"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 43

“Well, should I call you Chief of Staff Arden here?”

At those words, the surrounding nobles were astonished.

It was common knowledge that the Border Count would serve as the commander, but the other positions were scheduled to be appointed after everyone had gathered. Although Ryu’s announcement came a bit early, it might also be part of the commander’s strategy.

“Baron Arden is the Chief of Staff?!”

“Did I mishear that?”

“Isn’t he essentially the number two in the military?”

“Lord Grace, do you really intend to entrust the strategy of the Western Front to this young man?”

Of course, there were voices of criticism. It was only natural that there would be opposition to appointing a fourteen-year-old boy baron, who was essentially a bonus addition, to the important position of Chief of Staff instead of entrusting it to a nobleman with war experience.

The noble who would be the least satisfied finally raised their voice.

“Lord Grace… Are you in your right mind?”

“Sanity or not, he accepted the request to deploy to the Western Front on the condition that he serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, Count Blan.”

“……You think this kid has more value than me?”

“If you only look at this battle…”

“How could someone of your stature, Lord Grace, make such a blunder… Could it be that Baron Arden has some leverage over you?”

“Haha, you really say that.”

Count Blanc won’t stop.

“This battle is estimated to be a grand conflict of fifty thousand against fifty thousand. It is truly a battle that stakes the nation’s honor. There is even a possibility that a hero might come forward. Yet, despite that, are we really going to entrust all our lives to this young baron?”

“That’s right, that’s right” “You’re absolutely right”

“From what I can see, he only brought a hundred riders. I believe it is unacceptable for the fate of the Western Front to be in the hands of such an inexperienced person.”

“What can a hundred knights possibly do?” “Even the Imperial Guard can’t make a difference.”

“Ah, why don’t you ask the person directly about that?”

Count Blanc shifted his gaze to Ryu.

“Go ahead, kid.”

“If I were to participate normally, I thought I might be the chief of staff or a general aide or something like that. Bringing a whole bunch of people along would just be a hassle, and at worst, I just want to protect Lord Grace. It’s what you’d call a hidden blade, I suppose.”

“Do you really think you can defend with just a hundred riders?”

“Rather than protecting, it’s more accurate to say I’m ensuring the general’s escape and survival. After all, if there are too many soldiers when retreating with the general, it gets congested, right? So, I brought only a hundred cavalry. And if I have free time, I might as well do some idle military work.”

“I can understand the former, but I can’t understand the latter.”

“I think the strategist is in the right place for the job, but if it comes to letting a weak general handle the most important charge, it’s more certain if I do it myself.”

“Your current statement will turn most of the nobles here into enemies, you know?”

At this point, the faces of the nobles grew even more severe.

“This brat… if I let him talk, he’ll say whatever he wants…”

“Don’t get cocky just because you crushed the Man Tester, okay?”

“Seems like you want to be cut down, huh…?”

“After we bury the brat, let’s use the cavalry behind us as bait to lure out the hero.”

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew.

Slash!!!

“Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!”

The noble’s right-hand man, who had been babbling about luring out the hero and so on, had his arm severed from the root.

At a speed that no one could see, someone severed it. Truly a divine feat. It is similar to a phenomenon called “kamaitachi” in the eastern island nations.

“Hurry up and cast the healing spell‼”

“Is there no senior medic here?!”

“If we hurry, we can still connect! Let’s go!”

From the flow of the conversation, it seems that the culprit is Ryu, but he hasn’t moved a muscle since this conversation started, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. That’s why no one can confront him. The fear that if they raise their voice, they might be the next one to have their arm chopped off adds to the tension.

Ryu, looking to pass the time, calls out to the stingray waiting behind him.

“Seems like it’s going to be tough.”

“Yes. Could it be the work of a monster…?”

“It might be a self-made stunt by him. Look, he has a creepy face like a clown.”

“Ryuu-sama, that’s inappropriate.”

“It’s fine. Right now, I’m the one in charge, so I’m the one who’s more important.”

“That’s true, but…”

However, Stingray did not miss the drop of bl00d clinging to the tsuba of Ryu’s beloved sword.

Fresh bl00d on the sword…? No way… Lord Ryu…???

Ryu is still glaring at the noble with cold eyes. She shivered slightly at the sight of his terrifying profile.

In this situation, for some reason, the marquis was smiling.

“I’m worried about the future.”

Ryu-kun really is the best. Those sharp eyes are irresistible. The war that seemed so daunting has become something to look forward to. At this rate, even if a hero shows up, Ryu-kun might be able to handle it.

Once again, a girl was watching Ryu from the window of the mansion.

“Hmm. So that’s the rumored Ryu Arden.”

Just as Father said.

While thinking that, I was leisurely observing…

No way, he found out…?! This window is almost directly behind him…?

“Miss Flora, what seems to be the matter?”

“N-Never mind. Let’s get back to practicing our dance. The ball is coming up soon, you know.”

Ryu glanced back slightly and cast a sidelong glance at the window.

Who is that girl…? Well, whatever. I’m not interested.

Time is limited, so shortly after this, the appointments of other positions were made, and they departed from the first city before sunset. Additionally, since Axel was to ride in the same carriage as the general as the chief of staff, he entrusted Stingray with his horse. Normally, it is customary to put infantry on spare military horses, but Axel has a principle of not riding anyone other than Ryu, so he is now leisurely riding alongside Stingray’s beloved horse.

“Is my twisted nature inherited from my master?”

“Bururu”

At that time, in the grand cathedral towering in the capital of the Eldorado Empire to the west.

In front of the giant statue stood an old man. His ceremonial robes were adorned with luxurious decorations, making it clear at a glance that he was not an ordinary monk.

Then, a priest came over.

“Your Excellency, the hero has just arrived here.”

“Bring him here immediately.”

“Huh‼”

It can truly be said that being able to raise the hero to this level before the battle is a miracle of God.

“God El… grant us your protection… And… bring down your hammer upon those traitors…‼”

A few minutes later.

“Your Holiness, I’ve arrived~”

“Yuma-san, Ryuusei-san, and Kokomi-san. Well done getting this far.”

“To put it simply, I should just go to war, right?”

“That’s right. Our fate rests in your hands.”

“Leave it to me. I always wanted to experience war at least once. Basically, we just need to crush all the enemies, right? So, just think of it as being on a big ship. Okay, everyone?”

“Yes. Because we are the strongest!”

“Since we went through all that trouble to train in magic, it would be a waste not to use it, right?”

“Wh-what a reliable person…!”

The Eldorado Empire of the West, three heroes, set out.