TFLA 06

TFLA

Posted by Elsa, Released on June 22, 2026

Chapter : 6 “Hunting Is a Noble’s Pastime”

Greetings. I am Viatoria Nico Fortesia. Right now, I have just been approached by some young noble boy.

The boy in front of me is a noble. Clearly, unmistakably a noble.

He is younger than I am, I would say. His silky, well-groomed blond hair, his porcelain-smooth skin, and his large sky-blue eyes—all of it screams “well-bred young gentleman.”

He is probably trying to be incognito. His outfit resembles that of a novice mage, but to me it is painfully obvious. Silk robe? And protective magic woven into the lining in full force? Since when are beginner adventurers equipped like that? Are you mocking novices, I wonder!?

“What do you want? Make it quick. I’m in a hurry.”

I decide to intimidate him first.

If he is a noble, he might be here to target me. I have no intention of being outmatched by such a frail-looking boy, but I also have no idea what might be backing him.

So I glare at him and say that.

“W-would you form a party with me!?”

“…Huh?”

That was not at all the answer I expected.

“You’re going to defeat a dragon, right!?”

“Yes, I am.”

He must have overheard my previous conversation with that skimming merchant girl. There’s no point hiding it, so I answer honestly.

His sky-colored eyes begin to sparkle with excitement… I already dislike where this is going.

“Then please take me with you! I want to defeat a dragon no matter what!”

“Oh? No. I refuse. I have no need for dead weight.”

I have no reason to accept him. Honestly, if he thought I would accept just like that, he is far too naive.

“W-why not?”

So naive. Incredibly naive. This boy is hopelessly sheltered.

“I’m sure I can be useful! I’ve studied a bit of magic…”

“If you think ‘a bit’ of magic is enough to be useful in a dragon hunt, you should go back home.”

There is no benefit in continuing this conversation. I turn to leave.

“W-wait! Please! I really need to defeat a dragon! I’ll pay you!”

…but then, something catches my interest.

“I am a noble, you see. I am traveling disguised as an adventurer for certain reasons…”

It is painfully obvious. He says it like it’s some grand secret.

“…I might listen to your story.”

A noble boy wandering alone like this… he might be useful in some way.

“My name is Rital Pia Escuran. I am the third son of House Escuran.”

…As I thought.

That face looked familiar.

“Escuran… that would make you a branch family of House Clarino.”

“You know it!?”

“House Clarino is one of the most prominent noble families in the royal capital. Naturally, I know their branches at least somewhat.”

Well, I don’t know much about Escuran itself, but I know Clarino very well. After all, they are connected to the family I plan to bring down.

Yes.

House Clarino—the very same fools who framed me and turned me into a disgraced noblewoman. Unforgivable.

“You even resemble a member of House Clarino.”

“All Clarino nobles have similar features: silky blond hair and blue eyes.”

“I was told I don’t resemble my elder brother…”

“Your elder brother?”

“Crist Bey Clarino…”

Ah. That one.

Crist Bey Clarino—the only son of House Clarino.

He is also blond and blue-eyed, but in a far more masculine, soldier-like way. This boy is much softer in appearance.

Crist is the kind of man who already participated in dragon subjugation missions at this age. This boy, meanwhile…

He looks like he would collapse if a strong wind blew.

“I’m weak… not like my brother or the others… I’m better with magic, but people say I’m not ‘manly’…”

Yes, I can see that.

I say nothing.

“I want to be like my brother… I want to gain experience… even if it’s just watching…”

How earnest. And how foolish.

“Please! I want to prove I can make my parents proud!”

“…And end up being eaten by a dragon instead? You are dead weight.”

“Ugh…”

I press further. Naivety must be corrected.

“I have no obligation to help you gain experience. If you want training, go with your family’s knights. Asking me to carry you is no different from parasitism.”

“Ugh…”

That lands well.

“…Even so, I want to take part… even just watching…”

A so-called “dragon-slayer dreamer,” as that merchant girl said. Truly hopeless.

But he is still a branch noble of Clarino.

That can be useful.

“…Then your request was worded incorrectly.”

“Huh?”

“Instead of asking me to form a party, you should have asked to hire me as your bodyguard.”

“…Eh?”

I smile at him. His eyes blink repeatedly, then suddenly brighten.

“I will accept the dragon subjugation request—and, as an extra, I will also serve as your escort for this so-called ‘dragon observation tour.’ However, it will be expensive. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes! Of course! Please take me!”

He didn’t even ask the price. Truly, hopelessly naive.

“…Very well. Let’s depart immediately. Call me Aile.”

“Yes! Lady Aile!”

And so, I ended up dragging along one extra burden on my dragon hunt.

Well, one extra person is hardly an issue. If he becomes too troublesome, I can simply abandon him somewhere in the mountains.

…Still.

“By the way, about the payment…”

“Before that, there are rules.”

I smile brightly.

“You will obey all my orders. You will not leave my side. You will not interfere with my methods. And you will tell no one about me. I dislike unnecessary attention.”

“Y-yes…”

I make sure to secure his agreement.

“…We’ll discuss payment after the hunt.”

He nods energetically, still unaware of what he’s gotten into.

And so we set off immediately. We cannot allow anyone else to claim the dragon first.

Dragon hunting is harsh even on the road.

“D-do we really have to go through here…?”

“If you don’t like it, go home.”

“Uuuu…”

For a noble boy like Rital, this kind of forest is probably unbearable.

“L-look! There’s something there! And there too!”

“No problem. A few crushed skulls will make the rest too afraid to attack.”