After today's game, I was strolling around town for a change of pace.

　The town of Tatsutron, where the Dragon Princess Rite and the Dragon Emperor Rite are being held, was buzzing like a festival, with many stalls set up for customers.
　The Dragon Princess Ceremony itself is a festival in this town.

Hmm, it's just as lively as you'd expect a city festival to be.

　The festival in my home village was modest because of the small scale of the event.
　It's a good thing that I was able to see this scene, and it's a good thing that I was able to come to the outside world.　

But it's not good to not be able to enjoy it.

　I walk into an alleyway, feeling familiar even in my previous life.

　◆

"...he's not there!

　The figure that came into the alleyway is upset that the person who entered earlier is nowhere to be found.

''Yes, please don't move.''

　The moment I entered the alleyway, I jumped onto the roof of a nearby building and hid, landing noiselessly behind the person who was chasing me and pressing the sheathed knife against its back.

''Huh!　.......when?

　Hmm, for an assassin, that's a bit of a bypass.
　I'm sure you're not the only one who's been in this situation.

"Why were you following me?

....

　You're not going to answer me.
　Okay, fine.

'I understand. So I guess I'll turn you in to the guards.

What?　Wait, wait!

　The guards tell me they're going to throw me out, and I try to turn back to them in a hurry, but I lightly push the knife against my back to threaten them.

'I told you not to move, didn't I?　If you're doing something behind your back, I'll turn you in to the guards. If not, then you can explain why.

No, no, sir, I'm not. I don't mean you any harm.

　Hmm, then why were you following me?

''I'm a member of the Dragon Emperor Faction who has come to protect His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.

The Dragon Emperor's School?

　Well, if I recall, the Dragon Emperor faction was the nobleman of this country who came in contact with Liliella-san.
　They just aren't very strong as a faction, right?

　When I move away from the tailor who called himself the Dragon Emperor Faction, I give him permission to turn around.
　The person of the Dragon Emperor faction slowly looks back at me, perhaps to avoid provoking me.

　Yeah, he's surprisingly young.
　I guess the fact that the tail was lax is also due to the lack of talent due to the weak aristocratic faction.
　Or rather, this person looks familiar........

Oh, the one who approached Miss Liliella the other day.

　Yes, this is the person who mistook Liliera-san for the Dragon Princess and asked to meet the Dragon Emperor.

''Yes, my name is Bakin Wappage. My title is Knight Knight.''

"Knight?

　Huh? You're a nobleman...

　I thought these things were usually done by the vassals...
　The knight duke has the lowest title among the nobles, but that doesn't mean he still doesn't have vassals.
　And yet the head of the family himself went out of his way to follow them.
　Could it be that the Dragon Emperor faction is quite a weak faction.......

Well, why would a nobleman be following you?

　Yeah, I'm starting to get worried about the quicksand.

''To my shame, by the time I came to this city of Tatsutron, my comrades and my men dropped out due to the interference of the Anti-Long Emperor Faction. I'm the only one who managed to reach it.

Isn't that already a civil war?

　No matter how much faction warfare is going on, killing all of your country's nobles is nothing short of civil war.
　Or rather, it's no longer at the level of warfare.

''Oh no, as expected, there have been no deaths. If there are a large number of deaths among the nobles, even if they are of a lower class, there is a possibility that people from other countries will intervene in the name of cooperating with His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's accession. Even the most high-ranking nobles would not take such a hard-line approach as to allow other countries to intervene.

　I see, since they are taking advantage of the fact that the Dragon Emperor is not here to do whatever they want, they won't overdo it and make it easier for the Dragon Emperor to accede to the throne.

''However, we also don't want to owe any other country a debt of gratitude for the coronation of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor. The bigger the incident, the more vulnerable we will be in negotiations with other countries. Well, it's only ironic that because of that, we have common interests on both sides that I've been able to reach the city of Tattron.

　Bakin-san laughs self-deprecatingly at the fact that he was able to reach this town thanks to the luck of being able to take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses.

So, Mr. Baquin......... Back to the point, why did you follow me?

　Eventually we'll get back to this topic.
　I understand because Liliera-san is mistaken for the dragon princess, but I'm just a companion.
　Bakin-san also straightens her posture and looks at me.

Well, once again, Lord Lex no, Lord Lex. I have a question for you.

　Master Lex?　You?
　Why would a man of high birth expect to be so formal with me?
　I've got a bad feeling about this...

"Master Lex, aren't you........aren't you the Dragon Emperor?

What?

　Okay, why.... Why will that happen?
　If it's Leune who knows that I have a golden dragon with me, how can Bakin-san come to such a conclusion?

