“Leon Cosmod...”
The reflection of that man was in Konstantin’s crimson dragon eyes, a figure who had once haunted him, tormenting the proud Crimson Dragon King to no end. Yet, strangely, Leon had also become the very reason Konstantin survived the darkest days of his captivity under the Empire.
Their relationship was complicated. Leon had indeed once killed Konstantin, severing his head and hanging it on the Silver Dragon’s border. In retaliation, upon his first resurrection, Konstantin had attacked Isha’s Red Dragon Sanctuary, causing considerable damage. They had every reason to be enemies, but at the root, it wasn’t Leon or Konstantin who had planted the seeds of their enmity—it was the human Empire. If the Empire hadn’t sent an assassin after Leon, none of this would have followed. Konstantin would never have led forces against the Silver Dragon Sanctuary, nor faced his initial defeat at Leon’s hands.
But knowing this didn’t change anything. Even if Leon’s years with Rosvisser had softened his view of dragons, he still held deeply entrenched feelings about Konstantin: to him, Konstantin was the epitome of dragon kind—brutal, savage, relentless in the pursuit of power.
And—
“Rosvisser, is Noa hurt?” Leon didn’t take his eyes off Konstantin.
Rosvisser examined Noa’s hand carefully. “She’s burned from magical energy, and her hand is trembling slightly—she’s likely suffered a severe shock.”
Upon hearing his daughter’s injuries, Leon’s gaze darkened as he clenched his fists, electricity crackling around his knuckles.
“Now, I finally have every reason to rip you to pieces, old man.”
Konstantin noted Leon’s rage, realizing it was because of his daughter’s injury.
Tsk. Maureen’s and the Empire’s reports had never indicated that Leon Cosmod was such a “daughter-lover.”
Though Konstantin didn’t care about Leon’s anger, he still felt it necessary to clarify for his own reputation.
“Your daughter’s injury wasn’t from me.”
“Lies!”
Konstantin sighed inwardly, wondering if he should explain further. Was it worth risking his dignity as a Dragon King?
“She’s telling the truth...” A voice spoke up as Yuna, arms restrained by a Crimson Dragon guard, confirmed, “Noa hurt herself protecting Anton and me. She was injured after attacking a stone giant.”
Before Leon could express his confusion, Konstantin looked at Yuna.
“A young one who understands what’s right and wrong. Which clan are you from?”
“The Thunder Dragon Clan. My father is Thunder Dragon King Odin.” Yuna identified herself, hoping to avoid any unwanted accidents with Konstantin.
“Odin’s daughter... No wonder you’re more sensible than certain others,” Konstantin remarked, casting a sidelong glance at Leon, whose expression turned slightly red.
Leon quickly shifted into a battle stance, ending the conversation.
Taking his cue, Konstantin focused and channeled the Primordial Power.
“Looks like you’ve already gained the Primordial Dragon King’s strength,” Leon said cautiously, recognizing the magnitude of the power radiating from Konstantin. This wasn’t just Rosvisser’s self-summoned power—it was the true essence of the Primordial Dragon King, Noah.
“I feel it, this ancient power that crossed millennia, now fully under my control,” Konstantin said, sensing the strength coursing within him. “Cosmod, this time, I will claim my revenge.”
“Then... try it.”
In an instant, both Leon and Konstantin vanished, only to reappear with their wrists locked in a test of raw power.
Leon activated the Gates of Nine Hells, using lightning magic to reinforce his body. Meanwhile, Konstantin’s amalgamated body, now fused with the Primordial Power, made his strength soar.
With the clash of their initial strikes, a shockwave rippled outward, causing the entire relic to quake.
“You’ve grown stronger, Cosmod,” Konstantin acknowledged.
“If I hadn’t, you’d have never found your way back to hell.”
“Hmph. Arrogant brat.”
They broke apart, each pulling back for distance.
Rosvisser approached Leon with their unconscious daughter, murmuring, “How are things?”
“I can feel the Primordial Power’s pulse. He succeeded.”
“I’ll join you.”
“I can handle this. Look after Noa, and make sure the other children are safe.”
She opened her mouth to argue but ultimately chose to trust him. “All right. Be careful.”
Leon nodded, turning his attention back to Konstantin, who was similarly accompanied by Iron Wing Dragon King Fehr.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
“I’ll assist you, sir,” Fehr offered.
But Konstantin held up a hand. “This is between Cosmod and me. No one else.”
