Rossweise activated the Soul Judgment for the second time.
Unfortunately…
"Moo? Moo-moo? ╮（╯▽╰）╭"
Queen: ?
"You dare… mock me?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Rossweise instantly spread her dragon wings, then transformed into her giant dragon form.
Even though the Warthorn Bull was as large as an elephant, in front of the Dragon King, it was as tiny as an ant.
"Moo… moo-moo-moo-moo! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
The silver giant dragon slightly lowered its head, its dragon breath rumbling. The draconic might was almost tangible, suppressing the bull so hard it didn't even dare to breathe.
"ROAR!"
A dragon's roar, shaking heaven and earth.
Bull: X﹏X
Rossweise slowly opened her mouth, gathering scorching dragon flame within.
"Your Majesty, please calm down!", Leon quickly rushed forward, "If you use Dragon Flame now, the beef hotpot will turn into charcoal-grilled beef. And the kind that's burnt!"
After a moment of hesitation, Rossweise put away her dragon flame and returned to human form.
However, just as she retracted her wings, a sudden dizziness hit her.
Both her mana and stamina were completely drained. Just as she was about to collapse, Leon stepped forward in time to catch her, "How do you manage to train yourself into a daze like this?"
Rossweise leaned against him, face cold but lips slightly pouting, mumbling in defiance, "It mocked me, so I had to show it who's boss."
"You can seriously argue with a bull, you really deserve the title of Dragon King," Leon sighed, supported her arm, and helped her back to the room to rest.
But after a few steps, Rossweise was about to fall again.
Helpless, Leon had no choice but to carry her in a princess hold.
The Queen's tail twitched, her delicate face blushing faintly. She muttered stubbornly, "I can walk on my own…"
"Yeah, sure you can."
"Tch… In the end, there wasn't much effect anyway. Who knows when I'll actually master it."
Leon paused, glancing back at the Warthorn Bull that had been scared witless by Rossweise's Dragon King form.
Recalling the scene just now, he said, "Actually, there was some effect. Didn't you notice?"
"What?"
"That bull had a really bad temper. Even when tied to the stone pillar, it kept mooing wildly, right?"
"Right."
"But after you used Soul Judgment on it the first time, its mood obviously stabilized a lot. After the second time, it basically had no 'anger' left at all. You could tell just from the way it mooed."
Rossweise also thought back, then nodded thoughtfully, "Seems like that's true… Wait, you're not just making this up to comfort me, are you?"
"Your Majesty, I have many flaws, but I never lie to you."
"In the future, don't say sweet nothings at times like this, thanks."
The two laughed and chatted as they returned to the bedroom.
Leon gently laid her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
"Rest a bit. The daughters will be home tonight."
"Mm okay… eh, what about you?"
Leon smiled faintly, rolled up his sleeves,
"I'm going to turn that arrogant Warthorn Bull into beef hotpot."
———
The Warthorn Bull, whose soul of rage was purified by Her Majesty, still ended up as beef hotpot.
Of course, this several-ton ingredient couldn't be finished even if the five members of Leon's family ate to their fill, Leon originally suggested Rossweise turn into her dragon form to eat, that way it would definitely be gone.
Then he was promptly smacked into silence by the Queen's tail.
In the end, some maids and guards were invited to enjoy this unexpected feast together.
Everyone gathered in the courtyard, eating hotpot, singing songs, lighting bonfires, and clapping along.
Because Rossweise had exhausted a lot of energy during afternoon training, she didn't drink much alcohol this time. After eating a bit, she found a grassy spot to sit.
The cool evening breeze blew aside her silver bangs, revealing her smooth jade-like forehead.
That stunning face looked like a delicately carved artwork, with clearly defined lashes, a dainty nose, and eyes slightly drooping, showing a bit of fatigue.
And it was this tiredness that gave her a more mature, languid charm.
Steady footsteps approached and finally stopped beside her.
Leon glanced at the orange juice in her hand and said, "Your Majesty doesn't seem too lively tonight."
"Mm? Why do you say that?"
"You're not drinking."
Rossweise paused, then smiled lightly, "I'm tired, don't feel like drinking."
Leon bent down and sat beside her.
Tired, that much was clear.
