Tiamat, I'm going to find a girlfriend!

"If it's a dragon, it will definitely be especially effective!"

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3 more chapters, please vote! QAQ

9. My good friend Artoria

"Drink ah ah ah -"

Holding the wooden sword, Artoria assumed a charging stance.

And her target is none other than someone else.

It was Ian standing right in front of me.

However, it was different from the way the girl held a weapon.

The boy was empty-handed at that moment.

This seems to be a duel that is destined to be unequal.

however--

When the two figures crossed paths, the outcome was completely different from what appeared to be.

Artoria, who was holding a wooden sword, fell to the ground.

Ian, on the other hand, remained standing there in a victorious pose.

"Lost again..."

Artoria lay on the ground, looking utterly aggrieved.

"Seriously, how are you so amazing!"

Just like what the girl is complaining about right now.

Although Ian is a dragon, not a novice knight like her.

but--

His swordsmanship (or rather, his combat skills) far exceeded Artoria's expectations.

At first, she was worried that practicing with a sword against fists like this would hurt her opponent.

Later on, I realized that this was all unnecessary worry.

That's right.

She couldn't hit him at all.

Just like how children can't hurt adults.

"Don't you like this?"

Looking at Artoria lying on the ground, Ian asked this question.

Of course I don't like it!

"This is so frustrating!"

"It's practically saying I'm not like a knight at all!"

Artoria openly revealed her true feelings, only to witness an unexpected scene.

Then Ian took his hand.

"what are you doing?"

Artoria was somewhat confused.

"To make you happy—"

The boy said this, and then took Artoria's hand and the wooden sword in her hand and touched it to himself.

"what--"

"Artoria is amazing."

"I lost."

Poof.

Ian, mimicking Artoria, fell to the ground.

"you……"

"Hahahaha~"

The girl was amused by this rather simple and unpretentious behavior.

"Seriously, isn't this just a lie?"

"But you smiled."

Ian said with a serious expression.

"Artoria, you look beautiful when you smile."

"Eh……"

Artoria felt a little embarrassed after being praised by Ian.

Her fingers gently twirled her golden hair.

"Have it?"

"Ah."

Ian nodded.

"It smells incredibly appetizing."

"..."

Artoria glared at Ian with annoyance.

She appreciated the other person's straightforwardness, but at the same time felt very helpless about this behavior that ruined the atmosphere.

Really!

She's so good-looking, why does she have this kind of personality?!

"Come again!"

Artoria got up.

"I will definitely defeat you today!"

"Ah."

Ian is indeed a good practice partner.

As long as it's agreed upon beforehand, he will take it very seriously.

Of course, that would also make him an extremely difficult opponent to defeat.

but……

Artoria knew that this was the kind of opponent she needed.

How can one be complacent on the path to becoming king?

then--

Dusk.

Artoria pouted.

Ian is very responsible.

So that...

She lost so much that her head felt numb.

Calling this "adversity training" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

But it was at this very moment—

At this moment, however, Ian bent down in front of Artoria.

"Come up."

"You must be very tired today—"

"Eh……"

Before Artoria could even think of a reply, her body had already sprung up like a wound-up toy, climbing onto the boy's back.

Under the sunset.

The two strolled along the paths between the fields in the village.

Ian's back was warm.

This is how Artoria feels right now.

And the hand resting on his waist felt so reliable and strong.

"Thank you."

Artoria whispered in the boy's ear.

"It's really great that I don't have to walk back myself."

"Then let me carry you everywhere from now on."

"That's not necessarily true!"

Artoria quickly rejected Ian's offer.

Because she knew that if she really agreed, he really would do it.

"Once or twice is fine."

"it is good."

"..."

"..."

The atmosphere became somewhat silent for a moment.

Feeling that this wasn't quite right, Artoria quickly spoke again:

"By the way, was your mother also a dragon?"

"Yes."

Ian nodded, recalling his mother soaring through the air.

"She's amazing, even more amazing than me."

"But she is also a very good mother."

"This……"

After thinking for a while, and confirming that she couldn't quite imagine a dragon more powerful than Ian, Artoria asked again.

"If that's the case—"

"Won't she worry if you go out like this?"

"Of course I'm worried."

"and……"

Ian saw his mother Tiamat standing on the edge of the Sea of ​​Life reflected in his mind's eye.

It was as if he had lost the most important thing in his life and had gone completely berserk.

"She didn't actually want me to leave."

"So, you actually came out without her knowing?!"

You could say that—