"The Trio-Core Special Forces is merely a nickname derived from those three individuals' names."

Three days later, the father and his three daughters gathered together again.

Noa began explaining detailed information about the three individuals to Leon.

"Their real operational codename is 'Dagger'. Just as the name implies, the three of them were elite soldiers like sharp swords fifteen years ago, which was five years after your disappearance. Each one of them possesses formidable individual combat abilities."

Noa added after pausing, "Some people say...... They even surpassed the legendary Black Armor of those years.

"Hmm... hmm?!"

General Leon immediately perked up upon hearing this.

"Who said that? Who said it?"

Noa had anticipated his reaction and merely shrugged nonchalantly. "All those defeated Dragon Clan members said so."

"However," she continued, "even though these guys are strong, the power they wield... seems to be rather unstable."

Aurora adjusted her glasses and said, "Years ago, I happened to witness one of their battles. Their coordination was practically seamless, but midway through, the leader, Kinney, seemed to lose control of his powers, and the battle was hastily concluded. Besides, big sister, you’ve felt it too, haven’t you? The powers they use—"

Noa picked up where her younger sister left off. "—Don’t belong to them."

"Don't belong to them? What does that mean?"

"It's just a feeling," Aurora explained. "Their magic is peculiar, but I can’t quite pinpoint exactly what’s odd about it." She waved it off, changing the subject. "Well, that isn’t the point. The key point is that with the Trio-Core Special Forces coming to the Imperial City, they’re probably here to attend some commendation ceremony, right?"

As Leon had mentioned to Muen a few days earlier, the basemen fighting on the front line, no matter how high their official positions are, are not allowed to enter or exit the imperial city at will except for being awarded honors.

It doesn’t matter whether you were "Tri-Core", "Tri-Chickens," or some other group. The rules applied to everyone.

"Do you plan to sneak in during the commendation ceremony?"

Leon replied, "That might not be feasible. Such ceremonies are held inside the imperial capital, and during the event, no one can carry any weapons when entering or leaving the imperial city. Everyone will be body-searched."

Noa shook her head. "Entering the imperial capital is off the table at this point. The barrier is far too complex; even Aurora can’t crack it. So, we’ll have to resort to Plan B: capture and interrogate someone."

"Capture those three guys?"

"No, the Tri-Core Special Forces don't know the location of the Heart-Guarding Dragon Scale either," Noa clarified. "But their superior likely does."

"Their superior?"

"A man named Nacho Salamander," Noa stated. "He's currently in charge of communications between the Dragon Slayer Army and the imperial capital. Technically speaking, the entire Dragon Slayer Army falls under his jurisdiction. Nacho—hmm? What’s with that look? You seem to know this Nacho?"

Leon stroked his chin, frowning slightly, before nodding. "Yeah, twenty years ago, he was just an administrative clerk within the Dragon Slayer Army. I didn’t expect he’d climb all the way up to become one of its top leaders."

The terms "top leader" or "key figure" were just for easier reference.

In reality, managing an army of hundreds of thousands like the Dragon Slayer Army couldn’t possibly fall to a single person.

Back then, Leon's official position had been "Battlefield Commander-in-Chief," which could be understood as, "Once the guns start firing, even the general has to follow my orders."

As for those outside the battlefield, there are many high-ranking officials in charge. The position that Noya just mentioned, "responsible for the communication between the Dragon-Slaying Army and the royal family", can also be understood as a kind of "key figure" role.

Thus, this Nacho wasn’t merely a pencil-pusher anymore; he was a career-minded man who had climbed the ranks.

"The higher his position, the more likely he is to know where the Heart-Guarding Dragon Scale is kept," Aurora noted.

"Alright. If we plan to capture Nacho for interrogation, do we know his whereabouts?" Leon inquired.

"My informant brought some new intel yesterday," Noa said.

"After the awarding of the honors, Nacho will host a banquet for the Tri-Core Special Forces at the "Hesna Estate" outside the imperial city. Every time he came back to confer honors, Nacho would do the same."

Leon let out an enlightened "Ah". "That’s indeed a tradition within the Dragon Slayer Army. We used to do the same back in the day. So, this dinner reception for the Dagger Special Forces is where we’ll make our move?"

"Exactly. But even if we have a clear target, we'll still need a more thorough and detailed plan, because Nacho will reserve the entire estate, and guards will secure every exit."

"Leave that part to me," Leon said. "I can approach Nacho without being detected."

"Good. Nacho will arrive at the Hesna Estate early, which will be your best opportunity to get close to him," Noa added.

Leon blinked in surprise. "This is also intel from your informant?"

