Chapter 191: Old, Weak, Crippled and Shut-In

Finally, after three years, Leon had eliminated the traitor who framed him. However, he felt no joy in avenging himself.

His emotions were complicated.

More than the satisfaction of revenge, he felt confusion.

Would someone really abandon their principles and beliefs just because they were forever second place?

Maybe Victor had other reasons for becoming the empire's lapdog.

But Leon would never know now, after all, a corpse couldn't speak.

Just like how the empire had pinned the blame for the war's failure and the betrayal on Leon, a dead man, back then.

Of course, Leon didn't regret killing Victor.

A traitor could never be allowed to live.

Letting him live would be a threat not only to Leon but also to his master, Rebecca, and Martin.

Leon adjusted himself slightly and returned two pistols to Rebecca.

One was used to execute Victor.

The other was the blank-round handgun he assembled at Rebecca's home on his first day back in the empire.

"I was wondering where this gun went. Turns out you had it all along," Rebecca said.

Leon pulled his gaze away from Victor's corpse and turned around with a tired smile, "You lost your own gun, and you're not worried at all?"

"I figured I just left it in some corner of my place."

Rebecca carefully put the gun away, "You know, people like me and Martin, shut-in girl and shut-in boy, our homes are always messy. Losing things is normal."

Martin, clutching his aching chest, tried to defend himself, "Rebecca, my room is clean. And I'm not a shut-in, I just don't like going outside."

"If you don't like going outside, then what else do you call it? What's the definition of a shut-in, then?", Rebecca argued confidently.

Martin, unable to refute her, silently shut his mouth.

He clutched his chest and supported himself on the dining table as he approached Victor's corpse.

The former vice-captain lay in a pool of blood, lifeless.

After a moment of silence, Martin sighed, "Why did Victor help the empire frame the captain?"

Leon slowly shook his head, "There's no point in agonizing over a pawn's motives. The real question is, why was the empire so desperate to kill me?"

Coming from a minister's family, Martin quickly thought of a reason, "Outshining the ruler?"

Ever since Leon graduated from the Dragon Slayer Academy, he rose from an ordinary soldier to the legendary "strongest dragon slayer" in just a few short years.

Whether in strength or charisma, he was worthy of the title.

His reputation among the people grew, and in the Dragon Slayer Army, he had earned the admiration and support of many.

To the empire's ruling class, someone like him was a potential threat.

Leon had considered this before, was he seen as a thorn in the empire's side, something they had to remove to maintain their grip on power?

But that didn't explain the empire's alliance with the dragons.

Or perhaps... these were two unrelated matters entirely?

"I think the reason the empire targeted you isn't just because you outshone them," came a voice from behind.

Leon and the others turned around.

Tiger stood at the doorway, arms crossed over his katana, "I've seen things in my youth that made me understand the empire's strength and darkness. That's why I always told you, Leon, to focus on fighting and stay out of politics. But back then, your understanding of power wasn't enough to make the empire feel threatened. So there must be another reason."

Tiger paused before adding, "Maybe it really has to do with the dragons. This war has lasted hundreds of years, and there are many hidden truths and conspiracies we don't know about. Killing a pawn like Victor won't stop the empire from hunting you. The road ahead is still long."

His words cast a heavy atmosphere over the room.

Indeed, eliminating one traitor meant nothing.

Victor was just a puppet, and the true mastermind had yet to reveal themselves.

To kill Leon, they even sent Constantine, a Dragon King.

So what would their next move be?

A stronger Dragon King? Something else?

Leon didn't know.

This human empire had stood tall for a thousand years, its hidden depths beyond his grasp.

He needed more time, more exploration, to unravel the layers of fog before him.

But before that...

Leon turned to Rebecca and Martin, "The empire will soon realize Victor is dead. My manhunt will shift from 'traitor's betrayal' to an open arrest warrant. Martin, you're relatively safe, no one knows you helped us tonight, and your father can protect you."

Leon took a breath, "But... Rebecca... I'm sorry for dragging you into this. Once things settle, my master and I will send you out of the empire, somewhere safe. Master, can we send Rebecca to stay with Mistress?"

Tiger scratched his head, "We could... but, well, she's back with her family now, and I'm not exactly on great terms with them..."

Leon frowned, "Master, you've been married to Mistress for thirty years, and you're still not on good terms with her family?"

Tiger's face turned red, "So what if it's been thirty years? That doesn't mean we're close... We don't visit often, okay? Stop asking questions, kid."

