9-2
The Evil Dragon Zirant and the Power of the Round Table
Translator : PolterGlast
Lately, the opportunities to dream had decreased, perhaps
because I had been away from the habit of reading. Passing through a long, long
dream I hadn't visited in a while—the destination connected to the paradise
where the Evil Dragon resides.
However, the appearance is a little different from usual.
There was an unfamiliar Red Round Table by the lakeside, and a small
girl named Zirant was seated in its most grandiose chair.
Noticing I had awakened, the girl with blue dragon eyes
smiled quietly, moved to the adjacent seat, and pulled that seat closer to the
grandiose one. Then, with an attitude as if saying "Sit here," she
began beckoning me over with an overhand wave.
「This is quite elegant. But where did
you bring this from?」
「Heh... 'Bring' is not appropriate.
This was born here, just recently.」
Since Zirant's attitude kept insisting I sit here, I
obediently sat in the grandiose seat. Then Zirant pushed the seats right
next to mine and leaned her body against my left arm resting on the
armrest, as if wrapping around it.
「I wanted to see you, Ashley.
Now, what shall we talk about today...」
「More importantly, explanation
first... What is this round table?」
It was a large round table that could seat 13 people. Moreover, looking closely, there were no seams
anywhere. In other words, this was a masterpiece carved from a single piece of
malachite, and it wouldn't be wrong to call it a work of art at this point.
「Umu, you are sharp. This is the
materialized form of the [Imperial Bond] skill. Oh, that is right, a new
page should have been added to the book.」
「Ah, I believe that was the reward
for completing 3 Guild jobs... However, it truly is a magnificent thing. It's
just like something out of a fantasy novel from the other
world.」
I'm more interested in this Red Round Table than the Book
of the Evil Dragon. The polished malachite possesses a glass-like luster,
while at the same time, complex patterns emerge upon its surface. That is what makes
it so fascinating. The Red Round Table strangely harmonized with the
figure of Zirant sitting there.
Where are you looking?
Zirant pinched the back of my hand, though...
「This round table is, so to speak, a
part of your spirit. Being stared at so intently makes me embarrassed,
you pervert...」
「Then you, resting your butt on the
seat of that round table, are the very definition of a loose woman (light-butt
woman).」
「Who are you calling a flat ass?!」
「No one said that. Or rather, why did
your mind jump in that direction...?」
To bring the conversation back to the main topic, I opened
the Book of the Evil Dragon on the round table. I wondered, just out of spite, how Zirant would react if I were to crease
the page.
「If I were to crease the book—」
「At that time, I will hit you. Furthermore, I will make it so
you cannot open the pages. Listen well Ashley, treat books with care.」
「Understood.」
Looking away from Zirant, I turned the pages of the
book to look for anything different. A new item had appeared in the Table of
Contents.
Seeing the characters [Imperial Bond - Emperor of Round
-] written there, I flipped to the relevant section.
- Emperor of Round -
- N01. Adventurer Black Horn Sigrun
- N02. ——————
- N03. ——————
- N04. Court Alchemist Dulin Andvaranaut
- N05. ——————
- N06. ——————
- N07. Merchant Carral Hez
- N08. ——————
- N09. ——————
- N10. Archer Kachua
- N11. ——————
- N12. ——————
NO. 01 Adventurer Black Horn Sigrun
- 【Bond Lv】 1
- 【Growth Limit】 +50%
- 【Achievement Effect 1】 STR +10% when acting with Ashley
- 【Achievement Effect 2】 Gluttony +20%, Drunkenness
Resistance +50%
- 【Achievement Effect 3】 Bonus of 10% of Ashley's
STR (Unacquired)
- 【Next Lvup】 A little further
- 【Target's Lv】 89 / 149
- 【Trust Level】 Good; show some aggressiveness
occasionally
「What is this...」
Sigrun, Kachua,
Carral—and why
even Dulin...
I'm scared to open the subsequent pages. Especially this 【Trust Level】 is not good. It feels like I'll be
confronted with a reality I don't even want to know...
「Kukuku, this is the text-based
version of this round table.」
「I see. However, looking at it, it
seems there are absolutely no benefits for me... Ah, is this what they call a
'trash skill' in books from the other world?」
「Don't say stupid things. These are
the Emperor's most trusted retainers.」
「You are the stupid one. I am not the
Emperor.」
In the first place, what's the point of making Sigrun
any stronger than that... Assuming this notation means her LV Cap is 149 and her Current LV is 89—what is she...