Fehr, aware of Konstantin’s temper and uncompromising nature, reluctantly stepped back.
“Yes, sir... but will you win?”
“I will.”
Both Leon and Konstantin readied for a second round.
But before they could launch their next attacks, the entire relic trembled. Everyone shifted their stance to maintain balance, watching as the stone giant Konstantin had shattered began to reconstruct itself.
And outside the relic, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed. When they looked, they saw dozens of stone giants crowding the entrance, the white crystals in their foreheads glowing as they lumbered forward, looking as if they could flatten everything in their path.
Without hesitation, the first stone giant charged.
Knowing that his lightning magic wouldn’t work against stone, Leon dodged, while Konstantin used the Primordial Power to shatter the giant once more. Yet this time, the giant repaired itself almost instantly and resumed its attack on Konstantin.
“Losing Noah’s power must have triggered these stone guardians...”
Realizing the giants’ regenerative abilities, Konstantin chose to avoid further engagement, retreating to the side as more giants slowly advanced.
“Sir, what should we do?” Fehr asked, unfurling his wings in preparation for battle.
Konstantin quickly assessed the relic. They had burned their way down from the surface, so he wasn’t familiar with the interior or aware of the stone guardians.
He could destroy them if he used his full power, but that would leave him vulnerable to an attack from Leon.
Despite his fierce rivalry, Konstantin knew better than to gamble his life on Leon’s sense of honor.
As he looked over, Leon was coming to a similar conclusion.
The two locked eyes across the advancing stone giants, each reading the other’s thoughts.
Leon shifted his gaze to Rosvisser, who had already subdued the Crimson Dragon guards and was sheltering the children beneath her wings.
“Hey, brat,” Konstantin called.
Leon turned back to him.
“We’re not finished yet.”
With that, Fehr transformed into his dragon form, his iron-colored wings spreading wide as he flew up with Konstantin toward the opening they had burned through.
Leon and Rosvisser watched them retreat. Though they could pursue, their priority was the safety of the children and getting them out of the relic.
Watching Konstantin vanish into the sky, Leon muttered, “You’re right, Konstantin. We’re far from done.”
As the stone giants closed in, Rosvisser shifted into her dragon form, taking Leon and the children through the opening Konstantin had created.
They emerged to the bitter cold of the Far North. Rosvisser activated a protective barrier, shielding everyone from the icy wind.
In Leon’s arms, Noa stirred, her eyes slowly opening.
“Dad... did you defeat Konstantin?”
Leon smiled wryly and shook his head. “A complication came up, so we agreed to a temporary truce.”
“Just... temporary?”
He nodded, his heart softening as his daughter’s first concern was for him despite her injuries.
He brushed her face gently. “I heard from your friends that you protected everyone again.”
She gave a tired smile. “I thought... if it were you, you’d do everything to protect your comrades, too.”
All she ever wanted was to be someone like her father, to follow in his footsteps, and do what she could to make a difference.
Helena, dragging herself forward, sat beside Noa. “Thanks, Noa.”
“It’s nothing, Helena.”
The other seniors joined in, expressing their gratitude.
Even Anton, after some hesitation, approached, mumbling, “Thank you, Noa. And... I apologize for what I said. You didn’t hold us back. You’re... amazing.”
“There’s no need to apologize, senior. I’m not mad.”
“Just accept it, Noa,” Yuna teased with a smile. “Hearing an apology from Anton is rarer than a solar eclipse. He probably won’t sleep if you don’t.”
Noa chuckled. “All right, then, I accept.”
Anton scratched his head awkwardly and stepped back.
“But we still let Konstantin take the Primordial Dragon King’s power,” Helena sighed. “Who knows what he’ll do with it?”
Leon, noticing her concern, asked, “Did he absorb all of it?”
Based on what he knew, Primordial Power could be divided. The Empire had used a portion of it for the elite units and Konstantin’s fusion ritual. So, it was possible Konstantin hadn’t absorbed the entire force in the relic.
Helena shook her head. “I’m not sure... but he absorbed a lot.”
“Noted. We’ll discuss it more once we return,” Leon replied.
And with that, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. Leon entertained Noa’s friends with stories of their exam, his laid-back style making him an instant hit.
Noa’s weariness finally overcame her. Snuggling into her father’s arms, she let the comfort of his warmth lull her into sleep.
As she drifted off, she saw an image
, dreamlike and hazy—of a white dragon.
It was immense, towering before her, its inverted eyes emanating an ancient, regal aura.
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TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!