"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 37

After meeting with Baron Grace of the Frontier, Ryu immediately returned to Arden and proceeded with the preparations for the port town construction plan. Since the members of the Arden Baron family had already been informed of the entire plan in advance, the movement began quite swiftly. As previously explained, the profession of a noble household servant is essentially a prestigious one, consisting of an elite group selected from the territory’s residents, so the plan progresses rapidly with just Ryu’s directives from above. Given that they are currently in the

The frontier lord must ship wheat throughout the empire during this period, so he is pressed for time every day. Additionally, through the merchant guild, he needs to find allied nations to trade agricultural products with and finalize contracts, which will make him even busier. Although they haven’t even cleared the forest, let alone built a port town, for some reason, he is in high spirits. The reason is…

“I just feel like if Ryu-kun is around, we’re definitely going to succeed.”

The Empress’s willingness to cooperate is significant, but the sense of security I feel when Ryu-kun is involved is even greater. Normally, it would be the opposite. What is this strange feeling? Could it be that we have the protection of the Dragon God? Only for Ryu.

“Father, who is Ryu-kun?”

“Oh, that clear voice is…”

When the border lord turned around, there stood a beautiful girl.

This beautiful girl is Flora Grace. She is the second daughter of the Grace Marquis family.

She is turning fourteen this year and is currently a second-year student at the Imperial Academy. She usually lives in a mansion in the capital city of Weel, but she temporarily returned home since winter break just started.

“Isn’t this my cute, cute Flora! It’s been a while, I’m so happy to see you.”

To commemorate their long-awaited reunion, he spread his arms wide, waiting for his daughter to jump into them…

“……””……”

No matter when, my daughter won’t move.

“Um… I’m not really at that age anymore…”

“But sometimes, you know, you want to have an emotional hug with your parents, right?”

“I really don’t want to do it at all.”

“Eh?!”

The border count collapsed to his knees.

Ignoring such a father, Flora brings the conversation back.

“Father, who exactly is that Ryu-kun you were talking about earlier?”

“Ryu’s full name is Ryu Arden. He is the current head of the Arden baronial family.”

“Arden…? That Arden who ambushed the Mantesa Baron family?”

“Yeah, yeah, that Arden. You know a lot about him even though he just got back from school.”

“The recent war became quite a topic of discussion even at the academy. Arden, who was supposed to be at a severe disadvantage, somehow achieved a complete victory against Manstesa, and it caused quite a stir.”

“Yeah, probably. Oh, by the way, Ryu-kun is the same age as Flora.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“Really, really”

“Despite having such amazing abilities, why didn’t you enroll in the academy?”

“Hmm, I wonder why that is. I don’t know for sure since I haven’t asked directly, but… maybe it’s because there’s nothing in particular to learn at the academy?”

“Nothing to learn…? The Imperial Academy is the pinnacle of education in the Astoria Empire, you know?”

“Simply put, that kid is really smart. They’re way more knowledgeable than I am, and their thinking speed is impressive. I can’t help but sigh.”

“He’s fourteen and more knowledgeable than his father, who was the top student at the Imperial Academy… This has to be a joke, right?”

“It’s not a lie. You know very well that I hate liars more than anything in the world, Flora, right?”

“Y-yes”

“Also, this is just a hunch, but…”

“?”

“Maybe Ryu-kun is incredibly strong. There are all sorts of rumors about that war, but I believe Ryu-kun fought and earned that victory himself.”

“……”

Flora swallowed hard.

The border count walked to the window and gazed at the golden fields spread out below.

During the conversation, that sharp look he showed for just a moment. That was completely the kind of look someone from the warrior side would show. He always deliberately hides it and pretends to be an amateur, but I won’t be fooled… Ryu-kun

“Yeah. I’m glad I invited you to the war after all.”

“Could it be that you’re talking about Ryu-san?”

“Of course”

“Taking a fourteen-year-old to war… Father, that’s the lowest!”

“Huh?!”

At that time, at the entrance of the forest on the southwestern side of Arden, a group of skilled hunters and the Arden Knights were meeting. The hunters had already arrived and were currently waiting for the knights.

And finally, the knight order has arrived.

Silver quickly dismounted and went to greet the hunting group.

“I’m sorry for being late. The axe for cutting down the tree was heavier than I expected, and it took longer to transport.”

Then, from the group, the village chief, who also looked lethargic, stepped forward.

“……Is it you again?” “……Is it you again?”

Yes. These two have met once during the death of the former head of the Arden family. There is no particular conflict between them, but they both just feel like they don’t quite get along.

In such a delicate atmosphere, there was one person who radiated a bright light.

“Is that the real hunter? So cool!”

“Hey, Mimi. Can’t you read the room a little?”

“Isn’t it great? Because for me, Hunter-san is an object of admiration‼”

Mimi ignores the surrounding stillness and her eyes sparkle with excitement.

The village chief asks Silver.

“Captain Silver, what about that child?”

“That child is an apprentice knight named Mimi. Lord Ryu personally instructed me to entrust her to you. Could you take care of her for the next few months until the plan is complete?”

“That Lord Ryu… huh…”

Since it’s Ryu-kun, he probably isn’t just an ordinary apprentice. Interesting.

“Of course, I’ll take care of it.”

“I am grateful.”

“Well then, shall we get started on clearing the forest? The route is already decided.”

“Understood.”

Finally, the port town construction plan has begun.

Meanwhile, at the Arden Baron’s mansion.

“There’s not much time left until the exam.”

“Yes!! I’ll do my best to get within the top ten!!”

“As expected of Lena. It’s important to have high aspirations in everything, so keep it up and do your best.”

Ryu, stylish and gentle, patted Lena’s head.

“Huh~? I feel like it’s more comfortable than usual~”

“Surely, it’s because Lena worked hard on her studies today.” *petting* *petting*

“Hehehehe”

He was a doting older brother who consistently demonstrated the results of his daily head-patting practice.

Ha ha ha… All that practice paid off.