Chapter 113: The Great Blueprint
Progress of the Speedrun Empire Dungeon Team: 2/3
Only that legendary “Durable Elbow” Constantine remained, and Leon was planning to rally his troops soon.
But first, he needed to ensure that Master and Mistress were in good health.
After saying goodbye to Donkey, Leon and the others arrived at Taige and Charlotte’s lounge.
The old couple still looked a bit weak, but they were definitely better than yesterday.
Leon felt somewhat relieved.
He then shared his plan to formally declare war on the Empire with Taige.
Taige was on the same page.
“I originally planned to take you back to the Empire after this intel exchange to topple that dog of an emperor and clear your name, but—cough cough—”
Taige lightly coughed, placing a hand over his heart.
Even with the Heartguard Dragon Scale transplant, he still needed some time to recuperate.
Charlotte sat next to him, gently patting Taige’s back.
Taige turned his head, patted his wife’s hand to indicate he was fine, and continued speaking with Leon, “Who knew we were being watched by those Sharp Blade Special Forces? I was quite careless and didn’t take any counter-tracking measures.”
Over the years, every time Master and Leon went to the valley cave for intel exchanges, they had not been caught by the Empire, thanks to the old man’s strong counter-tracking skills.
After all, Master had spent years in the Empire’s Dragon Slayer Army; even if he never reached Leon’s level of achievement, he was certainly a respected veteran Dragon Slayer with all sorts of reconnaissance, tracking, and counter-tracking techniques up his sleeve.
But as age caught up with him, the old fellow had lost some of that previous vigilance.
Rebecca was still too young and inexperienced, resulting in this crisis.
Leon patted Master’s shoulder, comforting him, “It’s not your fault, Master. Just focus on recuperating here, and leave the rest to us.”
With Taige’s personality, he definitely wanted to join the fun at the Empire’s final assault.
However, he also understood that given his current condition, he would only drag Leon down if he went.
So after much thought, Taige ultimately conceded to reality.
“Alright, once we reach the Empire, Rebecca will take you to the Lionheart Association. They are all your supporters, many of whom have also suffered under the Empire’s corrupt rule; with their cooperation, your actions in the Empire will be much easier.”
“Yeah, I know, Master.”
“Then Mistress and I will wait for your good news here.”
Leon nodded firmly.
Charlotte stepped forward and took Leon’s hand.
“After so many years without seeing you, and now after just two days, we’re separating again…”
Leon held Mistress’s hand tightly, his broad, cool palm bringing comfort.
“It’s okay, Mistress. Once I handle things with the Empire, we can go back to how we used to be.”
“Alright… just make sure to be careful.”
“Yeah, I will, Mistress.”
Charlotte then turned to Rebecca behind Leon and didn’t forget to remind the little girl.
“If you run into any trouble you can’t handle, absolutely don’t try to be brave. Go find Leon right away, got it, Rebecca?”
The usually quirky twin-tailed girl was dead serious this time.
“I understand, Aunt Charlotte.”
Charlotte lowered her gaze, looking at the scars on Leon’s hand, gently tracing them with her fingertip.
“You all need to come back safely, you must…”
Time seemed to rewind to many years ago.
Back when Leon had just graduated from the Dragon Slayer Academy, about to step into the brutal world of dragon-slaying.
Every time he set off, Charlotte would always hold his hand like this, repeating “come back safe” over and over.
Leon had never grown impatient with her.
He understood that in times of war, every farewell before heading to the battlefield could be the last; this was the tragic reality of war, an unchangeable fact.
And this time, who knows? It might completely rewrite the course of the war between humans and dragons, reveal the truth to the world, and help the common folk escape their suffering.
After a long while, Charlotte finally reluctantly let go of Leon’s hand.
She wiped her warm eyes and revealed a smile.
“Go on, dear, do what you must.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Once everything was arranged, Claudia led everyone out of the underwater palace.
The four split into two groups.
Rebecca and Claudia headed to the Empire first, secretly infiltrating with the help of the Lionheart Association,
while Leon and Roswiser set off to find the last ally.
And also stop by to check on the Daughters.