Ever since she got the "Soul Judgment" martial arts manual from her master, Rossweise had been training overtime.
Leon knew the reason she was so eager to grow stronger.
After so many accidents and dangers, Rossweise realized the world was subtly shifting. If she didn't change soon, she might be swept away by the currents of the era.
Overtraining could lead to physical weakness, and that was likely one reason she seemed uninterested tonight.
As for the other reason…
"Still thinking about this afternoon?"
"What?"
"Your first Soul Judgment didn't work so well on that dumb bull, or rather, it didn't seem effective on the surface."
Rossweise pouted, leaned over, and bumped Leon's shoulder, "You had to say it out loud? I'm your wife in name at least. Can't you give me a little face?"
Leon smiled, but quickly replied seriously, "I wasn't thinking about saving face. Think over what I just said again."
Rossweise raised a graceful eyebrow, recalling his words.
After a moment, she said, "You said… on the surface, it didn't seem effective. Why emphasize 'surface'?"
"Because from the afternoon's training test on the Warthorn Bull, I noticed something about Soul Judgment."
Leon said, "It's fundamentally different from the magic we know, and its effects are… vague."
"Vague?"
"Yeah."
Leon continued, "For example, your Dragon Flame can do 100 damage, and my Sumeru Shadow can block 90. If you use Dragon Flame on me, I take 10 damage. But—"
"Wait," Rossweise suddenly raised her hand.
"What?"
Leon thought she'd figured out what he was going to say.
Just as he was about to smile proudly, the dragon lady said, "Why would my attack only do 10 damage to you? What am I, giving you a massage?"
"…It's just an example, don't take it so literally."
In a low voice, Leon muttered, "If you're being literal, you probably couldn't even deal 10. Hey, don't pinch me! I give!"
Rossweise withdrew her hand from his waist, narrowing her eyes, "Remember, Casmodeous, besides magic, I have plenty of ways to deal more than 10 damage to your body."
"Mm-mm-mm, Your Majesty is amazing, the most amazing. Let's get back on topic."
Rossweise nodded, listening intently again.
"In simple terms, our current attack and defense spells can be explained with basic values. Of course, in actual combat it's more complex, but that's outside our scope."
Leon said, "But primordial magic, or rather, Soul Judgment, can't be explained with simple values. The book says its effects depend on the intensity of the opponent's emotions."
"That bull barged into your territory by accident, then got tied to a pillar by me. It must've been fuming."
"You saw it. At first it kept yelling at you. But after your first Soul Judgment, its anger clearly dropped."
Rossweise's eyes moved, and she said, "Yeah, then it started mocking me."
Leon snorted, "That came later. Didn't you scare it back by turning into a dragon?"
"Mm… you explained it briefly earlier, but I wasn't really listening."
Rossweise said, "So… you're sure its mood shift wasn't from being scared by me?"
"Positive. Its emotional change happened before you transformed."
Leon shrugged, "So… your training worked. You just need to view the results from a 'primordial magic' perspective, not regular magic."
After hearing Leon's analysis, Rossweise's mood improved a bit.
She was sure Leon wasn't just saying it to make her feel better. He was always serious about magic, never joking around.
He wouldn't make up such an elaborate explanation just to cheer up his wife.
Because he knew that on the continent of Samael, to keep moving forward, magic, or rather, power, was the only reliable support.
So such things must never be taken lightly.
That's how he taught Noah magic.
And now, as Rossweise's sparring partner, Leon was just as earnest.
"Okay, I get it," Her tone was noticeably lighter.
Leon also felt relieved.
"Happy now?", he asked.
"So-so," The Queen hid her smile, gazing at the bonfire.
"If you're happy, how about a reward?"
"Mm, I'll prepare a basin of freshly made foot-washing water for you when we get back."
"…That's not the kind of reward I meant."
Rossweise slowly turned her head, smiling playfully, "Then what kind of reward… do you want?"
The couple locked eyes, black and silver gazes intertwining.
The wood in the bonfire crackled crisply, tiny sparks flying like the clash of their stares.
The night wind was like wine, intoxicating and heady.
They slowly leaned toward each other's lips. Her breath carried the sweet scent of orange soda.
"Daddy! Mommy!"
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