Chapter 129: Jairo's Pride

“Dieeee!”

Immediately after the match starts, the opponent lunges at Norb, thrusting a dagger.

“H-High Protection!”

PAKIIIN!!

“Wh-!?”

However, with Norb‘s defense magic, the opponent’s dagger snapped in two.

“Hup!”

And with a satisfying KAKEEN impact sound, the opponent was blown out of the arena.

“Contestant Barzas out of bounds! Winner Contestant Norb!”

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

“Man, that was instant.”

The match between Norb and the opponent ended literally in an instant.

I think it took less than three seconds?

“Even so, that contestant’s movements just now were good. The fastest among those I’ve seen in this tournament.”

“Yes, there are capable people out there. To think such an expert was unknown, the world is wide after all.”

Meguri and Liliera groan watching Contestant Barzas‘s dash speed.

“In terms of speed, it was a good match for Meguri.”

“Hmm, he might have been faster than me…”

“Well, but the matchup was bad. Norb is super tough.”

“Right, I guess the compatibility was bad this time. The opponent’s skill was amazing, but the equipment was too ordinary.”

“They say masters don’t choose their weapons, but when strength is equal, the quality of equipment is important after all. Also, if you demand sturdiness not to break even at full power, you need something suitable.”

“No, well, normal people can’t exert full power enough to break weapons in the first place…”

“I want to say a line like that too.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

Anyway, with this, the final match of the Dragon Emperor Rite is decided to be between me and Norb.

I never thought even the final match would be a fellow disciple showdown.

Maybe because the tournament was held hurriedly, information didn’t reach the masters?

◆

“Cheers to everyone advancing to the finals!”

With everyone’s advancement to the finals decided, we decided to hold a small pep rally at a tavern, doubling as a celebration.

The proposers were Mina and Meguri, who were eliminated partway.

“We lost, but you guys do your best.”

“Especially Liliera and Ryune, do your best aiming for the prize money. Norb, well… do your best not to die?”

“Th-Thank… you?”

“And Rex, hold back with all your might!”

That’s not encouragement, is it?

“Ah-, I wanted to fight Big Bro too…”

With such a murmur, Jairo was stabbing his food with a fork crunch crunch.

“You’re still saying that? You’re persistent. Or rather, if you want to fight Rex, ask him to be your opponent in training.”

“Wrong, idiot! I want to have a serious fight with Big Bro, not practice!”

At Mina’s words, Jairo pouts saying that’s not it.

“What, you want to be seen losing in public? Could it be you were a pervert?”

“Why does it come to that! Not practice where losing is natural! Seriously! On a stage where I must win! I want to challenge Big Bro with all my might!”

“Even if you say that, you can’t win against Rex anyway, so isn’t it the same wherever you fight?”

“Ngh~! Can’t you understand! That’s not it!”

“I don’t understand men’s pride. Really, obsessing over useless things.”

Despite saying all that, she properly understands it’s a matter of Jairo‘s pride.

As expected of knowing him for a long time.

“Winning ain’t the goal! Fighting with full power is important! And if I lose, that’s fine, letting everyone know Big Bro is super strong is good!”

Eh? Is that fine?

“Ah so, then do whatever you like?”

“Yeah! I’ll do as I please!”

Saying so, Jairo resumes eating, perhaps having sorted his feelings.

It looked like the atmosphere might become ominous for a moment, but I’m glad it settled down safely.

◆

Today is the day of the finals.

Though, since the fight is between insiders, we aren’t particularly nervous, just as usual.

“Ah-, finally fighting Rex… Ugh, my stomach hurts.”

“Hang in there.”

Norb seems to dislike fighting between insiders; as the match approaches, he looks anxious, and Meguri is soothing him.

“Shall we go soon?”

Liliera, coming out of the room, urges us to move to the match venue.

“Huh? Where are Jairo and Ryune?”

Mina tilts her head at the absence of Jairo and the others.

“Ryune headed out first saying not to be late. I don’t know about Jairo.”

“Well, knowing that idiot, he probably said ‘I can’t wait!’ and went to the venue first to find a good seat.”

Ahaha, Jairo would likely do that.

“There’s still time until the doors open, though.”

We were talking like that, but we hadn’t realized at this time that Jairo was heading to a completely different place instead of the venue.

◆ Jairo ◆

“Is it about time the match started…”

I was currently leaving the town and heading for Dragon Peak.

Even though Big Bro and the others’ match is starting soon.

“But with feelings like this, I can’t cheer for Big Bro and the others seriously.”

As the final match where Big Bro and the others fight approached, I couldn’t quell my murky feelings.

