100 Understanding
So, you’re henpecked.
After revealing the truth, Constantine quietly stared at the man in front of him.
Disbelief or inability to accept the situation was to be expected.
As a fellow warrior, Constantine understood what it felt like for Leon, whose beliefs were crumbling at that moment.
So he didn’t bother with mockery or sarcasm.
Moreover, he was curious about what choice Leon would make next.
Would he continue to play nice with the Empire, or would he flip the chessboard and have a final showdown with the powers that be?
A moment later, Leon began to digest this reality, his emotions gradually stabilizing.
“So, is this the full story?”
Constantine crossed his arms and replied nonchalantly, “This is just what I know. Ever since I learned about the happenings in the Extreme North Land, I discovered that the Empire has secretly been collaborating more deeply with other Dragon Kings.”
Leon nodded. “Well, thanks for letting me know.”
“We’re not exactly at the gratitude stage, Casmod. You just mentioned that the Empire is our common enemy, and you prevented a war against my Red Flame Dragon Race at the Dragon King Secret Meeting.”
Constantine slowly said, “Let’s call it even.”
Leon’s eyes flickered, and he didn’t say much more.
“No other business?”
Leon shook his head.
“Ha… thought you were going to want to fight me.”
“I promised my wife I wouldn’t lay a finger on you this time.”
Constantine was taken aback, then let out a cold laugh. “I see. People like you in human society are called… um… oh right, henpecked.”
Leon: ?
“Who’s henpecked? Why are you throwing that at me? My house is run by me, alright!”
“Oh, so you’re a male chauvinist?”
“…… Where did a Dragon King learn so many human expressions?”
“A little curiosity about a household formed by a Dragon King and a human made me pick up quite a few fresh terms.”
Constantine explained with calm, then asked,
“Since you have no further questions, I actually have one for you.”
“What is it?”
“What does fighting mean to you?”
Leon was taken aback, not expecting Constantine to ask such a question.
But since dragons are fierce and aggressive, their indomitable warrior nature is etched in their bones. With this rare opportunity to have a calm discussion with Leon, Constantine naturally wanted to learn more about this enemy.
Leon pondered for a moment and replied,
“Back when I joined the Empire’s army, fighting was for reclaiming land and protecting my country. As for now… I just want to protect the people and things I care about.”
The phrase ‘protecting the people and things I care about’ held a heavy responsibility behind it, far from being so simple as it sounded.
As he was forced into the whirlwind of this conspiracy, Leon had been actively resisting destiny.
He wanted to save himself from this chaotic world and also save those he cherished.
His master used to tell him that as a man, one must bear responsibilities, as there are always more people relying on you than you think.
Like Constantine’s earlier assessment, this might come off as slightly male chauvinistic.
But for those still counting on him, Leon would never stop fighting until he flipped the chessboard and shattered this conspiracy.
Constantine nodded thoughtfully, then seriously said,
“You’re pretty much what I expected; you really are a husband who loves his wife.”
“…… How did you twist such a grand ambition into loving your wife?”
“No matter how noble the ambition sounds, at the end of the day, isn’t it still about loving your wife?”
“Hey, why are you so quick to tarnish my reputation? I’ll have you know that Roswiser and I are just acting like a couple.”
“Acting like a couple and have three daughters? If you were truly a couple, how many would you need to have?”
“……”
Why does it feel like Old Constantine has become a super fusion beast with a sharper tongue?
He used to be a guy who’d throw punches over the smallest disagreement, and now he’s got General Leon speechless!
Impressive, impressive, the Empire’s transformation really does inspire confidence!
“Alright, I’m not interested in your couple life.”
Not interested? That’s rich coming from someone who has brought up Leon and Roswiser multiple times since the negotiation began.
Are all Dragon folks this gossipy and tough-skinned?
“If there’s nothing else, someone, show him out.”
“Wait.”
“What?”
