Level 1 Strongest Sage ~

Book 9: Chapter 23: Ryuushin and Hinata

I planned to scare the subjugation team with my Kokyuruu appearance, but it somehow turned into something terrible, it seemed.

Three people led by four men clad in similar clothes like what Hinata, the chief and the villagers wore. Two of them were familiar, alright.

The guy, in particular, looked like bad news.

Hes Halt, my classmate and the husband of my older sis.

And, the Bakemono who crushed me all too well while in my completely dragonized form.

The four guys were probably the men who came from the four villages who had a pact with Hinatas village. I bet theyre also the ones who asked help from the Adventurers Guild.

In that case, Halt came here as part of the subjugation team.

By the way, the girl beside Halt was no other than Seira, the former Saintess. Shes also his wifey.

Shes the former Saintess, so its a given that her holy-attribute magic the one that Im weak against is ultra strong.

I probably wont lose against her if ever we fought, but I wont come out unscathed, maybe even quite injured afterward.

Well, I would never fight against Seira, though.

Halt would definitely kill me if I laid a hand on her.

That guy had the power to obliterate me, the person who became the strongest colored dragon in this world, and easily at that.

We came here to defeat the Evil Dragon but You, youre not him, right?

O-Of course! I swear Im not!!

I desperately denied it when Halt asked me that.

I could sense that he would definitely bash the heck out of me if I said Im the Evil Dragon even as a joke.

Thats the kind of guy he is.

He probably already knew that it was me.

But still, he didnt said a word about it, so he might be checking the info on our side.

That guy is a Sage.

Hes really smart.

Thats why I decided to gamble and take a chance on Halt.

I killed the Evil Dragon.

...I heard that theres a sacrificial maiden. What happened to her?

Hes probably talking about Hinata.

The other villages relayed the info that Hinata was offered as sacrifice, it seemed.

I saved her. Shes still alive.

Can you let us meet her? The people who commissioned us wanted to confirm her safety.

A well-built man who looked like hes a warrior approached me. He was with Seira and Halt.

Maybe hes related to the Adventurers Guild?

By the way, the four guys who escorted Halts group had already hid behind a boulder a distance from here.

No.

W-Why?

Im the one who saved Hinata the human who was offered as live sacrifice. Im fond of her. I will protect Hinatas village on the condition that shell hang out with me. Thats why I will never let a guy from who knows where meet her so easily.

I see It was rude of us. I am Lawrence, the supervisor of the Adventurers Guild in Gareth, the nearest city from here.

So this guy who came with Halt was an Adventurers Guild Master.

Then, Halt really did get a request from the Adventurers Guild so they came here.

Halt and Seira might agree to wave charging Hinatas village for the cost of traveling out here if I requested.

But then, I also made the Guild Master travel all the way here.

Guess theyre going to charge an appropriately high amount, then.

Thats why

Lawrence, is it. Sorry you had to come all the way here, but Ive already defeated the Evil Dragon. Hinatas village is also under my protection now.

I should act more high-handedly.

Im Kokuryuu, after all.

Dragons are monsters, but dragons who can communicate with humans and will protect them are revered as the guardian deities of that region where they are.

Theres nothing wrong acting a bit high and mighty, right.

Everythings for the sake of jumping the Adventurers Guilds bill, after all.

I wont allow anyoneto meddle more than this.

Ugh!! I-I understandKokuryuu-dono, lets do as you say.

Beads of sweat oozed from Lawrences forehead.

My insistence paid off, he agreed with it.

Its worth releasing just a tiny bit of bloodlust to intimidate this guy.

Alright! I beg you, just go back already!!

Wait a sec.

Bakemono called out to me, completely unruffled by the bloodlust infused words I said earlier.

What?

You said that the girl agreed to hang out with you, right.

Mana was swirling around Halt.

S, %@$#%.

Seems like I made a mistake

Halt was angry.

S-So what about it?

Did sheagree with it? You didnt force her or anything, did you?

So thats what you mean!!

Hinata accompanied me for a meal, but come to think of it, she did it because its one of the conditions I set.

