72-Episode 67 Scolding the Strongest Onmyoji





'Defeat...? That dragon?
Yes.

 The prince nodded in response to my question in a dumbfounded way.

"It's the only way to resolve this situation.

 I realize.
 This gambit that Astoria had in mind was this or that?

Do you think such a thing is possible?
Yes. Lord Seika, you saw it too. Zekt's summons kicked the dragons to the curb. Dragons are afraid of that monster.

 I let my mind wander.

 Lava tigers are big compared to humans, but they are still much smaller than those Greater Dragons.
 But the dragon certainly seemed to be flinching from the lava beast.

 The honey badgers of India and southern Africa and the wolverines of the far northern reaches of Emishi are said to live in the land of Emishi, and despite their small size, their ferocity is said to turn on the lions and brown bears.
 Perhaps that's a similar relationship to the Ravatiger for dragons. It's true that looking at that armor, the breath of fire doesn't seem to be effective either.

 It's just........impossible to defeat.
 Unlike a lion or a bear, dragons have the ability to fly.

 I glance at Zekt and his cronies.
 There are less than ten people in all, and other than Zekt, there are only those who hold up their swords and no sorcerers to be found. I'm not sure if there are others, but I don't think they will be able to get out of the way even if they are all together in the first place.

 I tell the prince, "You had better reconsider.

"I think you should reconsider, Your Highness.
Wha... what?
''You won't be able to defeat the dragon with that monster. If the other side doesn't want to fight you, they'll run away, but if they are seriously confronted, they won't stand a chance. Its body size is much different, and the fact that it's being held in the air is huge. If they come at you without fear of being injured, they will tear you to pieces. No it's still good if you can lose. The worst thing that could happen is that they would abandon the nest and flee from this place. That could be the situation the Empire fears the most.
Oh, well, well, well, you're a scholar with a lot to answer for!

 Zecht closes in on me.
 A scowl peeks out from under his hood, his cheekbones morbidly white skin.

'We've slayed dragons a dozen times! Even the strongest monsters can win if you plan and prepare against them. Could you, scholarly boy, please don't interfere with things that are not your specialty!
Well excuse me for this.

 I smile and say, "Well, that's certainly not my area of expertise.

You're right, I'm not an expert. I'm sure you have your own way of killing monsters. But ... you're you. If you're an expert, you should avoid being too careless. It was a close call earlier. It's a good thing we managed to stop it.
'Ha, is that earth magic you? You didn't need that thing to keep me down.
Hold back...? No, it's not.

 I tell him sarcastically.

"I said that I didn't want my precious, precious summoner in front of me so lightly - I almost burned him alive.
Oh...?
You'd be in trouble if that happened, wouldn't you?

 Zekt pulls a face.

'You're going to turn my Rava Tiger into charcoal...? You've said a lot of things...
Stop it! Enough is enough!

 The Prince comes between us.

"Zekt! I told you not to be rude! I'm done with this place, go back!
Tsk ... hee hee. I understand, Your Highness. Our job is not like this, you know.

 The prince, who has been watching Zekt and his cronies leave for the city, then turns back to me.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a good person. It's not something to provoke a ruffian like that.
Excuse me. My squire is in a bit of danger.

 The prince shuts up.
 I let out a small sigh and said something I wanted to ask him.

Back to the matter at hand, Your Highness. Do you have the confidence of Her Majesty and your people in your plan to defeat the dragon?
That's...
'The dragons of the old royal city are like a symbol of Astiria. Do your majesty and your people agree to avenge your neighbor who has lived with you for so long?
I don't care.

 The prince says to himself.

I am the head of Protoasta. I'm the head of Protoasta, and I've been entrusted with this whole affair.
Is it the Queen's will?
'The authority of the chiefs is what the law says it is. The law supersedes the will of the king.

 The rule of law.
 That's fine, but now you're showing your flaws.

'I'm sure my mother, and my people, will understand.
But...
'Lord Seika. This is a matter between Protoaster and my country. It is not your duty. I ask you to stay out of it.
"...as you say. I said I was out of line.
We'll take care of the dragon problem. You just have to see it through and report back to me.
...Yeah, I guess so.

 How unsettling.
 It seems to me that this prince is just floating around and acting arbitrarily. In fact, he is.

 That mercenary group is also very suspicious.

 But I'm in no mood to say anything else at the moment.

 It can't be helped.
 Let's just do one more thing at this point.

Yifa.

 I looked back at Yifa, who was coming back this way.
 She didn't appear to be injured.
 That's a good thing, but....

Uh-huh. What? Oh, Seika-kun, thank you for what you did earlier....
Why didn't you use your magic?
'Eh....'

 My stern voice caused Yifa to stammer in annoyance.

What were you waiting for? You could have died.
'Uh, it's just... it's a surprise...'
Do you die of surprise? Or have you decided to get someone to help you?
.........
Seika-dono! Nothing like that...

 I ignore the prince's surprised look and continue.

I can't be around all the time. What are you going to do when I'm not around and the danger is there?
....
I said we were investigating a dragon. Besides, it's a trip out of the country to begin with. I thought you were smart enough to know the risks involved. Was it a mistake to bring you here just because you were good enough at magic?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry...
Sir Seika! Nothing could be blamed that way! We've been attacked by a horrible monster, it's no wonder we're cowering. Yifa doesn't have to worry about it either. You are a woman....
What's a woman to do?

 I stare sideways at the prince.

"Your Highness, this is between me and Eyfa. Your duty is irrelevant. Isn't it?
'Ugh, but...'
Yifa. I'm not asking you to protect yourself from now on, but at least use magic. No, it doesn't have to be magic. You can run away or ask someone else for help. Just do it on your own, that's all you have to do. I'll help you until you can learn to manage on your own. Do you understand?
Uh, yeah...
"Hm.

 I pat Yifa's depressed head.

''...Aren't you being a little too harsh, Seika-dono. Yifa is a woman, you know. Why do you need her to learn to fight?'
'Ladies and gentlewomen and persistence. This girl has the power. What advantage is there in not being able to wield it when you should?
....
I think the front gate is clear. I think it's time to get back to the carriage. Come on, Yifa.
Uh-huh.

 I take Yifa's tearful hand and walk to the carriage.

 I feel a little sorry for her, but it's inevitable.
 Cowering in fear is something that happens to everyone.
 People need a strong pat on the back to get them to move.

 In my case, it was when one of my brothers and sisters, the only one I was close to, was eaten in front of me.

 I've never forgotten that moment.
 I'm still using that demon, which I frantically sealed up in phase, as a pawn.

 I didn't want her to have to go through that.