Vol 8. Chapter 40: Startle You Once More

After nearly a month on the road, the dragon-slayer army finally crossed the border between dragon and human lands.

For Leon and Rosvisser, who were inside this world of constructed consciousness, that month had been very real, each day passed one by one. But for the female knight in the cage outside, it was as if time had skipped forward, sparing her the boredom of endless marching.

The moment they set foot into human territory, Rebecca stretched her arms and took a deep breath, exclaiming:

“Ahh, the air of home really is fresher. A hundred times better than that of dragon lands.”

Martin stepped forward with a smile and asked:

“Can there really be such a difference when we’ve barely crossed the border?”

Rebecca pursed her lips, then poked him in the chest with her finger.

“Do you not understand what an exaggerated rhetorical device is, little Martin? Honestly.”

“Yes.”

Martin only smiled again and said no more.

Rebecca turned her gaze to the road ahead.

“At least now we don’t have to worry about some Dragon King suddenly leaping out to attack us.”

“But we can’t let down our guard just yet. Without dragons, this region still often has high-class dangerous beasts appearing. We need to stay cautious.”

Leon walked forward, personally escorting the anti-magic prison carriage, reminding them all.

“Yes, yes, Captain, we know.”

Leon looked up at the sky. It was already evening. This kind of dangerous area wasn’t suited to marching blindly in the dark, so he ordered the army to set camp here for the night.

“Rebecca, Martin, take two squads along with several sensory mages and scout the surroundings. Make sure the area is safe.”

“Understood, Captain.”

Rebecca immediately picked two units and led them off to investigate.

After a long day’s march, Leon finally had a little time to rest.

The dragon-slayer soldiers set up camp, lit fires, set pots, and began preparing dinner. Meals on the march were never extravagant—just enough to keep the soldiers nourished. Tonight’s food was soon ready.

Leon carried two portions over to Rosvisser’s cage, passing one through the bars.

A dragon could survive for months without food by relying on magic alone, but with her hands and feet chained and all magic sealed by the prison, Rosvisser couldn’t go without eating. So Leon made sure she was fed—three meals a day, no less.

After a month of this feeding routine, the two had gone from ignoring each other to exchanging casual comments.

“The potatoes are overcooked, too soft, bad texture. Failure.

That cook of yours has no talent at all, can’t even stir-fry properly. Failure.

As for side dishes—without carrots and eggplants, that’s a failure among failures.”

Through the bars, Leon stared at her sharp critique with a blank expression. His tone was cold.

“If you don’t want to eat it, give it to someone else. Stop talking so much.”

He paused, then looked down at the potatoes and beef in his own bowl. After a moment’s hesitation, recalling their taste, he begrudgingly added:

“...Though tonight’s potato beef really wasn’t done very well.”

“Right? You see? You can trust my palate when it comes to food.”

Rosvisser said with a smile. “So what about the carrots and eggplants? Why not comment on those?”

Leon’s face went dark. “How many times have I told you? I hate carrots and eggplants.”

“Oh~ such a grown man, and still picky, seriously picky. What did carrots and eggplants ever do to you? That’s not dislike—that’s hate, isn’t it? What kind of stubborn old habit is that? You get sick from half a bite, I don’t even want to expose you.”

“Mind your own business. I just don’t like them.”

Leon stopped bickering and turned back to finishing off the less-than-appetizing potatoes and beef.

Rosvisser, meanwhile, had little appetite. She crouched with her food box at her feet, chin resting on her palm, silver hair falling down, eyes half-lidded, bored out of her mind.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

Leon glanced at her and asked casually.

That was enough for Rosvisser to pounce on the chance.

“What’s this? Concern for me? I just ate two bites. Don’t make me vomit. If you want to care, just admit it. We’re all adults here. In fact, I’m older than ten of your adults combined. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“As a Dragon Queen, don’t you think you’re acting a little too undignified? Acting like we’re old friends.” Leon couldn’t help but retort.

But really, it wasn’t just a jab. It was how he’d genuinely felt over this past month.