'Well why would that be?'

　I tried my best to calmly ask Bakin-san why.

''Yes, it's because Lord Lex is not participating in the Dragon Emperor's ceremony.

'What?　What?　How does that make me the Dragon Emperor?

　Yeah, I have no idea.
　If it's because the Dragon Emperor is participating in the Dragon Emperor's Ritual to make his presence known, I can understand it, but because he's not participating, the Dragon Emperor? Why? Usually it's not the other way around.

''Master Lex, Princess Long and all of His Majesty's guards of the Dragon Emperor are participating in the ceremony.

Yeah, I guess so.

But you are the only one who has not taken part in the ritual.

'That is, well, a thing. If we all participate in the ritual, we run the risk of not being able to deal with anything that goes wrong.

Yes, that's what I thought, sir.

　So why?

''After Princess Long refused an audience with His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, I decided to seek out His Majesty the Dragon Emperor on my own.

Oh, I see.

　Well, that's only natural.
　Just because we can't make them meet, we can't give up on that.

''But even if we searched the town in the dark, we couldn't see His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.

　Yeah, there's no such thing as a Dragon Emperor in the first place.

''So with all due respect, I've decided to keep an eye on you guys. I thought that you and His Majesty the Dragon Emperor might come in contact.

　Well, that's part of it, I guess. Even if we don't know who the Dragon Emperor is, it doesn't mean that the people of the Dragon Emperor faction will believe us.

''But there was no indication that you all had any contact with the Dragon Emperor.

　Yeah, I'll say it again and again, there's no connection between the Dragon Emperor and us in the first place.

''But there was one person among them who couldn't even seek out information.

　Huh?

That's you, Lord Lex.

'Um, maybe that's just because you're looking into it all by yourself and didn't get around to it?'

　Because it seems that Bakin-san's friends have been retired due to the interference of the anti-Long Emperor group.

''Yes, that's why I hired a low-ranked adventurer in the Adventurer's Guild and placed him as a secret agent throughout the town.

Oh, shit.

　I hired an adventurer...

Even though it's a low rank, it's not a problem if you just let me keep an eye on you around town.

　Oh, my God! I never thought I'd ask the adventurers to keep watch!
　I mean, I wanted to do that request too!
　Sounds cool, like the Great Swordsman Rygaard's tale of bread and milk!

　It's a story about Rygaard, a great swordsman, who goes on a stakeout for days to get the evidence of a villain who is working in the dark, but it's not very popular because it's a bit plain.

　But the scene where Reigart eats the bread and milk in the story is very tasty.
　Also, when Reigart catches the criminal, he says, "Fighting with a sword isn't the only thing an adventurer does, kid," and that's an astringent line, and although it's simple, he has a lot of dedicated fans.

　

'The Adventurers have reported that you have confirmed that you are only allowed to leave the inn when certain players are playing a match. But for some reason, several adventurers stationed elsewhere have confirmed that you, who are not supposed to be out, are having dinner with the Dragon Princesses and other players.

....

　Shhhhhh, shhhh!
　Well, I've done it.
　I guess they found out when we met up for dinner after the game?
　Hmmm, this is going to be a problem.

"Mr. Lex, you are participating in the Dragon Emperor's ceremony in disguise, aren't you?


　It's bad, Mr. Bakin has completely mistaken me for the Dragon Emperor.
　I've got to do something about it.

　◆.

That's going to get you in trouble.

　After that, I managed to escape from Mr. Baquin and gathered everyone together to explain what had happened.

I didn't think Mr. Baquin would suspect me for that reason.

'Although, it's true that if Lex is the only one who doesn't know where he is, it's no wonder he's suspicious.

Why don't you just tell me who you're disguising as?

'I think it's pointless. Revealing Lex's identity now would make me suspicious of Lex's participation in hiding his identity.

　Mr. Megri dismisses Mr. Gyro's suggestion as pointless.

'On the other hand, maybe try telling Lex that that's exactly what he's trying to do to get everyone's attention?

That's a little late for that, isn't it? If that's the case, then why didn't you tell me about it in the first place?

　Hmmm, that's not going to work.

'So the next best thing is for one of us to take part in the game in disguise instead of Mr. Lex, right? If all the other masked players are in the game with Mr. Lex in the situation he's in, I'm sure that guy would agree that Mr. Lex is white.

　I guess that's all I can do.
　Then I'll have to reveal to everyone who I'm disguising myself as in order for them to take over the match.

So let's have Jairo and the others come out in disguise for Tyran's match.

Yeah, nice to meet you........how do you know that....

