After revealing the truth, Constantine quietly observed the man before him.

Shock, disbelief, or even rejection—all of these were within his expectations.

As a fellow warrior, Constantine could understand the feeling of Leon’s faith shattering in his heart at this moment.

So Constantine refrained from making any sarcastic or mocking remarks.

Moreover, he was genuinely curious about what choice Leon would make next.

Would he continue to fight against the Empire, or would he overturn the entire chessboard and stage a final showdown with those in power?

After a moment’s pause, Leon managed to digest the truth and gradually regained his composure.

“So this is the whole story, then?”

Constantine crossed his arms and replied calmly, “Just the part of the story I’m privy to. Ever since I learned about what happened in the far northern lands, I discovered that the Empire has secretly formed even deeper collaborations with other Dragon Kings.”

Leon nodded slightly. “Hmm… Regardless, thank you for telling me all of this.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us, Casmode. As you just said, the Empire is our common enemy for now, and at the Dragon King secret meeting, you managed to prevent a war against my Crimson Flame Dragon Clan.”

Constantine spoke slowly, “Let’s just call it even.”

Leon’s gaze flickered slightly, but he didn’t say anything further.

“Is that all?”

Leon nodded.

“Heh… I thought you might challenge me to a fight.”

“I promised my wife that I wouldn’t start a fight with you this time around.”

Constantine froze for a moment, but then let out a cold laugh. “I get it. People like you, in human society, are known as… oh, what’s the term… Oh yes, ‘henpecked husbands.’”

Leon: ?

“Who’s henpecked? Who’re you calling henpecked? I’ll have you know, I’m the one who runs my household!”

“Oh, then I suppose that makes you domineering?”

“…Where on earth did a Dragon King like you pick up so many human societal terms?”

“A certain curiosity about what it’s like for a Dragon Queen to marry a human has led me to learn quite a few interesting things.”

Constantine answered with complete composure before continuing to ask, “Since you have no further questions, there’s actually something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“What do you think… battle means to you?”

Leon was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Constantine to ask such a question.

Then again, the Dragon Clan was known for its ferocity and violent tendencies; an indestructible love for battle was intrinsic to their very nature. Given this rare chance to engage in a calm discussion with Leon, it made sense that Constantine would want to understand his enemy better.

Leon thought for a moment and replied, “When I served in the Empire’s military, fighting was for reclaiming territory and protecting my homeland. But now… it’s just about defending the people and things I care about.”

This simple notion of “defending those he cared about” carried responsibilities far greater than the words suggested.

Ever since Leon had been dragged into this swirling vortex of conspiracy, he had been fiercely resisting fate.

He wanted to save himself from this chaotic world—and also to save the people he cherished.

Leon’s mentor used to say that as a man, one must have shoulders broad enough to bear responsibilities; the number of people relying on you is always greater than you think.

As Constantine had just described, there was indeed a streak of male chauvinism in that statement.

But for the sake of those still relying on him, Leon was determined never to stop fighting until he overturned the chessboard and shattered the conspiracy.

Constantine nodded thoughtfully, then offered a serious assessment, “Well, that matches what I expected. You really are… a guy who deeply loves his wife.”

“…How do you reinterpret such generous and noble aspirations as being smitten with my wife?”

“No matter how lofty and noble the aspirations may sound, when you get down to it, aren’t they all for the sake of your wife?”

“Whoa, don’t just assault my character with random assumptions! And let me make it clear—I’m only in a nominal marriage with Roswitha.”

“A nominal marriage? Yet you somehow managed to have three daughters? If it were a real marriage, just how many kids would you have?”

“…”

Why did it feel like Constantine’s wit grew sharper after becoming some kind of hybrid entity?

He used to be someone who would commence battle at the drop of a hat! Now he could render General Leon speechless with a few quips.

Impressive, impressive. The Empire’s modifications were truly reliable!

“All right, I’m not interested in your married life.”

Not interested? And yet, ever since Leon had walked in to discuss terms, Constantine had made multiple jabs about his relationship with Roswitha.

Were all members of the Dragon Clan secretly nosy gossipmongers with a tough exterior?

“Well, if there’s nothing else, someone escorts him out.”

“Wait.”

“What now?”