"Yes. Over the years, Nacho has always shown up early at the estate. It's not out of courtesy—he just wants to maintain control over the event."

Noa shrugged. "This guy seems to want to control everyone and everything no matter where he is."

"I'm increasingly curious about your informant, for being able to gather such detailed information on the political chief of the Dragon-Slaying Army."

Leon glanced at her. "So, when do I get to meet this mysterious big shot?"

"No rush. Once we've captured Nacho and she cleans up the aftermath, we’ll probably get a chance to meet her."

Until then, Noa added with a cryptic smile, "Feel free to raise your expectations."

Leon thought to himself, If my eldest daughter had been born in a peaceful era, she might’ve made an excellent serialized novelist—she certainly knows how to keep you in suspense.

Noa also provided Nacho’s full itinerary and timing so Leon could formulate a precise plan.

After confirming everyone’s responsibilities in the operation, the conversation drifted back to the Tri-Core Special Forces.

"Although nominally part of the Dragon Slayer Army, they aren't bound by its authority. They are directly under the command of the royal family." Noa explained.

"Fifteen years ago, the Sharp Knife Trio emerged out of nowhere, wielding power comparable to the ancient Dragon Kings. They fought their way through the battlefields of the Dragon-Human Wars, achieving remarkable victories."

Aurora chimed in, "Even Aunt Isa had to relocate her clan deeper into Dragon Clan territory years ago, under pressure from the trio. It’s safer there, but it's only a stalling tactic. If the Empire continues advancing at this pace, in less than ten years, it will penetrate deep into the heart of Dragon Clan lands."

"And when that time comes, no place will be safe."

Leon fell into thought. The Dagger trio had only appeared on the battlefield five years after his disappearance.

He hadn’t heard of their names once during his years of service.

Were they prodigies secretly raised by the Empire?

Unlikely.

If they were Empire’s secret weapons, then why hadn’t they been deployed during incidences like General Leon’s rampage against the Empire, the cleansing of moles, or his battle against Star?

It’s more plausible they rose—or somehow obtained their incredible power—within that specific five-year timeframe.

"You mentioned earlier that the Dagger Trio’s power doesn’t feel like it truly belongs to them?" Leon asked. "

"Yes. Typically, when using magic, the process can be simplified as 'condensing power and then releasing it'," Noa explained.

"But their method seems different. It feels like they're 'borrowing energy from somewhere, then releasing it.' Plus, they occasionally lose control of their power. It’s highly unusual."

"You mean your informant didn’t dig into their backstory?"

Noa shook her head. "No. The Dagger Trio truly seemed to have appeared out of thin air, giving no one time to investigate."

Aurora’s expression was solemn. "They’re incredibly strong. Just as other Dragon Clan survivors have said, strong enough to rival ancient Dragon Kings."

Muen sat aside, curling up her long legs and hugging her knees with both hands. Facing the serious discussion atmosphere, she didn't dare to say anything and could only listen silently by the side.

But even she knew the strength of the Dagger Special Forces.

If they were forced to confront the trio one day, could they even win?

"Dad," Aurora’s voice broke the oppressive silence.

"Hmm?"

"You were zoned out just now. What were you thinking about?"

"Oh… just reminiscing about something amusing from the past," Leon replied, sitting cross-legged, his head tilted downward. As he spoke, he chuckled softly.

Noa blinked, "What makes you laugh so happily?"

"You," Leon replied.

"Me?"

Leon looked back at his eldest daughter. "The Dagger Special Forces—they're three people. It reminded me of when Noa got into a three-vs-one fight back in her Saint Hiss Academy days."

Hearing this, the pink-haired troublemakers immediately brightened. "Wait, what three-vs-one? When did big sis go three-vs-one? I’ve never heard about this! Spill the details!"

Leon enthusiastically described Noa’s glorious achievements from back in the day.

Aurora clapped Noa proudly on the shoulder when the story ended. "No wonder you're the eldest of the Melkevi family!"

A faint blush crept onto Noa’s cheeks as she turned her head away. The air of arrogance mirrored her mother’s perfectly. "Don’t overhype it. It was just an anti-bullying incident."

"Exactly," Leon chimed in. "That’s why I think the Dagger Special Forces are nothing to fear. If necessary, I’ll even show you what a real ancestral three-vs-one looks like."

For a moment, Noa froze, wondering: Why is the old man so cocky all of a sudden?

Oh~~~

She got it.

This must be what Mom once spoke about—when his "blue bar" (energy reserves) gets filled up, he becomes absolutely insufferable with confidence.

Still, his bravado has its foundation.

As his daughter, Noa has never questioned his strength.