Chapter 212: The Dragon King’s Right-Hand Man

After taking care of the matters related to the Dragon King, Ryu and Ryoma finally moved on to the task that had been their true objective from the very beginning—the search for Munechika.

Unfortunately, neither of them had much understanding of the Dragon Floating Island itself.

They barely knew its layout.

They barely knew its customs.

And they certainly didn’t know where to begin looking.

Which was only natural.

Today was the first time either of them had ever set foot here.

To make matters worse, the other dragons seemed determined to keep their distance. Whenever Ryu or Ryoma attempted to approach one, the dragon in question would immediately retreat, slipping away as effortlessly as a gust of wind.

It was almost as though they were being avoided.

“So, with that settled, I’m counting on you, Red Hair.”

“You’ll address me as Fifth Flame-sama.”

“Alright then. I’m counting on you, Fifth Flame.”

“Add the honorific, damn it! Putting strength aside, I’m still vastly your senior as a dragon!”

“As long as you work under that dumb lizard, I’m not calling you ‘sama.’”

“You insolent fool…! You dare insult His Majesty again…?!”

With an irritated huff, Fifth Flame turned away.

“Hmph. Then I refuse to cooperate any further. Search on your own and leave on your own. From now on, I shall merely observe from a distance.”

His arms crossed firmly over his chest as he looked away, clearly determined not to budge.

“Alright, Ryoma. Split that absurdly gigantic castle in half. Casualties are acceptable.”

“Fufufufu… has my time finally come?”

A sinister grin slowly spread across Ryoma’s face.

He licked his lips with unmistakable enthusiasm, looking less like a heroic swordsman and more like the final boss of some nightmare.

“WAIT!”

Fifth Flame practically screamed.

“Fine! I understand! I’ll help! Just don’t do that!”

Cold sweat poured down his face as he desperately waved both hands.

Because unlike most dragons, Fifth Flame understood exactly how dangerous that suggestion was.

A dragon of the Wind attribute.

One who stood on the same level as himself.

And, perhaps most concerning of all—

Ryu’s closest companion.

The moment Ryoma had drawn his blade with that eager expression, Fifth Flame had realized a horrifying truth.

There was a genuine possibility he would actually cut the castle in half.

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

“Honestly…” Fifth Flame muttered as he began walking. “Why must I, the Number Two dragon of this island, be forced to work for the likes of these fools?”

Still grumbling under his breath, he reluctantly took the lead.

“He’s seriously entertaining.”

“Indeed. He’s likely both the leader of the Five Heavenly Dragons and the designated comic-relief character.”

“I like him.”

Ryu nodded.

“I’d be willing to hire him as Esther’s pet.”

Fifth Flame immediately spun around.

“WHO WOULD EVER SERVE UNDER YOUR BANNER?!”

“Relax. It’s a joke.”

Ryu waved dismissively.

“You know, if you take every little thing seriously, you’ll end up with no friends. You should be careful about that, Red Hair.”

He paused for a moment.

“Ah… never mind. Since you don’t have any friends, I guess it doesn’t matter.”

“Damn you…!”

The Dragon King was Fifth Flame’s superior.

The other Five Heavenly Dragons were more like colleagues than companions.

And because Fifth Flame spent almost all of his time inside the castle, he genuinely had nobody he could comfortably call a friend.

Ryu’s remark had struck the bullseye.

Unable to refute it, Fifth Flame could only grit his teeth and clench his fists in frustration.

◇ ◇ ◇

The trio decided to begin by questioning dragons who appeared both young and scholarly.

“F-Fifth Flame-sama?! What brings you to the city below?”

The startled dragon nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Actually, the situation is rather complicated…”

After Fifth Flame briefly explained the circumstances, the young dragon nodded thoughtfully.

“I see. In that case, I’m probably not the person you’re looking for. Most of my time is devoted to magical research.”

“Hm. Understood.”

Fifth Flame turned toward Ryu and Ryoma.

“Well? Any thoughts?”

“None.”

Ryu shook his head immediately.

“I don’t think it’s her.”

“I agree.”

Ryoma nodded.

Afterward, they visited researcher after researcher.

One by one.

Yet every time, Ryu and Ryoma rejected the possibility.

None of them felt like Munechika.

Since that approach produced no results, they shifted their focus.

This time, they decided to investigate dragons who favored combat.

After all, there was still a chance—however small—that Munechika had awakened a passion for battle after becoming a dragon.

Thus, the three headed toward the arena.

The arena was lively as ever.

Brilliant magical explosions illuminated the battlefield.

Powerful impacts echoed throughout the structure.

Dragons fought one another in spectacular contests of strength, drawing cheers from every direction.

Yet the moment Fifth Flame appeared, the ongoing matches immediately came to a halt.

His status alone was enough to command attention.

The combatants gathered around and listened as he explained the situation.

“As you can see, I’m a battle fanatic.”

One dragon proudly puffed out his chest.

“I have no interest in blacksmithing or pharmacology either.”

A female dragon shrugged.

