Council and Fight As Well As--
Thanks to my energy imbued glare I directed at some people asking for a show of force during the council, Black Dragon intruded.
That all may sound so random, but I'm no less confused at this situation either.
『I ask thee. Masked man, what do you hope to accomplish with your intimidation?』
"They told me to show off my strength to which I complied. Problem?"
『Fahaha, you have got the guts at least. Pray tell, your name?』
"It's confidential. I can't answer that."
I'll act disinterested for now.
In reality, I just wanna jump and whack this dragon hard, but it's neither the time or place.
"Black Dragon, return to your lodging. You're going to make things even messier."
『Don't say that. Besides, don't you think we should always strive to get a better picture of things?』
"...What do you mean."
『This man's demonstration of power was but an intimidation, indeed? None actually saw him fight. Whether his strength is merely for show or it is truly practical, there is a need to put that to a test, no?』
"You're just itching for a fight! Quit stirring up more trouble already!"
Ranaia was at his wit's end dealing with Black Dragon.
Is this how they're like normally? Guy's gotta be suffering from stomach ulcer by now.
But, I couldn't ask for a better development.
"Is that right. What do you seek from me?"
『Obviously. O strong of mask, fight me. Prove your strength.』
"Soarer-dono, please disregard his nonsensical rambling. I hope you don't take it to heart--"
"Understood. But I wouldn't want to drag everybody here in our fight. Would you mind changing location to somewhere outside the city."
"Soarer-dono!?"
Ranaia sounded flustered as he tried to stop me but I paid him no heed and took on Black Dragon's suggestion.
I mean, this is a good chance as any isn't it? Not often you can legally beat this darned lizard to a pulp.
I'll pretend to agree with his demand and fight him for real.
Eh, why am I so insistent? Cause I'm still holding a grudge at the culprit that almost got Alma killed during the Hunting Fest, problem?
『Fahahaha! You're quick on the uptake. Here hop on, I shall lend you my back to ride on.』
"Oh no, you don't have to. I can fly on my own, thank you so much."
I refuse to get on his back.
I'll fly off the window on my own with Mana Flight.
"H-he's really flying..."
"Air Step, no his feet aren't making steps. Is that a true flying Skill...?"
『Hohou. Flying with nary a wing nor Air Step. I have lived for thousands of years yet this sight is new even to me.』
"...Let us depart."
Alma is looking at me anxiously as I floated away. I'm just gonna play with this lizard for a bit, don't worry.
Time to go.
~~~~~~~~~Hero's POV~~~~~~~~~
Oy oy, what the heck are you playing at Kajikawa-san!?
During the meeting, a black dragon showed up out of nowhere, picked a fight with Soarar aka Kajikawa-san and then both flew off somewhere.
Wait, he's so fast!? Kajikawa-san zoomed so fast even the black dragon couldn't catch up to him!
So he wasn't serious when he was being controlled. That man is bad news for real.
"Darn it, Black Dragon..."
"W-what is up with that, masked man anyway...?"
The kingdom's side were also dumbstruck as they stared the sky.
The man who seemed to be the dragon's handler is holding his head with a bitter look on his face. Guy must have it hard.
"...Was he always that kinda character, so aggressive?"
"No, apparently he had some history with Black Dragon from the Hunting Fest time, you see. He must have been seething inside."
Aina-san and the red haired guildmaster whispered to each other.
Kajikawa-san, don't tell me you purposely responded to the dragon's provocation out of personal grudge.
I wonder if that aggressiveness is his true character. He looked so motherly yesterday too...
"...My word. Let's leave those two to their own device and resume the talk."
"V-very well..."
Guildmaster looked fed up and got our discussion back on track.
...Well whatever. Not like we can have a decent conversation with them around anyway.
The important looking old man from the kingdom side composed himself and spoke.
"I believe a proper compensation is in order for the splendid feats these fine men and women have achieved. Do we have an objection?"
"None at all."
"Let it be done."
The talk went smoothly partly thanks to the military old men finally shutting up now that they're out cold and all.
Meetings like these tend to get stretched out thanks to those types.
"Now that we have exhausted all available topics pertaining the raid, we should finally get to the main topic at hand."
"Indeed."
Eh, main topic? Our talk so far wasn't one?
Guildmaster urged the kingdom-side old man.
"We plan to announce this to all participants of the tournament today. All of you present here are privy of it first."
"Which is to say?"
"In normal years the sole purpose of this tournament is to be a show of forces. However, in the year where a Demon King has been revived, that purpose carries another meaning."
Eh, what does that mean?
"This year's tournament was a publicity stunt to gather powerful individuals from all over the world here. If I had to be blunt, the end result itself bears no significant relevance."
