Chapter 42: That Deep Behind Enemy Lines

This is bad.
Not only is Her Majesty inexplicably happy, now even His Highness the Prince Consort is inexplicably happy too.
Could this couple really be preparing for their third child already…
The maids gathered privately to discuss – Princess Aurora was barely born, yet they’re already eagerly preparing for a fourth princess?
Your Majesty, please take care of your health, Your Majesty!
“Shh~ Their Majesties are coming, quiet, quiet.”
Hearing this, the maids immediately shut their mouths and watched as the royal family and Her Majesty’s grandmother walked out of the temple.
“Grandmother, are you really not staying a few more days?” Rosvitha held her grandmother’s arm as they slowly walked down the stairs.
“No, I still need to go see Isabella. After that, I have to return to the Far North to continue the reconnaissance mission. Even without Ravi, the operation can’t be put on hold.”
Reaching the spacious front courtyard, Rosvitha reluctantly held her grandmother’s hand, tears in her eyes.
Not having seen her grandmother for decades, and now that she finally returned, she was leaving after just a few days.
Dragons rarely visited each other, but grandmother had raised Rosvitha since she was little, so naturally their bond needed no explanation.
“There now, little Ros, once things are less busy, I’ll come back and spend quality time with you sisters.”
Grandmother patted Rosvitha’s shoulder, wearing a kind smile. “Of course, don’t forget what I told you a few days ago. Stay vigilant, be prepared, and don’t let any harm come to the clan members or yourself.”
Rosvitha nodded, “I understand, Grandmother.”
“Then I’ll be going now. We’ll keep in touch by letter.”
After a pause, the old lady added half-jokingly, “Though messenger dragons might find it difficult to fly to where I’ll be.”
Rosvitha, holding back tears, managed a somewhat bitter smile, “The messenger dragons may not reach you, but my thoughts of you certainly will.”
Grandmother smiled contentedly, “Alright then, I’m heading to Isabella’s place. Take care of yourself, Leon, and the little ones.”
“Mm… goodbye Grandmother.”
“Goodbye Great-grandmother!”
Noia held her little sister while joining Muen in bidding farewell to their great-grandmother.
Leon stood behind them, silently waving.
The old lady said goodbye to each child in turn.
When she came to Leon, the elder and younger man faced each other.
After a long moment, Grandmother slightly narrowed her eyes and said to Leon with some deeper meaning, “I hope to see you at the training grounds again next time.”
Leon was taken aback.
Was the old lady… teasing him?
Or did those words have some other meaning?
“Ah, yes, we’ll meet again.”
Though somewhat puzzled, Leon responded politely.
Grandmother nodded, then turned around, walked a few steps, transformed into dragon form, and flew straight into the clouds.
Rosvitha remained standing in place, motionless even after her grandmother’s figure had completely disappeared from view.
The maid Milan wanted to step forward to remind her, but Leon stopped her with a gesture.
“Noia, go play with your sisters and Sister Milan,” Leon said.
“Okay.”
After sending away their daughters and the maid, Leon walked forward to stand beside Rosvitha.
“You said before that your grandmother was very strict. I thought she’d be one of those rigid old dragon kings.”
The longer one lives, the more rigid they become – that was the common impression.
Rosvitha wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, forcing a smile, “What, you sound quite satisfied with this meeting-the-family?”
Leon snorted with a laugh, crossing his arms and turning his head away, “What’s there for me to be satisfied or unsatisfied about? It’s not like we’re really a couple.”
Rosvitha smiled coyly and punched his arm.
Her low spirits from parting with her grandmother improved slightly.
Leon looked at her smile and felt the force of her punch on his arm.
Hmm, she’s not sad anymore.
Three sentences to help the mother dragon overcome her depression and rebuild herself – from now on, please refer to me as Life Coach Mr. Casmode.
The couple went to the courtyard pavilion and sat facing each other across the stone table.
These past two days, they’d kissed, embraced, and their usually harsh words had softened somewhat.
Now that grandmother had left, it was time to discuss serious matters.
“Ravi, Blai, Jagus… three Dragon Kings skilled in spatial magic mysteriously left their tribes, and like Constantine, they hadn’t participated in the Human-Dragon War for a long time.”
Leon said, “So there’s reason to suspect they’re also among the many Dragon Kings cooperating with the Empire. But we lack concrete evidence to prove this theory.”
Rosvitha interlaced her fingers and rested her chin on the back of her hands, picking up Leon’s thread, “And the evidence lies with Constantine’s former confidant. If we can find this confidant, we can figure out what these three Dragon Kings are up to.”
Leon nodded, “Little Light is four months old now, so things should have settled down with the Crimson Flame Dragon Clan, right?”
To outsiders, there might seem to be no direct connection between the birth of their youngest daughter and whether a certain tribe had calmed down.
But this was General Leon’s unique way of calculating time.
He had killed so many dragons that Constantine was just one among countless dragon corpses, somewhat more erratic in behavior but otherwise not particularly special, so Leon wouldn’t specifically remember the day he killed Constantine.
But coincidentally, Little Light happened to be born on that very day.
While he might forget Constantine’s death anniversary, but his precious daughter’s birthday was something he’d want etched in his bones.
As for whether Constantine would mind Leon’s way of calculating – hah, no need to worry about that.
“Hmm… things have indeed calmed down internally within the Flame Dragon clan,” Rosvitha said with some difficulty. “But the dragon kings of those small tribes that Constantine had previously conquered seem to want revenge. I sent Shelly earlier to gather intelligence – she said the Flame Dragon clan has selected a ‘new king’, but it’s likely just someone to take the blame for Constantine’s invasive actions.”
“A new king? Could they possibly be the confidant we’re looking for?”
“That’s possible. But they’re probably struggling to stay afloat right now, and wouldn’t have time to be our interrogation subject.”
Leon stroked his chin, frowning in thought.
After a moment, he smiled and said leisurely, “I actually think the timing is perfect.”
Rosvitha raised her elegant eyebrow, “Perfect?”
“Yes.”
Seeing that man’s smile, Rosvitha knew he had some scheme in mind.
However, instead of asking about Leon’s specific thoughts, she asked a different question, “So do you plan to go to the Flame Dragon clan yourself, or have Shelly take some people to capture that fellow?”
“The latter carries more risk and has a lower chance of success. Plus, there could be unnecessary trouble while bringing that person back.”
“So, Prince Leon wants to lead the charge himself?” Rosvitha asked with a smile.
“What charge? This is infiltrating enemy territory.”
“Infiltrating enemy territory? Hmm… you are indeed skilled at penetrating deep into enemy lines.”
Leon blinked.
Wait, did a wheel just roll across my face?