"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 55

“Hey everyone, I’m back.”

“Brother!!! Welcome back!!!”

Lena hugged her brother with all her might without hesitation.

“Oops”

“Ryu, welcome back. You did a great job.”

“Welcome back, Master Ryu.”

About two months after the western expedition, Ryu and the hundred men of the Stingray returned to Arden without a single casualty. In the grounds of the baron’s estate, the relatives of all those who had been deployed had gathered.

“Thanks for the accelerator too.”

“Brubru”

The Celestial Horse Axel, true to its name, is a creature skilled in long-distance travel, but this time it was made to pull a carriage and charge into a group of enemies. Ryu must feel deeply indebted.

Then, a certain giant came along.

“Lord Ryu, thank you for your hard work over the past two months.”

“Oh, Silva. You too, huh? Good job on the Port Town Project.”

“No, no, not at all… By the way, how was your daughter? She didn’t hold you back, did she?”

“You were a great success. You can ask everyone in the battalion for more details later.”

“I see. Stingray has become a fine knight. Truly, she is a daughter to be proud of. Really…”

The stingray, who was listening to the conversation from behind, was wide-eyed in surprise.

My dad finally called me a great knight for the first time!! I can finally consider myself an adult now!!

“All the relatives gathered well too.”

Ryu pointed to the large wagon behind him in the middle of the conversation. The reason this wagon, which wasn’t here before, is here now is…

“I bought a lot of souvenirs on the way back, so please enjoy the reunion to your heart’s content while receiving them.”

“Yes!!”

That carriage was provided by Lord Grace. Some of the carriages that had been carrying supplies on the way there were now empty, so he said, “Since they’re available, you can use them as souvenirs for Arden.” Although there are limited carriages, they were given to Ryu first. Not only because of his work as the chief of staff, but also because Grace and Arden currently have a close relationship, he was treated differently in a good way. Following the top-class carriage, Ryu had a

By the way, since the initial greeting until now, Lena has been clinging to Ryu the entire time. Not in a metaphorical sense, but really clinging and not moving an inch. She must be savoring her brother’s scent, body heat, and heartbeat for the first time in two months.

“Oh my, Lena-chan. Hee hee hee.”

“It seems you two are still as close as ever… how heartwarming…”

Mother Iris and Sebas couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the brave siblings.

The stingray was watching out of the corner of its eye.

I don’t think we’re just on good terms anymore… Grrr… This rival seems tough… Grrr…

Lena, who had buried her face in Ryu’s chest, finally lifted her head.

“Oh! By the way, thank you for coming back exactly one month before the exam!”

“More important than any stupid war is Lena’s entrance exam battle. Obviously.”

I stroke my sister’s head while making a siscon remark.

“Hehehe”

Then, Lena noticed something.

“Huh? It’s unusual to see you wearing gloves, big brother. Could it be… an injury!?”

“This isn’t really an injury or anything. Thanks for worrying about me. I just tried out that makeover trend that’s been going around lately. You know, I’m almost fifteen now, right?”

“Cool!!!”

I’ve heard that every boy goes through a phase like that, but it seems like it has finally come for you too, big brother. So cute. I love you.

Here, my mother.

“But if we leave it like that, it will end up being the same color as our servant’s gloves, which is a bit complicated…”

Sebas is also joining in.

“Indeed, it might not be very appropriate for the master to wear gloves similar to ours…”

“Really? I think matching outfits would be nice…”

“Hey, hey, big brother. I think it would look even cooler if there were magic circles drawn on the back of the gloves!”

“Alright, let’s do it. This time, let’s go all out with the makeover.”

Ryu is at that age too, huh…

Has it finally come for you, Ryu-sama… that time unique to us men…!

Here, Sebas pressed in closely and whispered rapidly.

“Lord Ryu. Actually, in the chest of drawers in my room, there is an eye patch and a bandage I used for such purposes long ago… What do you think? By the way, I have been taking care of them diligently, so their condition is just as it was back then. Of course, there are no stains.” *chatter*

“Eh… well, I guess I’ll take it for now.”

Understood.

My mother is also enthusiastic.

“I still have an old brass knuckle-shaped magic tool that I used to wear when I was young and causing a stir in the streets… what should I do with it?”

“Well, since we’re at it, just in case…”

“There’s a lot of bl00d rust on it, so I’ll clean it up tonight.”

“Y-yeah”

Scary…

However, it would be quite difficult to use a gauntlet-type magic tool. This is because, now that Kurikara has lost the power to send targets into the Abyssal World, if one were to draw a sword while wearing a gauntlet-type magic tool, the blade could be drawn towards the magic tool’s abilities at worst.

“By the way, what are your abilities?”

“Simply put, it’s ‘Durability Boost.’ It consumes my magic power to increase the durability of the main body.”

“Hohou”

Not a bad idea. But if we’re going to make use of the mutated properties of Kurikara Adamantite, there should be better abilities out there. Unfortunately, I’ll have to pass this time. I’ll take the item itself just in case, though.

Ryu pondered the future of Kurikara while stroking his chin.

As a sword that doesn’t yet exist in this world, shall we see its true value…

Of course, my left hand is stroking Lena’s head.

Your brother’s happy expression is a feast for the eyes… I wonder if he’s thinking, “What kind of pattern should I put on the gloves, hehehe…?” How cute.

Ryu then, just like on the way here, gave a brief thank-you to everyone present and headed towards the mansion while holding Lena’s hand.

“I bought so many souvenirs that the room will be filled for the three of you, so please look forward to it.”

Saying this, he pointed to the item bag on his waist.

“Thank you, big brother!!! I love you!!!”

“I’m looking forward to it~ hehehe”

“To think of bringing a souvenir to someone as old as me… it makes my heart swell with emotion.”

“That’s so exaggerated.”

“By the way, since Lena-chan has been working hard on her studies and magic training, please take care of her later.”

“Ah. I’ll stay with you until the exam.”

“Yay！！！！！！”

Their fun days are just beginning.