After The Battle II

  “Uh……”


  I hesitated and then looked at Eric. Eric looked at me with an expression that said he would leave it to me.

  Perhaps they had seen me being too friendly with Eric.

  No, the real problem was doing something as flashy as summoning twelve meteors at once.

  It was likely that all the other chiefs had guessed that I was Ruck as well.

  They just hadn’t said anything.

  “I will tell you all because I trust you…… I am in fact, Ruck.”


  “I knew it!”


  All of the chiefs other than Danton cried out.

  “But it is a secret…… I hope that all of you who are here can keep it that way.

  I wanted to trust those that had fought with us.

  “We understand! It would create such an uproar!”


  They said as they nodded.

  “But it is a great honor for us to have been able to fight alongside the great Hero Ruck.”


  And then Eric said to them in an apologetic voice,

  “I’m sorry that it was hidden from you. It wasn’t that we didn’t trust you. But it was important to keep it a secret……”


  “No. Your Majesty, you only did what you should have.”


  They were not offended at all about it. I was thankful for that.

  Just then, Eric’s shield started to glow.

  “Oh……”


  “.……Are you finished killing the enemy?”


  Kathe jumped out of the shield in human form.

  “You should at least contact us with your bracelet before coming out like that. We could have been in the middle of a battle and blocking an attack with the shield, you know?”


  It was exactly what had happened to me.

  It was very dangerous to suddenly stick your head out of a magic circle on a shield.

  “That is true indeed!”


  Kathe rushed back into the shield.

  ‘Are you finished over there?’


  She said as she contacted me with her bracelet.

  “It’s a little too late to do it now. ……Uh, how are things over there?”


  They hadn’t said anything, so they were probably fine. Still, I thought that I would check.

  ‘We finally finishing cleaning up and checking the barrier. Just wait a minute.’


  And then Kathe brought over Leea and Nia. Leea was also in human form.

  Kathe didn’t seem to notice the surprised beastkin chiefs, and she called to us in a loud voice.

  “Everyone! I am Kathe Celeste, Ruler of the Wind Dragons! I thank you for lending your strength to the water dragons, who are my friends.”


  And then she bowed in front of the beastkin.

  “And this is the princess of the water dragons, Leea Inundashio.”


  “Everyone. Thank you for helping us water dragons. You have our eternal gratitude.”


  Leea had come here to thank them directly.

  “We are unworthy of such praise.”


  The oldest of the chiefs said as a representative for the others.

  “We would have liked to reward you for your contribution in a public place, but…… This alliance between dragons and humans is a secret.”


  “I understand.”


  The chief said as he knelt.

  “Still, even though it is not official, our gratitude towards you is real. I promise you that the water dragons will always offer you help if you ever need it.”


  “Thank you for your kind words.”


  There would be a reward ceremony in the palace later on. But Leea would not attend.

  And that was why she came. There was no fear of being seen by outsiders here.

  And so Leea thanked each and every one of them and handed them short swords.

  They were magical swords imbued with the power of water dragons. They had beautiful, blue blades.

  “Please accept these as proof of our friendship.”


  “We shall treasure them.”


  They looked expensive enough to buy a mansion if they sold them. Of course, I am sure they would do no such thing.

  “I want you to take one too, Locke.”


  “I am very flattered, but it would not be fair to the others if I received one personally.”


  The others received a sword as a tribe. So it was a little different.

  “What are you talking about? Without you……”


  The chiefs now repeated their words of gratitude.

  Leea also joined.

  “I want you to have it.”


  “Thank you.”


  The long, blue blade was beautiful, like a piece of art, but the decorations were simple.

  It was not only stunning but durable and practical.

  As the water dragons had cast purification magic on it, it seemed like it would be very effective against the dark ones.

  And then Leea gave Shia, Nia and Serulis rings.

  “I am giving this to you personally, not as the princess of the water dragons.”


  “Thank you.”


  “Are you sure?”


  “I’m so happy.”


  “It’s because we are friends.”


  Leea said with a smile.

  And then Eric turned to the beastkin wolves.

  “It was a great victory. However, this is not the end. I too have rewards to give. You must all come to my palace on the day after tomorrow.”


  “Haha! Please leave the rest to us.”


  Then Eric said in a loud voice.

  “This victory was won by us all! The dark ones’ plan have been crushed! You should be proud!”


  “Woof-woof!’


  “Groof-groof!”


  Shia and the beastkin all raised their voices in victory. Grulf joined them.

  Translator: The author recently changed the title of the web novel to “すごく頑張った男の物語” which translates to ‘A Story about a Man who Worked Very Hard/Did His Best.’ And also started erasing the titles for chapters and they are no longer separated into arcs. Apparently, it was just something the author felt like doing and doesn’t really mean anything. Regardless, I will continue to use the old title.