55 We Only Care About Mom
~
The dog man has been sticking to a three-point route these days:
Bedroom → Library → Out the Door
Every morning at seven, he gets up, freshens up, has breakfast, and then takes the daughters to the library, where they stay for the entire morning.
In the afternoon, Noia and Moon practice magic while Little Light cheers for her big sister, hoping she’ll soon master the foundational skill of channeling both thunder and fire elements at the same time—a milestone for the dual element awakening.
Leon, however, is nowhere to be found until evening.
Such a routine has made Roswiser quite curious.
Ever since that last border inspection trip, why has he become so absent-minded since they returned?
One day, after a quick twenty-minute lunch break, Roswiser starts her afternoon work.
Not long after, Leon passes by the hall of her Holy Temple.
He’s holding a camera.
Roswiser sits regally on her high throne, leans forward, props her chin up with one hand, and watches Leon’s figure with her silver eyes.
Just as he’s about to step out the grand doors of the Holy Temple, Roswiser finally speaks up,
“Off again, are we?”
Leon stops in his tracks, turns around and looks up, “Yeah, what’s up?”
“Nothing much. It just seems like you’ve been out for a long time every day.”
She lowers her eyes and glances at the camera in his hand. “You even brought a camera this time.”
“Well, the Silver Dragon Race has such beautiful scenery, mountains and rivers—surely Your Majesty wouldn’t mind if I snapped a few photos?”
Roswiser rolls her eyes, knowing that’s just a flimsy excuse, “Do whatever you want. Let’s talk more tonight.”
Leon shrugs, “No problem. I can also update you on my findings from the last few days.”
Roswiser raises an eyebrow, “Findings? Are they about the secrets of cooperation between the Empire and the Dragon Race?”
“Not really. Anyway, there’s no definite conclusion yet, so I can’t say much. Let’s see if I can gather more reliable clues later.”
Leon adds, “Just keep busy with your own work; I’ll handle the fieldwork.”
The queen’s lips curve into a slight smile as she leans back in her throne, crossing her legs, and leisurely says,
“A year ago, you didn’t care about any matters of my Silver Dragon Race. What turned you into such a keen operative? But let me be clear; even if you are enthusiastic, there’s no payment involved.”
“Always bringing up money—that’s just ruining the mood, Your Majesty.”
“Ruining feelings? What feelings do we even have?”
Leon raises his hands in surrender, too lazy to argue, “Okay, okay, you say there are none. Anyway, don’t forget to make some time for us to chat tonight.”
“Got it.”
Roswiser pauses for a moment and adds, “By the way, when you go out, do you need me to assign a guard to accompany you?”
Leon thinks for a moment, then nods, “Sure, I was actually planning to file a personnel dispatch request with you.”
Roswiser rolls her eyes, “Tsk, now you’re throwing around fancy terms. I’ll have Anna arrange someone for you.”
“Okay.”
With the arrangements made, Leon turns and walks toward the door.
After taking a few steps, Roswiser calls out, “Come back early.”
Leon waves his arm backward, “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
A few minutes later, the sound of dragon wings flapping echoes from the front courtyard.
Roswiser is slightly taken aback, “Oh, he’s actually flying? Guess that fool’s off to a pretty far place.”
Murmuring to herself, Roswiser shakes her head, pushes her thoughts aside, and goes back to her work.
In the afternoon, her daughters stop by.
Moon says she’s almost grasped the technique of using two elements in magic at once.
Roswiser can’t help but shower her with praises.
The dual-element awakening is an exceptionally rare talent, and even laid-back Moon doesn’t want to squander this opportunity.
Once Noia returns home from her break, Moon insists on her sister teaching her about channeling magic. With Leon’s usual guidance on dual-element awakenings, Little Light is progressing remarkably fast.
Later, Roswiser asks Little Light if she’s interested in magic.
Little Light replies that she’s curious about everything she hasn’t tried yet, but unfortunately, her physical strength can’t keep up, and her magic circuits haven’t fully developed, so she can only watch her sisters practice.
Roswiser reassures her that it’s alright; it’s important to observe and learn theoretical knowledge now to build a solid foundation.
Little Light understands the logic behind this.
The girls chat for a little while. The small dragon daughters are very considerate, knowing their mom has to work, so they don’t linger too long. Before leaving, all three of them give their mom a quick cheek squish before heading to the backyard.
Those little cheek squishes are one of the few breaks Roswiser gets during her busy day.
Though brief, they’re enough to heal Roswiser’s tired mind and body.
Those little dragon daughters are unbearably cute—well-behaved, understanding, and they actually care about their mom—far better than that certain dragon-slaying hero who constantly opposes her.
“I just know you’re trying to annoy me.”
With her chin resting on her hand, the queen mutters to herself while doodling on a scrap of paper.
In just a few strokes, she sketches a big-headed doll resembling the dog man.
Just like how she saw him through the wine glass that day.
So adorably ugly.
“If you keep munching on Dragon Strength like a glutton, I swear I’ll starve you for three days. You’ll be so hungry you’ll wish you were never born.”
Feeling unsatisfied, she draws a big cross over Leon’s cartoonish head.
“Hmph, let’s see if you dare to step out of line again.”
After her little ‘revenge,’ she neatly folds the drawing of Leon’s head and tucks it into her jacket pocket.
Then she goes back to work.
…
In the evening, Roswiser finishes the last document of the day, caps her pen, takes a deep breath of relief, sits quietly for a moment, then stands up to call it a day.
At that moment, a guard rushes in, “Your Majesty, urgent news!”
Roswiser looks down, her voice cold and authoritative, “Speak.”
“Only 26 of the 27 hidden posts deployed along the eastern border remain. According to the nearby watch posts, they didn’t hear any fighting; they only found out during the changes.”
Upon hearing this, Roswiser’s brow furrows.
The eastern border was the very first place she inspected with Leon just days ago.
It was perfectly fine back then.
Afterward, following Leon’s advice, she made some adjustments to the post disguises and added more patrols.
But now a guard is saying there’s only 26 posts left?
“So, one post just vanished into thin air?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Roswiser’s thoughts race, “Let’s go check it out.”
This isn’t a trivial matter.
The sudden disappearance of a post could mean various things.
Perhaps it was infiltrated by the enemy, or maybe there’s a turncoat among them again.
Whatever the reason, Roswiser feels it’s necessary to see it for herself.
She gathers her dress and walks down the stairs. Just as she’s about to head out, she sees Leon returning, looking a bit worse for wear.
Seeing her, he glances at the guard and asks, “Are you headed to the eastern border?”
Roswiser is taken aback, “How did you know?”
“Don’t bother. I just came back from there.”
Leon shakes the camera in his hand, “And I’ve got some important clues you might find interesting.”
