Vol. 4 Ch. 55

When Fuehr Last heard the words “Dragon King,” he froze. He lowered his gaze, avoiding Leon’s eyes, a sign of hesitation that only strengthened Leon’s suspicions.

A smirk crossed Leon’s face as he said, “I’ve always wondered why the Empire was so intent on collecting heart-protecting dragon scales. Was it really just to create hybrid creatures like Konstantin? No, that was only one step in the Empire’s larger plan, not the true goal.”

Leaning in closer, Leon continued, “Let’s make a bold guess. You and others like you have lived far longer than any human should, thanks to dragon scales taken from defeated Dragon Kings. The secret to your longevity lies in those scales, doesn’t it?”

Leon reached out, grabbing Fuehr by the collar and lifting him off the ground. Fuehr’s legs dangled as he struggled, his face twisted in defiance even as fear flickered in his eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Fuehr spat.

“Don’t understand? That’s fine,” Leon replied, reaching his other hand toward Fuehr’s chest. “I’m guessing the secret to your extended life is right here. If I pull it out, would you age to dust in seconds?”

The threat hung heavy in the cell, and outside, Rebecca and the others could hear every word. Martin shook his head, saying, “Captain’s gotten a bit more intense, hasn’t he? Hard to tell who’s the villain here.”

Rebecca crossed her arms, grinning. “He wasn’t great at interrogation back in the day, but he’s picked up a few new tricks over the years.”

“Oh? Wonder why that is,” Martin mused.

Rebecca chuckled, “Probably learned from the lady herself. I’ve always thought she had that perfect blend of kindness and subtle ruthlessness.”

Inside the cell, Leon’s fingers were now mere inches from Fuehr’s heart. Fuehr’s stoic demeanor cracked, his face beaded with sweat as the realization sank in.

“Okay, okay! I’ll talk!” Fuehr’s voice shook as he finally relented.

Leon let him go, and Fuehr dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, relieved that his life had been spared.

After catching his breath, Fuehr spoke. “I can tell you about the Empire’s dragon-scale plan. But you have to promise me safety.”

Leon’s gaze was icy. “Speak up. I don’t owe you any promises.”

Fuehr knew who Leon Cosmod was: a man renowned for his honor and strength. Yet today, the reputation of a fearless and compassionate leader didn’t seem to apply. This was a different Leon—a man who could make even a hardened soul tremble.

Fuehr’s defiance crumbled. Resigned, he sighed, “Thirty years ago, the Empire secretly allied with certain Dragon Kings to control the war’s outcome. The plan faced opposition within the royal court, with the supporters and dissenters evenly split. But King Cantor suggested that if they could harvest the dragon scales from Dragon Kings during the war, they could harness their power.”

Leon frowned, examining Fuehr. “But you don’t look like someone who’s gained that kind of power. And if dragon scales granted that kind of strength, there’s no way the Empire would’ve fallen so easily.”

Fuehr nodded slowly. “The first successful transplant of a dragon’s heart-scale didn’t grant Dragon King-level power. However, it did something remarkable—it greatly extended the recipient’s lifespan and significantly improved their physical resilience.”

Leon pieced it together. “But in exchange, the transplanted scales made it impossible for you to use magic, didn’t they?”

Fuehr nodded, his voice tinged with regret. “Yes… that’s why some military officers refused the transplant. They still needed magic on the battlefield. Without it, they’d be helpless.”

Fuehr continued, “But others, myself included, couldn’t resist the lure of nearly eternal life and chose to have the scales implanted.”

It was as Leon suspected. The Empire’s manipulation of the war with dragons wasn’t just for profit. There was a deeper motivation—greed for longevity.

“No wonder Claudia said that Dragon Kings lose a significant portion of their lifespan without their heart-scales…” Leon murmured, placing a hand over his chest, remembering the dragon scale from Rosvisser that now beat in his heart. She hadn’t just saved his life; she’d prolonged it.

Fuehr cleared his throat and continued, “Of course, with long life comes complications. Eventually, we have to fake our deaths to avoid suspicion. This way, people don’t start asking questions.”

Leon nodded, absorbing it all. The Empire’s greed had driven them to unimaginable lengths.

Fuehr’s words reminded Leon of something: “So, the previous king… he isn’t really dead either, is he?”

Fuehr hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. “The former king also had a heart-scale implant, but we haven’t seen him since Cantor took the throne. It’s as if he vanished without a trace.”

Leon’s voice turned cold. “But he’s still controlling the country from the shadows, isn’t he?”

Fuehr bit his lip, finally admitting, “Yes… Cantor was merely a puppet. The real master pulling the strings has always been the former king.”

Leon absorbed the information, realizing two critical points:

1. The real purpose of the dragon scales was to extend the lifespan of the royal elite.

2. King Cantor was a puppet, and the former king was still alive, lurking in the shadows.

Fuehr had revealed all he knew. There was little left for Leon to extract from him.

“Someone will be here shortly to continue your interrogation. Make sure you don’t hold anything back. You understand?”

Fuehr clutched his chest and nodded repeatedly. “Yes… I understand.”

Leon turned to leave, but as he reached the cell door, he heard Fuehr’s voice behind him.

“Wait…”

Leon paused, glancing back. “What else?”

Fuehr’s eyes gleamed with a flicker of curiosity. “Tell me, how do you know so much about dragon scales?”

For a moment, Leon’s heartbeat skipped. He lowered his gaze and replied quietly, “I don’t know the scales. I know the one who gave them to me.”