan to abduct Nacho for interrogation, do you have his schedule?" Leon asked.
"My informant provided new intelligence yesterday. After the awards ceremony, Nacho will host a banquet for the Blade Unit at the 'Hisna Manor' outside the capital. He does this after every commendation."
Leon nodded in understanding. "That is a Dragon-Slayer Army tradition. We did the same back in my day. So, this banquet is our opportunity."
"Exactly. But even with a clear target, we need a thorough and detailed plan. Nacho will rent the entire manor, and guards will cover every exit."
"Leave that to me. I can get close to Nacho without detection," Leon stated.
"Good. Nacho arrives at the manor early; that should be your best chance to approach him," Noah said.
Leon was slightly taken aback."Is this also from your informant?"
"Yes. Over the years, Nacho always arrives early. Not out of courtesy, but to seize control of the event beforehand." Noah shrugged.
"This man seems to want to control everyone and everything, no matter the situation."
"To have dug so deep into the head of the Dragon-Slayer Army… I'm growing increasingly curious about this informant of yours."
Leon asked casually, "So, when do I get to meet this mysterious figure?"
"Be patient. Once we've captured Nacho and she's finished her work, you'll probably get to meet her."
A faint, knowing smile touched Noah's lips.
"Until then, let your curiosity simmer."
Leon thought to himself, If my eldest daughter had been born in peacetime, she'd probably be an excellent novelist—she certainly knows how to build suspense.
Noah then provided Nacho's specific route and schedule, allowing Leon to refine his plan.
Once roles were assigned, the conversation drifted back to the Blade Unit.
"Although nominally part of the Dragon-Slayer Army, they aren't bound by its chain of command. They take orders directly from the royal family," Noah clarified.
"Fifteen years ago, the Blade Unit appeared suddenly and began a string of victories on the dragon-human battlefield, wielding power strong enough to rival ancient Dragon Kings."
Aurora added, "Aunt Isha was forced to relocate her clan deeper into the dragon heartlands a few years ago because of the pressure from these three. It's safer there, but it's a temporary measure. If this continues, the Empire will break into the heartlands in less than ten years."
"By then, there will be nowhere left to hide."
Leon pondered this. The Blade Unit only became active five years after his disappearance. He had never heard of them during his service.
Could they have been a secret project of the Empire? Unlikely. If they were secret weapons, why hadn't they appeared when he was causing havoc, clearing out traitors, or fighting Star?
Most likely, these three either grew powerful in those five years… or obtained their strength through other means.
"You mentioned earlier that their power doesn't feel like their own?" Leon pressed.
"Correct. Normally, when we use magic, the process is 'gather power, then release it,'"
Noah elaborated. "But with them, it feels like they're 'borrowing power from somewhere else and then releasing it.' The occasional loss of control isn't normal either."
"Didn't your informant dig into their backgrounds?"
Noah shook her head. "No. The Blade Unit appeared too suddenly, giving no one time to investigate."
Aurora's expression was grave. "They are formidable. As the dragon survivors said, their power is on par with the ancient Dragon Kings."
Muen sat quietly to the side, her long legs curled up, arms wrapped around her knees. Faced with the solemn discussion, she didn't dare interrupt, listening intently. But she knew full well the strength of the Blade Unit. If it came to a fight, she wasn't sure they could win.
"Dad." Aurora broke the slightly oppressive silence.
"Mm?"
"I saw you zoning out earlier. What were you thinking about?"
"Ah… I was just reminded of something from the past. Quite amusing, really."
Leon sat cross-legged on the ground, lowering his head. As he spoke, a soft chuckle escaped him.
Noah blinked."What's so funny?"
"You."
"Me?"
Leon looked up at his eldest daughter.
"The Blade Unit has three members, right? It reminded me of how you used to take on three people by yourself back at St. Heath Academy."
Upon hearing this, the pink-haired troublemaker's mood instantly lifted.
"What? Big Sis fought three at once? I've never heard this story! Tell me more!"
Leon vividly recounted Noah's past glory to his youngest daughter.
After listening, Aurora repeatedly patted her big sister's shoulder.
"No wonder you're the eldest of the Melkvey family!"
Noah, her cheeks slightly flushed from the praise, turned her head away. That proud expression was a perfect mirror of her mother's.
"Don't exaggerate. It was just dealing with some bullies."
"That's why I think there's nothing to fear from the Blade Unit. If necessary, your old man will show you what a real one-versus-three looks like, a skill passed down through the generations."
Noah was momentarily stunned. Whoa, why is the old man so cocky all of a sudden?
Oh~~~
I see.
This must be what Mom meant by,"once he's charged up, he's unstoppable."
But his arrogance was well-founded. As his daughter, Noah had never doubted her father's strength.
.
.
.
The setting sun spilled over the green lawns of Hisna Manor like molten gold. Servants bustled about the grounds, making final preparations for the upcoming banquet.
Nacho Salaman stood in the corridor, watching the scene, idly playing with a silver coin in his hand.
The coin bore the insignia of the Empire's Dragon-Slayer Army—a pair of dragon wings with two crossed longswords forming an "X" in the center.
In the Imperial hierarchy, coins of different metals represented varying levels of status and corresponding authority. From lowest to highest: copper, silver, gold, and finally, the Unicorn Crystal, symbolizing those who held power just below the Emperor himself.
It had taken Nacho nearly twenty years to turn the copper coin he once held into the silver coin he now possessed. While it might not seem like the pinnacle of success, it was a height most could never hope to reach in their lifetimes.
To climb higher meant stepping into the most chaotic vortex of the Empire's power structure, where the holders of gold coins were all cunning politicians and ministers. Nacho knew he wasn't cut out for that level.
Guarding his current territory and keeping his head attached to his shoulders was the greatest success he could hope for.
As he reflected on his journey, the person he felt most grateful to wasn't the "great one" who had promoted him, but rather a "ghost"—one that had vanished twenty years ago.
Twenty years ago, Nacho had personally witnessed that unprecedented, fierce battle, truly experiencing the dragons' fanatical obsession with revenge.
The man named Leon Cosmodeous had been unbelievably strong. If Ravi hadn't perished alongside him in the end, the peaceful life the Empire now enjoyed would have been impossible.
Nacho wouldn't have received his subsequent titles and promotions either.
Back then, Leon had been a prized asset in the eyes of the royal nobility. Anything related to Leon was an opportunity for merit, almost guaranteeing promotion and wealth.
So, Nacho was deeply grateful to that man. Without him, he could never have climbed to his current position.
Of course—
Nacho glanced at the silver coin in his hand,a slight smile curling the corners of his mouth.
—he could only offer his thanks in his heart. That monstrously powerful man, who seemed not to belong to this world, was long gone. Any chance of thanking him face-to-face had vanished with the spatial rift.