When they returned to the cave, the master and disciple were still deep in conversation.
Hearing footsteps, Leon turned around. Seeing one tall and one short figure walking and chatting together, their faces lit up with smiles like long-lost friends, he was stunned.
Weren't these two practically strangers half an hour ago? he thought. How did they become so close in just twenty minutes?
"Captain! Dad! We're back!" Rebecca called out as she ran up. "Are you guys done talking?"
"Almost," Leon replied. He glanced at the unusually excited Rebecca, then looked up at the dragoness behind her. "What did you two talk about?"
Rossweise innocently spread her hands. "I didn't say much to her." She's the one who talked to me. Hehe.
Leon pursed his lips and muttered, "Weird," before turning back to continue his discussion with his master about the Empire.
He recounted the events of the past six months in detail and then inquired about the Sea Dragon Clan and the Gates of the Nine Hells.
"The 'Gates of the Nine Hells' was written by the Sea Dragon Clan? Huh? I have no idea. I just asked someone to casually grab a physical technique manual from the Empire. Didn't expect they'd pick such a lethal one."
Just as expected, another "I don't know."
Leon didn't press further. Although he had a nagging feeling the old man was hiding something, he had asked directly, and since his master remained tight-lipped, there had to be a reason.
"Oh, by the way, Master, could you look into these three people next?" Leon said, handing over a list.
Tiger took it and glanced at the names. "Blade One, Blade Two, Blade Three… Just by looking, I can tell these three aren't simple."
"Yeah. In the future, they are part of the Empire's 'Special Forces.' They're very strong, hunting Dragon Kings for over a decade. But I feel their power is odd, not like regular human magic." Leon explained, "If there's a chance, try to find out where they came from."
Tiger nodded and carefully stored the list. "Alright, I'll start investigating as soon as I get back."
In the future timeline, Leon had only briefly encountered the Blade Trio, but the power they displayed had left a deep impression. Even future versions of Noah and Little Light agreed that their abilities were mysterious and not from any known source. Thus, Leon felt it necessary to investigate them, to potentially eliminate this unknown threat early.
"Anything else you need me to check?" Tiger asked.
Leon thought for a moment. "Then, also look into a man named Nacho Salaman."
"Nacho Salaman?"
"Yeah. He used to be a minor official in the Empire's Dragon Slayer Army. After I was sent into the spatial rift, he was promoted to the royal court. The trio I mentioned has close ties to him. We might dig up something from him."
"Got it. Anything else?"
"Well… If there is, it's not related to the Empire."
Tiger chuckled. "Whatever it is, just say it."
"Master, do you know anything about Primordial Magic?" Leon asked.
"Primordial Magic…"
Hearing this, Rossweise, who had been quietly waiting, immediately perked up and turned her attention to the conversation. She was surprised Leon hadn't mentioned he would ask his master about this. Her own progress in studying Primordial Magic had been slow, as she'd expected. The records were scarce, and she could only gather fragments from ancient texts, piecing them together through painstaking effort.
"I've heard of it, but I don't know much. Why, are you planning to learn it?" Tiger asked.
Leon blinked. "Yeah, I want to give it a try."
"You finished learning the 'Gates of the Nine Hells' I gave you?"
"I told you, in the future, your granddaughter practically taught me the whole thing. Besides, in the martial world, you can never have too many skills. Who would say no to more power?"
His master playfully poked Leon's forehead. "You greedy brat. Fine, I'll ask some old friends to see if they can find any books on Primordial Magic. I'll get them to you next time we meet."
"Great! Thanks, Master!"
With business mostly settled, Leon turned the conversation to his mistress.
"Oh, your mistress… After you disappeared into the spatial rift, I saw her once," Tiger said, his voice growing heavy with memory. "She… she scolded me for a solid hour. Then she beat my shoulders with her fists, crying and saying; "How could you let him vanish like that? If you don't bring my boy back, don't you dare come home!'" The old man's eyes grew misty.
Leon felt a thick lump form in his throat. The image of his kind, gentle mistress so consumed by grief and fear for him was almost too much to bear. "I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "I made her worry so much."
"Next time, bring Mistress along. I haven't seen her in so long," Leon suggested, his voice thick with emotion.
"Well… I'm not sure about that. Her family is quite… cautious. They know we've provoked the Empire and don't want her involved," Tiger explained carefully.
Leon quickly nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see. No rush. We can find her after we've dealt with everything."
"Right. If there's nothing else, let's call it for now."
"Alright, Master."
"Be careful on your way back. And remember to keep training, don't slack off," Tiger reminded him, his tone firm but fond.
"Got it, Master. You, Rebecca, and Martin take care of yourselves too."
"Mhm."
Rebecca ran over and grinned. "Captain, I wish you and sister-in-law a lifetime of happiness!"
Leon froze. "Wait, what? Why are you saying that all of a sudden… And what's with this 'sister-in-law'? Rossweise, did you tell her to call you that?"
Rossweise simply smiled, a graceful, knowing curve of her lips, and said nothing. Her silence was confirmation enough.