"Gathering powerful individuals in the world? For what purpose?"
"We wish to bolster their strength. The strength to fight demons."
...I still don't see where this is going.
"We have invited people that will serve as instructors, whom will arrive in short order."
"So you're saying the tournament is only a means to get as many strong people gathered in one spot, so you can train them."
"Put simply, yes. Ah, but we won't compel anyone to take part by force. Those who don't wish to join this program are free to leave."
Hm? Could Aina-san be one of those instructors?
Does that mean normal people are expected to undergo all that hellish training intended for hero's party?
...I feel like there will be multiple casualty in the process. Is this gonna be alright.
"I can't believe you came up that kind of plan. I'm sure the expenses to pay those instructors don't come cheap."
"...We can no longer sit back and watch idly with the third continent already in ruin. The king has come to an understanding that we must act and bolster humanity even if it means putting up with an unconventional plan."
"We do not get many strong individuals from the first and second continents seeing as they are locked in combat with demons. Nevertheless we have attracted quite a few powerful individuals here. They will be great assets in the coming fights against demons once they have grown even stronger."
...Hm? Wait a minute, first and second continents are engaged in combat, while the third is destroyed already. We're on the fifth continent here, so what about the fourth? Are they fighting demons too?
<<The demon chief there was done in by certain adventurers around a month ago, so there's only some demon remnants left there.>>
They work quick. Who killed the chief anyway.
They must be at least on par with Kajikawa-san. Scary.
"I-I beg your pardon!"
A soldier-looking man suddenly barged in the council room. What happened?
"We're in the middle of a council."
"We have confirmed the arrival of instructors, they are currently waiting at the parlor..."
"Is that so. We shall go see them after this council."
"Err, umm, two among them saw Black Dragon-sama leaving and ran off after him."
"What...?"
...Yet another bad feelings.
Are those people planning to join a fight between those monsters, I mean, extraordinary individuals? What kinda daredevils are they.
I just hope the fight doesn't extend to the capital city as a collateral...
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
~~~~~~~~~Black Dragon (Monster) POV~~~~~~~~
"Raaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
『Gwoooooooooooo!!!』
The masked man kept swinging his greathammer this way at tremendous speed.
My hands are numbed every time my claws blocked these attacks. Truly stupendous firepower.
Fu, fuha, fuhahahaha!
Strong...! When was the last time I fought someone this powerful again.
His presence denotes him being a human, yet it it as if I'm not fighting against one.
His gentlemanly demeanor vanished the moment our fight began, replaced by a rampaging magic beast-like mien.
I could sense an immense wrath festering on the expression under his mask.
...Have I met this man before? I do not recall doing anything that warrants this enmity.
『What are you so indignant about?』
"Ask yourself!!"
『I know not thus I ask... At least tell me the reason--』
"Die."
『Uoouu!?』
Not good, I cannot afford to be distracted.
I suppose I should strike him hard first and put him in the mood to talk!
『Shaaaa!!』
"!"
I bound the mask man's movement with a storm generated by Dragon Skill [Dragon Wings].
Not even other dragons can move freely inside this storm. Not to mention these lightweight humans.
I'll knock him out with my fastest physical move [Dragon Tail], making sure to hold back so he won't die.
『Fuuoa!!』
My tail went for the mask man at near the speed of sound.
There is no dodging or blocking this. This is the end.
"Raaaaa!!!"
『Gwaaaa!!?』
I was assaulted with intense pain the moment my tail hit him.
What happened? ...The tip of my tail, is cut?
Did this masked man, cut it off?
『Fu, fahahahaha!! Interesting, I have no recollection of my tail being cut!』
"...Your head is next."
『Very well, I shall bear witness to your attempt!』
My heart throbs with excitement!
Not even the dragons yesterday managed to land a scratch on me, yet look at you severing my tail!
Holding back will be the death of me. I feel an overwhelming power not unlike that pair I fought years ago.
I shall respond in kind and go wild----
"That's far enough. Both of you, lay down your arms."
....
.....!!!
There are three individuals I refuse to ever fight again in this world.
The first one is the demon king. Enemy of the world I beat together with Ryota.
Wielding overwhelming physical and magical prowess, he was the first ever enemy that struck me with fear. He does not exist anymore.
The other two are the pair of [Sword King] and [Archmage].
I recall all the pain they inflicted on me with their near demon king-class sword moves and magic. Leaving me unable to fly for a while post battle.
The same 'Sword King' is standing with Air Step between me and the masked man.
"D-Dukeris-san...!?"
"How've you been, Hikaru-kun."
...He spoke gently toward the masked man.
I see, so this masked man is known as Hikaru--
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