We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Please, Grandpa.
Revalia landed on the Moss Garden with a slight reluctance, perhaps due to the aftereffects of her first encounter with Asher. Even so, Revalia, you’ve really changed to see me home properly.
I thanked her and petted her several times.
Without greeting Old Man Sleigsta or Asher, Revalia snorted and curled up, falling asleep.
Old Man Sleigsta and Asher greeted me as if paying Revalia no mind.
“Good evening.”
“What a strange time to visit!”
“It’s noisy. If you have no business, go home.”
“No, no, I came because I have business.”
“What a nuisance.”
“I don’t think it would be a nuisance to Asher, but…”
“Which means it’s a nuisance to me.”
“Ugh!”
Right. What I’m about to ask will only be a nuisance to Old Man Sleigsta. But for the Human Race, it’s necessary to survive this winter. So, I resolved myself and proceeded to speak.
“Actually,”
I conveyed the current situation in the capital and the requests, which I had just heard from Rudoriado, and waited for Old Man Sleigsta’s reply.
To be honest, I thought asking to cut down trees in the Dragon Forest was an inflexible request. So, my main target would likely be the forest spreading at the foothills of Dragon Peak. I would have to consult the magical beasts.
“I understand the humans’ request. They are fragile and weak to the cold. They will need fire for warmth.”
Old Man Sleigsta also understood the problems of the Human Race. However, that was a separate issue from cutting down the Dragon Forest.
“Indeed. My duty is to protect the Dragon Forest. I will not forgive anyone, regardless of their race, who harms the forest.”
Old Man Sleigsta gazed down at me from his high perch. I looked up at him with serious eyes and listened.
“My stance is unchanging. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I understand perfectly.”
In reality, this was not a matter that needed consultation. Old Man Sleigsta’s answer was predictable. However, as a fellow human, I understood the hardships of the capital’s residents.
Yet, the idea of cutting down trees in the forest at the foothills of Dragon Peak, the other proposed plan, would also be hopeless without the cooperation of the magical beasts. With such uncertainties, I consulted Old Man Sleigsta, thinking that even if it were in vain, the worst that could happen was to be refused.
Or rather, I wasn’t consulting. I was begging. I clung to the faint hope that Old Man Sleigsta might be able to do something.
“Hmm. You’ve become capable of many things on your own lately. You’ve changed so much since we first met.”
Old Man Sleigsta looked down at me intently with his golden eyes.
“But do not misunderstand. You are Human, a weak being. You cannot solve everything. Do not try to shoulder everything that catches your eye.”
“Yes.”
I have pride in having gone through many harrowing experiences from early autumn to early winter. After that, when the series of disturbances subsided, I remembered what Old Man Sleigsta had repeatedly told me.
I am not the center of the world. The world does not revolve around me. In this world, there exist countless beings so immeasurable that I am but a speck of dust. I even saw terrifying beings that even Old Man Sleigsta could not contend with.
And Old Man Sleigsta was now correcting my thoughts.
Perhaps I was trying to shoulder it all alone because I was consulted, and because I was told it was a consultation only I could handle.
“There is nothing wrong with crying to your elders. Sometimes, you can consult them and even leave matters entirely to them. Otherwise, we elders would die of boredom.”
With that, Old Man Sleigsta opened his mouth wide and laughed.
“Can I rely on you, Grandpa?”
“We are friends. Do not hesitate.”
“…Thank you.”
Tears welled up at the corners of my eyes from Old Man Sleigsta’s kind consideration.
“Well then, please, Grandpa. Please resolve this issue.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Eeeeeh!!”
What an old dragon!
It was indeed Old Man Sleigsta. Please give me back my emotions.
I cried to Asher like Priscilla-chan, and he looked at our exchange with a dumbfounded expression.
“You old man and you, you’re kindred spirits and fools. That’s why males…”
“Fools.”
Asher sighed. Revalia, please don’t say such terrible things quietly either.
“Hahaha. I’m willing to hear your plea, so isn’t this a small matter?”
Only Old Man Sleigsta continued to laugh cheerfully.
“So, you’ll hear my plea, right?”
“Hmm, it is your wish. I suppose I must listen.”
Satisfied with teasing me, Old Man Sleigsta continued.
“However, as I said earlier, my position remains unchanged.”
“Yes.”
“My duty is to protect the Dragon Forest and the Spirit Tree. I will not hesitate to take any measures to protect them. If humans, without permission, were to ravage the forest and threaten the Spirit Tree, I would mercilessly destroy the Human Race.”
Old Man Sleigsta’s words were not false. I knew that very well.
Since its founding, the Human Race has cherished the Dragon Forest. Harming the forest without permission would be a serious crime, deemed so important by law.
It is likely that the first king of the Armēdo Kingdom also understood Old Man Sleigsta’s clear intentions. That is why he protected the Dragon Forest so diligently.
