Chapter 265
"So, if the Silver Dragon Queen marries a human, then it's no longer science fiction?"
"Shh~"
Noa interrupted the father and daughter's rambling, "We're about to cross the gate, so be quiet."
Everyone immediately held their breath and pressed themselves tightly against the bottom of the carriage.
The caravan stopped at the gates of the empire for a routine inspection.
The so-called inspection is just a quick glance; as long as there are no suspicious or dangerous items, everyone is allowed to pass.
Such laxity stems not only from the traditional laziness of the security force, but also from the powerful empire they rely on.
Just like the captain said, apart from Leon, no one really dares to cause trouble in the Empire.
As the most powerful nation in human territory, we should be grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to them. Who would dare to secretly plot trouble?
After the inspection, Leon and his daughter successfully infiltrated the empire by using a caravan.
After walking a few streets and confirming that there were no imperial patrols nearby, the group seized an opportunity, crawled out from under the carriage, and hid in a nearby alley.
Leon stood at the alley entrance, pressed against the wall, and peered out to look around. He wasn't being watched, nor did he attract the attention of passersby.
He turned around and began to discuss countermeasures with his daughters.
"The report provided by the informant did not specify the exact location of the dragon scales, only that they were in a secret fortress somewhere in the Imperial City."
Noa said, "We'll have to put in some more effort to find the dragon scales."
Leon nodded.
He had initially anticipated that it wouldn't be so easy to find the Heart-protecting Dragon Scale.
The empire doesn't collect such things for no reason.
The Heart-protecting Dragon Scale are a crucial 'safety device' for Dragon Race, so what could humans possibly do with them? The possibilities are endless.
Therefore, the empire would definitely keep such a precious item secret after acquiring it.
It's already quite impressive that Noa's mysterious informant was able to find out information like "the Empire is collecting Heart-protecting Dragon Scale." If he could also know the exact location where the dragon scales are stored, then the Empire's secret service departments would really have to pack up and go out of business.
The enemy isn't stupid; they bypassed the security guards, and now comes the real showdown.
"I have two solutions."
Leon said,
"First, we will work in pairs to search the area around and inside the Imperial City until we find the location where the dragon scales are kept."
"Second, arrest a relevant person in charge and interrogate them to obtain the intelligence we need."
"The first method is relatively safer, but it's very time-consuming."
"The second method can find the hiding place of the dragon scales more quickly, but the risks will also increase."
"My idea is that we split into groups to search first, and if we don't find anything in the short term, we'll take the risk of arresting them. What do you guys think?"
The three sisters looked at each other and then nodded in unison, indicating that they had no objection to their Dad's plan.
"Okay, let's determine the specific group assignments now."
Leon said, "Noa and Xiaoguang are in one group, and I'm in another group with Mu En. Is that okay?"
With her beautiful eyes sparkling, Mu En asked excitedly, "Am I going on a secret mission with Daddy?"
"Hmm, are you happy?" Leon asked with a smile.
"Happy! Super happy!" It was only because they wanted to infiltrate the Empire that the daughters kept their tails hidden, otherwise Mu En would be so happy that his tail would be wagging in the air right now.
Noa gently poked her sister's cheek. "Alright, you little tagalong, behave well after we separate. Don't run around or hold us back."
"Tch, sister, you still treat me like a child." Mu En pouted.
Noa affectionately rubbed her little head, "You always seem like a child in front of this guy."
"Hmph~"
After formulating the initial action plan, Leon gave further instructions.
"In case of an emergency, avoid combat as much as possible, and it's best not to use magic. We must be clear about our purpose in infiltrating the Empire this time: to Heart-protecting Dragon Scale."
When magic was mentioned, Aurorla suddenly thought of something.
"Oh, right, second sister, if you have to use magic, try to use only one element and not two at the same time. Twin awakening is very rare, especially with both lightning and fire elements. If there are people in the Imperial City who are familiar with what happened to Dad Mom back then, they can easily guess what's going on here."
Mu En nodded, "Yes, I understand."
"Then let's get started. Whether we find the location of the Heart-protecting Dragon Scale or not, we'll all reunite here in three days," Leon said.
"Good."
Noa and Aurorla left first.
Leon then led Mu En into a side alley behind the alley.
Noa and her sisters' faces have never appeared in the Empire, and for twenty years the three sisters have been deliberately avoiding contact with the Empire's Dragon Slayer Army.
Therefore, no one within the empire should recognize them, allowing them to walk the streets without disguise.
General Leon was a top wanted criminal twenty years ago, and a human traitor who "fell" from being Dragon Slayer Hero. His fame and story would be quite sensational if included in a textbook.
Even after twenty years, there is still a risk that he will be recognized, so to be on the safe side, he should try to take back roads as much as possible.
"Daddy, shall we go to the Imperial City now?" Mu En asked, following Leon.
"Let's wait until dark. Unlike Noa's group, we can't just walk around on the street. Nighttime is our best cover."
"Okay, sure!"
One of the advantages of dividing them into groups is that the daughters don't all have to follow Leon's cautious actions.
Noa and Aurorla, who had never appeared in the Empire, had a much easier time moving around.
It's inevitable that the three of them would attract attention if they all got together, so Leon decided to split into pairs so they could look after each other.
