We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 246

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Confrontation with Prince Grave.

“Hey. Why are you guys the only ones eating?”
“Kuwa. Why aren’t we rewarded?”
“When is dinner?”

While ignoring the muttering of the dragon race, I mingle at the post-ceremony meal.

“Here, Revalia.”
“Are you an idiot? With that amount of meat, it just gets stuck between your teeth and you don’t even feel like you’ve eaten it!”

Despite bringing meat with a sigh of resignation to the complaining dragon race. The tyrant blew away the piece of meat I offered with a snort.

“Ah, what a waste…”
“Is this the tyrant of Dragon Peak? Truly arrogant and self-important.”
“Exactly. I brought it out of kindness.”
“Your offering was just harassment. It would be better not to put such a small piece of meat, the size of your palm, in your mouth.”
“I brought large meat though?”
“If you intended to be helpful, bring that whole roasted pig over there.”

The tyrant’s gaze pointed to a whole roasted pig.

“I can’t do all of that. After all, if I treated Revalia, I’d have to share with everyone too, wouldn’t I?”

The lunch meeting was a standing buffet held in the same location as the ceremony. Colorful dishes prepared by court chefs under the blue sky were laid out on prepared tables.

I was surrounded by nobles I had met yesterday, dragon knights, guards, and invited guests. Among them, the dragon knights were looking at me with particularly intense gazes.

“Dragon King, that wyvern is magnificent.”
“I feel a difference in class compared to other wyverns.”

And through me, the Wyvern Knight Order was very interested in the tyrant.

The tyrant, like Lord Yugra, was not accustomed to people. In fact, more so than Lord Yugra, he exuded an aura that kept not only people but also other dragons away.

As expected of a tyrant. His presence in that regard surpasses anyone.

And his solitary presence seems to be very popular with the dragon knights.

The tyrant usually flies freely in the skies of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. However, he is currently waiting quietly at the Royal Castle Ruins.

The Wyvern Knight Order apparently wants to see me interacting with the tyrant.

So, I went to meet the tyrant with meat…

“You owe me. Don’t lump me in with the others. Now, bring that!”

I was at a loss with the unreasonable demand.

“Rim is hungry too.”
“I want Elnea to play with me!”

Fiorina and Rim, who had been quiet during the ceremony, nuzzled up to me.

“That pig is overcooked. Bring another cow.”
“I want to eat meat that someone has seasoned!”
“Uwah. Play with me!”

How did it come to this!

The dragon knights were surprised to see me being swarmed by a giant wyvern and adorable young dragons.

“Whoa, he’s playing with that fearsome wyvern.”
“If I tried the same thing, I’m sure I’d be bitten to death…”
“How cute that small wyvern is.”
“The wyvern is surprisingly cute when it’s small, too.”
“Envious…”

It seemed I wasn’t disliked. My interactions with the dragons were viewed favorably.

And so, without attracting peculiar stares, rather receiving looks of envy and curiosity, the lunch proceeded smoothly.

Meanwhile, as for the women. The Twin Princesses were very popular with the nobles. Mistral also drew many male gazes, but because she was taking care of the young girl, the men couldn’t approach her.

And around Mistral, who was taking care of the young girl, women gathered. It was because of the adorable young girl.

Of the remaining two, Laira is monopolized by the King.

King, please restrain yourself…

The King’s smirking didn’t stop. With Laira by his side, chatting with nobles and guests, not only us, but also officials and guards were shooting bitter smiles.

Lastly, Ruiseine. She did not attend the lunch because she was preparing for the memorial service to be held later.

It seems Miko cannot participate in such lively gatherings. She seemed to have to decline the ceremony as well, but I asked her to attend out of my own selfishness.

When persuading her, I ended up hugging Ruiseine.

Was I always this bold?

Ruiseine, held in my arms, nodded vigorously with a bright red face and agreed to participate.

I, too, was embarrassed by my own boldness and froze while holding her. Now I understand Laira’s bold actions and her subsequent embarrassment.

Be that as it may. It wouldn’t be fair to Ruiseine alone, who couldn’t participate in the lunch.

Shall I go offer some encouragement?

I bid farewell to the attendees and headed towards the place where the clergy were preparing for the memorial service.

The memorial service is apparently held all night. Since events are always held at the temple on a full moon night, perhaps it’s an extension of that.

The changing and resting room for Miko was a hastily set-up tent. It was made of thick fabric, and the interior was set up to prevent transparency.

While asking a comely Miko nearby for Ruiseine’s location, my vision suddenly turned dark.

What just happened?!

Before I could even react, a soft sensation enveloped my head.

