A boy raised by a demon king and a dragon king seems to be peerless in his school life.

Volume 9 Chapter 51 Third Eye

“It was tough…”

The battle ended, and fatigue washed over Ruisha in a wave.

Ruisha, who had deactivated his Demon Dragon Mode, was overcome by fatigue and dropped to his knees on the spot.

“Ugh, my whole body hurts… But I won against Chrome-san.”

Before him lay the swordsman known as the strongest of the human race, collapsed.

The fact that he had defeated him meant that Ruisha had reached the strongest rank among the current human race.

Feeling this realization, Ruisha’s chest warmed. Even the kind-hearted Ruisha was no exception to dreaming of being the strongest in the world at least once, if one were a man.

“We both… are completely worn out.”

Looking at Chrome who had collapsed in a spread-eagle position, her eyes open.

Seeing that, Ruisha was taken aback.

“You’ve already woken up? How much stamina do you have?”

“Thanks to you gently breaking me.”

“Well, I gave it my all, didn’t I?”

Haha… Ruisha chuckled wryly.

He keenly felt that indeed, those at the level of the world’s strongest were different right from the composition of their bodies.

“Can you get up? I’ll lend you my shoulder.”

“I’m sorry, then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Hmph.” Ruisha said as he put strength into his body and get Chrome up.

His legs were still wobbly, but he felt like he could manage to support one person.

What caught his attention more was his chest occasionally bumping into her. Chrome’s moderately large chest would change shape and squish against Ruisha’s body with each step.

“…”

“What’s wrong, young man? Your face is turning red.”

“…”

“I see, you’re averting your gaze from… hah, I get it now. You cheeky brat.”

Chrome said this, her face also turning red, but Ruisha didn’t point it out.

“Let’s walk. It’s a long way to the city.”

The current location where the two were was quite far from Sanctria. It was a distance they could easily cover with vigor, but the two were completely exhausted at the moment.

If they didn’t reach the city by morning, weird rumors might start circulating. So, they wanted to move quickly. However, Ruisha’s footsteps halted after a few steps.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Someone’s here.”

Ruisha remained vigilant, surveying his surroundings.

Then, a person emerged from behind the rocks.

“Good evening, it’s been two days.”

Appearing before them was a man dressed in a pointed green hat and a robe. Ruisha remembered this person.

“You are Mr. Liebe from the Third Eye, if I recall correctly. Why are you here?”

This person was a member of the magical research organization, the Third Eye, who had tried to forcibly abduct Ruisha the last time they met. Ruisha remained cautious, wondering why he was here.

“I was quite surprised. Just as I was about to go to sleep, I sensed an unusual magical power from a distance and inadvertently screamed on my bed. I wondered what was happening then, I found you and Lord Chrome engaged in battle. My, my, I’ve never seen such a splendid fight. Truly, I’ve witnessed something remarkable.”

He said this and clapped, then wore a serious expression. Feeling his piercing gaze, Ruisha tensed his body.

“Having seen something like that, I find myself unable to return. Letting such talent go to waste would be nothing short of a loss for humanity. I apologize for the inconvenience, but even if by force, I’ll have to take you with us.”

Saying this, he raised his right hand, and from wherever they were hiding, about twenty men dressed in green robes similar to Liebe’s appeared, surrounding Ruisha and Chrome.

All of them held staffs in their hands, and the tips were pointed towards Ruisha and Chrome. Magic was already infused, ready to be fired at any moment.

Seeing this, Chrome let out an annoyed chuckle.

“To surround two injured individuals with this number, it seems the Third Eye has fallen quite low.”

“I am well aware of both of your capabilities from witnessing the previous battle. You both are so strong that even with this force, I feel it’s not enough.”

“Then how about giving up? Surely, your lives are precious, aren’t they?”

“That’s precisely why we cannot afford to miss this chance, where the possibility of victory is high. Rest assured, Lord Chrome will be returned to the Empire properly. However, that child alone is someone I will absolutely take back, even if I have to cut off all limbs.”

“…It seems you have no intention of backing down, no matter what.”

Convinced that there was no room for negotiation, Chrome released his hand from Ruisha’s shoulder and stood on her own feet. She then took out a short dagger she had concealed within her clothes and firmly gripped it with his right hand.

“I’ll charge in to create an escape route. You escape during that opening. Once you’re inside the city, help should arrive.”

“I can’t do that! If you fight with those injuries, you’ll die!”

“Thanks to you, my parched heart has been quenched, and I’ve regained my colors. I’m truly grateful. For the first time in a life that gained no value from just swinging a sword, I found purpose. I’ll repay that debt right here!”

