Vol. 3 Ch. 99

Years ago, Leon and Rosvisser had ventured into the Red Flame Dragon Clan’s territory to investigate which Dragon Kings might be cooperating with the empire.

So he still remembered where the Red Flame Dragon Palace was located.

Passing through a forest, Leon saw the flicker of flames in the distance. Soon, he’d be face-to-face with that tenacious male dragon.

It was ironic. In the glorious career of General Leon the Dragonslayer, Konstantin was the only Dragon King he’d fought at least three times—and who was still alive.

Leon chuckled to himself. He was almost embarrassed to knock Konstantin back into a resurrection match yet again.

But as he made jokes to himself, Leon remained cautious.

Konstantin now had a boost from primordial power. Even though he might not have mastered its spells, his strength had undoubtedly increased significantly.

Thinking he could defeat Konstantin as he had before was unrealistic.

However, Leon was confident enough to come alone, which spoke to his faith in the difference between their powers.

Even if he couldn’t beat Konstantin, he was sure he could escape without harm.

With this in mind, Leon reached the outer boundary of the Red Flame Dragon Palace.

Strangely, no dragons came out to stop him.

“This... It’s way too quiet. Suspicious.”

Not only suspicious but oddly familiar, stirring an unpleasant memory.

He remembered the time he’d tried to escape from Rosvisser’s Silver Dragon sanctuary after waking from a two-year coma. Not a single guard had appeared in his path—it felt like strolling through his own backyard.

Until he reached the river, where Rosvisser caught him. Only then did he realize it had been her little game all along.

She’d let him think he was getting away, only to pull the rug out from under him when he was sure he’d won. It was just like a dragon to go for both the body and the pride.

So… could Konstantin be trying the same tactic?

Leon snapped to full alert, scanning his surroundings.

Meanwhile, inside the Red Flame Dragon Palace, Konstantin leaned back on his throne.

A guard approached, bowing low.

“Your Majesty, after each Dragon Clan stationed troops outside our territory, one person entered the inner grounds.”

Konstantin closed his eyes, nonchalantly saying, “Kill him.”

“Uh…”

“What? Can’t manage it?”

“It’s Leon Cosmod, sir.”

“...Oh. Well, that explains it.”

Upon hearing Leon’s name, Konstantin’s disappointment in his subordinates vanished.

He opened his eyes, asking, “Are you sure he came alone?”

“We are certain.”

How strange.

Konstantin could understand why the Dragon Clans had stationed troops around his territory—it was obviously for the primordial power.

It had likely been decided at the Twilight Tower’s ridiculous Dragon King meeting. That old fox Alres had been using these meetings to serve his own interests for centuries and wouldn’t miss a chance to snatch up primordial power.

But even if Leon had attended that meeting and taken part in monitoring Konstantin, there was no reason for him to venture alone into Red Flame territory.

Did this human brute plan to take on Konstantin and the entire Red Flame Clan by himself?

Ha! That was wildly—

Or... perhaps it wasn’t so impossible after all.

Konstantin pondered, deciding to hold off on any rash moves.

He hadn’t fully adapted to his new power yet and wasn’t sure of his control over it. Fighting Leon now might not go well.

Better to find a way to politely send this “guest” on his way.

“Send some men to drive him out. Avoid direct confrontation if possible.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The guard withdrew from the palace.

---

Ten minutes later…

The palace doors were flung open, and two Red Flame Dragon guards flew in, landing with a thud.

“Konstantin, I’m here to negotiate.”

Leon stood in the middle of the grand hall, surrounded by dozens of Red Flame dragons, not an ounce of fear in his expression.

Konstantin remained calm, seated on his throne, looking down at Leon.

“I don’t know what wild idea made you come here to negotiate, and I don’t care. Guards, remove him.”

The guards surged forward.

Leon considered retaliating but reminded himself he was here to negotiate. Fighting in Konstantin’s “office” would hardly make for effective diplomacy.

So, he resigned himself to being pushed out.

One minute later…

The palace doors were thrown open again.

This time, four Red Flame Dragon guards flew inside.

“Konstantin, I really am here to negotiate.”

Aside from Rosvisser, General Leon had never been this sincere with any other Dragon King.

But Konstantin wasn’t buying it.

Who knew what tricks this human was up to?

“Guards, remove him.”

Once again, Leon was pushed out.

Another minute later…

The palace doors flew open yet again.

“Konstantin, I truly, honestly came to negotiate.”

“Remove him.”

Thrown out, the doors slammed shut—only for them to burst open once more.

“Konstantin, I’m here to—”

“Your Majesty!”

One of Konstantin’s most loyal subordinates, now bruised and battered, knelt before the throne, hands clasped in plea.

“Your Majesty, please just hear him out. If this keeps up, we won’t be able to hold out any longer!”

Konstantin looked down at his groaning, battered guards sprawled across the floor and finally conceded.

Since Leon seemed determined to stay and had yet to start a fight, perhaps it was worth hearing him out.

Konstantin rose and stepped down from the throne.

Standing face-to-face, only five meters apart, he waved his guards off.

“You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Gratefully, the guards helped each other limp out of the hall, relieved that their leader had finally agreed to talk.

Once everyone had left, Konstantin turned to Leon and spoke coldly.

“You’re bold, coming alone into my territory.”

“You’re bold too, letting the Dragon Kings monitor you without doing a thing about it.”

“Hmph. Those fools can watch all they want. Let’s see if they have the guts to come inside.”

“Oh, come on, Red Flame King,” Leon said, shrugging. “If they really did come charging in, do you think your clan could hold them off in its current state?”

Leon had instantly seen through Konstantin’s bluff.

