Chapter 114: General Leon on Stage
Speedrun Empire Dungeon Team Progress: 3/3
When Roswiser saw Leon emerge from the woods with a grin on his face, she knew he had successfully managed to persuade Constantine.
And the way he convinced him was definitely not something your average person could dream up.
The Queen crossed her arms, a gentle smile playing on her lips, as her gaze followed Leon until he stood before her, prompting her to ask,
“Did he agree to help you?”
Leon nodded, “Of course.”
“How did you convince him? Was it like last time?”
“Hmm… Nope, moral coercion doesn’t work on Constantine anymore. So I pulled a different trick.”
Roswiser raised an eyebrow, instantly intrigued.
You see, the infamous Red Flame Dragon King was renowned for being impervious to both soft and hard tactics, a true self-centered individual.
And let’s not forget, Leon and Constantine weren’t exactly strangers; if they met, it was more likely they’d go into a fistfight rather than agree on anything.
Yet somehow, in this very context, Leon managed to get Constantine to agree without resorting to moral blackmail.
Roswiser was genuinely curious about how this Dog Man pulled it off.
“I told him that once we solved the Empire’s problems, I’d give him an entire library of Primordial Magic tomes.”
Roswiser blinked, “But we only have one copy of ‘Soul Judgment.’ Where are you getting all those other tomes?”
Leon shrugged, “Just painting a big picture, you know? We’ll figure it out when the time comes.”
Roswiser shook her head helplessly, chuckling, “After all these years in my Silver Dragon Temple, you’ve learned a thing or two beyond just fighting.”
Low EQ: Painting big pictures.
High EQ: Setting grand goals for collaboration.
General Leon just realized that as long as you’re good at spinning tales, you could thrive in a workplace like the Empire’s.
No wonder a horde of graduates from the Dragon Slayer Academy rushed to the royal capital for desk jobs; it was safe, lucrative, and a lot more glamorous than risking your life on the battlefield like Leon and the other Dragon Slayers.
But Leon had no regrets.
The world observed through years of battle was something you could never witness sitting behind a desk.
More importantly, you wouldn’t have a dragon wife popping out kids for you while doing so.
Speaking of kids, Leon said, “Let’s head home. Before we go off to the Empire, let’s check in on the daughters.”
After all, this trip had its risks; otherwise, Leon wouldn’t have dared to seek help from old Constantine.
So, a “pre-battle farewell” was in order.
Not that they were trying to tempt fate or implying this journey to the Empire would be a one-way trip.
Leon and Roswiser just wanted to ease their minds.
Their daughters were the most treasured presence in their hearts. No matter the time or place, just thinking about their little ones waiting for Mom and Dad to return could get them through any crisis.
Roswiser nodded, transforming into her dragon form, and together they leaped into the night sky, zooming homeward.
…
“So after you ended the civil war among the dragons, the Dragon Race enjoyed a peaceful century?”
In the dark golden waters, Noah’s History Class was in full swing.
The great white dragon lazily lounged in front of the girl, casually stating,
“Yes. That was the most united and potent age for the Dragon Race. Internally secure, externally safe, abundant in resources, and the overall combat level far surpassed today’s dragons.”
Noia shrugged, “But now the Dragon Race is not only fractured internally but embroiled in various external conflicts, especially with the human Empire, which is quite brutal.”
“It seems a lot has changed during my ten thousand years of slumber, even for the Dragon Race—and the entire Samare continent.”
The Ancestor sighed slightly, pondering how the grandiose Dragon Race of yesteryears had ended up like this.
Truly, the waves of the Yangtze River push the previous waves forward, but sometimes the latter just starts flopping around.
“Your awakening is to stop the last ‘Ultimate Fear.’ Though I don’t know what that is, and you’re not willing to explain it in detail, I want to remind you, before the ‘Ultimate Fear’ arrives—”
Noia kept her tone steady, echoing her mother as if she were cast from the same mold,
“There will be more troubles in this land.”
The Young Dragon Department at Saint His Academy did offer history classes, albeit at a very basic level. However, Noia would take it upon herself to read more in-depth materials that piqued her curiosity to supplement her classroom knowledge.
For one, it was because she simply loved learning;
And two, it would give her more to share with Little Light when she got home.
That way, Little Pink Hair wouldn’t be nagging about some second personality nonsense all summer long.
Back to the subject.
Upon hearing Noia’s reminder, the Ancestor didn’t seem overly shocked.
“The crisis of this generation should be resolved by your generation. My only aim is the Ultimate Fear.”
The Ancestor’s mindset was perfect, much like Veronica’s grandmother’s; they both wanted the next generation to lead a new world.
However, despite the good intentions, her words came off as somewhat… out of touch.
Noia was still quite young; while she understood the first layer of meaning, she couldn’t grasp the second.
“Why, if you could quell the internal strife of the dragon race back then, do you solely focus on this so-called Ultimate Fear now? The shadows lurking across the continent could impact the Dragon Race too.”
Noia didn’t intend to take a moral high ground in criticizing the Ancestor; she was genuinely perplexed. The revered Primal Dragon King had turned somewhat obstinate after awakening from ten thousand years of slumber.