At first, I thought I accepted losing, but thinking that I can’t fight Big Bro at that place after all, I started feeling pathetic about myself.

Wondering if I really became strong as Big Bro’s little bro.

Big Bro accepted my selfishness and made me his little bro.

Not only that, he even trained me.

I have confidence that I became super strong myself.

After all, I could fight evenly or better against a dragon!

Just when I thought that, that draw happened.

“In the end, I’m just an ordinary country bumpkin.”

We Dragon Slayers are childhood friends who lived in the same village.

We’ve done stupid things together since we were small.

But Mina is the granddaughter of a reasonably famous mage, and Norb is apparently from a branch family of a relatively good lineage, slated to go to the church headquarters for training in the future.

And although I can’t say details, Meguri is quite something too.

“I’m the only ordinary brat with nothing.”

That’s precisely why I admired Big Bro.

Suddenly appearing, defeating a dragon in just one day, cutting down Evil Boars in just a few days, slaying a Demon, making a big scene.

Moreover, Big Bro wasn’t a noble or born of a special lineage, just a commoner.

So I admired him even more.

Thinking maybe I could become like Big Bro if I tried hard too.

But the result is this mess.

Sure, it hasn’t been long since I started training under Big Bro, and I understand the world is full of amazing people.

But still, losing is frustrating after all.

“So, if I cheer with feelings like this, I can’t face Big Bro and the others fighting seriously!”

Above all, I don’t want to look at my pal Norb with such pathetic eyes!

So, I decided to go train alone at Dragon Peak.

To fight guys even a little stronger, and become stronger than the me who lost.

“Yeah right, I gotta become strong like Big Bro!”

Alright, remembering that fired me up!

It was a pathetic match result even to myself, but if it fires me up, I can think it was somewhat better.

“Then, guess I’ll fly soon.”

Flying in town surprises people around, you see.

Big Bro is a bit too indifferent about that, making me worry.

It was at that moment.

“Please wait, Lord Jairo!”

Guys on horses came running from the town calling my name.

“Ah? Who are you guys?”

Feel like I recognize them…

“It is I, Lord Jairo! Bakin Wappaji of the Dragon Emperor faction!”

“Ba…? Ah, the bunch Liliera-neesan mentioned!”

Right, right, I recall this old man was the guy from the Royal Capital called Dragon Emperor faction or something.

But seems like there are more of them?

“You got business with me?”

When I ask, old man Bakin and the others straighten their backs and line up.

“We came to fight alongside you!”

“Hah?”

Eh? What? Do these guys intend to train against dragons too?

“Lord Jairo didn’t go to see the finals to prevent the anti-Dragon Emperor faction from interfering with the Dragon Emperor Rite and Dragon Princess Rite, correct?”

“Eh?”

What? What does that mean?

“You don’t need to play dumb, we understand. The spies lurking in the town cannot move wary of the Black Knights, but they cannot handle enemies attacking from outside the town. Anticipating that, you plan to join up with Lord Rex, right?”

“Haa?”

Why does Big Bro’s name come up there!? Big Bro is in the finals right now!?

“I also suspected at first that Contestant Tyran‘s true identity was Lord Rex, but Lord Rex‘s aim was to let them misunderstand that while monitoring the anti-Dragon Emperor faction from the shadows, was it not?”

…Ah- come to think of it, these guys don’t know Tyran‘s true identity is Big Bro.

I see, so they misunderstood that Big Bro and I are protecting Tyran from behind.

…Ah-, what do I do.

I can’t say Tyran‘s true identity is Big Bro, but saying that, it has absolutely nothing to do with the anti-Dragon Emperor faction.

But looking at these guys, it doesn’t seem likely they’ll believe me even if I tell the truth.

“Although few, reinforcements from the Royal Capital have also arrived. Considering the fight against the anti-Dragon Emperor faction, unease remains about numbers, but thanks to the Knight Order His Majesty the Dragon Emperor dispatched, most of the anti-Dragon Emperor faction in the Royal Capital has been captured, and their war potential has drastically decreased. We will never lag behind the enemy!”

Seriously!? Big Bro did that much while we were having matches.

As expected, Big Bro is amazing!

That said, there’s no mistake these guys are misunderstanding; how should I explain?

…Nn~, no good! Can’t think of a good excuse!

Can’t be helped, keeping Tyran‘s identity a secret, I’ll honestly say I have absolutely no intention of fighting the anti-Dragon Emperor faction.

Even if they don’t believe me, if I go to Dragon Peak, they’ll realize I was serious and go home!

“I’m just going to Dragon Peak for training. I don’t mind if you want to follow, but I won’t help if something happens.”

