Chapter 77: A good warrior will not be defeated twice by the same move
The succession of a Dragon King is a long and complicated process for any tribe. Identifying candidates, pouring resources into their training, conducting internal evaluations, undergoing elder tests, and finally passing the Dragon King trial—it’s a time-consuming ordeal.
At best, the process takes a few years. At worst… well, there’s no telling how long it might drag on.
And Aurora thought the previous Dragon King died under normal circumstances. But in cases like Ravi’s sudden death, things get even messier. Are there any eligible candidates within the tribe? Is there an ongoing power struggle? Are there other internal factors at play? All of these can affect the selection of a new Dragon King.
“If it’s not the heart-protecting scale of a Dragon King, we probably won’t be able to successfully activate the reversal magic circle,” Aurora said. “We don’t have many chances left to experiment. With only three months remaining, the next time… we have to succeed.”
The four of them exchanged glances before their eyes collectively fell on Roswaisse, still peacefully asleep within the crystal.
The silver-haired beauty lay there, serene and beautiful. But Leon missed the sharp-tongued, clever Silver Dragon Queen he once knew. To leave her trapped in this dreamless state forever would be the cruelest punishment for her.
After a long silence, Leon finally spoke. “We… will go to the Empire.”
…
Leon hadn’t expected that he would return to the Empire for a reason like this.
After cleaning out the traitors and leaving the Empire, he had thought that the next time he returned, it would be to topple the throne of that treacherous emperor.
But time passed, and different troubles and challenges arose one after another, leading to the situation they are in today.
Leon had no choice but to return to the homeland he had such mixed feelings about, all for the sake of saving his wife and his family.
In the forest just a few kilometers outside the Empire, Leon stood, gazing toward a certain high ground.
He pointed and turned to Aurora. “This is the place where you were born, Little Light.”
“Dad, are you getting senile at twenty-three?” Aurora said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I was born in Silver Dragon territory. Mom told me that herself.”
“I mean this is where I came up with your name.”
As he said this, Leon’s mouth curled into a grin, more smug than a well-maintained AK rifle. “Ah, back then, your mother was clinging to me, begging me not to leave, crying her heart out—tears everywhere, pleading with me—Hey, wait, where are you all going?! Don’t leave me behind!”
The three sisters ignored their father’s reminiscing and began walking toward the edge of the forest, showing no interest in hearing about his sentimental memories.
The four of them made their way to the outer wall of the Empire and crouched behind a slope to observe.
Caravans, wagons, and small task forces passed in and out of the Empire’s gate. Few commoners traveled in or out because of the complicated procedures involved. By the time they finished, everything would already be over.
From what Leon could see, this hadn’t changed in the past twenty years.
“Is there a way in?” Noa asked.
Noa continued, “My informant said the Empire has set up a perception barrier on top of the walls. Invisibility magic won’t work. We’ll have to enter through the main gate.”
“Dad’s still a wanted man from twenty years ago. Who knows if the bounty is still up,” she added.
“Whether the bounty’s still up or not, we can’t just waltz in through the front,” Leon replied.
Moon was listening carefully, trying to absorb everything her father was saying, eager to learn more about infiltration tactics. Yet her focus was soon shattered by her father’s next comment.
“We’re too conspicuous,” Leon said seriously. “A handsome man leading three beautiful women… we’d attract too much attention.”
Moon, Noa, and Aurora: “…”
Yeah, that’s enough.
Why does Dad’s face get thicker the closer we get to his hometown?
Aurora sighed. “So, oh handsome father, what’s your brilliant plan?”
Leon eyed the passing caravans. “A good soldier never falls for the same trick twice.”
“But the Empire’s security? They definitely will.”
“Now, let’s see if you’ve all been keeping up with your training—especially your plank holds.”
…
The number of merchant caravans coming in and out of the Empire had greatly increased, which significantly lowered the difficulty of Leon and his group’s infiltration.
If there were only a handful of merchants, the guards might take their time to search each one carefully. But with these caravans lining up one after another, if they inspected every single one, it would take them all day and barely any merchant groups would get through.
That would severely slow down the officials’ ability to collect their precious taxes, and that was unacceptable. So, it was a matter of turning a blind eye to some things.
However, the rookie guards, who had yet to experience the harsh realities of life, didn’t seem to think so.
“Captain, is it really okay for us to work so half-heartedly like this? Isn’t this just slacking off?” the newly appointed Imperial patrol recruit asked.
The man referred to as Captain lounged comfortably on a wooden chair, a pipe in hand, blowing out puffs of smoke. “Kid, how much is your monthly salary?”
“Twenty gold coins,” the rookie answered honestly.
“Exactly. Twenty gold coins get you the work of twenty gold coins. If you’re taking a twenty-coin salary but stressing like you’re earning two hundred, that’s called overstepping.”
The captain spoke in a slow, seasoned tone, like someone who had seen it all.
The rookie still didn’t quite get it. “But what if something happens?”
“Something happens? Kid, the Empire’s been peaceful for the past twenty years. Ever since that guy, Leon Cosmod, disappeared, no one’s dared cause any real trouble around here.”
“Leon… Cosmod?”
“Never heard of him? Hah, well, that’s fair. It’s old news now. I’ll tell you all about it when our shift’s over.”
“Oh… okay.”
The captain continued leisurely puffing on his pipe.
Twenty gold coins weren’t exactly a small amount, but it wasn’t enough to make them crawl under every single carriage for a thorough search.
“Damn, when I was leading the Dragon-Slayer Army, I was making a hundred gold coins a month, tops. Now these guards are pulling twenty a month without risking their lives. If I’d known, I would’ve just become a guard back then. Could’ve saved me twenty years of trouble.”
“But, Dad, if you had been a guard, you wouldn’t have met Mom, would you?”
“Ah, my dear, you misunderstand. I never said I had to be a guard here in the Empire. I could’ve been a guard at the Silver Dragon Sanctum and still met your mom, right?”
“Emmm… A Silver Dragon Queen marrying one of her guards? That sounds a bit far-fetched.”
“And her marrying a human isn’t far-fetched?”
“Shhh~”
Noa interrupted their banter. “We’re almost at the gate. Quiet down.”
If Noah, Muen and Aurora who are Rosvitha’s daughters, if they have inherited her beauty, then Leon is right about them being too conspicuous.