Vol. 3 Ch. 33

A week later, the Melkvey family gathered once again at Isha's Red Dragon Sanctuary.

This time, the family was more complete than ever before. Everyone was present, except for Rosvisser and Isha’s elusive parents, whom they had never met.

Leon held Moon in his arms as he surveyed the room full of dragons, thinking to himself that if this had been back when he was still part of the Dragon Slayer Corps, handing in all these top-grade trophies would have made him rich.

Ah, but those days were long gone. Now, he’d had three little "first-class trophies" with one of those dragons.

*Times have changed, Lord Leon.*

“Grandma, how long will you be staying this time?” Rosvisser asked during dinner.

“I’ll be here for a while,” Veronica replied. “There’s been some trouble with the project in the far northern lands, which I’m sure Principal Olet has already mentioned to you.”

Rosvisser nodded.

The "trouble" her grandmother referred to was the fact that part of their survey results had been stolen by the Ironwing Dragon King.

Leon and Rosvisser exchanged a glance. They both knew exactly where those stolen results had ended up—in the hands of the Empire.

What they didn’t know, however, was what those results actually were. Veronica and Principal Olet had kept things vague, and no matter how much they tried to pry, no concrete details emerged.

For now, they’d have to wait until they met with their master and Rebecca again to see if they could learn anything useful.

One thing was certain: whatever it was that the Empire went to such great lengths to obtain, it must be incredibly important.

It might even explain why the Empire was collaborating with the dragons.

Leon knew he had to get to the bottom of it.

“After the incident, we’ve paused the project,” Veronica said. “We don’t know when it will resume, at least not until we figure out who stole our results and what their intentions are.”

Leon already had an answer for the former.

As for the latter—that was the truth he was currently seeking.

But due to his identity as a human, even though his goals aligned with Veronica’s, he couldn’t reveal everything just yet.

In that bleak future he had once experienced, Rosvisser had confessed Leon’s human identity to their daughters and grandmother, and they had understood and accepted it.

However, that had only happened under extreme circumstances.

If Leon revealed his true identity now, without all the context and events that had led to that acceptance, there was no guarantee the outcome would be the same.

He couldn’t risk the happiness of his daughters—or Rosvisser—for an uncertain future.

For now, all he could do was wait and watch. At the very least, their goals were aligned.

“Mmm, well, Grandma, that means you’ll have time to spend with Moon and Xiaoguang,” Rosvisser said with a smile.

Veronica chuckled, taking Xiaoguang from Isha and gently pinching her soft cheeks. “It’s been so long since I last saw her. Xiaoguang has grown!”

The little pink-haired dragon giggled, snuggling into her great-grandmother, instantly forming an unbreakable bond.

From the elderly dragon matriarch to the toddler, Silver Dragon Princess Aurora had a charm that spanned generations.

“Oh, Grandma, since you’re not in a rush to leave this time, how about we all go to Sky City tomorrow to take a family photo?” Isha suggested.

Veronica agreed without hesitation. “Of course. It’s rare for us all to be together like this.”

Hearing the word "family," Isha paused, setting down her fork as she nervously asked, “Grandma, I know you’ve never wanted to tell us about our parents... but after all these years, can you at least tell us whether they’re still alive?”

Judging by the timeline, over two hundred years ago, the dragons were in the midst of a turbulent internal conflict.

Allies today could be enemies tomorrow.

Dragon kings falling in battle was a common occurrence.

Isha had always assumed that their grandmother’s reluctance to speak about their parents was because they had perished in one of those conflicts.

Rosvisser, too, looked up, awaiting the answer she had been seeking for so many years.

Veronica sighed softly.

“Alright. You’re both qualified queens now, so it’s time you learned a bit about your parents.”

“Isha, you asked if they’re still alive.”

“I can tell you with certainty that yes, they are still alive.”

Both sisters were visibly moved by this revelation.

Isha opened her mouth to ask more, but Veronica raised her hand to stop her.

“I know you want to ask more, but I cannot tell you where they are or what they’re doing. All I can say is that they are involved in something far greater than what we’re doing in the far northern lands.”

