Chapter 82: That Samurai Is ───

After making his way to the Tenshukaku of Edo Castle and concluding his duties as the Empire’s ambassador, Ryu and his companions headed straight for the bustling entertainment district in search of lunch.

Drawn in by the savory aroma wafting through the streets—sweet, rich, and thick with the promise of simmering meat—they stepped into a lively eatery. The place was crowded with merchants, samurai, and travelers alike, laughter and clattering dishes blending into a pleasant din. Upon the recommendation of the staff, they ordered the establishment’s most popular dish: gyūnabe, beef simmered in a fragrant broth.

Esther lifted a slice of thinly cut beef with her chopsticks, dipped it cautiously into a bowl of raw egg, and brought it to her mouth.

“I have never in my entire life eaten raw egg before…” she muttered, chewing thoughtfully. “Pak, pak.”

“For someone claiming that, your chopsticks haven’t stopped moving,” Ryu observed dryly.

“…It is poor manners to leave food uneaten,” she replied between bites. “I am merely consuming it out of necessity.” Munch, munch.

“What about that dramatic ‘Nuoohhh!’ you let out earlier? Was that an act?”

“That was, ahem… fan service.”

“I don’t see any fans around.”

“Silence, you insufferable whelp! Must you twist every word I say…!”

Though she grumbled and puffed her cheeks in indignation, it was painfully obvious that she had grown rather fond of this way of eating. When Ryu had first suggested dipping the meat in raw egg, she had declared, “I would never consume such a thing!” with all the bravado of a warrior issuing a challenge.

Yet the reality had betrayed her expectations—the flavor was far more exquisite than she had imagined. The tender beef, enriched by the creamy egg, melted across her tongue in decadent harmony. That it was delicious offended her mysterious sense of pride to no end. Still, this occasional flash of inexplicable stubbornness was part of her charm.

There was another among them displaying an impressive appetite.

“Gyau.”

(So this is the power of seasoning…)

In his days of the wild, Homura had sometimes seared prey with his flames before devouring it. But using seasonings like humans did? Such a concept had been utterly foreign to him. In fact, until recently, he had not even known such things existed.

(Now I understand why the tamed beasts I occasionally saw always looked so happy.)

While flying through the skies, he had often glimpsed adventurers accompanied by their familiars. Without exception, those creatures had worn expressions of unmistakable contentment. He had never understood it—why would beings used by humans appear so satisfied?

Now he knew. One of the answers lay in something as simple, yet profound, as food.

Noticing Homura’s distant expression, Ryu addressed him in the dragon tongue.

“How is it? Have you grown accustomed to human food?”

“Yes! Thanks to you! I don’t think I could ever return to the meals of the wild.”

“The Empire’s cuisine is excellent as well. Look forward to it.”

“Understood!”

Once they returned to the Empire, the two of them would be staying at the second residence in the capital. There would be no shortage of meals there.

After ordering a takeaway portion for Axel, who waited patiently outside, Ryu sat back and watched Esther and Homura continue to savor their gyūnabe.

Then—

“Why the hell is there a monster at the dining table?”

A drunken man at the neighboring seat leaned over, his breath heavy with sake.

(…What a nuisance.)

“I received permission from the staff,” Ryu replied evenly. “If my familiar were shouting or dirtying the floor, I would understand your complaint. But he is eating more quietly than anyone here. You have no grounds to object.”

“It ain’t about permission or being quiet,” the drunk slurred.

“Then what is it about?”

“The very fact that there’s a monster here is wrong! Can’t you understand that?!”

In truth, Hinomaru had no culture of familiars.

However, Edo attracted many visitors from the continent. It was not uncommon to see individuals like Ryu who commanded monsters, and the city as a whole had grown accustomed to such sights. Axel, who resembled a warhorse, drew little attention—but even Homura, with his baby dragon appearance, had been permitted into Edo Castle, the inn, and now this restaurant for that very reason.

