Disciple of Immortal

After getting Fraus' permission, we who got left behind by Odio entered the dragon king's castle and walked along the corridor.

We followed and went up the stairs until we arrived at the 《Dragon King's Room》 where the Dragon King resided.

「We ended up taking a lot of detours thanks to the dragon's trial alas, we can finally have an audience with the dragon king.」

I heaved a sigh.

I could finally deliver Ramiel's message to the Dragon King.

Though Ramiel said that the Dragon King would surely believe her and planned a countermeasure immediately, I still doubted in my heart.

I hope the Dragon King wasn't an obstinate person like Raigan but…

「Kanata-san seems to be interested in some items kept by the Dragon King but, let's focus on the treatment of Dragon King-san for now. And let's put the challenge to the Dragon King-san on the back burner.」

Pomera proposed that.

One of the items kept by the Dragon King was one of the reasons for my visit.

But to get that item, I had to win a fight against someone with the Dragon King's title.

Curing him aside, if I challenged the Dragon King who just got cured and was still in a weak state to plunder his item, it might create an unnecessary root of evil.

Since there was still the matter with the 《Ruler of The Sky》, I naturally had to cross the option of challenging the Dragon King in his weakened state.

That's why let's just focus on meeting with him for now.

Though I followed the rules, it didn't change the fact that I was a human who came to snatch the Dragon King's treasure.

I had to be careful to not overdid it.

「… Come to think of it, Pomera and Philia also have the title of dragon king, right? Shall we challenge the Dragon King and claim one item for each of us?」

「K-Kanata-san… Don't you think that you'll get resented by the dragonfolk instead for doing that?」

… Surely, I didn't want the dragonfolk to resent me too.

But, if there was an item that could keep Nyarlhotep in check, I naturally wanted to collect it as much as possible.

Well, I guess I shouldn't use a tactic similar to how a household sent each of their family members to claim the discounted item in the supermarket.

「Philia wants to challenge the Dragon King too!」

Said Philia as if challenging the Dragon King was some sort of attraction during the festival.

I smiled wryly as I looked at her while praying in my heart so that she wouldn't say something strange.

We climbed the stairs toward the 《Dragon King's Room》 on the top floor, and entered the said room.

There we saw a man with pale green long hair sitting on the throne.

Golden wings are spread behind his back.

「You're the Dragon King, Riddler…」

「So you're the one called Kanata, I've heard about you before. That's right, I'm the Dragon King, Riddler.」

「Uhm, my apologies for visiting you when you're still feeling unwell. Bu—」

Riddler raised his hand and stopped me before I finished my words.

「Enough, I know what you want.」

After he said so, Riddler raised his left index finger.

Coiling around his index finger was a ring with a resplendent colored gem inlaid on it.

「This is the 《Ring of Dragon Hole》. Following the mission from the 1st generation Dragon King, I govern the dragonfolk while protecting the dragon hole beneath the Dragon King's castle. This ring enables me to feel the movement around the dragon king's castle and control the dragon hole. That's why I'm aware of your reason for coming to this place along with Odio.」

Riddler explained with a composed voice.

Though I had been mulling over about what to do if he turned out to be an obstinate person alas, Riddler had guessed everything.

It seems he had guessed the reason for our visit from our conversation along the way to this place.

Well just as expected, his dragon king's title wasn't just for show.

Riddler exudes some sort of dignified aura.

Though this was our first meeting, I felt as if he saw through everything.

「Both Odio and Fraus let you pass. Well, I guess I could see things turned in this way seeing those two. They might doubt my decision. And though I made that decision to protect the honor of Peach Dragon Village, it can't be helped that my decision raised suspicion from the golden dragons and the dragon saint.」

Riddler spoke with a forlorn face.

「… What are you talking about?」

Surely, I noticed that Odio seemed to be troubled by something.

It felt as if he kept something from us.

And Riddler gave the same kind of air.

My brain still couldn't catch up with this situation.

Did Riddler the pawn of the 《Ruler of The Sky》? Was that the reason for Odio's odd behavior?

No, that couldn't be the truth still…

Ignoring my confusion, Riddler continued.

「Kanata. You came to meet me, the Dragon King, and refused to back down, right?」

「Y-Yes. it's just as you said but…」

Let's set aside the matter of challenging the Dragon King to get the reward for another day.

For the time being, I had to tell Riddler that the 《Ruler of The Sky》 was aiming for the peach dragon village.

Once I'm done, we could send Ramiel back to the peach dragon village.

「… Is that the reason why you can't afford to back down? Surely, we will reward you later for wasting your time.」

My eyes opened wide upon hearing that.

As expected, Riddler already knew about the plan of the 《Ruler of The Sky to snatch the》

When I tried to look up, I saw.

If that's the case, let's start by eliminating the pawn of the 《Ruler of The Sky》, previously, no one believed in Ramiel due to her low level.

「E-Er… The reason why I spoke from a high place is purely due to regulation alas, no need to discuss it. I know it's strange coming from me but, I'm not doing this for self-protection. To put it simply, no one would expect a person with an extremely high level like you to visit Peach Dragon Village. I'll invite you again for a tour of our warehouse in the future as my friend, that's why let's cut the chit-chat…」

「Enough! I know you have your reason due to your status but, please don't let that status deceive you, Riddler-san! Since you already know everything, you should know the secret of the dragon king's castle! That should be your duty as the Dragon King! Well… Not that we care about the dragon king's title. But, you won't expect us to back down at this late hour right!?」

I had a promise with Ramiel.

I've had enough of being targeted by the 《Ruler of The Sky》.

At least, I couldn't back down, not before I reported the urgent situation of Peach Dragon Village.

「So it comes to this huh… Well, I guess I'm at fault for trying to make you to back down. Okay then, forget about what I said a while ago. I'll show you my guts.」

After heaving a sigh with a wry smile on his face, Riddler rose from his chair and stood up.

He bent forward, and raised a stance as his talon grew.

「Riddler Ladon Dravic won't hide or run! Kanata, I accept your challenge as the Dragon King!」

「… Uhm?」

I was at a loss for words at this development that came out of nowhere.

「… Uhm? What's the matter, Kanata? Aren't you coming to challenge me?」

「No, we're not coming to challenge you today but…」

It seems we had some sort of misunderstanding with each other which resulted in this development.

「Wait a minute. Could it be that you're not angry about me trying to postpone the fight with you by faking illness?」

「So you are faking illness!? Are you the king of dragonfolk!?」

I ended up retorting upon hearing the truth from Riddler.

And closed my mouth immediately.

An awkward silence descended into the room for a while after that.

It seems his being the pawn of the 《Ruler of The Sky》 was just a misunderstanding on my part.

「I just… Surprised by the reality of the situation… May I assume that you can, be more flexi—」

「Then, come at may, human! I'll show you my power as the guardian of the world!」

Riddler suddenly raised his voice as if trying to erase my voice.

He sounds rather desperate.

And his face was flushed red, did he by chance feel embarrassed after realizing that all of this was just a silly misunderstanding?

===

THE NEW PROJECT:

Journey of The Childhood Friend Who Got Betrayed by Sword Saint

The Protagonist of Isekaied Story With Cheat And Harem Has No Idea That All Of The Heroines Has Already Been Stolen By Me~Urgh, My Stomach Is Killing Me~

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