CH 100

Nido Tensei Chapter 100

Episode 100: Dragon Princess and Becoming a Disciple

“Well then, today’s lecture is over.”

“Thank youuuuuuuu!!”

After the dismantling lecture, the dismantlers bow at a 90-degree angle to greet us adventurers who participated together. They even gave us knives made from black dragon materials. It tickles a bit.

“Everyone has become quite accustomed to dismantling green dragons, so maybe it’s time to let them dismantle black dragons too.”

“Huh? Already?”

On the way home, Liliera picked up on the mutterings I let slip.

“Black dragons are essentially the same as green dragons, just stronger. By repeatedly dismantling green dragons, you can get rid of any aversion to dragon materials and dismantle them as normal monster materials.”

“So that’s how it is.”

That’s how it is.

“Come to think of it, I have a question.”

Mina joins the conversation.

“In the town of Togai, Rex’s hunted dragons were bought by the adventurer’s guild, right? How did they dismantle them?”

Strictly speaking, it was the people who participated in the auction in the capital who bought them.

“Huh? That happened?”

Ah, Liliera and I hadn’t met back then.

“Yes, we happened to encounter a green dragon and had it bought from us.”

“The whole guild was in an uproar at that time. ‘The dragon slayer has appeared!’ they said.”

“Ah, that was the fateful encounter between me and my brother. I still remember my brother’s figure!”

I wonder if it was when we first met? Or when we saved him from Evil Boar? Gyro excitedly reminisces about that time.

“Wow, that’s quite something. If it were Rex, it wouldn’t be surprising, but if you didn’t know anything back then, everyone must have been quite shocked.”

“Yeah! They were shocked! I killed a dragon and took down Evil Boar in one hit. And even defeated a demon in an instant!”

“Ah, I can imagine it.”

Liliera imagines that scene and lets out a dry laugh.

“Oh, speaking of dismantling dragons, I think the auction officials from the capital came and dismantled them. They have many valuable magic items that allow them to dismantle special materials that gather there.”

Wow, they used such valuable tools to dismantle green dragons. As a merchant, they must have had a strong desire to sell them for a high price. In that case, the auction venue must have had many amazing magic items that I’ve never seen before. I’d like to see it someday.

While having such a conversation, we walk through the town dyed in the evening sunset.

“By the way, the commotion from a few days ago seems to have settled down.”

Norbu says that the commotion refers to the Dragon Princess incident that happened when Liliera defeated the green dragon. Come to think of it, what exactly was the Dragon Princess?

“Ugh, let’s not talk about that anymore. The guild seems to have taken care of us by instructing the dismantlers to keep our identities hidden for this dismantling job, but it’s still better not to mention it openly.”

Liliera, with her hood on, sighs. It seems that she still can’t show her face outside without being called the Dragon Princess.

There seem to be other female adventurers with spears, but when it comes to spear-wielding female adventurers from outside the town, their numbers are limited. So occasionally, you can see the blonde spear-wielding female adventurer being surrounded by the townspeople and called the Dragon Princess. Yeah, she’s doing a good job as a decoy.

“In that sense, Rex was lucky. It was dusk and getting dark, so except for the gatekeeper who had a direct conversation, not many people got a good look at Rex’s face. And at that time, the Golden Dragon was shining brightly and standing out.”

Ah, in that sense, it was fortunate. I should be grateful to the Golden Dragon. Maybe I should bring something as a gift next time.

“But more importantly, let’s eat already, big bro! I’m starving!”

Gyro, unable to bear the hunger any longer, raises his voice, eager to have a meal.

“Yeah, let’s go to a nearby restaurant.”

Just as we were about to enter a convenient shop, something happened.

“Um, excuse me!”

Someone called out to us from behind. When I turned around, I saw a familiar figure.

“You’re… Lune-san?”

Yes, it was Lune-san, who had also attended my dismantling lecture. She had chased after us, panting heavily.

“Y-yes! Actually, I have something important to talk to you about!”

“Talk? About what?”

I wonder what it could be. Is there something she didn’t understand about the dragon dismantling?

“Actually…”

Lune-san takes a deep breath, straightens her back, and puts on a serious expression.

“Please… take me as your disciple!! Please!”

With that, Lune-san bows deeply to Liliera-san.

“…Huh? Me!?”

It seems like it?

“Please! I want to become strong like you, who is called the Dragon Princess, the reincarnation of the Dragon Princess!”

“Huh? Really?”

