Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Five Days (4)

#37

Dragon’s intimidation!

An on-off type passive that paralyzes existences weaker than oneself and sharply cuts stats.

A unique characteristic that any character with dragon blood mixed has, and an element representing the race’s fraudulence.

Warnings rose one after another.

『The dragon’s intimidation presses you!』

『Movement speed greatly decreases.』

『Physical abilities decrease.』

As expected Freude was a dragon.

He had experienced intimidation when he first met Ilark but the weight was different.

The pressure blooming over the maid outfit was spreading in all directions.

“Hiiik?!”

“B-body··· why suddenly···.”

Kale and Bilmoris froze like a traveler who met a tiger.

It was a considerably strong dragon.

To the point that facing it at the current point was a problem itself.

Even in a state polymorphed into a human this level of intimidation.

“A moment. I’ll pass.”

Confirming that the group was frozen Freude entered the forge.

No sound was made from the steps.

Standing facing Ilark she lifted the hem of her skirt and showed an elegant greeting.

“Glad to reunite so quickly. Young lady Ilark.”

“···Why are you here? If head attendant manage Alto’s lair or something.”

Ilark frowned.

The tail that could not stay still and hit the floor was representing her anxiety.

Hearing the words head attendant Bran chewed his lips.

‘As expected.’

The intuition hit.

The person who engraved wounds on Ilark’s body, and the person who drove her out from Alto’s lair.

A strange dragon who claims to be an attendant while being pureblood.

Freude answered while modestly gathering her hands.

“Since I secured a substitute it’s fine. Coming here is to carry out the master’s order.”

“What did Alto make you do?”

“He said to bring young lady Ilark quickly. Even by force suppression.”

Silence descended.

Bran’s eyes widened round.

What? What kind of extremely fun hidden camera is this?

The dumbfounded Ilark sharply frowned.

“What the hell are you saying fuck. Why is Alto looking for me?”

“The master fell into considerable shock seeing the fight between the young lady and me. He lamented that even if hybrid he didn’t know she would be that weak. If left like this the possibility of becoming a disgrace to the Zarheim family is thick, so he said he will train you from the beginning.”

“Train? Alto me?”

“Yes. Truly a kind person. He said he will take responsibility and teach until the young lady is reborn as a true Fire Dragon.”

This time Bran’s eyes crumpled.

How much effort I put into scouting this kid, and suddenly pops out?

‘A development that doesn’t exist in the game. A matter that occurred while Ilark raided the lair.’

Even the direction was idiotic.

True Fire Dragon my ass.

Freude continued.

“So. If you accompany me I would be thankful.”

“Shut up the nonsense. I’m not going!”

“Haa··· as expected.”

Freude let out a big sigh.

It seemed she already knew it would become like this.

The moment she separated the modestly gathered hands, golden sparks crackled over the back of the hands.

“Then there is no choice but to exercise force.”

“Kuk···!”

Ilark hunched her shoulders.

A tense sign unlike her was clear.

The scorched wounds engraved on various parts of the body were still not completely healed.

Just as Freude who removed the smile from her face was about to raise her hand.

“No.”

Right next to her Bran’s voice rang out.

Turning her head Freude flinched.

Bran who had approached to close range at some point was watching the two with arms crossed.

“This kid has a prior engagement with me. A very important promise.”

“······How?”

Freude’s eyes opened round.

It was an expression that would be made if a raised hamster suddenly spoke.

Since a mere human shook off the dragon’s intimidation it was understandable.

Honestly it was not an easy matter for Bran either.

Before the eyes of him who was desperately pretending to be okay messages were rising one after another.

『You took a cardiac stimulant made from lion grass. While the effect lasts Mental Power increases.』

『Heart of Harmeno activates. Beneficial effects from plants are amplified double!』

『High Mental Power value overcomes the dragon’s intimidation!』

Good that he carried a spare cardiac stimulant.

Since he had not yet learned a skill that enhances stats with mana this was the best as of now.

『You shook off the pressure of the strong. Weed’s Tenacity activates!』

『The growth speed of Mental Power increases slightly.』

Weed’s Tenacity that manifested after a long time was praising that wit.

Ilark’s eyes widened round.

“B-Bran?!”

“And Ilark is my companion. I can’t arbitrarily take her away when she herself doesn’t want it.”

Whether or not Bran continued.

Hearing the word companion Ilark’s ears heated red.

“···Admirable friendship. I didn’t know a human friend would appear for the young lady.”

Freude turned to Bran.

“However please know this. You are doing an extremely dangerous action right now. The reason I show a common-sense aspect is to not bring disgrace to my master and the honor of the Zarheim family.”

