Vol. 6 Ch. 114

The Empire’s archaeology team—or really, any archaeology team across the entire continent—was a rather unique kind of organization.

Because magic existed, the historical secrets buried in mountains, rivers, or hidden caves could often be easily uncovered.

Just like Rosvisser’s grandmother, Veronica, who had once led several Dragon Kings to the far north to explore the ruins of the Primordial Dragon King. With a variety of magical tools aiding excavation and investigation, secrecy had become much harder to maintain.

So more often than not, the so-called “archaeological work” was closer in spirit to “adventuring” or “treasure hunting.”

It sounded safer and a lot more fun than serving in the Dragon Military.

Of course, Samael’s archaeological prep work—the research phase—would later involve a fair amount of the dry, boring stuff Elusa had mentioned.

“Thirty years, huh…”

Leon folded his hands tightly. “Thirty years is… a sensitive time frame.”

After all, it had been thirty years since the traitor Hera fled from the Golden Thunder Clan with the Thunder Spirit Core.

And the last place she’d been seen was somewhere near the Empire.

With no leads at all on the Thunder Core at the moment, Leon instinctively linked this tree cave to the investigation he and Rosvisser had been conducting.

“But just thirty years ago doesn’t really count as ‘archaeology,’ right?”

Leon put down the photo. “And judging from these plants in the picture, this looks like that forest not far from the Empire. It’s just ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) a half-day on horseback. If this site had already been discovered, why is it only being investigated now?”

“For humans, thirty years isn’t that short. But for archaeology, it’s definitely on the young side—since most of the treasures archaeologists dig up with their little brushes are centuries or even millennia old.

So thirty years is definitely on the short side—but still worth noting.

That’s what makes this project so strange.”

Elusa smiled as she said this:

“Just like you said, Leon, the area around the Empire has already been patrolled, investigated, and thoroughly explored multiple times by all kinds of archaeological groups. Realistically, there shouldn’t be anything new to find.

And the surroundings of that ancient tree were clearly marked on multiple prior expedition maps.

What’s fascinating is, not a single organization—not one—left any notes about this hidden passage.

According to the tests run by our team, the passage was likely concealed by some kind of magical disguise. Only recently was the concealment removed, which is why we found it now.”

Hearing this, Leon’s curiosity about the tunnel deepened.

“Concealed, huh…”

He turned slightly, glancing at Rosvisser beside him.

The lady gave him a barely perceptible nod—meaning: she also thought the passage was worth checking out.

Leon lifted his gaze and happened to meet Elusa’s eyes just as she looked at him again.

“Sounds like fun—definitely more interesting than the work I did in the Dragon Military.”

Elusa laughed and shook her head. “It’s alright. Sometimes the bigger the hope, the bigger the letdown. Who knows, maybe it’s just a little stream under there. That sort of thing happens all the time.”

“Is that so… then when are you planning to investigate the tunnel?”

“Tomorrow. Why?”

“Well, truthfully, my wife and I have been getting into archaeology lately, so… could we tag along with your team when you go?”

That depends on Leon. If he wants to go with Elusa’s team, then he and Rosvisser can explore the passage whenever they like.

It’s just, since the passage dates back thirty years, there might be things inside that only trained archaeologists can recognize—or detect clues in.

That’s why Leon wants to go in with Elusa’s team, to avoid missing anything important.

“Well… normally civilians aren’t allowed to accompany archaeological teams while they’re working...”

“I’m a retired Dragon Military veteran. She’s the Silver Dragon Queen. Technically, we don’t count as civilians,” Leon cut in.

“…Fair point...”

Elusa hesitated briefly, then said:

“I’ll talk to the team lead tonight. If they agree, you and Lady Melkvey can come with us tomorrow.”

“Great. Thanks, Elusa senio...”

Before he could finish saying “senior,” Leon suddenly felt something sharp pinch into his waist, making him wince.

“Something wrong, Leon?” Elusa tilted her head.

Leon forced a bright, sunny smile through the pain stabbing his side.

“No, no problem at all… we’ll head off now and wait for your message tonight.”

“Ah, but you just got here—won’t you stay a bit lon?”

“No, no, you go ahead and do your work!”

