We_live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
“May a healthy child be born.”
“What a terrible outcome. Sigh, I’m just pointlessly tired. You get like this whenever we get involved with you, too.” “Huh! Is it my fault?” “It’s Elnea-kun’s fault!” “Lily said that to me!”
I slumped down in despair at the terrible end that Listea spoke of. Even our usually boisterous Slattton had lost the sparkle in his eyes and wore a vacant expression.
“Well, well, at least we managed to defeat the Yōma that were causing trouble in the Dragon Forest, so let’s consider it a success!”
No one objected to my forceful attempt to wrap things up.
“Alright, next, we’ll go to the capital and greet my parents!”
“Elnea. About that, Slattton and I will guide you. What do you say, Slattton?”
“I guess I have no choice. You and the princesses probably don’t want to be seen by people right now, do you? Fine, just this once, I’ll guide you and Listea. We’re somewhat famous among humans too, you know. We know the back alleys of the capital for traveling incognito without being noticed. Leave it to us.”
I had told Listea and Slattton our purpose on the way. It seemed they would help us solve our troubled situation, namely, how to reach my family home without being noticed by the capital’s residents. After apologizing, thanking, and commending the Mimicho warriors who had gathered to defeat the Yōma as one, we set off towards the capital.
“I hope we reach the capital without getting lost!”
“When Elnea-kun says things like that, it’s almost always the case that we get lost, isn’t it?”
“I-Is it just my imagination, Sefina?”
“If your faith in the Goddess is deep, we who have overcome trials will reach the capital safely.”
“I’m starting to get anxious.”
The Yōma that had been roaming the Dragon Forest were slain, and the entire forest became peaceful. Besides, with the reliable Sefina and Madrine by my side, as well as the Hero Listea and Slattton, I was completely at ease.
By the way. The Mimicho warriors, after the Yōma problem was resolved, left while still on alert for patrols in the Dragon Forest. And Lily, who had stirred up the place, let out a cheerful roar and flew into the evening sky. Next time I meet Lily, I’ll give her a good scolding.
“Tch. I don’t get to show off anymore. But Elnea, don’t let your guard down, okay? I’m the one who will defeat you and become the new Dragon King!”
“Ah well. Slattton never learns, does he? If you want, would you like to participate in the Dragon Race warrior trials next year? I think it’s held around the summer.”
“You idiot. Can I wait until next summer?”
“Eh? Then… Ah, no, the demon race thing is no good.”
“Huh?”
Slattton cast a suspicious glance at my hesitation. But I couldn’t say it.
I couldn’t tell them about the internal conflict occurring in the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country and the troublesome request I received from the Giant Demon Lord. That’s because his wives, Cerise-chan and Creacio, are pregnant. Their long-awaited first child is scheduled to be born around next summer. If that’s the case, I can’t involve them in the problems of the demon race’s country and put them in danger. Because I want Listea and Slattton to be there to support their wives who are about to give birth. Even though I thought of this, and swallowed my words.
“What? What were you about to say? Speak! If you don’t, I won’t forgive you!”
“Kyaa!”
Attacked by Slattton, I hurriedly hid behind Sefina. You think I’m pathetic? No, that’s not it. Sefina is a reliable older woman, and she herself wants to be relied upon by me, so there’s no problem.
“You’re a coward!”
Slattton is muttering some complaint, but I don’t care. Slattton, intimidated by Sefina who was getting ready to protect me, could do nothing. Listea and Madrine laughed at this.
“Hahaha, as expected, Slattton can’t compete with Lady Sefina.”
“Of course. Lady Sefina is a princess, you know. If you lay a hand on a princess, you’ll be thrown in prison for disrespect. I can’t make Creacio sad.”
“Slattton himself doesn’t hesitate to go to prison, does he?”
“I do, you idiot.”
Still, the fact that he thinks of his beloved wife Creacio first, before himself, shows what a fine man Slattton is.
