Chapter 90: Let’s Make a Deal

Do we meet or not?

Of course, it’s seeing.

Two silvery figures flashed past under the full moon.

“Your Majesty, ahead is the border of Constantine’s territory. There have been occasional internal conflicts among dragon clans recently. Just to be safe, shall we take a detour?” Shirley flew by Rosvitha’s side, suggesting.

“Alright.”

They adjusted their direction and circumvented the territory ahead. If it weren’t for needing Shirley to lead the way, Rosvitha could have even traveled alone. Quietly coming and quietly going, without causing any commotion.

Unfortunately, Shirley mentioned that Teg’s hiding place was too secretive. It would be difficult to find it based solely on verbal descriptions.

Moreover, Teg had set up shielding spells all around, rendering any tracking magic or recording stones ineffective within its range. Shirley had been flying aimlessly at the time and stumbled upon it by pure chance.

So, this journey had to be led by her.

Listening to Shirley’s description, Rosvitha became even more curious about Leon’s master. Previously, Rosvitha’s understanding of the master was limited to Leon’s casual remarks.

Living within the lines, the impression of the master Rosvitha received was that of a “mischievous old man”, “reliable in critical moments despite being usually carefree”, and “an ordinary farmer who knows a little basic magic”.

However, it was evident that someone who could find a concealed hiding place and set up shielding spells around it would not be simple. Moreover, Shirley mentioned last night that Teg could easily kill her.

Although Shirley excelled in infiltration and gathering intelligence, she was relatively weaker in combat.

However, she was still one of Rosvitha’s confidantes. Even the current top dragon slayers among humans might not be able to easily kill her.

If one couldn’t win, couldn’t they at least escape?

But Teg had indeed made Shirley feel panicked.

Who is this old man?

“Shirley, accelerate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Two figures streaked across the sky at extreme speed, heading towards the border of humanity. Due to a detour, they had to fly several extra hours than usual. By the time they reached the border between humans and dragons, dawn was approaching.

Rosvitha and Shirley also activated their invisibility magic. Without the cover of night, it was better to be cautious.

“Follow me, Your Majesty.”

“Alright.”

Shirley adjusted her angle and flew towards a mountain gorge below. The two landed at the top of the gorge and looked down. The entire gorge was steep and rugged, with several small waterfalls cascading down from the top to the bottom.

The river at the bottom of the gorge was even more turbulent. If a human fell in carelessly, they would be swept away in the blink of an eye.

Shirley pointed to a waterfall halfway down the gorge. “The Teg couple is behind that waterfall. Your Majesty, he said he only wants to see you. I can only wait for Your Majesty here.”

“Alright, if I haven’t returned in an hour, you know what to do.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please be extra careful.”

Rosvitha nodded and then, in human form, spread her dragon wings and flew slowly towards the waterfall.

As Shirley had said, they were hidden behind the waterfall. It would be difficult to find and reach them without the ability to fly.

Moreover, as soon as she entered the gorge, Rosvitha keenly sensed a slight limitation on her magical abilities.

While normal magic flow was unaffected, some auxiliary and tracking spells seemed less effective. The shielding enchantments were already active from this point.

Rosvitha gently flapped her dragon wings, creating a gust of air to deflect the water as she passed through the waterfall, avoiding getting wet. Behind the waterfall was an artificial cave, neatly arranged.

Various wooden chairs, wardrobes, beds, and a simple kitchen inside indicated that someone was living here— and seemed to be living quite comfortably. However, there was no one here.

But in the next moment, the scene in front of Rosvitha began to distort.

When the distortion and changes ceased, there stood an elderly man with silver hair at the table and chairs. However, the term “elderly” might not quite capture his demeanor.

Despite appearing to be around fifty years old in human terms, he exuded a remarkably calm and intimidating aura without doing anything, even in the presence of the Silver Dragon Queen standing before him.

His slightly clouded eyes gazed at Rosvitha, creating a subtle pressure on her. Countless dragon slayers had fallen under the Silver Dragon Queen’s dragonfire, but only one was special— Leon.

He was the only opponent Rosvitha found formidable, and if it weren’t for the sneak attack back then, Leon might have led his team to break through her Silver Dragon Temple.

Now, his master, Teg Lawrence, possessed almost the same charisma and presence as Leon did back then.

Rosvitha also noticed that before the distortion, there were only a few teacups on the table, but now, a slender longsword appeared there conspicuously.

The blade emitted a chilling and solemn light, its hilt positioned within reach of the old man’s hand—signifying his readiness to draw the sword and strike at Rosvitha at any moment.

