Before them, on the path Clara had made, lay a vast grassland with a giant tree resembling the World Tree at its center.
Unlike Igirid’s village, this space seemed to have an ordinary sky.
Above all, the light source floating in the sky looked exactly like the sun, no matter how one looked at it.
However, given the existence of the Tower’s floors, it was impossible to know for sure if it was the real sun.
In any case, it was undeniable that this was a nature-rich environment, unlike the underground city.
Amidst this environment, something else besides the giant tree caught the eye.
It was immediately clear that this was the objective of this time, even without being told.
This was because it was a creature of immense size, not inferior to the giant tree, exuding a presence that was apparent at first glance.
In terms of size alone, it appeared larger than Haku’s true form, the largest creature Kousuke knew.
And, such a large creature was, as expected, a dragon, just like Haku.
The dragon remained motionless, as if aware that Kousuke and the others were approaching.
It had wings on its back, so it could likely fly, and could escape if it wished, but it showed no such intention.
Looking at Clara’s demeanor, it was clear she had come to meet the dragon, so it was understood that it had no intention of fleeing.
By the way, it seemed that Igirid and the others already knew of the dragon’s existence and showed no surprise.
They merely walked forward, tense and frozen, with a sense of caution.
Naturally, the dragon showed no signs of attacking, so Kousuke and the others slowly approached it.
Then, as if noticing their considerable approach, the dragon raised its large head.
“–Hmm. You have finally arrived.”
The voice that echoed from the dragon was deep and resonant, as if from the depths of the earth.
As if overpowered by the voice, everyone except Kousuke, Clara, Kouhi, and Mitsuki fell completely silent.
Without concern for the surrounding reactions, Clara spoke casually.
“Finally? You chose to be in such a secluded place, didn’t you?”
“It cannot be helped. I cannot simply reveal myself with ease.”
Kousuke realized that this was not only because of its massive size, but also because its appearance would influence various creatures.
Such was the presence the dragon before him exuded.
The moment Kousuke was about to offer a greeting, the dragon lowered its large head slightly towards him.
“I apologize for making one of the gods come all the way here. I should have greeted you myself, but as I mentioned, my size makes it difficult.”
“Ah, no, that’s quite alright.”
As Kousuke replied, the dragon narrowed its eyes slightly.
“Hmm. A god who is so humble. You are indeed one of the gods, are you not?”
Hearing those words, Kousuke understood that the dragon before him recognized that there were differences even among beings called ‘gods.’
And with that understanding, the dragon addressed Kousuke as ‘one of the gods.’
Perhaps sensing Kousuke’s confusion, the dragon began to rustle its body.
“Hmm. It seems inconvenient to proceed like this. …Well then.”
As it said this, the dragon casually moved its head.
In the next moment, Kousuke found himself transported to a different space than where he had been.
Kousuke, having been transported by the dragon’s magic (?), found himself in a barren, featureless space, unlike the previous one.
Only the dragon, Clara, and Kousuke with Kouhi & Mitsuki were in this space.
“…Where is this?”
“This is a place prepared for me by that person. It is useful for secret conversations.”
Kousuke momentarily wondered who “that person” the dragon mentioned was, but upon seeing Clara’s smile, he quickly understood.
“Asura…? For what purpose?”
It seemed that only the dragon was present in that area with the trees, not in this current space.
Therefore, Kousuke couldn’t understand why Asura had prepared this space.
The dragon said it was “for secret conversations,” but Kousuke didn’t think such preparation was necessary.
Seeing Kousuke’s bewilderment, Clara said with a slight laugh.
“Well, that doesn’t matter, does it? Lord Asura is always whimsical, as usual. –Oh, right. It’s okay to mention their name normally here.”
“Ah, so this is also a type of divine realm.”
“That is correct.”
The dragon nodded its large head affirmatively to Kousuke’s words.
Mitsuki, watching them, suddenly noticed something and said.
“Are you perhaps a familiar of that god?”
When Mitsuki asked, Clara smiled with a knowing expression, different from before, and looked at the dragon.
“Hoh…? Why do you think so? Arm of the god.”
It was immediately clear that the ‘arm of the god’ the dragon mentioned referred to Kouhi and Mitsuki, evidenced by the fact that they had been brought to this place.
Mitsuki gazed directly at the dragon and said.
“There’s no particular reason. I just thought so.”
“Is that so? Should I call it exceptional?”
The dragon merely responded with this, whether convinced by Mitsuki’s answer or not.
During this exchange, Kousuke deliberately refrained from interjecting but had, with the power of his left eye, confirmed the truth of the answer.
Mitsuki’s statement was indeed accurate, and the title clearly read [Asura’s Familiar].
This was proof that the dragon before them was undoubtedly Asura’s familiar.
Meanwhile, although Kouhi had not opened her mouth, she wore an expression similar to Mitsuki’s.
Seeing her face, Kousuke immediately understood that Kouhi was thinking the same thing as Mitsuki.
Although she had not received a clear answer from the dragon, Mitsuki was already convinced that her conjecture was correct.
The problem was the undeniable power emanating from the dragon before her.
She felt that, at worst, even if she and Kouhi exerted their full strength, it would not be an easy opponent to defeat.
With Clara present, things should not go awry, but still, in the back of her mind, she remained vigilant, prepared for anything.
A familiar with strength comparable to Kouhi and Mitsuki.
Well, considering it’s Asura’s familiar, that’s to be expected, isn’t it?