The current flowing along the hands was still not withdrawn.

When he met her eyes he thought it tingled somehow, it was a Thunder Dragon not a Fire Dragon.

“I am also a dragon for now. The thunder that rings along the blood vessels is craving blood without resting a single day. Living while suppressing this impulse every day is by no means an easy matter.”

“Impulse.”

“Yes. So please don’t stimulate me any further. If I watch a mortal, especially a frail child like you showing recklessness···”

Freude who bent her waist met Bran’s eyes.

A sunlight-like smell came from the apron.

Through the gap of the eyes curved like a crescent moon golden irises were crossing.

Bringing her face to a distance where breath reaches she smiled faintly.

“Just. I want to just swallow you in one bite.”

Goosebumps rose along Bran’s limbs.

It was not a joke.

She who transformed into her original form would be able to swallow Bran or anything in one bite.

Freude’s face got closer.

“Looking closely you are quite cutely born. Rather just like this······ ugh!”

It was then.

Freude’s eyes contorted with pain.

The startled her turned her head.

Ilark who had approached at some point was gripping her shoulder.

“Don’t touch.”

A creaking sound was being heard under Ilark’s hand.

Presumably force that even crushes rocks was being applied.

Ilark growled.

“I’ll kill you.”

Freude flinched.

It was an expression she had never seen even once until now.

The face of the enraged Ilark was contorted like a demon that just came up from hell.

“······As expected strength alone is excellent.”

Politely removing her hand Freude raised her body.

As soon as she separated from Freude Ilark wrapped Bran’s waist with her tail and pulled.

Facing the two Freude bowed her waist and apologized.

“Sorry. I committed rudeness to the young lady’s friend.”

“It can be. In the eyes of a dragon I seem to look a bit delicious.”

“I won’t deny it.”

“Fuck.”

“Anyway please understand. Since I received the master’s order I am in a position where I must take the young lady. I also don’t want to cause further commotion, so could you quietly follow?”

This time it was a conciliation plan.

Ilark’s eyes wavered for a moment.

If she resists the remodeled forge of Bilmoris would be smashed without even form remaining.

Just as Ilark was fretting, Bran opened his mouth.

“By any chance could I make just one proposal?”

“Proposal. What kind?”

“If the young lady being weak is Lord Alto’s worry then it becomes a matter of becoming strong right? Actually the prior engagement I mentioned earlier was a promise to train.”

Chak. Bran pulled out his index finger.

“Please give just one day. I guarantee I’ll show results more excellent than Alto’s education. If my method looks better even in Miss Freude’s eyes just leave Ilark alone.”

“···What changes if one day passes?”

“Yes. Very much.”

Bran answered without a shred of hesitation.

Ilark made a considerably flustered expression but did not intervene in the conversation.

Freude smiled.

“Good confidence. But with only that there is no reason for me to defy the master’s order.”

“Hmm··· I wasn’t going to say this but, could you lend your ear for a moment?”

“Uum?”

Freude bent her waist.

The moment Bran whispered something in her ear, the thin eyes that had been narrow opened round.

“How do you know that···!”

“Even so I have wide feet. It’s Lord Alto’s old worry right?”

Bran smiled.

How fortunate that he enjoyed play that savors the character settings one by one.

Letting out a groan Freude nodded.

“Uum··· good. With the authority of the head attendant I’ll try suggesting to the master. However if the results are not certain I will take the young lady as originally.”

“Good.”

“Wh-what? What did the two of you whisper leaving only me out··· uak!”

Just as Ilark who was about to protest screamed.

Because Bran poked the wound on her side meaning to shut her mouth a bit.

“But you will have to show the results clearly. How do you plan to prove it?”

“How about this? Spar with Ilark and if your polymorph loosens even a little acknowledge it.”

“······Yes?”

“Literally. Loosening the polymorph means sincerity was revealed. If a weak dragonblood draws out the sincerity of a pureblood isn’t it sufficient evidence that she became strong?”

Freude’s face hardened.

Astonishment was also cast on Ilark’s expression.

But silence was only for a moment.

The corner of Freude’s mouth rose faintly.

“Good. I’ll agree.”

****

Bran’s proposal was accepted.

It was regrettable that another time attack occurred on an already tight schedule, but still it was a million times better than having Ilark taken away with eyes open.

Actually he had confidence himself.

“It’s good to fold clothes properly. Are you doing laundry on time?”

“Th-that··· hehe.”

“It’s not hehe. Judging from the skin and bones being in contact it seems you’re not properly taking meals either. Since there is a kitchen I’ll buy ingredients later.”