He was well-prepared: the magic shielding, the distorted illusions, and, for a dragon slayer, an essential weapon. And these were just what Rosvitha could see within her gaze. There were likely many more preparations hidden from view.

Teg locked eyes with Rosvitha for a moment before speaking slowly, “How is Leon?”

Rosvitha was slightly taken aback by the directness of the question, causing her a momentary pause. After regaining her composure, she nodded. “He is alive.”

“It’s been two years. I’ve been waiting.”

Rosvitha’s thoughts stirred, quickly understanding the deeper meaning behind Teg’s words. “You did this intentionally?”

Teg nodded. “Yes, I’ve been banking on this opportunity today.”

Leon had disappeared during the crucial battle against the Silver Dragon Clan two years ago.

The battle report claimed he died, but there was no body to be found. If there’s even a glimmer of hope for Leon to be alive, it’s likely tied to the dragon clan. That’s why Teg has been waiting. Waiting for a long time, and finally, he got the opportunity to draw out this Dragon King.

“Aren’t you afraid of losing the bet?” Rosvitha asked.

“It’s more accurate to say that I already considered him dead,” Teg replied.

In fact, many years ago, the first time Teg saw Leon, he knew that Leon wouldn’t stay by his side for long. When he was ten, Teg sent Leon to the academy. Since then, every encounter felt like their last.

Teg’s gaze met Rosvitha’s directly. Rosvitha could somewhat glean from Teg’s eyes what he was currently concerned about, so she spoke up, “In these two years, Leon has never given up. That’s to be expected.”

“It sounds like you know him quite well,” Teg remarked.

“Naturally. His only identity now is my prisoner.”

“Every day, enjoying the top-tier treatment as my prisoner in the Silver Dragon Temple. Oh, well, I can’t really say he’s freeloading. At least Leon still pays his ‘rent’,” Rosvitha remarked.

Upon hearing this, Teg snorted and muttered, “Stubborn brat… Two years and still so defiant. How much suffering does he have to endure in enemy hands?”

Then, changing the subject, he continued, “Anyway, knowing that he’s still alive puts my mind at ease.”

After a pause, he asked again, “What deal did you two strike?”

It was not surprising that Leon would find a way to contact Rosvitha, but why would the Silver Dragon Queen lend a hand? There had to be a reason behind it.

Rosvitha assessed the old man before her. He was like an aging lion, his claws and ferocity undiminished despite the sharpness of time’s blade. Yet, he still had a soft side, and that was Leon.

Rosvitha could sense his care and restraint towards Leon. Care, because he was the genius dragon slayer he had raised from childhood; restraint, because of the longstanding conflict between their two races, making it difficult for them to converse as old friends would.

But the fact that they didn’t immediately clash upon meeting was already a positive sign. Although they couldn’t achieve complete calmness, being able to calmly chat here about the same man was rare indeed.

Should one say that the current situation was special, or… that the man they were discussing was special?

“To fulfill his request, Leon has already paid the corresponding price,” Rosvitha replied.

“In that case, knowing him as I do, he must have tried every means to escape back to the empire before making this request,” Teg commented.

Oh, he did more than try—he never stopped for a single day. Rosvitha nodded, “He has been attempting, but has continuously failed.”

Teg didn’t express any opinion on this. As long as the brat was alive, that was good enough.

“Starting from now and for at least a year, if you let Leon escape back to the empire, it would only prove that your entire Silver Dragon Clan is useless,” Teg said.

Rosvitha raised an eyebrow.

While she never intended to let Leon go, Teg’s statement was indeed peculiar. Knowing her protege was alive, he not only didn’t rush to rescue him but also seemed to prefer him staying in enemy hands longer?

“You’re provoking us,” Rosvitha’s tone grew colder.

“You coming alone implies you don’t want to engage in combat with me. Even if it were to come to that—”

Teg remained composed, casually stroking the hilt of the sword on the table, a confidence he had accumulated over many years.

“The reason for not letting him come back?”

“No comment,” Teg replied.

Rosvitha narrowed her eyes, observing the human before her.

Decisive, powerful, with his own logic and principles, strong enough to stand firm even against a Dragon King… The master of Leon and the man before her were completely different.

After a brief moment of eye contact, Rosvitha nodded. Since the other party refused so decisively, she didn’t intend to pursue the matter further.

Regardless, whether it’s been a year or even ten years of capturing Leon, she had no issue with it. It might even be a lifetime. But even so, she wouldn’t engage in a losing deal.

“Not letting Leon return to the empire within a year is fine, but I have a condition,” Rosvitha stated.

“Name your price,” Teg responded, unsurprised.

The Silver Dragon Queen wore her trademark smirk. “Tell me more about Leon, especially his childhood.”