It was nearly noon when they finally checked out.
Gone was the "maintaining our distance" pretense from the night before. As they stood at the front desk, Leon and Rossweise were practically inseparable. Leon's arm was wrapped snugly around her slender waist, while Rossweise leaned into his side with the trusting ease of a songbird nestled against its mate.
No one would have guessed that just hours earlier, they had both stubbornly insisted on separate rooms. To an uninformed observer back then, it might have looked like they were there to finalize a divorce!
The same receptionist from the previous night was still on duty. Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly as she took in the radiant, refreshed couple. With her years of experience, she could easily deduce they'd shared a… profoundly passionate night. The fact that they were checking out close to noon strongly suggested they had either been up very late or had engaged in a morning encore—
The receptionist gave a slight shake of her head, cutting off her own line of speculation about the guests' private lives.
Normally, she wasn't one to dwell on such things. Having worked the front desk for so long, she'd seen every type of couple imaginable.
But there was something uniquely compelling about this pair.
And yet, beneath that intriguing strangeness, there was an undeniable, deep-seated affection that flowed between them.
"Your check-out process is complete," she said with professional politeness. "We look forward to your next stay."
Rossweise gave a brief nod and followed Leon out of the hotel lobby.
Once they merged into the flow of the bustling street, their posture shifted from intimately entwined to simply holding hands, a more casual but no less connected gesture.
After a night of intense intimacy, their usual defensive barriers often softened. In these moments, they acted more like any other deeply attached married couple, sharing simple affections like hugs, held hands, and light conversation.
Indeed—
"Regular bonding helps keep the passion alive after marriage."
It seemed that old saying wasn't wrong after all.
"So, are we heading straight home, or…?" Leon asked.
"Let's get something to eat first," Rossweise replied.
Truth be told, her legs still felt a little unsteady. Leon had been particularly… thorough last night—though, to be fair, he always was—leaving her in need of some serious caloric replenishment.
Ah, she thought with a hint of wry nostalgia, I remember when I was the one who could wear out the Empire's top dragon slayer.
Now, she'd been thoroughly turned into his "cream puff."
She gave her head a slight shake, dismissing the meandering thought.
After turning a couple of corners, they arrived at a vibrant food street.
Almost immediately, they were both struck by a familiar indecision.
With so many enticing aromas and colorful signs vying for their attention, they were paralyzed by choice.
"Ah, I have no idea where to go," Rossweise murmured, her silver eyes scanning the options.
Leon scratched the back of his head. "How about I just pick one at random?"
"I don't really like chicken," she said, momentarily misunderstanding his meaning.
"No, no, I meant 'pick at random' like…" He raised his hand, pointing his index finger at the various storefronts while chanting under his breath, "Eenie, meenie, miny, moe… alright, this one."
Rossweise raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. So childish!
But… it was also kind of cute.
Hehe. :)
Wait, what?
Charmed? Don't be absurd. 'Cute' was practically a derogatory term among proud dragons.
[Author's Note— Yeah~ Sure~ Mother Dragon, we believe you]
"Alright," she conceded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Let's go with this one."
However, just as they were about to step through the chosen restaurant's doorway, a figure moved to block their path.
Looking up, they saw a somewhat familiar face.
Leon looked the man over and quickly placed him. "Aren't you from yesterday's meeting at the Twilight Tower?"
The man was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his hair neatly styled. He wore pristine white gloves, and his shoes were polished to a mirror shine—the very picture of a high-ranking butler or attendant.
The man offered a slight, formal bow. "I am a servant of the Master of the Twilight Tower. It is a pleasure to see you both again."
Leon and Rossweise exchanged a quick, questioning glance. Both were silently wondering why a servant of the Twilight Tower would seek them out the day after the Dragon Kings' council.
"What is this about?" Rossweise asked, her tone cool and regal.
"My master humbly requests the honor of your company for lunch, if you would be so gracious as to spare the time."
Lunch with the Master of the Twilight Tower?
Could this be a trap?
After all, during the meeting, several Dragon Kings, led by the elder Alres, had pushed for a plan to eliminate Constantine under the guise of "maintaining draconic stability," with the clear underlying intent to seize his Primordial Power for themselves.
As the Thunder Dragon King Odin had hinted, those Dragon Kings were no strangers to such underhanded schemes.
Since the Master of the Twilight Tower had convened the meeting, it was logical to assume he might be involved in the plot as well.
Leon's gaze met Rossweise's.
It was clear she was running through the same possibilities.
In the span of a shared look, a silent conversation passed between them.
Leon: What do you think? Should we go?
Rossweise: If this is truly about Constantine, I believe we should. The Primordial Power is not a matter to be taken lightly. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be catastrophic.