With that, Veronica returned to cutting her steak, as if the brief exchange had never happened.

Seeing this, Rosvisser and Isha exchanged a look and silently agreed not to press further.

It was enough to know that their parents were still alive.

As long as they were alive, there would always be a chance for them to reunite.

After the somewhat heavy topic, the conversation shifted to lighter subjects, particularly the children.

After all, it was a rare family reunion, and it was better to focus on happy things.

After dinner, the maids arrived to clean up the dining room, and the family retired early to their guest rooms.

It was a familiar couple’s suite for Leon and Rosvisser, and they were already used to it.

---

Later that night, on the rooftop of the Red Dragon Sanctuary, Isha stood by the railing, holding a bottle of red wine. She hadn’t bothered with a glass and was drinking straight from the bottle.

Her beautiful face was flushed from the alcohol, and the cool night breeze lifted her long hair, making it look like a fiery flame burning in the night.

Not long after, the rooftop door opened, and Veronica stepped out.

“Still not asleep, Grandma?” Isha greeted her.

“And you’re sneaking drinks again,” Veronica said, a hint of sternness in her tone.

Isha smiled sheepishly, setting the bottle aside. “I won’t drink anymore.”

“You used to sneak my wine from the cellar with Rosvisser, and now she’s just like you—always looking for a drink when she has time to relax.”

“Come on, Grandma, we’re queens! What kind of queen doesn’t drink? It’s a way to win over the people!” Isha argued, clearly not too drunk as her quick wit remained intact.

Veronica rolled her eyes at her granddaughter but couldn’t help but smile in the end. “You two... always keeping me on my toes.”

Isha wrapped an arm around her grandmother’s shoulder and leaned her head against her. “We might be queens in front of everyone else, but in front of you, we’re still just little girls.”

“Little girls? You’re over two hundred years old.”

“Pfft~ As long as I don’t get married, I’ll always be a little girl.”

“Well, your sister’s been married for three years now.”

Isha suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right! Grandma, when Rosvisser came last time, I saw the new necklace you gave her as a wedding gift.”

“Yes, that’s right. What, do you want one too?”

“I do, I do!” Isha eagerly nodded.

“Then you should get married, and I’ll give you one.”

With that, the Red Dragon Queen grabbed her grandmother’s hand and began stomping her feet like a child. “I’m never getting married! You know that, Grandma! Please, just give me one!”

It seemed that the wine had given her the confidence to act this way. Otherwise, even with how close she was to her grandmother, she wouldn’t normally behave like this.

Veronica shook her head, smiling, and then pulled out a small, exquisite gift box from her pocket.

“Here, this is for you.”

Isha froze, the alcohol-induced fog lifting a little. “Grandma, you’re really giving it to me?”

“Open it and see.”

Isha eagerly opened the box to reveal a jade ring with a milky white crystal embedded in it—pure and transparent.

Isha recognized the jade, but the crystal was unfamiliar. “Grandma, this crystal...”

“It’s a Primordial Crystal,” Veronica said without hesitation.

“Primordial... Crystal?” Isha’s mind raced, and suddenly, she remembered. “When Konstantin attacked my sanctuary last week, Rosvisser also used something called Primordial Power... Grandma, are you saying—”

“The necklace I gave her also contains a Primordial Crystal,” Veronica explained. “I just didn’t tell her.”

Isha frowned. “Why not?”

Veronica met her granddaughter’s red eyes. After a brief moment of silence, Isha suddenly understood. “It’s because of my brother-in-law... isn’t it?”

Veronica smiled. “You’ve always been sharp, Isha. The Primordial Crystal helps you focus and use stronger magic. But the history behind it is too closely tied to our dragon lineage, and I don’t want Rosvisser’s husband knowing too much.”

“Grandma, do you also think there’s something... suspicious about my brother-in-law?”

“Yes.”

Veronica turned, placing her hands on the railing as she gazed out at the night sky.

“In just a few short years, Rosvisser’s Silver Dragon Sanctuary has been attacked by several dragon kings. That’s not normal.”

“Even if the Silver Dragon territory is rich in resources, it shouldn’t be facing this much conflict.”