Liliera’s face shows a mix of surprise and not seeming entirely displeased at being told that she wants to become strong like her.

“Yes! I want to become strong like you, who is called the reincarnation of the Dragon Princess!”

“Huh?”

“Dragon Princess!?”

As soon as Lune-san said those words, the people in the town turned around all at once.

“Oh boy, hahaha, that was scary… I mean, really.”

“I thought I was going to be crushed by the crowd…”

After being overwhelmed by the townspeople who rushed towards Liliera, we hurriedly flew into the sky to escape. It was clear that if we left Lune-san behind, she would have been seriously injured, so we took her with us.

And so, using magic to disappear, we returned to our room at the inn. In a reaction of relief, Norbu and Meguri are trembling, remembering the scene from earlier. Yeah, it was scarier than a horde of monsters.

“Um, I’m sorry…”

Lune-san comes and apologizes, bowing her head for causing the commotion with her words.

“Oh no, don’t worry about it. But more importantly…”

While looking at Liliera, I ask Lune-san a question.

“Why do you want to become Liliera’s disciple?”

Lune-san said she wants to become Liliera’s disciple.

“W-well! I want to become your disciple because you possess the strength to be called the reincarnation of the Dragon Princess!”

“Hey… what exactly is this Dragon Princess?”

Liliera asks with a tired expression. Come to think of it, we don’t know who this Dragon Princess really is.

“Huh? You don’t know about the Dragon Princess?”

Lune-san shows a surprised expression as if she can’t believe it.

“Yeah, I don’t know.”

“But… aren’t you the successor of the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique!?”

“Huh? No, I’m not?”

“Huh? No… no, that can’t be! That spear technique is undoubtedly our style, the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique!”

Lune-san strongly denies that it can’t be true. Wait, did she just say “our style”?

“Dragon Princess is the name of the last Dragon Knight in this country.”

Ah, the explanation begins.

“In the past, humans and demons were at war in this world. This country was no exception. In fact, it is said that our country had even fiercer battles with demons than other countries.”

Ah, I do remember that in my past life, Dragonia was a battlefield.

“That’s because our country was a country of Dragon Knights who fought alongside dragons. Dragon Knights subdue dragons by fighting them and showing their own strength. And a Dragon Knight riding a dragon was called a knight who rules the sky, displaying a strength that is called the knight of knights.”

Well, in reality, their strength wasn’t that special, but being a knight riding a dragon looks good. In that sense, Dragon Knights were popular among knights as a prestigious profession.

Above all, simply having a powerful dragon on the side meant that Dragonia was seen as a threat by demons.

But well, Dragon Knights weren’t just for show. Compared to knights of similar rank in other countries, they were quite strong, and the higher-ranking Dragon Knights, including the Dragon Emperor, displayed brilliant battles that could be called the knight of knights.

Well, there were plenty of monsters among knights and professions in other countries too. Like the Magic Knight Corps of the Magic Kingdom or the Magic Sword Division of the Sword Emperor Kingdom.

“Dragon Princess is the strongest Dragon Knight who commanded such Dragon Knights, the beloved princess of the Dragon Emperor, and she herself was an excellent Dragon Knight.”

I see, so the Dragon Princess was either the queen or a concubine in this country. As for being a knight, she might have been a mistress.,”The Dragon Emperor and Dragon Princess loved each other deeply and were so close that everyone envied them.”

“It sounds like a love story, doesn’t it?”

“But their sweet days didn’t last long. A legion of demons advanced towards this country. The demons attacked with a powerful horde of monsters to counter our country, which fought alongside dragons.”

Oh, so such an event happened after I died.

“The Dragon Knights went to battle alongside the dragons. Of course, Dragon Princess, who was also a Dragon Knight, wanted to go to the battlefield together.”

Mhm, before I knew it, not only me, but Liliera-san and Mina-san were also engrossed in Lune-san’s story.

“However, the Dragon Emperor did not allow Dragon Princess to go to the battlefield with them. Even though she was a woman, it was only natural for her to go to the battlefield as a knight. Dragon Princess was furious, asking why she was the only one not allowed to go out.”

Yeah, the Dragon Princess is right. During the time we were alive, anyone with the power to fight against demons, regardless of gender, went to the battlefield. And regardless of gender, strong individuals were strong. They were really strong.

While reminiscing, Lune-san’s story continues.

“That’s right. In fact, Dragon Princess was carrying the child of the Dragon Emperor.”

