"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 46

The morning after Ryu and Bahamut had their first conversation.

“Good morning~”

“Good morning, Stingray.”

“Huh? Today, Lord Ryu’s complexion seems better than usual.”

“Thanks to the bodyguard being by my side, I was able to sleep soundly. I am grateful for that.”

“To think that Ryuu-sama would be thanked so sincerely… I’m moved.”

“What do you think I am?”

“Tsundere Baron”

“Hey”

After the two met up with the Marquis and the Knight Commander, they immediately headed out of the city. By the way, since their beloved horses also stayed at the inn’s stable, Ryu is currently mounted on Axel.

“The soldiers outside have probably just finished folding up their tents, so we’ll start marching as soon as we regroup.”

“When leading a large army, it’s best to have the regular soldiers camp in the field. It’s unfortunate for them, but…”

“The marching speed is on a whole different level, you know~”

If you keep moving fifty thousand soldiers in and out of the city every time, it will take a considerable amount of time just for the procedures. Therefore, in the end, it is best to have them camp outside the city. Of course, they are equipped with magical tools to ward off monsters, so you don’t have to worry much about external attacks.

“Well then, just like yesterday, Ryu-kun will ride in the same carriage as me~”

“Understood. Shall we have a strategy meeting while we slack off today as well?”

“I asked two people to be the bodyguards.”

“Understood.” “Yes! Leave it to me!”

Someone severed the Baron with the clown face’s arm, and Charlotte was sucked into the Abyss world, causing various troubles from the very first day, but starting today, we regrouped and resumed our march.

About two weeks later.

The Western Front Army has finally arrived at the city located closest to the border with the Sel Principality.

“Wow, it’s been a long journey, hasn’t it?”

“Well, we were just riding in a carriage.”

“But I can’t even say the road was good as a compliment, so my butt hurts.”

“It shook quite a bit, didn’t it?”

Your Excellency

“Hmm, what’s wrong, Charlotte?”

“The infantry’s level of fatigue far exceeds our expectations, so it would be best to schedule at least one rest day.”

“Indeed, it’s been a while since we’ve had such a large movement, so would it be alright to set out for the border the day after tomorrow? What do you think, Ryu-kun?”

“As the commander said, I think it would be better to take a short break. The fatigue of the soldiers directly affects the morale of the army and the combat and judgment abilities of each individual.”

“Alright, let’s take today and tomorrow off. Tell the soldiers outside the same. They’ll have to camp at night, but they can also stroll around the city during the day.”

“Yes! Understood!”

The border lord urged his horse to run.

A few minutes later, it is said that the soldiers’ voices of joy could be heard from beyond the rampart.

“From now on, it will be free time, but try not to go too far or enter any suspicious alleys, okay? Well, I guess that’s unnecessary advice for you, Ryu-kun.”

“No, no. Being closest to the enemy means ‘that’s exactly what it is.’ So, we’ll act with utmost caution. Besides, we have Stingray with us.”

As Ryu said, there is a very high possibility that spies from the marquisate and the empire have infiltrated this city.

The Border Count and the Knight Commander headed out of the city, while Ryu and Stingray made their way towards the shopping district.

“Well then, how about we go grab a bite to eat together to lift our spirits? We promised each other before, remember?”

“Huh, you still remember about the lunch thing?!”

“I would never forget a promise with an important subordinate.”

“My, my important subordinate…”

“Is something wrong?”

“No! It’s nothing! Let’s go right away!”

Despite the impending war, the shopping district was bustling.

“That’s kind of surprising.”

“Since it’s a city near the border, I guess they’re used to that kind of thing?”

“Isn’t he a bit too energetic, though?”

“Shall we ask later?”

“Yeah”

As I walk through the shopping district, I frequently pass by soldiers from the Western Front. They know both Liu’s face and his rank, so they bow deeply and greet him. Each time, Liu raises one hand and responds.

Even Ryu can’t help but give a wry smile.

“Being great is harder than I imagined.”

“Just returning a greeting feels like it could take up the whole day, doesn’t it?”

“I was really excited the other day, saying that if I perform well this time, I might be promoted to viscount, but now it’s becoming a hassle.”

“But I think Lady Lena will be pleased, don’t you?”

“Then let’s go. To the viscount.”

Stingray is gradually getting used to handling Ryu.

After that, we found a nice-looking restaurant at the edge of the shopping district, so we decided to have lunch there.

Both of them ordered the daily special set meal, which is a staple menu item at the restaurant.

Today, it’s mad cow stew and fresh vegetable sandwiches.

“Even though it’s mad cow, it’s delicious.”

“The owner must be quite skilled, huh?”

The mad cow is extremely ferocious, its meat is tough and has little fat, making it of low market value, and it is the top monster despised by adventurers.

“Isn’t the sandwich also the best?”

“The bread is probably from Grace. It has a familiar taste.”

“Lord Grace is truly amazing.”

Since we went to the trouble, we ordered a refill and continued our meal while chatting happily…

I feel a gaze on my back. A sharp, knife-like gaze typical of those in the underworld.

“I ate, I ate.”

“I can’t eat anymore… Staying too long would disturb the other customers, so shall we head home soon?”

“I agree.”

After Ryu settled the bill and was heading towards the exit, he noticed someone who had briefly glanced at him.

I’ve memorized your face

Originally, I would have shared the information with Stingray immediately, but sensing no hostility from her and realizing she had no intention of moving during the day, I decided not to say anything to her and continued my stroll.

