We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The reward will be another time.
I remember a story Sleigsta the Old Man told me when I first met him. He said he had been guarding the Dragon Forest for about two thousand years and that eventually, he would pass on his duties.
“That being said, it will probably be your grandson or even later generations before that young lady officially succeeds me.”
“Honestly, I can’t understand the sense of time that you old folks have.”
My grandson or later? How many decades into the future is that? And then, to think that Lily and the world are already moving for that future, decades away, it makes me feel the grandeur of it all.
“Then, why was Lily kept by the Giant Demon Lord?”
“That, you see… When I went to see the place where Sleigsta-sama trained, I was captured as an intruder. You know, that forbidden territory.”
“Even if he was training, how could he…?”
Or rather, Sleigsta the Old Man was training in the forbidden territory of the demon race? Is that why he knew the Giant Demon Lord?
“Hmm. The Giant Demon Lord, you say. In my youth, I also traveled the world to broaden my horizons, just like that young lady. And I had someone I could call my master, and he was guarding a certain place. Many beings, regardless of race, gathered around him. Among them were Rosa and Eliza.”
Sleigsta the Old Man narrowed his eyes as if reminiscing about the past, his gaze distant.
“The first name was about the Giant Demon Lord, right? Who was the other one?”
“Hmm, it’s commendable that you don’t carelessly mention names out of curiosity. Be careful. Demon names are not to be spoken lightly. As for Eliza, well. You know that old, aging young girl who bound you and me with chains of prohibition? That’s her.”
An old, aging young girl…
“Grandpa, is it okay for you to call her name?”
“We know each other, to some extent. It’s precisely because we knew each other that I was overlooked at that time. You should be careful too. She is one of the most powerful beings in the world.”
Someone who Sleigsta the Old Man clearly stated was “above his rank.” That crimson-clad young girl was indeed no ordinary person. I guess she was a trusted subordinate of the ruler who commands the demons.
Could it be that the ruler who has that crimson-clad young girl as a vassal is an extremely dangerous being…?
“Among the demons, they say that the young lady who is his right-hand is stronger than the great lord.”
“Is that so?”
“Regardless, even if you learn the names of demons, do not speak them casually. That is all.”
“Yes. I will keep that firmly in mind.”
Come to think of it, Ruilala, Lily, and even the Demon Generals and their close confidantes rarely spoke the names of their superiors.
Ruilala calling Charlotte’s name, and the subordinates of the Giant Demon Lord speaking the names of other Demon Lords like Kusharilla and her close confidantes, might have been because they were close acquaintances or enemies. But other than that, demons didn’t utter the names of those above them.
I should be careful from now on too.
Those who followed Sleigsta the Old Man listened to our conversation with keen interest.
It was rare enough for Sleigsta the Old Man to appear from the Dragon Forest. Everyone was captivated by his imposing figure and his profound knowledge, listening intently.
Indeed, Sleigsta the Old Man is amazing.
The Giant Demon Lord and the crimson-clad young girl are also unfathomable beings, but for me, the greatest being is undoubtedly Sleigsta the Old Man!
“Umu. Be grateful and praise me.”
Sleigsta the Old Man, as if reading my thoughts, laughed gleefully.
We crossed the sky leisurely, enjoying a pleasant conversation with Sleigsta the Old Man and everyone else, heading west. Ahead, we spotted a group raising dust.
“Grandpa. I’d like to greet that group.”
“Very well. Go ahead and jump.”
“No, no, no. I’ll die if I jump!”
“What are you talking about? Mistral will catch you. You’ve already accepted his form, haven’t you?”
“I know Mistral’s form and abilities, but this is a different matter. Please set me down properly.”
“To think you would treat me so. You will surely be punished.”
“N-no…”
“Oh, as expected of the Dragon King. To order around the guardian of that Dragon Forest.”
“As expected of the leader of Dragon Peak.”
“How frightening.”
From the Earth Dragons on the ground and the flying Wyverns in the sky, who had been listening to the conversation between me and Sleigsta the Old Man, words of misunderstanding flew out.
“Since it’s your request, I have no choice. Everyone, follow me!”
“Ah! Wait a minute!”
Damn it. I forgot Sleigsta the Old Man’s personality.
He was acting normally since our reunion, so I let my guard down. Or rather, considering Sleigsta the Old Man’s personality, was his behavior until now abnormal?!
But my shout was too late.
Sleigsta the Old Man and the following dragons charged towards the group with glee. The group, raising dust and heading our way, was thrown into disarray by the sudden charge of a large group of dragons. Sleigsta the Old Man and the aerial unit ignored them and landed in the middle of the group. Dust clouds and tremors spread. The Earth Dragons surrounded the group without question and roared.
“Hiiiii!”
Screams erupted.
It can’t be helped. There’s no one who wouldn’t feel fear when suddenly approached by dragons from the sky and the ground.
However…
“Give us meat!”
“Hahaha!”
“Sorry to startle you.”
“Any cute ones around?”
This is what the roars of the dragons dwelling on Dragon Peak sound like. But to humans without dragon hearts, who only hear them as dragon roars, they are nothing but soul-shattering sounds. Only the dragons of the Dragon Knight Order looked exasperated and drooped their heads.