“You asked me why I fight; I’d also like to know your reason for fighting.”
At this, Constantine raised an eyebrow slightly. “My reason for fighting?……”
He slowly dropped his gaze, looking at his right hand before slowly clenching it into a fist.
“Fighting… is exhilarating!”
XX
That evening, Leon returned to the Silver Dragon Temple.
As soon as the dog man was back, Roswiser hurried out, lifting her long dress, standing at the top of the steps, watching that guy below.
She was worried sick about whether he had gotten into a fight with Constantine but had to hide it.
So standing at this distance was just right for observing.
Fortunately, Leon looked all clean and tidy, not the least bit like someone who had been in a scrap.
“Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, you’re back.”
“……”
The guards and maids nodded and bowed.
Leon slowly ascended the stairs and strolled over to Roswiser.
Neither of them said a word, just quietly gazing at each other.
After a moment, Leon gently reached out, lightly brushing Roswiser’s hair behind her ear.
Roswiser thought this guy had learned some tenderness after a day out and was about to compliment him.
But then—
“I was out all day, and you must have been so worried, huh? Your sweat probably glued your hair together.”
“……”
What a mouth!
Roswiser impatiently swatted his hand away. “Who was worried about you? That sweat is just from the heat.”
Leon squinted slightly, turned around, raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun, and earnestly said, “Your Majesty, I think the weather is just fine. Not hot at all! How could anyone be sweating?”
He looked back at the silver-haired beauty, smiling sweetly. “Is it really that hard to admit you were worried about me?”
“Almost as hard as climbing a mountain, Casmod.”
Roswiser shot him an annoyed glance, wanting to say something insincere.
But just as the words formed, she swallowed them back.
After a bit of inner turmoil, the queen crossed her arms, flicked her tail in agitation, and turned her eyes away.
“Fine, I was worried about you, happy now?”
That felt better.
Leon chuckled, wrapping his arms around Roswiser’s waist.
“Hey, don’t hug me…”
“What if someone sees? Isn’t that embarrassing?”
Oh, so the reason isn’t that she doesn’t want to, it’s just that there are too many people around.
Her Majesty is quite modest. Everyone knows you and His Royal Highness are the model couple of the Dragon Race!
The couple snuggled into the temple together.
Once inside their room, Leon shared with Roswiser what he talked about with Constantine that day.
Roswiser was slightly shocked after hearing it all.
“So… that’s how it is?”
“Yeah.”
Roswiser sat on the edge of the bed while Leon pulled a chair in front of her.
He lowered his head a bit, and while their light interaction and teasing had eased the heaviness of the truth, the reality he was reluctant to face still loomed before him.
There was no escaping it.
Roswiser pressed her lips together, then slowly reached out, gently holding Leon’s hand.
Her hands were usually cool, but her palms felt warm.
Feeling her warmth and the pulse in her hand, Leon lifted his gaze to meet hers.
“There are some things you’ll have to face eventually; it’s just a matter of sooner or later. Knowing the truth now is better than learning it later since that bunch of power-hungry people want to put you to d*ath every second.”
“Besides, you’re not alone. You have your master, your comrades, the Lionheart Association made up of your supporters, and… me.”
“We will always be beside you, fighting back against this conspiracy.”
“So, don’t fear the future, okay? No matter what happens, we face it together.”
She was like a gentle stream, always able to reach the place in Leon’s heart that needed soothing the most.
In the past and now.
“Yeah… I got it. Thanks, Roswiser.”
“So what’s your plan now? Going to officially declare war on the Empire?”
Leon thought for a moment and shook his head.
“We’ve just gotten the truth from Constantine, but we don’t have enough evidence to convince the people of the Empire. If I rashly declare war on them, I’ll really be labeled a ‘traitor’.”
“To thoroughly crush the Empire’s conspiracy and end this dirty war, we still need that last piece of the puzzle.”
“And for that last piece, we’ll need it from my master and the others.”
