126 You Said You Provoked Him for What?
After saying a temporary goodbye to Claudia, Leon and Roswiser planned to head back to the Lionheart Association to discuss things with Rebecca and the others.
After all, while they could mooch off the Empire’s paper lanterns, they didn’t really know much about the specifics of that warehouse.
Like, you know, the exact location of the warehouse, the surrounding environment, how many people are guarding it, and if someone from the imperial royal family is directly stationed there—just a few key details.
If they rushed in without a plan and things went south, the whole Lantern Festival operation would end up being a colossal flop.
Walking down the streets of the Central District, Leon ran a hand through his hair, looking a bit frazzled.
Roswiser noticed his subtle emotional shifts and gently asked, “What’s wrong?”
Leon sighed lightly, “The Lantern Festival is the day after tomorrow, and if we don’t get everything sorted tonight or tomorrow night, this plan is going to go up in smoke.”
As the leader of the team, he always had to bear more pressure at crucial moments.
Even though Leon had once been the boss of the Dragon Slayer Army, leading dragon slayers back and forth through battles for years, the current situation was different from back then.
You see, General Leon was a born Dragon Slayer; if he was responsible for slaying dragons, the one feeling the pressure wouldn’t be him, but rather the high achievers on the other side.
However, leading a bunch of oppressed revolutionaries who had to rise up against tyranny was a first for him.
On one hand, he feared failing—being a valiant, undefeated general who could only be stopped by sabotage, it was hard to accept the idea of losing even once.
On the other hand, he was also scared of letting down the hopes of the Lionheart Association.
They had gathered here, hoping for so long that Leon would return and lead them to overthrow the corrupt Empire.
But what if, in the end, all their efforts went to waste? The consequences were something Leon could not bear.
He had to be responsible for those who believed in him, who counted on him. He couldn’t disappoint his Master and everyone else.
So the pressure bore down on him like an invisible mountain, heavily resting on his shoulders.
Roswiser quietly studied his profile.
She knew what Leon was worried about, and she also understood what he feared.
And she realized that at times like this, any comforting words would seem pale and powerless.
What Leon needed wasn’t comfort or a pressure relief valve.
What he truly needed was something only Roswiser understood.
Withdrawing her gaze to the front, the queen said in a light-hearted tone, “You used to rarely worry about ‘what if I fail’ before doing something.”
Leon chuckled wryly, shaking his head, “This time it’s different, Roswiser.”
“What’s different?”
“This time I’m going to be leading everyone to accomplish this. If my decision goes wrong and the whole plan fails, then—”
“Then I will share the consequences of failure with you.”
Roswiser’s tone remained calm, as if discussing something ordinary, “Whether it’s the disappointment and blame from the Lionheart Association, or being counterattacked by the Empire and the Dragon Race, whatever it is, I’ll accept it with you.”
Simple words, plain tone, yet imbued with unwavering determination.
Leon stumbled slightly in his step and almost instinctively murmured, “Why…”
Roswiser took a few steps forward, then turned back. She didn’t smile. Her eyes and expression were extremely serious.
“Because you’re my captive, and if I haven’t trained you well, I’m also responsible.”
…
What the heck, really.
Leon scoffed, stepping forward to open his arms and, taking advantage of Roswiser’s moment of surprise, he swept her into a bear hug.
By the time Roswiser regained her senses, it was too late.
“Hey! What are you doing? It’s broad daylight on the street, with so many people watching—let go, you idiot!”
Roswiser struggled playfully for a while.
Until Leon leaned in close to her ear and whispered a soft “thank you.”
Then she stopped struggling and allowed him to hold her.
Compared to Rebecca, Taige, and Charlotte, Roswiser might not be the one who spent the most time with Leon, but…
She surely understood him the best.
Right now, Leon didn’t need comfort, nor encouragement, and definitely not a shove to motivate him.
What he needed was… companionship.
And Roswiser’s attitude remained unchanged:
No matter what happens, no matter the outcome, I will face it with you.
Just like the family sports day at Saint His Academy, just like the battle against the Radiant Star Dragon King, just like the “trip” to the Extreme North Land, just like…
Every single moment in the past.
