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

Volume 9 Chapter 53 Emperor

Both factions were perplexed by the unexpected appearance of an individual.

Particularly, Liebe from Third Eye, was skeptical about whether this person was truly the Emperor.

“I can’t possibly believe that His Majesty the Emperor is here… Disguise or an illusion through magic would be a more realistic possibility.”

“For someone who says that, your voice seems to tremble, magician of the Third Eye. Do you really not understand? I am the Emperor of the Vivrania Empire, Cobaldius Aggrisivia.”

“Guh…”

Overwhelmed by the unique aura emitted by this individual, Liebe faltered.

Despite being magically potent like the other wizards, they all found themselves feeling disadvantaged, even though they should have had the upper hand.

Just one unarmed man had appeared, and they knew this, but their instincts ordered them not to oppose him.

“Even if you were indeed the real Emperor, it doesn’t matter. We can simply guide you to your lodgings for a little rest. Of course, we won’t do anything to the students of the Imperial Academy or Lord Chrome. In that case, there shouldn’t be much retaliation.”

There was no reason for the Emperor to protect Ruisha. Knowing this, Liebe carefully chose his words to avoid provoking the man in front of them.

Upon Liebe’s words, the Emperor pondered with a thoughtful expression and turned his face towards Chrome.

“What do you think of this?”

“Your Majesty, that proposal is rubbish.”

“Understood. Let’s reject that proposal then.”

With such a brief statement, he continued to stride toward Chrome and his group.

Of course, in his path were the members of the Third Eye, but he didn’t seem to mind.

But Liebe couldn’t let him pass quietly like this. Gathering his resolve, Liebe interjected and blocked the Emperor’s path.

“Hmm, you’re the first to boldly block my path like this.”

“I-I can’t let you pass through here… I won’t! Even if you’re the Emperor, I can’t let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away. He is the hope of the magical world…!”

“Hmm, if you’re truly invested, instead of resorting to such methods, consider devising a more strategic approach. Pleading or begging for followers won’t facilitate the growth of your organization, you know?”

“Guh, easier said than done…!”

“I didn’t say it’s easy. I’ve done it this way, and I will continue to do so.”

Placing his hand on Liebe’s shoulder, the Emperor walked again and reached Ruisha and the others.

“Let’s go home.”

At those reassuring words, Chrome and the students nodded firmly.

Meanwhile, Ruisha was flustered, unsure if he should also go home with them.

“Um… Is it okay for me to join you?”

“It won’t make much of a difference if we add one more. Besides… it seems our group has been quite indebted to you. Thanks to you, they’ve taken on a better appearance than before.”

“Y-yes.”

Emperor and the rest, including Ruisha, began to confidently head home.

The members of the Third Eye could only silently watch, but Liebe alone couldn’t accept it and blocked their way.

“Indeed… I cannot just stand by and watch! Even if it means I alone will be executed later… I will take that boy!”

He declared fiercely with intense eyes.

His determination was firm, and it seemed impossible to back down with just words. However, even at this point, the Emperor remained calm.

“It’s better not to get any closer. You wouldn’t want to die now, would you?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“Did you really think I was walking alone like this in the middle of the night? Oh, we have quite the exceptional guards.”

“I don’t see any…!?”

He looked around, but all he saw was dirt and rocks.

He tried to sense magic but couldn’t feel any nearby.

“It’s natural you can’t see them. Their name is… yes, ‘Imperial Special Assassination Unit, Empire Edge.’ They are an assassination group that can completely disappear. If you even slightly touch me, their blades will cut off your and your companions’ heads.”

That’s a lie.

Liebe swallowed the words that had almost come out. With this Emperor, it wouldn’t be strange to have such guards. Above all, he shouldn’t be the type to charge in alone to save his subordinates. Having guards would actually be more natural, Liebe thought.

“…Please tell me, then why aren’t you cutting off my head right now?”

“It’s simple. Because of the leader of your group, that old raccoon. That’s all.”

“I see…”

There were plenty of suspicious aspects.

However, no matter how much he thought, Liebe couldn’t envision a scenario where he would defeat the Emperor.

Clearing the way, as Ruisha passed by in front of him, he threw words at his back.

“For now, back down. But Ruisha, eventually you will come to us. If you continue on the path of magic, our paths will inevitably cross again. At that time, let’s have a leisurely conversation, including with the leader, shall we?”