“Elnea-kun. Don’t run away.”
“Elnea-kun. Where are you going?”
“Ufufu. I’m going to Ruiseine’s…”

Could this sensation in front be Yufilia? Could the one behind be Nina? While speculating, I explained myself, buried in their chests.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Nina, my butt was touched.”
“Yufi-nee-sama, I’m jealous.”

Guf. The reason I can’t hear you is because of you. And it’s getting difficult to breathe.

As I struggled vaguely, I seemed to have touched Yufilia’s butt. That means the one in front is indeed Yufilia. But this is not the time to analyze!

Pushing away their chests, I finally managed to bring my head up to where I could breathe.

Ah, the Miko is looking at me with a troubled expression.

“S-Sorry…”

As I became ashamed, the Miko smiled with compassion and left.

I’ve shown myself in an embarrassing situation. Moreover, it’s currently happening, and people are watching.

“Yufi, Nina. Self-control is important!”
“Elnea-kun. There’s no need to hold back.”
“Elnea-kun. There’s no need to worry.”
“No, no, no. Something is wrong here!”

As I struggled again, the Twin Princesses finally settled down in my arms.

No, even so, the gazes from those around me were intense, and I couldn’t possibly go to see Ruiseine in this state.

This is troublesome. How can I break out of this situation? While pondering this, I looked around.

Could it be that Ruiseine and everyone else haven’t seen this situation!? Just as I broke out in a cold sweat, I felt a sharp gaze accompanied by killing intent from behind and quickly turned around.

“P-Prince Grave…”

It seemed I was seen by the worst possible opponent.

Prince Grave must have chased after the Twin Princesses who left the venue.

Prince Grave, though it may be late to say, was a splendid prince.

Putting aside my discomfort and looking at him calmly, he is undoubtedly an excellent person who respects the King and diligently handles practical matters.

And thinking more deeply, looking back at the past.

The first encounter was certainly not a good impression. I was ignored.

But I understood that it was the limit of what a prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom could compromise with, after learning about the country’s class system.

Royalty could not lightly speak to me, a shabby commoner. Moreover, I had killed a knight of their country, even if I was cursed by a magic sword. Considering the eyes of the Wyvern Knight Order who were present, I now understand that was his attitude.

And the exchange inside the carriage. Prince Grave gave me a pouch containing money and told me to keep quiet.

At that time, I got angry and rudely refused, but looking back calmly, it showed Prince Grave’s dignity.

Alone with me in a locked room. Originally, he could have threatened me. He could have implied assassination or something similar and tied me down. Yet, he tried to silence me with money. And even though I refused with disrespectful behavior, Prince Grave let it slide without getting angry.

If I had been a little more mature and astute, I might have noticed this person’s caliber from Prince Grave’s attitude at that time.

After that, we met at a detached palace. When I was first getting entangled with the Twin Princesses, he was looking at me with an intense gaze. But he never approached me, did he?

And the wyvern hunt.

Let’s think about it. He is a prince. The person who will become the next king. Originally, he is in a position where he should be giving instructions from his home country without participating in dangerous events like wyvern hunting. Yet, he took the lead, leading the Wyvern Knight Order and protecting the wyvern hunters on the front lines.

Where in this could I doubt Prince Grave’s qualifications as a king?

Within me, his evaluation has been on an upward trend over the past few days.

However, that Prince Grave is now looking at me, his face bright red.

Prince Grave, his lips trembling.

Everyone knows. Prince Grave is in love with the Twin Princesses.

Moreover, it’s close to pure love. After all, at the Amardo detached palace, he turned away many approaching women. Even though he’s a prince and women should flock to him, he doesn’t have a lover or mistress even in his home country, Yorttenitos.

The women Prince Grave loves. I, who have taken both of them, might have had to have a proper conversation with Prince Grave once.

But it was a verification that was too late.

Prince Grave approached me with a terrifying expression and declared,

“Elnea, it’s a match!”

Just then, Ruiseine and Madrine peeked out from a nearby tent.

They are looking at us with expressions of surprise.

“Gamble the twins, and have a fair match with me!”
“I refuse!”

To Prince Grave, who declared that with a bright red face, I answered immediately.

“…Huh?”

Perhaps it was an unexpectedly immediate refusal, Prince Grave froze for a moment.

“Uh. They are not objects, so I will not make them a target for gambling. Therefore, I refuse.”

With my clear words, Prince Grave’s face contorted, and he froze further.

“That’s right. It sounds interesting.”
“That’s right. We are fine.”

But, for some reason, the Twin Princesses are enthusiastic.

Even though I refused…

“Let’s do this. We will marry the winner.”
“Let’s do this. We will marry the winner.”

What kind of people are they!

