47 The Place Where Yearning Lies
(Two-in-One)
In the dead of night, Leon leaned against the balcony railing, gazing at the distant mountains and forests.
In his hand, he held a list he’d received from Aug a few days prior.
The list contained the names of five Dragon Kings collaborating with the Human Empire.
Just like with Constantine at the beginning, Leon had never faced them in battle throughout his military career—he hadn’t even heard their names.
Not even a single mention in the textbooks.
But once he learned that these Dragon Kings were secretly colluding with the Empire, he wasn’t surprised—
Who would write about their “collaboration partners” in their own national textbooks for people to read at any time?
The Empire clearly understood the principle that saying too much can lead to trouble.
After forging partnerships with these Dragon Kings, they wiped all traces of them from every document and textbook, so even General Leon, who frequently swam in the sea of knowledge, had never heard their names.
Leon sighed, subconsciously tightening his grip on the list.
Honestly, he didn’t care much about which Dragon Kings collaborated with the Empire.
If they were on the same level as Constantine, they were nothing to worry about.
What troubled him more were Aug’s last words before he took the plunge:
“They will stop at nothing to k*ll you and take everything from you.”
“You can’t withstand the true counterattack of the Dragon Race.”
Aug, that discarded pawn, ultimately cursed Leon in the final moments of his life.
Among the whole chain of “last words,” the phrase “take everything from you” haunted Leon the most.
In the past, he might not have cared about such threats from enemies; he would have dismissed it as the dying man’s last fit of impotent rage.
But the Leon of today was different.
Because his “everything” had become richer than ever before.
At the Empire, he had a Master who risked life to help clear his name, and a female Artillery Master who could have comfortably retired in the patrol squad but chose to stand beside him again;
And here, he had three beloved daughters.
And that nominal wife.
Counting on two hands, that small number of people supported Leon’s entire world.
He had never imagined what he would become if he lost them one day.
Not that he didn’t want to think about it; he simply didn’t dare.
But Aug’s d*ath threat forced Leon to start pondering that question.
Faced with the Empire and those hidden Dragon Kings, could he really protect everything he cherished in this conspiracy that had been brewing for decades?
He had never doubted his abilities, and now… he desperately wanted to grow stronger.
“Since returning from the Red Flame Dragon Race, you’ve stood here alone every night for quite some time.”
A silver-haired beauty gracefully approached him, leaning beside him at the balcony railing.
Her steps were so light that Leon, lost in thought, didn’t even hear her approach.
Roswiser wore a loose camisole nightgown, her dragon-wing slippers familiar underfoot, and her curves barely concealed, the dragon pattern on her chest rising and falling gently with her breath.
Her hair fell down, slightly damp, and she carried a pleasant floral scent, suggesting she had just bathed.
“Ah… can’t sleep.”
The beauty was beside him, yet he couldn’t enjoy the view.
Roswiser looked at her captive, noticing that the big dumb lug had been deep in thought lately.
She had been waiting for him to come and share his troubles.
But the Dog Man was as closed up as a clam. If he had something on his mind, he would never just come out with it—he’d stew quietly.
In the past, Roswiser wouldn’t have bothered to play therapist with him; she just needed him to not look like a grumpy old man in front of others. They had their roles to play in this fake family.
But now… after he’d said “Melkway, I like you,” she wanted to hear more of those sweet words, so—
Just a smidge of concern would do!
Her gaze fell on the crumpled list in Leon’s hand.
The list was wrinkled from his grip, yet he hadn’t even noticed.
Looks like that psychological pressure was weighing him down.
Roswiser’s mind tinkered, deciding not to directly ask Leon what was worrying him but to lead the conversation with some gentle banter first, easing into more serious topics.
“I’ve already told you about those three Dragon Kings skilled in spatial magic.”
Roswiser said, “Do you need this queen to enlighten you about the other two on the list?”
Leon couldn’t help but smile whenever he heard the words “this queen.”
Not in a mocking way, though.
It was just… charming how the Mother Dragon often emphasized those three words when she was with him.
When talking to the maids, he’d never heard her refer to herself this grandly.
What was she trying to prove, anyway?
He grinned, “Sure, spill the beans.”
“First up is the Radiant Star Dragon King—Star. To my knowledge, he’s even older than Constantine.
In the enlightenment books for Merkwai and her generation, they described Constantine as the hero of the Dragon Race; yet in my childhood, the true hero was Star, which shows you how ancient this guy is.”
“But the Dragon Race differs from many others, including humans. Most races lose their strength with age, but not us Dragons.”
