Chapter 45

“Gwyber? You mean this person is the princess of this country!?”

Seriously? This selfish brat is actually a princess…?

“This country is doomed.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“I-It most certainly is not doomed!!” Gwyber protested, but looking at this situation… yeah, it was definitely doomed.

“I thought it sounded noisy out here. It seems Ryu was indeed the cause.”

“Oh, Grandfather. Is the meeting over?”

“It was put on hold once they heard the Princess was throwing a tantrum.”

“Pack Leader. Does that mean I interrupted you guys?”

“It is fine. It serves as a good breather. Now, tell me, what exactly happened here?”

I gave a brief explanation of the events to the various Leaders assembled.

“I see. A typical princess’s fit of pique, then.”

“She is quite arrogant, isn’t she?”

“Lineage is all well and good, but without strength to back it up, blood is just blood.”

The Leaders expressed their exasperation one after another after hearing my side of the story.

“That is merely his version of events—!”

“Be silent at once, Ouka!!”

The Princess flinched violently at the command.

So, you actually had a name.

“Your defeat was not a fluke, but an inevitability!! It was caused by your pampered mindset and your daily lack of discipline. Mr. Ryu, this is strictly a request, but would you be willing to act as a training partner for my granddaughter?”

The attendant—now revealed to be the Queen Grandmother—implored me!

“Eh! Me!? If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to ask these much stronger individuals over here…?”

“If I did that, this girl would run away immediately. I humbly deduced that since you have rightfully incurred her ire, she would not flee from you.”

Ugh, this lady is a total drill sergeant.

“I must stake my name on making this child a Queen fit for the next generation. Please, lend me your cooperation.”

To think she would bow her head to a human like me… Her resolve must be incredibly strong.

“Look, the ‘Azure Dragon Queen, Tiamat’ just bowed.”

“To think that Queen would actually lower her head.”

“Is that human truly that capable?”

…For some reason, the Leaders were all sending incredibly intense stares my way.

“Anyway, please raise your head. I understand; I’ll accept.”

“You have my gratitude. How shall we handle the reward for this task?”

“Reward?”

So, I could ask for something in return for taking this on?

“…In that case, Tiamat, would you be willing to be my mentor for a while?”

“Your mentor?”

“Yes. I’ve been thinking that the current me wouldn’t be able to contribute much in the fight against Azi Dahaka. I want to become as strong as possible before the deadline. Therefore, I would like to ask for your guidance.”

Tiamat stared blankly for a moment, but then she immediately turned a sharp glare toward the Princess.

“Look, Ouka. This is the ‘presence of will’ that was the reason for your defeat. You have no desire to become stronger; that is the difference between you and him. Very well, Mr. Ryu. I shall fulfill that role to the best of my ability.”

“Thank you, Tiamat.”

“No, this is a grateful offer for us as well. One can never have too much military strength.”

Her natural smile was so radiant that she didn’t look like someone who already had a granddaughter.

“Ryu… whatever you do, do not die.”

For some reason, Grandfather placed a hand gently on my shoulder.

Wait, why does the atmosphere feel like this?

“Ryu, please do your best,” Gwyber added.

Even Gwyber!?

Seriously, did I just sign my own death warrant or something?

“Now then, Mr. Ryu. We shall begin your training first thing tomorrow. I shall handle your physical condition and dietary management, so leave everything to me. Ouka, I will be instructing you simultaneously, so do not even think about running away.”

The Princess was completely frozen in fear, unable to move.

“Ryu, I should warn you beforehand… Tiamat is an incredible Spartan.“

Ah, yeah.

I think I already figured that out.

“The dietary management begins today. I will not tolerate any leftovers. Until tomorrow, then.”

As Tiamat left, she rounded up Gwyber and the Princess. I’m sure her husband, Draig, was going to get a thorough scolding today as well.

Well, it looks like my first training session in a long time is going to be set to a serious ‘Hard Mode.’