Dragon Queen and Dragon Slayer

"It was always just a show, and you barged onto the stage, becoming the one who broke the game."

Constantine said, "Your appearance made the Dragon-Slaying Army invincible on the battlefield. Whether it was those already planned 'victories' or real battles, you took them all."

"That black armor of yours was truly unbeaten back in the day. Even us Dragon Kings who had already cooperated with the Empire feared you to some extent."

"And the Empire also realized that if they let you continue like this, then in less than ten years, the dragon race would be wiped out by you. That wouldn't do, now would it? Without dragons, how could the rulers continue the war?"

"So they planted a mole to stab you in the back, and arranged for me to go to the Silver Dragon Clan to kill you."

Constantine slowly walked up to Leon, looked into his eyes, and said word by word, "Casmodeous, you weren't supposed to become this powerful. You touched their cake, and they will hunt you to the ends of the earth."

After revealing the truth, Constantine quietly stared at the man in front of him.

It was expected that he would find it unbelievable or unacceptable.

As a fellow warrior, Constantine could understand what it felt like for one's inner faith to collapse.

So he didn't mock or sneer. And he was also very curious about what choice Leon would make next.

Would he continue to play tug-of-war with the Empire, or would he flip the chessboard and have a final showdown with the rulers?

After a while, Leon gradually digested the truth, and his emotions slowly stabilized.

"So that's all the inside story?"

Constantine crossed his arms and replied indifferently, "Only the part I know. Ever since I learned about the Far North incident, I realized that the Empire is secretly collaborating with other Dragon Kings on a much deeper level."

Leon nodded, "Mm… Anyway, I still appreciate you telling me all this."

"There's no need to talk about appreciation between us, Casmodeous. You just said it yourself, right now, the Empire is our common enemy. And you stopped a war targeting my Crimson Flame Dragon Clan at the secret Dragon King meeting."

Constantine spoke slowly, "Let's just call it even."

Leon's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say anything more.

"Nothing else?"

Leon shook his head.

"Heh… I thought you came to fight me."

"I promised my wife I wouldn't fight you this time."

Constantine froze, then let out a cold chuckle, "I know. In human society, someone like you is called… um… oh right, henpecked."

Leon: ?

"Who's henpecked? Who are you calling henpecked? I'm the one who calls the shots at home, okay?"

"Oh, then you're a male chauvinist?"

"…Where did you, a Dragon King, learn all these human society terms?"

"Curiosity about a family formed between a Dragon King and a human taught me a lot of new things."

Constantine explained with perfect calmness, then asked, "Since you don't have any more questions, I do have one I'd like to ask you."

"What?"

"What does… battle mean to you?"

Leon was startled. He hadn't expected Constantine to ask such a question.

But dragons were fierce and violent; that eternal belligerent nature was carved into their bones. Since he finally had the chance to talk to Leon peacefully, of course Constantine would want to understand this enemy better.

Leon thought for a moment and replied, "When I was in the Empire's army, battle was about reclaiming land and defending our country. As for now… it's just about protecting the people and things I care about."

The phrase "protecting the people and things I care about" carried far more weight than it sounded.

Since being forcibly drawn into this vortex of conspiracy, Leon had been actively resisting fate.

He wanted to save himself from this chaos, and also save the people he cherished.

His master used to tell him that as a man, his shoulders must bear responsibility. The number of people relying on you is always more than you think.

Like Constantine's earlier comment, it might sound a bit like male chauvinism.

But for those who were still counting on him, Leon would never stop fighting, not until he flipped the chessboard and shattered the conspiracy.

Constantine nodded thoughtfully, then seriously commented, "Just as I thought, you really are a man who loves his wife."

"…How did you turn such a noble and great aspiration into 'loves his wife'?"

"No matter how noble and great you make it sound, isn't it still just about loving your wife at the core?"

"Hey, why are you slandering my purity out of nowhere? I'm not afraid to tell you, me and Rossweise are only a married couple on the surface."

"A surface couple who gave birth to three daughters? If you were a real couple, how many would you have?"

"..."

'Why does it feel like Old Con got a sharper tongue after fusing into some kind of ultimate beast?'

