We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Anemone was the one who bandaged Zan’s wounds.
After parting ways with Mistral and the others, we headed south, following the shallow areas on the west side of Dragon Peak.
If we ventured too deep, even the tyrant Revalia and the black dragon Lily could be attacked by dragons nearing their end. Likewise, if we flew through the skies of the Demon Race’s Country, we might be attacked by demons.
Even if demons attacked, they would be no match for Revalia and Lily. However, we couldn’t risk them deducing our flight path and inadvertently revealing Mistral and their movements.
We cautiously descended southward through a spot roughly one peak over. Then, the bleak mountain scenery of winter began to gain in color.
It seemed winter was slowly approaching Dragon Peak from the north.
When I lived in the capital city of the Armēdo Kingdom, I thought winter came from the rugged peaks of the mountain range to the west.
However, as I’ve come to know this vast world, I keenly feel how limited my knowledge truly was.
With each mountain we crossed and each valley we passed, autumn scenery became more prevalent.
But this scenery seemed to be passing by quickly this year, with harsh winter no doubt rushing in.
For the Dragon Race people living in the northern part of Dragon Peak, this year would surely be a difficult winter.
In that case, at the very least…
I wanted to quickly end this conflict and alleviate their hardship even a little.
To do that, we had to act first, inform them that we had rescued the captive people, end the conflict between the Dragon Race people, repel the troublesome demons, and defeat Orta.
As if sensing my resolve, Revalia also showed determination.
She flew on, maintaining a speed that rivaled Lily’s, and swiftly passed through the northern part of Dragon Peak, known as the Dragon’s Mausoleum.
Beyond the Dragon’s Mausoleum, it was practically Revalia’s territory, as she was once called the tyrant.
Revalia let out a fierce roar, as if to release her pent-up frustration, and headed straight for the village south of here, where the Dragon Race people had their base, flapping her wings fiercely.
And in less than a day since parting with Mistral and the others, we returned to the village where Zan and the others resided.
“Elnea-kun!”
“I’m back.”
Ranissem was the first to run up to us as we landed in the village plaza.
Everyone else seemed to have been delayed in approaching, surprised by Lily, the black dragon, who had landed with Revalia.
However, Zan’s figure was nowhere to be seen among the gathering villagers, and I unintentionally scanned the surroundings.
“You mean Zan? He was injured when he helped Anemone. He is resting in the building over there.”
“Anemone-san was attacked!?”
“No, she’s fine. My sister is unharmed. I apologize that Zan was injured because of her.”
“That’s a relief. Anemone-san is safe.”
“Yes, nowhere near her former sickly self. She’s so energetic lately that it’s become a problem. By the way, aren’t you worried about Zan?”
Ranissem gave a wry smile, and I returned it with a smile.
“I know Zan is very strong. I respect him as a first-class warrior who can fight anytime as long as he’s alive. Therefore, I’m confident he’s fine even if he’s injured. Isn’t that right?”
“Hahaha. That’s exactly right.”
Although we had this conversation, I’m not so heartless as to not visit him. Ranissem led me to the building where he was said to be resting.
As we walked, I asked him to gather the representatives from the other villagers.
I asked Luisaine to explain Lily and Mistral’s situation to everyone in the village.
Following Ranissem, I entered the building at the back of the village.
“Elnea-kun!”
“Uwah. Anemone-san, I’m back.”
Anemone was inside the building, and as soon as our eyes met, she hugged me.
“My, you’re popular here too, Elnea-kun. I’m getting jealous.”
Oops. I had forgotten about her existence.
I waved my hand at Luisine and gently pulled away from Anemone’s embrace.
“Anemone, that’s enough. Elnea-kun is tired from his long journey.”
“No, I feel much better after that hug.”
“I’m glad you say so. Brother, you’ll get old if you keep nagging me?”
“Shut up. More importantly, guide Elnea-kun to Zan’s room.”
Ranissem sighed, seemingly exasperated.
Anemone guided me, and we moved from the living room to the bedroom.
Luisine, as expected, followed along.
I felt uneasy about bringing an enemy demon into the room of an injured person.
So, as I tried to stop Luisine in front of the bedroom, a voice called out from inside.
“That voice is Elnea. And Luisine is here too. Don’t mind us, come in.”
Zan’s voice came through the door, and I had no choice but to enter the room with Luisine.
“I’m back.”
“You’ve returned safely.”
Entering the bedroom, Zan was propped up on the bed, looking at me.
Beside Zan sat a middle-aged man with one arm.
