Even though twenty years had passed, bringing many personnel changes within the Empire, Leon had been a legendary figure.
Coupled with the fact that he hadn't aged a day, the risk of recognition was still very real.
"Hmm… That is a problem. My handsome face is rather memorable," Leon admitted, now seriously considering the issue.
Three metaphorical lines of exasperation appeared on Noah's forehead.
Mom loved his sense of responsibility, his courage, his selflessness, and his strength. But did she also love this… vanity of his?
Mom, I think you were just desperate.
"Fortunately, I came prepared," Leon said.
As he spoke, he pulled a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, along with the silver coin he had taken from Nacho.
The disguise was secondary; the true key was the silver coin, a symbol of royal status and rank.
Back when Leon served in the Dragon-Slayer Army, the Imperial Court had given him a similar token.
It looked impressive, but Leon had never cared for such trinkets. He had eventually tinkered with his and turned it into a bell for his beloved donkey, hanging it around its neck.
He tossed the silver coin casually between his fingers, then threw the guards a deliberate, commanding nod.
"We shall proceed,Miss Noah," he said, affecting a formal, official tone.
Ugh—
What was this strange feeling, a mix of disgust and a powerful urge to play along?
Was this what Mom felt when she was dating him back then?
You're twenty-three, old man. Could you please act your age?
Despite her internal complaints, Noah fell into step beside him.
"Yes, My Lord," she responded, her voice the picture of obedient deference.
The two walked calmly toward the entrance of the underground facility. The sound of their footsteps immediately put the four guards on high alert.
"Who goes there? What business do you have at the imperial repository for Western Tributes at this hour?" the lead guard barked sharply.
Leon didn't respond, continuing to flip the silver coin with practiced ease.
Noah stepped forward, answering in a low, steady voice, "Western culture is renowned across the world. The daytime is far too crowded, so we have chosen the night to come and appreciate it in peace."
The guards relaxed slightly, their eyes darting to the silver coin in Leon's hand. Recognizing the insignia of a high-ranking official, the lead guard's expression softened instantly.
"Apologies, my lord. The passcode is mandated by the royal family. No matter who comes, we must verify it."
The passcode was cleverly embedded in the exchange, using 'Western Tributes' as a cover for the Heart Scales. Anyone unaware would stumble here.
Leon breathed a silent sigh of relief but remained silent, allowing "Miss Noah" to continue.
"No worries, I understand completely. It is all part of the procedure. We are here to inspect the items—just a routine check. Please disable the barrier for a moment."
"Of course," the guard replied with a respectful nod, immediately deactivating the facility's perception barrier.
Noah half-turned. "My lord, we may proceed."
"Ladies first."
Ladies first—
Ew!
So he's a drama king on top of everything else.
Well, Mom could be quite dramatic too sometimes.
Alright then. I guess it makes sense.
They say a couple who shares a bed long enough starts to resemble each other.
The father and daughter entered the underground facility one after the other, descending a long, winding staircase.
Torches flared to life as they passed, illuminating their path. After navigating several flights, they finally arrived at the vast subterranean chamber where the Heart Scales were stored.
The chamber was immense and echoingly empty, filled with dozens of neatly arranged stone pedestals. Floating above each pedestal was a single dragon scale, each emitting a soft, unique glow.
The moment Noah stepped into the chamber, she was met with a heavy, oppressive pressure.
She frowned slightly, her eyes scanning the room full of Heart Scales. She knew this force emanated from the scales themselves. Though their original Dragon Kings had fallen, the immense power contained within these protective scales still lingered.
However, Noah was not intimately familiar with such artifacts. Heart Scales only began to form after a dragon had lived for a century. She was only twenty-two.
"There are not many scales here…" Leon remarked, his voice low.
"A lot of the pedestals are empty."
"Mm, perhaps they have already used some, or they are reserving space for newly acquired scales," Noah replied.
"But the small number also suggests the Empire is not collecting just any dragon scale, correct?"
Leon nodded. "Yes. Hundred-year-old dragons are common. If the Empire's goal was simple collection, there would be far more here. Unless they are specifically targeting particularly unique Heart Scales, like…"
"The Heart Scales of Dragon Kings," Noah finished the thought.
"And Little Light's reversal magic just happens to require a Dragon King's Heart Scale to activate," Leon added.
Noah clicked her tongue softly. "But how do we determine which one has an energy signature similar to Ravi's?"
If they took the wrong one and failed to activate the reversal magic, this entire perilous trip into the Empire would have been for nothing.
However, Leon simply said, "Is not that easy?"
Noah glanced sideways at him.
The old general pulled a large, black cloth bag from his pocket.
"We will just take them all, will we not?"
Oh no.
.
.
.
Back at the entrance, Leon reattached the now-bulging black pouch, stuffed full with Heart Scales, to his waist. He and Noah approached the exit, one behind the other.
Seeing them, the guard promptly deactivated the barrier, allowing the two to pass through safely.
"My lord, how was the inspection? Everything was in order, I trust? No scales… missing?"
the guard asked with an ingratiating smile, a self-satisfied tone in his voice.
None missing?
Wrong.
None left?
Correct.
Although General Leon had never been a thief by trade, he understood one principle perfectly: A thief never leaves empty-handed.
In response to the guard's question, Leon gave a subtle nod and a noncommittal grunt.
"Not bad. Keep up the good work. I will put in a good word for you with the higher-ups."
"Th-thank you, my lord!" the guard stammered, visibly swelling with pride.
Leon maintained a stoic face but sneaked a glance at Noah, his eyes silently communicating:
See that? He is thanking us!
Noah rolled her eyes skyward.
"My lord, it is getting late. We should take our leave," Noah said, her voice flat.
"Yes," Leon agreed, his tone returning to one of business. "Let us go."
They turned and melted back into the shadows of the Imperial City, the weight of their priceless, stolen cargo a secret promise clutched tightly in the dark.
The first and most difficult step was complete. Now, they had to get their prize back to Aurora, and to the hope of a reversed future.