The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 47: Conversation with the Black Dragon

Chapter 47: Conversation with the Black Dragon

“―Onyx!”

Deep within the Ydaina mountains, in a wild place so remote that even adventurers from the Brave territory find it hard to reach if they’re just average, I called out the name of a dragon.

The sound of flapping wings approached, and a huge shadow appeared over the barren mountain.

A massive, black dragon appeared before me.

The dragon’s name was Onyx, a species known as the Onyx Dragon.

“What do you want, Ragna Vel Brave?”

“I just wanted to see your face again after such a long time.”

“I have no desire to see your face.”

“Don’t say that.”

Perhaps it’s the pride of the dragon species, but this is pretty much what dragons are like.

They exist beyond human common sense, after all.

To them, humans are nothing more than inferior creatures.

“So, where have you been?”

But since he shows concern like this, I internally call him a tsundere dragon, or Tsundra for short.

It’s genuinely nice to feel recognized by him.

“I was in the capital, attending school.”

“That detestable sanctuary protected by the guardian barrier, huh? Hmph, humans are truly troublesome creatures, gathering children from far away for communal living.”

“That’s right.”

“Has the oath been kept?”

Onyx leaned in with his gigantic face, his black eyes piercing through me.

“You swore it before me. If it hasn’t been kept, I might just eat you right here and now.”

“No problems here.”

“How boring.”

Rather, it’s such a weak excuse that it’s not even worth discussing.

I seriously thought I was getting weaker inside that barrier.

“That’s why I came to see you.”

“Am I just an outlet for your stress? Hmph, you’re probably the only fool who would treat a dragon like that.”

“That’s not what I meant, but yeah, I feel dull.”

I’ve only truly thought I might die twice in my life.

The first time was when I was three, and the second was when I met Onyx.

The first time, I felt fear.

Living through days filled with frantic battles, I eventually overcame that fear.

The second time, I felt a rush.

Should I say my blood was boiling?

Facing the dragon before me, fighting a fierce battle, and being recognized by him, I felt a warmth rushing through every part of my body.

I still can’t forget that feeling.

I cherish it.

Yet, in peaceful times, I sometimes feel like I might forget it.

That was a bit scary for me.

“You humans created sanctuaries seeking peace, didn’t you? An absolute barrier that could even block a dragon’s inferno.”

That’s why you should become dull, Onyx seems to say.

“Sure, peace isn’t bad, but I hate the thought of becoming so numb that I couldn’t protect someone when it matters.”

“…Is that so?”

Normally, he might sarcastically say, “Inferior beings always complicate things unnecessarily,” but this time, he seemed to accept my words sincerely.

Maybe he felt nostalgic since it’s been a while since we last met.

Such a cute tsundere dragon, indeed.

“If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you. Feel proud, it’s been hundreds of years since a human dared to cross fangs with a dragon twice.”

“Hundreds of years, huh? It would’ve been cooler if no one else had ever done it.”

“To me, you’re no different than a newborn baby. You’ll soon realize how small you are in the grand scheme of things.”

“That’s fine by me.”

Having someone seriously trying to kill me makes me feel more alive.

“You’d be considered a madman in the human world.”

“Well, can’t help it.”

I often think to myself that I must be crazy.

Given the circumstances, it was inevitable; that was the norm.

So, whether what’s happening now is normal or strange, I honestly can’t tell.

But I still love her, and I’m enjoying my life, no doubt about that.

Maybe it’s thanks to the people around me that my emotions can coexist so well.

Alicia, Sebas, Mariana, Onyx.

The servants, the people of my territory, the adventurers.

If anything shakes that even a little, it feels like everything might fall apart, like when I lost my family.

Losing my life is scary, forgetting the thrill is even scarier, but losing someone is the ultimate fear.

“That’s why I need to become stronger.”

“A dragon as a sparring partner… Well, it’s a decent way to kill some time and work off a meal.”

Onyx spread his wings wide.

Just the flapping of his huge wings held more power than the wind spells used by war magicians.

Dragons are incredible, truly incredible.

They’re massive reservoirs of magical power, bottomless and emitting an aura that acts almost like a barrier for me.

Standing before such a naturally powerful being, I felt my blood heat up and race through my body.

It’s like, “Oh man, this is exciting,” kind of feeling.

I wonder what kind of person the hero in fairy tales who had such a being as a companion was.

“Onyx, are there many beings like you in the world? Like, a white dragon, for example?”

“If you can beat me, not just tie, I’ll tell you. But that’s impossible for you.”

“That’s too bad.”

Just like Onyx said, it’s impossible right now.

I’m overwhelmingly lacking in stamina.

“Then, come at me from wherever you like, you foolish human who dares to challenge a dragon.”

Onyx was laughing.

Honestly, he talks bad about humans, but I think he might actually like them.

After all, if he didn’t, I would have been dead a long time ago.

Hmm, such a tsundere.

◇

The battle lasted about an hour.

In that time, my magical power was drained to its limits.

Lying on my back on the scorched, barren ground of the mountain, I gasped for breath.

“Hah, hah… I thought I was going to die…”

“To last an hour in front of a dragon, hmph, be proud.”

“Even if you say to be proud of that…”

Well, it’s better than having my limbs almost torn off.

Even though I want to win someday, it feels like a goal I can’t quite reach yet.

The feeling of defeat is like a pleasant spice, making the world seem wider.

“Hey Onyx, I’m going to bring someone to meet you.”

“How many times must you ask favors of me, you bastard?”

He clearly looks annoyed, but he’s a good guy who’ll come over if I ask.

“Next up is a girl who’s kind of like the reincarnation of a holy woman, or something like that.”

“…Bringing another special human, huh? Well, it makes no difference to me if it’s one or two.”

Yay.

“So, which one are you planning to marry?”

“Huh? No, I’m not swearing to protect her or anything. Just introducing her.”

Having Onyx’s scent on her might keep the weird stuff away. 

Dragons are truly mysterious beings.

“Alright. It doesn’t matter to me. Just tell the old man to bring me some fruit boiled in sugar to the designated place.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Anything else? If not, I’m off.”

“Actually, I’ve always been curious, Onyx, you have these faint white stripes, does that mean you’re different from other black dragons?”

“Hmph, I’m under no obligation to answer. ―Farewell.”