When Rossweise saw Leon emerge from the dark woods with a calm, confident smile, she knew immediately that he had succeeded in persuading Constantine. And she was equally sure that the method he'd used was something only Leon could have concocted.
Crossing her arms with a slight, knowing smile of her own, she waited until he stood before her before asking, "Did he agree?"
Leon nodded, his confidence unmistakable. "Of course he did."
"How did you manage to convince him? Not the same trick as last time, I hope?"
"Well... no. Appeals to morality or shared history do not work on Constantine. I had to use a different kind of leverage."
Rossweise raised a delicate silver eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. The Crimson Flame Dragon King was legendary for his stubborn pride and self-interest. Given their violent history, the fact that Leon could hold a civil conversation with him was impressive enough. To actually enlist his help was remarkable.
So, how had her often-reckless husband pulled it off this time?
"I told him that after we tear down the Empire, I would grant him access to an entire library of texts on Primordial Magic."
Rossweise blinked. "But... we only possess Soul Judgement. Where are you going to find an entire library of other texts?"
Leon shrugged nonchalantly. "You paint the grand vision first. We will worry about sourcing the details later."
Rossweise could only shake her head in amused admiration. "It seems your time in the Silver Dragon Temple has taught you more than just combat skills."
A less charitable person might call it bluffing. A more diplomatic one would call it establishing a grand vision to inspire cooperation.
It appeared Leon was finally learning that smooth negotiation could get him further in the Empire's political "game" than brute force alone. It was no wonder so many graduates from the Dragon Slayer Academy were lured by the safe, well-paid desk jobs in the capital—far from the mortal danger field agents like Leon faced.
Yet, he had no regrets. His path had taken him across the world, to places and wonders those desk-bound officials could only read about. And more importantly, it had led him to a dragon queen for a wife and three beautiful daughters waiting for him at home—definitely not part of the standard bureaucratic package.
Speaking of his daughters, Leon's expression softened. "Let's go home. Before we leave for the Empire, I want to see the girls."
This mission was not without risk; otherwise, he would not have gone to such lengths to recruit a powerhouse like Constantine. This was not a final goodbye—he refused to let that thought take root—but seeing them would settle his heart.
His daughters were the most precious part of his life. Wherever he was, the knowledge that those three little girls were waiting for him at home gave him the strength to face any danger.
Rossweise nodded in firm agreement. Transforming into her magnificent silver dragon form, she leapt into the night sky with Leon on her back, speeding toward home.
.
.
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"Did you truly bring a hundred years of peace to the dragon clans after ending the civil war?"
In a dimly lit, golden-hued space that existed within her mind, young Noah's private "Dragon History" lesson was in session.
A great, spectral white dragon lay before her, its massive form dominating her vision. It answered in a slow, resonant voice, "Yes. That was the most unified and prosperous era in dragon history—a time of internal harmony and external security, with resources abundant. The collective power of our race then far surpasses what you see now."
Noah spread her hands slightly. "But now the dragon clans are fractured, fighting different wars on multiple fronts. The conflict with the human Empire is especially brutal."
"It seems in the ten thousand years I have slept, both dragonkind and the world of Samuel have changed beyond recognition," her ancient ancestor sighed, a note of deep melancholy in its tone.
Once, dragons were the undisputed masters of all. How had things come to this? It was as if the great tides of history had surged forward, only for the waves to eventually crash and recede.
"You awoke to confront some 'Ultimate Fear,' correct?" Noah asked, her tone as calm and composed as her mother's. "Though I do not know what it is, and you are reluctant to share the details, I feel I must remind you that before this 'Ultimate Fear' arrives..."
She paused, her voice respectful yet firm.
"...this continent will face plenty of other significant troubles."
Even though the young dragon curriculum at St. Heath Academy was basic, Noah often sought out additional texts, driven by a desire to understand the wider world. Partly because she genuinely enjoyed learning, and partly so she could share what she discovered with Aurora, hoping it might distract her little sister from fanciful ideas about "second personalities."
Returning to the matter at hand, her ancestor was not surprised by her statement, but neither was it particularly impressed.
"The crises of this generation are for your generation to solve. My focus remains solely on the Ultimate Fear," the great dragon intoned.
It was a noble sentiment, echoing her grandmother Veronica's philosophy of letting the young lead. However, the ancient dragon's response felt... detached, almost dismissive.
Young as she was, Noah understood the words, but the deeper meaning behind such singular focus eluded her.
"You quelled a civil war in your time," Noah pressed. "Why focus only on this one threat now? The shadows gathering across the continent could easily threaten the dragons as well."
She wasn't trying to lecture her ancestor from some moral high ground; she was genuinely curious why the legendary hero, upon awakening from millennia of slumber, had become so narrowly focused.