To make their own lives a target for gambling!?

This is a matter of protest. As I was about to get angry at the Twin Princesses, I heard a whisper in my ear.

“We believe in you. Elnea-kun will definitely protect us.”
“We believe in you. Elnea-kun will not betray our expectations.”

My heart skipped a beat. To be spoken to with sincere words, albeit whispered, by the usually cheerful pair.

But, wouldn’t this provoke Prince Grave’s emotions if he had heard it? Fortunately, he didn’t seem to hear the whispers, as he was breathing heavily with excitement at the Twin Princesses’ proposal.

Thus, suddenly, a match between me and Prince Grave was decided.

“The match is simple. The one who overwhelms the opponent with all their might wins.”
“The match is simple. The one who subjugates the opponent with the highest power they can exert wins.”

The method of the match was decided by the Twin Princesses themselves, who were the subject of the bet.

A match with all our might. For Prince Grave, it would undoubtedly be his strength as a dragon knight.

Prince Grave brought his mount dragon without hesitation.

And while Prince Grave was preparing, interested parties who had heard the rumors gathered.

The King, two princes, the women. And the tyrants.

News of the match between me and Prince Grave spread rapidly throughout the venue. However, it is not desirable for a prince to have a public match gambling over princesses of another country. Therefore, it became an unofficial match witnessed by a select few.

Well, even so, it’s still a big deal from my perspective…

“Elnea. Let’s make something clear before the match.”
“What is it?”

I tilted my head at the eager Prince Grave.

“Earl Yugra is Friel’s mount dragon, not yours, right?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”

I somehow understood Prince Grave’s strategy.

“That crimson wyvern over there is often ridden by Laira. From the side, it’s perceived as Laira’s dragon, isn’t it?”
“…You can think of it that way.”
“What nonsense are you talking about.”

I ignored the tyrant’s disgruntled growl for now.

“Then, the twins said. With all the might they possess. That is, using someone else’s dragon is not your own power. Is that right?”
“That’s how it is.”

A beaming Prince Grave nodded.

“Fufufu… Hahaha! Even as the Dragon King, I don’t feel like I’ll lose to someone who can’t command dragons. Now, fight honorably!”

Prince Grave shouted loudly and swiftly mounted his blue wyvern.

I watched him do so and turned my back,

And then, towards Priscilla-chan, who had come to watch.

No, that’s not right.

I approached Nimia, who was relaxing on Priscilla-chan’s head.

“Meow.”

Nimia let out a cute cry as I grabbed her.

“Fufufu! What are you going to do with such a kitten!”

Prince Grave looked down at me from the back of his wyvern, gloating.

Um, even if I’m in disguise, you’re too unobservant? Are you so excited that you’ve lost your ability to see things calmly?

Unlike Prince Grave, the blue wyvern winced at Nimia.

“Well then, Nimia. Please do your best?”
“Understood, nya. I’ll do my best, nya.”

The onlookers, who didn’t know her true identity, were surprised by Nimia suddenly speaking. And that surprise turned into astonishment.

Nimia, with a cute meow, began to grow giant.

“…Huh?”

Prince Grave looked at the giant Nimia, who had grown to a colossal size, with eyes like dots.

Prince Grave is mistaken. My best available combat power right now is not the tyrant or Lord Yugra, unfortunately. It’s Nimia, an Ancient Dragon Species, a dragon fighter.

“Now, let’s have our match, Prince Grave!”

With Nimia, who had become larger than the tyrant and Lord Yugra, I leaped onto her using spatial jump.

And at the same time as my words, Nimia let out a “Meow.”

The flower field between Prince Grave and his wyvern, and me and Nimia, instantly turned into white, snow-like ash.

“Impossible! There’s no way I can fight an Ancient Dragon Species!”

Ah, he ran away!

Prince Grave’s blue wyvern, with a face as white as a sheet, left the ground and fled with all its might.

“Gyaaa!”

Prince Grave let out a scream on the suddenly soaring wyvern.

“Wait, nyaa~n.”

Nimia began to chase after him with elegant wing beats.

“Heeeelp!!”

The desperate cry of the blue wyvern echoed in the sky.

“Is this what Grandpa was talking about, the ability to win without fighting?”
“Nyaa. I won’t get scolded by Mom.”

The chase between the blue wyvern and Nimia continued until before dusk.

It’s not my imagination that other wyverns, who found the chase between the blue wyvern and Nimia amusing, joined in midway.

And on the exhausted blue wyvern that finally landed, Prince Grave was unconscious.

He lost control of the fleeing wyvern, was tossed around, and passed out.

Hmm, can I really evaluate this prince favorably after all…?