We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 1133

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Demon Invasion!

The demons that roamed the Dragon Forest had been causing damage since the end of autumn. Listea told us this as we walked through the Dragon Forest together.

“At first, people who went into the forest to gather autumn harvests were attacked. While the damage varied from minor to severe, those who were seriously injured are in critical condition and are apparently still receiving treatment at the temple.”

“Uwah! I hope the people who were attacked get better… Speaking of which, this demon problem is a big deal, isn’t it?”

When demons appear within human settlements, they cause significant damage.
The problem of monsters, magical beasts, and demons had been a cause of concern for not only humans but many other races as well.
And now, that very demon problem was happening in the Dragon Forest.
Moreover, the damage seemed quite substantial, leaving us, who heard about it for the first time, bewildered.

“Grandpa and Mistral hadn’t said anything, had they?”

I looked at Sefina and Madrine as if to confirm, but they seemed just as surprised, shaking their heads in response.

“I suspect that the warriors of the Mimicho Race moved quickly, and perhaps that’s why the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest is observing the situation?”

“Even so, the situation didn’t calm down. That’s when Listea and Slaton from the Hero Party joined in to subjugate the demons, so maybe Grandpa left it to the Mimicho Race and humans for a while longer?”

“If we’re receiving that kind of trust, it’s an honor and I’m happy.”

“Hmph! Just you wait, I, this great me, will spectacularly smite the demons and become the Dragon King in your stead!”

“Duranel, taking care of Slaton must be tough, but please be patient with him?”

When I offered words of encouragement to Duranel, who was hiding in Slaton’s shadow, Slaton became angry!
However, despite boasting about aiming to be the Dragon King, he couldn’t do anything because of Sefina’s palpable presence watching him from beside me, and he seemed to cower.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this idiot Slaton.”

Duranel laughed from within Slaton’s shadow.
Unfortunately, Slaton hadn’t yet grasped the Dragon Heart, and unable to read Duranel’s thoughts from the depths of his shadow, he glared at me resentfully.

“Still, demons appearing in the Dragon Forest are incredibly troublesome.”

The Dragon Forest was protected by a powerful Bewildering Technique.
Both humans, beasts, and even demons would invariably get lost if they ventured into the Dragon Forest.

“It seems the demons are skillfully utilizing the bewilderment technique spread throughout the Dragon Forest to attack people here and there.”

“And the Mimicho Race warriors and Listea, who are chasing the demons, are unable to track them because of the Bewildering Technique?”

“It’s that,” Listea replied with a troubled expression.
But with this problem, I’m sure we can overcome it!
We advanced along the animal trails.
Then, I suddenly knelt down and read the flow of the Dragon Vein. And so, I found the existence I was looking for.

“As expected, you came to my side, didn’t you?”

I spoke towards the flow of the Dragon Vein. But I wasn’t talking to Duranel, and no one present found my actions suspicious.
Everyone knew.
The beings lurking in the Dragon Forest were not just demons. And those approaching me through the Dragon Vein were not malicious entities.

“You found me.”

“Fufu, I’ve grown, haven’t I?”

Silently and smoothly, a gray Ōkami Majū (Great Wolf, Magical Beast) emerged from beneath the ground.

“Long time no see!”

“Do you consider the passage of time to be long in human terms? I’ve been playing with Priscilla often lately, so I wasn’t lonely even without you in the Dragon Forest.”

“Hearing you say that makes me feel lonely! I’m jealous of Priscilla!”

The Ōkami Majū chuckled, its throat rumbling.
To anyone who didn’t know, it would look terrifying. But now, even Listea and Slaton, besides my kin, knew that the Ōkami Majū was a benevolent magical beast that wouldn’t cause harm.
However, since Listea and Slaton couldn’t hear the voices of all things and couldn’t understand the Ōkami Majū’s words, Sefina translated our conversation.

“Kuh. I’m jealous of Elnea. How can I acquire special abilities like yours? I’m keenly aware of my own immaturity.”

“Hmph. This is only for now. For now, you have the upper hand against us, that’s all? I’ll surpass you very soon!”

In response to Listea and Slaton’s words, the Ōkami Majū said, “Then, will you play tag with me in the Dragon Forest, risking your lives?” Upon hearing this through the translation, both their faces contorted.

Well, I too started by interacting with beings different from humans, like the Ōkami Majū, and gradually came to communicate with animals and nature.
It takes steady effort to be able to hear the voices of all things, not just the Dragon Heart that only understands dragons. Of course, my wives also acquired the ability to hear the Dragon Heart and the voices of all things in the same way.

“I’ll make that a future task. More importantly, the demons are the priority right now. You also called out to this magical beast for that purpose, didn’t you?”

Prompted by Listea, I made a request to the Ōkami Majū.

“Hey, can you lead us to where the demons are lurking? You’ve always played with Priscilla-chan in the Dragon Forest where demons wander, so you must actually have a grasp of their movements, right?”

Demons are also terrifying creatures for magical beasts.
Therefore, they don’t attack or interfere with them.
Furthermore, the fact that they played with Priscilla-chan every day, who had returned to the Mimicho Race village, suggests that the magical beasts could grasp the demons’ movements.
After all, they wouldn’t let Priscilla-chan be in danger, right?
My deduction was correct.

