We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Where is the Puppet King’s castle?
Even in places we don’t know, history continues to move.
Hearing about the situation in the Human race’s country, the Alemgal Kingdom, and the story of the Saintess, I felt the world was larger than ever before.
Just as the history and legends spun by the hero of the Armēdo Kingdom and the dragon knight of the Yorttenitos Kingdom exist within me, the countries in Meijina-san’s and the Human race’s cultural sphere also have various stories.
Toris-kun said so.
The head temple of the Temple Religion, the Temple City, suffered a great invasion by the Demon Race a few years ago.
It is said that the Witch Queen died in a clash with Demon Lord Uberiora, and the Saintess of the Temple City splendidly slew General Zrios.
The Saintess of the Alemgal Kingdom.
And the Saintess of the Temple City.
The Saintess of the Alemgal Kingdom, lamenting the calamity after its fall, took her own life.
Then, what became of the Saintess of the Temple City?
“Hahahaha! Elnea-sama, I missed you so much!”
As I descended to the ground to make camp when the sun set beyond the western lands.
Laira rushed towards me with a flustered look and hugged me tightly.
Apparently, Laira had been watching us talk from atop Revaria’s back the whole time. Because of that, she felt left out.
“There, there, Laira. It’s alright. Shall I tell you what we were talking about?”
Nimia and Revaria descended into a deep valley.
This was a territory inhabited by demons, so we didn’t know what might happen if it was a popular spot.
While drawing water from a nearby stream and preparing for our overnight stay by starting a bonfire, I began to tell Laira the story of Meijina-san that I had heard from Nimia.
Laira seemed genuinely lonely, not wanting to leave my side even for a moment. Meijina-san watched with a smile, and Astel let out a deliberately dramatic sigh.
“I wish I could have met the Saintess of the Alemgal Kingdom.”
“Indeed. But that was ten years ago, when I was still a weakling myself, and before I even met Listea and the others.”
“I, I…”
I pulled Laira, who had shrunk back, closer, giving her a reassuring hug.
“We couldn’t meet the Saintess of the Alemgal Kingdom, but I’m sure we can meet the Saintess of the Temple City. And I’m sure we can become good friends?”
“Yes! If it’s Elnea-sama, you can become good friends!”
“What about you, Laira?”
Even on expeditions, as long as Astel is around, we won’t lack for food. He can create anything.
Or rather, it wasn’t my imagination that there was a bit of a commotion while we were preparing at the campsite because Astel was trying to create a giant mansion in this area.
“Yes, yes. I’m sure Elnea-sama and the others will be able to meet the Saintess and become good friends!”
Meijina-san joined our conversation and smiled.
However, I felt there was a slight shadow in Meijina-san’s smile.
We ate a luxurious meal, unlike what one would expect at an overnight camp in an unknown land, and then took turns keeping watch as we slept.
The next day, we set off again, each riding on the backs of Nimia and Revaria.
Laira, despite being so lonely yesterday, climbed onto Revaria’s back without hesitation.
Meijina-san was on Nimia’s back.
“Well then, Astel, you’ll be on Revaria’s…”
“Are you an idiot? How could I possibly ride on the back of such a terrifying wyvern?”
“Ehhhhh. Revaria is incredibly comfortable to ride, though?”
Astel scrambled onto Nimia’s back as if to escape and wrapped his fur around his waist.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“If you’re going to run away, why not run off into the mountains to get away from us?”
“You idiotic Dragon King. If I get separated from you lot in an unknown land, it’ll be a huge problem for me!”
“Now that you mention it?”
Laughing at Astel’s actions, which were honest in a way, I rode on Nimia’s back again today.
“Laira, I’m sorry, okay? Let’s talk a lot when we take a break!”
“Yes!”
“Hmph. I won’t carry you anymore.”
“Uwah! Reva-chan got sulky before Laira did!?”
“Don’t call me Reva-chan!”
Revalia let out a roar and flapped her four large and small wings, taking off fiercely.
Nimia, carrying me, also soared gracefully, chasing after Revalia.
Meijina-san’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the rapidly receding scenery on the ground.
“This is an amazing experience, isn’t it? To think that I could have the experience of traveling through the sky so many times. When we get back, I’ll brag to everyone!”
“There are already quite a few people who have had that experience, you know?”
We went fishing in the North Sea. We went to the Dragon King’s Capital and the Demon Lord’s Castle.
We went to various places in a short period with the Shooting Stars.
It was a fresh experience for us, but perhaps it was an even more valuable experience for the Shooting Stars?
The reason the vivid red-clad young girl, who is a confidante of the true rulers of the Demon Race, entrusted the Shooting Stars to us might have been to give them these kinds of experiences. I can’t help but think so.
Because the Giant Demon Lord and the rulers of the Demon Race, while appearing to act as they please, are constantly scheming to put themselves in advantageous situations by looking ahead to the distant future.
But if I think about it that way…?
In other words, does it mean that the experiences and growth of the Shooting Stars will greatly affect the future situation of the Demon Race’s country?
Or are they planning something further for us through the Shooting Stars?
And whichever it is, it probably has something to do with the Divine Race, doesn’t it?
The movements of the Divine Race are becoming increasingly active.
Especially the movements of the Berisalia Empire are unsettling.
The fact that Kalmar Divine Nation, located to the west of the Berisalia Empire, attacked the Alemgal Kingdom was originally due to the pressure of the Berisalia Empire’s invasion.
Not only the Giant Demon Lord but also the rulers of the Demon Race are concerned about the movements of the Divine Race and have ordered Toris-kun and the others to conduct reconnaissance.
“Hmm, I’ve been told not to get too involved with the Divine Race, but I’m curious.”
