The rain was pouring harder and harder.

Leon lay on the bed, one hand resting behind his head while the other threw a small transparent box containing the Black Dragon Bolus up into the air, catching it repeatedly.

Although the medicine had been successfully created, he still had some concerns.

And that was...

Leon glanced over at the few chili peppers on the table.

Most of the unique foods of the Dragon Clan were beyond what the human body could endure.

Leon himself had been trained by his master like an unyielding diamond since childhood, only growing strong after years of strenuous conditioning.

Eating a few Dragon Clan chili peppers was child's play;

But this Dragon Clan nutritional supplement...

Would consuming it work too well, to the point that his body couldn't handle it, resulting in adverse effects?

What if it backfired, leaving his body worse off instead of recovering?

Leon struggled with the thought and tilted his head back, sighing toward the ceiling.

As he wrestled with his dilemma, he heard someone push open the door.

Closing his eyes, he stashed the Black Dragon Bolus under his pillow.

He didn’t even need to look to know who had entered.

"Hey, Your Majesty," Leon said lazily.

Roswitha sat down by the bed. "Oh, you’ve decided to greet me first tonight, have you?"

"You initiated it yesterday; it's only fair I do it today."

Roswitha gave a small, amused hum, not bothering to beat around the bush as she leaned forward and directly addressed him.

"I heard from Muen that you crafted some medicine that looks suspiciously like chocolate, as a remedy for me to regulate my health. But I know the truth—it's actually for yourself, isn’t it?"

Hearing this, Leon's casual demeanor vanished instantly as he sat up straight, his expression growing serious.

"Relax, I’m not here to interrogate you, just... surprised. I never expected you to be able to refine something so rare under such crude conditions. I've never even seen medicine like that before. Could you... let me take a look at it?"

Roswitha's face softened with a genuine smile. Her tone was calm and sincere, signaling she genuinely wanted to talk this over with Leon.

In fact, she could have easily resorted to force once she'd learned of the Black Dragon Bolus, taking it from him by any means necessary.

After all, this was the territory of the Silver Dragon Queen.

Leon, staying on her turf and using her resources to create the Black Dragon Bolus, wouldn't have much ground to complain if it were seized.

But instead, she spoke gently and respectfully, inviting discussion.

Leon hesitated for a moment but eventually pulled the Black Dragon Bolus out from beneath his pillow.

Roswitha took it, holding it in her palm as she examined it closely.

Leon watched her, wondering whether she would use this opportunity to mock him again.

After a brief pause, Roswitha nodded.

"Impressive. To craft a pill of such exceptional quality in these conditions... you really are skilled, Leon."

She chuckled and playfully added, "How does it go? 'Both literate and skilled in combat,' was it?"

Leon froze for a moment.

She... didn't mock me?

He rubbed at his nose awkwardly, finding himself unprepared for sincere praise from Roswitha, who normally never missed an opportunity to ridicule or mock him.

It seemed that upon laying eyes on the genuine article of the Black Dragon Bolus, she had no choice but to admit his capability.

Naturally, Leon couldn't help but revel a little in her acknowledgment.

Seeing Leon bask in subtle delight, Roswitha chuckled silently to herself.

As expected, it’s so easy to mess with you, you little idiot. Just a few words of flattery and you’re floating on air~

Of course, her earlier compliments were, in truth, heartfelt.

Raised to revere strength above all else, Roswitha had no reason to deny someone’s talent.

However, her tone shifted abruptly, her voice turning serious.

"That said... you shouldn’t take this. Or rather, it isn’t suited for someone like you."

Leon raised a brow and asked, "Why not?"

"As a Dragon Clan enhancement supplement, its effects are far too potent for the human body. You wouldn’t be able to withstand it."

Roswitha's tone bore an unusual gravity.

"If you're looking to restore your body's functions more quickly, I can have Anna and the others brew up another type of nutrient tonic for you. But as for this Black Dragon Bolus... the frailty of the human form simply can't handle the might of a dragon's power. No human has ever ingested Dragon Clan medicine before. There’s no precedent."

For once, there was no mockery or contempt in Roswitha’s expression or voice.

In her understanding, humans simply could not withstand such a formidable force.

