I'll Stop Regressing and Raise a Baby Dragon - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23
“……You want me to tell you about the Evil Dragon Diya?”
The topic caught him off guard.
Edward’s voice, asking again, sounded reluctant.
“Yes.”
I answered firmly, conviction steady in my tone.
Edward tapped the edge of the sofa with his fingers.
After deliberating carefully, he finally opened his mouth.
“Well, whatever you say, you’ve certainly done your research on Croiman thoroughly.”
‘He’s talking about the previous Duke and Duchess.’
The hero who vanquished the Evil Dragon Diya.
Harna of House Croiman and Jack—the couple in question.
I nodded calmly.
The crucial thing, first, was Cross Verification.
I needed to confirm whether the information I possessed was reliable.
“Tell me specifically what information you need about that Evil Dragon.”
“When Diya first appeared in the Senatra Empire, I’d like to know what happened.”
“When it first appeared, you say.”
Edward sank into deep thought.
A brief silence followed.
Then he spoke.
“I don’t know exactly what happened.”
“There are no records?”
“There are records, but we’re still calculating the damages from that period. It happened only about twenty years ago.”
By my recollection, there were no research records written before year 480.
And this year marked the 498th year since the empire’s founding.
The Evil Dragon Diya’s appearance occurred around year 478.
‘The timing between the two events overlaps almost perfectly.’
So then.
First hypothesis: “For some reason, the timing of the Research Institute’s establishment and the Evil Dragon’s appearance coincided.”
Second hypothesis: “The Evil Dragon destroyed all the Research Institute’s records, leaving only those written afterward.”
‘I can’t determine which is correct yet……’
For now, I had no choice but to dig deeper.
“What happened to that Evil Dragon now?”
“It was subjugated. The first instance in history of humans defeating a dragon.”
As Edward spoke with conviction, the corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly.
“……And that was all thanks to the illustrious previous Duke and Duchess of House Croiman.”
The one who had suddenly begun praising Croiman now sat bolt upright with perfect posture.
The atmosphere demanded that I straighten up as well, so I drew my shoulders back.
“Five individuals rose to defeat the Evil Dragon Diya.”
Edward counted them off on his fingers, one by one.
“The empire’s First Saint, the most brilliant Beast Tamer in history, and the greatest Sage King of the previous era.”
He smiled at his two remaining fingers, still extended.
“And the final two—the previous house head Harna Croiman, and her husband Jack Croiman.”
“……Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Of course it is.”
The Young Master’s ears were practically touching his grin.
I’d never imagined he could look like this.
That much was evident from how he spoke of Luke.
Edward genuinely revered his own house.
‘……Well, I might look a bit silly saying this in this atmosphere, but……’
“Now I understand why Theodore and the Young Master are brothers.”
His expression right now was exactly like Theodore’s when he gazed fondly at rabbits.
“Suddenly?”
“Yes, you two really are alike.”
Edward’s expression became puzzled at the sudden remark.
“Focus on the conversation. This is important.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve been listening to everything.”
“I’ll ask you again during the next lesson.”
“I’ll prepare both review and preview, so don’t be concerned.”
“You really don’t plan to yield on anything, do you?”
“Of course not.”
Edward let out a wry laugh, as if exasperated.
He pointed toward the door and flicked his hand dismissively.
“Fine. Go now.”
“Is that really all you’re willing to teach me?”
“Time’s up. Out.”
Quite the iron will, this one.
There’s still so much more I could learn.
‘I was hoping to probe him about magic too…….’
Can’t be helped.
Kai’s waiting anyway.
“Same time in two days, yes?”
“Yes.”
I ended the conversation cleanly, rose from the sofa, and walked toward the door.
Placing my hand on the knob, I turned back to look at Edward.
“Today was more fun than I expected.”
“……Not for me.”
Not for him, indeed.
I saw you earlier, thrilled as you were, boasting about your family line. Don’t think I missed that, young master.
“Our next lesson will be easier for both of us.”
These words, and the faint smile that accompanied them—
were genuine, in their own way.
