We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Sin, Punishment, and Rewards?
A clear sky, as if celebrating the new year. The sky was high and clear to infinity. In the distance, Dragon Peak, adorned with white snow, could be seen, a far distant sight with not a single cloud.
Combined with the vibrant green of the Spirit Tree’s branches and leaves in the foreground, it created a solemn and sacred atmosphere.
“Elnea-kun, your distant gaze won’t deceive us.”
“Wh-what are you talking about…?”
“It’s no use pretending. Mistral confessed.”
“It’s no use pretending. I heard it from Mistral.”
“Elnea-sama, it’s unfair to go ahead without us!”
Mistral-san, why did you expose what happened last night to everyone!
I send my heartfelt cries to Mistral, who isn’t here. Oh, I hope this complaint reaches Mistral, who is suffering from a hangover.
“Um, Mist was bragging, you see.”
Is that so? Mistral-san, you wanted to brag even if it meant sacrificing me…
Far in the distance, in the depths of Dragon Peak, dyed in severe winter, Mistral, who must surely be suffering from a hangover headache right now, is probably bedridden at the start of the new year.
Everyone who spent the New Year in Mistral’s village apparently went to see the sunrise above the sea of clouds from high above the mountains.
Mistral and I watched the beautiful sun rise from the forest carpet in the plaza of the Dragon Forest. Mistral transformed into her human-dragon form and flew me up, embracing me. Watching the sunrise from the sky was an experience I had for the first time in my life.
“Elnea-kun, I won’t forgive you if you stare into the distance and escape reality again.”
“No, no, this was unavoidable. Mistral was drunk.”
I’m sure Mistral didn’t want everyone to see her drunken state. That’s why she couldn’t just go back like that. Yes, my excuse is probably correct.
Still, to be forced into seiza for reflection as the first event of the new year is unacceptable.
When morning came, I returned to the Moss Garden with Mistral. Mistral, perhaps due to her drunkenness last night, said she felt unwell and unusually did not perform her duties, returning to the village. I was telling Sleigsta the Old Man about the ordeals I had been through and my resolutions for the year. Then, everyone arrived. Led by a visibly irate Ruiseine, I was surrounded by everyone who had appeared in the Moss Garden and was currently in seiza.
“Um, punishment.”
“Punishment, punishment.”
Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan are sitting on my knees while I’m in seiza. Am I being used as a weight? But it’s not difficult at all. The moss is soft even in winter, and seiza isn’t painful. Besides, the warmth of Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan is comforting.
“He is a pervert.”
“No, no, Grandpa. I’m not a pervert!”
The dragons, observing my reprimand, are watching from the sidelines. Sleigsta the Old Man and Asher sighed, saying it was noisy even in the morning, and Revalia looked down at me as if mocking me. Fiorina and Rim, perhaps too young to understand why I was being scolded, were lively and teasing me.
“Elnea-kun is guilty.”
“Elnea-kun is sentenced to imprisonment.”
“Wh-what kind of punishment will it be?”
“Elnea-sama, for my punishment, you will accompany me on an outing.”
“Laira-san, please wait a moment. That is not a punishment.”
While I’m being made to kneel, with young girls as weights on my lap, the judges discuss the penalties. Laira might be my salvation, but she’s no match for Ruiseine. What a shame.
Various punishments are being discussed, such as a prohibition from approaching Mistral, having to sleep outside from now on, or going without meals for ten days, all while I’m in seiza. I watch them. I wonder what kind of punishment it will be. The most frightening punishment that came up in the discussion was being abandoned on Dragon Peak. If I were left in the deep snow mountains, I might freeze to death. Revalia and Nimia are forbidden to help, which is too harsh. I wish for a kinder punishment.
Ah, that’s right. It’s not the time to just observe the judges. I still have something important left to do.
“Grandpa.”
While in seiza with the weight of young girls on my lap, I brought up my concerns to Sleigsta the Old Man. “Actually, it’s a continuation of my trial, and the Spirit Tree Spirit told me I should continue to visit. So, I ask for your permission to go to the Spirit Tree’s location again.”
