Book 3: Chapter 120 (1) |
Leon was referring to the twenty-year-later future.
Nacho looked puzzled. “I don’t remember that.”
“Yeah, it’s complicated, but I know you’re a very capable person, especially in management. The Lionheart Society’s current scale probably owes something to you, right?”
Nacho gave a smug chuckle, a hint of pride on his face,
“Mostly old man Tyg’s work. I just lent a hand.”
“Then… about your father, I’m sorry. But what you just said about getting revenge on the Empire—”
Leon extended his hand, “I can help you.”
Nacho looked at Leon’s hand and gripped it without hesitation.
…
After learning about Nacho’s situation, the group circled back to the earlier topic of the Thousand Lantern Festival.
“So, Captain, what’s your specific plan?” Rebecca asked.
“The plan is simple. Don’t we have a recording stone that captures the conversation between King Kant and Queen Elizabeth? That dialogue is the key evidence to expose their dirty ruling tactics. So, we just need to let the Empire’s masses see it.”
Leon said, “My idea is to collect enough recording stones and place them inside the paper lanterns for the Thousand Lantern Festival. When thousands of lanterns are released, we can use the linkage properties of the recording stones to broadcast their footage across the night sky.”
Hearing this, Rebecca had a sudden realization,
“Oh~~ that way, the entire nation will see it.”
Nacho added from the side, “Not just the common folk. Some in the Empire’s military and royal court haven’t yet *flowed with the filth* with King Kant. They’re *preserving themselves in a murky officialdom*, waiting for the day a new leader can change everything.”
“So, if our Thousand Lantern recording stones succeed, we’ll not only gain the support of the Empire’s people but also some of the military and royal members?” Leon asked.
Nacho nodded, “But don’t get too excited. Those willing to openly resist the Empire are still a minority. Plus, we’ll have to face the Empire’s diehard loyalists and countless monsters, like the Sharp Knife Special Forces and fusion beasts.”
“Yeah, I get it. I figured the Empire probably has cards we don’t know about, which is why I brought a few allies for this operation.”
Nacho blinked, “A few allies? But I only see the Silver Dragon King. Where are the others?”
At Nacho’s question, Leon realized something and turned to Rebecca,
“Where’s Claudia? Didn’t she come with you?”
“Oh, your aunt said—”
“Wait a second!”
Before Rebecca could finish, Nacho hurriedly cut in.
He wasn’t usually rude, and interrupting wasn’t his style.
But the term “Leon’s aunt” was just too *heavyweight*, making even the ever-steady Nacho feel compelled to interject,
“I read your file before. You grew up in an orphanage—where’d you get an aunt?”
This time, Leon didn’t need to explain. Rebecca raised her hand to answer,
“The Captain’s aunt is Charlotte’s older sister. They’re both dragons, you know!”
“…”
“Aunt Claudia is also the next Dragon King of the Sea Dragon Clan!”
“…”
Nacho scratched his temple, his heart a mix of emotions.
*Who the heck created this guy, Leon?*
*Marrying a Dragon King wife is one thing, but even his relatives are Dragon Kings?!*
This level of connections couldn’t just be called “strong.” Nacho’s vocabulary wasn’t enough to describe the *abstract yet glorious* family background of General Leon.
Leon slapped Rebecca’s face, pushing her toward Roswitha,
“Grown-ups are talking—kids, don’t butt in.”
The twin-tailed girl hid behind her sister-in-law, sticking out her tongue at the Captain.
Leon turned back to Nacho, “She’s exaggerating—it’s not that dramatic. I only found out a few days ago that my master’s wife is a dragon.”
Nacho shrugged.
It was unclear if the shrug meant he didn’t care or if he was just numb to such bombshell news.
Whether as enemies or allies, Leon always managed to make Nacho’s vision go dark.
“So… where’s this mysterious ally, Claudia?” Nacho leaned slightly, looking at Rebecca behind Roswitha.
“Oh, right. Aunt Claudia said she’s interested in human culture, so she’s been holed up in the mid-district’s library these past couple of days.”
The Empire was divided into five districts:
The Royal District, Upper District, Mid-District, Lower District, and the Slum District, where Leon and the others were now.
Wealth levels decreased progressively.
Of course, this descending gradient was undoubtedly caused by the Empire’s *layered exploitation*.
The Royal District exploited the Upper District, the Upper District exploited the Mid-District, and so on.
So, the most prosperous places were the Royal District and Upper District, with the Empire’s richest resources—something the Mid-District and below couldn’t compare to.
“The library? If a dragon like her is *parading around* in the Empire and gets spotted, that’s big trouble,” Leon said.
“Well… It’s not a big deal. With frequent wars at the front lines, the Empire’s short on manpower, and patrol intensity isn’t as high as before.”
Rebecca said, “Plus, our Lionheart Society has insiders in every district. Even someone as wanted as you, Captain, can go out and stroll around at specific times with some low-key disguises, as long as you don’t act too flashy.”
Leon was slightly shocked, “Have you guys completely infiltrated the entire Empire…?”
Rebecca scratched her head, “Not exactly *complete* infiltration. The Royal and Upper Districts are super strict—besides Martin, we don’t have any particularly strong insiders. But we’ve got a good handle on the Mid-District and the lower ones.”