The fact that they aren’t following me means they probably already know where I’m staying. Since that’s the case, I might as well take advantage of it.

That night.

Of course, I’ll be staying in the same room as Stingray again tonight.

“Mr. Stingray, I trust you will continue to take care of the Chief of Staff tonight as well.”

“Yes!! Leave it to me!!”

Ryu first sat on the bed and took care of Kurikara.

“Somehow, it reminds me of our trip together.”

“I still vividly remember the day I prostrated myself before you, Ryu-sama. I am truly sorry.”

“You can forget about that matter now. Stingray is a troublesome daddy’s boy, so it couldn’t be helped.”

“I don’t want to hear it from someone who’s a super overbearing brother.”

“I’m not a siscon, you know.”

“Yes, yes”

The two of them ate a lot and walked a lot today, so they went to bed early.

“Good night~”

“Ah, good night.”

Late at night.

Ryu sensed multiple shadows approaching the inn.

…You came

Get out of bed and open the window quietly.

If I make even the slightest noise, the stingray will wake up, so I have to be extremely careful.

After opening the window, step onto the outer ledge and slowly close the window.

Without hesitation, Ryu leaped onto the roof of the adjacent building and disappeared into the night.

“What’s the goal?”

“The second floor of that inn. The third room from the left.”

“Are you really not going to lay a hand on the boss?”

“That knight commander Charlotte is guarding him. The success rate is less than 1%. So this time, we aim for the Chief of Staff of the Western Front Army, Liu Arden.”

“Doesn’t the Chief of Staff also have a bodyguard?”

“The Chief of Staff is nothing special. I confirmed with my own eyes during the day, and he was at about a B-rank level.”

“If it’s just one B-rank, we can handle it with ease.”

“The assassination will be carried out as usual. Let’s go.”

Everyone was about to head towards the inn, at that moment.

“What does a B rank even mean…?”

“W-Who are you, you bastard?!”

“Well, who do you think it is?”

Hearing those words, the enemy leader finally realized.

“The man standing in front of you is the target this time, Ryu Arden…!”

“See you. Good luck with my assassination.”

“Wait! Pursue him with all your might!”

The chase between Ryu and the assassination squad has begun.

Ryu moves across the rooftops at a speed just beyond their reach. Occasionally, poisoned knives and magic come flying from behind, but he easily dodges them.

“Damn it! Do I have eyes on the back of my head or something?!”

“It’s probably just a coincidence. If you shoot enough times, you’ll eventually hit something.”

And then, leaping over the rampart, into the forest outside the city.

“Is that man an idiot? Outside is the best hunting ground for us.”

“Isn’t it just a name for a strategist?”

“Don’t let your guard down; they might be plotting something.”

During the chase, Ryu suddenly vanished like smoke.

“Where did it disappear to?!”

“Search for the footprints!”

I will try to continue the pursuit, but…

“Hey, wait a minute, aren’t we one person short?”

“Really, someone has disappeared without us noticing.”

One person disappeared.

“Huh? Two people are missing.”

“You were right next to me just a moment ago…!”

Another person has disappeared.

As if being swallowed by the darkness, the squad members quietly disappear one by one.

“Hold your positions for now. There’s a high possibility of being attacked from the blind spot.”

Damn it, where the hell is he hiding…!

After that, they steadily decreased, and before I knew it, only the captain was left.

“……”

Then, Ryu suddenly appeared from the darkness.

“If you answer a few questions, I might just let you go.”

“…Do you really think I would believe such a lie?”

“Putting aside your identities for now, at least you can talk about the hero, right?”

“Hmm. If it’s about the hero…”

“Yes. The fact that you can talk about the hero means it’s not the Empire’s dark side. By process of elimination, it could be the Duchy’s dark side or an underground organization hired by the Duchy. In the latter case, there are only a few organizations around here that can easily hunt B-rank targets, so if we seriously investigate, we’ll find them quickly. By the way, I made sure to get a good look at your face earlier today.”

“Damn it…!”

“You’re an idiot, so just spill it. You don’t want to be interrogated later, do you?”

“Y-you’re underestimating me! You little brat!!!”

“Getting so worked up over something like this, you’re really an idiot after all.”

The moment the captain took a step forward, both legs were severed, and the torso, losing its support, fell forward.

“……!”

And while writhing in pain, as I reached out to brace myself…

…the blade of Kurikara.

“Eh”

The captain’s consciousness was drawn into the Abyssal World.

“Are you the last one…?”

Dragon?! Why is the legendary monster here?!

Next to the captain, there were several chunks of flesh lying around.

No way, this is…

“Spill all the information about the hero.”

“Ah… ah…”

“Otherwise, I’ll turn you into a crushed mass of flesh just like those bugs from earlier.”

“I-I understand. I will tell you everything… please, please…”

A few minutes later, another mass of flesh appeared in this world.

“Finally made it, kid.”

“It took time to deal with the body. So, were you able to squeeze out any information?”

“Everyone was talking away shamelessly.”

“Alright. By the way, the experiment to use Kurikara to send a target into the Abyssal World was also successful. With this, we can surely send the hero here too. Now, we’re all set.”

“Hmph…”

After sharing the information, Ryu immediately returned to the real world and headed to the inn.

The hero’s magic seems to be more impressive than I imagined. No wonder the great powers are all summoning him. …I’m starting to look forward to it.