"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 1

This is the largest continent in the world, Veiland.

Currently, in this land, battles are constantly erupting somewhere, and a grim atmosphere pervades the entire continent. On the southern side of this war-torn continent, there exists a nation called the Astoria Empire, which excels in both military and economic aspects.

In a certain forest located on the outskirts of the empire.

“…………”

The boy with black hair was silently practicing his swordsmanship. His name was Ryu.

His full name is Ryu Arden. He is the eldest son of the Arden baronial family, which belongs to the Astoria Empire.

He, who will turn fourteen this year, was immersed in training almost every day.

I’m already fourteen. My swordsmanship and magic have improved quite a bit compared to before.

While continuing my training, lost in thought, the nearby bushes rustled.

Ryu, without rushing, calmly takes his stance.

Then.

“Bugaaaaaa!!!”

A wild boar, about the size of a large dog, burst out of the bushes and charged towards Ryu.

“E-rank Lesser Boa, huh? Just right. I’ll make it part of my dinner.”

Ryu closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and sharpened his senses.

Kicking off the ground, he closed in on Boa in an instant.

Twisting my body at the moment of impact…

Swish.

With a beautiful sword stroke, I severed the head.

“Phew… Let’s finish draining the blood before other monsters come over.”

And then Ryu, without basking in the afterglow of the battle, immediately moved on to the task of bleeding out.

That evening, at the “old mansion” of the Arden family.

“Brother, welcome home!”

“Welcome back, Master Ryu.”

“Here I am. Both of you.”

The name of the cute girl who welcomed Ryu was Lena. She was the eldest daughter of the Arden family and his only sister.

The butler standing next to him is named Sebas. He has been diligently serving Ryu and Lena since the day they were born.

“Brother, by the way, Mother was calling for you.”

“Understood. But before that… Sebas, take care of this boar.”

“Understood. Right away.”

Ryu handed the lesser boa to Sebas and headed towards the room where his mother was waiting.

Knock knock.

“Mom, I’m home now.”

“Please come in.”

Gacha.

The woman who smiles at Ryu while lying in bed is named Iris. She is the legitimate wife of Baron Arden. She has been bedridden for several years and spends most of her days in bed.

“Sorry for going out of my way.”

“Anyway, I’m free until dinner, so don’t worry about it. More importantly, how’s your health?”

“There’s no particular worsening, but it feels about the same as before… cough cough…”

“……I see.”

Liar

As Ryu thinks, their mother’s condition has been gradually worsening for the past few months. She is just pretending to be calm so as not to worry her children.

It’s quite a bit earlier than planned, but should we go ahead with “the operation”? It can’t be helped.

Mother noticed that blood was smeared on Ryu’s clothes.

“Did you bring the ingredients again today?”

“Ah”

“Thank you so much, always. I really can’t thank Ryu enough.”

“It’s fine. It’s part of my training.”

Just between us, there isn’t a day when he doesn’t bring home a catch.

“So, do you need something?”

“No, I just wanted to see my beloved son’s face.”

“What the heck is that?”

Ryu gave a wry smile.

And then my mother looks around the modest room, which is hard to believe could belong to a noble.

“I’m sorry, it’s my fault…”

“Mom didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all that bastard of a father who’s to blame.”

“……”

About five years ago, my mother Iris fell ill with a serious disease.

As a result of the doctor’s diagnosis, it was found that this illness can only be cured with a special magical potion called an elixir.

The problem starts here.

The elixir is an ultra-luxury item, and with the wealth of a mere baronial family, it is utterly impossible to purchase. Moreover, it is not an exaggeration to say that the current Arden is among the poorest of the imperial nobility, making it even more impossible to obtain.

As soon as the head of the baronial family, Gray Arden, learned of the fact, he made the excuse that “the illness would spread to those around her” and, as if to get rid of her, drove his weakened wife to the old, dilapidated mansion. Despite the fact that her illness was not the type that could spread to others.

The only ones who followed Iris were Ryu, Lena, and Sebas. As time passed, the head of the family began to look at these three with cold eyes, and now they are almost in a state of estrangement.

What is sent from the main residence every month is only the bare minimum of funds and meager ingredients. It is as if they are indirectly telling these four people, “Just hurry up and die.”

The main reason Ryu goes into the forest inhabited by monsters every day to hunt for prey is this.

“Master Ryu, Lady Lena. The meal is ready.”

“Okay. I’m going to eat with Mom again today, so could you bring it to her bedroom?”

“I’ll eat it after I finish my errands, so please leave it on the table.”

Understood.

Ryu returned to his room and glided the quill across the paper.

Moonlight streams through the cracked window, beautifully illuminating him.

Suddenly, when I turned my gaze towards the main residence…

The master, with his hand around the waist of the young woman, confidently entered the main residence.

“Tch. Bringing another woman home again? How many is it this year…?”

Despite already having many concubines, how many more women does that monkey need to satisfy himself?

“If you have money to spend on such trivial entertainment, why don’t you use it more for Mom…!”

Ryu tightly gripped the quill pen.

That night, Sebas was summoned to Ryu’s private room.

“Ryuu-sama, I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“Sorry for calling you out of the blue. Let’s get straight to the point… Sebas, you noticed it too, right? About Mom.”

“…Yes. The lady’s condition has been rapidly deteriorating for about three months now.”

“That’s right. Mother probably won’t last another year.”

“If only I had more power…”

Sebas looked down and resented his own powerlessness.

“You always do well. It’s me who needs to reflect on myself.”

“Th-That’s not true at all!”

“Well, calm down. We’ve strayed a bit. Let’s get back on track.”

Ryu continues.

“To save Mom, the minimum condition is that we all return to the baron’s house. … But it’s tough to do it alone. You need to help too.”

Sebas widened his eyes.

“Just to be sure, may I ask how you plan to return?”

“That’s already decided.”

Ryu met Sebas’s gaze once more and spoke clearly.

“I’m going to kill him… that bastard who is the root of all evil.”

“！？”

The plan to assassinate Baron Arden has begun.