Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Life is a Series of Escapes (3)
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# 179
- I... I, Arketai, to meet my end at the hands of a mere human!
Ah... He's gone. He's really gone.
The ancient dragon Arketai, my hope for escape, ended up getting beaten to death by the hero just like that. I had hoped he'd put up more of a fight.
I had hoped he'd fire off that breath attack that razed a capital city one more time!
But the ruthless hero targeted the dragon's jaw and throat every time it drew breath, preventing it from unleashing its breath.
- Didn't your master teach you that?
- Yeah.
- You wicked bastard!
Only fake villains wait around for the enemy's ultimate move.
Even in Super Sentai, don't monsters wait for those human-sized lasers!
If they smashed them before assembly, there'd be fewer pathetic villain deaths!
Unless it's a bald caped hero, most have cooldowns on their ultimates!
"Ah, the hero's looking at me!"
While I was cheering on every monster and villain in this world, the princess started freaking out.
Like the face of someone at an idol concert who just got winked at from their direction?
No, before that... sorry, Princess.
The guy he's looking for is someone like me?
- Ah, eye contact.
- Looked like he was glaring. Probably just my imagination?
- No, not imagination?
Whether it was a magic tool or spell, the hero flying through the sky started heading my way.
- Run?
- Can we even run?
He was an easy disciple before, but now he takes down dragons.
Humans always grow, but this guy's grown too much.
- Beyond what "growth" can explain.
- He's transcended humanity.
Proof: we barely exchanged words with Iron Bat, and he's already descending.
"Good work."
I decided to take the initiative.
With the princess beside me, he won't draw his sword and commit filial impiety by killing his master.
"It was just as Master said."
He glanced at the princess and, catching on, bowed politely.
- Doesn't seem like he's gonna stab us yet?
- Can't relax just 'cause he sheathed his sword!
He didn't even let the dragon use its breath.
And that whip of aura, straight out of the Church of Nature!
- Master, I didn't know, but the God of Nature and I might get along!
- Maybe...
In the old days, I'd have called that the ultimate blasphemy, but after meeting the Church of Nature's right arm—the hero—and left arm—the saint—I've changed my mind.
The God of Nature might even talk with Iron Bat!
Grind.
For a moment, it sounded like the God of Nature was grinding its teeth in rage.
"It was just as Master said."
But the voice came from the hero.
True to form as my disciple, he kept a perfect poker face, but couldn't hide his menacing aura.
"No. That was all your own power."
To the princess, it sounds like I'm saying as his master that he beat the dragon on his own, but translated, it's "I went and scrapped with the dragon like you said!"
My response translates to "You won, so it's fine, right?"
He took down the dragon and saved the princess.
Now the Light Hero Swin's fame and popularity will soar, and the Church of Nature's momentum will grow even stronger~
- And tons of people will come running with "Hero~ help us~!"
- Exactly!
They say even a dog in a school recites poetry after three years, and Iron Bat's been with me so long, he's grasping the truths of the world.
"No... guh?!"
The princess, timing another tooth-grind, threw herself into the hero's arms.
"Hero!"
Her tearful embrace was straight out of a fairy tale!
Even the handsomest man or most beautiful woman becomes a mess when kidnapped—unwashed, uncared for, stressed out.
Whether the dragon took care, or the captivity was short, the princess looked stunning.
Enough to tempt the hero plenty!
- Look at that, he's embarrassed!
- Traditional heroes are mostly like that.
Traditional hero protagonists all carry the title of eunuch.
Unlike the modern flashy ones, watching a blushing traditional hero brings peace of...
Who am I kidding!
Cold sweat still pours down my back like a waterfall.
I made five backup plans assuming plans always fail, but those assumed the dragon would win.
I never even considered the dragon losing.
"Damn it..."
The princess won't let the hero go easily...
But with my daughter still in the castle, the moment I bolt, he'll head back there.
A guy who can dogfight dragons will beat my carriage there.
Even if not, the mages among the soldiers guarding the princess nearby could teleport to the castle.
Damn, is this the end?
- Master, Master? Take a look at that princess's hands.
- No time for the princess now!
- One look and you'll change your mind?
Tempted by Iron Bat, I glanced at the still-embracing princess and hero.