Ah, if that’s the case, she couldn’t go to battle together. If the Dragon Emperor in this story is the same as the one I know, then he was the king of the former Dragonia. It wouldn’t be right for the beloved who carried the king’s child to fight on the battlefield. Well, even if she wasn’t carrying the king’s child, it would be bad for a pregnant woman to fight on the battlefield.

“And the Dragon Emperor said to Dragon Princess, ‘In this battle, none of us Dragon Knights may return. But as long as you survive, the successor of the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique will not be lost. So please, continue the Dragon Emperor’s style for future generations.'”

Mhm, if the Dragon Princess was asked that, it means the Dragon Emperor was convinced that they wouldn’t return from that battle.

It’s not clear how long after my death this story takes place, but it’s clear that there was a significant war.

“And so, Dragon Princess stayed in the country, waiting for the return of the Dragon Emperor who went to battle. But the Dragon Emperor and the others never returned, and Dragon Princess became the last Dragon Knight of this country.”

When Lune-san finishes the story, the room falls silent. Everyone has a solemn expression, as if deeply moved by the events that once took place in this country.

Huh? But that doesn’t quite add up, does it?

“…Hey, if the story you just told is true, then there should be Dragon Knights in this country who use the Dragon Emperor’s style, right? So why did you ask me to be your disciple?”

That’s right. Everyone seems to have the same question, nodding along with Liliera-san’s words.

“Yes, that question is exactly why I asked you to be my disciple.”

Lune-san straightens up and looks Liliera-san in the eye as she explains her reason.

“Actually, a few hundred years ago, a terrible epidemic spread in this country, and many Dragon Knights died from the disease.”

“An epidemic!?”

No one expected it to be a disease, and everyone is taken aback.

“Yes, the survivors were still in the middle of their training, and they hadn’t fully mastered the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique. As a result, the succeeding Dragon Knights inherited an incomplete Dragon Emperor’s style, which led to their weakening. The weakened successors were defeated by powerful monsters, further losing their skills… and eventually, the technique I inherited, the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique, became less than half as powerful as its prime.”

And with each subsequent weakening, they became unable to defeat even Green Dragons, leading to the current state, as Lune-san explains.

“So please, I beg you! Please teach me the Dragon Emperor’s style that you have inherited!”

Lune-san bows her head to Liliera-san, pleading with her.

“Even if you say that…”

Liliera-san shrugs her shoulders, unsure of what to do.

“I’m not the inheritor of the Dragon Emperor’s style, and I can only defeat Blue Dragons at best. I’m not capable of teaching others.”

“B-But still! Even so, you’re stronger than me, right? I can’t even defeat a Green Dragon, let alone a Wyvern!”

Well, I don’t think that’s something to be proud of. And wait, isn’t it dangerous that Dragon Knights can’t even defeat Wyverns? When I came to this town, Dragon Knights were considered nothing more than fairy tales, and it seems like they’ve really weakened in this era.

“And if your story is true, aren’t you a member of the royal family? It’s unlikely that an ordinary adventurer like me would be allowed to teach someone of royal blood, right?”

Ah, that’s right. Liliera-san is a descendant of the Dragon Princess, which means she carries the blood of the Dragon Emperor.

“Oh, that’s not something to worry about. All the direct descendants were wiped out by the epidemic a few hundred years ago, and my own family doesn’t know how much blood connection there is with the Dragon Princess. My mother even said there’s a possibility that I’m a descendant of a disciple with no blood connection at all.”

I think that’s still a bit concerning. But if many Dragon Knights, including the successors, died from the epidemic, it’s highly likely that only the disciples who lived in a place far from the main family, away from the epidemic’s reach, survived. It was common for talented disciples to live near the successors’ residence, while less skilled disciples lived in places away from the training grounds.

“Even so, I still have to decline teaching you. I’m still inexperienced myself and in the middle of receiving training from my own master.”

“M-Master…?”

And there, Liliera-san smiles slyly, looking straight into Liliera-san’s eyes as she explains.

“Yes, that’s right. He is the one who taught me the Dragon Emperor’s style, my master, Rex-san.”

“Eh, is that so? This person? But just earlier, he was giving a dissection lecture and all… I thought he was just a servant taking care of the Dragon Knight’s needs!”

Lune-san exclaims in disbelief, as if unable to comprehend the situation. Well, it’s the first time someone mistook me for a servant.

“Didn’t you hear the conversation during the dissection earlier? He is, as that guy over there said, an S-rank adventurer, the greatest adventurer!”