Enough of the posturing, old dragon—I know exactly where your strength stands.

The Red Flame Clan had been without a proper leader for years. Many of their best warriors were dead or gone, leaving the clan weakened.

And Konstantin had only recently returned, hardly enough time to rebuild.

Konstantin’s pride took a slight hit, but he maintained his composure.

“Whether I can hold them off or not is none of your concern.”

“Oh, I think it is.”

“And how, pray tell, does this concern you?”

“You know Alres, right?”

Konstantin nodded.

“Well, at the Dragon King meeting, he proposed a full-on assault to seize your hard-won primordial power.”

Leon continued, “Now, guess who argued against that and convinced them to settle on mere surveillance?”

Konstantin narrowed his eyes. He already knew the answer from Leon’s smug expression.

But he wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

“Who? Odin? Morgan? Some other old coot?”

Konstantin could guess which Dragon Kings had attended the meeting, knowing Odin and Morgan’s descendants had been at the ruins as well.

Leon rolled his eyes.

“It was me! I’m the reason your clan isn’t facing a full-blown attack right now, got it?”

“Cosmod, I’m not fighting you because I’m impressed you had the guts to come here alone, but that doesn’t give you the right to talk down to me.”

“No, no, you’re not fighting me because you’re not sure you’d win,” Leon retorted confidently.

“...”

For a moment, Konstantin couldn’t help but wonder if Leon really was only in his twenties.

Why did he feel like he was speaking with someone who had the cunning of a two-hundred-year-old?

After a few exchanges, Konstantin realized Leon had taken the upper hand.

There was no point in further games. It was time to be direct.

“So, what exactly do you want to talk about?”

“Let’s talk about the empire.”

Leon paused, then added, “Specifically, the empire’s dealings with you Dragon Kings. I want to know why you allied with them and what you’re getting out of it.”

“And why should I tell you?”

Konstantin was aware that, although Leon held the advantage in this standoff, he did not control the terms of the negotiation.

Realizing that Leon had come for “personal” reasons unrelated to the Dragon King meeting, Konstantin stood his ground.

Leon remained calm.

“Because the empire is our common enemy. Because I came alone, unarmed, to have a civil talk. Because the Dragon Clans haven’t attacked you yet—thanks to me opposing Alres’s proposal.”

“And lastly, because the empire tortured you and left you for dead. After all that, do you still want to protect them?”

That final point hit the mark.

Konstantin’s expression shifted slightly, and after a pause, he finally spoke.

“I can share a few details, though I had no part in anything like what’s happening in the far north.”

Hearing Konstantin agree to talk, Leon felt a small sense of relief.

See, he thought. This “mad dragon” wasn’t completely impossible to reason with.

“Alright, I’m listening,” Leon said.

Konstantin turned, pacing slowly as he began.

“About thirty years ago, when the war between humans and dragons was at its fiercest, the

empire struck an agreement with a few Dragon Kings.”

“The purpose of this alliance was simple: to prolong the war.”

Leon’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

“To prolong the war?! How’s that possible?!”

Years of conflict had only drained the people, increasing taxes and depleting the population. The common folk were worn down to the bone. Though each victory brought celebration, the cost of these battles was staggering.

So why… why prolong the war?

“I was just as shocked. But think it through, Cosmod, and you’ll see—the profits of war far outweigh its downsides.”

“That’s nonsense, Konstantin! War only brings death and suffering. There’s no profit in it!”

“Not for the common people, no. But for those in power?”

Konstantin explained, “The longer the war drags on, the more manpower, finances, and resources the people funnel into supporting it. The empire’s rulers can reap the rewards without raising taxes or changing labor laws.”

“And if anyone questions the war or opposes it, they just stage another ‘victory’ to keep the people content.”

“For over thirty years, the empire has squeezed every last drop from your people through this grand illusion. So—”

Before Konstantin could finish, Leon cut him off.

“This… can’t be. This can’t be true!”

Leon rarely showed such emotion, but now, he felt his beliefs shaking to their core.

All the honor he’d fought for, risking his life to end this war, was just… an illusion?

How could he accept that?

“And what about you Dragon Kings?” Leon asked urgently. “What do you gain from it?”

“Seizing territories becomes effortless.”

Konstantin continued, “Many battles left both your Dragon Slayer Army and our clans severely weakened. Once your army withdrew, it was easy for us to swoop in and claim territory and resources.”

“Of course, one clan’s resources were usually enough to sustain us for years. Using this method too often would have exposed the scheme.”

Leon’s brow furrowed, a cold sweat forming on his temple.

His master had once told him he left the Dragon Slayer Army after discovering some dark truths within the empire.

Could he have glimpsed a part of this very scheme…?

Seeing Leon’s reaction, Konstantin chuckled.

“Are you regretting your quest for the truth now, Cosmod?”

Leon steadied himself, his voice low.

“Then why does the empire want me dead?”

“Oh, that’s simple, Cosmod—you almost ruined their plans.”

“What… do you mean?”

“You see, you stormed the stage and nearly brought their whole charade down.”

Konstantin explained, “Your presence on the battlefield made the Dragon Slayer Army unstoppable. You crushed both staged ‘victories’ and real battles alike.”

“Your black armor was feared by everyone—even us Dragon Kings working with the empire.”

“The empire realized that if they let you continue, you’d wipe out all the dragons within a decade. And if that happened, where would they get their excuse for more war?”

“So they set up a traitor to stab you in the back and sent me to the Silver Dragons to finish the job.”

Konstantin stepped closer, meeting Leon’s gaze directly.

“Cosmod, you became too powerful. You threatened their carefully crafted plans, and they’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth for it.”