Chap 176: Decision

Rosvitha recounted in detail to Leon the one-year agreement she made with Teg that day.

After listening, Leon felt a mix of emotions.

However, he didn’t think Rosvitha had intentionally hidden anything from him. After all, his master had stipulated that he couldn’t return to the empire for a year. If he had known about it in advance, his mind probably wouldn’t have been at peace for the entire year.

Rosvitha sat on the sofa, speaking softly, “Your master didn’t inform me of his plans for this year, but I speculate he may be returning to the Empire to handle some matters. And during this time, there may be some accompanying dangers, hence his decision to keep you away.”

Leon’s expression turned serious as he walked to the sofa and sat beside Rosvitha, “But my master is just a retired dragon slayer who has been managing his farm for many years. He rarely mentions his time in the Dragon Slayer Army, and my mother said he was quite ordinary during his military service. How could a man in his fifties handle anything in the Empire…”

“Your master seldom speaks of his past, and your understanding of his years of service is limited to your mother’s biased accounts. Therefore, Leon, in my opinion, your master may not be as ordinary as you perceive him to be, merely a farmer,” Rosvitha spoke earnestly.

She remembered the immense pressure emanating from Teg, the former dragon slayer, when she first met him, a pressure far beyond that of any other human except Leon.

She believed that to cultivate someone as strong and abnormal as Leon, Teg must be anything but simple.

Leon furrowed his brows, unsure of what to say for a moment. Rosvitha sat quietly beside him, having already informed him of his master’s situation and the one-year agreement.

Now, it was his turn to make a choice. But to prevent this fool’s brain from frying, Rosvitha decided to help him understand the current situation first.

“Leon, before I met your master, he didn’t know you were still alive. He was merely praying… or rather, hoping you were alive. At that time, he took your mother and hid in a mountain stream, living a peaceful life away from the world. It was safe there, and the Empire’s people couldn’t easily find them.”

“But upon learning that you were still alive, he seemed to have made a decision immediately.”

“I believe he’s going back to the Empire to do something dangerous for you.”

“Actually, at first, I didn’t intend to tell you about this. Regardless of whether it’s one year or two, I can’t let you go until I’ve avenged myself on you.”

“And our home… even if it’s a sham, you’ve become an indispensable part of it. You’re Noia and Muen’s father, and mine…”

She said a lot in one breath, but stuttered at this particular sentence. Her silver eyes evaded his gaze, and she turned her head slightly, her voice lowering, “You’re my husband.”

“If you leave, this home won’t be a home anymore.”

“But I understand, Leon, in the human realm, you have another home.”

“Your master, your mother, they’re all waiting for you to come back.”

“Now, your master might need you more than we do… You have the right to know all of this.”

“And the right… to make a choice.”

Leon stared blankly at the former enemy beside him. Had she really handed over the right to choose to him?

Not only that, she even laid out both sides’ conditions and situations clearly before Leon, fearing he might become confused and make the wrong decision.

And what she just said, “Your master needs you more than we do,” Leon understood its meaning. Not long ago, he defeated the arrogant Flame Dragon King, Constantine, which greatly elevated the status and prestige of the Silver Dragons within the entire dragon race.

In the short term, no other dragon would dare to challenge Rosvitha’ Silver Dragon clan. So, their daughters were safe, and Rosvitha herself was safe.

But his master was still missing, his fate unknown. According to his master’s request at the time, one year had passed, and he could return to the Empire now, without delaying Rosvitha even for a day.

She—wait. Leon suddenly realized, could this be the reason for Rosvitha’ melancholy these past few days?

“Rosvitha… you know what decision I’ll make, right?” Rosvitha silently nodded.

“So, you’ve been so restless these days?”

She sighed, slender fingers brushing across her face, lifting strands of hair from her forehead. “At this point, what’s the use of saying all this, Leon?”

With that said, Rosvitha slowly rose to her feet. “If you’ve made up your mind, we… will leave tonight.”

Even a fool could see that Rosvitha had her own selfish motives. She didn’t want Leon to leave this home, to leave their daughters.

But she was the Silver Dragon Queen, not a selfish little girl. She knew what battles to fight and what battles not to. Leon was the same.

He could have pretended not to know anything, continued to stay here as the Silver Dragon Prince, enjoying the love and admiration of countless people, watching his adorable daughters grow up day by day, and finally, peacefully grow old as he once dreamed of.

But if he did that, he wouldn’t be Leon Casmode anymore. A man who shoulders duty and responsibility cannot let his surrogate father face unknown dangers alone.

When Rosvitha handed the choice over to Leon, it was clear to both of them that he would ultimately choose to return to the Empire. He had to go back to help his master and uncover the traitor who framed him.

Leon stared at her for a long time, feeling like he had so much to say to her. But in the end, a thousand words turned into a simple “Thank you, Rosvitha.”

Rosvitha didn’t say “You’re welcome.” She just half-turned, her indifferent expression failing to hide the choked-up tone in her voice.

“Before we leave, do you want to hug our youngest daughter?”

Hug their daughter… So, when she asked him to spend some time playing with Noia and Muen earlier and then hug them, it was… a farewell?

Unfortunately, Leon didn’t realize this, and the farewell hug felt somewhat rushed. He sighed, stood up, and walked slowly to the bedside.

Looking at his sleeping youngest daughter, a smile crept onto Leon’s heavy face. He slowly bent down and gently kissed her forehead.

“When you grow up, listen to your sisters and protect Mommy.”

The little daughter in her dream made a whimpering sound.

Leon didn’t know if that was her response.

Reluctantly casting one last glance at his daughter, Leon straightened up, tidying up things he might need later, then strode towards the balcony.

Rosvitha had already transformed into her dragon form, hovering outside the balcony. Leon easily flipped over the railing and landed on her back.

“Will Noia and Muen think I’m a terrible father?” Leon asked in a low voice.

Without hesitation, Rosvitha replied, “No, you’re the best father in the world.”

And the best… husband in the world too. But perhaps it was a little late to say that now.

The silver dragon flapped her wings, disappearing into the night.

The curtains in the bedroom fluttered gently from the airflow caused by the dragon’s wings. The baby on the bed tightly clenched her little fists, squirming restlessly.

In the quiet room, the sound of the door lock being clicked suddenly broke the silence. The entrance door slowly opened, and a petite figure entered the room, calling out for Mommy and Daddy softly as she walked in.

But the only response she received was her younger sister’s whimpering.

Mommy and Daddy weren’t here.

She walked to the bedside, humming a lullaby. After soothing her younger sister back to sleep, she stepped out onto the balcony.

The balcony window was open, and there were marks of someone stepping on the railing, indicating that someone had left from here not long ago.

Noia slowly raised her head, gazing at the deep night sky.

“Mommy and Daddy… what happened?”