“…….”
Edward regarded me for a moment.
Then he looked away sharply, raising the teacup to his lips.
‘Didn’t he empty both cups in gulps earlier…….’
I had no idea what he was doing with an empty cup.
“See you in two days.”
I left those light words behind, opened the door, and stepped out of his room.
***
Oddly exhausted.
Dealing with that tiny little thing somehow drained me.
That was Edward’s first thought as he sat alone in his room.
He pressed his aching brow and tried to focus on what needed to be done.
His thoughts seemed to gather for a moment, only to—
scatter the instant he probed any deeper.
‘……Appears I’ve spent my entire day’s concentration.’
He concluded that rest was necessary.
Edward picked up a book he’d been enjoying lately and headed toward the Hideout.
“Oh, there you are.”
Theodore, who had been playing with a Toy Sword, scrambled to his feet.
“Theodore, stay comfortable.”
Edward settled onto the floor across from him.
Theodore promptly plopped down beside him.
He immediately asked Edward what was on his mind.
“Did your lesson with Eria go well?”
“Presumably.”
“How was it? Did she follow along?”
“……Presumably.”
‘He doesn’t seem to want to talk about Eria.’
Had I been tactless again?
Feeling oddly subdued, Theodore asked nothing more.
Edward opened his book and began reading from where he’d left off.
“……Sigh.”
A sigh escaped him—the words wouldn’t stick.
All because of one very bothersome, nagging question taking up space in his head.
“Theodore.”
“Yes?”
“Do people say we look alike?”
“……Huh?”
“Whether we look alike.”
“Well, externally speaking, I don’t think so.”
“Right.”
“And internally either…….”
“Exactly.”
Yet I can’t fathom why he said it in the first place.
Edward snapped his book shut with obvious frustration.
He set it aside and propped his chin on his hand.
“Was it perhaps Eria who said that?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll ask her about it later.”
“Don’t bother. Even if you do, you won’t understand. Strange girl, that one.”
Watching Edward grumble, Theodore spoke up with sudden enthusiasm.
“You’ve grown quite close to Eria!”
“Not at all.”
Edward answered flatly, without hesitation.
“Huh? And yet…….”
Of all the times he’d seen it, that was the most relaxed he’d ever heard Edward talk about her.
Theodore felt confused, but chose not to press further.
“Yet what?”
“Nothing, sir.”
With his denial, a light silence settled between them.
Edward sat motionless for a moment, then moved to the sofa.
He broached the subject with studied casualness.
“Why do you like that girl so much?”
“Do you mean Eria, sir?”
Edward nodded.
Theodore hummed thoughtfully before answering.
“It’s as though my heart grows lighter around her, as if I’m allowed to be more myself…….”
‘……More myself.’
The words felt like a riddle to Edward.
He had spent his entire life performing only the version of himself that others expected.
“……Besides, she has a round face, and after all, she’s my only sister. And also—”
“That’s enough.”
“Ah, yes.”
Theodore scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
Regardless.
Edward remained lost in thought about what it meant to be himself.
Until Theodore spoke to him again.
“I say, Edward.”
“What?”
“Why is it that Eria troubles you so?”
Edward froze mid-answer, his lips pressing tight.
Because she threatens my position.
If that child is truly suited to be heir, unlike me.
Then I will fade away to nothing.
All my efforts will come to nothing in an instant…….
He could not say it aloud.
Jealousy is only the shadow of admiration.
The moment those shameful feelings left his own lips.
It would be as good as admitting he was lesser than that child.
‘In truth…… I don’t dislike her.’
The words that nearly escaped him went unspoken, swallowed whole.
***
This marked the fifth lesson Edward had given her.
Thanks to his assistance, she was gathering information far faster than she’d anticipated.
‘The greatest gain, though, is getting closer to Edward.’
Edward proved far more favorably inclined toward her than she’d expected.
An inexplicable distance still lingered between them, yet it seemed to narrow with each passing day.
Compared to their first meeting, hidden behind a veil, it was a leap of remarkable proportions.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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