Speed Run the Empire Progress: 2/3

Only Constantine left, the legendary "Stubborn King". Leon planned to motivate him as soon as possible.

But before that, he needed to ensure his mentor and madam were in good health.

After bidding farewell to the donkey, Leon and his companions arrived at Tiger and Charlotte’s resting quarters.

Though the elderly couple still looked a bit frail, their complexion was noticeably better than the day before.

Leon felt somewhat relieved.

He then told Tiger about his intent to formally declare a war on the Empire.

Tiger shared the same resolve.

“I originally planned to take you back to the Empire after this intelligence exchange, topple that mangy emperor, and clear your name, but—cough cough—”

Tiger coughed lightly, clutching his chest with one hand.

Even though the Heart-Guarding Dragon Scale had been transplanted into him, he still needed more time to fully recover.

Charlotte, sitting beside him, reached out to gently pat Tiger’s back.

Tiger turned his head and patted his wife’s hand, signaling that he was okay. He then continued speaking to Leon.

“Who could’ve predicted that we'd catch the interest of the Dagger Special Forces? It was my oversight—I didn’t prepare anti-tracking measures.”

Over the years, Tiger had managed to evade detection by the Empire every time he and Leon rendezvoused at the mountain cavern to exchange intelligence. His top-notch anti-tracking skills had been their safeguard.

After all, Tiger had served in the Empire's Dragon Slayer Army in his youth. While his accomplishments hadn’t reached Leon's level, he was still a highly respected former Dragon Slayer with an arsenal of techniques for reconnaissance, tracking, and counter-tracking.

But as time marched on, the old man’s reflexes dulled. He was no longer as sharp as he had been a few years ago.

Rebecca, being young and inexperienced, also failed to notice the danger in time—leading to this crisis.

Leon patted his master’s shoulder and consoled him, “This isn’t your fault, Master. From now on, just focus on resting. Leave the rest to us.”

Knowing Tiger's personality, Leon was certain that, during these final stages of their campaign against the Empire, his mentor would insist on joining them.

But Tiger was well aware of his current physical limitations. He would only hinder Leon if he went along.

After careful consideration, Tiger chose to yield to reality.

He nodded.

“Alright. When you get to the Empire, Rebecca will take you to the Lionheart Association. They are all your supporters, and many of them have suffered under the Empire’s corrupt rule. With their assistance, your operations in the Empire will go much smoother.”

“Yes, Master. I understand.”

“We’ll be here, waiting for your good news.”

Leon nodded resolutely.

Charlotte got up, walked over to Leon, and held his hands.

“It’s been so many years since I last saw you, and now, after just two days, we already have to part again...”

Leon held her hands tightly. His wide, slightly cool palms were comforting to the touch.

“Don’t worry, madam. Once I’ve dealt with the Empire, we can be together again like before.”

“Alright, just be careful.”

“I will, madam.”

Charlotte then turned her gaze to Rebecca, who was standing behind Leon, and offered a word of caution.

“If you encounter trouble you can’t handle, don’t be reckless. Reach out to Leon immediately, okay, Rebecca?”

The usually quirky twin-tailed girl was solemn and attentive at this moment.

“I understand, Aunt Charlotte.”

Charlotte lowered her eyes to Leon’s scarred hands. She gently ran her fingertips over the old wounds.

“Both of you, promise me you’ll come back safe... please...”

Time seemed to retreat to years earlier.

Back then, Leon had just graduated from Dragon Slayer Academy, preparing to officially embark on a brutal dragon-slaying journey.

Before every departure, Charlotte would hold his hands like this, repeating the same plea: “Come back safely.”

Leon never grew impatient with her, because he understood the harsh truth of wartime. Every journey to the battlefield could be a final farewell.

But this time, Leon’s campaign promised a chance to rewrite the narrative of human-dragon conflict—a chance to expose the truth and relieve countless commoners from lives of misery and oppression.

Finally, Charlotte reluctantly let go of Leon’s hands.

She wiped her warm, slightly moist eyes and managed a smile.

“Go, Leon. Do what you must.”

“Yes, madam.”

With everything in place, Claudia led the group out of the underwater palace.

The four of them split into two teams.

Rebecca and Claudia set out first for the Empire. With the Lionheart Association's assistance, they would infiltrate the Empire.

Leon and Roswitha, meanwhile, set off to find the final ally.

