"Whether they follow me or despise me, I rarely hear a fair assessment from any of them. I'll take that as a compliment."
Even seated on a middle finger, Leon managed to keep his lips in a perfectly straight line. "But as for this purpose you mentioned? I'm sorry, but I haven't thought nearly as far ahead as you believe, much less used the Snakefolk's plans to weave some greater conspiracy, as you imagine. Cautious people always assume everyone else in the world is as cautious as they are, but life itself arises from one coincidence after another.
"The truth isn't that complicated. In fact, it's almost laughably simple."
"Then I'm all the more interested."
"Because I couldn't break free of my shackles, I was captured and brought here while serving my sentence. That's all."
He held out his bound hands. Those handcuffs had transcended reality and appeared even in his dreams.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"If that's true, I'll put this story above all the dwarf jokes in The Guide someday."
"Then the dwarves won't be able to see it."
Leon said, "But you were right about one thing. If I hadn't wanted to step down, I had plenty of ways to buy time.
"For example, I could have exposed those nobles' filthy scandals along with mine, or hired thugs from the Red Scarf Gang to spread rumors among the people. In short, there are many ways to drown out public opinion. Clearing up the scandal you fabricated wouldn't have been difficult.
"I simply had no need to do so. More important things were waiting for me."
"You mean Yiwu?"
"There are always priorities. If possible, I would certainly like to remedy Dragon Gold City's mistakes and put an end to Her Highness's reincarnations. But ultimately, rebuilding the Great