After purchasing the new toys and clothes for Muse, the couple continued their leisurely stroll down the vibrant street.
"By the way," Leon began, "is the Tower Master truly that respected by everyone in Sky City?"
"Of course," Rossweise replied. "The entire city was his creation, his dream made real."
Hearing this, Leon's interest was piqued. "So, he is like a king in human society?"
Rossweise stopped walking, thought for a moment, and then shook her head. "Not exactly."
She then pointed to a nearby bench. "Let us sit over there. It is a longer story."
"Alright."
The couple walked over and sat down, settling Muse comfortably between them. Leon handed her the new rattle drum to keep her small hands busy.
Just a moment ago, the little girl had been happily rejecting everything with "Not hing!", but now she was shaking the rattle with joyful concentration.
Leon gently poked his daughter's head affectionately, then turned his attention to Rossweise.
"So, if the Tower Master is not a king, what role does he play here?"
The queen leaned back against the bench, stretching her graceful form as she fully relaxed. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the clear sky, and began her story.
"He is neither a human king nor a traditional Dragon King. He simply possesses an absolute charisma and a powerful vision that makes every dragon in Sky City want to follow him willingly."
"Speaking of which, you know that Sky City is the absolute neutral faction among the dragon clans, but I do not think I have ever told you its full origin, have I?"
Leon shook his head, then sat up a little straighter, like an eager student. "No, you have not. I am all ears, Your Majesty."
Rossweise offered a soft smile and continued.
"A thousand years ago, the internal wars among the dragon clans were far more brutal and intense than anything we see today."
"Land and resources were endlessly consumed by relentless conflict. Refugees from defeated clans scattered across the dragon territories, which only worsened the strain on remaining resources."
"At that time, a council of several Dragon Kings gathered and proposed a terrible solution: to systematically eliminate those refugees to reclaim the land."
"The Tower Master was the one who stood up and firmly opposed this cruel proposal. So, the Dragon Kings called for a vote. When the final vote was cast, the council was perfectly split, for and against."
"That made the last vote the most crucial one."
Leon listened intently. "Was the last vote from the Tower Master himself?"
"No, it was not," Rossweise said. "It was from someone you might not expect."
Leon blinked, thought for a moment, and then a laugh of understanding escaped him. "It was Constantine."
Rossweise smiled and nodded. "Yes, that is right. Constantine refused to sanction the killing of the war refugees."
"Their reasoning was not hard to grasp: there can be killing in the heat of battle, but once the battle is over, no one has the right to decide the fate of tens of thousands of civilians."
"Then, the other Dragon Kings challenged the Tower Master and Constantine. They demanded to know how they planned to solve the resource crisis if they would not eliminate the 'parasites.'"
"At that time, Constantine declared that he would solve the problem himself."
"And after that," Rossweise said, "the names of the Tower Master and Constantine found their way into the history textbooks."
Leon's eyes widened in realization. "Oh! So the legendary Crimson Flame Dragon King who expanded the dragon territories—that story is true!"
"Yes, it is true."
"No wonder it has always been difficult to see that boastful guy as a pure villain. So, old Constantine once fought for a righteous cause."
"That is also likely why the Tower Master did not appear at the secret meeting targeting Constantine last time, is it not?" Leon deduced. "After all, they both championed 'no killing' all those centuries ago."
"I believe so," Rossweise agreed.
She then continued her history lesson.
"Later, with the expansion of the dragon territories, wars with external forces gradually began."
"While the refugees were safe from immediate purge, their long-term survival was still precarious."
"Moreover, beyond the refugees, there were countless others who despised the war and had been deeply wounded by it."
"They all yearned for a pure land, a place far from conflict and suffering."
"It was then that the Tower Master stepped forward once more."
"He established a floating city for all dragon clans and proclaimed to the world that it would be an absolutely neutral faction. No wars, no killing. Anyone who dared to break the peace here would become his enemy. He vowed to save all those afflicted by war."
"And so, those who had suffered finally had a sanctuary."
"They named this place 'Sky City.' In our oldest legends, it is the final transit station to heaven, a place where all beautiful things are allowed to bloom."
Leon nodded thoughtfully as he listened. "It seems the Tower Master truly possesses remarkable strength, both in power and in character."
"Of course. Just as St. Heath Academy has Principal Olette to maintain order, any faction that claims neutrality must have absolute strength to back its stance. Otherwise, what is a declaration of peace without the power to enforce it?"
Rossweise paused, then added, "I only recently learned the full extent of the Tower Master's abilities. It is no wonder he can keep such a vast city suspended in the sky."
"Well, it confirms the old saying you once told me," Leon said. "In the dragon clans, the older they are, the more formidable they become."
He sighed, then asked a more personal question. "So... do you think you would ever retire to a place like Sky City in the future? I mean, after you are no longer queen."
"I will consider it; I have not decided yet," Rossweise replied.
She lazily turned her head to look at Leon. She squinted her eyes and smiled, her expression gentle and full of affection. "After all, there are no ranches in Sky City. You cannot raise livestock or donkeys here."
She had always remembered Leon's simple retirement dream: to open a ranch, marry a good wife, have a few children, and live out his years in peace, tending to his animals.
Leon understood the meaning hidden in her words. He reached out and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "Thank you, Rossweise."
"You are welcome."
"Not hing!"
Dong dong dong—
The couple looked down at their little daughter in unison and then laughed together, the sound warm and full of love.
The family of three sat comfortably, simply enjoying the afternoon sunshine and the lively energy of the dragon city around them.
"Excuse me... are you Leon Cosmodeous?"
A young boy's voice piped up nearby.
The couple turned toward the sound.
"Hello, I am. Is there something I can help you with?" Leon replied kindly.
"Oh wow, you really are Mr. Leon!" the boy exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Can you... can you please give me your autograph?"
The boy produced a piece of paper and a pen, handing them over with both hands, his expression full of hope.
"I heard that you will be having a battle with the Thunder Dragon King Odin here in three days, so I came specifically to see you fight, Mr. Leon!"
So, he had a little fan.
Leon did not refuse. He took the pen and signed his name for the boy. However, this small act caught the attention of other passersby, who quickly recognized Leon and gathered around.
"Leon? Are you the Silver Dragon Prince Leon? I want your autograph, too!"
"Oh, is this your and Her Majesty's new baby? She is so cute!"
"I grew up listening to stories about your adventures!"
"Your Majesty the Silver Dragon Queen, could you take a picture with my sister? She has always been your biggest fan!"
"..."
He had wanted to keep a low profile, but his fame simply would not allow it.
Little Muse shook her rattle drum, watching her mom and dad get surrounded by all sorts of admirers.
She tilted her head, blinking her beautiful big red eyes in confusion.
"Not hing~~ la la~~ Not hing~~"
As Muse watched the commotion, she suddenly felt a gentle poke on her shoulder from behind.
Muse turned around to see a little girl with fiery red hair and intense black eyes.
Her hair and eye colors were the exact opposite of Muse's own silver-and-red combination.
"Are you Leon Cosmodeous's youngest daughter?" the girl asked, her voice childish yet oddly serious.
Muse nodded, a little bewildered.
"My name is Hefei Constantine," the girl stated firmly. "I want to defeat you one day."
Muse just stared, a big, puzzled question mark seeming to form above her head.
"Why are you making that face?" Hefei asked, now looking confused herself. She scratched her forehead. "Is that not okay?"
Ding ding!—
A keyword had been triggered: "That ... won't work!"