After the council, Leon had shared his full assessment of Constantine with Rossweise.
The Crimson Flame Dragon King was cruel, boastful, vindictive, and violent.
But he was not without a twisted code of honor—he didn't harm children or target truly innocent bystanders. Even Noah, in his eyes, held no blame and was not a part of his vendetta against Leon and the Empire.
Therefore, if Constantine retained the Primordial Power, he would likely focus its fury solely on Leon and his former Imperial masters.
But if another, more unscrupulous party were to seize it… there was no telling the chaos they might unleash.
The former was a threat Leon felt capable of managing. The latter… he had no such confidence.
So, if the mysterious Master of the Twilight Tower wished to discuss this very matter, it was undoubtedly worth their time.
"Alright," Leon said, his decision made. "Lead the way."
"This way, please," the attendant replied with another slight bow, before turning and guiding them away from the lively food street.
After a walk of approximately half an hour, they arrived at a secluded, charming villa, standing apart from the city's main bustle.
"This is as far as I go," the attendant stated, stopping at the gate. "My master awaits you inside."
"Understood."
The couple stepped inside the villa.
They had expected an interior of lavish, almost garish opulence, but were instead met by a vast, sparsely furnished space. A single dining table stood isolated in the middle of the room.
In the context of the large, empty area, the lone table positioned dead-center created a strange, almost disquieting atmosphere. It felt as if the entire villa had been constructed for the sole purpose of hosting this one meal.
A middle-aged man sat at the far end of the table.
He carried an aura of calm authority.
Seeing Leon and Rossweise, he rose to his feet and greeted them, "Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."
Two chairs were positioned on the opposite side, clearly intended for them.
Leon and Rossweise sat down. Leon leaned forward slightly, his voice low. "You are the Master of the Twilight Tower?"
"Yes, I am, Mr. Cosmodeous."
The master simply confirmed his identity without offering any further introduction, a move that subtly placed Leon and Rossweise at a disadvantage.
Not that this was entirely unexpected; the Master of the Twilight Tower—the founder of Sky City—was infamous for his enigmatic nature.
"Shall we enjoy the meal first?" he offered with a congenial smile.
However, neither Leon nor Rossweise so much as glanced at the sumptuous spread laid out before them.
"If you have something to discuss, let's be direct about it," Leon stated bluntly, aiming to seize control of the conversation.
The master looked faintly surprised, then let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Direct. Just as you are described, Prince of the Silver Dragons."
"Described by 'people'?" Leon scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Do that many 'people' keep tabs on me?"
"Let's not sour the mood, Mr. Cosmodeous."
The master loosened the scarf around his neck, placing it neatly on the table beside him, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone.
"I asked you both here to discuss the proceedings of yesterday's Dragon Kings' council."
Just as they had suspected. With this confirmation, Leon and Rossweise felt they had a better grasp on how to navigate the discussion.
"What does the Master wish to discuss?" Rossweise inquired, her voice level.
"I understand that your proposal regarding Constantine, Mr. Cosmodeous, was ultimately supported by Odin and the majority, leading to a consensus for a more cautious approach. Is that correct?"
"That's right."
The master's deliberate separation of "Odin" from "the majority" indicated his clear understanding of the Thunder Dragon King's unique standing among his peers.
Leon noted the distinction but decided to let the master continue laying out his thoughts.
"Ordinarily, Mr. Cosmodeous, the final decision on such courses of action has traditionally been steered by the Mountain Sea Dragon King, Alres," the master stated.
Alres—the very Dragon King who had been the primary advocate for seizing the Primordial Power by force.
"Is the Master suggesting we engage in a private negotiation to ultimately support Alres's plan?" Leon asked, a note of suspicion in his voice. He saw the fox's tail peeking out and had no intention of playing games.
But the master shook his head, his response surprising Leon. "I do not particularly care whether Alres's plan is carried out or not. He has exploited the Dragon Kings' councils for personal gain before, and I have never interfered."
"The Twilight Tower maintains strict neutrality. It merely provides a forum for discussion."
"Whatever actions are decided upon, and whatever consequences stem from them… those are for the Dragon Kings themselves to bear."
"And as a result… the fractured state of the dragon clans has only grown more pronounced over the centuries."
"Though, who truly cares?" The master's tone took on a slightly sardonic edge. "Everyone has always lived primarily for themselves."
Leon's mental calculations shifted. So, he's not aligned with Alres?
Still, he pressed further. "Self-preservation is an ancient truth, Master. There's nothing new about that."
"Indeed, self-preservation is one thing," the master countered. "But when it begins to negatively impact others, or when others are forced to bear the brunt of the consequences—that is a different story altogether, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Cosmodeous?"
