We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Holding hands with the Prince,
“Well then, how will you show me this so-called friendship of yours?”
Grave-sama grins provocatively, looking as if he doesn’t believe a word of it.
“Yes. I intend to demonstrate it now, but before that, I have a request.”
I can’t demonstrate it here. After all, in this room of the small shrine, the only dragon present is Nimia, the glutton, who’s still munching away as she watches our exchange.
“A request?”
“Yes. Could you please guide me to the Dragon Stable?”
“Hmph, I see. Indeed, you can’t demonstrate your so-called friendship without facing a dragon.”
Grave-sama seems to have realized what I’m planning to do based on my request.
It would be quickest to demonstrate the friendship or cooperation I speak of with dragons. And it’s preferable to have dragons I’m not currently involved with. This is because even if I were to show him, “Look, we’re on good terms, aren’t we?” using the tyrant or Yugra-sama, Grave-sama would likely be unable to discern whether they are being commanded or if we truly are on good terms.
And this royal castle has a Dragon Stable for dragon knights. Since the dragons in the stable have no connection with me, if I could foster friendship with one of them and get it to grant me a favor, it should prove that it’s not a matter of subservience due to being controlled, as described by me and Friel.
“Even for a dragon knight, it’s not easy to control a dragon. It takes time to train them, and only then can you give commands. Elnea-kun, you’re going to show your friendship with a dragon here, aren’t you?”
I nod at Friel’s words.
“Yes. Therefore, I would like you to guide me to the Dragon Stable.”
I have confidence!
I’ve met many dragons at Dragon Peak before. Some had unruly temperaments that were difficult to handle, but most were able to hold a conversation if I approached them amicably.
Well, probably. I suspect they were interested because it’s unusual for a human like me to possess the qualities of a Dragon King or have a Dragon Heart.
Though the location and situation are different, I believe I can communicate with the dragons of the Yorttenitos Kingdom as well. And if we can converse, I’m sure we can become friends.
“Very well. I will guide you. However, if I find out your words are mere nonsense, I will feed you to the dragons. Be prepared.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I wonder if they’ve considered the danger if dragons develop a taste for humans. I won’t voice such an unrefined question.
Instead.
“Actually, there’s one more thing.”
“What is it?”
Grave-sama raises an eyebrow and glares at me.
He might think I’m insolent for making so many requests to a prince. But this is a golden opportunity. I want to do what I can while I have the chance.
“Actually, another purpose for our visit to the Yorttenitos Kingdom is to pay our respects to His Majesty the King. The Twin Princesses are extremely worried. Therefore, once my suspicion is cleared, would you permit me to visit His Majesty?”
Lyra is the real objective, but for the sake of appearance, I’m framing it as a visit to the Twin Princesses.
Grave-sama doesn’t immediately answer my second request, but sequentially glances at everyone in the room. Finally, his gaze settles on Lyra.
“Oh, Elnea-sama and the others have come to visit His Majesty?”
Madrine-sama speaks up here.
“That’s perfect. While they’re at it, I would also like to request an audience with His Majesty.”
“What did you say!?”
Grave-sama shifts his gaze from Lyra back to Madrine-sama.
“How long will you keep me, the Head Miko, waiting? I’ve been waiting here for five days without being able to meet His Majesty.”
To be honest, I wonder if it’s appropriate to visit a king in critical condition. If he’s on the verge of death, a visit might not be suitable.
This was my biggest concern regarding this visit, but judging by Grave-sama and Friel’s demeanor, there wasn’t a sense of urgency as if the King were about to pass away.
After all, if he were on his last legs, the royal castle would surely be in a state of upheaval in many ways. But they seem to have the leisure to confine one of the princes and for him to visit the woman he desires, so I don’t think the situation is critical right now.
If that’s the case, then I want to visit.
“Ah, I am worried about His Majesty’s condition.”
“I wish to see His Majesty one last time before he passes.”
The Twin Princesses implore Grave-sama with a deliberately upward glance.
“Grr. B-but…”
Grave-sama flinches at Madrine-sama’s intensity and the Twin Princesses’ pleading.
“Brother. I also wish to see His Majesty. Why can’t I, a prince, meet him either?”
“W-well…”
What! Friel also hasn’t been able to meet him yet?
Surprised, I look at Friel, and he shrugs and explains.
“I rushed back upon hearing the news that His Majesty was in critical condition. However, my elder brother Variatel has brought another sorcerer, and they say they cannot enter His Majesty’s bedroom while the sorcerer is performing prayers.”
Friel’s elder brother Variatel is apparently the second prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. The Twin Princesses add that Grave-sama oversees military affairs, while Variatel-sama handles internal affairs.
And sorcerers are different from curse users.
Curse users manipulate all things in nature using curse power and various cursed tools. In contrast, sorcerers are people who dispel curses and illnesses affecting weather and individuals through prayer and mysterious rituals.
Rain-making and prayers to cure incurable diseases are famous, but their credibility is somewhat lacking, and unlike curse users, sorcerers are generally looked down upon.
“That’s right. It’s unthinkable to prioritize some dubious sorcerer over me, the Head Miko?”
“W-well, my younger brother…”
Grave-sama hesitates.
“Disrupt the sorcerer’s prayers and allow us to meet him.”