After hugging enough, Leon released his grip.
Roswiser quickly pushed him away and straightened her wig, “Honestly, how old are we, and you still don’t feel embarrassed.”
“Just a spur-of-the-moment thing, wife.”
Roswiser shot him an exaggerated disapproving look, “Don’t call me wife, and don’t say it so affectionately.”
Leon shrugged innocently, “Didn’t you just say yesterday that outside, you’re my wife?”
“Yesterday was yesterday; today is today. Today, you’re my captive, and I’m your queen.”
“…What a quick switch up.”
“Not my problem.”
Her unwavering attitude of standing beside Leon was just as it always was, and that rapid change in mood? Also just as usual.
Just as the couple engaged in their playful banter, Leon suddenly felt a light breeze whoosh past him.
But he didn’t pay it much mind.
However, Roswiser’s expression subtly changed.
“If you ask me, Mother Dragon, your hard-headedness is so extreme that even my Thousand Birds can’t pierce through it.”
Ignoring the taunt from the mutt, Roswiser remained unfazed but listened to what lay behind him,
“Can’t pierce? Maybe it’s a speed issue?”
Leon paused. Wait, is Mother Dragon seriously trying to discuss magic application with him?
“Uh… you’ve seen my speed, it’s pretty fast—super~~ fast.”
At that moment, Roswiser slowly raised her hand, pointing behind Leon, and asked lightly,
“Since you’re that fast, you should definitely be able to catch that thief who just stole your wallet, right?”
Leon: Nani? (ΩДΩ)
Leon hurriedly turned around, only to see a black figure dart into a nearby alleyway.
Roswiser lazily patted his shoulder, “Just a reminder, the wallet contained the shopping funds Rebecca gave us. We still need to buy some paper lanterns to take back.”
Leon grimaced, “Just a little scoundrel. Watch me handle him in no time.”
Roswiser covered her mouth and chuckled, then clapped her hands, pretending to admire Leon, “Wow~ Hubby, you’re amazing~”
“Right now, I’m your hubby again and not a captive?”
“Whether you’re hubby or captive, I get to decide.”
Leon waved his hand, deciding not to argue with her anymore, and turned to chase after that thief.
Roswiser promptly followed.
Honestly, the former Empire’s strongest Dragon Slayer and the speedster queen of the Silver Dragon Race teaming up to catch a thief was like using a cannon to hit a mosquito—
Totally overkill.
What an unfortunate couple—they only needed to think about how to overthrow the dog emperor, while our little scoundrel had a lot more considerations.
The thief zigzagged around, sprinting through the alleys of the Central District.
You could tell he was experienced; otherwise, there wouldn’t be such smooth moves.
But he overlooked one thing:
Leon also grew up here.
In the chase, the couple quickly caught sight of the little thief’s back.
They burst into a narrow alley, and out of the corner of his eye, Leon spotted a wooden stick leaning against the wall, and an idea clicked.
Leon snatched up that stick and charged after the thief!
“Hah, thinking you can escape? Lightning—Whirlwind—Oi!”
Before General Leon could finish shouting the name of his technique, the little thief suddenly made a sharp turn at the corner ahead, and Leon, caught off guard, barreled forward, diving headfirst into a pile of cardboard boxes.
The thief slipped away.
Roswiser strolled over, took a glance at the fleeing thief’s back, then looked back at Leon, who was lying in a pile of boxes, arms crossed and with a smirk on her face.
“Lightning Whirlwind, what’s that?”
“Uhh… an attack!”
“Wow, what a cool technique! Did its effect include flinging yourself into a box?”
Teasing him, Roswiser reached out to pull the fool out of the cardboard mountain.
Leon turned his head to watch the little thief escape and said with a sigh,
“I’ve changed my mind. Aside from bringing him to justice, I want to shove his head into a cardboard box too.”
Roswiser chuckled, “Sure, let’s compete to see who gets him first.”
Leon’s eyebrows shot up, his earlier competitive spirit re-ignited by Roswiser’s teasing.
“Alright, let’s do this!”
Mr. Thief, you really shouldn’t have provoked him!
