“What’s the matter, Sion?”
“No, it’s just that, this dragon should actually be…”
Murmuring, the Demon Dragon turned its gaze towards me.
“Hero?! The Demon King and the Hero trying to… defeat me?!”
The Demon Dragon paled even more.
Its massive body trembled.
“Please, forgive me! I just wanted to save my life…!”
“No, I don’t actually intend to defeat you.”
I tried to reassure it quickly.
I was starting to feel sorry for him.
Well, he should reflect on his violent behavior, but at least it seems he hasn’t caused harm to the demons.
But more importantly…
“Hey, Vila. Do you think he is actually strong?”
“Eh?”
Vila looked surprised.
Then she closed her eyes slightly and seemed to sense something.
“No, his magic is average, and his movements don’t seem to be much. He should have average combat abilities as a Demon Dragon.”
“Well… that may be the case in the current situation.”
I looked at the Demon Dragon again.
“This guy… I feel like he could ‘transform.’ Well, maybe it’s just my instinct.”
“…Hmm. Humans may not match us in resilience or magical power, but in one aspect, that of ‘growth,’ they surpass us greatly. Perhaps you, being human, are able to see their ‘growth potential.'”
“Yes, I sense the growth potential… Even among humans, there was someone similar.”
That person used to be my companion.
A princess from a certain kingdom, and a warrior.
She was honest, direct, and dedicated… like an adorable little sister to me.
“So there was someone like that. I suppose she has grown a lot since then.”
“No…”
I shook my head.
I felt a dark weight in my chest.
“That person is no longer here. She… died in the war.”
She was killed by the army of the Demon King…
“I understand. I’m sorry for asking.”
“No, it’s okay…”
Back then, I hated the demons.
I hated the Demon King who led them.
I hated all those who took her from me…
But now, here with Vila, the Demon King, I was confused about where to direct that hatred.
“Back to the topic. It seems this Demon Dragon has growth potential…”
I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind and continue the conversation.
“Growth…”
Murmured the Demon Dragon.
“No, I can’t believe it. Do I really have that kind of power…?”
I was about to continue, but the Demon Dragon stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s difficult to communicate in this dragon form. I will transform into human form.”
*Pop*
With a little smoke, the Demon Dragon transformed into a human.
He appeared to be around ten years old.
A beautiful child with black hair and golden eyes.
He had a slender build, giving such a delicate impression that it seemed like he could break at any moment.
He looked nothing like one would imagine a Demon Dragon to be.
“Is that your human form…?”
I looked at him in astonishment.
It was completely different from the image I had of him as a dragon…
“I don’t look very strong, so I rarely use this form. But with you, could I maintain it even if it’s discovered?”
The Demon Dragon smiled ironically.
“By the way, Demon Dragon is the name of our species, right? Don’t you have a personal name?”
It would be easier that way.
“A personal name? Ah, my name is Gu Luo Bashureiga.”
“That will be easier to pronounce.”
Vila said.
“Then, I’ll call you Gu Luo. How does that sound?”
“No, calling someone by their full name is definitely awkward.”
I joked.
“Well… How about we shorten part of your name and call you Bashu?”
“A nickname? I love it! Please, call me that!”
Bashu, formerly known as the Demon Dragon, looked happy.
“Could you tell me about your combat tactics and special abilities?”
I asked Bashu.
The conversation had shifted towards how to make him stronger in some way.
“Special tactic? Well… definitely the Dragon’s Breath.”
“Oh, it really exudes a dragon feel!”
“Haha, isn’t it great?”
Bashu boasted.
“Show me. I want to see its power.”
“Sure! Then, I’ll return to my dragon form for a moment.”
Bashu said as he leaped.
In the air, he regained his massive Demon Dragon form.
“Aaaah, Dragon’s Breath!”
He emitted a flash towards the sky.
“Oh!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim, but…
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, I was perplexed.
The Dragon’s Breath that Bashu exhaled…
Disappeared with a faint sound after traveling only a few meters.
“Um, uh…”
“This is my Dragon’s Breath! It’s great, isn’t it?!”
Bashu boasted proudly.
“Could you take it a bit more seriously?”
Vila observed him with a cold gaze.
“U-Uh… Again!”
Bashu exhaled another Dragon’s Breath, but once again, it disappeared with a whisper after a few meters, just like before.
“Perhaps… C-Can that be his real Dragon’s Breath…?”
It can’t be. Could the Demon Dragon, such a powerful being, only generate such a weak breath…?
“Oh no… Are you feeling down, Bashu!?”
“I’m sorry, I went too far! Don’t be upset about it! Are we good?”
We hurriedly tried to console him, both Vila and I.
