"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 25

Since the person called understood this well, the conversation proceeded smoothly.

“First of all, the patient is my mother, and she started to fall ill five years ago…”

“Hmm, hmm.”

I’m sure I’ve seen documents in the past that say this disease was cured with an elixir. There shouldn’t be any problem this time either.

Next, Arden is currently…

“Interesting.”

“The reason I became the head of the family in the first place was…”

“Hohoou”

At just fourteen years old, the wisdom and courage to command one’s own army. Not to mention the talent and luck for victory. The kindness and planning skills to go all the way to the distant capital to buy expensive medicine for his mother. And above all, those unwavering eyes filled with a firm resolve are just too captivating. Seriously… that “Absolute Ocean” guy knows nothing…

A few dozen minutes later.

“Alright, you pass! Take my special elixir with you!”

Esther shoved her hand into her pocket and held up the elixir.

Given the size, it absolutely shouldn’t fit, so it’s likely that the item bag is attached to the pocket of the lab coat. I am in awe of their efficiency-focused thinking, typical of a researcher.

“I owe you one””

“We did it, Master Ryu!!!”

Ryu finally obtained the elixir.

All that’s left is to safely return it to the Earl Arden family.

However, for Ryu, the knowledge enthusiast, it is unthinkable to leave without asking anything from a pharmacist of this level.

“Before I go home, I have a few things I want to ask the top-notch pharmacist Esther.”

“Whoa, top-notch… *cough*! Well, I usually turn down such requests, but I’ll make an exception for you!”

So easy…

From here, the relentless barrage of questions began.

“Is it really okay for a rare alchemist, like an elf who can make elixirs, to live in such an ordinary residential area without any guards, even in the capital?”

“Yeah, yeah. It seems like we’d be the first targets for those corrupt nobles and underground organizations…”

“If you were to harm me and use me, that Empress, along with many other high-ranking nobles, would go into a rage and raise a great army. They understand this very well.”

“Ah, so it seems you’ve really built a solid connection with His Majesty. That makes sense.”

There’s no way His Majesty would let someone as irreplaceable as this go.

“Well, despite how I look, I am the empire’s treasure. More importantly, you speak as if you’ve met His Majesty.”

“I met him yesterday.”

“……Eh?”

Esther’s mouth fell open.

“Y-you’re lying! His Majesty rarely meets with people!”

“When I was eating at the restaurant, he came up to me with a smug look on his face and started talking. Hey, Stingray.”

“Yes. The fiery crimson hair, I still vividly remember it.”

Th-this is the same situation as when I first met His Majesty… Could it really be true?

“But well, it’s disrespectful to get carried away with jokes about His Majesty the Emperor, so let’s leave it at that.”

“That’s right~”

“Y-yeah! That’s right! Good decision!”

Thinking back, there’s no way that person would just ignore such an interesting kid.

The conversation continued to flow smoothly.

Especially the talk about medicinal trivia and tidbits by the top active apothecary was extremely stimulating, and Ryu and Stingray listened intently. This was akin to an apprentice wizard listening to a lecture by an imperial sorcerer. Esther doesn’t handle elixirs without reason.

The two of them became accustomed to each other’s reactions, and Esther found herself becoming quite talkative as well. As they continued their conversation, their bond gradually deepened, and by the time they were leaving, they were calling each other by name.

“See you, Esther. I’ll definitely come back to get more medicine someday.”

“Lady Esther, when you visit the frontier, please be sure to stop by Arden!”

“Of course! Ryu and Stingray are doing well too!!!”

The two checked out of their inn by noon that day and departed from the capital, Weel. Once they mounted their Axels, they planned to reach a nearby city within a few hours and rent another inn there.

“If we keep dawdling here, we might get caught up with His Majesty again.”

“Yes. Let’s hurry and escape… and go home.”

This time, Ryu met with the Empress and the Imperial Sorcerers, but if you think about it in terms of benefits, getting to know the Lorian Elf apothecary named Esther might be the biggest gain. When he orders the next elixir, it will surely be shipped directly from the capital. Well, considering the price, that might be quite a while from now…

“With this, I can finally cure Mom’s illness. I owe it all to Esther.”

“I’ll keep you safe on the way back, so don’t worry.”

“That’s reassuring. As expected of the Arden Knight.”

On the way home, just like on the way there, they were attacked by monsters and thieves several times, but Stingray scattered them all with his monstrous strength. As they got closer to Arden, Ryu’s usually aloof expression gradually softened with relief and joy.

A few weeks later, I finally saw the familiar scenery.

“It took over a month to get this far. Good job, Stingray.”

“Yes!! As an honorable Arden knight, there are no words beyond this!!!”

I spotted a few familiar faces and immediately relaxed. At that moment.

Thump, thump, thump!!!

“Tch. At a time like this… that stupid lizard…”

Ryu involuntarily placed his hand on his chest and frowned.

“Ryuu-sama, is something the matter?”

“No, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit hungry.”