Shut up, malevolent dragon! I don’t want to have any more children with you V1C188

Chapter 188: Layout

Rebecca learned about the location of Martin’s stepmother’s birthday banquet hotel through the local bounty hunter black market of the empire.

It took Rebecca half a month’s salary, and she requested to deduct it from Leon’s account after the matter was over.

Leon said no problem, if you can withdraw money from a dead man’s account.

Rebecca smirked and said if you don’t have money, I’ll take it from dad’s pension anyway, I don’t do losing deals!

Dad touched his wallet cleaner than his face, wondering whether to sell the donkey to raise money for Rebecca…

Two days later in the afternoon, there were still six hours before the official start of the banquet.

Leon and Rebecca mingled with the hotel staff, helping to arrange the banquet scene.

Teg stayed outside Victor’s bar, continuing to monitor him.

Inside the hotel lobby, the staff in uniform were busy and dare not be negligent.

After all, it’s the wife of a royal minister celebrating her birthday. If there’s any slightest negligence, it will cost them their jobs.

Moreover, they heard that this minister’s wife is quite harsh, which could be seen from the young man in charge of the birthday banquet’s troubled expression.

The young man’s name is Martin, he is the minister’s youngest son.

In fact, this task didn’t need him to be in charge, but his stepmother always had issues with him, making him responsible for organizing the banquet just to cause trouble for Martin.

And Martin’s character is somewhat weak, he doesn’t dare to confront his stepmother, so he can only grit his teeth and complete the task well.

Although he knew that even if he did well, his stepmother would still find fault with him.

But what could he do?

After that incident three years ago, Martin not only withdrew from the Dragon Slayer Corps but also became increasingly introverted and cowardly.

Over the past three years, whenever Martin was ostracized or looked down upon by his stepmother or others, he couldn’t help but wonder, if the captain hadn’t sacrificed three years ago, if their team hadn’t disbanded, could he have been braver and resisted the unfair treatment he was now enduring?

But alas, reality didn’t offer such possibilities.

The Battle of Silver Dragons, a disastrous defeat, they said the captain was a traitor, a criminal who caused the deaths of countless comrades.

How could Martin believe that?

He wanted to use his father’s power in the royal court to clear the captain’s name, but he was met with his father’s refusal.

He also wanted to rely on his own abilities to vindicate the captain, to prove that the captain wasn’t that kind of person.

But it wasn’t until Rebecca contacted him and said not to think about helping the captain clear his name anymore.

At that time, Rebecca had already put on the uniform of the patrol team.

From then on, there was nothing left in the Dragon Slayer Corps that was worth Martin’s staying for.

He chose to leave, to return home and be his little lord, occasionally reminiscing about the days spent with the captain and Rebecca, and the version of himself that had gradually become brave.

Lost in thought, Martin shook his head and continued to direct the staff in arranging the banquet hall.

Suddenly, Martin felt something hard and cold pressing against his waist.

He tried to look down, but the girl beside him in the work uniform warned him, “Stay natural, little Martin. Don’t be nervous. If you’re nervous, I’ll be nervous too. And if I’m nervous, this gun in my hand might just go off~”

Martin immediately recognized the voice. “Re-Rebecca?! What are you doing here…”

“Your stepmother’s having a birthday, so we thought we’d join the fun,” Rebecca said.

“‘We’? Who else came? Victor?” Martin inquired.

“No, the big star is really busy right now. When I said ‘we’… I meant someone else.”

“Someone else… is—”

Before Martin could finish his question, an arm draped over his shoulder, as familiar and friendly as a good buddy from school.

Martin didn’t dare to turn around to see who was resting their arm on him because Rebecca’s gun was still pressed against his waist. He could only steal a glance at the hand on his shoulder.

It was broad and sturdy, with scars covering the back.

“Long time no see, Martin.”

At the sound of the voice, a surge of electricity seemed to run down Martin’s spine, spreading throughout his body.

His eyes widened in astonishment, hardly able to believe that after three years, he could still hear this voice.

Martin would never forget the owner of this voice in his lifetime.

It was him who once taught Martin to be brave, to discover the true essence of courage, to face his true self.

Without him, Martin would never have had the determination to join the Dragon Slayer Army.

Although his courage had gradually faded away after his “death,” now, hearing his voice again, Martin not only felt incredibly shocked but also sensed the faint ember of courage in his heart struggling to reignite.

“C-Captain… Cap!”

“Shh~ There’s no captain here. Just two hotel staff who happen to get along well with you, here to chat.” Leon whispered.

Martin forcefully suppressed his shock and countless questions, taking a good ten seconds to calm himself down. His hand gripping the railing trembled slightly, and he swallowed a few times.

Seeing Martin gradually quieting down, Leon briefly reiterated his purpose for returning to the empire.

“I’ve repeated the same thing three times in the past two days. Feels like I’m reciting a menu.”

Finally, Leon couldn’t resist adding a bit of humor to ease the tense atmosphere.

Martin struggled to digest what Leon had just said. After a moment, he spoke up.

“So, Captain, how should I cooperate with your investigation into the traitor? Just tell me what to do.”

“Hmm? I thought you’d clean yourself up first thing.” Leon remarked, because that’s what Victor did.

Martin managed a somewhat forced smile and sighed, “Captain, you’re not the kind of person who’d rather kill the wrong person than let them go. I trust that you’ll make the right judgment in the end. So, there’s no need for me to defend myself. Just ask whatever you need to know, and I’ll answer.”

Just like during their battles in the past, Martin had unconditional trust in Leon and obeyed his orders.

This kid had joined the Dragon Slayer Corps because he admired Leon. After graduating from the Dragon Slayer Army with excellent grades, he was directly assigned to Leon’s team.

He was a successful fanboy.

Leon patted Martin’s shoulder. “Well then, since that’s settled, I want to know if today is indeed your stepmother’s birthday, right?”

Martin nodded. “Yes.”

Oh, it seems it’s not a trap or a scheme after all, just a simple coincidence.

But even so, Leon wouldn’t let his guard down. He had planned tonight’s arrangements carefully to ensure that he, his master, and Rebecca could safely escape even if they couldn’t expose the traitor.

“Also, how’s your relationship with your stepmother?” Leon inquired.

“Uh…” Martin hesitated.

“Oh, if it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer,” Leon reassured him.

Martin scratched the back of his head, looking a bit uncomfortable. “It’s not really personal. My relationship with my stepmother… isn’t very good.”

“Has she ever given you any gifts?” Leon asked.

“Gifts? Come on, Captain, if she doesn’t kick me out the door, I’m already grateful,” Martin replied.

Well, it seems their relationship is indeed not great.

Leon’s mind wandered slightly. “Have you ever given her any gifts? Like… clothes, bags… or jewelry, perhaps?”

“No.”

Martin’s answer was firm, without hesitation.

Leon pondered for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, I don’t have any more questions. Just one more thing I need your cooperation with.”

“Captain, go ahead.”

“At tonight’s banquet, Rebecca will stick with you the whole time. Former teammates strolling around the banquet together shouldn’t raise any suspicions, right?”

“Captain, are you asking Rebecca to monitor me…” Martin’s mind was sharp.

“No no no, little Martin,” Rebecca nudged Martin’s lower back with the muzzle of her gun, “this is way more exciting than just monitoring.”

Martin seemed a bit nervous, but he nodded slightly, sweat forming on his forehead and nose.

Leon indicated his understanding.

This has nothing to do with whether Martin is the traitor or not. After all, being threatened with a gun by a crazy girl would make anyone break out in a sweat.

So, with everything arranged properly, if all goes well, tonight… it will all come to an end.