We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Asher’s Melancholy
“I’m glad it’s resolved,” I say, stroking Priscilla-chan and Nimia’s heads.
Then, the two of them hug me and cry.
Uuuum, now that everything’s settled, I want to go back to Ruiseine, who’s still unconscious.
“No, it is not settled.”
However, Sleigsta (Old Man) reads my mind and puts on a solemn face.
Mumumu, was there still a problem?
Nimia could stay with Priscilla-chan, and Asher, though he had his own thoughts, seemed to have given up on forcing her to return with him.
“If Nimia’s timidity isn’t cured, Asher won’t be able to return with peace of mind.”
Ah, I see.
Nimia is a timid child, and she ran away from home because she was afraid of her mother, who was brimming with a fighting spirit. Asher found Nimia, but he can’t return with peace of mind unless he cures her timidity. After all, if she returns, there’s a possibility she’ll run away again. Or rather, there’s a possibility she won’t return at all.
“This is troublesome.”
How can I cure Nimia’s timidity? Or rather, isn’t it unusual for a small child to be timid? Shouldn’t their hearts be strengthened by showing interest in various things and taking on challenges from a young age? Nimia, despite being timid, is full of curiosity, and I think she’s strong enough to run away from home alone.
“It’s no use if a Dragon Fighter is afraid to fight.”
Ah, Asher said something similar earlier. Is she afraid of fighting? Nimia is still young, and she’s a girl, isn’t she? Perhaps she’s not good at fighting.
“Nyanko hates pain, nyan.”
“You’ll heal from injuries immediately, won’t you?”
More importantly, aren’t there very few opponents who can injure dragonkind? I consider Mistral, who injured Sleigsta (Old Man) with a blunt weapon, to be special because she’s a Dragon Princess.
“Nyanko also dislikes seeing others in pain, nyan.”
I see, Nimia is kind. She dislikes the pain of her own wounds, but she also dislikes it when her opponent gets hurt. I don’t like seeing anyone in pain or getting hurt either. I don’t hesitate when my own or those around me are in danger, but I dislike it in normal situations. Nimia might be more sensitive to others than I am.
“Hmm, you dislike getting hurt and hurting others, hmm?”
“Nyan.”
Nimia nods vigorously at Sleigsta (Old Man)’s words.
“Then, gain strength.”
“Nyanko doesn’t want the strength to fight, nyan.”
“That’s not it. Gain overwhelming strength that can subdue opponents without fighting.”
“That’s difficult for a child like Nimia, Grandpa. You can’t get stronger without practical experience, no matter what abilities you have. But Nimia dislikes practice.”
Isn’t it too harsh to tell a small child to do something they dislike in order to overcome something they dislike?
“If you are a Dragon Fighter, a Dragon Race with fighting as an instinct, you should learn by watching.”
What is Sleigsta (Old Man) talking about? Learning by watching fights? Is that possible?
“A Snow Dragon should be able to do that.”
Saying so, Sleigsta (Old Man) looks at Nimia and Asher alternately.
“Surely, you won’t be so selfish as to dislike even watching.”
This might be Sleigsta (Old Man)’s compromise. If she dislikes this, he seems likely to say something even stricter. Nimia also senses that atmosphere and nods weakly while groaning.
“Even so, old man, I have no one to show a fight to.”
Ah, that’s true too. There aren’t many opponents readily available that an Ancient Species Dragon Race can show a fight to. No, it would be a problem if there were. I wonder if Sleigsta (Old Man) and Asher will have a mock battle. It would be a great dragon war. The forest’s barrier would surely be blown away. The capital of Armēdo would be in chaos if two gigantic dragons suddenly appeared in the sky above the forest. Sleigsta (Old Man) and Asher probably wouldn’t even pay attention to people if they started fighting. Would the repercussions of their battle cause a great disaster? Ah, King, I’m sorry. Everyone in the capital, I’m sorry. Father, Mother, please escape safely. I fall into despair.
“Honestly, you always let your imagination run wild in the most unexpected directions.”
Sleigsta (Old Man) sighs in exasperation. Asher looks at me as if I were an idiot.
“Even so, what are we going to do? Do you have a good plan, old man?”
Asher asks Sleigsta (Old Man) with a perplexed look.
“Fuhahaha, with my wisdom, such a thing is trivial.”
Sleigsta (Old Man) laughs, his throat trembling. Hmm, I’m getting a bad feeling about this.
“There is a suitable rival nearby.”
No way…
“A Rotten Dragon has appeared on Dragon Peak, causing trouble. Take your daughter and go defeat it.”
“What?”