""What do you mean, ""now?"

　Oh, shit.....did you know that my disguise was exposed?

Okay....So, Tyrann is my brother...

　Thank goodness Jairo-kun didn't find out.

　I was surprised that the disguise was exposed, but in any case, I think I can handle Bakin-san.
　.........but that plan easily fell apart.

No, I can't participate in this game because I'm going to the next one soon.

I can't switch them around because I'm in the game before that too.

　To my surprise, Jairo-kun and Norbu-san have found it difficult to disguise themselves because of the matches before and after.

'Then you'll have to ask Liliella and the others to join us? As expected of a wizard, I'm a wizard, and I'm going to get ripped off when it comes to close combat.

　Mina tells him that it's difficult to substitute because she's a wizard.

'Hmm, I can't do Tyran's armor because I can grab his chest.

Oh, okay, so I wouldn't be able to do it anyway.

　And Liliella declines, saying that it would be difficult to take her place due to the structure of the armor.

'd*mn, that's why the given one!

May I be jealous of the Dragon Princess's seat?

　For some reason, Megri-san and Leune-san are staring at Mina-san and Liliella-san with a look that has a tremendous killing intent.

''However, I can't do it either because of my schedule.

'I'm sorry. I don't think I'm going to be able to do it either, and I'm afraid it's going to be difficult for me and my master because of my height.

　Oh my God. It turns out that Megri and his team can't do it either because of the game schedule.

'Cuh!'

　And then Fluffy tugs at the hem of my pants.

'Squeak!'

Fluffy pointed to himself as if to tell him to leave it to himself and gave a snort.

'No you can't.'

Your arms and legs aren't even close to being long enough.

　Uh, yeah. That's what happens.

"Fluffy would probably fit in a horseshoe at best.

Can't we just string the armor together and pull it off?

'That's not just a ghost story. If a kabuto pulls you down and your armor crawls through the air, the town's monks will mobilize and turn undead.

''I mean, as expected, I don't think it would be possible to get them to recognize that as a master's disguise.......''

No, no, it's possible.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

　Yeah, I think Mr. Megri's idea is a good one.

"Thank you, Mr. Meghri. I could use that.

'What? Seriously?

'Yes! I mean it!

　All right, then, let's get ready to go!

'I have a feeling something terrible is going to happen...'

I will....

　Baquin

　I was puzzled.
　I am now in the audience of the venue where the Dragon Emperor's Ritual is being performed........
　The problem is the one sitting next to me.

Tyran's match is about to begin.

Yeah, yeah.

　Yes, I saw Master Lex standing beside me.
　But according to my research, Tyran is actually Lex.
　Or do you mean to tell me that Mr. Tyrann is not really Mr. Lex?

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh!

　The crowd around them shouted.
　There are three shadows on the field of play.
　One is the referee and the other two are the two players who are about to fight.

　One is Katin, the long sword wielder, and the other is Tiran, who is dressed in black armor.

''Wow, both of you look strong. I wonder who will win?''

　Lex-sama, sitting next to me, is happily watching the upcoming match.
　The reports of the adventurers on guard have confirmed that Dragon Princess-sama and the others are in the waiting room or another seat.
　Hence, it's impossible for those people to replace Tiran players.

''........''

So let the game begin!

　In the meantime, the match between Tyran and Katin begins.
　And the match was over easily.

　The result was Tiran's victory.
　Tiran evaded Kattin's attack with a single stroke, and then he danced around his opponent's back with a fluid motion as if he were dancing, taking away his consciousness with a single blow.

　The flow of the fight was so natural that no one on the field was aware that the game was decided.
　Even the referees were still watching the scene without noticing.

''........''

　Tiran slowly approached the referee and pointed at Katin, who had fallen with a pat on his shoulder.

''Ha!?''

　The referee comes to his senses, checks on Katyn and quickly waves his hand.

By disabling Katyn, Tyrann wins!

""Oh...oh...oh...oh!"


　The audience erupted in a literal blink of an eye.
　Unlike the obvious anomalies of Tyran's previous fights, this fight was extremely ordinary, which made it stand out for its sheer awesomeness.
　It was literally a fight of a different class.

　It wasn't just strong, that was undoubtedly the culmination of the skills accumulated by those who had staked their lives on martial arts.

　Thirty ... or is it forty years?　How passionately you have to train to become so beautiful, or rather, that technique cannot be described in such simple words.

　It's natural, yes, natural.
　It was as natural as walking, as natural as reaching out, as natural as if the weapon was part of your body.

　It is not the perception of the user of the weapon, but the eyes of others who are looking at it, who are not able to recognize the weapon as a weapon.