Leon's brow relaxed slightly. Not bad. This might be someone we can work with.
"Master," Rossweise interjected, "since you disapprove of Alres's methods, and given your power as the founder of Sky City, why tolerate him? Why not… condone his actions?"
"We dragons need a neutral entity like Sky City," the master explained patiently. "A middle ground where we can converse without immediately resorting to violence. Or perhaps… what we truly need is order."
He continued, "If I were to take a side, the balance would be shattered. At that point, more Dragon Kings might be incentivized to stir conflict, creating a situation far worse than the present one."
It was a logical perspective.
If those holding the scales of power could not be impartial, those beneath them would suffer even more.
For Sky City, neutrality was not just a policy—it was a fundamental, unshakeable principle, a steadfast equilibrium that favored no one.
Having listened to the master's frustrations regarding Alres's conduct, a question formed in Leon's mind. Was the master hoping for his help?
That seemed to conflict with the professed strict neutrality.
"So, Master," Leon said, steering the conversation back, "I doubt you invited us here merely to share these observations?"
"No, Mr. Cosmodeous. I invited you here with a request."
"A request?"
"Odin rarely attends the councils. This was your first time. And yet, you managed to prevent a potential internal war by standing against Alres."
"Odin's influence is well-known; many vote in alignment with him."
"And you, Mr. Cosmodeous, represent a counterweight to Alres."
"The councils need someone like you to provide that balance. Only then can the dragon clans hope to achieve a semblance of long-term stability."
"Therefore, my request is that you attend future councils whenever possible."
Ah, Leon thought. So it's about maintaining a balance of power against Alres.
It was a request that, cleverly, did not violate the master's vow of neutrality.
"Why not simply ask Odin?" Leon questioned. "You said yourself he holds sway over the others."
The master shook his head. "I spoke with Odin last night. He stated he only attended yesterday to express his gratitude to you."
The master's voice took on a faintly amused tone as he quoted the Thunder Dragon King. "Odin's exact words were, 'I find that kid interesting. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't bother with such tedious meetings.'"
"So… Mr. Cosmodeous," the master concluded, spreading his hands slightly, "I must turn to you. Without your presence, it seems Odin will not attend."
Leon: "…"
So now he was a prized asset for maintaining draconic political stability?
There was a time when slaying a legendary figure like Odin would have earned him a lifetime's worth of glory and reward.
How times have changed, Leon mused wryly. Now he was being asked to sit alongside the very same legendary figure, acting as a counterbalance to a greedy Dragon King like Alres.
"So, Mr. Cosmodeous, what is your answer?"
Leon stood up. "I will need to discuss this with my wife. You will have our answer by the next council, Master."
A flicker of something unreadable passed through the master's eyes, but he nodded. "Very well, Mr. Cosmodeous."
"Then we will take our leave. Thank you for the lunch."
Even though neither of them had touched a single bite, courtesy demanded they express their thanks.
As he watched the Silver Dragon couple depart, the polite smile faded from the master's face, replaced by a cold, contemplative expression.
A moment later, his servant entered, bowing respectfully. "Master, how did it go?"
The master narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the doorway where Leon had disappeared. "As Odin said… he is an interesting fellow."
"But 'interesting' alone may not be sufficient, will it?" the servant ventured.
"Considering he held his own against Constantine in the Northern Ruins, even after Constantine had absorbed the Primordial Power, his strength must be formidable," the master reasoned. He recalled other intelligence. "And… for years now, every time the Silver Dragon Clan has faced incursions from other dragons, it has been Leon Cosmodeous who resolved the threat, single-handedly. That alone suggests he is, at the very least, preliminarily qualified."
The servant pondered for a moment. "But, Master, Leon Cosmodeous's origins are shrouded in mystery. My investigations indicate he practically appeared out of thin air among the Silver Dragons, eventually marrying their Queen. Could someone with such an obscure background… truly be the one foretold?"
"Who can say?" the master replied, his voice low.
He lowered his gaze to the floor, feeling the steady, ancient pulse of Sky City itself resonating beneath his feet, and closed his eyes.
"Balance, neutrality, order… these concepts are too abstract for most dragons."
"If not for the prophecy, and the 'Ultimate Fear,' I would not have maintained Sky City and the Twilight Tower all these long years."
"Let us hope. Let us hope that this passionate, headstrong soul, Leon Cosmodeous…"
His voice dropped to a near whisper, filled with a weight of millennia.
"Is the one foretold in the prophecy…"
[Author's Note— So the bro went from Dragon Slayer to Dragon Kind's Hero? Is that a promotion or a demotion? A dragon hero who used to slay dragons... What a wild man!!]