Chapter 134: Tyran vs Norb

◆ Norb ◆

“Then, shall we resume the match?”

A short while after the Dragon Emperor Rite final match began, something flew into the match venue from the sky.

But just when I thought Rex swung his weapon largely, that something was flicked high into the sky and caused a huge explosion.

I think something terrible happened, but Rex suggested resuming the match as if nothing had happened.

“Umm, is it okay, what just happened? I feel like we got involved in something terrible.”

Judging from Meguri‘s statement as she rushed into the venue, it seems Demons were involved this time too, so I think we need to deal with it hurriedly.

Or rather, encountering Demons this frequently is already an abnormal situation in itself, isn’t it?

“There is no enemy reaction around, so it’s okay.”

“Ehh!? Ah-… no… hmm… Re-… no, if Tyran says so…”

If Rex says there’s no danger with his search magic, then there really shouldn’t be any problem.

Could it be the explosion earlier was the effect of beating back the attacking Demon?

…Well, since it’s something Rex did, let’s try not to think too deeply.

Otherwise, my sanity won’t hold.

“Phew…”

I resign myself and ready my mace.

I don’t think about attacking. For me, who cannot even dodge Meguri‘s attacks, dodging attacks from Rex, who is faster than her, is impossible.

So, I will endure the first blow at all costs and counterattack.

I don’t think I can defeat him.

But I want to try counterattacking at least once.

To show that as a disciple, I’m growing towards my master…

“Then, here I go seriously!”

“Sorry, please hold back seriously! I beg you!”

Sorry for thinking about landing a hit!

I don’t want to die in a match!

I hurriedly activate Body Enhancement Magic focused on defense.

Not thinking about later, just thinking about enduring a single blow.

Otherwise, in the worst case, I’ll lose my life!

“Haa!”

Rex closes the distance in an instant, and his sword hits my mace.

This is a chance!

Because receiving with a weapon is clearly advantageous for defense compared to receiving with the body.

BAKIN!

…Or so I thought, but my mace snapped easily.

H-Huh-? The shaft of this mace is quite thick…

And the shaft part is made by Rex processing a Blue Dragon’s horn, and further strengthened with strengthening magic, so it should be harder than a mithril weapon–!?

While I was thinking such things, Rex‘s sword hits me.

I cringed at the terror of my torso being cut in two, but fortunately, my monk robe is a specially made one Rex created using metal threads solidified from dragon scale powder.

It’s an item far tougher than poorly made armor.

I heard it was sturdy, but to think it really can’t be cut by a sword is surprising…

GOKIBOKIGOKI!!

Yes! I wasn’t cut in two, but I can feel my ribs breaking with sound!

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! It hurts enough to make me faint, but the pain wakes me up so I can’t even faint!

Just kill me!

…Ah, come to think of it, Liliera and Mina repeatedly emphasized before the match to hold back so as not to accidentally kill me.

After that, I recall Rex saying something like, “So you have to be that careful in a tournament… then maybe I should make a match weapon with a dulled edge?”

So he went to make equipment for Tyran… wait, why can I recall such detailed memories!? Could it be this is a revolving lantern or some memory I shouldn’t see clearly, or rather my body is floating floating floating floating FLYIIIIIIIIING!?

Yes, before I knew it, I was blown away by the sword Rex swung through, flying sideways while maintaining the same posture.

Ahaha, the scenery in front of my eyes flowing sideways is a new sensation sight…

“Guh!?”

The illusion that I would fly forever finally stopped when I hit the wall of the match venue, but the impact was tremendous, and I felt my consciousness fading due to the excessive pain.

In my fading consciousness, I hear Rex‘s confused voice.

“Oops, the sword broke. As expected, if the material is mediocre, the strength is mediocre too.”

Thank you, mediocre material-san. Thanks to you, at least my life was saved…

Gofuh…

◆ Meguri◆

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

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

“A-Amazing! That iron wall Norb was blown away!”

Rex and the others’ match ended, and the spectators were cheering.

Since they don’t know that Demons were trying to attack this town where everyone didn’t know, everyone is really carefree.

“I see, so you can win against Norb whom attacks don’t work on by blowing him away!”

“No, isn’t that impossible at that point?”

It’s okay, if you enter the opponent’s blind spot and do a single point breakthrough with Body Enhancement Magic aiming for vital points, it’s totally possible.

“To think that Norb would be defeated… Just who is Tyran…”

If you ask who he is, he’s our master.

“Hey, isn’t it as expected?”

“A-Ah… I guess so…”

“Tyran is His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, isn’t he…?”

No, wrong.

“Being strong enough to break Norb‘s iron wall means it must be so, right…?”

“Besides, there’s a rumor that the black armored knights catching villains one after another are those Dragon Knights.”

Nope, those are golems Rex made.

“Then as expected, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor…”

“It’s His Majesty the Dragon Emperor…”

“His Majesty the Dragon Emperor won the Dragon Emperor Rite…”

“The legendary His Majesty the Dragon Emperor has revived…”

“UOOOOOO! Seriously!? The legend was true!”

“Long live His Majesty the Dragon Emperor!”

“His Majesty the *Dragon Emperooooooor!!”

“…!”

I learned for the first time today that holding back laughter is actually very painful.

Hiding his identity with armor so as not to stand out, but standing out immensely because of that; what kind of joke is this?

Honestly speaking, we don’t think it’s a problem if Rex‘s identity is revealed.

Rather, if you’re an adventurer, it’s normal to want to increase fame, even if not as much as Jairo.

So Rex‘s behavior is truly rare.

Not wanting to be misunderstood by everyone and treated like a king is textbook goodness.

Behind the scenes, he helps Ryune, the true successor of the Dragon Princess, and beats back the Ministers and Demons who hijacked the country.

Helping the weak, crushing the wicked, seeking no reward; that figure is like a hero from a story itself.

“HIS MAJESTY THE DRAGON EMPEROOOOOR!!“

Fufu, receiving the Dragon Emperor call, Rex on the match venue is confused.

Honestly speaking, if Rex has that much power, we wouldn’t be surprised if he became King, rather we even wish he would.

Because if it’s Rex, I think he’d become a better King than any other King and make everyone happy.

If that happens, we’d be happy too.

But Rex would probably dislike that.

Because Rex would say being a free adventurer is more important than anything else.

“That’s why Rex is interesting.”

However, I feel like I’m forgetting something…?