“Ahhh, so that’s how it is.”
He can’t act because it’s outside his jurisdiction, so he’s sending Asher instead. He must be smirking, thinking he’s found a good person.
“A Rotten Dragon, old man…”
“Unyaa, Rotten Dragons are scary, nyan.”
Nimia shivers in Priscilla-chan’s arms.
“For us Dragon Race, Rotten Dragons are the last opponent we want to face. Why do I have to go and defeat one?”
Asher glares at Sleigsta (Old Man) resentfully.
“Fuhahaha. Don’t worry, it’s weaker than the Rotten Dragon King. It won’t be that difficult.”
“It’s not about strength.”
Haa, Asher sighs. Are dragonkind bad at fighting Rotten Dragons? Why? Even though they are cursed, they were originally the same dragonkind, perhaps? For humans, except for clergy, most people don’t think about showing mercy to someone cursed by a magic sword. Therefore, we don’t feel sympathy when we confront them. It’s like when I confronted the magic sword user in the ruins. If I hesitate, thinking they were originally human, my own life would be in danger. Do dragonkind have different values? Thinking so, I look at Sleigsta (Old Man) and Asher.
“When they become Rotten Dragons, their resistance to dragon attacks increases exponentially. Even if they were originally weak dragons, they become difficult opponents for dragonkind to defeat.”
Sleigsta (Old Man), still reading my thoughts, explains.
“Hmph, if they didn’t have high resistance to dragon attacks, they would have been defeated by other dragons present at the time they became Rotten Dragons.”
I see, that makes sense too. Are Rotten Dragons and dragonkind incompatible? Ah, that’s why when dragonkind and dragon-humanoid races couldn’t defeat the Rotten Dragon King, the human twins from Armēdo and Yorttenitos could. Knowing the causal relationship between history and facts makes me feel like a scholar.
“Um, in that case, isn’t defeating a Rotten Dragon too much for Asher?”
“Gahaha, Asher, you’re being worried about by others. Come on, show them your power.”
“I won’t fall for your trickery, old man. I refuse to defeat a Rotten Dragon.”
Hmph, Asher turns away.
“I see, are you also timid? Then it’s no wonder your daughter is timid. Right, Nimia?”
“Nyan nyan.”
Nimia nods vigorously, agreeing. However, when Asher glares at her, she shrinks back instantly. How afraid of her mother is she?
“Show the strength to overcome even opponents you dislike. Then, that little girl will, in her own way, find the strength to overcome her timidity.”
“I understand what you’re saying, old man, but it’s somehow infuriating.”
Sleigsta (Old Man) and Asher must have been close friends for a long time. They easily brush off each other’s sharp words and criticisms, and instead of getting upset, they seem to be enjoying themselves.
“No, no, in the past, this tomboy caused me a lot of trouble.”
“What are you saying? How many problems have occurred because of you? That ridiculous personality of yours hasn’t changed even after six hundred years.”
“Huh, why do you talk as if we haven’t met in a long time? You often abandon your duties and come see me. The most recent time was about ten years ago.”
“Wh-what, why would you say that?!”
“Oh, speaking of which, when Mother argues with Father, she sometimes disappears, nyan.”
“N-Nimia!”
Asher falters at Nimia’s counterattack.
“Gahaha, you’ve been found out by a little girl. If you want to regain your honor as a mother, defeat the Rotten Dragon.”
“Tch, I’m annoyed that I’ve fallen right into your scheme, old man.”
More than “falling into your scheme,” she’s completely been manipulated. Asher is likely an ancient dragon with a long lifespan, but Sleigsta (Old Man), who has protected the Dragon Forest for two thousand years, is easily toying with her. I’m impressed by how amazing he is in this regard. Perhaps seeing her mother regretful is unusual? Nimia looks at Asher with surprise.
“Um, Priscilla is going too.”
Priscilla-chan, who had stopped crying by then and was watching our exchange with curiosity, raises her hand energetically.
“No, no, it’s dangerous. We’ll be staying behind.”
“Hmm, what are you saying? You should go and observe.”
“Eeeeeek!”
I scream. Why do I have to watch the fight between a Dragon Fighter and a Rotten Dragon? I’m too scared, I don’t even want to go near the scene, let alone spectate.
“Just ride on Asher’s back.”
“Haaaaaaaaaaah!”
This time, Asher screams.
“Why do I have to fly with a human, and a male one at that, on my back?”
Yeah, yeah, I understand. A dragon of an ancient species wouldn’t allow a human like me to ride on its back.
“What, I permit it. Go on and fly.”
“Um, Priscilla wants to go too.”
