Chapter 248: My Vassal Can't Be This Strong!
The sky was a pristine blue, almost extravagantly vast, with a few thin clouds stretched long by the wind. The sun poured down unreservedly, plating every blade of grass in the pasture with a golden edge. The scent of green grass, mixed with the sweet tang of the earth, floated in the dry air.
Fifty Black Wagyu and thirty Holstein cows were scattered across the pasture, their glossy coats shining like satin in the sunlight.
The "herding dog," Bett, was decked out in gold and silver.
He wore several shiny silver rings on his ears and a large gold chain around his neck, one end connected to an exquisite "Work ID" (dog tag). He was lazing in the grass, sunbathing.
He was now officially on the payroll, having graduated from a pet to a "herding dog."
His daily job was to guard the ranch's property security, patrol the grounds when he felt like it, and herd the cows back to the barn every day at sunset.
To thank him for his hard work, Ryohei Tanaka had the Matsuya Group team and Lucoa build him a hot spring a couple of days ago.
His life couldn't be more comfortable. The only thing missing was a wife.
Ryohei Tanaka hadn't considered this yet, mainly because Bett was still young and growing. In the future, he figured he might have to take a trip to the Demon World to catch one for him.
...
Suddenly, Bett seemed to notice something. He smartly lifted his head, tilted it toward Ryohei Tanaka's approaching group, and then got up, wagging his tail, and ran over happily.
He barked "Woof! Woof!" as he ran, as if saying hello.
"Bett, morning." Yurine Hanazono reached out to pet the very "dog-like" Bett, greeting him in a gentle tone.
"Don't just sniff everything."
Ryohei Tanaka saw Bett sizing up the knife in his hand and then leaning in, seemingly wanting to smell it. He quickly raised the knife and lightly nudged Bett away with his foot, scolding him with a laugh.
"Woof?" Bett stepped back, tilting his head at him, looking a little confused.
Before coming to Hokkaido, Ryohei had taken Bett for a walk in the park one morning where they met a Husky. Ever since then, Bett had picked up this habit of tilting his head at people.
Ryohei Tanaka wondered if he was in his chuunibyou phase.
Fortunately, he hadn't learned to destroy the house. And while tilting his head at people was borderline rude, it was also stupidly cute, so Ryohei Tanaka hadn't bothered to correct him.
...
Ignoring the adorably dumb Bett, Ryohei Tanaka's gaze landed on a large black bull about two meters away. It was as tall as JII, well-proportioned, with smooth muscle lines, a broad back, and full hindquarters.
You're the one!
He raised his hand and pointed the knife at the bull. "You can tell just by looking at this Black Wagyu that it's lovesick. Let me help it find release!"
"Ehh—!?"
JII was astonished. She looked curiously at the Black Wagyu, which was currently lowering its head and peacefully munching on grass, clearly enjoying its meal.
'It's lovesick? It doesn't look like it!'
JII couldn't help but look at Ryohei Tanaka. "Onii-chan, how can you tell?"
"...He's joking, right?" Yurine looked at the bull, then back at Ryohei Tanaka, somewhat amused. She had been surprised at first and believed him, but then she realized.
"You found me out?" Ryohei Tanaka put a hand on his hip and grinned dashingly. He was just trying to make a joke.
"That poor cow," the Feathered Serpent on the hilt suddenly "came alive" and looked at the bull Ryohei Tanaka was pointing at, "I agree, this cow is definitely lovesick! It needs a root canal!"
"Oh, shut up—! Can you be serious!" Ryohei Tanaka was speechless, looking down at the knife in his hand with a dark expression.
She's taking that joke and running with it?
He'd really had enough!
...
After telling Lucoa off, Ryohei Tanaka directed Bett to herd the "chosen bull" to the open space in front of the villa. He couldn't just slaughter one in front of the others; that would be too cruel.
"Ryohei-kun, do you need to tie it up?" Yurine Hanazono asked warmly, preparing to help. JII also rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her snow-white arm.
"No need." Ryohei Tanaka waved his hand with a flourish. That wouldn't be necessary.
He looked at the two of them, feeling they were standing a bit too close. Afraid he might hit them, he waved them off. "You two, move back a bit."
I'm about to put on a show!
...
"...A cow?"
Jashin-chan was returning from the construction site when she saw Ryohei Tanaka, Yurine Hanazono, and JII standing in the open area in front of the villa with a Black Wagyu.
She was confused. Why was there a cow in front of the villa? Were they going to butcher a cow to eat today? But she hadn't heard anything about it!
Just as she was wondering, she saw Ryohei Tanaka flick his wrist. The green blade in his hand drew a sharp arc.
A blue dragon mirage, over ten feet long, appeared with the arc, its scales and claws vivid, its whiskers flying. It shot toward the Black Wagyu with a deafening dragon's roar.
"Areh—!?"
w(ﾟДﾟ)w
Jashin-chan's eyes went wide instantly, her jaw nearly hitting the ground.
She rubbed her eyes hard with both hands, seriously suspecting she was hallucinating. But when she looked again—
Ryohei Tanaka's figure moved like lightning, twisting and turning in an instant, the green blade in his hand becoming a streak of light. The blue dragon mirage followed the blade's movements, dragon roars echoing as it completely enveloped the Black Wagyu.
"Masaka!"
Jashin-chan reeled back, "This is impossible! My vassal can't be this strong!"
This vassal was a stranger to her—!
...
It wasn't just Jashin-chan who was astonished. Yurine, JII, Bett, and even Lucoa (as the knife) were all stunned.
Lucoa knew perfectly well that she hadn't provided any special effects...
Yes, special effects!
The moment the blue dragon mirage appeared, she knew it was just a flashy, insubstantial effect.
But what shocked Lucoa was that the effect was coming from Ryohei Tanaka!
Lucoa knew him well. Before today, he absolutely did not have this ability. She also knew that he gained a new ability or item every Monday.
So...
'Did he get a new ability this morning?' Lucoa wondered curiously.
"...So cool!"
Yurine Hanazono raised a slender white hand to cover her pink lips. She watched Ryohei Tanaka, blade in hand, a blue dragon dancing with every swing. Her beautiful reddish-brown eyes sparkled.
JII, after her initial shock, blurted out, "Sugoi!"
'Onii-chan got stronger, too!' JII-chan thought to herself.
~~~
Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
~~~
Every 5 new reviews = 1 extra chapters
Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter