MTLNOVEL vol. 3 chapter 106 - Angel
"It seems I'll have to clear up some doubts for you all," Claudia said as she leaned against the wall outside the secret chamber, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she began her tale.
"Thirty years ago, the war between the Empire and the dragons reached a fever pitch. Back then, our Sea Dragon Clan had not yet chosen to withdraw from the world, so we, too, were dragged into the conflict.
"One day, after a particularly devastating battle, our rescue squad was the first to arrive on the scene because it was fought on our turf. They combed the battlefield for anyone still alive. Charlotte isn't the type to engage in combat, but she's highly skilled in healing magic. She thought this mission would be just about tending to the wounded, so she volunteered to join the rescue team.
"Her father approved her request. But reality turned out to be very different from what Charlotte expected. The rescue team wasn't just there to bring back the injured—they were also tasked with eliminating any surviving enemies.
"Charlotte had never killed anyone before; such a thing was far too hard for her. So she buried herself in her work, healing the wounded, hoping she could finish her task quickly and return home.
"But, as fate would have it, she eventually encountered something she couldn't avoid."
Claudia's gaze grew distant as she continued, "She came across a dying dragon slayer, barely clinging to life amidst a sea of corpses and blood. He was injured, seemingly while protecting his comrades, though they had all died in the end.
"I imagine you've guessed by now—yes, that gravely injured dragon slayer was your master."
"That was their first meeting."
"And as for the outcome? I suppose you could also guess. My sister spared his life."
"Their story should have ended there; they should never have crossed paths again."
"Until..."
Claudia's tone darkened as she continued, "Until the Empire began collecting our dragon clan’s Heartguard Dragon Scales. Charlotte was one of their targets. Not being suited for combat, she was powerless when she fell into the Empire’s hands. Along with her, many other dragons were °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° captured, all unable to resist as they were transported back to the imperial capital, where the Empire intended to harvest their Heartguard Dragon Scales.
"Meanwhile, after many battles, Tiger began to suspect the Empire's deeper motives and the darker side of this war. But he couldn’t quite piece together the entire conspiracy. His loyalty to the Empire clashed with his sense of justice, igniting a fierce conflict within him.
"In the end, he chose to retire from the Dragon Slayer Corps, intending to live out the rest of his days peacefully. But due to the ongoing war and shortage of manpower, the Empire forcibly assigned him to a transport unit. And this decision led him to encounter Charlotte once more."
"To repay her for saving his life, Tiger secretly freed Charlotte and hid her in his home to shield her from the Empire’s pursuit."
Claudia sighed, then added with a small smile, "As in all cliché love stories, they soon fell in love."
"But since no one had ever heard of a dragon and a human coupling before, they didn’t dare have children. Instead, they adopted a child from an orphanage."
She paused and looked at Leon and Rosvisser, her lips curling into a smirk. "Yes, that child was you, Leon."
With a glance at the couple, she chuckled, shaking her head, "Your master and mistress avoided having children for thirty years, yet you and your wife have managed to have three in just five years."
Claudia genuinely admired them. Young people these days—they just dive in headfirst, no hesitation.
Leon and Rosvisser both flushed red under Claudia's teasing. Rosvisser turned away, embarrassed, while Leon scratched his temple. "Well... it was a... beautiful accident."
"Heh... life is full of accidents."
"But then, although my master and mistress ended up together, it seems you and your father didn’t quite approve of their marriage, did you?"
Claudia nodded, "As I said, no one had ever seen a dragon and a human pair up before, and especially not during a time of war. There was no way our father would approve of such a union. But Charlotte—our ‘good girl’—defied his wishes for the first time."
"She insisted on being with Tiger, and for thirty years, she didn't once return to the Sea Dragon Clan."
"Thankfully, Tiger took good care of my foolish sister; otherwise... our father might have sent me to bring her back long ago."
"All in all, though our father didn’t support their relationship, he eventually turned a blind eye, allowing her to walk the path she chose."
A thought stirred in Leon’s mind. "Wait... since my mistress is the second princess of the Sea Dragon Clan, those two magic manuals my master gave me—"
Claudia waved a hand dismissively. "Charlotte took those from me to give to him. She pleaded with me for ages, even promised to make me breakfast for a month before I agreed."
At this, Rebecca couldn’t help but mutter, "Trading two manuals for a month of breakfast... Auntie, you’re—"
Claudia interrupted her with a glare. "I’m what, exactly? Hmm?"
"Um... a genius businesswoman!" Rebecca quickly corrected.
"Considering my mistress’s cooking, I’d say a month of breakfast was well worth two manuals," Leon chimed in proudly.
"Of course, it was worth it for you two, but do you have any idea how long it takes me to organize one ancient tome?!"
"...Thank you for your hard work, ma’am!"
After the light-hearted exchange, Leon returned to the matter at hand.
"My mistress mentioned using her Heartguard Dragon Scale to save my master. What would happen to her if she lost it?"
Claudia frowned slightly, "When a dragon loses their Heartguard Dragon Scale, their lifespan is significantly shortened. Without a perfectly safe environment to recuperate, there’s even a risk to their life."
"And for a long period afterward, her body will remain extremely frail."
"Especially someone like Charlotte, who’s never been one for fighting. Her constitution isn’t as strong as Rosvisser’s or mine. She might experience minor ailments—cold hands and feet, spells of distraction, anxiety... it would be quite the ordeal."
"Ah... even at her age, she’s still so—"
Claudia thought about calling her sister "stubborn" but reconsidered. Perhaps that wasn’t right.
From a traditional standpoint, both her sister and Tiger were paragons of true love—pure-hearted warriors of passion.
If it were to save Tiger, Charlotte would likely try anything, even without a second thought.
Stubbornness would only serve selfish desires; Charlotte was better described as "devoted."
Her devotion to her beloved should never be criticized.
Claudia smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
"So... there’s truly hope for my master’s recovery?"
"Yes, the power of the Heartguard Dragon Scale is immense. Though it can’t bring someone back from the dead, it can indeed mend a broken heart."
"...I see."
As he pondered his master and mistress’s incredible love, Leon replayed Claudia’s words in his mind:
"Losing the Heartguard Dragon Scale would leave her weakened, with cold hands, spells of distraction, anxiety..."
Suddenly, memories surged through his mind, each one surfacing in quick succession—
*“Hey, Dad, you know? Mom actually likes you a lot!”*
*"Why do you say that?"*
*“Because when you were in a coma for those two years, she would always come see you, so lost in thought she looked hypnotized.”*
...
*"Don't hold my hand, you fool! Let go!"*
*"Rosvisser, why are your hands always so cold?"*
*"It's just how they are."*
*"Well, I’d better warm them up for you then."*
...
*"Mom fell into a coma after that attack."*
*"What about her Heartguard Dragon Scale? Isn’t that supposed to protect her?"*
*"It barely worked at all."*
...
*"Where is your Heartguard Dragon Scale?"*
*"It’s in... a very safe place."*
...
It was like a fuse had been lit, setting off an explosion.
Finally, every image settled on her.
In that moment, Leon seemed to grasp the truth. He staggered back, bracing himself against the cold wall.
Slowly, Leon turned to look at Rosvisser standing beside him.
She stood there, silent, but so radiant, like an angel.