Freude who had time left began doing housework like a maid employed at the Song of Iron forge.

From the appearance of the scattered clothes and plates being neatly organized in an instant amazing professionalism was felt.

Saying enduring ferocity or something, it seemed she just likes the act of taking care of someone itself.

“You said Lord Kale. Is there food you like?”

“Hiiik··· I-I just eat anything well!”

“Excellent. Different from our young lady who has severe picky eating. When young no matter how much the master tried to fix it if there is no meat···”

“Ah really! Noisy!”

Unable to listen Ilark got angry.

It was only that they moved to another room with Bran so all the conversation was being heard.

“Rather do it so it’s not heard. Distracting···!”

“Still it doesn’t seem like a bad dragon.”

“Of course better than Alto. But really what were you thinking making that kind of proposal?”

Ilark supported her forehead with her palm.

As the person who has to power up until dawn the next day it seemed she was receiving not ordinary stress.

“Have you never won even once?”

“Of course! Freude always speaks softly so she looks easy but she’s not an ordinary fierce dragon. Do you even know how painful it is when hit by claws wrapped in lightning? Uuu···!”

It seemed the compatibility with Freude was set extremely strongly.

The appearance of shuddering while recalling the memory of fighting looked pitiful.

“We can do it Ilark. For now try lifting the axe.”

“Haa··· understood.”

Sighing Ilark gripped the axe handle.

Just as he was about to ask shouldn’t you lift it with both hands.

Clunk!

The axe that came out too lightly was lifted with a flash.

“What.”

“Uung? Why?”

“No··· isn’t it heavy?”

“Yes? I don’t know well if it’s that heavy. A bit hefty?”

Ilark tilted her head.

Although she said that it seemed she did not feel it hefty at all in reality.

Tuk. Spinning the axe round and round as if performing a trick she put the axe handle on one shoulder.

A performance that naturally brings to mind the words of a strong man··· no, dragon strong man Bran’s face brightened greatly.

“Excellent.”

“It sticks to the hand and is good... although it’s the first time handling a weapon I’ll try using it well.”

He knew she was strong but he didn’t know it would be this much.

An axe blade made by collecting only ores that are terribly heavy compared to volume.

The fact that he almost activated Power of the Giant Tree while secretly trying to lift it has to be kept secret until death.

“Let’s start right away. Hold the axe and follow.”

“Yes.”

Bran and Ilark moved to the front yard of the forge.

Not even a hundred steps away from the Dragon Heart Furnace so a strong hot wind was blowing.

“Ilark. For you to become strong you first have to know how to manage heat.”

“Heat?”

“Yes. That thing that pours out from the heart every time you act or emotions intensify.”

Ilark is a dragonblood of the Fire Dragon.

The powerful heart that resembles her father as is was a super heat engine comparable to the Dragon Heart Furnace or an ancient volcano.

Only discharging that power from the body just because it is painful was an absurd waste.

“The you until now was always only busy discharging heat. Despite being a resource that can become your strength you throw it away so stamina had no choice but to drop. If you just know how to do only this you will be able to fight much more explosively for a long time.”

“As of now the sense is not caught. What do I have to do to do that kind of thing?”

“For now you have to construct a circuit through which heat passes inside the body. Grasping the framework of this circuit and aligning it is the biggest purpose of this training.”

Saying that Bran took out one book.

On the burning red cover the title “Burning Days.” was written in rough strokes.

Although not as much as Primordial Flow this was also an item obtained quite difficultly.

Thank you Mister Leodorn.

“It is a book written by a person possessed by a fire spirit. It is written in detail how they controlled the inner heat. The method of constructing a heat circuit is also out.”

“Will human knowledge really help?”

“Of course.”

Bran nodded.

The eyes sharp like a bird of prey were full of conviction.

Slowly raising his hand Bran placed his hand on Ilark’s belly.

“Stay still. I’ll try.”

“Wh-what are you doing now?”

“I’m looking for a path to flow the heat. After this ends you’ll have to move hard so prepare firmly. Uum··· quite difficult.”

Fortunate that he learned mana.

It seemed Kale would do better but that guy would not be able to endure the heat.

Bran concentrated his mind and focused on the heat flowing along her blood vessels.

Hot. Hard.

The protruding abs seem more like carved metal than an organism.

Truly an enviable body.

“Ilark. As you think humans are weak.”

“What?”

“So they endlessly strive to become strong. To trample, to protect, to survive··· each different form of struggle remains in the form of knowledge and is endlessly transmitted to the next generation.”