“Alright. If they’re our companions, they know the demons’ location. We’ll guide you.”

“Yay! Thank you!”

“We also found the demons troublesome, so if you’re going to defeat them, it’s a favor for a favor.”

When Madrine translated my conversation with the Ōkami Majū, Slaton slumped dejectedly.

“The problem that we and the Mimicho Race warriors struggled with for days, this guy…”

I laughed.
But it can’t be helped, right?
The Ōkami Majū and other magical beasts live in the Dragon Forest trying to avoid interacting with humans as much as possible.
There are many humans who would feel fear towards magical beasts, regardless of the bond I share with them, and conversely, there are hot-blooded individuals who seek to gain wealth or fame by hunting magical beasts.
That’s why, even though they played with Priscilla-chan, they haven’t interacted much with other Mimicho Race people.

Nevertheless, the Ōkami Majū listened to my request and dived back into the Dragon Vein.
And then, it returned immediately.
Bringing companions.

“Fufufu, I heard. You’re looking for demons, aren’t you?”

“We’ve been watching that guy for a long time!”

Saying that, a giant Usagi Majū (Rabbit Magical Beast) and a deer magical beast appeared before us.
Furthermore, I felt the presence of magical beasts in the sky and looked up to see several large bird magical beasts flying in.

“Leave the guidance to us!”

“Lost in the forest? Don’t worry about the details. If you get lost, look up at the sky and find us!”

“We’ll be your guide to the demons.”

The magical beasts of the Dragon Forest are very reliable!
Perhaps Old Man Sleigsta trusted the magical beasts, the Mimicho Race warriors, and Listea, and that’s why he intentionally avoided excessive interference?
If it were the original, stern Old Man Sleigsta that we knew, he would have absolutely become enraged and instantly annihilated the demons if there was bloodshed in the Dragon Forest.
When I said this, Listea smiled happily.
The twisted Slaton also hid his face a little bashfully, a smile blooming on his cheeks.

“Alright. From now on, let’s all go defeat the demons!”

Greetings to my parents and the kings?
We’ll still have time for that after we quickly resolve this minor issue!

“It’s fine, I’ll do it. Listea, Slaton, which of you will achieve more merits?”

“A competition with Lady Sefina… I don’t know if I can win even if I go all out.”

“Alright! First, I’ll make Lady Sefina acknowledge my ability!”

“Then, I will support Elnea-kun from the rear, shall I?”

Madrine, seizing the opportunity, monopolized me and said, “Go on now, you uncivilized adventurers, hurry and go with the magical beasts to fight the demons.”
Madrine entwined her arm with mine and leaned her body against me, as if to show off to Sefina.

“That’s fine, but is it okay if I report that to Ruiseine and Lady Shooting Star afterward?”

“Muki! That’s unfair, Sefina!”

Sigh. My companions and the magical beasts laughed.
But we haven’t lost sight of our goal.

“This way!”

“Follow us closely.”

The ground magical beasts suddenly dashed off.
The large bird magical beasts in the sky also circled, indicating the depths of the forest where the demons lurked.

“Everyone, let’s go!”

We all started running.
Surely, the Mimicho Race warriors would sense our movements and also act soon.

A temporary fervor filled the Dragon Forest, which was welcoming winter late, alongside the Forbidden Territory and Dragon Peak.
Everyone was burning with enthusiasm to defeat the demons.
For the safety of the people.
For the peace of the Dragon Forest.
To show sincerity to Old Man Sleigsta’s trust.

We ran with all our might, chasing the demons lurking in the Dragon Forest.

And.

And then…

We found the demons!

“Yes, yes, this match is my win!”

“Lilyyyyyy!!!”

The demons were instantly annihilated before us.
By Lily, the Black Dragon, an Ancient Dragon Species, who suddenly appeared from the demon’s shadow!

“I see, so that’s how it is! I haven’t seen Lily around lately, but it turns out Lily was actually instructed by Grandpa to defeat the demons all along, wasn’t she? That’s why Old Man Sleigsta didn’t tell Mistral anything, and didn’t act even when blood was shed in the Dragon Forest!? But Lily was slacking off until now, wasn’t she? But since we came to defeat them, she reluctantly defeated the demons!”

“That’s right. Elnea-kun, you’re sharp.”

“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

Everyone who had been chasing the demons let out a scream.
All their efforts!
All the hardship of chasing the demons!
Their enthusiasm and passion were shattered by Lily, and everyone let out a despairing scream.

“Lily, don’t play around too much, okay? The Giant Demon Lord is also here with Grandpa right now, so I don’t know if he gets angry.”

“In that case, I’ll play with Priscilla a little longer before I go back.”

“Lily was playing with the magical beasts too!”

What a wicked dragon!
Is this guardian dragon of the Dragon Forest alright for the next generation?

“Elnea… As expected, things get hectic when you’re involved…”

“Whaaat, Listea!? Is… is this my fault?”

“I defeated the demons reluctantly because Elnea-kun came. Otherwise, I would have left it to the people involved with the forest.”

“It is your fault after all! After all we went through, you!”

“Kyaa. Sefina, help me.”

As dusk approached, amidst the commotion in the Dragon Forest, a few people sighed with troubled expressions.