After learning about Nacho's background, the group returned to discussing their plans for the upcoming Lantern Festival.
"So, Captain, what exactly is the plan?" Rebecca asked, leaning forward with anticipation.
Leon laid it out clearly. "The plan is straightforward. We have a recording stone with a conversation between King Canter and Queen Elizabeth that exposes their corruption. We need to make sure every citizen in the Empire sees it. My idea is to duplicate the recording onto many stones and attach them to paper lanterns during the festival. When thousands of lanterns fill the sky, we can use the stones' linking magic to project the recording across the entire night sky for everyone to see."
Rebecca's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, I see! That way, the truth will be impossible to ignore!"
Nacho nodded, adding a strategic perspective. "It's not just the civilians we'll reach. There are still those within the imperial army and even the royal family who want change but are forced to keep their heads down. A public revelation like this might give them the courage to support us openly."
"So, if our lantern broadcast works, we could gain support from the public, parts of the army, and even disaffected nobles?" Leon clarified.
"Potentially," Nacho agreed, though he tempered the optimism. "But don't get carried away. Those willing to openly defy the Empire will still be a minority at first. We'll still face the hardcore loyalists, the elite squads, and whatever twisted fusion beasts they've created in their labs."
Leon acknowledged the point with a grim nod. "I never assumed it would be easy. That's why I called in additional allies."
Nacho raised an eyebrow, glancing around the room. "Additional allies? With all respect, Captain, I only see the Silver Dragon Queen. Where are the others?"
Leon turned to Rebecca. "Where's Claudia? Wasn't she supposed to come with you?"
"Oh, Auntie said—" Rebecca began.
"Hold on a moment!" Nacho interjected, a rare break from his usual composed demeanor. Hearing Rebecca refer to one of Leon's allies as "Auntie" was too much to process. "I've read your file, Rebecca; you grew up in an orphanage. Since when do you have an aunt?"
Rebecca, seizing the chance to tease, raised her hand proudly. "My aunt is the Captain's mistress's sister! They're both dragons!"
Nacho simply rubbed his temples, as if trying to massage the bewildering information into his brain. Who in the world wrote this man's life story? he wondered. He's not just married to a dragon queen—he's practically related to their entire royal family!
Leon gently pushed Rebecca's face away, nudging her toward Rossweise. "The adults are talking, kid."
Sticking her tongue out at Leon from behind Rossweise's back, Rebecca made a face.
Leon ignored her and returned his attention to Nacho. "She's exaggerating. I only recently discovered that my foster mother, Charlotte, is from the sea dragon clan."
Nacho simply shrugged, as if nothing about Leon's life could surprise him anymore. It seemed Leon had a talent for unsettling Nacho, regardless of whether they were allies or enemies.
"So... where exactly is this 'mystery ally,' Claudia?" Nacho asked, redirecting his gaze to Rebecca.
"Oh, Aunt Claudia said she's fascinated by human culture, so she's been spending all her time in the central district's library," Rebecca explained.
The Empire was divided into five distinct districts, each reflecting a different level of wealth and power: the royal city, the upper city, the central city, the lower city, and the slums where they now stood. Resources and security decreased the further down the hierarchy one went.
"A library?" Leon exclaimed, his voice laced with concern. "If she's wandering around the Empire as a dragon, even in human form, she's bound to attract attention!"
Rebecca waved a dismissive hand. "The Empire is stretched thin with all the front-line conflicts. Patrols aren't as frequent as they used to be. Besides, the Lionheart Society has contacts in every district below the upper city. Even a wanted man like you could walk the streets safely with a simple disguise, as long as you don't draw attention to yourself."
Leon looked impressed. "You've managed to infiltrate the Empire to this extent?"
Rebecca scratched her head modestly. "Well, not completely. The royal city and upper city are still tightly controlled. Aside from Martin, we don't have strong insiders there. But from the central city downward, we have a decent network."
She paused, then a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "So, Captain, if you wanted to, say, go out for a stroll, we could arrange it. It would be perfectly safe, I promise."
Leon glanced at Rossweise, a sudden, unspoken idea passing between them. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again.
No, better not, he thought. There's too much work to do. This isn't the time for...
"Sis," Rebecca said, turning to Rossweise and breaking her from her thoughts, "you've never actually toured a human city district before, have you?"
"Uh... no, I haven't," Rossweise admitted, slightly taken aback by the sudden question.
"With three days until the festival, why don't you two go on a little date beforehand?" Rebecca suggested with an innocent smile.
Leon waved a hand dismissively. "Don't be ridiculous! We're on the verge of a rebellion; there's no time for dates!"
Rebecca squinted at him, seeing right through his protest. While she wasn't the most perceptive person in the room, the hesitant look that had passed between Leon and Rossweise was unmistakable. She knew exactly what they were both thinking.
But knowing how stubborn they could be, Rebecca decided to take a different approach. She framed it as a necessity.
"Captain, we still need to acquire more recording stones, and our people here don't have enough. So, you and Sis will have to go on an external procurement mission. Okay?"
Leon stammered, "Uh..."
"Nacho," Rebecca commanded, hands on her hips, "allocate them a budget for their mission—a generous one. Make sure they don't return until it's all spent."
Nacho chuckled, playing along. "Honestly, you two taking a single day won't derail our plans for the Lantern Festival, as long as you're back by midnight tomorrow."
He then offered a more sentimental reason, looking at Leon. "Plus, Leon, it's been years since you've been back in the Empire. Setting aside the corrupt rulers, this is still your homeland. Before you fight to save it, wouldn't it be good to reconnect with it? To see what it's really like for the people now?"
Caught between Rebecca's manufactured logistics and Nacho's emotional appeal, Leon found he had no reasonable grounds for refusal without seeming obstinate.
He and Rossweise exchanged another glance, a silent conversation passing between them.
Finally, Leon let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. We'll go out tomorrow to procure the recording stones."
Rebecca nodded, her victory poorly concealed. "That's the spirit! And be sure to show Sis around while you're at it!"
As they finalized the plan, Leon couldn't shake the peculiar feeling that Rebecca saw them as a pair of country bumpkins she was sending off to experience the big city for the first time.