Liliera-san points at Gyro-kun. Gyro-kun, you don’t need to smirk with a meaningful smile.

“Yes, he is indeed the one who taught me the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique, although he’s not the successor.”

Hey, Liliera-san, please stop! Oh, Gyro-kun and the others don’t need to kneel and bow their heads towards me for no reason. Everyone is just too enthusiastic at times! Oh, even Norbu!

“Eh, but I thought he was just pretending to hide your true identity…”

“Hmm, you underestimated his true strength. He is, without a doubt, an S-rank adventurer and our master, Rex-san!”

Liliera-san, please stop! Oh, Gyro-kun, you don’t need to give away everything! Everyone is getting too carried away! Oh, even Norbu!

“Uh, well, if that’s the case…”

“Haha, you still have a lot to learn. He is indeed the true S-rank adventurer who taught me the Dragon Emperor’s style.”

Liliera-san, please stop! Oh, Gyro-kun and the others, you don’t need to kneel and bow your heads towards me for no reason. Everyone is just too enthusiastic at times! Oh, even Norbu!

“So, if what you just said is true, then this person is the true successor of the Dragon Emperor, and the only other successor of the Dragon Emperor’s style besides me, right?”

Lune-san trembles with a trembling voice, looking at me with an expression as if she’s seeing something unbelievable.

“Could it be, are you the reincarnation of the Dragon Emperor!?”

“No, that’s not it.”

No, that’s not it.

“So, my brother here defeated a bunch of dragons on that mountain! He’s amazing!”

Gyro-kun points in a certain direction, and Lune-san widens her eyes.

“Could it be, Dragon’s Peak!? So the Dragon Emperor completed the Dragon Selection Ceremony and gained control over the dragons!?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Hey, don’t just give away everything, Norbu!

“Yes!? So, does that mean the person who rode the Golden Dragon that recently came to town is also the Dragon Emperor!?”

“Ah, that would be Rex-san.”

Hey, Norbu, don’t just blurt it out like that!

“I thought I was going to die at that time. I thought I was going to die every second.”

“Yeah, I thought the same. The dragons, the Black Dragons, the Wyverns, and even the Golden Dragon… I thought I was going to die.”

Wait, does everyone have a grudge against me? And why?

“But my brother blew away all the dragons! He one-shotted the Golden Dragon!”

“I was amazed. The massive body of the dragon flew through the air.”,”He blew away the golden dragon… the strongest dragon king…?”

After hearing everyone’s story, Lune trembled and then kneeled in front of me, bowing her head.

“Please, Dragon Emperor-sama! Please grant me the Dragon Emperor’s Sky Spear Technique!”

So, it’s not like that.

“To participate in the Dragon Princess Ceremony!”

Wait, another strange word came up!?

“Is it true that the Dragon Emperor has appeared?”

Upon receiving a report from my brethren who were monitoring Dragon’s Peak, I couldn’t help but ask again. If the Dragon Emperor has appeared, it means those detestable dragon knights will also revive!

“Ah, it seems that the golden dragon landed in a human settlement with a human on its back.”

“Unbelievable. The golden dragon carrying a human again. I thought we had exterminated all the dragon knights hundreds of years ago…”

That’s right, even though the dragon knight bloodline was supposed to have been completely cut off due to that epidemic.

“It seems there were survivors.”

And to make matters worse, they concealed the existence of the survivors and prepared for us. Perhaps the recent failures of our brethren were influenced by the remnants of the dragon knights lurking in the shadows.

However, dragon knights can only demonstrate their true worth when there are dragons. I find it hard to believe that they can oppose us without relying on dragons. Does this mean they have acquired a new means to counter us?

“What should we do?”

My brethren anxiously seek my opinion. Foolish, what good does it do for us to fear humans?

“It’s decided, we will destroy them. We cannot silently overlook humans and dragons joining forces again.”

“But the golden dragon is troublesome, isn’t it?”

Indeed, dealing with the king of dragons, the golden dragon, is a bit troublesome. But fighting head-on is not the only way to fight.

“No problem. Let the gathered monsters deal with them. We will take the opportunity to eliminate the Dragon Emperor. Once the Dragon Emperor and the dragon knights are gone, there will be no reason for dragons to lend a hand to humans again.”

That’s right, without the Dragon Emperor, the dragon knights are just a group of misfits. Now is the perfect opportunity to reveal ourselves!

“To ensure the success of our resurgence, we must eliminate any uncertainties here!”

Hehehe, let us show you humans the true meaning of fear!