Book 4: Chapter 45 |
After Leon explained what he wanted, Claudia’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head.
“You little rascal—are you seriously planning to eat your fill and still grab more?” she snapped.
“I already gave you The Nine Hells Gate and Soul Verdict. Those are enough to last you until retirement. And now you’re asking me for more?”
“No, no, Senior, this time it’s not for me or Rosvitha,” Leon quickly said.
“It’s… for Constantine.”
Claudia raised an eyebrow. “For him? Why?”
Leon then explained how he had promised Constantine a massive reward just to convince him to step in and help.
Claudia responded with an even bigger eye roll.
“No. Not happening. Go figure it out yourself.”
“Senior—! Senior…!”
The door closed, and Leon felt his heart sink halfway into the abyss.
He let out a long sigh, not knowing what else to do.
His mistress stepped closer and gently patted his shoulder.
“It’s alright, Leon. My sister just speaks harshly. Deep down, she won’t refuse.”
Leon scratched his head.
“I really don’t want to keep bothering Senior Claudia, but this is something only she can help with.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her.”
“Hey—”
The door suddenly opened a crack. The Sea Dragon Princess leaned lazily against the doorway.
“What’s this? Running to Mommy the moment you hit a wall?”
“Senior, you—”
Claudia lifted her chin.
“Come on. I’ll take you to choose some primordial manuals.”
Hearing that, his mistress smiled knowingly and nudged Leon’s arm, urging him to hurry.
Understood.
That was classic dragon behavior—harsh words, soft heart.
Especially Dragon Kings.
At home there was Rosvitha. Outside, Constantine. And now even his so-called aunt was the same way.
Leon couldn’t help wondering:
Did people become Dragon Kings because they were stubborn?
Or did becoming a Dragon King teach them how to be stubborn?
He shook his head, dropped the thought, said goodbye to his master and mistress, and followed Claudia.
“Thank you, Senior. Sorry to trouble you again.”
They walked side by side down the corridor toward the archive.
“You’re my sister’s adopted son,” Claudia said calmly.
“By human standards, you’re family. This isn’t trouble.”
“But—”
She suddenly stopped.
Leon stopped as well.
She turned to him, blue eyes steady.
“This time, you owe me another favor. And I will remember it.”
Leon froze for a moment, then smiled.
“Understood. If you ever need my help, just ask.”
A favor never disappears—it just changes hands.
Using Claudia’s favor to settle his debt to Constantine felt reasonable.
After all, Constantine was unpredictable. His “aunt,” on the other hand, was much easier to deal with.
(A friendly reminder from Casmord: borrowing to repay borrowing is not a healthy habit. Spend within your means for a happy life.)
“By the way,” Claudia asked, “why are these manuals for Constantine?”
“They’re payment for his help. I originally promised him an entire room full of manuals, but that was unrealistic… so I reduced it to two.”
Claudia smiled faintly.
“With temporary allies, you don’t have to be so serious about promises. In times like these, promises are cheap.”
“But Constantine really helped me during the war with the Empire,” Leon replied.
“And we might work together again. I’d rather keep my word.”
Claudia nodded approvingly.
“Good. I like that about you. No wonder you managed to win over the Silver Dragon Queen.”
Leon gave a helpless smile.
“Senior, please don’t tease us. Me and Xiao Luo ending up together was completely accidental…”
“Meeting may be accidental,” Claudia said gently,
“but falling in love never is.”
“You have qualities that attracted her. She has qualities that captivated you. That’s why you’re here today.”
Qualities that captivated me…Leon inhaled sharply.
Bunny suit?
The thought made him grin like an idiot.
Claudia glanced at him, said nothing, and muttered,
“Young people…”
After a while, she asked,
“You mentioned that mysterious figure again—the one hiding in the shadows. Are you planning to investigate him properly?”
“Yes. My master suggested thinking from the previous ruler’s angle. It makes sense.”
“Once I finish what I’m doing now, I plan to return to the Empire and investigate thoroughly.”
“Good. The most dangerous threats are often the ones buried deepest.”
“We’re here.”
They reached the archive room. Claudia opened the door and led him inside.
On the left stood an elegant desk covered in ancient texts and handwritten notes.
“This is where I usually studied—where I organize and translate old manuscripts.”
She led Leon to a secluded shelf.
“There aren’t many books here, but each one is important.”
“These are the primordial magic manuals I’ve studied over the past few decades. They’re copies—the originals are stored safely elsewhere.”
“To be honest, knowing they’re going to Constantine makes me reluctant.”
She glanced at Leon.
“But earning a favor from Leon Casmord isn’t a bad deal.”
Leon couldn’t help marveling at how strange his life had become.
Six years ago, he was humanity’s strongest dragon slayer.
Six years later, he was a respected figure among dragons—even ancient Dragon Kings treated him politely.
Who knew what his life would look like six years from now?
Would even legendary ancient heroes start calling him family?
The thought was thrilling.
“For someone like Constantine, who specializes in fire magic…”
Claudia murmured, selecting two books.
“Subjugating Flame and Heartfire.”
She handed them over.
“The first is a powerful offensive spell with sealing properties. The second isn’t focused on attack, but it suits someone with Constantine’s temperament.”
“Why’s that?” Leon asked.
“Heartfire strengthens the mind through meditation. As long as the user has the will to fight, they won’t fall.”
Leon blinked.
“That’s absurdly strong.”
“Primordial magic is mysterious by nature,” Claudia replied.
“The spell your wife uses is even more excessive. These two are relatively tame.”
Leon glanced at the books.
“Now you’re making me want to try practicing them…”
Claudia tapped his chest with her finger.
“You can’t. Your modified heart prevents normal magic accumulation. Primordial magic requires vast reserves of basic magic. Relying on stored energy alone isn’t worth it.”
“So stick to your old techniques. They’re still effective.”
Leon sighed.
“I know. It’s just frustrating to be so close to power I can’t use.”
Claudia raised an eyebrow.
“If you really want something different… I might have something suitable for you.”
Leon’s eyes lit up.
“What is it?”
“You’re greedy.”
“Senior, two books or three—it’s the same effort.”
“Hush. I’ll give it to you.”
“Thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet. You now owe me two major favors. Start thinking about how you’ll repay them.”
Looking at her, Leon couldn’t help thinking:
So Dragon Kings aren’t just stubborn—
They’re also dangerously calculating.
…
Footnotes:
- Eating and taking at the same timeRefers to greed—benefiting once and still demanding more.
- Harsh words, soft heartDescribes someone who refuses verbally but helps through actions.
- Empty promisesPromising exaggerated rewards without realistic intent, often used to persuade.
- Transferring favorsA social dynamic where obligations don’t vanish but move from one person to another.