Another raised his fist skyward.

“Battle itself is life!”

Or perhaps more accurately—

Battle was the dragon equivalent of life.

Fifth Flame glanced toward Ryu and Ryoma.

“Well?”

“That’s definitely not her.”

Ryu answered without hesitation.

“I’ve read letters written by Munechika before. She didn’t talk like that.”

He looked toward Ryoma.

“Right?”

“Indeed.”

Ryoma nodded.

“I imagine Munechika would speak more like a lethargic version of Lily.”

“Forget all that!”

One of the dragons suddenly stepped forward.

“Since you’re here, Fifth Flame-sama, how about a match?”

“A tempting offer.”

A faint smile appeared on Fifth Flame’s face.

“Unfortunately, I’m currently on duty.”

“Come on!”

The dragon groaned dramatically.

“If the second strongest dragon fought, the entire arena would go wild!”

“My apologies. Invite me another time.”

“Well, if it’s official business, then it can’t be helped. I’ll challenge you again later.”

However—

“I don’t mind.”

Ryu spoke up unexpectedly.

“You can spare a little time for a fight.”

“I would also like to witness the strength of the Dragon King’s trusted blade.”

Ryoma agreed.

To Fifth Flame’s surprise, both men seemed genuinely interested.

“A dragon who evolved solely through combat ability?”

Ryu whispered.

“I’m curious.”

“And if we observe the strength of Number Two,” Ryoma whispered back, “we can estimate the overall power of dragonkind.”

The dragons of this island had only recently obtained human forms.

Truthfully, there was a possibility their combat styles would still be somewhat crude.

Even so, Ryoma’s reasoning made sense.

There was considerable value in observing the island’s second strongest dragon firsthand.

“Hmph.”

Fifth Flame removed the crimson cloak draped over his shoulders and dramatically threw it aside.

The garment fluttered through the air like a blazing red banner.

“Very well.”

His golden eyes narrowed.

“I shall show you my strength.”

“I’m not expecting much, but go ahead and impress me.”

Ryu smirked.

“Not expecting much, though.”

“If possible, I would like to see plenty of fire magic.”

Ryoma added.

“And at least hang your cloak over a seat.”

Ryu pointed.

“It’s going to get dirt on it.”

“A dragon who doesn’t value his possessions is destined to be disliked.”

Ryoma nodded solemnly.

“Damn you both…!”

Trembling with rage, Fifth Flame marched toward the arena floor alongside the other dragons.

Meanwhile, Ryu and Ryoma settled into the spectator seats to watch.

Three figures stood within the arena.

Fifth Flame.

The dragon who had challenged him.

And the referee.

The atmosphere immediately grew tense.

The audience fell silent.

All eyes fixed upon the battlefield.

“Combatants, take your positions!”

The referee raised a hand.

“Begin!”

The instant the signal was given—

Blazing flames erupted around Fifth Flame’s legs.

Crimson fire wrapped around them like living serpents, causing the surrounding air to distort from the intense heat.

“Crimson Lotus—Flashfire Dash.”

The ground exploded beneath him.

Scorching flames tore across the arena floor as Fifth Flame shot forward with terrifying speed.

His movement resembled a streak of crimson lightning.

In less than a heartbeat, he crossed the distance separating him from his opponent.

Then—

His kick slammed directly into the dragon’s abdomen.

“GUHAAAAAH!”

The impact folded the dragon’s body.

He was launched through the air like a cannonball.

A moment later—

CRASH!

His body smashed violently into the arena wall.

The entire structure trembled.

Dust and debris scattered everywhere.

And before anyone could fully process what had happened—

The match was over.

Fifth Flame’s flames vanished.

His opponent remained unconscious.

Ryu watched quietly.

“That speed…”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“He’s faster than Lily.”

A smile appeared on his face.

“As expected of one of the Five Heavenly Dragons.”

Ryoma nodded.

“If Lily one day becomes the greatest fire mage in the world, perhaps she’ll become a warrior like that.”

Fifth Flame’s victory had been instantaneous.

Not because his opponent was weak.

Far from it.

The reality was much simpler.

Fifth Flame was overwhelmingly strong.

Watching from the stands, Ryoma felt a quiet sense of urgency.

I knew this already.

But seeing it in person confirms it beyond doubt.

He’s stronger than I am.

And if he’s this powerful in human form… then his true dragon form must be even more terrifying.

His grip tightened unconsciously.

“I still lack training.”

Ryoma laughed softly.

“I must continue refining myself.”

“For now, focus on Alice.”

Ryu leaned back comfortably.

“If anything happens, I’m here.”

“Haha.”

Ryoma’s expression softened.

“As expected of my best friend. You truly are reliable.”

As the two continued chatting—

A voice suddenly echoed across the arena.

Clear.

Confident.

And directed at only one person.

Standing in the center of the battlefield, flames flickering around his feet, Fifth Flame stared directly toward the spectator stands.

His eyes locked onto Ryu.

A challenge burned within them.

“You aren’t going to fight me, Ryu?”