Vol. 6 Ch. 128

Evening, Imperial inn, in the couple’s private room.

“So, Dimo—that traitor of the Golden Thunder Clan—he was once seduced by the Void Tower, and likely offered up the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core in exchange for some kind of reward.

But what he did was discovered by Hera.

To protect what Leis left behind, Hera had no choice but to go into hiding while Elder Dimo was temporarily away from the clan.

And Dimo took the opportunity to frame Hera as the traitor.”

Rosvisser finished summarizing the intel Leon had gathered.

“Now thirty years have passed. The Void Gate is loosening day by day, and Dimo has begun moving again.

Actually, the moment we visited the Golden Thunder Clan a few days ago, he already knew who we were.

Everything that happened after that—every so-called formal procedure—was just Dimo putting on a show.

Even the emperor’s message being removed from the holy light archives was part of his manipulation, all to lead you back to the Golden Thunder Clan and use their altar to revert the Thunder Spirit Crystal Core to its original form.”

Leon nodded and added,

“But his conspiracy had one flaw—he never counted on us opening Hera’s sealed chamber and learning the truth behind the betrayal thirty years ago.”

Rosvisser nodded softly, then asked,

“So how do you plan to use the advantage we have now to help Hera clear her name?”

“I’ve already thought up a plan. It won’t just clear her name—it’ll also make the people of the Golden Thunder Clan see Dimo’s true colors.”

Leon paused for a moment, then continued,“But before I carry it out, there are two things I have to do.”

……

……

Thousand Lantern Festival.

The Empire’s most important annual holiday—a time for ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) family reunions and national celebration.

One of the two things Leon had mentioned was to stay and celebrate the Thousand Lantern Festival.

Of course, the festival itself wasn’t the point—what happened during it was.

Rosvisser strolled the bustling streets with Cecilia and the children, soaking in the excitement of the festivities.

Meanwhile, Leon stood atop the imperial city wall with Nacho, gazing down at the countless lights illuminating the Empire below.

“A few years ago, right here during the Thousand Lantern Festival… you overthrew Kant’s regime.”

Nacho said slowly, voice tinged with rare emotion. “If it hadn’t been for you, we’d probably still be hiding out in the old bell tower, dodging imperial inspectors. Hard times always have an end someday.”

Leon smiled. “Even if it hadn’t been me—Leon Casmod—someone else would’ve taken Kant down eventually.”

“Maybe. But some people really are irreplaceable, Leon,” Nacho said.

“What’s with you? No sharp tongue tonight? Festival spirit got to you?” Leon teased.

Nacho chuckled and shook his head.

“Once you reach a certain age, time wears down your edges.”

“You don’t look like someone worn down—you look like someone smoothed by time.”

It was a joke, of course. Leon knew Nacho had always been alone.

Then he turned and looked at Nacho.

“After things settled down, you never looked for someone?”

“No.”

Nacho answered without hesitation. “You could call it a form of penance.”

“Penance?”

“Yeah. Back in the day, following Kant, I did a lot of things that went against my conscience. The fact I’m standing here with you now, watching the lanterns, and not rotting in prison, is already thanks to the Lionheart Order giving me a chance to redeem myself.”

Nacho said, “But I still don’t think it’s enough. This temperament of mine… living out my life alone, I see it as both punishment and penance.”

Someone like Nacho—rigid and upright like a nail—was never cut out to serve the old Empire.

It was only a matter of time before he defected to Leon’s side. The day Nacho’s father died in prison, the fire of that decision had already been lit.

Sensing the conversation had grown a bit heavy, Leon quickly shifted the topic.

“Got it—innocent in prison.”

Nacho laughed heartily.

“You know, it’s kinda funny. Back in the day, the Lionheart Order had three famously single dogs—me included. But after tonight, I’ll be the only one left.”

At the founding of the Lionheart Order, the three key founding members were:

Nacho, Councilor Martin, and Rebecca.

They’d contributed immensely to the organization’s growth, and later to the overthrow of Kant, the defeat of Ultimate Terror and Shadow, and more.

They held significant influence and authority within the Order—second only to Leon himself.

But there was one thing in which they were nowhere near General Casmod’s level.

Despite all being top graduates from Dragon-Slaying Academy, Leon Casmod had been married for less than ten years and already had four kids.

Meanwhile, those three? All still single.

It had become a long-running joke within the Lionheart Order.

But, like Nacho said, after tonight, only he would remain.

“Martin still hasn’t told you what his confession plan is?” Leon asked.

Nacho shook his head. “That kid’s been acting all mysterious. He vanished yesterday morning and hasn’t shown up since. Who knows what he’s up to.”

“Tch, his confession setup better not be too extravagant.”

Leon’s tone held a note of concern.

Nacho caught that nuance and asked,

“Shouldn’t you be happy for your bro’s big love confession? What’s with the worried look? Afraid he’ll get rejected?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Leon said, “Rebecca told me once—confessing isn’t like a lottery draw, it’s a proposal. I believe Martin understands that too. I’m just worried—”

“…”

He trailed off, pinching his chin thoughtfully, brows furrowed slightly.

“Worried?”

“Worried that Martin’s confession is too creative. If my wife sees it, I’ll have to rack my brains to come up with something even more romantic to confess to her.”

Upon hearing that, Nacho drew in a sharp breath, staring at Leon.

“Wait—you haven’t even confessed to your wife yet, and you’ve been married for ten years?!”

“…Our marriage… is a bit special. You know that.”

“Yeah, but so special that you haven’t even given her a proper confession in ten years, big guy?”

Leon dropped his head, one hand in his pocket, the other waving lazily.

“Pssh, confessions have to be thoughtful, well-planned. It’s totally normal to take some time.”

“But from the moment Martin told me he wanted to confess to Rebecca during the Thousand Lantern Festival to today, it’s been, what—two months?”

“Two months. Two. Months. When my wife and I had known each other for two months, I still wasn’t even conscious.”

“…She never pressured you?”

Leon shook his head.

Clap—clap—clap—

Nacho couldn’t help but break into applause.

“No wonder people say two people in the same bed never grow into two different kinds. You and your wife really are soulmates, Leon.”

“You flatter me.”

Leon paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward a street below the royal city.

Rosvisser was there, playing riddle games with the girls.

Seeing the smile on her face, a smile rose unbidden to Leon’s lips as well.

“…But I do have a rough idea.”

“What kind of idea?” Nacho asked.

“I was thinking—what if the confession… and the proposal… happen at the same time?”