The father and daughter bypassed the path and arrived at the top of an abandoned clock tower, from where they could see the distant Imperial City.
"Next, we just need to wait until it gets dark."
Leon gazed at the magnificent and splendid building, wondering what kind of terrifying beast lurked beneath its glamorous exterior.
As night fell, after figuring out the route of the Imperial patrol, Leon seized the opportunity and led Mu En to the base of the high wall on one side of the Imperial City.
This place is not easily noticed, and a patrol team only passes by every ten minutes.
The father and daughter squatted by the wall, figuring out how to sneak in.
Entering the Imperial City, located in the heart of the city, is not as easy as sneaking into the empire during the day.
This place is inhabited by the imperial Imperial Nobles. Even the lowest-ranking person has at least four or five guards accompanying them when they travel.
As for those in higher positions of power, there's no need to say more.
Leon raised his hand and gently pressed it against the outer wall of the Imperial City.
It was cold and rough, and seemed to be surging with magical energy.
"Sure enough, there's a barrier here too," Leon said.
If there are perception barriers above the Imperial City, then the Imperial City must be no exception.
Moreover, the strength and functionality of the Imperial City's barrier are certainly far superior to the barriers on the outer city walls.
"If we climb over the wall, the barrier will definitely detect us."
Leon said, "I'll try to break a hole in this barrier. Mu En, you keep watch for me. Notify me immediately if there's any movement."
"Yes, Daddy."
Mu En immediately stood up and cautiously looked around.
Leon then attempted to break the barrier.
At the Dragon Slaying Academy, his teachers also taught him some basic principles and techniques for breaking barriers, since during military campaigns, one is likely to encounter various barriers with different functions set up by the enemy.
Regardless of the function of the barrier, its essence is still a kind of magic array.
Once the underlying principles are identified, there is a chance to crack it.
However, Leon tried several times, but all his attempts ended in failure.
He dared not force his way through the barrier, for that would inevitably attract the attention of the 'Royal Sorcerer Group'.
The Royal Sorcerer Group were responsible for the construction of the outer walls, the Imperial City, and the various major buildings of the empire.
In addition, the Royal Sorcerer Group were also responsible for teaching magical knowledge to members of the royal family and their offspring.
Leon didn't like those people much when he led troops into battle many years ago.
Every single member of the warlock group was a lunatic—and a lunatic with absolutely no moral or ethical bottom line.
Before the Silver Dragon War, Leon had heard that they were conducting some kind of magical experiment to 'raise dangerous species'. Judging from the group of dangerous species he encountered when he returned to the Empire last time, it seemed that the experiment by these lunatics had probably been successful.
Who knows what even more outrageous things they've come up with now, twenty years later.
"No, the barrier's structure is too complex, far more complex than it was twenty years ago."
Moreover, breaking through barriers is not Leon's forte.
He could easily tear the city wall to shreds with a single Thousand Birds attack, but that would be tantamount to revealing his whereabouts.
Their purpose in infiltrating the Empire at great risk was to Heart-protecting Dragon Scale, not to cause trouble.
Mu En also tried it, but found it didn't work either.
With her tuft of hair drooping down, Little Moon looked a little dejected. "Why is it like this..."
Leon patted her head and comforted her, "After all, it's a barrier protecting the Imperial City, designed by a bunch of professionals. If the two of us could break it so easily, then those people could retire with honor."
"Daddy, what do we do now?"
"Hmm... Since sneaking in isn't an option, let's see if we can find cover and slip in like we did during the day."
"Good."
This method actually has a low success rate.
But it's better than doing nothing; we should give it a try.
Leon led Mu En to evade the patrols and circled around to the rooftop of an inn outside the main gate of the Imperial City.
From here, you can clearly see the situation at the main gate of the Imperial City.
There weren't many carriages coming and going, and judging from their luxurious features, everyone inside was a wealthy person.
They're practically studding diamonds into the horse's hooves.
"Unlike at the city gates, the Imperial City's security guards will thoroughly search every carriage that comes in and goes. Hiding under a carriage will definitely get you discovered," Leon said quietly.
"Daddy, didn't you come to the Imperial City often when you were in the Empire?" Mu En asked.
Leon thought for a moment, then shook his head. "At first, I came often, but later I didn't come as often."
"Eh? Why?" II Lingba Wu Miao IX (3) Liu Ji Tang Muen was curious.
"Soldiers like Daddy, who fight on the front lines, cannot freely enter or leave the Imperial City unless they are awarded medals or have made meritorious contributions."
Mu En blinked. "Then why did you say you could come often at first, Daddy?"
"Because Daddy has done a lot of good deeds."
Leon recalled for a moment, "Back then... there was probably only one Dragon King per month, so I had to come to the Imperial City every month to have that dog emperor award me a medal. A normal person would only do it once a year."
"After a while, they got tired of awarding medals, and so did I. So we discussed it and decided to do it every six months."
Mu En's eyes widened slightly as she looked at her father with adoration.
"Wow, Daddy is so amazing!"
Leon cleared his throat twice, not continuing to play the fool after his daughter's praise.
Why is that?
Because back then, her Mom was also considered a recipient of a Special Merit by General Leon...
Sigh, these are all old stories, old stories.