"The Talented Dragon Hides Its Claws" ~ The Eldest Son of the Baron Family, Called Useless, is Actually One of the World's Strongest ~ - Episode 61

Having successfully driven off the bandits, Ryu and his companions passed through the great forest and arrived at the neighboring territory.

Meanwhile, the B-rank adventurers guarding her were still buzzing with excitement, and although Flora was pretending to be calm, her mind was elsewhere.

I am currently running through a peaceful meadow.

“Wow, that dragon earlier was amazing, wasn’t it?”

“Was that monster that suddenly appeared really a dragon after all?”

“It wasn’t in the Adventurers’ Guild’s records, but I definitely think that was a dragon. I mean, there’s no other way to explain something like that.”

“I was lucky.”

“Yes. It was definitely the most incredible event in my adventurer life. Honestly, I still can’t believe that something like that actually happened〜”

Flora strained her ears from inside the carriage and eavesdropped on the conversation.

“Suddenly appearing or not, that dragon was created by your magic, wasn’t it…?”

(The adventurers don’t seem to have noticed…)

What do you think, Lena-chan?

“What do you mean by ‘what do you think’?”

“Just before the dragon appeared, Baron Arden clearly chanted ‘Blue Dragon,’ right? At that distance, I think Lena-chan would have heard it too.”

“Of course, I heard it! Your cool voice, big brother!”

“Knowing that it’s your brother’s magic, why are you so calm?”

“Because you’re my big brother…”

“More like… you don’t think things like wanting to show off your brother to others or wanting to showcase Arden’s greatness, right?”

“If you become famous, you’ll just have more rivals, and you once said you didn’t really like standing out.”

“Ah, I see…”

The Astoria Empire is known for its meritocracy, and those with high abilities can rise to the position of Chancellor, even if they are commoners. In fact, the current Chancellor also comes from a commoner background.
Of course, the nobility, who stand above the common people, are even more influenced by meritocracy. Those with superior appearances excel in high society, those with high combat skills make a name for themselves in the Imperial Army, and those with academic prowess achieve good results at the Imperial

Flora has been in high demand in high society since she was young, and now she reigns as the top student at the Imperial Academy. In other words, she is a super celebrity with no equal among her peers, regardless of gender.

I can’t believe you don’t like standing out… Such a thought is unthinkable for an imperial noble. If someone were to see you without knowing anything, honestly, you’d be one of those who get eliminated. In high society, you’d be the first to be ostracized.

In the aristocratic circles, she was a high-ranking flower, and since childhood, numerous noble children had flocked around her. Noble sons who wanted to possess the beautiful Flora, noble daughters who wanted to connect with Grace. Proposals for engagement and invitations to tea parties were countless. Love letters arrived almost every day.

However, all of them are just bragging about myself and my family.

“I am the most handsome man in the East…”

“I have a job offer from the Seventh Division of the Imperial Army…”

“I am in the advanced class of the third year at the Imperial Academy…”

“I am the fifth son of the duke’s family…”

Some terrible people would even challenge me to a duel just to prove their own strength.
Of course, she herself beat them down and demonstrated the difference in their levels.

By the way, the invitation to the tea party from the young lady was also filled with similar bragging stories. In the imperial nobility, it is not an exaggeration to say that displaying one’s power is the true profession, so this is to be expected.

Flora liked Lena at first sight because Lena had a pure and innocent personality, without a hint of the arrogance Flora was proud of. It might also have something to do with the fact that Flora had wanted a younger sister for a long time.

Unlike that prideful young master who always boasts, he…

Flora slightly opened the curtain and looked at Ryu’s profile running outside.

“Hey Axel, if you keep dawdling around like that, you’re going to gain weight.”

“!?!”

Not pretending at all, not flattering anyone. Just living in a completely natural state. Not only showing no interest in anyone outside of family, but not even appearing in their line of sight.

Close the curtains.

“Hey, Lena-chan. Could you tell me a bit about Baron Arden?”

“Sure! What kind of story would you like to hear?”

“Um, first, could you tell me about his magic? I’m the best at practical magic among all the subjects.”

“Big brother can basically handle any kind of magic, but usually, he only uses lightning magic.”

“The lightning magic said to be of the highest difficulty…”

Indeed, that dragon must also be his magic.

“By the way, it was my older brother who taught me magic.”

“So, does that mean he was actually being mentored by someone?”

“No, my brother is self-taught. His hobby is collecting magic books.”

“How…!”

You learned that magic on your own?!

“What else would you like to know? I take pride in being the best when it comes to my brother, so bring it on!”

“Well then, without hesitation, regarding his private matters…”

“In the past, I used to train in the forest a lot, but now I mostly have public duties. If I had to say, I occasionally go out somewhere with Axel for fun. Also, my brother has a nature of not speaking deeply about himself, so there are still things that even I, his beloved younger sister, don’t know.”

“Hmm, hmm, this is helpful.”

(You just called yourself your beloved younger sister, didn’t you?)

“Also, those gloves with the magic circle are my gift, you know!!!!!!!”

“Wow, really?”

(Blatantly lowering the mood…)

“Finally, could you tell me more about him during the war?”

“Since a gag order has been imposed, I don’t know much either, but I clearly remember the words you sent us on the day you left for war. Now that I think about it, that might have been the first and last time you referred to yourself like that.”

“Pl-please tell me!!!”

(Yes! This is exactly what I wanted to know! His evaluation of me!)

“That morning, both the soldiers and their families all had gloomy faces. Since they were going to a real battlefield, no matter how much anyone tried to encourage them, their expressions remained dark. Of course, I was crying the whole time too. But then, at that moment, my brother, who usually didn’t smile much, gave us a gentle smile. Everyone’s eyes were naturally drawn to him. And then, my brother said this to us.”

“……” gulp

“Sometimes you can leave everything to me. Because I am… ‘stronger than anyone else.'”

“……‼”

“With that one word, everyone’s expression in the room changed. You were so cool back then, big brother.”

“I’m sorry to be rude, but did no one question his statement?”

“Eh, there’s no way I could hold it. Because when you say ‘stronger than anyone else,’ it literally means the strongest in the world…”

“The strongest in the world…”

“Honestly, other people’s words are on a different level. The weight of the words, their credibility, everything is incomparable. The only one in the world who is allowed to say those words is you, big brother.”

“……”

“I’ll tell you in advance, but I won’t give it to Flora, okay? He’s my older brother.”

Saying that, Lena smiled slightly. However, her eyes were not smiling.

“Um… y-yes…”

(Scary, so scary, Lena-chan…)

After that, the days continued with enjoyable conversations while being jostled in the carriage, and before I knew it, the capital, Weel, came into view.

“It’s always a sight to behold, isn’t it?”

“That flag really does have an intimidating presence, doesn’t it?”

“There’s a big dragon drawn in the center, you know.”

The flag of the Astoria Empire features a dragon bearing the name of the strongest, symbolizing to the world that the empire is the true ruler.