The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the lush green lawn of Hisna Manor, where servants busily scurried around, making the final preparations for the banquet about to begin.

Nacho stood on the veranda, watching everything unfold while fiddling with a silver coin in his hand.

The coin bore the emblem of the Empire's dragon-slaying army—two crossed longswords forming an "X" between a pair of dragon wings.

In the Empire's royal hierarchy, coins made from different materials represented different statuses and powers. From the lowest to the highest, there were copper coins, silver coins, gold coins, and the unicorn crystal, which symbolized being second only to the Emperor.

It had taken Nacho Salamander nearly twenty years to turn the copper coin he once held into the silver coin he now possessed.

Although it seemed neither here nor there in terms of high status, it was an achievement far beyond the reach of most people.

Beyond that, the next step was a chaotic whirlpool in the power structure of the Empire, where those holding gold coins were all cunning politicians and high-ranking ministers.

Nacho knew he wasn't at that level yet. Guarding his own territory and keeping his head was the greatest success he could hope for.

Looking back on his rise to power, Nacho wasn't most grateful to the "lord" who had promoted him along the way.

No, he was thankful to a "ghost"—a ghost who had disappeared twenty years ago.

Twenty years ago, Nacho had witnessed an unprecedentedly fierce battle and had truly seen the dragons' fanatical obsession with revenge.

That man, Leon Casmod, had been absurdly powerful. If Lavis hadn’t died together with him in the end, the peaceful life the Empire enjoyed now would never have been possible.

And Nacho wouldn't have received his promotion and honors afterward.

At that time, Leon had been the prized target of the Empire’s nobility. Anything even remotely related to him was an opportunity for promotion and wealth.

So, Nacho was deeply grateful to that guy. Without him, Nacho wouldn’t have reached his current position.

Of course—

Nacho glanced at the silver coin in his hand, a slight smile forming on his lips.

He could only thank that monster, strong beyond this dimension, silently in his heart.

Thanking him in person was impossible now.

At that moment, a tall servant passed by in Nacho's field of vision, carrying a tray with his head lowered conspicuously.

Nacho's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

He glanced at the tall servant's back and muttered, "Strange… I don’t recall seeing that person before."

"Sir, the room is ready. Let’s go and wait for them," said another man, who approached Nacho respectfully.

"Scott, have you seen that dark-haired servant?" Nacho asked.

Scott was Nacho's current deputy, assisting him with daily tasks.

When Nacho received his next promotion, Scott would likely take his place.

Following Nacho’s gaze, Scott narrowed his eyes, studying the servant’s figure carefully, then shook his head. "I haven't seen him before. He’s probably new. Hisna Manor has strict standards for hiring servants, so don’t worry, sir."

Nacho nodded and didn't give it further thought.

The two passed through the hallway and headed to the most luxurious dining room in Hisna Manor.

After sitting down, Nacho asked, "How long until Kini and the others arrive?"

"About twenty minutes," Scott replied.

"Good. Go take another round and make sure all the guards are ours."

"Yes, sir."

Nacho was always cautious. He would arrive early at every banquet, setting up the guards and arranging positions himself.

He liked the feeling of having everything under his control.

Twenty years ago, Nacho had no concept of power.

But Casmod's disappearance had indirectly allowed him to taste it.

Power was like an intoxicating poison—once you tasted it, you couldn’t stop.

Nacho sat at the table, closing his eyes as he waited for the arrival of the Sharp Blade Special Forces.

Creak—

The door opened.

Then came slow, heavy footsteps.

"Didn't you say they wouldn't be here for another half hour?" 

Nacho didn't open his eyes, his voice tinged with irritation.

He didn’t like Scott messing up the time, nor did he appreciate those three idiots arriving early, disrupting the plan.

It gave him an unsettling sense that he wasn’t in control.

But the person he addressed didn’t answer.

They simply closed the door quietly.

Nacho slowly opened his eyes. "I asked you a question, Scott, you—"

He froze when he saw the black-haired man standing in the room.

The man wore a servant’s uniform and carried a tray with a knife and fork on it.

But Nacho knew that, given the man’s abilities, anything—even a fork and knife—could become a deadly weapon in his hands.

For a moment, Nacho thought he was dreaming.

Or maybe he was seeing a ghost.

Fear exploded in his chest. He wanted to scream, but the pressure emanating from the man in front of him choked off his voice, as if a stone was lodged in his throat.

His hands started to go numb, the sensation spreading down to his feet.

Nacho’s eyes widened, blood vessels bursting in the whites of his eyes.

Finally, he managed to speak the man’s name:

"Leon… Casmod..."

Saying his name felt like unlocking the invisible chains around Nacho’s body.

It was as if saying the name would bring some relief.

Nacho’s heart pounded, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Secretly, he lowered one arm beneath the table, digging his nails into his palm in a desperate attempt to stay composed.

Leon, seeing that Nacho still recognized him, wasn’t particularly surprised.

He slowly walked forward, pulled out a chair, and sat down, placing the tray with the knife on the table in front of him.

Leaning back in his chair, Leon lazily stared at Nacho.

He said nothing, just kept watching him.

Nacho couldn’t bear to meet Leon’s gaze and swallowed hard with great effort.

Damn it, where were the guards? The patrols? His personal attendants?!

Why hadn’t anyone reported this?!

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the dining room.

Scott burst through the door, panting heavily, and shouted, "Sir, something terrible has happened! All our men have been… taken out… Leon Casmod?!"

After a brief moment of shock, Scott reacted quickly, turning to flee for help.

But as soon as he turned, he found himself face-to-face with two tall girls.

They had their hands in their pockets, nodding slightly with serene expressions.

Snap—

Leon snapped his fingers. "Why are you standing outside? Come in and sit down."

Noa stepped forward, her body suddenly flickering with faint electricity.

Scott, seeing no other option, awkwardly returned to the room, sitting next to Nacho.

Leon stared at Nacho with a cold, unreadable expression, watching as his unease grew.

After a brief silence, Leon spoke quietly, "I’m sure you’re wondering how I’m still alive, but I don’t have time to explain that. What I need from you now is to tell me where the Empire is keeping the Heartscale."

Leon’s tone was calm, but there was an underlying force that made it impossible to resist, sending Nacho’s fear soaring to new heights.

He opened his mouth, intending to stall for time until the Sharp Blade trio arrived.

No matter how strong Leon might be now, he would be no match for the trio.

But—

Nacho paused, staring at Leon’s face. He was shocked to realize that Leon hadn’t aged a day since twenty years ago. He looked exactly the same.

Could it be… he had undergone the same procedure—

"Nacho, we’re old friends. Let’s not waste time here," Leon said, standing up and walking slowly behind Nacho and Scott.

Wham—

He slammed his hands down on their shoulders.

The heavy blow made Scott tremble.

Nacho, however, remained completely still, staring ahead.

"Alright, since you’re not cooperating, I’ll have to use more direct methods."

"Leon, you—"

A swift chop to the neck, and Nacho’s world went black as he lost consciousness.

"Sir, are you alri—"

"Oh, I forgot about you."

Another quick chop, and Scott collapsed onto the table, unconscious beside his master.

Leon hoisted the two men over his shoulders.

Noa and Moon entered the room.

"The Sharp Blade trio is here. We need to leave quickly."

"Okay."

The three of them swiftly exited the dining room, heading around to the back door of Hisna Manor.

Aurora had already prepared the carriage, and once they climbed in, the horses galloped away, leaving the manor far behind.