My Love Debts Are Everywhere!-Chapter 523: The Mother of Dragons, Altair Draconis - Part 1

Liliana's expression froze. Her eyes twitched slightly as she asked, her voice trembling, "Leon, what do you mean? Isn't soy sauce chicken your favorite food?"

Leon stayed calm, arms crossed over his chest.

"No. It's not my favorite—it's Fiona's. So…"

His gaze turned sharp, and a powerful aura burst from his body.

"You're not Liliana, are you?"

His favorite food had always been stir-fried lamb—the dish Liliana cooked for him at nearly every lunch and dinner.

Soy sauce chicken, on the other hand, was the favorite of both Fiona and Iris.

Recalling the blood pool he'd been in earlier, Leon came to a conclusion: All of this was just an illusion. This place… and the Liliana standing before him… were both fake.

Liliana's body tensed. Her hands trembled.

"What are you saying, Leon?" she asked, forcing a gentle smile. "I'm Liliana Crimson—your partner. Why would you say something like that?"

Tears welled in her eyes, making her look heartbreakingly vulnerable.

But instead of guilt, Leon's eyes grew colder.

No matter the situation, the real Liliana never cried. She was strong, always.

This pitiful scene only proved it—this woman wasn't her.

"Drop the act," Leon said with a cold, mocking smile. "I'm done playing along."

"Who are you really? Why am I here? And how can you use my memories to create illusions like this?"

Illusions could only be used when the opponent's mind was in a weakened state.

However, he distinctly remembered maintaining a clear mind while absorbing the dragon blood essence earlier.

That left only one conclusion—the person behind it was incredibly powerful. But as for how powerful, he couldn't be sure.

Seeing Leon's unwavering expression, the pained smile on Liliana's lips slowly faded.

Her eyes, once reddened with tears, now turned cold.

"So... you knew from the start?" She retreated two steps, her narrowed eyes fixed on Leon.

Leon let out a soft chuckle and gave a slight nod. "Yes, I knew all along. The illusion you created was too weak. My mind remained clear, so I clearly remember what truly happened."

For someone who had once been trapped in an illusion of the world's destruction, this was nothing.

Besides, there were too many inconsistencies in Liliana's behavior compared to the version of her he was familiar with.

"So that's how it is..." Liliana smiled faintly, nodding slowly, an appreciative look in her eyes. "As expected of someone who possesses the power of a god—not even this illusion could hold you."

At the mention of "the power of a god," a sharp glint appeared in Leon's eyes.

"The power of a god? What are you talking about?" he asked, skeptical.

Liliana only smiled, clearly unwilling to answer.

"You've already passed my test. Come—let's go somewhere more comfortable to talk."

*Snap!*

She snapped her fingers. In an instant, the surrounding environment vanished, replaced by an open space with a breathtaking view.

Lush trees encircled them in an almost perfect formation.

From where they stood, towering mountains loomed in the distance.

The sun shone brightly overhead, but its rays were softened by the dense foliage, casting gentle, dappled shadows across the ground.

The sounds of birdsong and distant wildlife filled the air, blending into a soothing harmony that made the natural scene even more serene.

The atmosphere—quiet, cool, and comforting—was so distinct that Leon felt completely at ease, almost entranced.

"Come with me."

Liliana's voice pulled Leon out of his reverie.

He turned and saw her walking toward the center of the area, where two chairs and a round table stood atop a patch of green grass.

As Liliana sat down in one of the chairs, Leon quietly took the seat across from her.

They exchanged glances in a moment filled with quiet tension and awkwardness.

"Ahem."

Leon cleared his throat and fixed her with a serious look.

"So, who are you? Why am I here? And what was the purpose of creating such an illusion for me?"

Liliana's expression remained calm as she listened.

Visit freewebnoveℓ.com for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience.

With a flick of her finger, two cups of tea appeared on the table, releasing a rich, fragrant aroma that quickly filled the air.

"Have a sip—it'll help clear your mind," she said casually, lifting her cup and taking a sip.

Leon frowned, visibly hesitant.

"Don't worry. I didn't poison the tea," Liliana said, crossing her legs and rolling her eyes, clearly annoyed by Leon's cautious behavior.

Leon didn't sense any deceit in her voice. At last, he lifted the cup and took a small sip.

"It's delicious."

His eyes widened as a sweet, slightly sour, and minty freshness spread across his tongue.

The flavors were unusual, a strange mix—yet surprisingly refreshing. It was the first time he'd tasted tea quite like this.

After savoring it for a few moments, Leon set the cup down on its saucer and turned his gaze back to Liliana.

"So, can you explain everything now?"

Liliana rested the side of her face against her palm, a playful glint shining in her eyes.

"The reason you're here isn't because of me—but because of yourself."

"Myself?" Leon blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"This place is my territory," Liliana said, gesturing to the space around them. "And you entered it without permission. Understand now?"

Leon paused, a furrow forming on his brow.

The territory she spoke of clearly felt like a separate dimension under her control.

It reminded him of the first time he encountered Miranda.

So, he wasn't entirely surprised.

Still, one thing puzzled him—why had he appeared here so suddenly?

There had to be a reason… right?

Sensing Leon's confusion, Liliana began to explain. "I don't know the exact reason, but I suspect it has something to do with the dragon bloodline within you. Though, I'm a bit skeptical—because I can't sense it in you at all."

"Dragon bloodline?" Leon's eyes widened slightly. In that moment, a thought crossed his mind. "Could it be because of the dragon blood essence I absorbed?"

It was the only explanation that made sense—and it brought him a bit of relief.

"In that case, why did you show me the illusion? What was your purpose?" he asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Liliana smiled faintly. "No particular reason. I just wanted to see how strong someone had to be to enter my territory uninvited. And as it turns out, you're far stronger than I expected."

She leaned back slightly, her smile widening. "Especially with the power of a god flowing within you—that makes you even more intriguing."

"The power of a god, huh?"

It was the second time Leon had heard those words.

Although he wasn't completely certain, he suspected it referred to both holy power and chaos power.

Taking a slow breath, Leon narrowed his eyes and asked the final question.

"Then... who are you really?"

Liliana's smile didn't fade as she slowly straightened her posture.

A powerful aura burst forth from her body.

The familiar face of "Liliana" began to fade—replaced by an unfamiliar one, equally stunning.

"I am the progenitor of the dragon race," she said, her voice echoing with authority. "The Mother of Dragons—Altair Draconis."