The Silver Dragon Queen had been described in intelligence reports as a top talent among the younger generation, no weaker than any Dragon King.

But ever since her surrender, Leon hadn’t seen anything matching that image.

Every Dragon King he’d heard of was proud, aloof, dismissive of humans. Just like that Crimson Flame Dragon King he’d faced a month ago.

Yet this one, despite chains on her hands and feet, despite a month locked in an anti-magic cage, had never once shown impatience or anger.

Every day she just chatted with him, teased him, seemed to enjoy it.

Leon was starting to suspect she wasn’t really the Silver Dragon Queen at all—maybe just some substitute?

“Can’t figure you out.”

“We’re not strangers, are we? We’ve known each other a month now.” Rosvisser laughed.

“So what if it’s a month?”

“Some people meet in a month and get married, you know. What do you say to that?”

“Nonsense...”

“So you really were concerned about me just now?”

“I wasn’t—”

Leon broke off mid-sentence.

He realized that if he denied it again, Rosvisser would only hound him endlessly.

So, for peace of mind, he sighed helplessly.

“Mm, mm, fine, I’m concerned, alright?”

“You like me.”

“Get lost.”

This time Leon really didn’t engage further. He jumped down from the wagon and went to patrol the camp.

Rosvisser watched his back silently. After a while, she whispered:

“Whether in the future or now, he’s always the same—stubborn to the end.”

It was interesting.

Ten years ago, Rosvisser had been numb and indifferent to feelings. She didn’t care what anyone thought of her—good or bad. She only cared about herself.

It was only after staying by Leon’s side that her view of emotions began to change, turning the Melkvey family into something warmer, more harmonious, more like a true home.

But here, on this time-thread woven by the Netherweb, it was Leon who didn’t understand feelings—and Rosvisser who had become his guide on the road of the heart.

Rosvisser knew that deep in Leon’s heart, the perfect woman he longed for was her.

That was why she had the patience to guide him.

What the final outcome would be—that was what she sought to discover and prove.

Eventually Leon’s back disappeared from her sight.

She lowered her gaze to the cooling food by her feet.

“Dragons may be iron, food may be steel—but even in a constructed world, you still have to eat.”

Rosvisser muttered, picking up her box to half-heartedly finish the meal.

But just then, Rebecca’s shout came from not far away.

“Captain! Captain! We’ve found something!”

Leon quickly ran from camp toward the call.

Rosvisser looked that way too—and her silver eyes widened.

Behind Rebecca and the dragon-slayer squad were two women.

If they’d been just ordinary women, Rosvisser wouldn’t have been so startled.

“Two of them? Who are they?” Leon frowned at the unfamiliar faces.

One was elderly, hair white, expression tense.

The other was a young woman in a ragged dress, but her hair and eyes burned bright red like flame. Her face, though weary, was strikingly beautiful.

Rebecca said, “We spotted them on patrol. Let them explain themselves.”

Leon looked at the younger woman.

“May I ask—”

“You—you must be the commander of the dragon-slayer army? Thank the heavens! I could tell at a glance you’re a good man. Please, you must help my grandmother and me!”

She burst into tears, voice soft and pitiful.

Rosvisser, watching, twitched at the corner of her eye.

“...What in the world is this supposed to be...”

Leon quickly soothed her.

“Don’t worry, just calm down. Tell me what happened.”

The girl pressed against her grandmother, took a breath, and spoke between sobs.

“Our village was attacked by dangerous beasts a few days ago. Everyone scattered. My grandmother and I couldn’t find the others. We got lost in the forest... we were so lucky to meet your patrol squad, they saved our lives!”

“There have indeed been beasts nearby. A village under attack isn’t unusual.”

“Alright. Tomorrow at dawn I’ll send people to help you search for the other villagers. For now, you and your grandmother can stay in camp tonight.” Leon said.

“Truly? Oh thank you, thank you so much! Captain, I don’t even know your name.”

“Leon Casmod.”

“Mr. Leon, thank you! Really, thank you!”

“And may I ask your name, miss?”

The red-haired woman blinked and smiled.

“Just call me Isha, Mr. Leon.”