“…I look forward to being able to have a calm conversation next time.”

There was no reply to Ruisha’s response.

And thus, the group safely returned to the town without a single person missing.

◇

Volume 9 Chapter 54 Night crawl

The Next Morning.

Since the day they would return to the capital was the next day, this day was free for everyone to spend as they pleased.

Rest or go sightseeing, it was up to them. With that in mind, all the classmates eagerly rushed out to the town.

Their energy levels didn’t seem like they had just finished a fierce battle.

However, among these energetic students, there was one who appeared unusually exhausted.

“Pant… pant… I’m beat…”

Dragging his feet like an old man, it was Ruisha. The strain on his body from being in Demon Dragon Mode was incredibly intense.

Seeing him like this, Sharo, who was out in the town with him, asked in a concerned tone,

“Are you okay? If you’re that worn out, maybe it’s better to go back to the inn?”

“Ah, thank you, but I’m fine. Opportunities to come to Sanctria are rare, so I have to make the most of it and have fun.”

“If you say so, Ru, but… oh, I know! Since there’s no helping it, I’ll support you, Ru! Haha, a great idea!”

Saying that, Sharo tightly wrapped her confident arms around Ruisha’s right arm.

Naturally, if held like that, Ruisha’s arm would be enveloped by Sharo’s soft chest.

“W-Wait, isn’t this a bit much!?”

“I’m just doing what I need to, get the hint.”

While blushing, Sharo didn’t loosen her hold on her pressed chest.

Seeing this, Iris, too, grabbed Ruisha’s left arm tightly and pressed it against her ample chest like Sharo.

“Sharo, that’s my role. So, leave this to me, and please feel free to go enjoy. Of course, by yourself.”

“Iris, maybe you should stretch your wings once in a while? Don’t hesitate, just let go of that arm already…!”

Sparks flew between the two, sandwiching Ruisha.

Letting out a sigh at the scene he had seen multiple times before, Ruisha muttered, “Honestly.”

◇

Night.

After a day of playing a lot, Ruisha was in his dorm room.

He had fully recovered during the day and was enjoying the quiet night while basking in the night breeze through the open window.

“Phew… There were a lot of things on this trip.”

Ruisha reminisced about everything since coming to Sanctria.

Getting on the magic airship, meeting the young beast fang, meeting Sword King Chrome, retaliating against the students who attacked Chisha, and after fending off the interfering Imperial students, ending up having to fight Sword King Chrome.

“I’ve skipped over a lot, but even so, it’s been quite eventful. To have such an intense journey…”

“But you had fun, didn’t you?”

“Well, yeah, but… Wait, who!?”

Someone’s voice interrupted his soliloquy.

Startled, Ruisha looked in the direction of the voice, and to his surprise, Sword King Chrome was entering the room through the window.

“I’m intruding.”

“U-Understood.”

Caught off guard by this sudden event, Ruisha was left bewildered.

Chrome, unfazed, made herself at home and entered the room.

“What on earth is going on, Chrome-san? We didn’t have any particular plans, right?”

“Yesterday, we were both exhausted and kind of said our goodbyes in a rush. Before I go back to the Empire, I thought we should have a proper talk.”

“I see. In that case, please go ahead.”

Prompted by Ruisha, Chrome sat on the chair provided in the room.

The strongest swordsman, known as such, was in his room. Ruisha felt a strange sensation.

“First of all… I’m sorry. I was selfish and ended up hurting you, exposing you to danger.”

Saying that, she deeply bowed her head.

Ruisha, who hadn’t expected a sincere apology, was astonished.

“W-Wait, please don’t bow your head! It’s alright!”

“No, if I don’t do this, I won’t feel at ease. That’s right! Let’s perform the highest level of apology from the East, ‘dogeza’!”

“I said it’s fine! Hey! Stop doing that on your own!”

He forcefully stopped Chrome from doing a dogeza, lifting her from the ground and making her sit on the chair.

It was just a simple act, but the person he was dealing with was Sword King Chrome. She had been clinging to the ground with tremendous force, so just removing her was enough to exhaust Ruisha to the point of panting.