“The rules passed down to you and the Human Race are correct. Had anyone appeared who would harm the forest, I would not have shown mercy.”
Even so, there are still a few people who do bad things. I also encountered such villains around early summer last year.
That was probably still within Old Man Sleigsta’s tolerance, but the Mimicho Race living in the Dragon Forest did not overlook it.
I haven’t heard what happened to those villains captured by the Mimicho Race. I’m sure they are not alive.
“That is true. Normally, I would not think of destroying the entire Human Race for the misdeeds of one or two individuals. However, the current situation cannot be overlooked.”
“Meaning?”
“Foolish people have begun entering the forest. I do not take kindly to that.”
I was struck by the realization that humans were starting to enter the Dragon Forest.
During the invasion of the Demon Race, I received cooperation from the Mimicho Race and the magical beasts that had settled in the Dragon Forest. And in the battle against Demon Lord Kusharilla, Old Man Sleigsta and Asher also participated to protect the forest and the Spirit Tree.
The Armēdo Kingdom has an old legend. It is said that a legendary Guardian Dragon lives in the Dragon Forest.
Everyone thought it was just a fairy tale.
I too thought so until I met Old Man Sleigsta.
But it was different.
The legendary Guardian Dragon did indeed exist, and moreover, the Mimicho Race, another legend, also lived in the forest. These facts would surely stir the blood of any adventurer.
There are people who venture into labyrinth-like ancient ruins and Dragon Peak. It’s not strange that there are those who enter the Dragon Forest searching for the Guardian Dragon and the Mimicho Race’s village. At this realization, I was astonished.
“Weigh this. Which is more bothersome: the cutting of trees in the Dragon Forest, or the disturbance of the forest’s peace?”
“Both are extremely bothersome… but it would be a nuisance if people wandered around looking for the Moss Garden or the Mimicho village, wouldn’t it? Especially the Mimicho Race, wouldn’t they be troubled? After all, they need to use the forest for their livelihood.”
“Indeed. The Mimicho Race are troubled.”
“It’s my fault. Because I asked for their cooperation…”
“They were happy to cooperate with you. Don’t worry about that. But, further such behavior from the Human Race cannot be overlooked. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes. If your patience runs out, Grandpa, it will be a disaster.”
The human race’s careless actions could provoke Old Man Sleigsta’s wrath at any moment.
“Therefore, you will be assigned a duty. First, drive out those who are acting unruly in the forest. Second, warn the Human Race. I trust your abilities. After that, it depends on whether the Human Race will heed my advice correctly. If you can control the humans, I will permit the logging of the Dragon Forest.”
“Really!?”
I was surprised by the unexpected proposal.
I absolutely thought it would be impossible.
“As I said, it is conditional on my words being followed. If they do not heed my warning, tell them that the Human Race will not see another spring.”
“Understood. I will tell Rudoriado tomorrow without fail.”
“Expelling the unruly individuals can come later. Also, clear-cutting is absolutely forbidden. Logging must be done with spacing between trees. Over-logging is not allowed, and cutting in deep parts of the forest or old trees is also forbidden. And tell them to replant trees once the human world settles.”
“The final condition is to absolutely restore the Dragon Forest!”
“If you wish, you can even expand the forest.”
“Hahaha, I’ll tell them that.”
I was very surprised by Old Man Sleigsta’s concession.
But when I thought about it, this was Old Man Sleigsta’s kindness.
Even while prioritizing the protection of the Dragon Forest, he shows consideration for the surrounding races.
Perhaps the fact that the Mimicho Race are troubled is the biggest factor? Their way of life is, in a sense, part of the forest.
The consideration for the Human Race is probably a bonus. I have to explain that properly to Rudoriado. And if he doesn’t accept it, then we have no choice but to give up.
“Be grateful for your grandpa’s kindness.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“It’s nothing. To this extent, it’s a request from you.”
“Am I special?”
“Hahaha, yes, that’s right. You are special. That’s why you must grow properly. Do not disappoint me.”
“Yes. I will continue to strive!”
I am very happy that Old Man Sleigsta called me special.
Will I also be able to call someone special? Will that person be happy at that time?
Mistral, Ruiseine, Yufilia, Nina, Laira. Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan and Nimia. Revalia and Rim and Fiorina. There are so many special people that I can’t choose just one…
“To call all of them special, what greed.”
“It’s special for you and Grandpa too!”
“What, am I just a bonus!?”
“Greedy, greedy.”
“Oh, honestly.”
“What kind of conversation is this…”
Apparently, I am greedy. But all my family members are dear and special, so… if this is called greedy, I will gladly accept it.
As we were talking, it had already become dark before I knew it, and tonight, Revalia and I would stay at the Moss Garden.
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