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

Dragons were creatures with tremendous vitality.

That massive body soaring through the sky with its wings was like an armored vehicle combined with an airplane. It also shot out high-powered breath attacks and possessed intelligence. Truly a perfect creature.

In terms of strength, it was a monster that even surpassed humans. However, humans were the ones who ultimately won.

Just as my Norn-nee-san had done, human power surpassed even dragons.

Only ordinary people and the talented lost to dragons. The real deal never lost. I would prove that now. Clad in aura, I approached the dragon with sword in hand.

The dragon, scorched along with its wings, somehow tried to rise and counterattack, but couldn’t keep up with my speed.

“Hahaha! What’s wrong, dragon! Your movements are sluggish!”

My sword sliced through the dragon’s hide one after another. With such a large body, there was no need to control my strikes. Just swinging the sword would hit. Furthermore, dragons specialized in aerial combat. In the sky, even I would be helpless.

However, now the dragon was right before me. Its wings burned, collapsed on the ground. In that state, it couldn’t catch me as I manipulated aura. I leaped and ran around freely, establishing an overwhelming advantage.

“Gruaaaaa!”

Unable to hold back, the dragon unleashed its breath—but its movements were predictable, making it easy to dodge. I fired a blast of composite magic straight into its gaping mouth

Its face exploded. Its limbs froze and were pinned to the ground.

My sword severed its arms, cut off its wings, gouged out its eyeballs, and wounded its entire body. The outcome was already clear. Even so, I didn’t stop. I didn’t kill the dragon easily.

The reason was simple. Finding an opponent like a dragon was difficult. I would do everything I wanted while I could. In other words, the dragon was my personal punching bag. Being able to slam composite magic into it with full power was incredibly fun!

The dragon screamed, gasped in pain, and raged in fury. Even seeing that, I didn’t ease up. I landed on the dragon’s head, stepped on it once, and spat.

“You chose the wrong opponent.”

I had been the one to pick the fight, but the dragon was the one who threw the final punch. This result was inevitable. I wanted it to give up and accept it. Feeling sorry for the opponent? Bullying?

That didn’t matter. This was a battle where both sides risked their lives. Having agreed to that and tried to harm another’s life… it couldn’t complain about whatever happened to it.

So I tormented it. Wounded it. Didn’t kill it easily. I swung my sword for my own sake, even if called cruel. In the end, I severed the dragon’s neck, and the battle concluded easily.

…No, that wasn’t right.

The dragon had endured more than I’d expected, so my aura and magic power were nearly depleted. I had also used divine prayer, so it had been a quietly good match.

Could I reach Norn-nee-san’s level now?

Thinking that, I moved away from the fallen dragon. Lucia, who had been watching the battle from afar, clasped her hands as if praying and gazed at me. I raised one hand. I grinned broadly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lucia. It’s over.”

The moment she heard those words, I bent my knees in exhaustion. I sat down on the spot. Lucia ran up to me. Her expression—looked the kindest it had ever been.

☆

“What…?!”

Certain information spread through the Salvatore ducal family. It was from several days ago.

Word had arrived that Luka Salvatore, the youngest of the Salvatore ducal family, had subjugated a dragon.

Several older siblings who heard this all showed expressions of surprise.

“Impossible! He’s only fifteen!”

“He subjugated a dragon at the same age as Norn-nee-san?!”

“Unbelievable… that’s impossible!”

Everyone except one couldn’t believe the information that had arrived. The only one who stood without changing her expression at all was Norn Salvatore, who had also subjugated a dragon at fifteen like Luka.

She was the eldest daughter, said to be the strongest in the Salvatore ducal family.

She smiled somewhat proudly.

“As expected of Luka… more admirable than I am.”

Norn knew well. Her and Luka’s dragon slayer achievements were not the same. The dragon Norn had once subjugated was smaller than the one Luka had defeated.

Not only that, while Norn had barely defeated hers after suffering severe injuries that left her unable to move, according to reports, Luka apparently had no notable wounds. Reports had come from the maids near Luka that he had been diligently training from the next day.

In other words, it was proof that Luka truly was the greatest genius in the Salvatore ducal family.

The other siblings who couldn’t believe it, who didn’t want to acknowledge it, were in an uproar. Faced with a new, insurmountable wall, they became even more troubled. Watching this from the side, Norn thought:

“I’d like to see Luka soon… if there were some interesting news…”

While muttering to herself, she suddenly remembered something. An event where she could boldly go meet Luka.