Chapter 37: Drake’s Pride
~Drake’s Perspective~
Two months ago, a battle was held to decide the next village chief in the Dragonewt village. I fought my brother, Fafnir, in the final match.
「Haa! Shit… Why can’t I muster any strength…」
「What’s wrong Drake, come on show us your power.」
「Bastard… did you do this to me…」
「I didn’t do anything. Perhaps you’re simply inexperienced and just overestimated yourself.」
「Kuh…」
「That’s enough. Fafnir wins.」
No, this is not how the match ends… Normally I could do much better…
I won’t let it end like this!
「Father… for some reason I can’t muster any strength! Once more! Please hold the match once more tomorrow!」
In the early stages of the match, we were evenly matched. About 10 minutes later, however, my body started to feel uncomfortable, and in the second half, I was on the defensive.
This has never happened before.
It’s not like I sustained any fatal injury from my brother’s attacks.
「We will not redo an important match that decides the village chief!! The reason why you are not strong is because you are inexperienced! You are not diligent enough!!」
「Shit…」
Actually, I didn’t believe that the match would be held once again either.
A dragonewt must win no matter the circumstances. You can’t rule this village without power. I know that.
Honestly, I don’t even want to be the next village head. However, I couldn’t allow it to end without giving it my best.
Furthermore, I wanted my father, whom I respect deeply… to recognize my strength.
「Faf bro! One more time!! I can still fight!!」
「The match is already over!……Subdue him.」
「Gaaaaaa!! Let go! I can still do it!! Don’t underestimate me!!」
And then I went on a rampage.
I couldn’t produce my full power, but I wanted the village people, my brother, and my father to see that I actually had more strength.
Perhaps because I was so absorbed in my rage, I didn’t think about the consequences. By the time I realized it, I had been subdued and put in a cage.
Criticizing the sacred match and going on a rampage. There’s no way I didn’t know how serious of an offense this is among the dragonewt race.
Two days later, my punishment was decided.
「Drake, you are exiled from this village.」
「E-Exile…」
I thought I would be put to death. I wondered if this was my father’s mercy…
I didn’t realize the true meaning of the punishment. My ego won over me at that time.
I should have said goodbye, but instead…
「Tsk, you don’t even need to exile me. I’m leaving this place because I want to!」
After that, I couldn’t hold back my feelings of shame, frustration, and regret, and rampaged around in the Red Valley in my dragon form.
In hindsight, that was a short-sighted thing to do.
But at that time, I felt like I would break if I didn’t allow my feelings to flow out.
After a few days of rampage, I was exhausted and fell asleep in my dragon form.
……I felt like someone was climbing onto my back.
「Hou, a dragon huh? A suitable target to test out this sword.」
–Thrust!!!
「Gyuaaaaaa!!!」
What is this! My back is burning! Who the hell is this… man with the red hair…
『Blood! ! Not enough… Bloooood! ! Suck more blood!!!』
Suddenly, thoughts that weren’t my own took over my mind.
What? What is happening!? Shit, I’m not gonna lose to you!
I don’t remember how long I endured.
I desperately continued to fight back, but my body gradually began to lose its freedom.
The red-haired guy is not around. Who the heck was he… No, rather than that, I have to do something about my body!
I frantically continued to resist, but my body mowed down the trees in the forest and blew away a few adventurers with Wind Magic.
After that, I don’t know how long I tried to resist. However, my body was finally completely taken over and my body soared into the sky in the dragon form.
And then, a large city began to appear in the distance.
『Gahhahahaha! ! Humans! ! Bloooooooood! ! !』
Damnit. At this rate, I will destroy that city.
No, I don’t want to do that! I’m scared and in pain… but I can’t resist anymore.
……My consciousness is also……
Please someone. Anyone. Stop me…
When I regained consciousness, I was on the ground.
What happened? Did someone stop me…?
I only remember vaguely.
However, I know someone was attacking me.
He hit me with a crackling electric discharge sound. And every time he hit me, my body went numb and my strength dwindled.
I didn’t know there was someone so strong outside the dragonewt village.
The other two also had amazing magic and defensive power. Moreover, their cooperation was solid and their attack coordination was accurate.
These guys are insanely strong… and they trust each other.
……I envy them.
No… I’m losing consciousness again…
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
「Huh… huff, where is this place…」
「Yo, are you awake? You are that black dragon, right?」
「Bastard! Who are you! Who do you think I am– Gah!」
「You dare call Aun-sama a… bastard?! You stupid brat! Do you want me to kill ya?!」
Huh? Who are they? Seriously who!? Why did she kick me!?
……That’s right, I went out of control……
Did these guys stop me?
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After that, I made a subordinate contract with Aun bro, and went to a dungeon called Foret Noir to learn various things from Shinku-neesan.
Things such as how it was possible to teleport to the dungeon, the kind of place this is, about Ars and Irs, what we subordinates can do, and etc.
Not only that, but she also talked about what kind of hardships my brother and sisters had to walk to get to the current situation. Bro’s strength and Kinu-neesan’s kindness.
Also, I’ve come to understand Shinku-neesan’s kindness. She’s not actually scary.
Keeping me in mind, she chose her words and spoke in an easy-to-understand manner.
Not only that, but she stayed by my side as much as possible so that I wouldn’t be left alone.
I… am so lucky.
Surrounded by people who are so kind and care about me…
From now on, I will live for these people.
There are more people I want to protect now.
I will become stronger for the sake of my friends.
I will not forget this feeling…
I can now say that the pride I had back in the Dragonewt village was miniscule.
I just wanted to show off my strength to others.
But after meeting these people, I understood.
Strength and pride exist in cherishing one’s companions.
My pride right now is… my friends!
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Became A Zombie After Being Deceived And Killed
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
This chapter was for me a bit cheesy, but really wholesome.