—Southern Samuel Continent, Flaming Valley Border—
Members of the Lionheart Guild were waiting near a rocky plateau, seeking shade from the oppressive heat.
Rebecca and Martin sat around a flat stone slab that served as a makeshift table, each focusing on disassembled handgun parts laid out before them.
Across from them, Nacho stood holding a pocket watch in each hand, playing the role of timekeeper.
"Synchronize your time," Nacho said. "Begin."
At his command, Rebecca and Martin's hands became a blur of motion, rapidly assembling the handgun parts with practiced efficiency.
Rebecca finished first, her hands a fluid motion of certainty. She not only assembled her pistol but also ejected the empty rounds from the magazine in a smooth, practiced motion before Martin was even halfway done.
Martin sighed, placing his unfinished gun on the stone table. "I already know I can't beat you. Why do you keep dragging me into these contests?"
"Do you know why?" Rebecca asked, taking his unfinished gun and smoothly placing both pistols back into her thigh holsters.
Martin shook his head. "No idea."
"Well, I'm not going to tell you. Figure it out yourself." Rebecca stuck out her tongue, tugging at the tip of her ponytail with a playful smirk.
Recently, she had switched from her long-standing twin ponytails to a single, high ponytail, claiming it made her look more mature.
Not that Martin or Nacho agreed—to them, she still looked like the same spirited, quirky Rebecca they'd always known.
"Where's the captain? Did your letter to him get lost?" Rebecca stood up, shielding her eyes as she squinted into the hazy distance.
"This is the southern edge of the Samuel Continent, a rarely traversed region for both humans and dragons. It's not unusual for messages to take longer here," Nacho said, closing his pocket watch and using his hand to fan his sweaty face. "Still, isn't it a little too hot for anyone's comfort?"
Martin chimed in, "They say the heart of the Flaming Valley was formed by a fire-elemental dangerous beast, the Flame Demon. After its death, its blood turned to magma, its body became a volcano, and its bones transformed into rare magical materials. Centuries ago, the Flame Demon fell here, dramatically altering the environment for miles around."
Rebecca marveled. "That kind of monstrous creature could actually die? That's incredible!"
"No matter how powerful a creature is, everything faces its end someday," Martin said seriously.
"Nothing in this world is truly invincible." After a pause, he added, "That's something someone told me a long time ago."
Rebecca blinked and retorted, "No, no, that's wrong."
"What's wrong?"
"There is one being in the world that's invincible."
"Oh? What's that?"
"The captain."
Rebecca's grin widened as she teased, expecting Martin to change his tune instantly.
But Martin, unfazed, replied calmly, "Rebecca, I already said that's something someone told me. Now guess who that someone was?"
Rebecca froze for a moment, then it dawned on her. "Got it." She nodded sagely. "If Martin said, 'Nothing is invincible,' it might sound out of place. But if it's something the captain said... it makes perfect sense."
The two were chatting idly when a distinct sound echoed from the clouds above—the powerful beat of immense wings.
Rebecca immediately grew alert, her hand flashing to her pistol. Martin and the other Lionheart Guild members also tensed, readying their weapons.
"Is it a dangerous beast?" Rebecca asked, her eyes fixed on the sky.
"This southern region of Samuel is so hot that few normal species live here. Most creatures have evolved over centuries to survive in these extreme conditions," Martin explained, recalling the highly unusual and aggressive beasts they had already encountered on their journey.
Nacho squinted at the sky, noticing a brilliant flash of silver breaking through the clouds. He exhaled in relief. "Stand down! It's not a dangerous beast—it's the captain!"
As he spoke, a massive silver dragon descended gracefully near their camp, its powerful wings kicking up a gust of hot wind.
Rebecca and Martin immediately recognized the figure dismounting and rushed forward.
"Captain!" Rebecca shouted enthusiastically, her previous tension melting away.
Seeing his old comrades so spirited, Leon responded with equal energy. "Rebecca!"
"Captain~~!"
"Rebecca~~!"
"Cap~~tain~~~!"
"Rebec—"
"Captain, you're in my way! I want to hug your wife."
"..."
"Sis~~!"
