90 Let’s Make a Deal
(3000 words)
See him or not?
Of course, see him!
Two silver figures zipped across the sky beneath the full moon.
“Your Majesty, ahead is the border of Constantine’s territory, and there have been some internal conflicts within the Dragon Race lately. Just to be safe, let’s take a detour,” Sherry suggested as she flew alongside Roswiser.
“Sounds good.”
They adjusted their course, skirting around the area ahead.
Considering this trip, if it weren’t for Sherry needing to lead the way, Roswiser could have gone solo.
Quietly in, quietly out—no fuss, no muss, just the way she liked it.
Unfortunately, Sherry claimed Taige’s hiding spot was so secretive that mere verbal descriptions wouldn’t cut it.
And Taige had set up magic barriers around, so any tracking magic or Shadow Stones would go poof within his range. Sherry had only found him by randomly scouting—lucky cat found a dead mouse.
So, this trip required Sherry’s guidance.
Listening to Sherry’s account, Roswiser grew increasingly curious about Leon’s master.
Previously, Roswiser’s understanding of the master was limited to Leon’s silly jokes.
The master, living in the limelight, had given Roswiser the impression of being an “old rascal,” “carefree most of the time but reliable when it counts,” and an “ordinary farmer who just knows a sprinkle of magic.”
Yet, it was clear that anyone capable of finding a secret hideout and setting up magical barriers was not your run-of-the-mill character.
Moreover, Sherry had mentioned last night that Taige could easily k*ll her.
Though Sherry excelled in stealth and intel gathering, she was relatively weak in combat. Still, she was one of Roswiser’s close confidants. Even the top Dragon Slayer among humans wouldn’t necessarily be able to off her easily.
If she couldn’t defeat him, could she at least outrun him?
But Taige truly instilled a sense of panic in Sherry.
Who is this old man, anyway?
“Sherry, speed up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The two figures zipped across the sky, heading for human territory.
Thanks to the detour, they flew for several extra hours.
By the time they reached the border where humans met dragons, dawn was almost breaking.
Roswiser and Sherry activated their invisibility magic. Without night’s cover, it was better to be cautious.
“Follow me, Your Majesty.”
“Got it.”
Sherry adjusted her angle and flew toward a ravine below.
They landed at the top of the ravine, looking down at the steep and perilous gorge, with several small waterfalls cascading down into the depths below.
The river at the bottom was furious—if a human happened to fall in, they’d be swept away in the blink of an eye.
Sherry pointed at a waterfall about halfway down the gorge. “The Taige couple is right behind that waterfall. Your Majesty, he said he only wishes to meet you. Sherry must wait here.”
“Understood. If I’m not back in an hour, you know what to do.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please be cautious.”
Roswiser nodded, then unfolded her dragon wings in her human form and slowly flew toward the waterfall.
Just as Sherry had said, the hiding spot behind the waterfall was challenging to discover without flight capabilities.
Upon entering the ravine, Roswiser also keenly sensed some restrictions on her magical abilities.
The normal flow of magic wasn’t affected, but some auxiliary and tracking spells seemed to be on the fritz.
The barrier was already in effect.
Roswiser gently flapped her dragon wings and, just as she was about to pass through the waterfall, sent a gust of wind to part the torrent and avoid getting drenched.
Behind the waterfall was an artificial cave, neatly arranged.
The various wooden chairs, cabinets, beds, and a makeshift kitchen indicated that someone lived here—
And seemingly, they were living quite well.
However, the place was empty.
But the next moment, the scene in front of Roswiser began to distort.
Once the distortion ended, a two-toned older gentleman appeared beside the previously empty chairs.
No, “old man” might not quite fit his vibe.
Though he looked to be in his fifties by human standards, just standing there, doing nothing, he exuded an air of calmness and intimidation.
Even the Silver Dragon Queen standing before him induced no fear in him.
His slightly murky eyes bore into Roswiser, applying a bit of pressure on her.
Countless Dragon Slayers had fallen beneath the Silver Dragon Queen’s Dragon Flame, but there was only one exception—
Leon.
He was the only one Roswiser regarded as a formidable opponent. If not for being ambushed back in the day, Leon could’ve led an attack on her Silver Dragon Temple.
And now, his master, Taige Lawrence, radiated the same presence and intent as the Leon of yesteryears.
Roswiser also noticed that before the distortion, there were only a few tea cups on the table, but now, a long katana appeared menacingly.
The blade shimmered with a chilling light, positioned toward the old man—indicating he could unsheathe it and attack Roswiser at any moment.