“Hmm.”
Sleigsta the Old Man, who had heard the details of the trial before everyone arrived, contemplated what to do.
“Elnea-kun, what are you consulting Sleigsta-sama about while you are being punished?”
“No, no, Ruiseine. This is important. If I don’t come, the capital might disappear!”
“The capital is already gone.”
“The capital has already vanished.”
“Elnea-sama, have you forgotten what happened last year?”
“No, no. I haven’t forgotten. What I mean is, the Dragon Forest is encroaching on the capital, and it will become uninhabitable before we can even think about reconstruction.”
Come to think of it, when I first met Sleigsta the Old Man, we had a similar exchange about the fate of the human race if I didn’t visit. I can’t believe that was two years ago.
“Hmm. If the Dragon Forest expands, I, for one, would be delighted.”
“No, no, we are in serious trouble!”
I messed up! Sleigsta the Old Man is the guardian of the Dragon Forest, so he wouldn’t be troubled at all if the capital disappeared and the Dragon Forest expanded! Realizing this terrifying truth, not only I but everyone started to panic.
“Sleigsta-sama, please make a lenient decision…”
“This is indeed troubling. I ask this as a princess of the Armēdo Kingdom.”
“This is indeed troubling. I ask this as a citizen of the Armēdo Kingdom.”
“Sleigsta-sama, please grant passage permission for just me and Elnea-sama…”
“Laira-san?”
“Hahahaha!”
The discussion about punishments was put on hold for the time being, and everyone pleaded.
“Hmm, it cannot be helped if it is for Elnea. Your conduct is not in question, so I will grant special permission. However, it is only for Elnea. Others are forbidden from entering without permission.”
“That’s a relief, thank you.”
Only I was granted permission. It’s Sleigsta the Old Man’s proper sternness that he wouldn’t grant it to everyone as well. No matter how close we become, he prioritizes the protection of the Spirit Tree. He is quite lenient with me, but he knows when to be firm. I must learn from him. I will become a man who possesses both leniency and strictness, like an adult!
So, it’s time to put it into action immediately.
I gently placed Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan down from my lap and stood up.
“Elnea-kun, the punishment is not over yet.”
Ruiseine, who reacted quickest to my movement, put her hands on her hips and reprimanded me.
“Fufufu, I have things to do. This is not the time to be with you all.”
“Your tone of voice is strange. Did you break during the trial?”
“Your tone of voice is strange. Did you catch something strange from Mistral?”
Everyone looked confused by my sudden movement. While they were bewildered, I started to walk away.
“He’s running away, nyan.”
“Hah!”
With Nimia’s unnecessary remark, Ruiseine and the Twin Princesses snapped back to reality. Hey, Nimia, what are you saying.
“Elnea-kun, wait!”
“I won’t let you escape!”
“The punishment is not over!”
“Elnea-sama, please wait!”
Noticing my escape, the women chased after me, and I hurriedly ran away, fleeing into the depths of the Ancient Tree Forest.
Evening.
After finishing my training at the roots of the Spirit Tree, I returned to the Moss Garden. When I arrived, everyone had already left. Seeing Revalia gone, it seemed Fiorina and Rim weren’t staying overnight. Revalia, who carefully took care of the young dragon while saying it was unavoidable, is cute. It’s hard to believe she was once called a tyrant.
“Has your training been going well?”
“Umm, it’s difficult, but I’ll do my best!”
“Hmm, that’s a good attitude. However, do not let the immediate objective overshadow the substance of your results.”
“Yes!”
I responded energetically to Sleigsta the Old Man, but I felt a little guilty. Sleigsta the Old Man is the one who taught me the Dragon Sword Dance. I had been trying to master the Dragon Sword Dance under Sleigsta the Old Man. Yet, now I am practicing it at the roots of the Spirit Tree under the guidance of the Spirit Tree Spirit. Am I repaying his past kindness with ingratitude? I felt a sense of shame.