(This drunk likely arrived in Edo only recently. Drinking in the middle of the day instead of working is proof enough. Still… it is true that I go against Hinomaru’s customs. Best to settle this peacefully.)

“You are unfamiliar with familiars?”

“Familiars? What the hell’s that?”

“On the continent, there exists an organization known as the Adventurers’ Guild. They specialize in monster subjugation. You know of it?”

“Of course I do. That big outfit that manages all those adventurer types, right?”

“Yes. Among adventurers are those who tame monsters and fight alongside them. I am one such person. This baby dragon is officially registered with the Guild—a harmless and intelligent creature known as a familiar. Isn’t that right, Homura?”

“Gyau!”

“I get it, I get it. But bringing a monster into a restaurant’s another matter. A monster’s a monster. Feed it scraps later or something.”

“Do not compare familiars to pets or tools… it makes me sick.”

To Ryu, his familiars were precious comrades—family.

He had intended to keep things calm, yet the heat in his chest began to rise. Around them, patrons leaned closer, listening.

“I don’t see the problem. That baby dragon is adorable.”

“He’s eating more elegantly than that drunk, that’s for sure.”

“I’ve seen other familiars. They were all loyal and well-behaved.”

“I even got to pet one once. It was unforgettable.”

The majority opinion leaned firmly toward Ryu.

The drunk’s already flushed face deepened to crimson.

“Damn it…!”

Ignoring him entirely, Ryu sipped his post-meal tea with deliberate calm.

“H-hey, Ryu…”

“It’s fine. If he lays a hand on me, I’ll cut him down if necessary.”

At last, the drunk slammed his palm against the table and stood.

“You’ve got some nerve. Do you even know who I am?!”

“No.”

“I’m the third son of the illustrious Asakura family of Echizen!”

“Echizen… ah, the crab region.”

“Hinomaru’s crab dishes intrigue me.”

“Gyau.”
(I wish to try them as well!)

The three of them were now thoroughly preoccupied with thoughts of crab.

“The takeaway should be ready soon. Let’s settle the bill and return to the inn.”

“Indeed. We must prepare for tomorrow.”

“Gyau.”
(Tonight’s dinner shall be crab, then.)

“They don’t care at all about the Asakura family’s third son.”

“Famous lineage or not, if you’re drowning in alcohol at midday, that says enough.”

“Don’t take out your anger about being cast out by your family on strangers.”

“Heehee. Pathetic.”

The sheer refreshment of being ignored so completely pushed the drunk beyond his limits.

“You bastard…!”

(Mocking me… I’ll show you what happens…!)

He reached toward Ryu’s back as he headed for the register.

If his hand touched him, things would surely spiral into the worst possible outcome.

At that moment—

“Hold, hold.”

A lone samurai stepped between them.

“Who the hell are you?”

“You were moments away from being cut down by that gentleman.”

“C-cut down…?!”

Cold sweat broke across the drunk’s brow as he immediately withdrew his hand.

“Indeed. Cool your head over there, third son of the Asakura family.”

“…Who are you?”

“I am not one worthy of introduction.”

Confronted by the samurai’s composed and commanding presence, the drunk had no choice but to retreat.

“F-fine… I’ll let it slide because of you. But there won’t be a next time.”

When Ryu turned to offer his thanks, he froze.

Before him stood a samurai dressed much like himself—gauntlets adorning his arms, an eyepatch covering one eye, a masterwork blade resting at his hip.

Left eye met left eye.

(This samurai…)

(This man…)

In the instant their gazes crossed, both understood.

The man before them bore the same burden they themselves carried.
The man before them possessed the power to transform their very lives.
And the man before them held absolute confidence in his own strength.

Ryu spoke first.

“I am Ryu Ardren. And you?”

“I am Sakamoto Ryōma. Was it you who stopped Gorōemon?”

“Yes. I was. But there is something more important now.”

“Indeed. First, we must—”

““—fight.””

The clash of dragon against dragon begins here.