Hearing Noia’s question, the Ancestor appeared slightly displeased.
However, she didn’t lash out at Noia nor answered her directly; instead, she turned her dragon gaze toward the tranquil waters,
“Once you grow up, I will tell you.”
“Don’t treat me like a child.”
“Humph, but you are a child right now.”
“Noia!—”
Thud, thud, thud—
The knocking sound pulled Noia back to the real world.
Slowly blinking her eyes open, she couldn’t shake off the Ancestor’s last remark buzzing in her ear like a fly.
Feeling a tad irritable, Noia sat up in bed, took a few deep breaths to calm her emotions.
Fine, fine, I won’t argue with an ancient dragon. I’m a good young dragon of the new era!
After settling her mood, Noia leaped from her bed, padding barefoot to the door.
As soon as she opened it, a burst of pink took over her vision.
Little Light peeked in, her big eyes almost touching Noia’s nose, and conspiratorially whispered,
“Big sis, you just were… talking to that ghost, right?”
“… What ghost? I don’t understand.”
Little Light (leaning in again): “Really? But I clearly heard you say something about… being a child…”
Noia leaned back slightly: “That was… I was talking in my sleep.”
Little Light (leaning in even closer): “Big sis, you definitely—”
Noia raised a small hand to plop it on Little Light’s face, gently pushing her out of the room,
“You were about to kiss me, Little Light. I really was just talking in my sleep.”
Little Pink Hair shook her head, “Fine, fine. But tell that ghost to watch out; I, Aurora, will drag it out someday!”
“…”
Noia had a feeling this summer wouldn’t be a peaceful one.
Ah, just roll with it.
“So, what’s up, Little Light?”
“Daddy and Mommy are back! Second Sis has already gone to see them; we should go too.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
The sisters headed to the dining room, where a hearty dinner was awaiting.
Finally, after two days, Dad and Mom were home.
“Good evening, Noia, Little Light.”
“Good evening, Dad and Mom~” Little Pink Hair greeted cheerfully as she climbed onto the child’s chair beside Leon.
“Evening, Dad and Mom.”
Noia calmly greeted as she settled into her seat, “Was the border patrol smooth?”
Every time they headed off to the mountain cave to exchange intel with their Master, Leon and Roswiser would use the excuse of “border patrol.”
However, they had a sneaking suspicion this excuse didn’t sit well with Noia.
Because the eldest daughter always believed they were sneaking off to date under the guise of patrolling the borders…
Well, as long as Noia didn’t catch any whiffs of a slip-up, they were golden.
And if they were indeed misinterpreted as “lovey-dovey parents who often sneak off for dates,” that wasn’t a bad misunderstanding at all.
“Pretty smooth,” Leon replied.
“Uh-huh.”
Noia agreed, then reached for her kn*fe and fork, ready to dig in.
But as perceptive as she was, she sensed something a bit… off about tonight’s dinner atmosphere.
Moon and Little Light were sitting closer to Mom and Dad than usual.
Dinner had several dishes Moon particularly favored but weren’t typically on the health-conscious menu the parents enforced—yet tonight, they were all laid out on the table.
Then she glanced at Leon and Roswiser.
Though they were busy helping the two younger sisters serve food, chatting, and showing concern for their studies, Noia couldn’t shake the feeling they had something important to say.
After a moment’s thought, Noia spoke up, “Dad, I hit a wall with the Thunder Wolf Breakthrough you taught me last time. Could you guide me again tomorrow?”
“Ah, well… there’s no rush, Noia. The Thunder Wolf Breakthrough is a high-difficulty spell; it’s normal to hit a wall.”
“Is that so…”
“Yeah… and—”
Leon bit his lip, glancing at Roswiser beside him.
Roswiser gave him the slightest nod.
Leon understood instantly.
“And… Dad’s going out with Mom again tomorrow. We’ll be gone for a few days.”
“Ah~ Why’s it like this, Dad and Mom? You just got home! Moon doesn’t want you to leave.”
Little Moon’s grilled steak suddenly lost all its appeal.
Leon quickly ruffled his daughter’s hair, “Moon, sweetie, I promise when I get back, I’ll bring you something delicious.”
Even so, Moon still looked a bit down, she pouted, “But… but I miss you guys…”
In the past, when Leon and Roswiser had to leave for a few days, Moon would act just as clingy.
Leon would reassure her with promises of bringing back nice food, and she’d be all smiles.
But as she grew older, that tactic was becoming less effective.
Eating wasn’t the priority for Moon anymore; she just wanted her parents to spend more time with her, her sisters, and Little Light during summer break.
Leon felt a pinch of difficulty.
Seeing his daughter’s sad little face, he had to continue,
“Daddy promises you, when I come back this time, I’ll stay with you the whole time and not go anywhere, okay?”
Little Dragon Girl’s eyes lit up, “Really, Dad?”
“Yep, really.”
“Yay~ Long live Dad~”
“And what about Mom?”
“Mom too, long live~”
Noia squinted her eyes slightly.
For some reason, she felt like suddenly a whole bunch of flags had sprouted around her dad…
