Chapter 58

The scene falls silent. A short distance away, a party is in full swing, oblivious to the commotion, and the noise contrasts sharply with the stillness here. It’s been a few minutes. The brief scuffle was probably too far away for anyone to notice what was happening.

However, the people around Miharu have seen the exchange and are speechless, their faces showing shock and disbelief.

Yeah, I get it. I understand. I’m just as shocked. To converse with this alien, we’d need a translator or something.

Yet, this alien seems to think he’s presenting a perfect argument, standing confidently and full of himself. ……Come to think of it, the original story had a similarly foolish villain. So, in this world of the novel, there really are such ridiculously foolish villains.

I feel more pity than anger as I look at the alien.

“Do you understand? If you do, hand him over to me. I’ll adopt him later.”

“Do you really think I’ll nod?”

The father’s face shows confusion at the alien’s unexpected words. He must have realized that he’s dealing with an alien who doesn’t understand the situation.

I’ll try to trace this guy’s thoughts, even though I don’t want to.

Probably, since childhood, he has been bullying Miharu’s father, his younger brother, to show his superiority. He looked down on his brother who didn’t awaken to ‘Mana,’ but then Miharu, a cute girl with the power of a healer, was born.

Having a daughter who is a healer, honest, and a beautiful girl is too much. So, he decided to take her away.

Feeling resentful, he tried to beat up his brother and take her away? Probably, as a child, his brother could only answer ‘yes.’ So, he thought that if he showed a little power, the brother would give her up.

………What a terrible plan. Even a screenwriter who only writes outlines would do better. This plan is too sloppy. He’s definitely an alien. I should call the black-suited people to take him away.

No, I get it. I understand. This is a typical novel plot. A foolish villain and an event where the exiled protagonist gets to shine.

The protagonist would mix revenge and superiority, telling the villain it’s too late. It’s an event like that.

But the novel’s ‘too late’ plot doesn’t apply to the father, who shows a normal reaction. In other words, it’s a plot that’s so foolish it’s laughable.

This has happened a few times in the original story. Each time, the protagonist would lecture the other person with a smug look while refusing them……but from an outsider’s perspective, it was a cringe-worthy scene.

I see, to lecture and ignore others’ gazes, the protagonist needs a strong heart. It’s too much for a minor character. Just talking to them is embarrassing.

“Huh? What are you saying? I have money, power, and most importantly, magical power. My son is a mage too. I won’t let him suffer.”

“Hehe, I’m a mage! I have a glorious future ahead!”

The son, standing up and holding his nose, joins the alien in shouting.

Their words suggest a future of nothing but misery. Maybe, if they lived on Mars instead of Earth, they could be happy?

“I won’t hand her over to Mr. Arashi. In fact, I have no intention of handing Miharu over to anyone.”

The father answers, looking tired. He probably wants to be firm, but dealing with this alien is tough.

The two aliens continue to shout, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. What do we do now? This is a once-in-a-lifetime 10th birthday party for the kids. It’s pitiful.

There’s no choice. If I punch hard enough, they might pass out, I thought, clenching my fist.

“Hahaha! What an entertaining event!”

Suddenly, a dry, amused laugh rings out from beside me, dispelling the tense atmosphere. Looking over, I see an old woman standing there, clapping and smiling.

She stands tall and graceful, almost too dignified to be called an old woman. She’s about 170 cm tall, and even with her wrinkled face, you can tell she was once beautiful. Her presence is regal, and even I, who am usually insensitive, can feel her authority and intensity.

Her hair is pure white, reaching down to her waist. She’s an energetic and lively old woman, despite her age.

“Well, the amateur actors’ play is over. Everyone, enjoy yourselves.”

“Who’s an amateur actor—”

‘Dragon Pressure’

The old woman’s eyes flash. Her pupils are vertically slit, not human but reptilian.

“Guh, guh”

“Aba, aba”

The alien kneels, his face contorted in pain. His son collapses, foaming at the mouth, apparently unconscious.

The old woman snorts, then changes her expression to a gentle smile and looks around.

“Come on, it’s a waste not to enjoy yourself. Look, there’s still plenty of food for the kids.”

Her cheerful words ease the tension, and everyone resumes enjoying the party, eating and chatting as before.

Since we were the cause, we’re relieved. I should get back to trying all the dishes.

“Hold it. You can’t do that. Why are you acting like nothing happened?”

I’m grabbed by the collar by the old woman, but this is a different matter, right?

“I want to enjoy myself too. There are still many dishes I haven’t tried! My friends are waiting!”

“You’re a thick-skinned kid. You’re the center of the commotion, you know?”

But new friends are waiting for me to try all the dishes. I think it’s a test of Captain Miharu’s leadership.

“Wait a moment, Miharu. Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt.”

I give a thumbs up to show I’m fine, and the old woman pats me down, relieved. I’m sorry for worrying you, Mom.