“Even if you’re curious, it’s bad to get involved, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. We can’t participate in a war. But we need to be prepared just in case.”
The regions ruled by the Berisalia Empire and the Divine Race are located further south than the countries of the Demon Race.
Since it is a distant place from our dwelling in the Forbidden Territory and our active area in the Northern Dragon Peak, it might not have a direct impact.
However, will the Berisalia Empire, ruled by the magnificent God of War Teyu and the enigmatic Emperor, continue to pursue only Eastward invasion without complaint?
Perhaps they might invade the lake that spreads south of the Dragon Forest, or the southern parts of Dragon Peak.
We may need to make various preparations to deal with the unsettling movements of the Divine Race.
But before that!
I must retrieve the ultimate blade, the naginata created by Grivast, from the Puppet King!
“Hey, hey, Astel. You know where the Puppet King lives, right?”
“You idiotic Dragon King. Are you asking that now?”
“Hahaha! That’s right! I’m asking now! We actually heard the approximate location of the Puppet King’s territory, but we don’t know anything precise, do we?”
“You are truly an idiot!”
“No, no. That’s why I brought Astel with me, isn’t it?”
“What a nuisance!”
When I asked if the Puppet King’s territory was near the border between the Sage Demon Lord who rules the central country and the Verdant Demon Lord who rules north of it, Astel, though dissatisfied, told me.
“To be precise, he is the lord of the Verdant Demon Lord’s country. So, if you’re aiming for it, it’s definitely in the direction of the Verdant Demon Lord’s country.”
“Hou hou?”
“Hmm hmm?”
Meijina-san nods, imitating me.
But that expression doesn’t really understand anything, does it?
As a supplement, I explain the special social structure of the Demon Race’s country.
“I’m sure you know this already. Above the Demon Lords who rule the countries of the Demon Race, there exists a true ruler. And special demons called the Primogenitor Race, like Astel, are directly granted territory and titles by that ruler.”
If they do not obey the ruler of the Demon Race, even Primogenitor Race with immense magical power and special abilities will be killed.
That’s why the Primogenitor Race, even Astel, honestly accepts titles and territories.
And when they are granted territory and become responsible for managing the land, they become subordinates to the Demon Lord of the country that rules that territory.
“Astel, you are a subordinate of the Giant Demon Lord, aren’t you?”
“Hmph. I didn’t want to be. I had no choice.”
“But it’s good that you are a subordinate of the Giant Demon Lord, isn’t it? If you had received territory in Kusharilla’s country, I’m sure you would be in a terrible situation by now?”
When Meijina-san asked, “Who is Kusharilla?”, I replied, “She’s the Fairy Demon Lord,” and Meijina-san quickly covered her mouth.
Higher-ranking demons dislike having their names casually mentioned by others.
Meijina-san knows that much.
“Isn’t it actually Elnea-sama who is the most terrifying, casually calling out the names of Demon Lords?”
“Meijina-san, what are you saying?! It’s alright. Kusharilla and I are allies, and I even call Charlotte, who is probably more terrifying than Kusharilla, by her name!”
“…Allies with a Demon Lord!? As I thought, Elnea-sama is the most terrifying!”
“How can that be!?”
Even I, as monstrous as I am, don’t speak the names of the true ruler of the Demon Race and her confidante.
Putting that aside.
“Let’s get back to the topic. So, Astel, is the Puppet King’s territory in this direction?”
When I confirmed, Astel looked at me with a grim expression.
And then, he said forcefully!
“I don’t know!”
“Eh!?”
My eyes and Meijina-san’s went wide.
Seeing that, Astel let out a huge sigh.
“Idiotic, idiotic Dragon King. This is my first time traveling through the sky too. Do you think I can tell which region and which sky I’m flying over while looking down from above?”
“N-now that you mention it? Ah, we didn’t know where we were even when flying over Dragon Peak until we got used to it, did we?”
“Nyan.”
Indeed, Astel is right!
When traveling on the ground, there are towns, villages, and capitals along the roads, and you can know which region you are traveling to and from through various information.
But when traveling at high speed through the sky, the scenery below rushes by in the blink of an eye.
Furthermore, since I’ve never seen the shapes of mountains, winding roads, or the scenery of towns and villages from the sky, I can’t identify them even if I confirm them from above.
“That was a blind spot!”
“Idiotic, monumental Dragon King!”
“The insults directed at me are getting worse…”
“There, there, Elnea-sama. I’ll comfort you in Laira-chan’s place, okay?”
“Nyan. Laira-big sister is looking sadly at us from above Revaria, isn’t she?”
“Laira will get jealous, so it’s okay, Meijina-san? Besides, I’m always positive!”
I called out to Nimia.
“We’ll search for buildings and landscapes that can serve as landmarks, even from the sky! From there, have Astel figure out our current location and decide the direction!”
“You’re just relying on others in the end!”
“No, it’s different. I’m trusting and relying on Astel?”
“The meaning is the same!”
Astel pouted in anger.
Astel and I, trying to appease the cat-like Astel’s mood, desperately doted on him on Nimia’s back.
Fortunately, based on the scenery of the unusual cliff that Nimia found, Astel indicates the Puppet King’s territory.
“His territory is not that large. From the sky, once you enter the territory, you should be able to see the Puppet Castle immediately.”
“Puppet Castle, huh? I wonder what kind of castle it is? Priscilla-chan would have definitely been delighted if she were here?”
We also thought so, at a time when we were carefree.
However…
After traveling for two more days, we crossed the Demon Race’s country.
And when we entered the Puppet King’s territory, a place with beautiful deep forests and lakes.
We saw.
“The Puppet Castle is… b-burning!?”
The Puppet Castle, struck by a great army of demons, was burning down.
We witnessed the tragedy from the sky, and our breaths caught in our throats.