“Even powerful species like Constantine just keep getting stronger.”
“Star is the same. But I’ve only seen some brief records about him in Dragon Race literature. I’m not too sure what his current power level is.”
Leon nodded, “What about that Warhammer Dragon King?”
“Oh, he’s a bit special—his whole clan is extinct; it’s just him now.”
Leon blinked, “Seriously? A lone ranger?”
“Yep, you can think of it that way.”
“Doesn’t that make it easy for other clans to take him down?”
“Not really.”
Roswiser clarified, “Because being alone and unencumbered means Adam can act without care. Where he goes, you’ll only see bl**d-soaked lands and endless hatred. For quite a while, he was the nightmare of the whole Dragon Race.”
“But then, it seems he grew tired of that life. Adam became a ‘mercenary.’”
Leon raised an eyebrow, “A mercenary?”
“Yep. Whoever pays the higher price, he helps them. Pillaging, annihilating races, as long as they pay him well, he’s game for anything.”
Roswiser noted, “But we haven’t heard from Adam in nearly a century, probably after cooperating with the Empire, he ditched his old gig?”
“Maybe…”
Leon pondered Roswiser’s words, “Alone… unencumbered…”
“Yeah, someone with no inhibitions is unstoppable—guess that’s how it works.”
Past the statement, Roswiser seemed to realize something.
She tilted her gaze back to Leon.
Moments ago, the diligent listener had gone blank once more.
Oh~~
Now she got it.
The issue lay right here.
Upon hearing about Adam’s freedom, Leon must have recalled Aug’s final words to him.
Well then, since the root of the problem was identified, time for the targeted therapy.
“Lost in thought again, big dumb lug.” Roswiser said lightly.
“Huh? Oh… sorry.”
“I have a hunch about what’s brewing in that mind of yours.” The queen gazed up at the deep night sky, a smirk playing on her lips. Though speaking to Leon, she didn’t look at him.
Leon studied her exquisite profile, “What?”
“You’re worried about me.”
“Goodnight.”
“Hey, wait—”
Roswiser quickly caught his arm. Leon couldn’t be serious about walking away; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so easily grabbed.
“Can we talk calmly?” Leon said, bemused.
Roswiser huffed, “Let me rephrase that. You’re worried about us; is that better?”
Leon rubbed his nose, muttering, “Sure.”
Roswiser turned sideways, leaning against the railing with her chest out, looking into his eyes, “Indeed, my sister was right.”
“Your sister said what?”
“All daughters are family knights.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a roast, basically saying you care a lot about family and loved ones.”
Leon shrugged, conceding to Roswiser’s assessment of him.
Noticing the Dog Man’s disinterest, Roswiser hastily propelled the conversation along.
“Leon, have you heard that saying? Family is your strongest backing.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard.”
“Do you think there’s truth in it?”
Leon pondered for a moment before responding, “Sure… family is support; home is a harbor. Isn’t that what everyone says?”
He had indeed viewed this “fake” family from that very perspective.
Regardless of whether the harbor was real or not, a port that could dock a ship was a good port.
“So, that makes you a victim of ‘everyone’s’ misconceptions.” Roswiser remarked.
“What… does that mean?”
“For an average family, indeed, family serves as the refuge when all else fails. But have you considered that your wife isn’t like most people?”
Roswiser smiled, gazing into his somewhat touched eyes, continuing slowly,
“Please, my dear husband, your wife is the Silver Dragon Queen, after all. If you think I couldn’t survive in this chaotic world, how did I get to this position?”
“I’m not criticizing you, Leon. I’m just reminding you; don’t think of me as a woman who needs others for safety.”
“You’re always worried about how to protect us in this conspiracy, but haven’t you thought—can’t I stand beside you just like this?”
“Why can’t we face those unknown crises together?”
“Are Noia, Moon, and Little Light not your daughters? Aren’t they mine too?”
“Leon, don’t bear all that weight on your shoulders alone. You have to understand, you are no longer alone.”
“Indeed, those who act with abandon may be unstoppable.”
“But—”
The queen stepped closer, gently placing her hand on the side of Leon’s face.
Silver met black as their gazes locked, reflecting one another’s forms.
“The place where those who miss you reside is your final destination.”
She smiled with narrowed eyes, and Leon had never seen such a gentle smile on her.
Its tenderness seemed poised to seep into his very bones.
“So, quit being a lone hero. Your wife… will be unhappy.”
XX
Sorry for the late update!
The silly author accidentally stabbed a finger while typing…