“And all of this began after Leon woke up.”

“That’s why

I believe... this mysterious man is hiding something.”

“True, he has saved Rosvisser and the children many times, and some even call him a hero to the dragons. But at the same time—”

“He also attracts danger.”

“I’m sure Rosvisser knows this too, but... she loves her mysterious husband. Even if it means putting herself in danger, I don’t think she’ll ever leave him.”

“So, I gave her the Primordial Crystal in the form of a gift, hoping she’ll harness that power.”

“And of course, I gave one to you too, so you won’t accuse me of playing favorites.”

Isha smiled and carefully put the jade ring with the Primordial Crystal away.

“I understand, Grandma.”

“What do you think Leon’s goal is?” Veronica asked.

Isha thought for a moment before responding, “My mysterious brother-in-law loves Rosvisser, and she loves him—there’s no doubt about that. But if I had to say what his goal is... I think he’s waiting for the right moment.”

“Waiting for the right moment?”

“Yes, I believe he’s waiting for a chance.”

Isha explained, “You said earlier that Leon attracts danger. I think that’s only half right. Rosvisser wouldn’t put everything on a man who only attracts danger.”

“What makes him special is that he brings danger, then resolves it, and deals a heavy blow in return.”

“As for why I think he’s waiting for the right moment... it’s because I believe that one day, he’ll resolve all the current crises and even change the entire world’s balance of power.”

“With the abilities he’s shown so far, I’m sure he can do it.”

Veronica nodded thoughtfully, taking in her granddaughter’s analysis. “A mysterious and dangerous man... no wonder Rosvisser is so deeply drawn to him. Your mother was captivated by your father in the same way.”

Isha raised an eyebrow. “Grandma, tell me more! I love hearing these stories.”

Veronica chuckled. “Another time. For now, let’s focus on your mysterious brother-in-law. Since we can’t figure out his true goal, let’s talk about his... origins.”

“His origins...”

“Yes, or rather... his race.”

Isha froze. “Grandma, are you saying Leon might not even be a dragon?”

Veronica shrugged. “We’re just speculating anyway, so let’s be bold.”

“Oh, Grandma, you’re getting bolder with age!”

“So, my clever granddaughter, do you have any clues?”

Isha thought for a moment, rubbing her chin, then her eyes lit up. “I think I do! Wait here, Grandma.”

With that, Isha spread her dragon wings and flew off the rooftop.

A few minutes later, she returned with a pen and paper.

“I have a theory about which race my brother-in-law might belong to.”

As she spoke, she started writing on the paper.

“When I was fighting Konstantin last time, I clearly heard Leon call one of his moves ‘Chidori.’”

“But based on the move’s effects, it looked like ‘Lightning Thrust.’”

“Afterward, I did some research and found out that they’re actually the same technique—just called different names by different races.”

“The races that call ‘Lightning Thrust’ by the name ‘Chidori’ are...”

Isha finished writing a few names and handed the paper to Veronica.

“Wolf Tribe, Garuda Tribe, Elf Subspecies ‘Lightning Elves,’ Mamba Tribe, and... humans.”

Veronica scanned the names, her gaze pausing briefly on “humans” before shifting to “Mamba Tribe.”@@novelbin@@

“The Mamba Tribe... aren’t they a branch of the giant serpents?”

“Yes, this subspecies is also skilled in lightning magic.”

Veronica frowned slightly before shaking her head. “I think we can rule them out.”

“Why?” Isha asked.

“Though the Mamba Tribe can take on human forms, most of the time, their human forms have dark skin. Your brother-in-law only has black hair and eyes, so it’s unlikely he belongs to the Mamba Tribe.”

On the continent of Samael, many races took on human forms when they transformed, though no one knew why this peculiar trait existed.

One popular scientific theory was that the human body was the most balanced and harmonious structure, representing the epitome of simplicity and beauty.

Another, more mystical theory was that the Creator took a human form, and so all races and creatures on Samael eventually evolved to resemble humans in their final forms.

But back to the topic at hand.

“Oh, I see... well, let’s rule that one out then,” Isha said, crossing the Mamba Tribe off the list.

“Mamba... out!”