They would also take the opportunity to return home to visit their daughters.

By the time the couple arrived at the border of the Crimson Flame Dragon Clan’s territory, it was nighttime.

They located the area overseen by the Silver Dragon Clan’s surveillance detachment.

“Your Majesty, Prince Leon,” Sherry greeted them with a polite nod.

“Any recent activity from Constantine?” Roswitha inquired.

“Your Majesty, none. He has remained on his territory all this time.”

So, the "Stubborn King" was at home.

The couple exchanged glances, then nodded in tacit understanding.

Noticing this, Sherry realized they had plans beyond mere surveillance.

As a trusted confidante, she didn’t pry. Instead, she quietly stepped aside to clear the way.

“I’ll go alone,” Leon said. “You wait here.”

“If I insist on coming along, will you reuse that same excuse as last time?”

Leon chuckled, taking it as a tacit agreement.

Roswitha could only sigh, shaking her head at her stubborn husband.

Once he set his mind on something, not even eight mules could drag him back.

“Just be cautious. If he refuses to help, we’ll find another way.”

“Understood.”

With those words, Leon stepped into the forest ahead.

This was his third visit to Crimson Flame Dragon territory—familiar terrain by now.

Before long, he arrived at the outer threshold of the Temple.

Just like before, a few Crimson Flame Dragon guards sprang out to block his path.

Leon came to a halt and scratched his temple.

“Well, this saves me the trouble of knocking.”

Half a minute later...

The grand gates of the Crimson Flame Temple burst open with a crash. Two Crimson Flame Dragon guards tumbled inside.

“Constantine—”

“Have you come to negotiate?”

Leon’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re learning to skip straight to the point now.”

On the throne sat Constantine, his head propped on one hand, with an expression of helplessness.

He figured that the worst mistake of his life wasn’t partnering with the Empire but agreeing to their mission to “eliminate Leon Casmode.”

“Well, spit it out. What do you want to talk about?”

“You. Help me destroy the Empire.”

Constantine: ?

“Five years ago, the Empire ordered me to take you down. Now, you’re here asking me to take them down.”

“As the intermediary party, a raw thought occurs to me that might be... let’s say, worth considering...”

“Why don’t you two just deal with each other directly and spare me the headache?”

Constantine was a master of diplomacy.

In those few short sentences, he had subtly omitted one very embarrassing—but highly relevant—detail.

That is:

Five years ago, I was tasked by the Empire to eliminate you and ended up as a miserable patchwork monstrosity.

And five years later, you’re asking me to turn on the Empire. Who knows what state I’ll end up in this time?

“Oh... I must not have been clear,” Leon interjected. “I meant that you should join me, and together, we’ll destroy them.”

Now Constantine’s interest was piqued. “Join you?”

But even with his deep grudge against the Empire, Constantine wasn’t going to agree immediately.

For now, he decided to hear Leon out.

“Give me one good reason to help you,” Constantine demanded.

Leon spread his hands.

“Isn’t it obvious? You want to revenge against the Empire for their vile deeds. I want to overthrow their corrupt rulers and clear my name. Our motivations might differ, but our ultimate goals are the same, aren’t they?”

Leaning back lazily on his throne, Constantine squinted at Leon.

“That’s a tired argument. Got anything more compelling?”

Tired argument?

Oh, great. So this "Stubborn King" is just here to make things difficult, huh?

Fine. You want to play dirty? Here comes the moral guilt trip!

“Don’t forget, you owe me a favor.”

“You mean regarding the Dragon King’s secret meeting? I've already paid that debt. I told you about the Empire-Dragon King collaboration, and you walked away happy with the information.”

Leon paused, considering Constantine’s words.

He... may have a point.

Noticing Leon’s silence, Constantine snorted, “If you have no better reason, please leave.”

Leon’s mind raced. As Constantine moved to dismiss him, inspiration struck.

Ding! A metaphorical lightbulb lit above his head.

“If you help me, I’ll give you the precise methodology for using Primordial Power.”

“I’ll consider it.”

“An entire library’s worth of Primordial Magic tomes.”

“When do we set out?”

Leon had learned an invaluable skill during his time as a general in the Dragon Slayer Army—a skill no mentor could have truly taught him.

The art of overpromising—painting a dream so grand, it’s irresistible.

A Pie-in-the-Sky Talk.