After The Battle II
âUh...â
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 hadnât said anything.
âI will tell you all because I trust you... I am in fact, Ruck.â
âI knew it!â
All of the chiefs other than Danton cried out.
âBut 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.
âWe understand! It would create such an uproar!â
They said as they nodded.
âBut it is a great honor for us to have been able to fight alongside the great Hero Ruck.â
And then Eric said to them in an apologetic voice,
âIâm sorry that it was hidden from you. It wasnât that we didnât trust you. But it was important to keep it a secret...â
âNo. Your Majesty, you only did what you should have.â
They were not offended at all about it. I was thankful for that.
Just then, Ericâs shield started to glow.
âOh..â
â...Are you finished killing the enemy?â
Kathe jumped out of the shield in human form.
âYou 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?â
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.
âThat is true indeed!â
Kathe rushed back into the shield.
âAre you finished over there?â
She said as she contacted me with her bracelet.
âItâs a little too late to do it now. ...Uh, how are things over there?â
They hadnât said anything, so they were probably fine. Still, I thought that I would check.
âWe finally finishing cleaning up and checking the barrier. Just wait a minute.â
And then Kathe brought over Leea and Nia. Leea was also in human form.
Kathe didnât seem to notice the surprised beastkin chiefs, and she called to us in a loud voice.
âEveryone! I am Kathe Celeste, Ruler of the Wind Dragons! I thank you for lending your strength to the water dragons, who are my friends.â
And then she bowed in front of the beastkin.
âAnd this is the princess of the water dragons, Leea Inundashio.â
âEveryone. Thank you for helping us water dragons. You have our eternal gratitude.â
Leea had come here to thank them directly.
âWe are unworthy of such praise.â
The oldest of the chiefs said as a representative for the others.
âWe would have liked to reward you for your contribution in a public place, but... This alliance between dragons and humans is a secret.â
âI understand.â
The chief said as he knelt.
âStill, 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.â
âThank you for your kind words.â
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.
âPlease accept these as proof of our friendship.â
âWe shall treasure them.â
They looked expensive enough to buy a mansion if they sold them. Of course, I am sure they would do no such thing.
âI want you to take one too, Locke.â
âI am very flattered, but it would not be fair to the others if I received one personally.â
The others received a sword as a tribe. So it was a little different.
âWhat are you talking about? Without you...â
The chiefs now repeated their words of gratitude.
Leea also joined.
âI want you to have it.â
âThank you.â
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.
âI am giving this to you personally, not as the princess of the water dragons.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âThank you.â
âAre you sure?â
âIâm so happy.â
âItâs because we are friends.â
Leea said with a smile.
And then Eric turned to the beastkin wolves.
âIt 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.â
âHaha! Please leave the rest to us.â
Then Eric said in a loud voice.
âThis victory was won by us all! The dark onesâ plan have been crushed! You should be proud!â
âWoof-woof!â
âGroof-groof!â
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 âãããé å¼µã£ãç·ã®ç©èªâ which translates to âA Story about a Man who Worked Very Hard/Did His Best.â 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 doesnât really mean anything. Regardless, I will continue to use the old title.