"Why would the Empire have the Heart-Protecting Dragon Scales?" Leon asked, his brow furrowed. After a brief pause, he added, "And I still don’t fully understand what these scales really are. People say they’re like a detonator, but that doesn’t quite fit. Are they just some energy storage organ? Seems like something more."

Noa took it upon herself to explain. "The Heart-Protecting Dragon Scale is extremely important for dragons. Its function isn’t as simple as storing energy for a last-ditch explosion. In truth, the scale acts more like a safeguard."

"A safeguard?" Leon asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Noa nodded. "Dragons with Heart-Protecting Scales can better control their immense power. Pureblood dragons are known to have a natural thirst for violence. During battle, they might lose control, fighting without considering the consequences. The scale steps in at critical moments to prevent a dragon from being overwhelmed by its own strength. It also has other functions."

"Like extending a dragon’s life force or serving as an emergency detonator, as in the case of the Star Dragon King, Stana."

Leon pondered this new information, rubbing his chin. "A safeguard... to prevent being consumed by power..."

Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Rosvisser, still lying peacefully in the crystal. "Could it be that the reason your mother fell into a coma after using all her strength is related to her Heart-Protecting Dragon Scale?"

Noa nodded again. "Great-grandmother said that Mom’s Heart-Protecting Dragon Scale was unusual. It was there, but it wasn’t functioning properly. When she unleashed that miraculous power, the scale didn’t activate, which may have led to her current state of unconsciousness."

"Of course, the scale might not be the only reason. There could be multiple factors that led to Mom’s condition, but the scale was definitely part of it."

Leon absorbed this and hummed thoughtfully, not pursuing the topic of the scale further. He returned to the more pressing matter.

"So, why does the Empire have such a valuable item as a dragon’s Heart-Protecting Scale?"

Noa shrugged. "I’m not entirely sure. The person who provided the intel only told me that the Empire holds several Heart-Protecting Scales."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "And who is this source of yours?"

Noa smirked mischievously. "Not telling you."

"Tsk, keeping secrets from your old man now, huh?" Leon grumbled, feigning frustration.

Noa stuck her tongue out playfully but remained tight-lipped about her informant.

Though Leon was curious, he wasn’t too concerned about the source’s identity. What mattered more was, "Can this person be trusted?"

"Absolutely. I trust her more than anyone else."

Now Leon’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued. Whoever this informant was, to earn Noa’s unwavering trust spoke volumes. But it seemed Noa intended to keep the mystery alive a little longer.

"Besides the Empire, is there any other way we can get a scale with the same power properties as a Star Dragon’s?" Leon asked.

"Ravi died just twenty years ago," Noa replied. "The Star Traveler Dragon Tribe likely hasn’t selected a new Dragon King yet."

The process of choosing a new Dragon King was incredibly long and complicated for every dragon tribe. They needed to identify candidates, channel resources into their development, evaluate their performance, gather the people’s support, and pass several tribal elder tests before undergoing the final Dragon King trial. 

Even under ideal conditions, the process could take years—sometimes decades, if not longer.

And that’s assuming the previous Dragon King had died under normal circumstances.

With Ravi’s sudden death, the situation would be far more chaotic. There might not even be a suitable successor in the tribe, leading to internal power struggles or other obstacles.

"If it’s not a Dragon King-level Heart-Protecting Dragon Scale, we might not be able to activate the reversal magic array," Aurora added. "We don’t have the luxury of time for trial and error. With only three months left, the next attempt *must* succeed."

The four of them exchanged glances before their eyes collectively drifted toward Rosvisser, still resting in her crystal.

The silver-haired beauty lay there, serene and graceful.

But Leon longed to see the Rosvisser he knew—the sharp-tongued, mischievous Silver Dragon Queen. To leave her trapped in an endless slumber was the cruelest fate imaginable for someone like her.

After a long pause, Leon finally spoke.

"We... we’re going to the Empire."

---

Leon never imagined he would return to the Empire under such circumstances.

After eliminating the internal spies and leaving, he had always assumed his next visit would involve toppling the emperor’s throne.

But time passed, new challenges and problems arose, leading to the situation he now faced.

Leon had no choice but to return to the homeland that both enchanted and tormented him, for the sake of saving his wife and his family.

Standing in the forest a few kilometers from the Empire’s walls, Leon couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia.

He pointed to a nearby hill and turned to Aurora. "This is where you were born, Aurora."

"Dad, are you already suffering from early-onset dementia at twenty-three?" Aurora teased mercilessly. "I was born in the Silver Dragon’s territory. Mom told me."

Leon chuckled. "What I meant was, this is where I came up with your name."

At this point, Leon’s grin was as wide as the horizon. "Ah, your mother was holding me here, begging me not to leave her, crying her heart out... Ah, the tears, the drama—hey, where are you girls going?! Wait for me!"

His three daughters, clearly uninterested in his trip down memory lane, were already heading for the edge of the forest.

They reached the outskirts of the Empire’s walls, taking cover behind a slope as they surveyed the scene.

The gates were busy with merchant caravans, supply wagons, and various task forces entering and exiting the city. Commoners rarely passed through, as the process of obtaining entry papers was lengthy and cumbersome.

It seemed that aspect hadn’t changed in twenty years.

"Do we have a way in?" Noa asked. "My source said the Empire now has a detection barrier over the walls, so invisibility magic won’t work. We’ll have to go through the gates."

"And Dad was a wanted man twenty years ago. I’m not sure if the bounty is still active," Noa added.

"Whether it’s still active or not, we can’t just stroll in through the front gates," Leon agreed.

Moon was carefully listening to her father’s assessment, trying to absorb all the tactical lessons for future stealth missions.

But her concentration broke when Leon, in all seriousness, declared, "It would draw way too much attention if a handsome man strolled into town with three beautiful women."

Moon, Noa, and Aurora: "......"

Enough already, Dad.

The closer they got to home, the thicker Leon’s skin seemed to become.

Aurora sighed and asked, "So, Dad, the ‘handsome man,’ what’s your brilliant plan?"

Leon’s eyes settled on one of the passing merchant caravans.

"An excellent warrior won’t be defeated by the same move twice."

But the Empire’s guards? They probably would be.

"Now, let’s see how well you girls have kept up with your training," Leon said with a sly grin. "Especially your core strength. We’re going to need some planking."