"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 44

The 50,000-strong Western Front Army set out in a long, long line towards the border with the Sel Duchy. The escort wagons were sparsely arranged within the line to avoid revealing which ones the general and his staff were in, and the supply wagons were lined up at the very back. The fortunate aspect of this operation is that food and supplies will continue to be transported from the Grace Marquessate and the capital, so there is no need to be overly cautious. Conversely

In the carriage that Ryu is riding.

The border count muttered as if stifling a yawn.

“I wonder how long it will take to get to the front lines.”

“Isn’t it roughly a little less than two weeks? Unlike when heading to the capital, we don’t have to go through the Grand Canyon or the Great Forest.”

“Continuing on flat ground is also kind of boring, isn’t it?”

“I don’t really understand what you’re saying.”

“Oh, by the way. It was you, Ryu-kun, who cut off that idiot baron’s arm during the day, right?”

“Well, isn’t it the work of some kind of monster? It resembles the phenomenon called ‘kamaitachi’ from the eastern island country.”

“Wow~. Well, I’ll take your word for it. By the way, Ryu-kun’s sword was also forged in the eastern island country, right? What’s its name?”

“My beloved sword is named Kurikara. See, it’s clearly engraved on the scabbard.”

“That’s quite a tough-sounding name, isn’t it?”

And at that moment, from outside the carriage,

“Ku, Kurikara?!”

I heard the voice of Captain Charlotte of the Knights.

“Somehow, your knight captain is eavesdropping on us…”

“Our Charlotte has sharp senses, you know. Please forgive her~”

“Not that it’s a big deal or anything, but isn’t she being a bit too obvious about her excitement?”

“Charlotte is the biggest sword nerd in the frontier, you know. She might even know a lot about Ryu-kun’s Kira. Why not ask her while we’re at it?”

“That’s right.”

As a test, I opened the curtain from where the voice was heard.

“Hah… hah… Did you just call me?”

The commander of the knights was clinging to the window.

From the gap in the helmet, two red glowing eyes are peering at me.

“……””……””……”

Ryu silently closed the curtains.

“Changing the subject, this time the hero is…”

“Hey! Let me talk about it! About that Kurikara! In detail!”

“That’s why, could you call her over? I think she really wants to talk.”

In the end, we decided to invite the excited Charlotte into the carriage.

“I thought it was quite a masterpiece when I saw it before, but I never expected it to be that Kira…! This texture, this pattern on the scabbard, this brilliance of the tsuba… each and every one is top-notch! As expected of a famous sword that ranks among those great masterpieces…”

By the way, I’ve already wiped off the baron’s bl00d, so there’s no problem.

“I’d like to see the blade too, you know…”

Charlotte glanced at Ryu.

“Of course, it’s fine.”

“Thank you very much!”

I drew the sword from its sheath.

“Ahhh, beautiful!!”

“Needless to say, unlike those ordinary swords, even a slight graze can cut deeply, so be careful.”

“Yes, I’m fine!!”

“Are you really okay…?”

The border count is smiling happily as he gazes at the figure.

“Wow, it’s great that Charlotte is in such a good mood.”

“For me, this is the best benefit!”

Charlotte looked at Ryu again.

“Um, may I also touch the blade?”

“Alright. You seem persistent, but be sure not to cut your hand.”

“I may look like this, but I’ve handled over a thousand swords! So don’t worry!”

By the way, it’s the first time I’m letting someone touch the blade of Kurikara. Well, it should be fine.

Little did I know that that worry was a premonition of something.

The moment I gently brought my finger closer and touched the blade.

“……Eh”

Charlotte’s consciousness was sucked into a pitch-black world.

He let go of the sword and fainted, leaning back against the seat.

“Charlotte…? Charlotte!!!”

“Medic!! Hurry over here…”

The last thing I heard was the anxious voices of the two.

In front of her, who had fallen into the abyss world, a gigantic black dragon stood.

Huh… what… is that…?

The pressure of just standing here feels like it could physically crush me.

I’m doing my best to stay conscious. If I were to lose consciousness, all that awaits me is death. I can’t stop sweating.

The black dragon, perhaps because its sleep had been disturbed, opened its mouth looking quite displeased.

“Little girl, where did you come from?”

“Eh… talk…”

“Answer quickly.”

“N-no, that’s not it… um, well… uh…”

“Hmph. Not even able to hold a conversation with me… You’re nothing like that kid. Your capacity is so small it’s not even worth talking about.”

Th-this kid…? Wait, this isn’t the time for that. I need to answer quickly. But my mouth won’t move as I want it to…

“I have no use for you. Leave quickly.”

“My body… won’t move…”

“Then we shall bury you along with your soul.”

The black dragon raised its large forefoot and began to concentrate destructive magical power at its claws.

Charlotte could only watch the scene unfold, trembling.

(Oh… I’m going to die, aren’t I?)

And then.

Narukami Narukami

Swinging down towards Charlotte.

However, just before the claw hit her, a small hole opened in the pitch-black world, and a hand reached out from it.

“Charlotte. Grab my hand.”

“Y-yes!”

She whipped her stiffening body and somehow grasped that hand of hope, escaping into the hole.

“Tch. You brat… meddling in things you shouldn’t…”

In the real world.

“……lot”

“……huh?”

“Charlotte, wake up‼”

“Wait… Your Excellency and… Lord Ryu?”

“I’m so glad.” “For a moment, I didn’t know what would happen…”

Charlotte woke up safely, and the two of them let out a sigh of relief.

“Are you okay now?”

“Y-yes. Thanks to you.”

“Because I suddenly lost consciousness, I panicked.”

“I sincerely apologize. Even though I bear the name of the Knight Commander, it has come to this…”

“No, no, don’t worry about this. More importantly, I was sweating a lot while I was unconscious, but did anything happen in the dream?”

In response to this question, only Ryu had a stern expression.

“Actually, in the world of darkness, I was attacked by a giant black dragon.”

“A gigantic black dragon…?”

“Yes, it was a dragon as big and terrifying as a mountain… Just thinking about it now… ugh.”

The hopeless scene flashed back in Charlotte’s mind, and her face turned pale.

We’ve known each other for a long time, but I’ve never seen her make a face like this before…

“Sorry for making you remember something strange. Take your time and rest now.”

Thank you for your concern. Taking your kind words to heart, I think I’ll rest my body a bit more.

By the way, who was it that extended their hand to me…?

The Border Count shifted his gaze from Ryu… to the Kira at his waist.

“Ryu-kun, that sword seems to be quite a dangerous item.”

“Seems so. Well, I’m fine with it, so I’ll keep using it.”

“Maybe it’s a cursed sword.”

“Please don’t say strange things…”

I had no idea that Kuro had such abilities… This time, it’s completely my fault. Once Charlotte calms down, I’ll apologize again.

Is it due to Kurikara’s abilities, or is it the result of the daily battles between the child dragon and the lizard Bahamut?

The mystery only deepens.