And I understood what Iron Bat meant.
- Th-that's...
I nearly blurted it out loud.
The princess wept in the hero's arms, but her actions were totally different!
- Sneakily pressing her chest against the hero—who's weak to women—confusing him, while groping his body with her hands!
- Fondling each muscle like a work of art.
- That princess... first time seeing him today!
- Didn't that high elf you mentioned declare you two were fated the moment she saw you?
- Hm... so this princess is a total bitch after all.
A terrifyingly bold one.
Charging with such aggressive tactics against a guy she just met—who'd been beating a dragon moments ago.
Scary if calculated, even scarier if instinctual.
In that case...
- Time to use that princess!
- Ahem! Don't forget this is all thanks to me?
- Obviously!
I'd even let him beat up three guys a day if I could.
"Princess, even if you and the hero are meant to be, it's not good to show such affection in public."
The princess's hands, groping the hero, froze.
"Oh dear, I got carried away..."
She grabbed her cheeks in feigned shame and stepped back—and I realized.
All her actions are calculated!
Even retreating to her most flattering angle for the hero!
Hero, you've fallen hard!
Suits me fine!
"Best to head back to the castle first."
"Yes. Lord Naruan."
"Finishing our talk at the castle... no, alone in the carriage doesn't sound bad either."
The hero, looking relieved at being saved, froze solid.
"Eek."
Conversely, the princess's eyes filled with fondness as she gazed at me.
"Such a fine pair doesn't come together often. The older you get, the more you realize it."
"You're still young, Lord Naruan."
Catching my plan to push her and the hero together, she spoke warmly to me.
The hero sensed something off watching us, but it was too late.
Once you're in the princess's good graces, your options are gone?
Maybe if you were a grand duke's heir like back in the Reyna days, but as a freelance hero, you can't do much.
You can beat dragons physically, but politically, you're a nobody!
"Probably soldiers waiting nearby. Better move quick so they don't worry."
"Yes... the people are trembling in fear of the evil dragon... We must spread word of Arketai's death fast!"
Maybe from experience with similar types, our rapport clicked.
Her maid circled quietly, not interfering, staying out of sight.
"What are you doing? Let's go already!"
Only the hero, petrified like under petrification magic, glared suspiciously—but ignore him.
Telling you straight I'm setting you up with the princess kills the romance?
Romance is key for hero-princess weddings!
#3 Their Circumstances: A Certain Hero's Circumstances.
"Eek! It's the hero! The hero!"
"Move, I wanna see too!"
"Long live the Light Hero Swin!"
"Long live Dragon Slayer Swin!"
"Long live the nation's savior Swin!"
Cheers chanting my name poured from the windows, but I couldn't focus.
"Something wrong?"
Blue hair swayed, revealing a beaming beauty's smile.
Vera Rick Neyden.
The princess kidnapped by the evil dragon Arketai.
"No."
"You look upset. I was worried."
"Ah, the spot I hurt fighting the dragon aches a bit..."
Truth is, it's Instructor's scheming, but my trained mouth spat a natural excuse.
"Oh my!"
Genuinely concerned, Princess Vera reached out gently.
"Where?"
"I-It's fine."
"You got hurt for my sake? It bothers me."
I waved her off, but she kept groping for wounds.
"Really, I'm okay."
"Get it treated the moment we reach the castle."
Her firm tone carried strange power.
"...Not just for one person anymore."
"Pardon?"
I caught her tiny mutter.
"Nothing~"
Not for one person... Probably using me to calm citizens anxious over the half-ruined castle?
Looks like I'll be parading as the dragon-slaying symbol for a while.
"I see."
"Yes!"
With that, an odd silence fell inside the carriage, contrasting the noisy outside.
Well, being alone with a girl is awkward for me too, so fortunate, I guess.
I started pondering how to keep Instructor pinned until we reach the kingdom.
"Ah, we're here!"
Around my 26th scenario.
As we arrived at Neyden Royal Castle, the princess announced it with oddly excited glee.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
The coachman opened the door; I offered my hand and lightly escorted her.
"Light Hero Swin enters!"
The massive castle gates opened to greet us. I passed through with the princess, comrades, and Instructor...
"Huh?"
A month later, I realized I hadn't left the castle.