86 Falling into the Mud Puddle
Martin arranged two royal cargo wagons for himself.
Even though the city was under martial law, when a royal wagon rolled out, nobody dared to say much. They might chat with the wagon driver for a bit, but then they’d wave them through.
After all, who’d expect that the Empire’s most wanted criminal from twenty years ago could sneak into a royal wagon right after swiping a Heartguard Dragon Scale?
In the cargo area, Leon and Noia were squeezed together in a corner, gently swaying with the wagon’s speed.
Noia curled her long legs up and leaned against Leon, murmuring, “Sometimes, I really wish my dad was a top-notch sorcerer who could change size at will. Then we wouldn’t be so cramped.”
“I don’t know if a sorcerer who can change size is top-notch, but they’d definitely lack manners,” Leon quipped, playing pun games with his daughter.
Noia rolled her eyes with a playful smile. “Little Light said your pickup lines are terrible. I think you’re pretty good at chatting, though! So, who really confessed first, you or Mom?”
“Definitely your mom! Was I supposed to?”
“Hmph… wasn’t it when you first returned to the Empire? Mom hugged you and poured her heart out.”
Leon paused. “She told you guys about that?”
“Yep.”
Noia continued, “Mom’s not one to express her feelings or take the initiative in relationships. I can’t imagine how brave she must’ve been to say all those things. She probably thought… she’d never see you again, which is why she said it.”
Leon pressed his dry lips together, going silent.
Thinking back to the evolution of his relationship with Roswiser, it did seem like the pivotal moment was that first goodbye.
Roswiser had taken the initiative to hug Leon and talk endlessly.
And after he returned from the Empire, it was her first mention of “confession.”
But Leon had never reciprocated directly.
Noia’s earlier words had certainly hit home for Leon.
Roswiser didn’t really understand feelings, or love, and she wasn’t great at expressing herself, yet it was always her taking the first step.
Leon distinctly remembered that night when Roswiser wanted him to say “I like you.”
On the surface, it seemed like she was nudging him to be more proactive.
But upon reflection, wanting the other person to say “I like you” meant she had feelings for him and wanted a response!
That Mother Dragon… was so awkward and tsundere.
Of course, he was too.
“Hey.” Noia nudged Leon’s arm.
“Uh… huh?”
“Once we get back, you must not leave Mom again, got it?”
“Once we get back…”
Leon paused for a moment but quickly understood what Noia meant by ‘get back.’
Not back to that secret underground space, but… back to the past.
If, after a brush with d*ath, fate generously granted Leon a chance to save everything, then that ‘everything’ certainly didn’t include Roswiser.
Because for Leon, she was one of a kind, not fitting into any ‘category.’
In Leon’s heart, there was a little world that belonged solely to Roswiser, and she filled it to the brim.
Leon didn’t want to include Roswiser in his grand ‘saving the future’ plans—
She was Leon’s present, the only present;
As for the future, it didn’t belong to her or him, but to both of them together.
“I got it, Noia. When we get back, I won’t leave Mom again.”
Noia smiled lightly. “What about us sisters? Are you just going to neglect us?”
“Of course, I won’t leave you out either.”
“Now that’s debatable.”
Noia lowered her head, fiddling with her nails, feigning indifference. “What if one day you and your beloved wife get in the mood, leave us little ones at home, and sneak off for a honeymoon?”
“You should be happy about that.”
“Why?”
“Because by the time the honeymoon is over, you might just have a new little sister!”
“…So the life goal of the Empire’s strongest Dragon Slayer and the Silver Dragon Queen is just to keep popping out kids?”
“Expanding the Melkway family population is our duty!”
……
At dawn, the two royal wagons arrived at the Empire’s city gates.
There were at least twice as many guards, blocking all civilians from entering or exiting, and every merchant caravan was routinely checked.
“Captain, those two look like royal wagons,” the rookie, who had just joined the guard, spotted the slowly approaching wagons.
The guard captain glanced over and nodded. “Yeah, not common, especially during martial law. They’re rolling out royal wagons… strange…”
The rookie bit his lip, hesitated a moment, then said, “I’ll go check.”
