As Isa said, patrolling the border makes a perfect excuse for an official couples' outing.

Leon and Roswitha departed at dawn, leaving Anna in temporary charge of internal affairs during Her Majesty's absence.

Traveling from Silver Dragon territory to the Red Flame Dragon Clan's domain would take roughly four hours at Roswitha's flight speed.

When they reached the border of the Red Flame Dragon Clan, Roswitha activated her invisibility spell.

"Not a single sentry at the territorial border,' Leon observed, sitting on Roswitha’s dragon-back and glancing downward. "Have they no capacity to manage this anymore?"

"Exactly," Roswitha said. "When a Dragon King falls, it often takes years for their clan to recover. And the Red Flame Dragon Clan made too many enemies in the past, so with Constantine dead, of course everyone swarms in to trample them underfoot."

"Hah, the Red Flame Dragon Clan's fate is pretty pathetic then," Leon responded.

"Oh, do you pity them now? Who was it that one-shotted their great leader again?"

Leon grinned broadly. "None other than yours truly!"

"Tch, idiot."

The queen surged forward with a sonic boom, delving deeper into the Red Flame Dragon Clan’s territory.

By the afternoon, the two landed in a forest.

Roswitha pulled out a map drawn by Sherry, one of her scouts who had surveyed the area earlier.

"Further ahead is the stronghold of the Red Flame Dragon Clan, though I doubt there’ll be many people there," Roswitha said. "Let’s take a rest in this forest for now. It’ll make it easier to move when night falls."

"Alright... but how are we supposed to find that confidant?"

Leon asked, "When you probed Maureen's memory back then, didn’t you only get a very vague image?"

"While the details were blurry, his silhouette was quite clear," Roswitha explained. "And since he’s a confidant of Constantine, after Constantine’s death, the clan’s internal factional struggles or provocations from external enemies won’t allow him to keep a low profile. So, finding him shouldn't be that difficult."

Leon nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

When it came to slaying dragons, battling, and fishing out a traitor, Leon had no problem. But when political power and factional struggles came into play, Roswitha was undoubtedly more adept.

As the two chatted, they found a large, old tree thick with leaves and of an appropriate height.

Roswitha brought Leon to the top of the tree. The foliage offered perfect cover while also allowing them to easily observe the surroundings. Any unusual movement would be easily detected from this excellent vantage point.

"By the way," Roswitha leaned lazily against the tree trunk and asked, "if we do find that guy, what’s your plan to make him talk?"

Sitting cross-legged across from her, Leon replied, "Oh, I’ve got that covered. I might not understand the intricacies of your Dragon Clan's political disputes, but I’m pretty good at persuasion."

Arms crossed, Roswitha chuckled. "Oh really? Let me warn you now: memory-probing magic only works when the strength difference between the caster and the target is significant. Otherwise, the target can resist."

"No worries. This time, I’m aiming for psychological warfare."

Roswitha raised her eyebrows, intrigued. "Psychological warfare? Let’s hear it."

Leon gave a mysterious smile. "I’ll tell you tonight."

"Tch, keeping secrets now are we?" Roswitha shot him a glare but didn’t press further. She lazily yawned.

"You should get some rest," Leon suggested. "You must be tired after flying for so long. I’ll wake you when it’s time."

"And you expect me to sleep leaning on this cold, rough tree trunk?"

Not that it was unbearable—Roswitha wasn’t the pampering type—but given there was a better option available, she certainly wouldn’t compromise.

Leon watched her mischievous grin. The implication was all too clear—there was no pretending he didn’t get it.

Reluctantly, General Leon got up, walked to Roswitha’s side, and sat down.

Without needing words, the queen immediately shifted and leaned herself against his shoulder.

Ah, much better than the tree trunk.

If there’s a moral to this story, it’s that even if you’re looking for a fake husband, you might as well find one with a good build—

Far comfier to snuggle against!

Roswitha's lithe form molded against him, the delicate fragrance of her hair teasing his nostrils—an intoxicatingly soothing sensation.

But his poor arm... it was pinned under her weight, feeling rather uncomfortable.

Leon didn’t know where to place it without it seeming inappropriate.

Roswitha opened one eye, sensing Leon’s awkwardness. In a teasing tone, she said,

"Just put it wherever feels comfortable."

"Emmmm..."

The couple both knew exactly what would make their position more comfortable.

Roswitha had already expressed her intentions—she was giving him permission.

But Leon hesitated, visibly awkward and bashful.

"Idiot," Roswitha muttered under her breath, then decisively grabbed Leon’s arm, lifted it, and placed it around herself so he was holding her from behind, her head resting on his shoulder.

Then she settled back down, thoroughly enjoying the “fake husband package” as a personal body pillow.

With a beautiful woman nestled in his embrace, her soft and tender back pressing snugly against him, and her hair brushing against his face with the slightest tilt of his head... wasn’t this posture a bit... *too* intimate?

—Quite the predicament for General Leon, who'd already sired three children with this very woman.

Eh, whatever.

She’s the one who asked for it. This is passive on my end—not my responsibility!

Leon adjusted slightly to make Roswitha more comfortable, all while keeping his eyes alert for any disturbances in their surroundings.

---

By nightfall, the moonlight was bright, assisting Leon and Roswitha immensely.

In the distance, faint flickers of firelight glowed around the Red Flame Dragon Clan’s stronghold.

Perched on the treetop, the couple watched the scene bathed in silvery moonlight.

"They don’t look like members of the Red Flame Dragon Clan," Roswitha noted. "Probably members of other clans here seeking revenge."

"Where did the remnants of the Red Flame Dragon Clan go? Are they hiding?" Leon wondered.

Roswitha shook her head. "Hiding would be tantamount to surrendering their territory. Even with Constantine gone, his loyalists wouldn’t give up their land so easily. They’re likely biding their time, waiting for an opportunity. With no Dragon King to back them up, every conflict or battle must be handled with extreme caution."

"Ah, makes sense."

The two continued observing.

Over the next forty minutes or so, the flickering flames grew more numerous, accompanied by the sounds of footsteps and distant chatter.

The groups coming for revenge hadn’t sent overwhelming numbers—if they truly intended to destroy the Red Flame Dragon Clan entirely, they wouldn’t have brought so few forces.

It was more about humiliating them, a way to kick an already-fallen foe while they were down.

When their direct search for remnants bore little fruit, the invaders began venting their frustrations by recklessly attacking the clan’s temples and buildings.

The sounds of magical detonations filled the air.

Before long, the noise of skirmishes and shouting clashed against the darkness.

"They’ve shown up at last. Let’s go take a look. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll find that confidant right away," Roswitha suggested.

"Wait." Leon held her back.

"What is it?"

"I’ll go alone. You stay here and wait for me."

Roswitha raised an eyebrow, her smile hinting at mischief. "You’re that worried I’ll get hurt, huh?"

"We can joke about that later. For now, just stay here like a good dragon. Got it?"

Pretending to ponder this seriously, Roswitha finally gave a resolute answer:

"I refuse."

Leon: ?

"Ever heard the old saying?" Roswitha asked mischievously.

"What saying?"

"‘When husband and wife are of one mind, they can cut through any obstacle.’"

*Player Roswitha Melkevi has entered the arena. Let the game begin!*