“Pant, pant… What in the world is going on? You didn’t seem like the type to do this sort of thing before a fight…”

In Ruisha’s mind, Chrome was the image of a battle-hungry berserker. He couldn’t imagine her apologizing to someone.

To Ruisha’s question, Chrome answered with a serious expression.

“…I’ve changed. I used to think that all I had was fighting. But this incident made me realize otherwise.”

Though she had been walking through darkness alone, a path had formed behind her with many people walking on it.

Defeated by Ruisha and saved by the students, she stopped for the first time, turned around, and realized this.

“Well, that’s the long and short of it… Embarrassing, right? I was a bit conceited. I’d never lost before. Having my nose broken by you made me humble.”

Seeing her looking embarrassed as she spoke, Ruisha couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey! Why are you laughing when I’m being serious?”

“S-Sorry. It just happened.”

“…Geez, you’re something else. Anyway, I apologize for this time. And… thank you. The battle with you was incredibly enjoyable, thrilling in a tingling way, sweet like melting, and unforgettable, so moving.”

“Yeah… it was.”

Ruisha recalled his battle with Chrome.

It was a painful and challenging battle, but within that fight, Ruisha had undeniably found enjoyment.

The joy of wielding honed strength to its fullest. It could be dangerous if used incorrectly, but he felt that when used properly, it enriched the soul.

“Listen well, Ruisha. I’m going to become even stronger. I’ll make full use of the experience gained from our battle and train harder to become stronger than you. So, Ruisha, don’t slack off. If you’ve grown weaker the next time we meet, I won’t accept it, okay?”

“Yes. When that time comes, let’s fight with all our might again.”

Satisfied with Ruisha’s response, Chrome nodded and flashed a charming smile that was unimaginable from her during the battle.

“…Well, I guess we’ll cut the formal talk here.”

“Huh?”

Thinking it was time to part ways, Ruisha was perplexed by the sudden change in direction.

However, without paying any attention to that, Chrome continued with the conversation.

“Hey, do you notice anything different about me?”

“Different… uh, you’ve become more like a typical woman.”

“Hehe, you think so?”

The chest that had been restrained by a bandage was now free, and the long hair that had been hidden inside the hat was let down.

With her expressions softened, she had completely transformed from the prickly person she was at first, now radiating the charm of a mature woman.

“This is also thanks to you. I’ve stopped hiding that I’m a woman. If anyone dares to disrespect me as a woman, I’ve decided to give them a beating right then and there. I realized I won’t hold back against truly strong individuals like you.”

“I see. I think that’s a very good decision.”

“Yeah, so as a gesture of gratitude, I came to ‘night crawl’ tonight.”

“Night crawl… wait, what!?”

Suddenly shocked and bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, Ruisha couldn’t comprehend.

Meanwhile, Chrome began to undress without paying any attention to Ruisha’s confusion.

“W-Wait, what are you doing!?”

“I want you to see without covering your eyes. I’ve put in a lot of effort, after all.”

With a forceful tug, the hand covering his eyes was removed.

In that moment, what entered Ruisha’s eyes was Chrome’s meticulously sculpted and beautiful physique. Toned and polished, it felt like a work of art. At the center of the perfectly sculpted physique that seemed like a sculpture was a chest that could be discerned as soft with just a glance.

Ruisha was captivated by this contrast.

“H-Hey. I did say to look, but it’s embarrassing to be stared at so much…”

“I-I’m sorry.”

In a fluster, Ruisha hastily averted his gaze.

A strange tension filled the air between them.

“W-Why on earth ‘night crawl’…?”

“I had decided. My first time would be with a man who can defeat me one-on-one. But such a person didn’t show up easily, and before I knew it, I turned twenty-one. I’m not dissatisfied with my current life… but I’m curious about, well, love, and what is generally referred to in society. I probably have similar feelings towards you. So, I’m sorry… but please embrace me.”

“Huh?”

Seizing a moment of distraction, Ruisha was pushed down onto the bed.

He instinctively tried to break free, but his wrist was firmly held, and he couldn’t escape. Looking closer, Chrome’s eyes were gleaming like they did when she was in her berserker state a while ago.

“Young man, it won’t hurt, so you don’t need to be so scared…”

“That’s originally my line, isn’t it!?”

Ruisha’s sarcastic remark went unnoticed by Chrome, and Chrome proceeded to attack Ruisha.