He was well-prepared.
Magic barriers, warped illusions, and a critical weapon for a Dragon Slayer.
And that was just what Roswiser could see.
As for the hidden preparations, there could be even more.
Taige and Roswiser exchanged a glance before he spoke slowly,
“How’s Leon?”
Roswiser was momentarily taken aback; the question was so straightforward, she didn’t immediately respond.
When she regained her composure, she nodded. “He’s still alive.”
“I’ve waited two years.”
Roswiser’s mind whirred. She quickly understood the underlying meaning of Taige’s words, “You did this on purpose?”
Taige nodded. “Exactly, I was betting on an opportunity like today.”
Leon had vanished two years ago during the crucial war against the Silver Dragon Race.
The reports claimed he was dead, but no body, no proof.
If Leon had a glimmer of hope, it likely involved the Dragon Race.
So, Taige waited.
After a long time, he finally got the chance to draw out this Dragon King.
“Worried you might lose the bet?” Roswiser inquired.
“More like I’ve already assumed he’s dead.”
In fact, many years ago, the first time Taige laid eyes on Leon, he knew Leon wouldn’t stay with him for long.
At ten years old, he sent Leon to the Academy.
Since then, every encounter felt like the last.
Taige’s gaze bore into Roswiser.
Roswiser could discern from his eyes what he was particularly concerned about, leading her to speak,
“Leon has never given up these past two years, which was expected.”
“You seem to know him well.”
“Of course. Right now, he only has one identity—my prisoner of war.”
A top-tier prisoner enjoying free meals in my Silver Dragon Temple.
Oh, but it can’t be called “free.” At least Leon paid his “rent.”
Taige snorted, muttering, “That brat…”
Two years and he’s still so stubborn; how much suffering has he had to endure under the enemy’s thumb?
Then he switched gears in the conversation. “Anyway, knowing he’s alive puts me at ease.”
After a beat, he asked, “What kind of deal did you two strike?”
It wouldn’t be surprising if Leon found a way to contact her, but why would the Silver Dragon Queen be involved?
There had to be a reason.
Roswiser appraised the old man before her, like a lion in its twilight years. No matter how sharp the blade of time, it couldn’t diminish his claws or his fierceness;
Yet, he still exhibited a softer side concerning Leon.
Roswiser could feel his concern and restraint.
Concern, because he had raised this Dragon Slayer prodigy;
Restraint, because of the years of conflict between their races, making it impossible to chat like old friends.
But the fact that they weren’t at each other’s throats right after meeting was already a win.
Though they couldn’t reach the level of “calm conversation,” being able to softly discuss the same man here was indeed a rare occurrence.
So, should she say that the situation at this moment was special, or that the man they were discussing was unique?
“In order for me to fulfill his request, Leon has already paid a fair price,” Roswiser replied.
“From what I know of him, before this request, he must have been doing everything he could to escape back to the Empire, right?”
Oh, doing everything is an understatement—he’s never stopped for a second!
Roswiser nodded. “He has been trying but continuously failing.”
Taige didn’t comment on that.
As long as that brat is alive, he considers it a win.
“For at least a year from now, if you let Leon escape back to the Empire, it will only mean your entire Silver Dragon Race is useless,” Taige said.
Roswiser raised an eyebrow.
Although she had no intention of letting Leon go, Taige’s statement was indeed strange.
Knowing his beloved apprentice was alive, rather than rushing to rescue him, he actually hoped he’d stay with the enemy a bit longer?
“Are you provoking us?” Roswiser’s tone turned frostier.
“You came alone, which suggests you don’t want to fight me. So if we were to brawl—”
Taige remained calm, gently stroking the handle of his sword on the table, the foundation of his years of composure.
“Why not let him go then?”
“No comment.”
Roswiser squinted at the human.
Decisive, powerful, possessing his own logic and principles, strong enough to be neither humble nor arrogant in front of a Dragon King…
Leon’s description of his master and this man were like day and night.
After a brief moment of eye contact, Roswiser nodded. Since he was so blunt in refusing, she wouldn’t push for more details.
In any case, not just a year, she wouldn’t mind capturing Leon for another ten years.
Even a lifetime would be fine.
But that said, she wouldn’t make a losing deal either.
“A year without allowing Leon to return to the Empire is fine, but I have one condition.”
“Name your price.”
Taige was unsurprised.
A trademark mischievous smile crept across the Silver Dragon Queen’s face, “Tell me more about Leon, especially from his childhood.”
