"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 17

Ryu, with the peculiar habit of nobles, immediately turned his observant gaze towards the stingray.

A tall, beautiful woman with flowing silver hair. In the depths of her eyes, a knight’s soul resides alongside her reason. She is a terrifying woman in many ways.

Stingray, inheriting the bl00d of the giant Silver, is taller than the fairly tall Ryu. He also carries a masterfully crafted rapier at his waist, exuding an air of a true warrior.

A rapier means a speed-focused combat style, right? But since they travel alone, they probably use some magic too. Maybe they’re a magic swordsman type?

Noticing the gaze, she glares at Ryu.

“Do I have something on me?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. Sorry for staring.”

I feel like I’m really disliked…

“Stingray, watch your mouth. This person is not someone you should ever show such an attitude towards. As a member of the Arden Knights, be more respectful.”

“Y-yes…”

Ryu approaches Silver and asks in a low voice.

“Hey, Silver. Did I ever do anything bad to Stingray? If there was something in the past, I’d like to sincerely apologize.”

“As you know, Ryu-sama, my daughter has never met you in person…”

“Then why am I being hated?”

“I’m sorry, but I also don’t understand that.”

“Then you’re not fit to be a father.”

“I can’t even make a peep…”

Continuing to gaze at the stingray,

“If you really don’t want to, I don’t mind if you switch with someone else. Honestly, I was planning to go to the capital alone anyway, so anyone is fine with me.”

“No, this is my duty. I will definitely accompany you.”

“……Well, whatever. Then, please take care of it again.”

“Yes. Likewise, I look forward to working with you.”

Ryu greeted his mother, sister, and Sebas before departing the mansion with Stingray.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Make sure to have Stingray-san protect you properly~”

“Brother! Please come home soon! Until then, I’ll do my best practicing magic on my own!”

“Ryuu-sama, you mustn’t follow strange people.”

By the way, I haven’t told my mother or sister the detailed reason for going to the capital. Because if I say, “I’m going to get Mom’s medicine,” there’s a high chance Mom will say something like, “I can’t let my son do that alone. I’ll go with you.” I’ll probably get lectured later, but that’s that.

Since Ryu has often gone on trips alone since a long time ago, both he and those around him are used to it. Therefore, this time it was smoothly accepted.

At worst, as long as Mom and Sebas are at the mansion, it should be fine. The journey isn’t that long anyway.

It had already been an hour since they left the mansion, but Ryu and Stingray had not said a word to each other. By the way, since they were heading out on horseback this time, both were mounted on their respective steeds. In Stingray’s case, he was smoothly riding his partner of several years, but Ryu was surprisingly not far behind.

Ryu asks his beloved horse.

“Axel. Do you think you can keep going?”

“Bururu”

“Got it. Stingray, how’s it going over there?”

“I’m fine too.”

“Understood.”

Just when I thought they finally spoke up, it was only a business-like conversation.

And, here.

“Lord Ryu, may I ask you something?”

“Hmm, what’s wrong?”

“That horse… it’s a monster, isn’t it?”

“Ah. It’s a monster called the Thousand-Mile Horse.”

“As I thought. By the way, have you obtained permission from the Adventurers’ Guild?”

“Of course, I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”

When using monsters, permission from the Adventurers’ Guild is required. By the way, since there are quite a few tamers (monster tamers) in the Imperial Adventurers’ Guild, this is not such a rare occurrence.

Stingray frowned.

The purebred horse-type monster must have cost at least a thousand gold coins. They probably bought it with their money. Just like the other nobles, they flaunt their wealth and power. There’s no doubt they’re the type I dislike.

“Just in case you’re misunderstanding something, let me explain. I found Axel in the forest, where he was attacked by other monsters and left in a near-death state. I took him in, we became friends, and I even made a familiar contract with him. Right, Axel?”

“Bururu”

“I was under the impression that you had purchased it from a dealer or merchant. I apologize.”

“There’s no way we have that kind of money. We’re famous for being exceptionally poor, you know.”

“I see, so that’s how it was.”

From an ordinary person’s perspective, they are still considered very wealthy, though.

Since Stingray had been living a nomadic life for many years, he was not well-informed about the Arden information around there. From a young age, he showed no interest in matters related to nobility and spent all his time training for combat, so it was even less likely that he would know about it.

Currently, the two are running through the grassland.

“……” “……”

Of course, without saying a word.

Even Ryu, as expected, started to feel the awkwardness, so he tried to talk to Stingray, at that moment.

“Master Ryu, it’s a goblin.”

Three goblins appeared ahead.

“Ah, I can see it. Can you do it?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

Being bossed around by this guy is infuriating, but it’s part of the job, so I have to endure it.

Stingray skillfully maneuvers his beloved horse, expertly guiding the goblins to line up in a row.

And the time has come.

“Huh!!”

She pierced three skulls with a single thrust.

“The guidance and the finesse with the rapier are both remarkable. As expected.”

“It’s an honor.”

Tch. I don’t feel happy at all being praised by a spoiled brat who has never put in any effort. At least have the skill to handle a goblin. Just because you have a decent face, you get all this attention… It’s really pathetic.

When you submit a goblin’s ear to the Adventurers’ Guild, you can receive a bounty, so Stingray dismounted from her horse and skinned the ear from the corpse. When traveling, such small earnings were quite important. By the way, she was also registered with the guild, and her rank was C.

Since the stingray rode the horse,

“Well then, shall we go?”

Yes

I resumed moving.

She watches Ryu’s defenseless back and murmurs to herself.

Why does Dad admire such a weak man who can’t even handle a goblin? Even though I’ve worked so hard and put in so much effort, I’ve barely received any praise. Lately, all I hear at home is “Lord Ryu this, Lord Ryu that,” praising the man in front of me. It’s really frustrating. Just because he’s the head of the Arden family, does that make him so special?

The insults just keep coming.

This morning, they said, “If you’re by Lord Ryu’s side, you’ll understand right away.” I just don’t get what is so great about this man. He’s a typical nobleman with power and pride, but no effort or real ability. There’s no comparison to my C-rank. Unlike him, I’ve been working hard since forever…

And then Stingray murmured unconsciously.

“Why won’t Dad ever acknowledge me, no matter how long it takes…?”

“Did you just say something?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

In short, Stingray is just jealous of Ryu, whom her father Silver admires. Moreover, from her perspective, Ryu currently has zero combat ability and intelligence, yet he behaves arrogantly around others due to his power. That’s why she dislikes him even more.

From Silver’s perspective, Stingray’s shortcomings are still quite immature, which is why she still labels her as half-baked. Perhaps, with the intention of correcting this, she entrusted her daughter to the person she trusts the most…