Shut Up, Malevolent Dragon! I Don’t Want to Have Any More Children With You Vol. 4 Ch. 32

"What is this, a love letter?" Leon flipped the envelope over, examining the contents. Besides cryptic poetry and clumsy phrasing, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly significant.

“We initially thought it was a love letter from the Queen to this ‘Shadow’ figure, that perhaps Canter was unknowingly cuckolded by his own wife,” Nacho said. “But what’s strange is that we scoured the entire Empire and questioned every information minister. We even used mory-scrying magic, yet no one knew anything about a ‘Shadow.’”

“It’s like he appeared out of thin air.”

Leon pocketed the mysterious letter. “But there’s no way the Queen would write this kind of letter to soone who just ‘appeared out of thin air.’”

“Exactly. I think Queen Elizabeth’s disappearance is likely related to this ‘Shadow’ character. Our next investigations will focus on him.”

“Thank you for your efforts. I’ll also keep an eye out for any information about ‘Shadow’ within the Dragon Clan.”

“This is Leon’s first ti hearing about this ‘Shadow,’” Nacho comnted.

“No, it’s not a na,” Leon clarified. “Nobody would be known simply as ‘Shadow.’”

“So, Leon suspects it’s so kind of codena,” Nacho continued. “And given his connection with Queen Elizabeth, it’s highly probable that he was involved in the Empire’s sches with the dragons.”

Just as Leon had expected, exposing Canter and the Empire’s conspiracy wasn’t enough to eliminate all dangers. *To maintain a foothold in this chaotic world, vigilance must be constant.*

Leon and Nacho discussed ‘Shadow’ a bit further, but with so little information, they couldn’t get to the heart of the matter, and soon they returned to the more concrete issues of the negotiation.

Nacho glanced at his watch. “Just a couple more minutes, and we can wrap this up.”

Leon nodded with a slight smile, “Right.”

Seeing that Leon had finished the serious talk, Rebecca approached again. “By the way, Captain, how are Old Man and Aunt Charlotte?”

“They’re doing well, recovering nicely.”

After attending a secret eting in the Holy City a few days ago, Leon had traveled with Claudia to visit the Sea Dragon Clan, where his master and his wife were staying. Both looked quite well. Especially his master, who, after having the protective dragon scale implanted, no longer suffered from aches, pains, or cramps.

However, similar to Leon’s own situation, his master was currently unable to use magic, as the protective scale needed a continuous supply of magical energy to sustain the healing. But Leon never expected his master and mistress to carry around dragon scales for energy storage as he and Rosvisser did. Given the delicate state of his master’s body, it would be too much for him to handle.

“That's good to hear. So, has Old Man said when he’ll co back to see us?”

Rebecca’s tone softened, “Or… maybe he won’t return at all…”

To Rebecca, who had lost her parents at a young age, Old Man Taige was like a second father. He had led her onto a path she might never have found otherwise. Without him, she’d likely still be in so stinking alley, fighting with lowlifes over scraps. So, of course, she missed him dearly.

“Of course, he’ll co back,” Leon assured her.

Rebecca’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes. Once he and Aunt Charlotte are better, they’ll co to visit you all.”

Leon wasn’t just making this up. The old man had indeed expressed his eagerness to return to the Empire, though he’d need more ti to recover before that could happen.

Rebecca cheered, while Leon glanced back at the dragons and prepared to leave. “Ti’s up. I have to go. The next phase will be handled by soone you can trust.”

“Understood.”

“If anything cos up, contact through the ssenger dragon.”

“Got it.”

After their exchange, Leon turned and walked back toward the dragons. Nacho watched his figure retreat, hands in his pockets, and murmured, “Your captain always finds a way to surprise . Just when I think I understand him…”

“When will we see him again, I wonder?” Rebecca asked, a touch of sadness in her voice.

Nacho gently patted her shoulder. “I have a feeling… this ‘Shadow’ will bring us trouble that’s no less than what Canter caused.”

…

As Leon, hailed as the “Light of the Dragons’ Future,” returned to the gathering, the dragons watched him with admiration and respect.

“The negotiations went smoothly. They agreed to return so lands to the dragons and accepted our offer of resource compensation.”

The Silver Dragon Marshal nodded approvingly.

“In just a few minutes, you managed to settle such a crucial matter with the humans. I must say, Leon of the Silver Dragons, not only are you valiant in battle, but you’re also skilled in diplomacy—a true blend of both mind and might,” Morgan remarked.

Leon smirked. “Well, it’s easy when I’m negotiating with myself. How much ti could that possibly take?”

Morgan chuckled, raising his thumb in admiration. Nearby, the other Dragon Kings joined in praising Leon, each trying to outdo the last in their complints. After Leon had taken down the legendary Oscony the Mad Sorcerer in a single strike and even stabilized the Silver Dragon Clan against territorial breaches, his reputation had soared. Now, even the older Dragon Kings had started to take him seriously, making the praise and attempts to curry favor inevitable.

Leon, who wasn’t fond of excessive praise, held a polite smile but internally wished he could escape this attention. Fortunately, Rosvisser ca to his rescue.

“Everyone, thank you for your kindness. My husband has been preparing for today’s negotiations for days without rest, and he’s truly exhausted. We appreciate your support, but please allow him to get so well-deserved rest.”

She linked her arm with Leon’s, smiling gracefully at the Dragon Kings.

They took the hint and began to disperse. Odin, standing at the forefront, had been observing Leon in silence all along.

“Thank you, Lord Odin, for recomnding my husband as the representative in these negotiations,” Rosvisser added.

“No thanks needed. One with such abilities deserves recognition.” Odin turned to leave but paused to look at Leon. “Don’t forget our deal, Silver Dragon Prince.”

Leon nodded. “I won’t forget.”

“Very well, until we et again.” With those parting words, Odin spread his wings, transforming into a massive, dark blue dragon, and led his clan away.

The other tribes soon followed suit, saying their farewells before taking flight.

Rosvisser turned to Leon with a puzzled look. “You made a deal with Odin?”

“Yes, I promised him that we’d have a sparring match soti.”

“And what do you gain from that?”

Leon paused, looked down at his right hand, and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

“Nothing in particular. But there’s one thing I can rely on with the Red Fla Dragon King.”

He spread his fingers, then slowly clenched them into a fist.

“The thrill of battle… is exhilarating!”