“Yes, we understand perfectly! Let’s go, men!”

“YES!”

As if intentionally ignoring old man Bakin and the others, I fly up into the sky with flight magic.

“Ooh! He is flying! As expected of a Dragon Knight!”

No, I’m telling you it’s different.

I fly towards Dragon Peak with full power to shake them off.

“Ooh!? Fast!? Everyone! Do not lag behind Lord Jairo!”

“OOH!”

Old man Bakin and the others make their horses run at full speed to follow me.

They’re following quite hard, but the horses will get tired after a while.

Sure enough, after a while, guys starting to lag behind appeared.

“Alright, then let’s put in a little more spirit and pull away at once… kah!?”

It was at that moment. Suddenly something flew from where I was heading.

“Uoh!?”

Since I was picking up speed, that entered right into my bosom in the blink of an eye.

“Kuh, nuoooh!!”

Instinct sensing danger activated Body Enhancement Magic almost unconsciously, and I succeeded in dodging that by a hair’s breadth.

In the moment of dodging the attack, I saw what I dodged.

“Magic!?”

Yes, that was a magic spear made of magic power.

“Who is it!?”

My eyes enhanced by Body Enhancement Magic confirm the figures of guys standing ahead.

What was there was a group of warriors clad in disparate equipment.

At a glance, they look like adventurers or mercenaries, but for that, they are lined up strangely neatly.

If anything, they look like the march of knights I saw at the Lord’s ceremony.

“Don’t really get it, but since they attacked, are they enemies?”

Could it be those guys are the anti-Dragon Emperor faction old man Bakin mentioned?

“Doesn’t look like I have the leeway to think.”

The bunch readied their weapons, fully intending to attack me.

“Well, fine. If you’re in the mood, I can fight without holding back too!”

I cast Body Enhancement Magic on my whole body and charge straight at the enemy with flight magic.

“Lord Jairo—! It’s dangerous! Please return!”

I heard old man Bakin‘s voice catching up from behind, but unfortunately, dawdling doesn’t suit my nature!

“Blast away! BURST BREAK!!”

Like tracing the blade of the sword swung horizontally, a crescent moon of fire flies out.

The crescent moon heads towards the enemy while increasing in size, and blew away the enemy group all together.

“Gwaaaaaa!!”

“Heh, how’s that!”

This magic Big Bro taught me is easy to use because it can be activated matching the sword movement!

Rather than imagining hitting there with magic, it’s easier to understand magic flying over there where I swung vroom!

Well, instead, it’s magic that involves allies too, so I couldn’t use it in matches out of consideration for the audience seats.

“Ooh! Just one magic shot and the enemy is wavering!”

“As expected of a Dragon Knight!”

“Splendid, Lord Jairo!”

Saying such things, old man Bakin and the others arrive.

“Heheh, well if fighting outside, it’s like this.”

“Are those people the anti-Dragon Emperor faction?”

“Dunno. But they attacked suddenly, so they ain’t allies.”

“Fumu, then even if they aren’t the anti-Dragon Emperor faction, they must be bandits or something similar. Either way, there is no need to hold back.”

Alright, then no need to worry even if I blow them away with full power!

“Will you not report to Lord Rex?”

“No need! Guys of this level, no need to trouble Big Bro!”

Heh, I’ll have them serve for my stress relief!

“Understood! Everyone, we fight too!”

“OOH!!”

The gathered Dragon Emperor faction bunch heads towards the anti-Dragon Emperor faction, and the battle begins.

“Tou!”

“Nuorya!”

The battle became a melee where enemies and allies mixed, making it difficult to support with attack magic from both sides.

But thanks to that, it’s easier for us warriors to fight.

“Uoryaaaaaa!”

I spout flames for propulsion from various parts of my body using Body Enhancement Magic, running around the battlefield freely.

“F-Fast!?”

“Uwah, fire! Fire!”

After I pass, there are figures of enemies cut down in passing unable to react to my speed, and enemies panicking as fire spouting from my body spreads to them.

“Y-You! Dieeee!”

Spirited guys slash at me without fear, but honestly, they are slower than Norb.

“Gwah!? Wh-What are you doing!?”

“S-Sorry!”

When I dodge lightly, they end up hitting their allies with excess momentum.

Could it be these guys have little actual combat experience?

“There’s a limit to being easy.”

Compared to training with Big Bro, guys of this level are just numerous.

Ah that’s right, truly dangerous guys, you can’t win no matter how many you gather.

“The only ones who can win against the real deal like Big Bro are guys with real strength!”

That’s why I want to be strong too.

I wanna be a man with real strength!

To fight Big Bro, seriously!