The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 41: Dragon Subjugation

“Dragon…?”

At Academy Director Feodora Morgan’s words, I tilted my head.

She nodded firmly.

“Yes! That dragon that everyone imagines when they think of a powerful enemy! As a token of friendship, I’ll give you information about the dragon that’s rumored to have appeared recently.”

“You want to earn my favor that badly.”

“Pretty much. I’m not interested in the customs of the Morgan ducal family or nagging complaints. I just want to learn about magic, that’s all.”

“Even if the opponent is someone who defeated your cute little sister?”

“Even if they killed her.”

She showed a smile that felt almost mad and raised her voice proudly.

“I want to learn so many different kinds of magic! See them! Study them! For that, I’d gladly abandon the Morgan family name!”

“Y-you’re insane… Then why did you become academy director?”

“To research magic, of course. Strictly speaking, I wanted to be in charge of the magic tower, but that didn’t work out. Being too excellent can be troublesome.”

Feodora said this while laughing with a “kuku.”

Her face wasn’t laughing at all though.

“The Morgan name can be used to reach the top of the academy, but that’s about it. In the end, only magic can satisfy my hunger!”

“You’re a fine example of a Morgan family member. You’re very similar to Lucia.”

“I’d prefer you not lump us together.”

She flatly rejected my evaluation.

“Lucia is a cute little sister, but our directions are completely different. While she seeks strength, I just want to learn about magic. Strength is secondary.”

“I see.”

Talking with this person was pointlessly exhausting… even though she was just a minor character in the game.

However, the dragon information that Feodora possessed was honestly welcome. I had been wanting to fight a dragon when the opportunity arose.

“By the way, is the dragon the academy director knows about an adult?”

“Nope, probably a child.”

“Then please tell me. I’ll subjugate that dragon.”

If it were an adult dragon, I had no chance of winning. I’d be killed one hundred percent.

However, against a dragon that had only lived for several decades to a hundred years or so, I had a chance of winning.

“I thought you’d say that, young lion of the Salvatore family. It reminds me of Norn Salvatore, who once achieved dragon slaying.”

“Please don’t compare me toNee-san. I’m still weaker.”

Nee-san had subjugated a young dragon while enrolled in the academy… in other words, when she was the same age as me.

That was purely because she had focused entirely on training aura. Her development direction was different from mine.

However, that didn’t mean my current power couldn’t reach a dragon.

I had enhancement magic too, and nine times out of ten, I could probably kill a dragon that wasn’t an adult.

Achieving Dragon Slayer status would be perfect for letting the family members know how strong I had become.

Maybe they’d get impatient and send assassins after me (exciting).

“I have a premonition that you will eventually surpass even the renowned Duke Salvatore.”

“Then, for that first step, please tell me the dragon’s location quickly.”

“…You’re surprisingly impatient.”

“Maybe the academy director is just too leisurely. Getting old perhaps?”

“Yes, yes. I don’t need cheap provocation. I’ll tell you where the dragon is.”

Feodora sighed with a “haa” and then clearly stated:

“The dragon is at a mine north of the royal capital.”

“A mine? A dragon has taken up residence in a mine?”

“Apparently so. The country’s upper echelons are holding their heads in worry. At this rate, they’ll probably request one of the other Salvatore ducal family members.”

“Then I’ll go defeat it right away.”

“I’ll submit the leave of absence form for you.”

“How thoughtful.”

“This is also a means to earn favor.”

I passed by the academy director, who smiled with a “kusuri.” I left the training ground and hurried to prepare for departure.

☆

The next day.

I—and Sheila—boarded the carriage that had stopped in front of the academy.

Actually, yesterday when I left the training ground, I met her.

During our casual conversation, when I told her I was going to subjugate a dragon, she said she wanted to go too.

Apparently, Sheila was interested not in the dragon, but in the mine where the dragon had taken residence.

She said something about how that mine once had underground labyrinths hidden in it, and got excited on her own.

I was just going to defeat a dragon anyway, and as long as she didn’t get in the way, there was no problem.

So I left the royal capital by carriage with her.

While watching the changing scenery, I felt my heart leap with anticipation.

☆

A little before Luka and Sheila left the royal capital.

In a dim forest, there was one woman who spent her days hunting monsters.

Her name was Lucia Morgan.

While directing mad eyes at monsters, she unleashed high-powered magic.

The monster took the magic and its body was shattered to pieces.

Looking down at that scene, she muttered quietly:

“No good… with this level of power, it still won’t work against Luka… I really need more monsters…”

While muttering to herself, she suddenly remembered something.

“Feodora-nee-sama… wrote something in a letter…”

She hadn’t been very interested and hadn’t read it, but there was one part that was extremely concerning.

That was… if she remembered correctly…

“—Right, that’s right. A dragon! A dragon!”

The moment she remembered, Lucia’s voice became loud.

She danced excitedly as she spoke:

“If I defeat a dragon! It’ll be proof! Plus, with dragon’s blood… hehehe.”

A pitch-black emotion dwelt in her eyes.

She swung around her body, which was stained red in places, and laughed as if singing.

“Ahahaha! Aha!”

There was no longer any sanity there.