I was pretty sure itd be terrible if he decided to call Hinata here and interrogate her whether its because I ordered her or not.

Thats because I did request it.

It wouldnt be odd if she said she was forced, because the one who made the request was me, someone stronger than the Evil Dragon.

...

%@$#%. I couldnt come up with a good answer.

Cant answer, huh. A dragon who forces a girl to spend the night with himdoesnt really differ from an Evil Dragon, dont you think?

Eh?

Halt glared at me really icily.

He summoned a ginormous spear of light above his head.

W-Wait, was he seriously thinking that Hinata and I slept together!?

And I forced her, to boot!?

What the heck, I never did that!!

Hinata just accompanied me for a meal, for crying out loud!!

W-Wait a sec

....Youve become a scum, huh.

Halt brought his hand down.

The spear of light

Ryuushin-sama!!!

Wha!?

Hinata rushed in front of me.

She spread her arms, as if trying to protect me

HINATA!!!

Halts magic was charging towards us.

No way to avoid it.

I wrapped Hinata with my body, then strengthened only the part around her with Dragon Skin.

If I concentrated the Dragon Skin that normally protected my entire body into those spots, then Id be able to protect Hinata from Halts magic, even if its only her.

I would absolutely protect Hinata!!!

H-Huh?

Id been waiting, but theres no damage inflicted.

I slowly raised my head.

Sorry for doubting you, Ryuushin.

Halt was all smiles.

Apparently, he stopped the charging magic halfway through.

Were going back since theres no Evil Dragons here. See you tomorrow.

Halt took Seira and the Guild Master with him and left.

Ryuushin-sama.

Hinata called out to me, still wrapped entirely with Kokuryuus body.

That was dangerous, Hinata. Why did you come out?

Thats.. Thats because Ryuushin-sama

Hinata started to bawl her eyes out.

I-Im not mad. I just dont want you being in danger.

That goes for me too! You told me that you wont be reckless that it will be fine!!

...Sorry, Hinata.

I returned to my human form and hugged Hinata.

She also circled her arms around me.

Ryuushin-sama, from now on, you can only appear in your dragon form when Im with you.

Huh?

Hinata said after calming down.

I will stop the people if they mistake Ryuushin-sama as a bad dragon and try to attack you!

Wasnt that quite risky?

Theres no guarantee that they could stop the attack midway just like Halt. In the first place, recalling or canceling magic that had been released would be impossible for an ordinary mage, after all.

Hm?

Wait, did Hinata think I would stay here in the village all the time?

Classes will start tomorrow so I have to return to Glendale, no matter how reluctant I am.

Hey, Hinata. Im planning to leave the village tomorrow, though.

Is that so? But Im also coming with you, Ryuushin-sama.

She nonchalantly replied, just like that.

...Seriously?

Am I not allowed to?

Tears started to well in Hinatas eyes.

That should be illegal theres no way I could say no to that, you know?

Well, its okay. Im happy if Hinata comes with me.

Thank you very much! I will serve you as your underling for the rest of my life!!

Underling!? N-No, I wanted Hinata to be my girlfriend no, forget it.

GirlfriendAhm, does Ryuushin-sama perhaps wanted to be in a relationship with me as a man?

Its fine, just forget about it.

If Ryuushin-sama so allows then I also want to date you.

Huh?

W-What did you say just now!?

I love Ryuushin-sama.

Hinata looked up at me while hugging me.

Uwah, so cute!

Shes telling me that she wants to be my girl.

D-Dont tell me

I hurriedly looked around me.

Its because Youko or Halt might be using brainwashing magic to tease me.

I couldnt sense their presence around us at all.

Theres nothing wrong with the flow of my mana, too.

Seemed like this wasnt a dream, nor an illusion.

...Seriously?

Im serious, Ryuushin-sama.

Looks like Ill have my own girlfriend, huh.

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T/N: Congratulations, Ryuushin! The bachelor has finally found his other half! But why do I feel like they fell for each other waaay too fast? XD