Yes. The group heading towards us was the Earth Dragon Knight Order of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
The humans were flustered, and the dragons, realizing they were being teased, felt relieved. The group was sharply divided. And among the bifurcating group, I spotted a familiar dark-colored Earth Dragon. I also recognized the middle-aged man riding a body that was one size larger than the surrounding Earth Dragons, even those from Dragon Peak.
“Y-Your Majesty… I’m so sorry! There are complicated circumstances behind this…”
The dark-colored Earth Dragon was Gusferus, the royal dragon of the King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. And only His Majesty, the King of this country, rode Gusferus.
“Oh, oh, oh. Elnea? You startled me…”
The King, upon seeing my form, let out a sigh of relief. Then, realizing I was riding on the head of a super-giant dragon, his face twisted as he looked up at me. I sincerely wanted to apologize for the rapid emotional shifts. *Sigh*.
Around us, the confusion gradually began to subside. Well, it was chaotic at first, but because dragons could communicate with each other, the Earth Dragons belonging to the Dragon Knight Order quickly stopped panicking. And the dragon riders, once their mounts calmed down, began to regain their composure, even if they didn’t grasp the situation.
“I offer my apologies anew. And this is my master, Grandpa Sleigsta. Grandpa, this person riding the dark-attribute Earth Dragon is the King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.”
“Hmm. A descendant of that mischievous Yorttenitos boy.”
“I-It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Yorttenitos VIII, King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Your legends have long been passed down in the royal family. This time, you saved us from the brink of national ruin, and on behalf of all who live in the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I offer my deepest gratitude. As I am in an inconvenient state, please forgive this greeting from atop an Earth Dragon.”
The King straightened himself on Gusferus and bowed deeply. Sleigsta the Old Man, who had appeared in white during the battle, had now returned to his usual black form. The fact that he was recognized without mistake meant that Sleigsta the Old Man was properly accounted for in the royal family’s legends.
“Formal greetings and manners are unnecessary. Your ancestor and I were as close as spitting at each other. I permit you, his descendant, to be treated equally.”
“A-Ah, what a blessing.”
The King seems overwhelmed with emotion. But what does “spitting at each other” mean…? I want to retort, but I’ll hold back for now. More importantly…
“Your Majesty, I am truly sorry. We have to return to the Armēdo Kingdom.”
This is not an escape. Sleigsta the Old Man is concerned about the Dragon Forest, so it’s unavoidable.
“What?! We haven’t even returned your kindness for this time, and you’re already leaving? Will Lyra also leave?”
Your Majesty, is that your true heart…?
“I’m sorry. I would like to deepen our fellowship, but my original duty lies elsewhere. I cannot be away from my duties for such a long time.”
You’re planning to return leisurely, not by spatial transfer, calling it sightseeing on your way back, aren’t you?
“Oh, oh. That is important.”
“Umu. If you ever visit the land I protect, I shall surely entertain you then.”
“Before I end my life, I swear, as a descendant of King Yorttenitos the Founder, to pilgrimage to the land you protect.”
Pilgrimage…?
“I shall await it with anticipation.”
“Yes. Absolutely!”
The King, still bowed, looked up and met Sleigsta the Old Man’s gaze intensely.
I have a bad feeling about this!
“Fufufu. Elnea, do not equate me with simple creatures. More importantly, didn’t you also have something to do?”
“Uh. It’s not so much an errand as it is saying goodbye.”
“Then, take your time to say your farewells without regret.”
“What do you mean by that?! Please stop talking as if we’re heading to certain death.”
“You may have forgotten, but you obliterated an entire capital city there. You are returning there. I don’t know what will happen.”
“No, no, no. It was you and the others who obliterated it! I’ve been holding myself back properly!”
“What are you saying? I came out to help you. In that case, you should bear all the responsibility.”
“Grandpa only got angry and came out because lightning struck the place he guards, right?”
“Is it my age? I’ve been forgetful lately…”
“Remember it!”
Sleigsta the Old Man was, after all, Sleigsta the Old Man! As Sleigsta the Old Man and I were blaming each other, everyone around us let out a deep sigh.
“Oh, as expected of the Dragon King. To argue with such an immeasurable and terrifying giant dragon.”
“Terrifying. To be able to converse with such a dragon without fear.”
“Was he not just an ordinary person after all?”
“Not only the royal castle of Yorttenitos but also in Armēdo…”
“The King of Destruction…”
“Kch, I lost.”
The members of the Dragon Knight Order looked at us with astonished eyes. Ah, my reputation is being twisted in a strange way…
“Old man, Elnea. Do it in moderation.”
“Mistral, help me!”
“Mistral, discipline Elnea properly.”
“Old man, if you bully Elnea too much, I won’t let you off?”
“W-wait, wait. Don’t be hasty. I’m thinking of you…” Angyaaaa!
Sleigsta the Old Man’s second excuse didn’t work. Mistral drew his jet-black one-handed club, kicked off Revalia’s back, and swung down a hammer blow on the tips of Sleigsta the Old Man’s front paws. Sleigsta the Old Man’s black, lustrous scales shattered, and an indentation appeared.
So terrifying.
Everyone except my own kin was terrified by Mistral’s destructive power, which could injure Sleigsta the Old Man, the overwhelmingly large dragon.
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