The question seemed to irritate the elder dragon, but instead of anger, it simply turned its great head away, its gaze shifting to the calm, illusory waters beside them.
"When you are older, I will explain it."
"Do not treat me like a child."
"Hmph. But you are a child."
"Big Sis!"—
A sharp knock on her bedroom door jolted Noah back to reality. She opened her eyes, the phantom voice—But you are a child—still echoing in her mind.
Irritated, she sat up in bed, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself. Fine, fine, she thought. I will not stoop to arguing with a ten-thousand-year-old dragon. I am a well-behaved, modern young lady!
With her composure restored, Noah hopped out of bed, her bare feet padding softly on the cool floor as she went to answer the door.
The moment it opened, a puff of vibrant pink hair filled her vision.
Aurora leaned in, their faces so close their noses almost touched. "Big sis," she whispered with dramatic mystery, "you were talking to that ghost again, weren't you?"
"...What ghost? I do not know what you are talking about."
Aurora leaned even closer. "Really? But I definitely heard you say something about... being a kid..."
Noah leaned back slightly to create some space. "I was... talking in my sleep."
Aurora pressed forward again. "Big sis, you know—"
Noah raised a hand and gently pushed her little sister's face back. "Aurora, you are about to kiss me. I really was just talking in my sleep."
Aurora shook her head, a pout forming on her lips. "Alright, alright. But you tell that ghost to watch out! One day, I, Aurora, will catch it red-handed!"
Noah had a distinct feeling this summer was not going to be a peaceful one. Oh well, she would let her sister have her fun.
"So, what is it, Aurora?" Noah asked, changing the subject.
"Mom and Dad are back! Second Sister is already downstairs. Let's go!"
"Alright, let's go."
The two sisters made their way to the dining room, where a veritable feast was laid out for dinner. After two days away, their parents were finally home.
"Good evening, Noah, Aurora."
"Good evening, Mom, Dad!" Aurora chirped enthusiastically, scrambling into the child-sized seat right next to Leon.
"Good evening, Mom, Dad," Noah greeted with her characteristic composure as she took her own seat. "How was the border patrol?"
Whenever Leon and Rossweise went to the mountain cave to meet Tiger, "border patrol" was their standard cover story. While Noah suspected it wasn't the whole truth, she had her own theory.
She was privately convinced they used the time for secret dates.
As long as Noah didn't have proof otherwise, she would play along. And honestly, if her parents were being mistaken for a "lovey-dovey couple sneaking off for romantic time," it was a rather harmless misunderstanding.
"It went smoothly," Leon replied.
Noah gave a simple nod and picked up her knife and fork. But she quickly sensed something unusual in the atmosphere. Aurora and Muen's seats were placed noticeably closer to their parents than usual, and the table was laden with several rich, indulgent dishes that were typically reserved for special occasions.
Then she looked more closely at Leon and Rossweise. Though they were busy serving her sisters and asking about their days, Noah had a distinct feeling they were carrying a unspoken weight.
Thinking quickly, Noah seized an opportunity to test the waters. "Dad, I have run into a bottleneck practicing the Thunder Wolf Breaking Army technique you taught me. Could you help me with it tomorrow?"
"Oh, that..." Leon hesitated for a fraction of a second. "There is no rush, Noah. Thunder Wolf Breaking Army is an advanced technique. Hitting a bottleneck is perfectly normal."
"Is that so..."
"Yes... And, well..." Leon's eyes flickered toward Rossweise beside him.
Rossweise gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
Leon understood the signal.
"And... your mom and I have to leave again tomorrow. We might be gone for a few days."
"Ah~ Why, Mom, Dad? You just got home! I don't want you to leave again," Muen murmured, her enthusiasm for the steak on her plate instantly vanishing.
Leon reached out and gently patted her head. "Be a good girl, Muen. I will bring back some special treats for you when I return."
But Muen's spirits remained visibly low. "But... I miss you both..."
In the past, a promise of treats had always been enough to cheer her up. But as she was growing older, the tactic was losing its power. Food was no longer her top priority; what she truly wanted was for her parents to spend more time with her, Noah, and Aurora, especially during the summer break.
Seeing her genuinely downcast expression, Leon felt a pang of helplessness.
Finally, he added, "I promise you, Muen. When I get back this time, I will stay home with you all the time. I won't go anywhere. How does that sound?"
Her eyes immediately lit up. "Really, Dad?"
"Yes, really."
"Yay! Long live Dad!"
"And Mom?"
"Long live Mom, too!"
Noah watched the exchange, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. She couldn't quite articulate why, but it felt like her father was making a promise that carried a great deal of weight—like he was stacking up a lot of unspoken stakes for the future.