Leon briefly explained the sequence of events.

However, Nacho and the other two still found it hard to fully process after listening to him.

"So, Captain, you're saying your status in the Dragon Clan and among humans… is pretty much the same?"

Leon scratched his temple awkwardly. "I wouldn't say they're exactly the same... just not too different."

"And yet they sent you to negotiate?"

"Because they don't know I'm human."

"The fact that you've kept that secret for so long is practically a miracle."

"Not a miracle, just a testament to my incredible intellect and talent for disguise."

"Alright, stop boasting."

Nacho, who had been quiet, finally spoke up, cutting off the playful banter between Leon and Rebecca.

He crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, looking past Leon toward the vast Dragon Clan gathered behind him. Judging by their positions and the colors of their tails, there were at least a dozen different clans presenting.

Nacho shifted his gaze back to the so-called "Human-Dragon Diplomatic Envoy" standing before him.

"So, you're saying all those dragons back there actually listen to you now?"

Leon shook his head. "It's not about them listening to me. I've been appointed as the representative for negotiations between the Dragon Clan and humans through a private meeting with the Dragon Kings. Most of the Dragon Clan's stance on this war will be communicated to the human side through me."

"Oh~~ got it," the wild girl mused thoughtfully.

"Good, as long as you understand."

"You're *one of a kind!*"

"Who are you calling *one of a kind?*"

"Martin, make this woman quiet down."

"Understood."

Martin effortlessly picked Rebecca up and moved her aside.

This scene was fully witnessed by the crowd of Dragon Clan behind Leon.

Golden Sand Dragon King Morgan squinted his eyes slightly. "Hiss… It seems the Silver Dragon Prince has just given those humans a direct show of force."

"How so?" another Dragon King inquired.

"Didn't you see? That human girl got forcibly removed just now. This must be the Silver Dragon Prince exerting pressure on the humans, forcing them to negotiate one-on-one."

The other Dragon King suddenly understood. "Ah, makes sense now!"

Clap—Clap—

Morgan began applauding. "No wonder he was Odin's pick for the negotiation representative. Brilliant, truly brilliant!"

"If it were me, I probably couldn’t pull off the kind of commanding yet composed negotiation style the Silver Dragon Prince exhibits. I'm confident he’ll secure significant benefits for our Dragon Clan!"

"Exactly! And just now, he insisted on negotiating alone without any guards. Such daring at his young age—it’s clear he has a bright future ahead!"

"…"

Listening to the Dragon Kings heap heaps of praise onto Leon, Roswitha, standing nearby, silently covered her face.

Everyone, you’ve got it completely wrong. That wasn’t a show of force, nor was it any kind of “commanding negotiation style.”

The reason the pigtailed young girl got carried away was clearly because her jokes were pushing Leon's patience to its breaking point!

The queen sighed inwardly. This must be what they call destiny’s chosen one. No matter what he does, others automatically interpret it as, "Wow, so that's why! Amazing!"

"Little Ros," Isa's voice came eerily from the side.

"What is it, elder sister?"

Isa slowly turned her head, her expression cryptic as if to say, “Just watch me.”

"Eh?" Roswitha’s face was full of confusion, having no idea what Isa was planning.

The next moment, Isa raised her fist high and proclaimed loudly,

"Leon Casmode! The future light of the Dragon Clan!"

The queen: (ΩДΩ)

"The future light… Yes, the future light! Leon!"

"Leon!"

"Casmode is the future light of the Dragon Clan!"

"…"

One call started a chorus.

The Dragon Clan was an easily excitable group.

Beyond chanting Leon's name, some dragons even got so worked up that they unleashed a couple of Dragon Flames in celebration.

Roswitha was surrounded by cheers. Her tail drooped, her shoulders sagged; she was utterly at a loss.

If only you knew that this “future light” was once *that man in black armor,* you wouldn’t be shouting so passionately right now.

…

Dragon Flames lit up the iron-gray sky, and Nacho suddenly became vigilant.

"What’s going on here? Are they about to turn on us?"

Before Leon could respond, the wind carried over cheers such as "Leon, my hero!"

General Leon opened his mouth as if to explain but ultimately just shrugged. "Now you get it."

Nacho drew a sharp breath. "Have you become the Prince of Silver Dragon Clan or the prince of the entire Dragon Clan?"

"Hey! Stop bringing up weird implications like that. I only have one wife—Roswitha Melkevi."

"Nobody asked!"

Gradually, the cheers subsided.

Setting aside his playful demeanor, Leon turned serious. It was time for him and Nacho to discuss business.

"So, what’s the Dragon Clan’s stance on this war?"

"If possible, an immediate ceasefire."

"And their conditions?"

"They’re hoping that after the ceasefire, the clans that lost their homelands due to the Empire’s collusion with the treacherous Dragon Kings can have their territories returned. Similarly, the Dragon Clan will return some of the resources they've taken."

Leon continued, "I looked over the documents they’ve prepared. The proposed exchange of territory and resources seems fair. We’re not losing out here."

Nacho nodded. "No problem."

"Wow, that straightforward? Aren’t you going to run this by your superiors?"

"…So, allow me to ask, Leader Leon, are you satisfied with the conditions you just proposed?"

"Yes, I am."

"Alright then."

Relieved, Nacho let out a breath. "So… is the negotiation over?"

"Wait, not yet."

"Why not?"

Leon’s expression turned solemn as he stared directly at Nacho.

Sensing that something even more important was about to be discussed, Nacho also resumed a serious demeanor and lowered his voice to ask,

"Is there something you need me to coordinate on the Empire’s side?"

"Oh, no. I just think we should hold this pose for another five minutes."

"…W-Why?"

"Because it’ll make us look really cool while negotiating," Leon replied earnestly.

"…"

Nacho rolled his eyes silently.

Was the once "the Empire’s strongest Dragon Slayer team" full of people like this from top to bottom?

A manic pigtail lunatic girl, an airheaded support mage, and a captain in the throes of a hero complex.

Nacho could only thank his lucky stars that he hadn’t been assigned to the Dragon Slayer Army’s vanguard back in the day. Otherwise, he would've surely turned into a lunatic just like them!

"By the way, how did you guys finally deal with Kant?" Leon asked.

"Following your advice, after we interrogated him, we handed him over to the public for trial. The verdict was a public parade followed by execution."

"Good. A foolish and tyrannical king like that has no business walking this earth."

Leon never had nor would he ever have any sympathy for someone like King Kant.

"Did you manage to extract any useful information from him during interrogation?"

Nacho’s brows furrowed as he shook his head. "No. Even memory-probing magic didn’t work. His mind seemed to be shielded by some sort of barrier, making it impervious to any magical probing."

"A barrier? Was it a precaution by the Royal Mage Corps?"

"That, we don’t know. Additionally… we still haven’t located Elizabeth’s whereabouts."

After the decisive battle with the Empire, King Kant had been captured on the spot, but Queen Elizabeth had gone missing.

"Back then, we assumed the queen had just gone into hiding during the chaos. But even after all this time conducting exhaustive searches, she’s still nowhere to be found."

Nacho paused before continuing, "However, we did find an intriguing letter in the queen’s study. We originally planned to send it to you via a messenger dragon, but since you’re here now, I’ll hand it to you directly."

With that, Nacho produced a sealed envelope from his pocket and handed it to Leon.

Leon opened the envelope and found several thousand words written within.

It resembled a sentimental essay, with no apparent focus and no discernible meaning.

Of course, Leon wasn’t paying attention to the contents of the letter. His interest lay solely in the salutation at the top—

"To the honorable Shadow Lord."