'So this is the ultimate in martial arts...'

　I see it clearly.
　Lex-dono is not a Tiran player.
　As long as he was working with Dragon Princess-sama, Lex-dono must be strong as well.
　But Tyran player.......That person's strength was different.

　I don't mean to belittle Lord Lex.
　It's just that the weight of time they've accumulated is different.

　No matter how talented you are, there are certainly things that only mature with time.

''This means we have to start the search for His Majesty the Dragon Emperor all over again.

　But I was sure of it.
　His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's identity was not Lex-dono.
　My gaze was drawn to the black armored warrior standing on the match stage.

　The one who will be the Dragon Emperor is the strongest dragon knight in this country.
　And in order to become a dragon knight, he must defeat a dragon and have its power recognized.
　The strongest, powerful enough to slay the Golden Dragon.

There's no doubt about it. So you, you are the Dragon Emperor.

　Yes, I was strongly convinced that Tyran was the Dragon Emperor himself.
.

.

So what the hell was that all about?　Did you hire someone else to be the adventurer?

　After the match was over, I was being stuffed by Liliella and the others asking who Tiran was.
　Hmmm, I'll get stuffed by Bakin-san before the match and then get stuffed by everyone after the match.......

Who the hell is that guy, man, with all that fighting?

''I've never seen such a brilliant way to fight. At least not for an A-ranked adventurer.
''Does that mean you're an S-ranked adventurer?!''

　Lliera-san's guesses caused Leune to shout in surprise.

''Certainly, if you say you're an S-ranked adventurer, it makes sense.

　Somehow people have mistaken Tyran's identity as an S-ranked adventurer.
　Well, he's an S-ranked adventurer in a way.

''No, that wasn't someone else's replacement.

'What?　But Mr. Lex was with Mr. Bakin to clear his suspicions, right?

Yes, that's right.

So maybe Tyran is not who he says he is. Who the hell is in that armor?

　Hmmm, I think this would be quicker if you could see this in person.

'Everyone look behind you.'

Back? ........eh....

　Everyone who looked behind me at my urging rolled their eyes at the scene there.

''Tiran!''

　Yes, there was a black armored Tyran standing there.

''When did he get in the room?

''........''

　Tiran is silent to everyone who is surprised.
　Well, there's no way he's going to talk.

'Take off your helmet.

　As he commands that, Tyran silently reaches for his helmet.
　And seeing Tiran's true face emerging from inside, everyone froze in surprise.

''Huh?''

　Tyran had no head.
　Or rather, as the word implied, there was no head.

'What?　No head?　Huh?

　Everyone rolls their eyes at the empty head.

'What the hell is this all about!

'Liliera-san, look inside Tyran's armor.

In your armor?

　Prompted by me, Liliera-san fearfully approaches Tiran.

Huh?

　And just like you said, Liliera-san looked from her neck to the inside of her armor and became still again.

''What's wrong with you, Lilliera...?''

　Everyone also crowded around Tyran's armor, wondering what the hell was going on, and froze as they looked inside as well.

''Kar........Po?''

　Yes, Tiran is empty.

What's the meaning of this?

　Looking at me and the empty armor in turn, Liliella-san asks for an explanation.
　Everyone looks at me and seems to agree with Liliera-san's opinion.

''Um, well, this Tyran was controlled by me through magic.

""Magic!"

　Everyone rolls their eyes when they find out that he was using magic to control them.

Yes, it's a spell called puppet avatar, a spell that makes the subject move in accordance with the wizard's wishes.

This is a magical thing that works...?

　Liliera observed Tyran's armor from various angles in disbelief.

'Yes, like this,'

"Whoa!

　Receiving my will, Tyran's armor starts to dance by itself.

It's empty, but it's moving...

　Megri-san gives Tiran's smoothly moving armor a look of surprise.

''Well, it's like this,''

　When he stops sending magic power to the armor, Tiran's armor loses its bonds and falls to the floor.

''........Hah, I didn't think you were moving it with magic.

'It's amazing. I was amazed that I could move my armor so naturally with magic. It was as if there was a man inside.

　Mina and the others let out a sigh as they stared at Tiran's armor that had fallen to the floor.

''Not only can you use ordinary magic, but also this kind of magic... how much magic can you use?''

No, no, it's not much of a magic to move armor. Any wizard can make this kind of motion.

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

There's no way I'm going to be able to replicate the movements of an S-ranked adventurer like that.

Yeah.

　Huh?　Why do people just give up?
　I think Mina and the others would be able to handle manipulative magic well if they trained properly.