A unusual calm had settled over the area, and Leon's eyes scanned their surroundings, instinctively assessing the peace.
"He's been standing there for a while now," a voice remarked, cutting through the quiet.
"Do you think he can hear us? Or maybe he caught onto our conversation?" another wondered aloud.
"Are we in for trouble?"
"Sister," Isha interjected, turning to Rossweise, "is brother-in-law considering taking down the Twilight Tower Master's servant?"
Leon let out a soft scoff and shook his head. "No. I'm just maintaining my vigilance. If the rest of you won't deal with it, I will. It's my specialty, after all."
"Enough with the jokes," Claudia cut in, her tone serious. "He's coming over."
The servant crossed the bustling street, entered the café, and with a polite smile, declined the waiter's assistance before walking directly toward their table.
This purposeful approach confirmed it for Leon and the others: this servant, Cade, and by extension the Twilight Tower Master himself, had sought them out specifically.
"Greetings, everyone," the man said courteously. "I am Cade, personal attendant to the Lord of the Twilight Tower. It is an honor to meet the esteemed leaders of the dragon clan here in Sky City."
Elite Leaders of the Dragon Clan:
Rossweise ✅️
Isabella ✅️
Claudia ✅️
Leon ❌️
Very good, Leon thought wryly. It seems this servant Cade either can't read lips or is choosing to ignore the obvious.
"Hello, Cade," Isha replied, taking the lead. "Might we ask why the Twilight Tower Master has sent you?"
Knowing the Master's reputation, it was improbable he would dispatch his personal attendant without a crucial reason. Perhaps another royal decree for the Dragon Kings was imminent.
As if reading her thoughts, Cade gave a slight nod. "I wonder if any of you are aware of the recent… upheaval in the human empire?"
Leon and Rossweise exchanged a knowing glance. She narrowed her eyes, shooting him a look that clearly said, Of course we've heard. And you just had to be at the center of it, didn't you?
Leon responded with a barely perceptible shrug, his expression answering, What did you expect me to do?
After this silent exchange, Cade continued, "Since you are aware of the empire's situation, we anticipate that these shifts in human royal power will provoke significant reactions throughout the Dragon Clan."
Recent intelligence suggested that such a change would inevitably affect both the moderate and radical dragon factions for decades to come.
Cade's voice remained steady. "This development involves certain Dragon Kings. If mishandled, it could escalate into greater hostilities among our already fragile alliances."
"The Master has therefore called for an emergency council of the Dragon Kings. We had planned to send messengers to your respective territories, but since you are already in Sky City, I was instructed to extend the invitation to you directly."
Leon and the others shared looks of grim understanding. The weight of Cade's words was clear; this was not merely about border defense. The consequences would ripple through every dragon clan.
Leon felt a cold knot form in his stomach. If things spiraled out of control, it could one day threaten his own family. He knew he couldn't stand by and allow tensions to fester, only to regret his inaction later.
"Lead the way, Cade," Leon stated decisively. The group stood, ready to follow.
Twilight Tower, Summit Council Hall
Upon entering the grand hall, they saw that many Dragon Kings had already assembled—far more than had attended the previous meeting concerning Constantine.
Leon's gaze was drawn to an elder seated at the head of the left-hand table: Odin, the Thunder Dragon King.
Odin held a formidable reputation. He had once fought alongside Veronica, Rossweise's grandmother, in an ancient campaign in the Far North, and his authority among the Dragon Kings was undeniable.
Beside him sat a younger Dragon King—Morgan, the Golden Sand Dragon King—Odin's trusted companion. Morgan noticed Leon's gaze and offered a casual, friendly wave.
Leon responded with a slight, respectful nod of his head, deciding words could wait for a more appropriate time.
"He's here," Morgan murmured to Odin.
The elder slowly opened his eyes. His ancient, penetrating gaze swept over Leon before looking away without any sign of acknowledgment. Leon accepted this calmly, understanding not to force an interaction.
Around the council table were other familiar faces from the northern campaign, though not from the recent clash with Constantine. Leon recognized several with whom he had crossed blades during his years leading the Dragon-Slaying Legion.
"I was hoping to see those old rivals again," Leon murmured quietly to Rossweise.
She followed his line of sight. "You mean the clan leaders from the front lines of the Dragon War? Why?"
"We have a history on the battlefield."
"Battle?" Isha chuckled softly. "Brother-in-law, aren't you the strongest among us? Surely no Dragon King could have survived a true clash with you?"
Leon sighed, a faint, wry smile on his lips as he recalled how his conflicts with certain Dragon Kings were often abruptly cut short by imperial commands. These particular rivals had escaped death by a narrow margin on multiple occasions.
"It's hard to ignore those lingering external threats," Claudia mused, watching him with an understanding nod.
Leon exhaled lightly. "Now that I think about it, those Dragon Kings were likely the ones conspiring with the empire for their own profit."
"Since they benefit from prolonging the wars, those involved with the empire's schemes had better be here today," Leon replied, his voice low and steady.
As he spoke, a soft scuffing sound echoed through the hall, and all murmurs ceased instantly. A heavy silence fell as every eye turned toward the source of the noise—Odin.
The ancient Thunder Dragon King rose to his feet and began striding deliberately toward the center of the council hall. The assembled dragons grew tense, some holding their breaths.
Every Dragon King was fixed on Odin's movements, knowing that when his gaze focused so intently, trouble was sure to follow.
Across the table, a few dragons visibly stiffened. This council was, after all, meant to pass judgment, and no one knew if Odin might decide to "deal with" the guilty parties then and there.
"Who is he looking for—" a younger dragon began.
"Shh! Stay quiet," an older Dragon King whispered harshly, silencing his companion.
Odin's heavy footsteps came to a halt. He stood directly in front of one specific figure. The other Dragon Kings relaxed slightly, but their curiosity only intensified. Why had Odin sought out… the Silver Dragon Prince?