"Long time no see, Rebecca," Rossweise said, her voice a warm melody.
The silver dragon queen gracefully spread her arms, catching the hyper Rebecca as she dove into her embrace. Whenever Rebecca saw Rossweise—the regal, beautiful, commanding figure she idolized—she couldn't help but turn into an adoring fangirl.
The only difference between hugging a dragoness and a human woman was that Rossweise merely had to lean down slightly to wrap her arms around the smaller woman.
With her face pressed against Rossweise's waist, Rebecca's ponytail swayed as Rossweise tilted her head toward Leon, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
At that moment, Martin stood nearby, muttering in mock grievance, "See? People are so fickle. And Captain, don't forget about the rest of us!"
Rossweise chuckled, a rich, warm sound, then glanced down at Rebecca. "You switched to a single ponytail."
Rebecca released Rossweise's slender waist, wiped her face, and took a deep breath before responding, "Yep! A single ponytail feels more mature. I'm trying to be a cool, elegant lady like you!"
"You might need ten-centimeter heels for that," Martin joked, referencing her earlier claims about the hairstyle change.
Rossweise pinched Rebecca's cheek affectionately. "When you become a little lady, I'll take you shopping in the best cities of the Dragon Lands."
"Really, Sis? That's amazing!"
After a brief reunion, the elite members of the Lionheart Guild gathered around to formally greet Leon, offering respectful bows and salutes.
Once the greetings were over, Leon returned to Rossweise's side, casting a narrow-eyed look at Rebecca, who was still watching them intently, her head tilted like a curious cat.
"Captain, don't mind me. Just chat with Sis. Pretend I'm not here," Rebecca said, waving a dismissive hand.
"Martin."
"Yes, Captain!"
Martin rushed over, hoisted a protesting Rebecca onto his shoulder, and carried her back to the camp.
Dangling over Martin's shoulder, Rebecca kicked her legs and shouted indignantly, "Martin, I hate you! Leon, I hate you!!"
Her voice faded into the distance, leaving Leon and Rossweise momentarily alone in the clearing.
Rossweise stood with her arms crossed, gazing at Leon with a faint, knowing smile.
Leon scratched his head awkwardly and stammered, "D-Don't look at me with those lovesick eyes."
The queen laughed softly. "When did I do that?"
"You're doing it right now!"
"Fine, fine," she conceded, her expression softening. "Did you think about what you wanted to say on the way here?" she asked, tilting her head.
Leon blinked, feeling a bit flustered. "No, every time we part, I never know what to say... It never gets easier."
"That's okay. I'm not great at goodbyes either," Rossweise admitted. "But I've prepared three questions. Answer them to my satisfaction, and we'll call it a proper farewell."
Leon's eyes lit up. "Alright, shoot. Let's hear them."
"First question: Will you miss me?"
"Of course I will."
Rossweise raised a delicate eyebrow. "Think carefully before you answer."
Leon paused, understanding the depth she was asking for. It wasn't a casual query. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. His gaze steadied, and he replied with firm sincerity, "I will miss you, Rossweise."
The queen nodded, a genuine smile of satisfaction gracing her features.
"Second question: How often will you write home?"
Leon thought for a moment. "Every two weeks."
"Hmm?" Rossweise's eyebrow arched again, a silent challenge.
"Every week!" Leon corrected immediately.
"Good." Her smile returned. "Now, the third isn't a question—it's more of a reminder."
Rossweise leaned forward, her face close to Leon's, their breaths mingling in the hot air. Her slender, pale finger rested lightly on his chest, right over his heart, as she locked her luminous silver eyes with his dark ones.
In a voice soft yet imbued with tender command, she said, "Keep me in your heart and in your dreams. Remember that, you fool."
Without another word, she turned and leaped into the air, her form shifting mid-leap into the magnificent silver dragon. With one last look over her shoulder, she beat her powerful wings and soared into the sky, becoming a distant speck of silver against the blazing sun.
Leon stood for a long moment, his hand over his heart, watching until she disappeared entirely. Then, with a renewed focus, he turned and strode toward the Lionheart camp, the mission ahead now clear in his mind.