By the time the couple arrived at the edge of the Red Flame Dragon territory, it was already night.
They found the area where the Silver Dragon Race was stationed, keeping an eye on things.
“Your Majesty, His Royal Highness.”
Sherry stepped forward, bowing in greeting.
“Has Constantine made any moves lately?” Roswiser asked.
“No, Your Majesty, not at all. He’s been at home on his territory during this time and hasn’t stepped out.”
So, Old Consty is home, huh?
The couple exchanged glances and nodded in silent agreement.
Sherry noticed the unspoken plan in their eyes beyond mere surveillance.
But as a competent subordinate, she didn’t pry further and quietly made way for them.
“I can go alone,” Leon said, “You stay here and wait for me.”
“If I’m going with you, do you intend to use that same excuse as last time?”
Leon chuckled, which served as a tacit agreement.
Roswiser understood there was no reasoning with this idiot.
Once he had made up his mind, not even eight donkeys could drag him back.
“Be careful. If he refuses, we’ll think of something else.”
“Got it.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Leon stepped towards the forest ahead.
Having visited the territory of the Red Flame Dragons for the third time, Leon was practically a local.
Before long, he reached the outskirts of the Red Flame Temple.
Just like last time, several Red Flame Dragon guards jumped out, blocking his path.
Leon halted, raised a hand, and scratched his forehead.
“Well, that saves me from having to knock.”
Half a minute later.
The doors of the Red Flame Temple were violently kicked open, and two Red Flame Dragon guards were sent flying through the air.
“Constantine—”
“Here to negotiate?”
Leon’s eyes lit up. “Oh, look who’s eager to answer.”
On the throne, Old Consty leaned back with a face full of resignation.
He believed the biggest mistake he made in his life wasn’t teaming up with the Empire, but taking on the “k*ll Leon Casmod” job.
“Speak, what do you wish to discuss?”
“You, go take down the Empire.”
Constantine: ?
“Five years ago, the Empire wanted me to k*ll you; five years later, you want me to take down the Empire.”
“So as an intermediary, I have an immature thought: why don’t you just take care of each other directly? That would settle everything.”
Constantine knew how to dance around the conversation.
In these few sentences, he subtly omitted a very crucial—and frankly embarrassing—condition.
That is:
Five years ago, the Empire wanted me to k*ll you, and I ended up becoming a pathetic patchwork.
Now you want me to take down the Empire; who knows what I might turn into this time?
“Ah… I didn’t clarify. What I meant was, you help me, and we’ll take down the Empire together.” Leon clarified.
This piqued Constantine’s interest. “Help you?”
But even with his deep-seated hatred for the Empire, it didn’t mean he was ready to help Leon outright.
Let’s see what this guy has to say first.
“Give me a reason to help you,” Constantine stated.
Leon spread his hands.
“Isn’t it obvious? You want to take down the Empire as revenge for their despicable acts against you; I want to overthrow those corrupt rulers to clear my name. Though our motivations differ, our ultimate goal is the same, isn’t it?”
Constantine leaned back, lazily reclining on his throne, squinting at Leon.
“Cliché. Do you have any other persuasion?”
Cliché, huh?
Alright, alright, Durable Elbow, are you trying to pick a fight here?
Don’t blame me for morally coercing you then!
“Don’t forget, you owe me a favor.”
“You mean about the Dragon King Secret Meeting? I already returned that favor last time, didn’t I? I gave you the intel on the Empire’s collaboration with the Dragon King, and you left quite satisfied with that information.”
Leon paused, contemplating Constantine’s words.
That did seem… somewhat reasonable.
Noticing Leon’s silence, Constantine snorted coldly.
“Since you have no convincing reasons, then please leave.”
Leon’s brain was racing. Seeing Old Consty was about to usher him out, a light bulb went ‘ding’ in his head.
“If you help me, I’ll give you the detailed use of Primal Power.”
“Consider it.”
“A whole library full of Primordial Magic tomes.”
“When do we depart?”
Back in the days of the Dragon Slayer Army, Master wouldn’t let Leon meddle too much in politics or leadership matters.
But even so, General Leon had learned one of the key skills of the workplace:
Painting grand blueprints!