“But you did well. Nice job, Miharu.”

She whispers, and I smile back. Instead of being scolded, I’m being praised.

“You have some backbone, don’t you, your family?”

The old woman, who has been watching our exchange, chuckles. She has a presence like a dragon.

Indeed, she is a dragon.

The old woman with the unique magic ‘Dragon Magic.’ She was known as the strongest in the ‘Night of Magic.’ I could fight her in the game, but she was quite strong.

The ‘Dragon Magic’ clan, Ryusui Ba. The head of the Ryusui Duke family. I remember her name. The reason I remember is that, well, when I defeated her, I used ‘Unequip IV’ and ‘Steal IV’ to take all her weapons and accessories. It’s a game, so it’s understandable, right?

Usually, bosses have ‘Unequip Immunity,’ but this old woman didn’t. The items I could steal were good too.

It must have been a practice match. I could fight her multiple times. Thank you, old woman from the game. In reality, it’s impossible, which is disappointing.

Still, she’s very strong. ‘Dragon Magic’ is equivalent to the highest-level magic of the basic job ‘Dragon.’ ‘Dragon’ is an area-of-effect spell, but ‘Dragon Magic’ can be used on a single target and is very versatile and convenient. I’m envious. By the way, the highest-level attack spells are ‘Bird’ for single-target and ‘Dragon’ for area-of-effect. ‘Dragon Magic’ has both single-target and area-of-effect capabilities, making it all-purpose. Plus, it can use various support spells.

Moreover, there are some skills that players can’t use, like ‘Dragon Transformation.’ There’s a similar spell called ‘Dragon Change,’ which was useful for defeating the melted metal slime. It could be defeated with a breath attack. The slime is a monster like a slime.

Kanemu, Suku, and Ryusui are the three dukes at the top of the Japanese Magic Empire’s nobility.

“Phew, I came looking for you while the others were greeting the emperor, but you’re quite an interesting family.”

The old dragon woman grins. I see, she slipped away from the greetings. She’s a wild old woman. Even though it’s impossible for Yami to return, it’s fitting for a duke family.

“Hahaha, but it’s amusing. No, you might have good timing. The old man from Takano was worried about finding you. He didn’t expect you to be here.”

“Thank you for your help, Duke Ryusui. However, I was just ennobled recently. I think this place is appropriate.”

“You’re quite smart. Was it Toga’s advice? Well, it’s convenient. The emperor would have been a bit troubled if your daughter was at the Holy Maiden’s debut.”

What? Did something happen? It seems there was some kind of plot, and the father responded with a wry smile. Hmm?

“Hey, don’t ignore me!”

Just as I was trying to understand, the alien, filled with anger, staggered to his feet. Nice spirit, but he’s not reading the room. He should have pretended to be unconscious.

“Hah, you have spirit, but that’s all you’ve got.”

‘Dragon Heart Shatter’

“Damn………that’s not how it’s supposed to go………”

The old woman’s eyes flash, and a red beam shoots from her pupils, hitting the alien, who collapses unconscious, his face filled with hatred.

In the game, it’s a skill to make someone unconscious. In the novel, it’s probably the same ability. The alien failed the mental resistance. It’s a typical event scene to show the old woman’s strength. Good job, alien, for being the stepping stone.

“I thought this guy was the heir of a count’s family……but he’s an unbelievable fool.”

“Yes! I think he’s an alien. Probably in human form!”

“Eh! This person is an alien. Wow, which planet did he come from? I need to call, call, call~”

I stand up straight and raise my hand, and Tamamo covers her mouth in surprise. I need to find Black Noodle’s phone number with the honest Tamamo.

“Hahaha! You might be right. Still, his words might make you think a little, don’t you think?”

“………Yes. I might have been too lenient.”

After laughing, the old woman glares at the father. The father frowns, looking troubled and stern. The mother also looks worried. Hmm, I need to form a minor faction quickly.

“What do you think? It’s a noble’s duty to help troubled people. It’s called ‘Noble Croissant’ or something. If you have any problems, I might be able to help. After all, I’m a duchess.”

It sounds like a delicious noble rule, but the old woman offers to help. However, her words are interrupted by the old man who runs up.

“Hold on, Duke Ryusui. This is a family matter.”

The old man from Takano, whom I haven’t seen in a while, calls out, slightly out of breath and sweating.

“Oh, you finally found us? You were quite slow. The play is over.”

The old woman rubs her chin, amused.

“………It seems there was a fool.”

He glares hatefully at the unconscious aliens and raises his hand. Servants, probably his attendants, rush over and carry the aliens away.

Turning his gaze from the aliens being carried away like luggage, the old man from Takano faces me.

“Oh, Miharu. Are you okay? I heard the commotion and rushed over.”

He approaches me with a kind old man’s face.

No, no, it’s too quick to rush over after hearing the commotion. He must have been looking for us.

Miharu sighs, realizing the farce is about to begin.