Ilark who had been unnecessarily avoiding her gaze looked down at Bran again.

The thinly narrowed eyes were exerting desperate effort to see the heat flowing inside her body.

“That you are a dragonblood means you can accept that golden tower of humans as is. It is absolutely not something shameful.”

“Bran.”

“So trust me.”

Then, something was sensed under the sizzling palm.

A space that is subtly different in temperature and wide.

A site most suitable as a path heat passes.

Looking up at Ilark Bran raised the corner of his mouth.

“Because this method is certain.”

****

The sun set and night came.

Dawn long past midnight, around the time a dim crescent moon formed right above the crater.

“······Gradually time has come.”

Freude who was folding laundry on the balcony raised her body.

Waiting three hours more than the promised time was her own mercy.

Tak. Just as Freude who finished the housework was about to go out to the inner yard the promised place.

“Ah. You came?”

“You···.”

Bran’s voice was heard.

Turning in the direction the sound was made Freude flinched.

Ilark who had become a mess was catching a rough breath like the bellows of a forge.

“Kueeeuk··· huff···!”

“Young lady Ilark.”

An appearance as if rolled on some grill.

Inside the wounds engraved on the entire body red light was wavering like molten metal.

From the double-bladed axe she was leaning on as a support heat haze due to high heat was blooming.

Freude’s gaze turned to Bran right next to her.

“You. What did you do to the young lady?”

“Training what.”

“Training. What on earth···!”

Freude was astonished.

She could not even guess what kind of education process she went through for a person to become that appearance.

Kale who followed out covered his mouth.

“M-Miss Ilark···?!”

“My god.”

Bilmoris also could not hide his astonishment.

Although he could not see the front the serious state of Ilark could be guessed as much as he wanted.

The only one not agitated was Bran.

Sweeping Ilark’s back as if proud he gestured to the center of the inner yard.

“Then. Let’s start gradually.”

“······It is what I wished.”

Freude nodded.

The attitude was polite but fine anger was tinged in the voice.

Still it was the young lady she served so she didn’t know she would drive her this hard?

Looking at the two she said.

“As expected I should have taken her earlier. I absolutely won’t go easy, so please prepare firmly.”

“That··· huu, handle it yourself.”

Ilark waved her hand.

Moving to the duel place while staggering she looked precarious as if she would collapse right away.

Freude and Ilark stood facing each other with an interval of about thirty steps.

Freude was in an upright standing posture as always.

Ilark was lowering her body while gripping the axe.

Just as the duel was about to start, Ilark opened her mouth.

“Freude.”

“Why?”

“If I win··· huu, is there even a prize?”

“······Prize you say?”

“Yes. If I don’t receive something I’ll die from unfairness.”

Ilark smiled while baring her teeth.

It was a line that made one curious what on earth happened during the training time.

“A prize at this time. Pitifully it seems your soul has completely left. If the young lady wins there is nothing I can’t give.”

“Yes··· promised?”

“Yes. But that kind of thing won’t happen.”

Because I’ll end it in one strike.

Muttering to herself Freude separated the hands she had been gathering.

Crack!

Lightning light manifested from the palms wrapped both her arms.

“Hiiik!”

“N-now did lightning strike?!”

Kale and Bilmoris had a fit.

A technique no different from magic, that inflicted an unforgettable wound on Ilark.

However today’s her only calmly gripped the axe handle instead of spitting out a curse or hunching her shoulders.

“Good. Then.”

Confirming that the two were prepared Bran nodded.

His mouth opened.

“Start···”

Before the words could end.

The forms of Freude and Ilark disappeared at the same time.

The two women who collided while leading a flash and a hot wind respectively met exactly at the center of the inner yard.

Precisely at a point shifted one step more.

Freude’s eyes widened.

“What.”

Ilark’s axe was before her eyes.

The heat blazing along the axe blade was rushing while drawing a red arc.

Faster than herself. If she extends her hand she gets cut. In the place Ilark had been standing only heat haze remained wavering. The steam that was always discharged when she fights was not visible today.

Clenching her teeth Freude accelerated and retreated.

“Kuk!”

At the same time the axe was swung.

Boooooooo-!

A burning half-moon rose. Freude who fell back as if bounced landed on the ground.

Finally Bran’s words ended.

“...Start.”

The fight had already ended.

Bran turned to Freude who was catching a rough breath.

Wings covered in golden plum blossom-colored scales were growing while tearing her back.

“Haa··· haaa···!”

Clear release of polymorph.

On the soft face leisure could no longer be found.

The fastest duel in the world.

Muttering such inner words Bran, smiling faintly continued.

“Duel end.”