I had never seen him before.
As our eyes met, the one-armed middle-aged man stood up.
“Eight Dragon King Elnea, I presume. I’ve heard about you. I am Gashark. A Dragon King.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Dragon King Elnea Eris.”
I hastily greeted the unexpected person.
There are still four Dragon Kings I haven’t personally met. One is Ide, who is accompanying the hero Listea.
Gashark-san was one of the remaining three.
“A young Dragon King who commands the viscountess of the Demon Race, Luisilala, I see, I see.”
He’s mistaken. I don’t command Luisilala. I wanted to strongly deny it.
As I wondered how to explain my relationship with Luisilala, I looked at Gashark-san. He was rubbing his left arm, which was missing below the shoulder, and looking at me with interest, a grin on his face.
“Hmm? Are you curious about my left arm?”
Gashark-san, misinterpreting my gaze, looked toward his own left arm.
“It was just recently blown off by that scoundrel Zan.”
“Eh?”
“If it weren’t for him, I would have been sliced in half.”
“Ehh!?”
It’s only now that I notice. Zan, who had sat up, wasn’t wearing a jacket. And his abdomen was wrapped in multiple layers of bandages in a clumsy fashion.
“What happened?”
I asked to be told about the commotion that occurred in my absence.
Luisilala also listened intently to the story of the commotion between Zan and Gashark.
Gashark, defeated by Zan, was calmly captured by the southern Dragon Race people.
Originally from the northern part of Dragon Peak, Gashark had betrayed his people in the same region, unable to abandon them. However, after being captured, he had reportedly been living quietly in this village.
But Gashark was now at a crossroads.
After being captured, he had been persuaded by the Dragon Kings Sleny and Yakshion.
But was it not a hasty decision to readily side with the southern Dragon Race people again?
Despite his position as a Dragon King, he had been swayed by personal feelings to betray Dragon Peak and cooperate with the people causing disturbances in the North. Now that he had lost, he was considering allying with the South again. Was this truly the course of action a Dragon King should take? He was confiding his worries to me for some reason.
Though I should have been listening to the story about the disturbance that happened in my absence, somehow it had turned into Gashark’s life advice session.
But honestly, why is a middle-aged man asking a child for life advice?
I listened to Gashark’s story with a seemingly serious expression, but inwardly, I was bewildered.
“Elnea, what would you do?”
Asked by Gashark, I tilted my head and thought. Then, I voiced my own thoughts.
“Don’t you think you don’t have to think too deeply?”
“Oh?”
“Because, Gashark-san, you are a Dragon King.”
“A pathetic Dragon King who lost to a young warrior, but a Dragon King nonetheless.”
“Uh, well. If that’s the case, I really don’t think you need to worry.”
“Why?”
“Because… the people of the South and the people of the North are all Dragon Race people living on Dragon Peak, aren’t they? A Dragon King must work for Dragon Peak and its people. If that’s the case, without thinking about South or North, you just need to act in a way that benefits Dragon Peak, its people, and incidentally, the dragons. The people of the North aren’t trying to do evil; they are acting with their future and their lives in mind. They were just taken advantage of by demons, or their opinions clashed with those of the Southern people. I don’t believe there is good or evil in this situation. So, Gashark-san, without overthinking betrayal or switching sides, you should just act in a way that makes everyone happy.”
Even as I say it myself, it seems the root cause is indeed the demons. If so, shouldn’t we be focusing on driving the demons out of Dragon Peak, rather than fighting amongst ourselves within the Dragon Race?
The captive people, whom the northern people were concerned about, have been rescued by us, so their worries should be gone.
Gashark, who had been listening to my story with a serious expression, burst into hearty laughter as I finished speaking.
Why am I being laughed at?
Did I say something foolish?
I thought it might have been a ridiculous remark, and shame washed over me, causing me to look down.
“No, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Despite apologizing, Gashark continued to laugh.
Even Zan, I noticed, was sporting a wry smile.
Behind me, Luisilala was also laughing, saying something like, “As expected, Elnea-kun is funny.”
“Did I… say something strange?”
“No, you didn’t say anything strange.”
Zan said so, but Gashark was still laughing.
“Fufufufu. Zan is right. He’s a truly amusing Dragon King. I see, as you say, it’s simple. I just need to act for Dragon Peak, as a Dragon King should. Personal feelings and sentiments were unnecessary.”
“Uh, yes. We rescued all the people who were captured in the North. Now, we just need to unite and drive the demons out of Dragon Peak.”
