We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Rust that comes from within.
After making a promise with all the Battle Priestesses, including Alice-san and Michelle-san, that “we will never fight in the North Sea.”
I asked Ares-chan to release the Spirit Tree’s curse.
“Uh, well then.”
I ponder what should be prioritized next.
And I choose a method to solve two issues simultaneously.
“Alice-san and the other priestesses, please accompany me for a moment. I need to save a wyvern that was attacked by the sideways rolled demon race over there and is on the verge of death. And so, Ares-chan.”
I ask Ares-chan, who is nestled against the Spirit Tree.
“Ares-chan, can you play with the Spirit Tree here for the time being?”
“Play, play.”
The Spirit Tree and the Spirit Tree Spirit have an inseparable relationship.
However, the environment surrounding the Spirit Tree, which breathes within the belly of the鯢竜 that swims in the deep sea, was too special.
Inside the 鯢竜, they cannot receive the benefits of the main flow of the dragon veins that circulate the world.
Moreover, no matter how giant the 鯢竜’s body is, the spirits cannot enter inside.
This means that not only can this Spirit Tree not draw nutrients from the dragon veins, but it also cannot even build a bond with its precious spirits.
Therefore, I want to give the Spirit Tree even a little connection with spirits.
Is it just me being selfish? I thought, but the Spirit Tree was overjoyed, and I was happy to read the 鯢竜’s welcoming dragon heart, realizing I was not mistaken.
“Fufufu, then I shall accompany Elnea-kun and the others to see if they can resolve the problem safely until the end.”
“What a ominous way to say ‘safely until the end,’ it makes me uneasy.”
While giving a wry smile at Charlotte’s seemingly innocent remark, I entrust the Spirit Tree to Ares-chan and rejoin Alice-san and the others.
Alice-san and Michelle-san are keeping their promise with me, and although they have gathered, there is no sign of conflict.
Well, I am confident that pure and righteous priestesses would not break their promises, so there is no need to worry at all.
“Well then, I will be your guide. Alice-san, I will leave the opening and closing of doors along the way to you.”
“I will strive to be useful to you.”
With Alice-san nodding and Michelle-san and the others wearing solemn expressions, I left the audience hall.
“You are mysterious.”
As I proceeded down the grand corridor, Alice-san spoke to me.
Michelle-san and the four Battle Priestesses silently followed behind me and Alice-san with solemn expressions.
Of course, Charlotte was at the very end.
“Am I mysterious?”
When I asked her what made her think so, Alice-san, who opened the door at the end of the grand corridor, replied with a cheerful laugh.
“To be unaware of it yourself is the height of it. Now, try looking back. Besides you and the spirits, was there anyone else who communicated with the Spirit Tree?”
“But that’s because Ares-chan is a special existence, a Spirit Tree Spirit, rather than me?”
“That is your perception. However, that perception itself is beyond strange to us. A spirit being with someone who has no spirit power other than the long-eared tribe. Not only that, but the Spirit Tree itself communicated with you.”
Are you aware? Alice-san asked.
“Michelle and the others were in the audience hall before we arrived, but they couldn’t even get close to the Spirit Tree, let alone communicate with it.”
Speaking of which, Michelle-san did say something to that effect.
“Even I couldn’t receive the Spirit Tree’s cooperation.”
“But again, isn’t that more due to Ares-chan’s existence rather than me?”
As I tilted my head, a voice came from behind me.
“Because the Spirit Tree is special, it does not easily open its heart to others.”
We, who had just met the Spirit Tree with Ares-chan, were allowed to approach without any caution. Not only that, but it even granted my request to restrain Alice-san and the others.
That alone seemed strange in the eyes of everyone else.
“Humans have both wicked and good people. Similarly, there are spirits who harbor ill feelings or plot evil.”
“Of course, there are among the Spirit Tree Spirits as well,” Alice-san said, and I nodded.
“I know. There are spirits who steal the priestesses’ underwear and everyday items almost every day, and force us to play tag!”
When I told them about bad spirits based on my personal experiences, laughter erupted from behind me.
Looking back, Michelle-san and the others were laughing, saying, “What ridiculous things are you saying?” and even Alice-san was smiling.
“I see. Being with you makes everything deviate from common sense. No wonder you appear mysterious.”
Amidst everyone’s smiles, I was the only one tilting my head.
I admit that the environment around me is unusual, but?
But from the perspective of outsiders, it must seem like more than just unusual, a “mysterious” world?
Looking back at our journey so far, it’s not mysterious at all, but a world that has naturally settled into place.
“I understand you a little better. As expected, I cannot know everything just by hearing about it. In that case, we should consider the existence of that demon not through our common sense, but based on your mysteriousness.”
“Ah, perhaps? The reason Michelle-san and the others have been looking so solemn is because they’ve been concerned about the existence of that sideways rolled demon race!?”
“Even we who are immature can tell by its presence alone. With such a terrifying demon behind us, we wouldn’t be able to relax!”
“Indeed?”
Well, I’m used to it?
But still, to others, Charlotte is a terrifying presence that sends shivers down their spines just by her existence!
“Fufufu, rest assured. I am not fond of sacred things, so I will not harm the priestesses?”
“Wh-what!? You attacked us so fiercely on the sea!?”
I know from past experience that Charlotte dislikes priestesses and sacred things.
But is it true?
It seems like she’s just restricting her own actions for her own amusement?
After all, Charlotte seals her abundant magic power and soul, acting with strong restraints on herself.
“Fufufu. It is to tease Elnea-kun.”
“I was the cause!”
