The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 203: Betting Your Pride

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"Are you okay? Can you stand?"

"Y-Yeah..."

Tania reached out her hand to the girl and gently helped her stand up.

Fortunately, it seemed like she wasn't seriously injured.

She had just fallen down in surprise when the dragon attacked.

"Can you escape on your own? Are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah... but what about big sister?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry."

To reassure the child, Tania smiled kindly.

Seeming relieved by that smile, the child looked back a few times but then ran away from the spot.

"Now then..."

After confirming that the child had safely retreated, Tania glared at the dragon.

Its body was about one size larger than Tania's dragon form.

Dragonkind continued to grow each day, with an average lifespan of about 200 years.

This dragon was probably around 100 years old.

Tania could sense the power it had gained through the passage of time.

By the way, its scales were red, just like Tania's Red Dragon form.

"You there!"

Tania pointed firmly at the dragon.

"What's the meaning of targeting such a young child? Where has your pride as a dragon gone?"

"It is precisely because I have pride that I act this way."

"Huh? I don't understand. By the way... could it be that you've been pretending to be me, an imposter?"

"... "

The dragon didn't answer.

It simply stared sharply at Tania.

"Hey, say something! Are you planning to ignore me?"

"... Hmph. I have no words to exchange with foolish dragon who seek companionship with humans."

"I don't understand what you're saying... Wait a moment. That way of speaking, it sounds familiar... Ah! Could it be, you're Gossus?"

"Oh... You remember me?"

"It took me a while to recall since I had completely forgotten until now... But I finally remembered. Gossus, the dragon who despises humans and believes that we dragons are the strongest of the strongest, looking down on humans as insignificant beings. Why are you here?"

"To remind you of the dragon's pride and to punish you, who have forgotten it and fraternized with humans."

With those words, Tania somewhat understood Gossus and his companions' intentions.

"I see... I understand now. So that's what it is. You pretended to be me and did as you pleased. It was you guys."

"That's right."

"Your purpose is to warn me, someone who is with humans. It's like a message saying, 'Don't get involved with humans anymore. Dragons and humans shouldn't have a friendly relationship,' right?"

"You understand it well."

"Of course. That's what you always used to say back when we were in the dragon village. You were so annoying that I started ignoring you halfway through."

Tania recalled the past with an exasperated expression.

The dragon in front of her, Gossus, and... his companion, Alzas, were acquaintances.

They had lived together in the Red Dragon village.

However, both of them had an extreme dislike for humans.

Moreover, they firmly believed that they were the strongest and looked down on humans as insignificant beings. Tania only found them to be troublesome.

But to think they would meet again like this...

And to make matters worse, they had deceived others using her name.

It was somewhat pathetic as fellow dragons.

Tania couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

"So... what's your intention in causing a ruckus like this?"

"Alzas messed up and got captured by humans."

"I see. Rain and the others managed to do their part properly."

Tania's face brightened with joy.

"Tania, I can no longer punish you."

"Then go back to the village already."

"That's not possible. Because of you, the people in this town have forgotten their fear of dragons. They mistakenly believe they can stand alongside us dragons, thus hurting the pride of our dragonkind. Therefore, I must demonstrate it. The power and pride of the dragon race!"

Tania was utterly exasperated.

In essence...

Because Tania had become friendly with humans, humans felt a sense of closeness towards dragons.

However, to dragons like Gossus, it was nothing but an act that wounded their pride.

They couldn't tolerate being familiar with beings inferior to them.

To put it simply, it was like a child speaking informally to an adult.

Therefore, Gossus decided to showcase his own power.

To bare his fangs at humans.

By doing so, he intended to demonstrate that dragons were different from humans and instill a feeling of awe.

However, from Tania's perspective, it was a ridiculously absurd story.

Certainly, dragons were known as the strongest species and possessed great power.

But who decided that they were superior to humans?

There were pros and cons to both sides, and there was no such thing as one being superior to the other.

They were excellent beings as creatures, and therefore, they should be revered... It was just Gossus and his companions' arbitrary belief.

"My head hurts..."

Confronted with the whimsical beliefs of her fellow dragons, Tania felt like clutching her head right then and there.

At the same time, she felt like rolling on the ground and writhing in anguish.

The ideology that Gossas spoke of was similar to my past self. Not as extreme as Gossas, but before leaving the village, Tania also used to think along those lines. That the dragon race is the strongest and humans are nothing compared to us.

Such thoughts changed after meeting Rain.

Humans are strong. Not just in terms of physical power but in the strength of their hearts.

What good is strength alone?

Power without a compassionate heart is simply hollow.

Tania learned that by spending time with Rain.

"Hey, can't you stop this pointless behavior?"

Despite everything, we are still kin. Tania attempted to persuade him.

"I don't think your so-called pride can be regained by doing these things. It just seems like you're getting frustrated and taking it out on anything that doesn't go your way."

"You still don't understand the pride of the dragon race, you're still young."

"I think I see reality better than you do... and seriously, do you intend to pick a fight with humans in the middle of the city? You'll be subjugated, you know?"

"Absurd. There's no way I, someone like me, would be defeated by humans."

"Ah..."

Gossas had a serious look in his eyes. He hadn't even considered the possibility of losing to humans.

"It's useless to say anything, isn't it?"

Tania let out a deep sigh.

What is this stubborn dragon? It's as if he doesn't even want to listen to what I have to say. He only pushes his own claims and completely disregards everything around him.

Is this what they call a narrow-minded old-timer?

That was the impression Tania had.

"Well... if that's how it is, I guess I have no choice."

Tania assumed a fighting stance.

"Gossas, what you're trying to do is incredibly foolish and pathetic. Understand that."

"I don't expect understanding from a little girl."

"If words won't reach you, then I'll make you understand with my fists."

"A 20-year-old little girl is going to be my opponent?"

"That's what I'm saying. Are you deaf?"

"Very well. I'll accept your challenge."

Gossas spread his wings, opened his mouth, and let out a fierce roar.

That signaled the start of the battle, and the two clashed.

TL Note- Change in the chronology.....they clash now.

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