Chapter 58: Red dragon

Princess, keep your head down!

Heathcliff, if this continues the two of us are finished!

The carriage had no driver, it seemed to just be going along on its own. The blue haired princess was being protected by the knight Heathcliff.

It looks like Im out of Magic, if this continues.

Trifar are Magical tools that run on magic power.

Human! Did you think you could just steal my treasure!?

Their facial expressions turned more serious as the heard the deep voice from outside. Suddenly the roof of the carriage was ripped off.

Now, Ill be taking back what you stole.

Above the carriage was a face that looked as though it was on fire. The two of them stiffened at the tight of the countless fangs and the large eyes looking at them.

I wont hand It over! I cant hand it over! I need this!

Oh? Is it more important than your life? The dragons eyes gleamed.

Princess get down!

Heathcliff stood in front of the princess, pointing his sword at the dragon.

You arent intending to challenge be with that stick are you? You couldnt even pierce my eye with that tiny thing.

Sweat ran down Heathcliff face and his arm trembled.

Youre actually quite stupid, I only came to get back what you stole.

I cant give it back! This is necessary for Artemias!

With its large right leg the dragon blocked the carriage, bringing it to a stop.

Humans are truly stupid creatures, even though Im being this compassionate no matter how many hundreds of years pass, you never change.

The dragon raised the arm that had stopped the carriage.

Princess run!

In the next moment the dragon was about to bring its arm crashing down on them. But the princess watched at a man casually jumped up and kicked the dragons giant body.

Dragon slaying kick!

Heathcliff doubted his eyes at the dragon, large enough to crush a carriage with one hand, twisted its body and was blown away like a deformed punching bag.

Guooh!

The dragon screamed as it rolled away, then once the movement stopped it laid there listless.

What happened?

As expected of a dragon, you cant kill it with just that.

I didnt use full power but I wasnt exactly playing around either. I came to realize the difference between the raves and that the status might not accurately represent everyone numerically.

Youre.a human?

So what if I am?

You, youre rude even knowing that Im the red dragon, Hardy de Stein Van Gogh?!

Rude? I dont know, I just wanted to say stop fighting.

Youre misunderstanding. They were the first to cause harm. Im a quiet individual, I may look like this but I dont get involved with the world. Im not like the dragons you idiot humans imagined.

You say that but. I looked at the two people hiding in the shadow of the fallen carriage. Looks like you got involved.

The princess was impatient and although Heathcliff had his arm stretched out still protecting her she didnt rely on him at all.

I dont know what happened but please help us! That dragon came and attacked us! The princess shouted from the carriage.

Princess get back! Heathcliffs face was turning red.

Her white dress, along with the carriage, immediately convinced Masamune that she was royalty.

So you say, but what actually happened?

They stole the dragon jewel from me. It was a treasure given to me by the dragon king, and not something its alright for a human to possess.

The red dragon or the princess. Masamune was comparing the two wondering which one he should help. But as he was doing so he realized something, even though he was just standing there thinking, the dragon didnt do anything to him.

What are you staring at human?

You, havent attacked?

Harumph, I already told you why.

Well I dont want to kill a dragon either if at all possible. I dont want to kill my fantasy, plus its what a good guy would do.

Masamune looked back at the princess.

Hey can you give back what you took from him?

What! Thats stupid. Youre believing a dragon!? Not a human but a dragon?

Humans are the ones you cant trust. Masamune muttered.

. the dragon snorted in amusement, apparently he heard it.

Im sorry, I didnt hear what you said. Although it seems the princess did not.

You should hurry up and return it, isnt that your country over there? Itll get destroyed you know.

Oh thats a good idea, Im bored with the jewel now, why dont I destroy some stuff before going home.

Masamune and the dragon looked at eachother and laughed.

This dragon isnt something that you can handle. If youre a princess you should give up the jewel and protect your country. I wont say anything else so, do what you want.

Princess, please escape behind the walls.

Heathcliff had a hard look on his face but the princess was calm.

I understand, Ill return the jewel.

Princess?

Heathcliff, we no longer have a choice. If we dont return it, Artemias will be destroyed just like that guy said.

Even though aunt Maggie proclaimed it?

It cant be helped. Her proclamations arent absolute, theyre a possibility.

After that the jewel was returned to the dragon. Masamune was skeptical but the princess sighed heavily as she handed it over.

Sorry.

Royalty does not apologize.

Ah!

what?

Can I ride on your back?

no.

Why!

Masamune and Hardy laughed loudly.

Thanks to you I was able to recover the jewel but who are you? For me to be sent flying by a human..

Im just an adventurer. More importantly theres something I want to ask too. Are you really a dragon?

Yes. I am known as the red dragon. But I havent appeared in the human world for a long time so it seems as though I have been forgotten.

I see.. Im Nito.

Nito? Strange name.

Hey, I only just learned that dragons have names.

Masamune felt doubt as he stared at the dragon.

What?

Looking at you reminds me of the past.

The dragon spread its huge wings and jumped high into the sky.

Goodbye human, Ill repay this debt someday.

You dont even know if well ever meet again.

Without saying anything else the dragon flew away and Masamune turned to the princess.

Hes gone now.

The jewel Heathcliff muttered.

Well it was his to begin with.

Its ok Heathcliff.

The princess approached Masamune.

My name is Sufilia Artemias.

I see, so you really are a princess.

Princess Sufilia! Heathcliff placed himself between them. Dont carelessly reveal your identity. We dont know if we can trust him yet.

This is Heathcliff, my bodyguard.

Sufilia ignored Heathcliff.

Im Nito. By the way, why did the princess of a country steal something from a dragon?

Thats. She seemed to have trouble saying it.

Thats something a commoner like you doesnt need to know.

Is that something you say to the person who just saved your life? Are all Artemias aristocrats like this? How disappointing.

The princess looked down as the carriage carrying Toa and the others arrived.

Masamune! Are you hurt?

Toa jumped out first followed by Nem and Sierra.

Yeah the dragon was very understanding. Completely different from the knights and princess of some country somewhere.

Fine! The princess raised her head.

Hmm? What?

If youre going to put it like that then Ill invite you to the castle!

I dont know what you mean by put it like that but youre inviting my friends too right?

Huh?

Sufilia didnt notice the others because she had been looking down and thought shed only been talking to Masamune.

O- of course! Everyone can come!

*

Fortress city Artemias at the royal castle owned by the Artemias family, Barfarek Castle.

Dad, Im back.

Sufilia, how was it?

I failed to bring back the jewel.

I see, and who are they?

Four people knelt behind Sufilia.

I will explain.

When the king nodded Sufilia explained what had happened.

Thank you for saving Sufilia.

Ah, it was no Sierra nudged his shoulder.

Masamune, be careful with your words. If you make him angry well all be sentenced to death. Dont careless.

Thank you for your kind words. I took Sierras advice.

By the way dad, where is aunt Maggie?

Im right here.

An old woman appeared from the corner. She was bent over at the waist and looked to have difficulty walking.

Im sorry Aunt Maggie, the jewel was taken by the dragon.

Masamune sighed when she said that and Sierra nudged his shoulder again.

Ah! Aunt Maggie stared at the four people there.

Aunt Maggie, whats wrong? Sufilia asked uneasily.

Him! Hes the one that I saw!

Huh? Me?

The old woman was pointing at masamune.

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