“However, His Majesty is in critical condition. To allow a visit…”
“Oh, if he is still in critical condition, isn’t that precisely when I should be involved? Tell them that it is the duty of the Head Miko, not a sorcerer, to see His Majesty off.”
“That’s right. It is decided that the one to see off a royal is the Head Miko or a Miko of equivalent rank.”
“That’s right. To prevent a succession dispute, it is necessary for the Head Miko to be present at the end.”
Except in cases of accidental or sudden death. When a royal dies from illness or old age, the Head Miko’s attendance at the deathbed serves as proof that the person was not killed in a succession dispute. And with this proof, unnecessary succession disputes are avoided, and a successor is chosen through the proper procedure.
“If he is in critical condition, then take me to His Majesty’s side immediately.”
“If he is not in critical condition, then I wish to visit.”
“Sorcerers are highly suspicious.”
“Grr…”
Either way, Grave-sama will have to escort either Madrine-sama or the Twin Princesses to the King.
As Madrine-sama says, the role of seeing someone off belongs to the Head Miko, and refusing the request of a princess from a neighboring country to visit would be rude.
Moreover, Madrine-sama has been stationed here for that very purpose. I understand.
“Come on, to His Majesty.”
“Come on, permit the visit.”
“Come on, guide us, not the sorcerer.”
Pressured by the three of them, Grave-sama’s face contorts, and he steps back.
“W-wait. This matter is under Variatel’s jurisdiction. I know nothing! Primarily, I am currently working to clear Elnea’s suspicions. You should take your cases to Variatel!”
“Thank you. So you are cooperating to clear my suspicions.”
“Uh, well… that…”
It clearly conveys that he’s at his wit’s end.
Cornered by three beautiful women who have blocked his logical escape routes, Grave-sama stammers and says something strange.
“Hmph! Elnea, come with me! I will personally guide you to the Dragon Stable!”
Ah. He escaped!
Grave-sama, fleeing from the pursuit of the three beautiful women, grabs my hand and hurries out of the room.
No, no. Even if I’m being guided, I don’t want to be pulled by the hand; that makes me unhappy!
I’m unceremoniously pulled by Grave-sama as we leave the small shrine. And everyone else follows behind, grinning.
“It’s sad to see Elnea being led by a man.”
“Mist-san, you shouldn’t say that.”
“Big Brother, are you going for a walk with a man?”
“No. He’s going to be active from now on.”
“Can Elnea-sama really become friends with dragons?”
“No problem. Elnea-kun was loved by everyone at Dragon Peak.”
“No problem. No matter what happens, we love Elnea-kun.”
“Meow.”
Everyone follows, chatting about their own thoughts.
They’re far too relaxed!
The Miko and priests also join, and we all leave the small shrine. As we cross a corridor leading to another building, I notice some commotion outside.
I wonder what it is? Still holding Grave-sama’s hand, I try to sense the disturbances outside.
“Tch, is that Caster?”
Grave-sama also notices the commotion outside and stares into the distance from the corridor window.
My gaze is directed towards the courtyard, and beyond that, there are other buildings and corridors, so I can’t see the source of the disturbance. However, I, sensing the presence, realize there are several Earth Dragons ahead.
“It looks like there are Earth Dragons. How about I prove it with those Earth Dragons instead of the Dragon Stable?”
At my suggestion, Grave-sama stops and turns around. Then, he snorts derisively.
“Hmph. With Caster’s Earth Dragon? I’ll make you regret those words.”
“E-Elnea-kun, Caster brother’s Earth Dragon is ferocious, unlike others. Also, unlike wyverns, the Earth Dragons of the Dragon Knight Order are not trained!”
Friel, who hastily interjects, informs me.
Caster is the third prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. He’s usually stationed at a fort near the eastern border and is the captain of the Eastern Defense Force, guarding the land from invading monsters. It seems he has returned upon hearing of the King’s condition.
And the Earth Dragons of the Dragon Knight Order are used in a different way than wyverns.
There appear to be several Earth Dragon groups, primarily in the mountainous regions of the north. Instead of hunting them, they capture injured and weakened Earth Dragons or lure them with abundant livestock to be used as subordinates.
Therefore, some docile Earth Dragons can be controlled without training. Caster’s Earth Dragon, on the other hand, is not trained and obeys him through a contract based on superior food and Caster-sama alone.
Hearing Friel’s explanation, I can’t help but grimace, thinking that there might be ways to control dragons other than training.
I don’t believe the same methods would work on ferocious and belligerent wyverns, but I wished they had experimented with other approaches for wyverns as well.
Or perhaps, is this method used because trying other ways failed?
“In short, they don’t listen to anyone other than Caster brother, so they won’t let me into the Dragon Stable, and they always go on a rampage when they return to the capital.”
I see. So that’s the reason for the rampage.
“In that case, all the more reason! I will become friends with that Earth Dragon!”
I look at Grave-sama with full confidence, but he doesn’t seem to believe me.
“Very well. I will guide you. However, I will not be responsible for whatever happens to you.”
I’ve chosen an Earth Dragon that is not trained or docile and is currently rampaging, rather than one in the Dragon Stable. If anything happens, I can’t possibly blame Grave-sama.
When I nod at Grave-sama’s words, he changes course and leads me to where Caster’s Earth Dragon is causing trouble.
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