“Hahaha. A small sense of shame.”
Sleigsta the Old Man, who read my thoughts, laughed.
“You are mistaken. I am teaching you the forms of the Dragon Sword Dance from my memory. However, I am not a user of the Dragon Sword Dance. Even if I impart only my knowledge, you will not be able to master the Dragon Sword Dance. After all, I cannot convey the experience. Unfortunately, the important things gained from experience must be obtained by yourself. Witnessing the Miko’s kagura, incorporating the dancer’s performance, and receiving guidance from the old woman of the Spirit Tree, I am happy that you are making efforts to incorporate these as nourishment to establish your own Dragon Sword Dance. Someday, show me a dance as beautiful and strong as the Sword Saint.”
“Yes. I’m so happy you said that. I’ll work hard to obtain my own dance!”
With a pang of anxiety resolved, my motivation surged anew. I’ll work hard tomorrow too, I thought as Sleigsta the Old Man escorted me. As we said our goodbyes for the day, promising to visit again tomorrow, I was enveloped in golden light. My vision was stolen by the dazzling light, and when it cleared, I was already inside the Dragon Mausoleum.
I returned to Mistral’s village after a long time.
“Elnea-sama, please be careful!”
As I tried to leave the Dragon Mausoleum, Laira suddenly hugged me from behind.
“What’s wrong!?”
Could it be that Ruiseine and the others are angry that I ran away? Or is there another crisis!?
“Laira-san, come out!”
“I know your intention to hoard Elnea-kun inside the Dragon Mausoleum.”
“Your attempt to monopolize Elnea-kun inside the Dragon Mausoleum won’t work.”
“…Laira-san? Could it be that you are the one inviting the crisis?”
“Ugh. But… I wanted to be alone with Elnea-sama too.”
Laira, still hugging me, hung her head dejectedly. Her gesture was so cute that I couldn’t help but hug her back. She has gained quite a bit of weight since we first met, and she feels wonderful to hold. Well, she was as thin as a bone and skin at first, and she’s still as slender as Mistral and Ruiseine, but she has a wonderful fullness in her chest that the other two lack. I feel like sinking into her chest.
“My chest feels good, unlike Mist-anchan and Ruiseine-anchan, nyan.”
“Aaaaah, Nimia. What are you saying outside!”
I messed up! I forgot there’s a dragon who can read minds!
“Elnea-kun, come out!”
“We can make you feel better than Laira.”
“We can double the fun compared to Laira.”
Bang, bang, bang! The sound of fists hitting the Dragon Mausoleum echoed. Ruiseine is furious! However, the entrance to the Dragon Mausoleum was sealed shut by Laira’s dragon art, the “Always Stick Together” spell, applied to the doors, walls, floor, and ceiling, making it impossible for anyone to enter.
“Then, it’s time to deploy the ultimate weapon! Prepare yourselves!”
Ruiseine’s voice was terrifying. Forgetting the sweet, blissful feeling from moments before, Laira and I trembled as we embraced.
“Um, Priscilla is the ultimate weapon!”
Then, with a “pop,” Priscilla-chan appeared before us through a spatial jump. She hugged us and then with another spatial jump, she sent us out of the Dragon Mausoleum, making our resistance futile.
“Hii!”
Laira screamed at Ruiseine in front of us. Priscilla-chan was delighted to have thwarted our lockdown, praised by the Twin Princesses. Innocence can sometimes be terrifying. But this is not the time to be thinking that. Noticing the shadows approaching us, Ruiseine’s fearsome words, “Do it,” made the water dragon, living in the spring around the Dragon Mausoleum, chirp and approach. The water dragon bit the hems of our clothes, we who were trembling in fear.
“Uwah!”
“Kyaa!”
And then they dragged us. Yes, towards the spring! We struggled, flailing our limbs, but we were no match for dragons. Helplessly, Laira and I were pulled into the spring. Our screams, as we fell into the spring with small and large pieces of ice floating, disappeared underwater.