Just as he was about to step forward, the captain yanked him back firmly by the arm.
“What’s up, Captain?”
The captain wore a serious expression. “Kid, don’t zone out! Even though it’s martial law, those are nobles’ carts. Don’t inspect every single one like you did last time.”
Recalling a few days ago when this rookie took it upon himself to check every wagon with a twenty-coin military salary while acting like he had a two-hundred-coin worth of concerns, it was pure trouble!
Now that the city was under lockdown, this was a great chance to teach the young rookie a lesson.
The captain finished his advice and let go of the rookie’s shoulder. “Go on, you know what to do.”
The rookie stood there for two seconds, then awkwardly nodded.
He turned and walked toward the two wagons.
“Hey, let us through! If you delay our lord’s cargo transport, can you pay the price?” the driver snapped.
The rookie faked calmness, forcing a smile. “It’s just a special period, Uncle! I’m just taking a quick look, won’t waste your time. Please cooperate with our work.”
“Cooperate my foot!”
The driver was adamant. “There are still plenty of wagons to be checked. By the time we get through, our cargo will be spoiled!”
“Uncle, with you yelling like this, I’ve already done my check. See that special passage over there? Just let you through after I finish!”
The driver huffed but reluctantly agreed, “Fine, fine, hurry up, don’t waste my time.”
“Okay, Uncle.”
The rookie secretly sighed in relief.
This would be his first “negotiation” with someone from another department.
Not too shabby, right?
The rookie approached the wagon’s cargo area, opened the door, and peered inside.
It was filled with jars and several large wooden crates; nothing suspicious from the entrance.
He hesitated a moment, then bent down and stepped inside the cargo hold.
He tapped the crate with his trusty dagger, producing a dull thud.
Meanwhile, Leon and Noia, hiding at the very back of the cargo area, were ready for action.
The moment this guy noticed them, they’d have to force their way through the city gates.
The footsteps grew closer, and Noia fixed her gaze on the floor, slowly lifting her right hand, with sparks of electricity flickering in her palm.
But Leon pressed down on her wrist.
Noia looked up.
“Shh~”
Leon put a finger to his lips, signaling Noia to hold off on acting.
Noia could see that Leon was drenched in sweat as well.
Forcing their way through the city gates meant facing countless enemies and unknown situations.
She knew her father wasn’t afraid of any powerful opponents; it was just that this wasn’t a battlefield for a straightforward fight.
The dangerous undercurrents flowed in places they couldn’t perceive.
Creak—creak—
The sound of boots on the wooden planks became clearer.
The two huddled closely in the corner, holding their breaths.
This time, Noia was truly ready to strike.
If that guy took just one more step forward, just one, she would hesitate no more—Leon releasing her wrist meant he allowed her to do just that.
However—
The guard suddenly stopped.
“Captain… he’s right. Why should I worry like I’ve got two hundred coins on my mind when I’m only getting paid twenty?”
The young guard murmured, then chuckled to himself, turning around and leaving the cargo area.
Bang—
The cargo door slammed shut, and the rookie’s voice rang out from outside. “All good, Uncle! Let’s go through the special passage! Oh, and don’t forget to give a shoutout to us gatekeepers in front of the lords!”
“Yeah, sure, hurry up and open the gate,” the driver replied impatiently.
The wagons began to move, gradually speeding up.
Leon and Noia in the cargo area released their breaths in unison.
“Do you remember that guy?” Leon asked.
“Yeah… a few days ago, he insisted on checking every merchant wagon. He’s a pretty diligent rookie,” Noia replied.
“But in such a short time, he’s learned how to survive in the Empire.”
Noia shrugged. “Fast learner.”
The speed of falling into the mud puddle was always too quick for a reaction.
The two royal wagons, carrying the Empire’s top wanted criminal and his three daughters, sped away.
—
The audiobook is launching!
Today (February 8, 2024), our book’s audio adaptation is going live, so remember to support it when it’s out!
(Spoiler alert: Moon’s voice is like Klee’s.)
(There’s also another update coming out this afternoon; make sure to catch the audio!)
