Leon and Rosvisser managed to slip out of the Imperial City.

But the Heart-Protecting Scales incident had implicated far too many people. Once exposed, the royal family would be shaken to its core—utterly destroyed.
So when word spread that someone had broken into the underground lab, the Empire immediately went into full lockdown.

Even though Leon and Rosvisser had escaped the city, they couldn’t leave the Empire anytime soon. With patrols sweeping every street, it was only a matter of time before they were spotted if they stayed out in the open.

Leon was alone and couldn’t afford a head-on fight against the Empire’s full force. Even with a Dragon Queen at his side, he wasn’t sure whose side a father dragon would choose if it came to a real battle.

Rosvisser, however—being the “server administrator”—had none of Leon’s hesitation. The only reason she didn’t want to go up against the Empire directly was that, at this point in time, they simply didn’t have the power to win.

Back then, Leon had rallied three Dragon Kings, including Rosvisser herself, and prepared for the Lantern Festival for months before finally toppling the royal regime. And most importantly—Leon hadn’t yet learned Gate of the Nine Hells.

If they fought now, and Empress Elizabeth unleashed her Origin Nightmare that absorbed and nullified all magic, both of them would be helpless.

So their top priority was to find a place to hide—just to make it through the night.

Leon held Rosvisser’s hand as they weaved through back alleys and narrow lanes. He knew the city’s layout well; after all, General Leon was born and raised in the Empire.

“Where are you taking me?” Rosvisser asked.

“You’ll know when we get there. It’s completely safe...”

He paused, then corrected himself.

“Well, maybe not completely, but safe enough for us to rest and plan.”

Rosvisser blinked blankly. She could think of a few possibilities—maybe an orphanage, or that slum where Leon once hid with Rebecca and Tiger when he first returned to the Empire. But when Leon stopped in front of a farm gate, she realized she’d guessed wrong.

“What’s this place?”

“This is my teacher’s farm,” Leon said as he climbed over the fence. He turned, spread his arms, and gestured for her to come too. “Come on.”

Rosvisser sighed helplessly. Lifting her skirt with one hand and bracing the fence with the other, she raised her long leg, stepped onto the rail, and slowly swung herself over. Leon caught her hand midair, giving her enough balance to land softly—and ensuring her dress didn’t snag on the fence.

By the time she finally made it over, heels and all, Rosvisser suddenly froze.

“Wait a minute… I could’ve just flown over. Why did I even bother—hold on.”

She looked down at her hand. Leon still hadn’t let go.

Back when they escaped the city, he’d only grabbed her wrist. Now they were actually holding hands?

Hmph. Typical mouthy dog of a man.

Leon, realizing the same thing, immediately let go. Rosvisser shot him a sidelong look, smiling faintly.

“So?”

“So what?”

“My hand. Soft, isn’t it? Easy to hold? Feels nice, right?”

“…I’m not dealing with this right now. Come on.”

“Heh.”

Leon turned awkwardly and headed toward the farmhouse. Rosvisser followed, amused.

It was already late at night; the old man was surely asleep. Leon reached the door and knocked gently.

After a moment, the lights came on, and a gruff voice complained from inside:

“Who the hell’s knocking at my door in the middle of the night? You better be out saving the world, or I’ll cut you down right here—”

Muttering, the old man opened the door—and froze mid-sentence.

“L-Leon?! What are you doing back here?”

“What? Leon’s back?” came another voice from inside.

A blue-haired woman in a nightgown shuffled out of the bedroom, half-asleep. When she saw Leon, her eyes brightened instantly and she hurried to the door.

“Leon! It really is you! Weren’t you supposed to be gone another month? Why’re you back so early?”

Before Leon could answer, she spotted the silver-haired beauty standing behind him.

“And this lady is…?”

“Master, Mistress, let’s talk inside,” Leon said quickly.

“Oh, right, right. Come in, come in!”

The mistress ushered them in. The master, however, lingered by the door, peering outside warily.

Rosvisser glanced back at him and murmured:

“Your teacher’s very alert. Seeing you come home at midnight, he must’ve realized you’re in trouble.”

Leon scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“No, no, Rosvisser—you’re giving him too much credit…”

“What?”

Bang!

The old man shut the door and stomped toward them.

“Kid! I got it!”

He grabbed Leon by the ear, analyzing in all seriousness:

“You snuck home in the middle of the night with a pretty girl—don’t tell me you ran off with her and got caught by her family?”

Rosvisser: “…”

Leon shot her a look that said See? I told you you’re overestimating him.

To be fair, though, showing up at midnight ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) with a beautiful woman was bound to raise eyebrows.

“Ugh, stop making wild guesses and let the kids sit down,” the mistress cut in, the voice of reason.

She quickly brought out a small table and motioned for them to sit.

Leon and Rosvisser sat opposite the couple. Leon poured two glasses of water, handing one to her. The masters sat across, studying them with matching suspicion.

The two elders exchanged knowing glances—one squinting in satisfaction, the other smiling faintly. The younger pair sat stiffly—Leon grim and brooding, Rosvisser poised and elegant.

Four people—two humans, two dragons—each lost in their own thoughts.

Master: Still got good taste, that kid. I like this daughter-in-law. When’s the baby coming?

Mistress: What a gorgeous girl. She even has that dragon-like aura. Leon’s such a lucky boy (〃▽〃)

Leon: Damn that Empire… how am I supposed to bring it down?

Rosvisser: Ah… finally meeting the in-laws, even if only in the simulation. What a thrill.

After a long silence, the master finally broke the ice.

“So… mind introducing her?”

Leon blinked back to reality.

“Oh—Master, Mistress, this is Rosvisser. She’s my, uh… my, um…”

“Roommate,” Rosvisser said smoothly.

The couple: “?”

Leon quickly nudged her shin under the table.

“Pfft—why’d you say that? My master’s got a weak heart. You’ll scare him to death.”

Weak heart? she thought. If you knew she’s a dragon, it’d be you who drops dead, honey.

“She’s a friend, hah! We just joke like that sometimes, don’t mind it, don’t mind it,” Leon said, scrambling to cover.

But his excuse was far too flimsy. The old couple exchanged a knowing glance—one look and they’d already figured things out.

“Leon,” the mistress began gently, “when you were younger, did you ever bring a pretty girl home in the middle of the night just to ‘chat’?”

The master crossed his arms, his tone solemn.

“No, he didn’t. Because if I ever did that, my old man would’ve either broken my legs or made me marry the girl on the spot.”

The two of them volleyed perfectly, leaving Leon completely lost.

“Wait—Master, Mistress, what are you talking about? I didn’t come back for that! It’s not about me and Rosvisser!”

“Oh?” The mistress arched a brow.

“Not about you two? Then… what?”

As she spoke, her eyes flicked—quite deliberately—to Rosvisser’s abdomen.

Leon didn’t understand. Rosvisser, however, was already ready to play along.

Sensing the woman’s curious gaze, she placed one hand on her waist and the other lightly over her stomach. Her lashes lowered, her cheeks tinted faintly pink as she whispered:

“So you noticed… yes… this really isn’t just about the two of us.”

Mistress: (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎) Good boy! You’ve done well, son!

Master: Ahh, so it’s even bigger than an elopement! No wonder they came home in the middle of the night—they couldn’t wait to tell us the good news!

Rosvisser: Virtual worlds are amazing. I could live here forever.

Leon: What the hell are these people even talking about?!