Chapter 63

The next day, I asked the Dragon Emperor and Gwyber for another sparring match.

It was to improve on the points Ril and Karin had pointed out to me yesterday.

“You’ve got guts, wanting to fight us again so soon.”

“Ryu, are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Today, I’m going in to win.”

I told myself to remember the fight against Azi Dahaka.

The fight that felt like nothing but pure fun.

“Then let us begin.”

“Please.”

As the Dragon Emperor took his stance, I followed suit.

Gwyber seemed to be watching me with a touch of caution.

I wondered if I looked different to her than I did yesterday.

“Hah!”

The Dragon Emperor made the first move.

Calmly activating my combat-type skills, I countered his attack and punched him square in the face.

“Guh!”

To create more distance, I followed up with a heavy blow to his stomach.

“Gah…!”

I expected Gwyber to follow up immediately, but for some reason, she didn’t move.

“Draig, how was that punch just now?”

“…Heavy. Far heavier than his strikes yesterday. Should we assume Ryu wasn’t serious yesterday?”

“Rather, I believe it is more accurate to say his hesitation is gone. That punch was likely the same one that defeated Azi Dahaka.”

Even I was surprised that a simple change in mindset could make such a difference.

That was it. Just like with Dahaka, I would show my respect by hitting them with everything I had. This was my battle style—striking without regard for good or evil. Just a pure brawl.

“The Ryu before us now possesses the fist of the hero who slew the Evil Dragon. Draig, we are going all out.”

“Yeah. I finally understand why Azi Dahaka was satisfied. It was that fist that gave him peace.”

In reality, there had been some swordplay involved, too.

Then, the Dragon Emperor and Gwyber began their combination attacks.

From yesterday’s fight, I knew the Dragon Emperor handled the offense while Gwyber focused on defense.

Normally, the strategy would be to split them up, but I didn’t do that.

I took them both on simultaneously from the front.

I knew it was a reckless strategy, but this was my way of showing respect.

In their human forms, the royal couple manifested their dragon horns, wings, and tails as they lunged at me.

I blocked the Dragon Emperor’s kick with one hand and tried to counter, but Gwyber’s fist forced me back.

Grabbing Gwyber’s wrist, I threw her toward the Dragon Emperor.

As he caught her, I delivered a kick to Gwyber.

Recovering from the impact, Gwyber unleashed her breath attack.

I crossed my arms to protect myself, but my body began to freeze slightly.

Even though I was shielding myself with Battle Spirit, Gwyber’s breath was powerful enough to pierce through.

The Dragon Emperor followed up with an attack from behind.

The force sent me flying upward, but I immediately retaliated by releasing magic at them both. Gwyber neutralized the blast with her breath, but the Dragon Emperor, caught in the opening after his attack, seemed to take the full hit.

The moment I touched the ground, Gwyber came in for a strike. I met her blow with my own, noting she didn’t have the same raw power as the Dragon Emperor or Midgardsormr.

Our fists collided, and Gwyber was the one pushed back.

I moved to punch her in the face during that opening, but the Dragon Emperor struck me from behind.

Instead of resisting the momentum, I intentionally let the force carry me away to reset the distance.

Once more, I faced off against the two of them.

“Phew… You guys really are strong.”

“That’s our line.”

“Indeed. You truly are the hero who traded blows with Azi Dahaka.”

Hearing that from the Dragon Emperor and Gwyber made me feel a little happy.

But for now…

“I’m going to need you to stick with me a bit longer. Both of you!”

“Bring it!”

“Come, Ryu!”

I decided to simply enjoy the fight.

A significant amount of time passed as we clashed.

In the end, I won—mostly because I managed to make Gwyber call it quits.

“Ahhh, I’m beat…”

Taking on two dragons was definitely exhausting.

Well, I suppose it was better than dealing with Azi Dahaka’s minions. Better than being swarmed by an endless number of enemies.

“Ryu… You can still move…?”

“Is this the power of… youth?”

I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, considering their child was still so small.

But this experience had helped me get used to it.

I finally had the mental resolve to strike those who were precious to me.

“Thank you both for today.”

“…Do you think you can win against Tiamat?”

“I don’t know about winning, but I feel like I can give her a proper punch now.”

“Then that is enough.”

The Dragon Emperor spoke with a hint of satisfaction.

The award ceremony was scheduled to take place soon.