“What! I heard you were summoned by that terrifying Giant Demon Lord and went to the Demon Race’s Country. You actually saved those captives!”
“Yes. That’s why we came back ahead of everyone else.”
I took out a letter from an elder that I had received from the representative and handed it to Gashark.
Gashark skillfully opened the letter with one hand and confirmed its contents.
“It’s correct. This is signed by Elder Azer of the northern representative tribe. I see… they were safely rescued.”
Gashark’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Hmm. Tell me more about that story.”
“I heard a brief version from Luisine, but please tell us in detail.”
While we were talking in the bedroom, a few adults arrived.
In the front was Sleny, with thinning hair. Behind him was Yakshion, with his well-built physique. And a few more formidable-looking warriors followed behind.
“Everyone, I’m back.”
After exchanging greetings, the report session began right there in the bedroom where Zan was resting.
I explained in detail what happened after meeting the Giant Demon Lord. I wasn’t sure how much Luisine had already told them, so even though I thought they might have heard it twice, I spoke thoroughly, judging it necessary.
However, I kept the matter of the Forbidden Territory a secret.
It seemed that this also needed to be kept secret from the Dragon Race people.
Midway through, Anemone thoughtfully brought us drinks. We finished our story while moistening our throats.
And without pause, we explained our plan.
We asked the Dragon Race people to work on persuading the northern faction and resolving the commotion. And to deal with the demons who had entered Dragon Peak.
We would face Orta with all our might.
As we progressed to the explanation of the battle against Orta, everyone in the room, who had been listening intently, their expressions clouded over.
“Elnea…”
Zan looked at me with a pained expression.
“Elnea, is this alright with you? At worst, there could be casualties amongst you.”
“Indeed, that might be the only way to defeat Orta. However…”
“Let me ask you something. Though you are a Dragon King, you are human. Why are you so invested in Dragon Peak? Your life is at risk.”
All eyes focused on me. Anemone, who had entered the room unnoticed and was listening to the conversation, turned pale.
I looked around at everyone in the room.
Then, I replied with a smile.
“Why? Because I love Dragon Peak! I love its rugged yet nature-rich land. I love the Dragon Race people who treat me like family. I love the dragons who interact with me happily, transcending racial barriers. Is it strange to give my all for the people I love?”
I continued with a smile.
“Besides, we are not pessimistic. We are confident that we can absolutely achieve this plan. We do not intend to be reckless. Above all, we will complete the operation safely!!”
Certainly, just hearing about the plan from my mouth would be full of anxiety.
However, we all deeply understand each other.
And we decided on this plan because we judged that we could definitely succeed.
We will never choose an option that would result in someone’s sacrifice.
We absolutely refuse to choose an unfortunate outcome for the sake of great achievement. We only desire a happy ending where everyone can smile when this is over.
Zan smiled faintly at my confident smile.
“That’s just like you. Then, I will trust you and Mistral and the others.”
“Guhahaha. He’s even more of a magnate than Zan described. Truly interesting!”
Gashark’s face broke into a wide smile at Zan’s words.
Then, the other two Dragon Kings nodded, saying, “As expected of Jiludo’s successor.” The other warriors still showed a slight expression of bewilderment. However, with the approval of all the Dragon Kings present, the future course of action was officially decided.
Good. I was on pins and needles, wondering if this would be rejected as too reckless, insufficient in strength, or too dangerous.
Relieved that an agreement had been reached, I breathed a sigh of relief.
But it was Zan who spoke sharp words to me.
“However, Elnea.”
“Wh-what?”
My back straightened at Zan’s serious and sharp gaze.
“I will add one condition to your plan.”
“Eh!?”
“We cannot place the burden solely on you. I will participate in this plan as well.”
“Ehhh!?”
I was taken aback by Zan’s unexpected proposal and recoiled in surprise.
“No, wait.”
It was Sleny who stopped Zan’s words.
“Let us all Dragon Kings participate in Elnea’s plan.”
“Eeeeeh!? But then, what about the demon army?”
While our plan would indeed be lighter for each individual with more people, I wondered if it was alright to leave the simultaneous problem of the demons unattended.
The formidable-looking warriors present in the room answered my question.
“Even for us, demons are not much of a problem.”
“No matter how many there are, we’ll crush them.”
“The Dragon Kings will face Orta. We will handle the demons.”
“We won’t let the demons run wild on Dragon Peak.”
Their expressions shifted from confusion to ferocious smiles. The warriors appeared much fiercer than the demons I had seen in the Demon Race’s Country.
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