Without waiting for Ruisha’s stillness, Chrome began to run.

Her target was one of the Third Eye, who stood closest.

With each step, she disregards her screaming body and closed in with a speed that seemed impossible for someone in such a handicapped state. Chrome approached with precise movements, thrusting her dagger without any wasted motion.

“Gu… Shield Wall!”

However, Chrome’s attack was blocked by the magical barrier created by the man.

Normally, she could easily penetrate this level of magic, but Chrome, exhausted, had her thrust easily deflected.

“Damn it…”

The three mages aimed their wands at Chrome, who had exposed a significant opening.

It seemed like the end. Thinking so and preparing for death, at that moment, the three men collapsed to the ground.

In their place appeared individuals in familiar military uniforms. Clad in uniforms, they supported the swaying Chrome and formed a defensive formation to protect her.

“Why are you all here…?”

“We’ll discuss the details later; for now, just let us protect you.”

Saying so, Chrome’s disciples, students of the Imperial Academy, unsheathed their swords to protect their respected teacher.

◇

Volume 9 Chapter 52 What we built

Carrying the exhausted Chrome, the Imperial students rushed towards Ruisha.

Ruisha noticed among the students, not someone he recognized, but an opponent he had faced a little earlier.

“You are from that time…”

“We’ll talk later.”

Even during this exchange, the students never took their eyes off the Third Eye mages. The impressive and well-coordinated movements of the students made Liebe of the Third Eye impressed, saying “I see.”

“As expected of Lord Chrome’s disciples, it seems they have received excellent education. However…”

Step by step, slowly, Liebe and his companions narrowed the encirclement.

The students pointed their swords to intimidate, but the Third Eye members showed no signs of fear. In fact, it was the students holding the swords who seemed to be getting nervous.

“Heh, no matter how well trained they are, they are still just children. Too young, too weak. Perhaps they could manage against adventurers, but they are not our enemies.”

Chrome clicked her tongue while being protected by the students.

What Liebe said was true, the Imperial students couldn’t break this situation. Chrome was well aware of this fact.

“Hey, all of you, leave me and run. They’re not after you, they’ll surely let you go.”

“…Please don’t say such absurd things.”

The words of Gelozia, the top student of the Imperial Academy, were affirmed by the other students. Their determination seemed unwavering.

However, Chrome couldn’t overlook the fact that they would be hurt because of her.

“Stop it. The Chrome you all admire is already dead. I’m not the great figure you’re willing to risk your lives to protect.”

“…Is that because you’re a woman?”

Her bandages were torn, and her long hair was left exposed.

Seeing her clearly as a woman, the students weren’t initially unfazed.

“It’s not just that. I lost to that boy over there earlier. The invincible warrior Chrome you all worship is no more. I’m just a pitiful loser.”

Chrome self-mockingly said this.

Perhaps now they would give up on her. That’s what she thought, but the way the students looked at her remained unchanged.

“Indeed, we admire your strength, but that’s not the only reason.”

When Gelozia refuted her words, another female student agreed and spoke up.

“My hometown village suffered for years from attacks by magical beasts. The one who defeated them and saved us was Lord Chrome. I admired that figure and joined the Imperial Academy.”

Starting with those words, the students began to express their reasons for admiring Chrome.

Some had their families saved from bandits, and others were deeply inspired by seeing her slay a wyvern.

Wanting to battle strong opponents, Chrome had slain enemies with just that feeling. However, her actions ultimately saved many people.

She had believed she possessed only strength, but that path had given her so much more. It was now, at this moment, that she finally realized this.

“Even if you lost or hid your gender, that doesn’t erase our admiration for you. No matter what happens from now on, you’ll still be the hero of the Empire.”

“…Tch, those foolish disciples speaking so boldly.”

The enviable and affectionate gazes directed at her. Chrome scratched her head, looking embarrassed.

As the atmosphere relaxed, a large fireball flew towards Chrome and the others, seemingly to disrupt it.

Reacting swiftly, Chrome sliced through the fireball, glaring at Liebe who had cast it.

“…You have quite the nerve.”

“My apologies, I thought the touching story had come to an end.”

Liebe showed no remorse whatsoever. He charged his staff with magic once again and pointed it towards Chrome.

“At this rate, it won’t end well. Let’s settle this quickly. Besides, Ruisha, you won’t die from a few hits, will you?”

Following Liebe’s command, the mages prepared to cast their magic.

In a desperate situation, the students’ expressions darkened, and Chrome clicked her tongue in frustration.

…Unexpectedly, the one who broke the deadlock was an unforeseen individual.

――――”Hold it right there. Put down your weapons.”