“!”
Submerged in the ice-cold water, my entire body stiffened. It was beyond cold, it was painful. Beyond pain, my senses were numbing. It felt like my whole body was becoming paralyzed, not just my senses. I’m going to die! As I desperately thrashed, the water dragon released me underwater. With frozen limbs, I desperately moved and surfaced the water.
“Phew!”
I tried to gasp for air, but my chest felt constricted and wouldn’t take in any air. Still, I managed to get my face out of the water and breathe.
“H-help me…!”
Laira, who had surfaced near me, was thrashing and struggling. Perhaps Laira can’t swim?
“La-Laira-san!”
Ruiseine, realizing she had gone too far, stretched out her hand from the shore, trying to save Laira. I approached Laira, who was sinking, and embraced her.
“Uwah, Laira. It’s okay, don’t hold on so tightly!”
This time, I myself was about to drown in Laira’s chest as she clung to me desperately. As we both thrashed in the water, my feet suddenly touched the ground. Then, the water dragon pushed us up from underwater. With that, Laira and I, who had somehow been saved, safely reached the opposite shore.
As we climbed out of the spring, I realized for some reason that it was colder on land. With every gust of wind, Laira and I shivered violently.
“I’m sorry. I went too far.”
Ruiseine showed sincere remorse, and I smiled, telling her not to worry. I intended to smile, but my face was frozen, so I don’t know if I actually smiled. Laira’s lips were purple. Her face was also pale and bloodless. I was probably in a similar condition.
“Ruiseine, you don’t need to worry about it. Laira is the one at fault.”
“Ruiseine, you don’t need to worry about it. Elnea-kun is the one at fault.”
“That’s right, there’s no need to worry about it. This was just a trial run for tomorrow.”
The words that followed the Twin Princesses’ came from Mistral. Mistral, who was approaching from the direction of the longhouse, seemed to have recovered.
“A trial run for tomorrow?”
As I asked, shivering, Mistral chuckled, seeing our state, and nodded.
“That’s right. Tomorrow morning, the men of the village will do a water ritual here. Think of it as a trial run for that.”
“Eeeeh? Going into the water in this cold season? I don’t want to!”
“Fufufu, give up. You are already a full-fledged member of the village, so there are no exceptions.”
“Hiiii, I don’t want tomorrow to come!”
I clung to Laira and let out an unmanly scream.
The next day.
As Mistral had foretold, the men’s water ritual was performed at sunrise. Water ritual? A ceremony? No, this is wrong! The men, who had degenerated into singing and drinking since before New Year’s Eve and were still drunk in the morning on the second day of the New Year, were thrown into the spring by the women. At sunrise, the men’s screams resounded across Dragon Peak.
Even though I wasn’t drunk, Mistral unceremoniously threw me beyond the Dragon Mausoleum. As I swam back, shivering, Ruiseine pushed me in. The Twin Princesses also threw me in, and Priscilla-chan and Nimia pleaded with me to get in the water. Laira hesitantly approached, so I called it an “unauthorized departure” and pulled her into the water. Then Laira started to drown, and I was scolded. I alone repeatedly entered the cold spring, chilling me to the bone, and Zaan, steam rising from his body, laughed and took me to the bonfire in the plaza.
“Everyone’s amazing. Aren’t you cold?”
I saw that the men by the bonfire were still wet. If it were me, I’d be scrambling into a bath immediately.
“What are you saying? It’s good because it’s cold.”
Saying that, Zaan downed a cup he received from a nearby man in one gulp. I knew what it was just by its smell. The strong aroma of sake reached my nose.
“Kuhah! If you want to blow away the cold, this is it, isn’t it!”
Saying that, a warrior uncle next to me drank a cup filled to the brim in one go. The men drank alcohol in front of the bonfire. And they get drunk in the morning. In the end, they’re drunk again today! I feel like retorting, “What kind of water ritual is this?” I was the only one who didn’t warm up with alcohol and got to warm up in Mistral’s house after a bath.
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