“I’m sorry,” I apologize to everyone I’ve dragged into this.
Alice-san and Michelle-san, while still concerned about Charlotte behind them, also apologize, “We are sorry for involving you in our own circumstances.”
Under the promise with me that “fighting is prohibited.”
As we act together like this, I strongly feel that we are indeed a well-coordinated group of people from the same homeland.
And that is precisely why I wish to remove the thorn in Alice-san’s heart and help Michelle-san and the others return safely to the sanctuary.
By the way, where is the sanctuary located, and what kind of environment is it?
The Treasure Orb Palace is not elaborately designed to confuse intruders.
It is merely a defensive shell created by the Spirit Tree in the innermost part to protect itself from seawater, and since no one can enter with malicious intent into the 鯢竜, the internal structure is simple.
Therefore, since there was no need to search for anyone this time, we were able to easily exit the Treasure Orb Palace.
Under my guidance, we moved along the outer wall of the Treasure Orb Palace.
Everyone else besides me seemed to be seeing the scenery outside the Treasure Orb Palace for the first time, marveling at the fleshy, organic appearance of the distant walls and ceiling, which looked like “exactly living internal organs,” and once again expressing awe at the immense size of the 鯢竜.
As we moved, we spotted the target, the Dragon Stable.
“There is a wyvern in that stable. It’s the wyvern that attacked everyone, but it’s repentant and docile now, so don’t be afraid,” I said.
“Even if you say that, a wyvern is a wyvern. There are many dragon races living in the rugged mountain ranges on the west side of the sanctuary, but the common sense that they are fearsome beings cannot be discarded.”
“Elnea-kun, you can even become friends with wyverns that were hostile to you. You’re still mysterious,” Michelle-san and the others said, still finding it strange, as we approached the Dragon Stable.
“…This is quite a sight.”
Then, Alice-san furrowed her brow upon seeing the condition of the dying wyvern.
“Emergency treatment has been performed, but I cannot fully cure it. I’ll leave it to you, Alice-san and the others?”
“Even if they are docile, wyverns are fearsome,” everyone had said.
However, when they saw a wounded being before them, their consciousness as priestesses seemed to take over.
Everyone rushed to the three wyverns and began examining them efficiently.
“These wounds should be treatable with herbs.”
“This wound is deep and severe. We will use magic.”
The wyverns, having suppressed their past malice, also accepted the priestesses’ treatment honestly.
“We are saved. Let us be grateful for the Dragon King’s kindness.”
“It’s not me you should be thanking, but the priestesses who are healing you?”
“Indeed. If we only look down on humans, the Dragon God might abandon us.”
“That’s right. Please live in harmony with everyone from now on?”
“Hahahaha. Though my remaining life is short.”
While we were exchanging these words, the treatment was completed.
“For this, no protective gear should be necessary.”
“That’s good!”
“How exactly did you perform the emergency treatment? Normally, to heal someone on the verge of death, magic requiring protective gear would be necessary?”
“Uh. That’s a secret.”
“Dragon King. We would like you to convey our gratitude to these individuals who do not possess dragon hearts.”
“The wyverns are thanking you!”
“On our part, we apologize for disturbing your peace.”
After the treatment, the atmosphere became harmonious.
However, it was the extremely evil demon race that brazenly disturbed it!
Smiling “fufufu,” Charlotte, who had been observing the situation so far, took a step towards us.
Just that alone changed the serene atmosphere.
“That, what is that dangerous object you are holding?”
“It’s my favorite whip, you see?”
“No, no, I know that?”
I’m asking why you’re holding it now!
To my thoughts, Charlotte narrowed her eyes further and showed a delighted smile.
“Well, you see. We must escort those who are no longer needed.”
“Eh!?”
What are you going to do!? Before I could brace myself.
Charlotte’s whip, wrapped in golden light, snapped!
In an instant, it restrained all three wyverns.
“Rest assured. Killing is prohibited here.”
Charlotte said, and she swung her whip.
“Ahhh!”
“Foah!”
“Gyaaaaaa!”
And so, the three wyverns were unceremoniously escorted out!
The golden whip, still restraining the wyverns, extended towards the mouth of the 鯢竜.
The screams of the receding wyverns.
And then, in the direction we gazed in astonishment, the figures of the wyverns disappeared.
“I could have thrown them into the North Sea. However, they would then be attacked by the Ruler of the North Sea. Therefore, this time only, it is a special favor. I shall send them to Dragon Peak.”
“I wish you had told the wyverns that beforehand, not me.”
Poor wyverns.
Their peace was disturbed, they were attacked by Charlotte until they were on the verge of death. Before they knew it, they were captured inside the 鯢竜’s belly. Nevertheless, their wounds were healed by the priestesses, but without a moment’s respite, they were forcibly ejected.
…I hope the remaining lives of those wyverns will be peaceful, I prayed with my hands clasped. Alice-san gave a wry smile.
“You look like you’re mourning the wyverns?”
“It’s a mistake!? I was just praying for their peace to the Goddess and the Dragon God?”
It’s alright, right?
Charlotte said she wouldn’t kill anyone here?
She even took into consideration the existence of the Ruler of the North Sea?
Huh?
But Dragon Peak is not inside the 鯢竜’s belly, nor is it in the North Sea…?
Huh?
“Hey?”
“Fufufufu?”
“Hey, no! Be sure to send them back safely!?”
“Would you like some wyvern meat as a souvenir for His Majesty?”
“No, you absolutely cannot! Absolutely forbidden!”
My desperate plea echoed within the 鯢竜’s belly.