Priscilla-chan protests, puffing out her cheeks.
“You are in danger. Stay here with the Miko.”
“Nyaaaan!”
Priscilla-chan runs to Sleigsta (Old Man) and swings her fists in protest. We smile bitterly as Priscilla-chan lightly taps Sleigsta (Old Man)’s chin.
“Now, Elnea. Won’t you wake the Miko soon?”
“Ugh, I suppose so.”
I haven’t forgotten at all. I’ve been concerned about Ruiseine the whole time, but I was just too busy dealing with the immediate situation. I go to Ruiseine. I gently shake Ruiseine and call out to her, and her eyelashes flutter.
“Oh my, oh my, is it morning?”
“Yeah, you seem sleepy. That’s not it.”
I put my arm around Ruiseine’s back and help her up. Then, I explain the situation so far and talk about what will happen next. While listening to me, Ruiseine looks around. Then, her eyes widen at the sight of the giant dragon Asher, and she gasps, covering her mouth with both hands at my explanation as she falls speechless. While Ruiseine and I are interacting, Priscilla-chan is still protesting to Sleigsta (Old Man). But she’s not being heard and is sulking.
“Everyone is leaving Priscilla out.”
With tears welling up in her eyes, Priscilla-chan hugs Ruiseine.
“Oh my, oh my, that is troublesome.”
Ruiseine hugs Priscilla-chan.
“Um, do I *really* have to go? I think Priscilla-chan would be satisfied if I stayed too.”
“Rejection.”
“Ugh…”
My faint hope is crushed.
“You will observe the battle of the Snow Dragon. For you, it will likely be an irreplaceable experience.”
Certainly, being able to witness the battle of an Ancient Species Dragon Race is interesting. I’ve seen Wyverns rampage in the capital several times in the past, but this will surely be incomparable. However, I’m honestly scared. And will Asher really let a human like me ride him?
“Geez. If we don’t deal with the Rotten Dragon, we won’t be able to return with peace of mind.”
Asher seems resigned to defeating the Rotten Dragon. He sighs as if giving up.
“I understand that we will defeat it, but you will give us a ride close by, won’t you?”
Does “close by” mean close to the Rotten Dragon?
“I’ll take you to the area where the southern part of Dragon Peak meets the forest. However, I don’t know the exact location of the Rotten Dragon. You’ll have to find it yourself after we drop you off.”
“Haaa, just as in the past. You get us involved in trouble and then leave us to fend for ourselves.”
“Wouldn’t it be more stimulating than having everything arranged for you?”
Sleigsta (Old Man) shakes the Ancient Tree Forest with a hearty laugh.
“It can’t be helped. Then, let’s go.”
Saying so, Asher grabs hold of Nimia.
“Make sure you tie your fur well so you don’t fall off.”
“Nyah, I’m scared, nyan.”
Is she afraid of her mother? Or is she afraid of what’s about to happen? Yes, it’s probably both. Nimia flies onto Asher’s back and skillfully ties her own tail fur to Asher’s back fur while remaining in her small form. From a distance, Nimia is hidden within Asher’s fur. I wonder if I won’t be able to see Asher’s fight then. As I watch like a bystander, Asher nudges me.
“What are you doing? This is a special occasion. Hurry up and get on my back.”
“Eeeek!”
So I’m going too, after all. As I prepare to go, thinking it can’t be helped, my clothes are pulled. “A souvenir.” Is it Priscilla-chan? “Um, we’re just going to observe, so there’s no souvenir, okay?” “No, no! If there’s no souvenir, Priscilla will hate Onii-chan!” “N-no such thing!” I look at Asher with pleading eyes. Please prepare some souvenir. “Hmph, I can’t take care of that for you. You’ll have to take care of it yourself.” However, Asher’s cold words crush me. Ugh, it’s Sleigsta (Old Man)’s fault. I now understand Asher’s feelings of annoyance. “I-I’ll go find a souvenir!” I say with a strained smile and head towards Asher. As I wonder how to climb onto his back, Asher grabs me and throws me onto his back. Am I being treated like an object? I brace myself and land on Asher’s back. There was no impact from the fall. Like Nimia’s, my body is gently enveloped by soft fur. I go to Nimia’s side and wrap some long fur around my waist. “If you don’t have a souvenir, I’ll hate you?” Priscilla-chan insists, reminding me. Priscilla-chan, who pouts and places her hands on her hips while looking up at us, is very cute. I wave to Priscilla-chan and Ruiseine. “Let’s go.” “Yes, have a good trip.” “Um, souvenir.” We laugh at Priscilla-chan’s insistence.
