77 Excellent Warriors Won’t Be Defeated by the Same Move Twice
“Why does the Empire have the Heartguard Dragon Scale of the Dragon Race?”
After a pause, Leon added, “And I still can’t figure out what this Heartguard Dragon Scale really is. It’s supposed to be an explosive device, but it doesn’t seem to fit that description. Is it an organ for storing final energy? Not quite either.”
“The Heartguard Dragon Scale is incredibly important to the Dragon Race.”
Noia explained, “Its function is not as straightforward as it seems. It can store energy, and when it comes to a mutual destruction situation, it can explode. But actually, it acts more like an ‘insurance device.'”
“An insurance device?”
“Yep.”
Noia continued, “Dragons with the Heartguard Dragon Scale can better control their powers because the pureblood Dragon Race has a thirst for violence flowing in their veins. When they fight, they tend to act recklessly. The Heartguard Dragon Scale prevents them from being backfired by their own power at crucial moments. Of course, it has many other functions as well.”
“For example, it enhances a dragon’s vitality, or at critical moments, it can be used as an explosive device, just like the former Star Dragon King, Star.”
Leon pondered Noia’s words, “Insurance device… backfiring…”
It seemed he thought of something and turned to the crystal containing Roswiser, “Could it be that your mom fell into a coma after unleashing all her power due to the Heartguard Dragon Scale?”
Noia nodded, “Great-grandmother mentioned that mom’s Heartguard Dragon Scale was unusual. It existed but had very little effect, so when she released that miraculous power, the scale didn’t work, and that led to her coma.”
“Of course, the scale might not be the only reason. After all, there could be many reasons for a Dragon King-level body like mom’s to fall into a deep sleep, and the scale is just one of them.”
Leon said “oh” thoughtfully, choosing not to press further on the Heartguard Dragon Scale for now.
So, the conversation circled back to the original questions:
“Why would the Empire have treasures from the Dragon Race?”
Noia shrugged, “I’m not exactly sure. The person who provided me with this intel just said there are many Heartguard Dragon Scales in the Empire.”
Leon raised an eyebrow, “And who is this informant of yours?…”
Noia smirked, “I’m not telling you.”
“Tsk, even hiding things from your old man,” Leon pouted.
Cool Sister stuck her tongue out and didn’t elaborate on her mysterious informant.
Leon wasn’t that interested in the informant’s identity; he was more concerned about, “Is this person reliable?”
“Very reliable. There’s absolutely no one more reliable in the world.”
Alright, scratch what he said before; General Leon’s curiosity was now fully piqued.
Who could possibly be so trustworthy that even cautious Noia would say “very reliable”?
But Noia seemed determined to keep this secret under wraps.
Leon decided not to dwell on it anymore.
“Aside from the Empire, do we have any other ways to get dragon scales like those from the Star Dragon Race?” Leon asked.
“Rave fell just twenty years ago, so the Star Dragon Race probably hasn’t nominated another qualified Dragon King yet,” Noia replied.
The succession of Dragon Kings for each tribe is a long and drawn-out affair.
Selecting a candidate, investing resources, slow cultivation, evaluating public opinion within the tribe, testing the elders’ abilities, leading up to the final Dragon King test—it’s a highly time-consuming process.
It could take a few years—or just not be predictable at all.
Plus, this assumes the previous Dragon King passed away naturally.
If it’s someone like Rave who suddenly kicked the bucket, things get way more complicated.
Is there a candidate for the Dragon King within the tribe? Is there a clear faction winning the party dispute?
Any internal factors can influence the coronation of the next Dragon King.
“If it isn’t a Dragon King-level Heartguard Dragon Scale, we might not be able to activate the reversal array smoothly.”
Aurora said, “We don’t have many opportunities to err; we only have three months left. Next time… it must work.”
The four father-daughter pairs exchanged glances, before all turning their eyes to the crystal containing Roswiser.
The silver-haired beauty lay there, serene and stunning.
But Leon wished to see that sly and sharp-tongued Silver Dragon Queen; keeping her trapped in a dream from which she would never awaken would undoubtedly be the cruelest punishment for her.
After a long silence, Leon spoke slowly,
“We… are going to the Empire.”
…
Leon never expected he’d find himself returning to the Empire for such a reason.
After cleaning up the traitors and leaving, he thought the next time he returned to the Empire, it would be to take down that d*mn emperor’s throne.
But as time passed, different troubles and problems piled up, leading to his current predicament.
Leon had to return to this love-hate hometown of his to save his wife and family.
In the woods just a few kilometers from the Empire, Leon was quite familiar with the area.
He pointed to a high ground and looked back at Aurora, “This is where Little Light was born.”
“Dad, are you senile at twenty-three?”
Aurora shot back mercilessly, “I was born on the territory of the Silver Dragons, alright? Mom told me so.”
“What I meant was, your name is one I gave you here.”
At this point, the corners of General Leon’s mouth nearly threatened to lift off his face, “Oh man, back in the day, your mom was holding me here, begging me not to leave, crying like a waterfall, really pulling at my heartstrings—hey, hey, where are you going? Wait for me!”
The three sisters were already marching toward the edge of the woods, showing zero interest in old dad’s nostalgia.
The four of them arrived at the outskirts of the Empire’s city walls, hiding behind a slope to assess the situation.
At the entrance of the Empire, trade caravans and various task squads came and went.
Very few civilians entered and exited the city due to tedious paperwork; by the time you got it done, you’d be as useful as a cold meal.
From the looks of it now, some things hadn’t changed in twenty years.
“Is there a way to get in?”
Noia asked, “My informant said there’s a perception barrier set up above the Empire’s city walls. Invisibility magic doesn’t work, so we can only enter through the front gate.”
“Dad was a wanted criminal twenty years ago; who knows if they’ve lifted the bounty by now.”
“Regardless of whether it’s been lifted or not, we can’t just waltz in.” Leon stated.
Moon was listening attentively, trying to absorb more practical infiltration techniques from her dad’s analysis.
However, the old dude’s next line made Little Moon sweat bullets.
He said seriously, “A handsome guy leading three beautiful ladies into the town? That’s bound to attract attention.”
Moon & Noia & Little Light: “……”
Seriously, how does being closer to home make this old b*stard thicker-skinned?
Aurora sighed and asked, “So, handsome Dad, what brilliant ideas do you have?”
Leon zeroed in on the caravans coming and going.
Excellent warriors won’t be defeated by the same attack twice;
But the Empire’s security definitely will.
“Alright, Dad’s going to see if you guys have been keeping up with your workouts.”
Leon said, “Especially with planking and stuff.”