She was offering Leon a genuine warning—

Even if warning a nemesis felt somewhat strange.

Good intentions notwithstanding, Roswitha overlooked one critical detail.

Leon, as a Dragon Slayer, would never easily concede to a dragon.

"I’m not trying to harm you, Leon. You can keep the pill, but your human body simply won’t—"

"Roswitha." Leon interrupted.

"...What?"

"You made me a promise, didn’t you? That you wouldn’t let me die."

Roswitha’s eyes widened slightly. "Leon..."

"Honestly, I was still torn on whether to take this or not. But after hearing what you’ve said, I’m done hesitating."

Boom—

A thunderclap echoed outside.

Leon bowed his head, his black bangs casting a shadow over his eyes, obscuring his expression from Roswitha.

He held the pill firmly in his hand, murmuring in a low voice,

"So what if it’s the power of dragons? I’ve defeated countless Dragon Kings. What’s a little pill that I can’t handle? Roswitha... don’t underestimate me."

"Human courage... is a hymn sung with pride!"

Clearly, Leon was becoming more and more concerned about how Roswitha perceived him.

"Leon, you...—!"

Crunch—

He popped the pill into his mouth and, without hesitation, crushed and swallowed it.

The pill slid down his throat and into his stomach.

For a split second, nothing happened. Then, Leon felt an intense heat ignite in his gut.

Thunk—

He gripped his stomach and dropped to one knee as the fiery sensation shot through his entire body in an instant.

A powerful force rampaged wildly inside him, as though trying to shatter all his blood vessels and bones.

He clenched his teeth, enduring the pain without making a sound.

Roswitha rushed to his side and crouched down, placing a hand on his shoulder. In that moment, a soothing wave of magic flowed from her palm into Leon’s body, attempting to disperse the overwhelming effects of the pill.

For the first time ever, the Silver Dragon Queen used healing magic—and for her nemesis, no less.

Frowning slightly, she steadied her voice to keep it from trembling.

"Leon? Leon?"

She gently shook his shoulder, but Leon only closed his eyes, his face full of pain.

Ever since regaining consciousness, Leon had displayed some self-destructive tendencies. Were it not for his daughters’ companionship, he might have already found a way to end his own life.

Seeing her healing magic fail, Roswitha rose abruptly, intending to fetch the Dragon Clan’s physician to treat him.

Deep down, she cursed Leon as a madman, but she lacked the audacity to gamble her own life the way he did.

But before she could leave his side, Leon’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist.

Turning back, Roswitha found Leon still kneeling, one hand clutching his stomach while the other held onto her wrist like a vice.

"Watch closely, Silver Dragon Queen. This is human courage... and resolve."

Crack—

Sparks of blue lightning burst from the hand gripping his stomach, making Leon’s body tremble.

Roswitha’s pupils constricted. "You’re using lightning magic on yourself...? You’re absolutely insane, Leon."

In spite of her words, Roswitha knelt back down beside him, steadying him with a hand on his shoulder. She infused her own magic into him once more, trying to help him subdue the raging power within.

Without realizing it, she wrapped her arms around Leon, as though trying to shoulder some of his pain and agony herself.

A moment later, the tremors ceased, and the electric glow surrounding Leon’s body faded.

He took a brief pause, then flexed his hand into a fist.

It was a familiar... strength.

Seeing this, Roswitha let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Even so, she refrained from congratulating or praising him.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she suddenly noticed just how close the two of them were, their posture far too intimate. Startled, she quickly rose to her feet and backed up two steps.

Now that Leon was fine, Roswitha turned to leave.

But just as she did, she suddenly felt something tug at her tail.

Her expression darkened as she turned back, gritting her teeth. "Let go, idiot."

Leon, his face faintly flushed, looked at her with a dazed smile and unfocused eyes, as though drunk—or perhaps as if he were under the effects of some sort of illusion spell.

In this state, Roswitha was no longer the proud and haughty Silver Dragon Queen in his eyes.

Instead, she was seated sweetly at his side, her smile warm and gentle, her voice soft and endearing, appearing to him as the partner he’d spent years of married life with.

And then, the next thing he said practically made the world tilt on its axis.

"Where are you going? ...Wife?"

The Queen: ?!