That's not all... What is this Gluttony and Drunkenness
Resistance Up... If she gets any stronger against alcohol, the only one who
benefits is the tavern owner...
「A person's growth limit is fixed.
The closer they get to their Limit LV, the slower their growth becomes. But
those listed on the Emperor of Round are fortunate enough to experience this.」
Does that mean Sigrun will leave me behind and become
endlessly strong? I really don't think I want to use my precious time now to
raise that female warrior even stronger...
「What is it, say something! I noticed
that you possess wonderful power, you know?! Praise me!」
「In short, is it an effect that grows
a small portion of people around me?」
「Umu. In accordance with the rise in
Bond LV, they will grow without realizing it. That will support you.」
「Even Carral across
the sea? Well, that isn't entirely bad, I suppose...」
I am in the Empire, Carral Hez is in the
Maritime Province. Even if I want to help her, I am a Prince, and I can't move
from here for a while.
If this Imperial Bond or whatever can support her
dream even a little, it might certainly not be a bad power.
「Bonds are only formed with chosen
ones. You could call it fate. And the key to Bond Level is mutual trust,
growth, and progress in the relationship. Why don't you send Carral a letter
occasionally?」
「Don't see through me...」
I put my hand on the page wanting to see Carral Hez's entry.
But I stopped. If I look now, my resolve might waver.
I decided to slaughter the Empire's evil until Father is
called to heaven. It's better not to give form to this hidden wish of wanting
to help Carral's dream yet. I quietly closed the Book of the Evil
Dragon.
At least thanks to this power, a tailwind must be blowing
for everyone. Kachua, who dreams of being an adventurer, improves her
skills; Sigrun rampages even more; Dulin becomes excellent and Aneue
rejoices. With a few exceptions, it's all good things.
「By the way, Zirant, there is
one thing I want to ask.」
「Closing it already...? Umu, what an
impatient fellow.」
「You haven't done anything unnecessary
without my knowledge, have you?」
「...Hoh?」
「I don't know what magic you used,
but things are proceeding exactly as you aimed for some reason. Reconciliation
with Father. The 7th Succession Right. The cession of the Imperial Territory of
Erin, which reaches the throat of
the Imperial Capital. You did something, didn't you...」
If this is a
coincidence, then the world is nothing but a mass of cheap, convenient
coincidences. Zirant must have done
something behind my back. That is the only explanation.
「Kukuku... How suspicious. Ashley,
all stories proceed toward the conclusion they should have. Even if the path
changes slightly, there is no major difference. It is like throwing a stone
into the ocean.」
「Is that so? It sounds like you're
just trying to blow smoke.」
The Evil Dragon Zirant rested her elbows on the round
table that is my spirit, and then, as if suddenly changing her mind, began
narrating the path I walked just like before.
Chattering eloquently that she watched all my exploits, she
stated her impressions and affirmed my courage to fight the Abyss Hound
alone and my decision to choose reconciliation with Father.
「I have been watching all along. All
your great deeds, from here. Now, show me the continuation of the next dream, Ashley.」
「Yeah, no reason to refuse. Watch
from there as much as you like. Because you are watching, I can stick to my
convictions. I like this relationship—hm, what?」
When the talk ended, it was time to part. So when I stood up
thinking I'd look at the lake one last time, Zirant stuck to me again.
「I just realized. I haven't given you
my love yet!」
「Save it for next time; I feel like
I'm about to wake up from the dream.」
「Then I shall simply give love until
the very last moment.」
「Don't need it, you forcing it on
m—ugh, wait, what?!」
Zirant is much
smaller than me. She clung to my chest and brought her face close to mine.
Closely, beyond the permissible limit.
「Umu, I suppose the standard answer here would be a kiss?」
「What cheap love. But very well. I
hate to ask, but... just keep holding me like this until I fall asleep.」
「Mu... That
is a surprisingly embarrassing request you are making... V-Very well...」
Why is the kiss with a straight face, but the hug mixed with
embarrassment? Anyway, thanks to the provocation, I succeeded in avoiding the
escalation of her grateful kindness.
「This is a surprise. Zirant,
it seems I might have a mother complex. Not bad. I feel your love.」
「Then it means I was able to pay the
reward. When you come here, I'll give you love again. So go do your best, my
Apostle, proud Prince.」
Carelessly, I felt maternity from the girl before my eyes.
If she says she will watch from behind, I will continue to make corresponding
efforts from now on.
I am the actor, Zirant is the audience. Staking my life, I will act out the dark hero to the end. Though I absolutely will not ride on your plot outline...
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