“You asked me why I fight, but I’d like to know why you fight.”

Hearing this, Constantine raised an eyebrow. “My reason for fighting?…”

He slowly dropped his gaze, staring at his right hand before gradually clenching it into a fist.

“Fighting… is exhilarating!”

XX

Later that evening, Leon returned to Silver Dragon Castle.

The moment she heard that Leon was back, Roswitha grabbed her gown’s hem and quickly walked to the sanctuary’s entrance, standing on the steps as she spotted him below.

She was worried whether that blockhead had gotten into a fight with Constantine, but didn’t want to show it.

Standing at this distance allowed her to observe just enough.

Fortunately, Leon appeared clean and entirely unscathed—no signs of any confrontation.

“Your Highness.”

“Your Highness, you’ve returned.”

“…”

The maids and guards bowed their heads in greeting.

Leon took slow, deliberate steps up the stairs until he came to stand in front of Roswitha.

Neither of them spoke; they simply looked at one another.

After a moment, Leon reached out his hand, gently brushing the strands of hair by Roswitha’s ear.

Roswitha assumed this man must have learned to act more tenderly towards people after his trip and was just about to praise him—

But to her surprise—

“I’ve been out all day. You must’ve been so worried for me that even your sweaty hair got stuck to your forehead.”

“…”

What do you expect from a pig but a grunt?

Roswitha slapped his hand away in irritation. “Who was worried about you? It’s just hot, that’s all.”

Leon narrowed his eyes slightly, turned his head, and raised a hand over his brow as if scanning the horizon. He looked up at the sky like he was entirely serious, “But, Your Majesty, the weather looks nice. Not hot at all. So why are you sweating?”

He lowered his gaze, smiling slyly at the silver-haired beauty before him. “Is it really that hard to admit that you were worried about me?”

“It’s as hard as climbing to the heavens, Casmode.”

Roswitha rolled her eyes at him, preparing to toss in a few more sharp words.

But as the retorts reached her lips, they quietly dissolved.

After a brief moment of indecision, the queen crossed her arms, swished her tail irritably, and averted her gaze.

“Fine. I was worried about you. Happy now?”

Much better.

Leon grinned and wrapped an arm around Roswitha’s waist.

“Hey, don’t hold me like this—”

“So many people are watching. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Ah, so the objection isn’t about being held, but about public decorum.

The queen really was too modest. Who in this world didn’t already know about the exemplary marriage between her and the prince of the Dragon Clan?

The pair, still entwined, entered the sanctuary together.

Once they returned to their quarters, Leon shared the details of his conversation with Constantine.

After hearing everything, Roswitha was visibly shocked.

“So… that’s the truth?”

“Yes.”

Roswitha sat on the edge of the bed as Leon pulled up a chair to sit in front of her.

He lowered his head slightly. Although their earlier playful interaction had somewhat lightened the burden of the truth, the harsh reality he had been forced to confront still loomed over him.

There was no way to escape it.

Roswitha pressed her lips together before slowly extending her hand to gently rest it on the back of Leon’s hand.

Her hands were perpetually cool, but her palm exuded a comforting warmth.

Leon felt this warmth and her steady pulse, raising his gaze to meet hers.

“There are some things you were always destined to face, whether sooner or later. Learning the truth now is better than discovering it too late, since those ambitious schemers are plotting your demise at every moment.”

“Besides, you’re far from alone. You have your mentor, your comrades, the Lionheart Association formed by your supporters, and… me.”

“We’ll all stand by you, fighting against this conspiracy.”

“So don’t fear whatever lies ahead, okay? No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

It was as if she were soft, flowing water, effortlessly finding and soothing Leon’s deepest wounds.

Just as she had in the past, she did now.

“…I understand. Thank you, Roswitha.”

“So, what’s your next move? Will you officially declare war on the Empire?”

Leon paused to think before shaking his head.

“All we have for now is the truth Constantine shared, but we lack sufficient evidence to convince the Empire’s citizens. If we were to prematurely declare war, I’d only become the ‘traitor’ they’ve painted me to be.”

“To completely dismantle the Empire’s conspiracy, to end this filthy war, and to free the people from their suffering, we need one last piece of the puzzle.”

“And that piece… will depend on my mentor and his fellows.”