Norbu.

So, shall we resume the game?　

　A little while after the final match of the Dragon Emperor's Rite had begun, something flew into the match venue from the sky.
　But just as Lex swung his weapon wide, that something flew high into the sky and exploded.
　I think something terrible happened, but Lex said he wanted to resume the match as if nothing had happened.

'Well, are you sure about that?　I feel like I've been caught up in something terrible.

　From what Meguri-san said as she jumped into the hall, it seems that a demon was involved this time as well, so I think we need to take action quickly.
　I mean, it's already an extraordinary situation to encounter demons so often, isn't it?

'There's no enemy response in the vicinity, you'll be fine.

'What?　Uh ... no ... um ... no ... no ... if you say so, Mr. Tyran. .....

　If Lex-san's exploration magic says there's no danger, then there really isn't a problem, is there?
　Could it be that the explosion just now was the effect of returning the attacking demon or something?
　Well let's not think too much about it because that's what Mr. Lex does.
　Otherwise, my mind won't be able to keep up with it.

"Hmmm...

　I hold up my mace in abandonment.
　I don't think about the attack. With me unable to evade Megri-san's attacks, it's impossible for me to avoid Lex-san's attacks, which are faster than hers.
　So I fight back, withstanding the first blow at all costs.

　I don't think I can defeat her.
　But you want to at least fight back with at least one shot.
　As a disciple, you're growing into a master...

Then I'll go for real!

'I'm sorry, sir, you need to take it easy on me!　Please!

　I'm sorry for wanting to at least get a shot in the arm or something!
　I don't want to die in the game!

　I hurriedly activate my body-strengthening magic in a hurry, focusing on defense.
　Don't think about the rest, just think about enduring the one shot.
　Otherwise, there is no life at all!

"Huh!

　Lex-san closes the distance in an instant and his sword hits my mace.
　This is my chance!
　Because it's obviously better to take it with a weapon than with a body, because it's a better way to protect it.

　Boom!

　But then my mace broke easily.
　Oh, that?　The shaft of this mace is pretty thick.
　And the shaft is made from blue dragon horns that Lex has modified, and it's also made stronger with reinforced magic, so it should be harder than the weapon made of mithril...?

　While I was thinking this, Lex's sword collides with me.
　I shrug in fear that my body will be cut in half, but fortunately my monk's uniform is a special monk's uniform made by Lex-san using metal thread made from hardened powder of dragon scales.
　It is much stronger than a poorly made armor.
　I had heard that it was strong, but I didn't think it was possible to really cut with a sword.

　Gobbling sound!

　Yes, sir!　It didn't cut me in half, but I could see my ribs snapping noisily!
　Ouch, ouch, ouch!　It hurts so badly I almost pass out, but the pain wakes me up and I can't even pass out!
　Just kill him!

　

　Afterwards, Lex-san said, "I guess you have to be that careful in a tournament....then should I make a weapon for the match with a crushed blade? I remember saying that.

　That's why you went to make the equipment for Tiran.......how can you remember such details?　Is this some kind of memory that can't be seen clearly, or maybe it's just that my body floats and floats and floats and floats...?

　Yes, before I knew it, I was blown away by the sword that Lex-san drew out, and I was flying right beside him while keeping my posture.
　Hahaha, the scenery in front of me flowing right beside me is a new sensation.......

Guffaw!

　The illusion of flying everywhere finally stopped when I hit the wall of the tournament venue, but the impact was so great that I felt my consciousness finally fade from the sheer pain.
　In the midst of my fading consciousness, I can hear Lex's confused voice.

I've broken my sword. The poor material is not strong enough after all.

　Thank you, crappy material. Because of you, the only thing that saved my life was my life
　Oh..........

　Megri.

"Norbu out of the ring!　The winner, Tyran!



Awesome!　That ironclad nolbu has been blown up!

　The crowd was cheering as Lex and the others finished their game.
　They didn't even know that a demon was about to attack this town without everyone knowing about it, so everyone was really carefree.

''I see, the ineffective Norbu, whose attacks don't work, can win if we blow them up!

No, it's not even close at that point, is it?

　Don't worry, if you get into the opponent's blind spot and break through a single point with your body-enhancing magic, you'll be able to go for a vital point.

''I didn't expect that Norbu to be defeated.......who the hell is Tiran?

　What is it, I guess it's our mentor.

'Hey, aren't you still the same?'

''Oh, ah........I guess that's what it is.......?

Isn't Tyran the Dragon King...?

　No, no.

''If it's strong enough to break down Norbu's iron wall, then it must be so...?

And there's a rumor that the black-armored knights who take out all the bad guys are the dragon knights.

　No, that's the golem Lex made.

''Then I knew it, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor........''

"His Majesty the Dragon Emperor....

''His Majesty the Dragon Emperor has won the Dragon Emperor's Ritual.......''

"The legendary Dragon Emperor has come back to life...

'Whoa!　Seriously!　So the legend was true!

"His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, banzai!

"His Majesty the Dragon Emperor-!

.....

　I'm learning for the first time today that it's actually very hard to hold back a laugh.
　You're hiding your identity with armor to keep it hidden, but it's making you stand out as much as possible.

　Honestly, we don't think it's a problem if Lex's identity is exposed.
　If you're an adventurer, it's normal to want to increase your fame, even if it's not as much as Jairo.
　That's why Lex's behavior is really rare.
　He doesn't want everyone to misunderstand him and treat him like a king, he's a picture-perfectly good person.

　Behind the scenes, he helped Leune, the true successor of the dragon princess, and returned the viziers and demons who took over the country.
　The figure that helps the weak and frustrates the bad, and doesn't want anything in return, is like the hero of the story itself.

""His Majesty the Dragon Emperor-!"

　Hmph, Lex above the match hall is confused by the call of the Dragon Emperor.
　To be honest, we wouldn't be surprised if he became the king if he was as powerful as Lex, and we would even want him to become the king, nevertheless.
　Because we think that Lex will be a better king than any other king and make everyone happy.
　That would make us all happy.

　But Lex wouldn't like that, I guess.
　Because Lex will always say that being a free adventurer is the most important thing.

That's why Lex is so funny.

　I just feel like I'm forgetting something...?