He used to be the type to throw hands without a word, now he could roast General Leon into silence.

'Impressive, impressive. Empire's enhancements, truly reliable.'

"Alright, I'm not interested in your married life."

Not interested, as in, from the moment Leon walked in to negotiate, he kept bringing up Leon and Rossweise's relationship.

'Are all dragons gossip addicts pretending to be tough?'

"If there's nothing else, guards, see the guest out."

"Wait."

"What?"

"You just asked me why I fight. I want to know your reason for fighting too."

Hearing this, Constantine raised an eyebrow, "My reason for fighting?"

He slowly lowered his gaze, looked at his right hand, then slowly clenched it into a fist.

"Fighting… feels good!" [T/N: Yep.]

———

That night, Leon returned to the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.

As soon as she heard the dog man was back, Rossweise lifted her long skirt and hurried to the sanctuary gate, standing on the steps and looking at the man below.

She was very worried that guy might've gotten into a fight with Constantine, but she couldn't show it.

So watching from this distance was just right.

Thankfully, Leon looked clean, no signs of having fought.

"Your Highness."

"Welcome back, Your Highness."

"..."

The maids and guards nodded and bowed.

Leon slowly climbed the steps and walked leisurely up to Rossweise.

The two stood silently, simply gazing at each other.

After a moment, Leon slowly reached out and gently brushed aside the hair by Rossweise's ear with his fingers.

Rossweise thought this guy had finally learned to treat her gently after going out. She was just about to praise him a little.

Who knew—

"I've been gone all day. You were so worried you broke a sweat and it stuck to your hair, huh."

"..."

'Can't expect dragon fangs from a dog's mouth!'

Rossweise flicked his hand away in annoyance, "Who was worried about you? I'm sweating because it's hot."

Leon squinted slightly, turned around, raised his hand to shield his brows, and looked up at the sky. Very dramatically, he said, "Your Majesty, I think the weather's quite nice today. Not hot at all. How'd you sweat?"

He lowered his head and smiled at the silver-haired beauty before him, "Is it really that hard to admit you were worried about me?"

"It's damn near impossible, Casmodeous."

Rossweise rolled her eyes and wanted to say more contrived words.

But the words caught in her throat.

After hesitating a bit, the queen crossed her arms, flicked her tail irritably, and looked away.

"Fine, I was worried about you. Happy now?"

'Very.'

Leon smiled and wrapped an arm around Rossweise's waist.

"Hey, don't hug me…"

"So many people are watching, aren't you embarrassed?"

Ah, so the reason she didn't want to be hugged wasn't because she didn't want it, it was just because there were people around.

'Her Majesty the Queen is too modest. Who in the world doesn't know you two are the model dragon couple?'

The pair cuddled their way into the sanctuary.

Once they returned to their room, Leon told Rossweise about his conversation with Constantine.

After hearing it, Rossweise was a little shocked.

"So… that's how it is."

"Mm."

Rossweise sat by the bed. Leon pulled up a chair to sit in front of her.

He hung his head slightly. That little bout of playful banter just now had slightly eased the heaviness of discovering the truth, but that harsh reality still sat plainly before him.

There was no running from it.

Rossweise pursed her lips, then slowly reached out and gently held the back of Leon's hand.

Her hand had always been cool, but her palm was warm.

Feeling her warmth and pulse, Leon looked up at her.

"There are some things you have to face sooner or later. Sooner or later doesn't matter. Knowing the truth now is better than later. After all, those schemers are plotting your death every single second."

"Besides, you're not alone. You have your master, your comrades, the Lionheart Society formed by your supporters, and… me."

"We'll all stand by you and resist this conspiracy."

"So don't fear the future, okay? No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

She was like an invisible yet gentle stream, always finding the place in Leon's heart that needed comfort the most.

She always had. Even now.

"Mm… I understand. Thank you, Rossweise."

"So what are you going to do next? Officially declare war on the Empire?"

Leon thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Right now, all we have is the truth from Constantine. We still don't have enough evidence to convince the people of the Empire. If I rashly declare war now, I'll really become the 'traitor' they're smearing me as."

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