“Any longer and it’s not just a pinch you’ll be getting,” Rosvisser muttered under her breath.

“Well then, I’ll walk you out.”

After leaving Elusa’s apartment, Leon and Rosvisser strolled side by side down the streets of the Empire.

Leon rubbed his poor, abused side and muttered bitterly,

“What are you, a kid? Always pinching people.”

“Hmph. If I hadn’t, you would’ve called her that sweet little ‘senior’ right out loud, wouldn’t you?”

Rosvisser crossed her arms, eyes fixed ahead.

“Mmh. Jealousy this heavy first thing in the morning—we’re gonna need a big lunch today.”

After a few teasing exchanges, Rosvisser suddenly paused.

Her sharp silver eyes scanned the area, and she casually murmured,

“We’re being followed.”

Leon stayed perfectly calm. “It’s Safina.”

Rosvisser raised a brow. “How do you know?”

Leon shrugged. “She and Kaiser divided tasks. He’s investigating the Thunder Core through documents; Safina’s job is to tail me. If I find the Core first, they’ll move in and take it.”

“Although I’m not sure if that really counts as ‘tailing’—Safina’s doing it pretty seriously.”

Rosvisser blinked, thinking for a moment. She shook her head with a helpless little smile.

“Looks like we’re dealing with two weirdos this time.”

“Yeah.”

Leon exhaled deeply, lacing his hands behind his head and continuing to walk.

“Gotta admit, they’re way more interesting than the enemies who just show up and start swinging.”

Even though their background was darker and more dangerous than old Constantine or the past Shadow Empire, Leon’s current Void Realm adversaries hadn’t pushed their conflict to a violent, all-out war zone.

Maybe those strange siblings really had another motive. Or maybe this battle over the divine relics wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Leon shook his head and let the thoughts go.

“Where are the girls and Cecilia?”

“They went out early this morning.”

Rosvisser replied, “Something about an amusement park. They were really excited about it.”

Such pure-entertainment venues didn’t exist among the dragons—only Sky City had anything comparable.

So Leon could understand why Moon and the others were so thrilled to head out first thing.

“There’s an amusement park near this district. I know the place. Let’s go find them.”

“Okay.”

The couple walked side by side.

After a few blocks, they arrived at the amusement park entrance.

Just as they reached the gate, Leon spotted Noa and Aurora standing at the end of a line.

The two little ones also spotted their parents.

“Dad, Pa, Mommy—where did you go after you woke up?”, Noa asked.

“Nowhere, just walked around for a bit.”

Leon and Rosvisser joined the girls at the end of the line. Leon looked around and asked,

“Where are the others?”

“Third Sis wanted ice cream half an hour ago, so Grandma Cecilia took them to get some.”

Aurora paused, then added, “But I think they got lost. Otherwise they’d be back by now.”

“You actually left your little sisters and Xiaoxue with your navigation-challenged grandma…”

Leon raised an eyebrow and gave a helpless smile.

“I’ll go look for them”, Rosvisser said. “You take Noa and Aurora inside.”

“Alright, we’ll wait by the carousel.”

Rosvisser nodded and started walking into the park. Then abruptly stopped. She turned and asked, baffled,

“What’s a carousel?”

“Oh, a carousel is—”

Leon’s sentence cut off midair.

Rosvisser tilted her head. “Is what?”

Leon stepped forward and twirled in place twice until he was beside her.

“This is the ‘carousel.’” Leon said solemnly.

The queen: ?

“And the horse part?”

“This is—”

Without warning, that damn man leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Complete with a ridiculously exaggerated “mua” sound.

“This is the horse.”

“…You—You’re such an idiot! IDIOT!”

Rosvisser’s cheeks flushed red as she spun around and stormed off.

Nearby, Aurora nudged Noa with her elbow, arms folded.

“Tch. Big Sis, they don’t even bother hiding their lovey-dovey crap from us anymore.”

Noa’s face remained serious. “Based on recent years’ data, the amount of PDA they indulge in is directly proportional to our age. The older we get, the more unbearable they become.”

“Waaah~”

“Waaah?”

“I wanna grow up to eighteen tonight.”

The crown princess covered her face. “You’re unbelievable, Aurora.”