Leon sighed, "That complicates things... Then should Rebecca stay with Martin for now? At least that would keep her safe for a while. The empire wouldn't just storm into a minister's home to search for someone, right?"

Tiger nodded, "That's a good idea. Martin, what do you think?"

"I don't mind. Rebecca can stay as long as she wants. I want to prove I'm not a shut-in."

"Alright, then—"

"I object!", Twin-tailed loli Rebecca raised her hand high, "You three are deciding my fate, and I appreciate that, but have you considered my opinion?"

The three of them turned to look at her.

Leon had already guessed what this crazy girl was planning, "You're not thinking of—"

"Of course! Don't forget, we're the 'Old, Weak, Crippled' trio! Without me, you're just 'Old and Crippled', that sounds awful!"

Rebecca folded her arms, "Besides, isn't it standard for a team to have a cute girl?"

Leon raised an eyebrow, "You... are a cute girl?"

"Yes! How am I not?"

To be fair, Rebecca's looks fit the standard definition of a cute girl.

Add in her bold personality, well-proportioned figure, and signature twin-tails, and she hit all the right checkboxes for certain people's preferences.

Too bad her captain wasn't into that.

And she knew it.

The guy liked silver-haired, elegant older women instead.

But that didn't mean she wasn't a cute girl.

Taste was subjective, being a cute girl was objective.

Leon wisely chose not to argue on this dangerous topic and instead asked seriously, "But it's dangerous with us. Are you sure?"

"Like I told you before, Captain, going against the empire isn't the most dangerous thing. The most dangerous thing is rotting away on patrol duty."

Rebecca's eyes were firm, "It's settled. You're not shaking me off."

Leon had a feeling she'd stay, but he didn't expect her to be this resolute.

Well, once this crazy girl made up her mind, not even he could change it.

"Uh, Captain," Martin hesitantly spoke.

Leon immediately cut him off, "No. You stay home."

Martin hastily clarified, "No, no, I won't cause trouble! I just thought, if I stay home, I can gather intel for you. Don't worry, I know how to be discreet."

Leon crossed his arms, deep in thought.

Martin added, "Captain, let me help."

Rebecca chimed in, "Yeah! Little Martin has been moping ever since you disappeared. Now that you're back, don't kill his motivation."

Leon sighed, "Fine. But only if you stay safe. Got it?"

Martin's eyes lit up, "Yes, Captain!"

Rebecca clapped her hands, "Great! Our team is now 'Old, Weak, Crippled, and Shut-in'."

"I told you, I'm not a shut-in!"

But just then, Tiger spoke.

"Leon, you can't stay in the empire."

Upon hearing this, before Leon could ask anything, Rebecca blurted out,"Why can't captain stay in the Empire, Old Man?"

"After Victor's death, the Empire will definitely intensify its hunt for Leon. In less than three days, his wanted posters will be plastered all over the streets and alleys of the Empire. And the search effort will certainly be much stronger than when I was in the Empire myself," Tiger slowly analyzed.

"Keeping him here would only increase his risk. And most importantly, since we need to figure out what kind of conspiracy is brewing between the Empire and the Dragon Clan, we can't just investigate within the Empire. Someone has to go to the land of dragons and seek out the other half of the answer there."

"And this person must be someone trusted by the Dragon Clan and quite familiar with them."

Trusted by the Dragon Clan, familiar with the Dragon Clan...

Tiger and Rebecca instinctively turned their gazes toward Leon.

Leon blinked, "I... do I really look like I'm trusted by the Dragon Clan?"

"You married a dragon and even had kids. If that's not trust, what is?", Rebecca asked.

Martin was shocked, "Wait, wait, wait! Captain married a dragon and has kids? When did this happen? Why don't I know about it? And isn't there reproductive isolation between humans and dragons?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you this afternoon, Captain not only had children with a dragon but had three in one go," Rebecca raised three fingers.

"Three? Captain, that number would get you fined in the Empire!"

Leon silently covered his face.

He wanted to escape but couldn't.

He thought he only had to endure this kind of social death interrogation when he was with Rossweise.

How was he still being roasted even in a long-distance relationship?

"Ahem... Since everyone thinks so highly of your connections in the Dragon Clan, I'll entrust you with the crucial mission of infiltrating the enemy and gathering intelligence, my dear disciple," Tiger said with a serious face.

"Master, where exactly did you see that everyone thinks highly of my connections in the Dragon Clan? We haven't even gotten to that part of the discussion yet."

"Alright then, let's vote. Anyone in favor of Leon returning to the Dragon Clan to gather intelligence, please breathe."

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