“However, I’m curious about what you were about to say, too? You hesitated there, meaning you’re probably dealing with some trouble again before the Dragon Race trials next summer?”
“Listea is truly an amazing Hero. To guess that much with just that scant clue.”
His insight is amazing. Listea, who gets closer to the answer with just a small clue, is truly a great Hero who will go down in human history. But this time, I’m troubled by Listea’s sharpness.
“Elnea, are we not reliable enough? You can’t even consult me, and I’m a little sad.”
“That’s not it, Listea.”
As I scratched my head, troubled, Sefina and Madrine gave me advice.
“You don’t really need to bring us into it, do you? Of course, it started with Slattton’s harsh words that made Elnea-kun start to say it. But still, I think it’s fine to just explain the situation?”
“We can’t accompany Elnea-kun this time either, and even if you tell them, Listea-dono and Slattton-dono won’t get involved, so I think it’s fine to talk about it.”
Indeed, is it okay just to talk about it? The trigger was a momentary prankster’s impulse to involve Slattton, but as a normal topic of conversation, it should be fine. The demon race’s country is far away across Dragon Peak, and I can trust that Listea and Slattton wouldn’t carelessly spread rumors.
“Well then, let’s talk!”
Looking up at the Dragon Forest sky dyed in the colors of the sunset, I told Listea and Slattton about the problem the Giant Demon Lord had brought to me.
“You know, the Giant Demon Lord told me to go kill the Mad Abyss Demon Lord.”
“Huh?”
“Ahn?”
Listea and Slattton’s eyes widened. They stopped walking and stared at me. That’s right! It’s a crazy story, of course they’d react like that! I think it’s an outrageous request to go kill a Demon Lord!
“You… alright, go ahead. You can go wild as much as you want in the demon race’s country.”
“Hahaha, a Demon Lord? Alright, go kill him. I’ll surpass you after you kill the Demon Lord and become the Great Demon Lord.”
“No, no, Slattton. Didn’t you want to become the Dragon King!?”
What, oh why. Listea and Slattton, after their minds stopped for a moment, then somehow arrived at a completely unreasonable misunderstanding and agreed! I’m not going to murder any Demon Lords! As I desperately explained this, Listea finally returned to his normal way of thinking.
“Indeed, even if the opponent is a demon, I don’t want to take on a killing job at someone’s request. Even if I had the ability to kill a Demon Lord, I would refuse such a request. You’re not wrong.”
“Thank you, Listea. However, if we leave the problems of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country unattended, it seems it will spread to not only the demons but also the divine and human races. So, I’ve decided to go to the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country after the new year.”
After briefly explaining my exchange with the Giant Demon Lord, Listea nodded.
“You don’t want to kill the Demon Lord, but you can’t ignore the problem. So you’re going to the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country, and you have to find the answer yourself, huh? That’s quite a difficult problem.”
“Yeah. From now on, I’ll consult with my family and decide on my course of action.”
“And you were thinking of involving me in that commotion?”
I give a wry smile at Slattton’s remark. However, I clearly conveyed my thoughts. That involving Listea and Slattton would make Cerise-chan and Creacio sad.
“I appreciate your consideration, but it also makes me sad.”
“You’re thinking that it might be life-threatening for us, aren’t you? Tch, how grown-up you’ve become.”
“That’s not it! I don’t doubt Listea’s and Slattton’s abilities, and the danger to life is my own problem too.”
If it comes to fighting Demon Lords, it will be extremely harsh. Just recently, I was made to realize my own inadequacy in the Verdant Demon Lord’s country. Moreover, Listea and Slattton should also know firsthand the terror of the highest-ranking demons called Demon Lords. They should remember well the time we confronted the Fairy Demon Lord in the Heavenly Mountain Range. That’s why they faced my words seriously, without any unnecessary complaints or interruptions.
“Indeed, it would be reckless to plunge into battle in an unfamiliar land and culture.”
“Damn it. A Demon Lord, huh? I couldn’t even lay a hand on that Fairy Demon Lord, so unfortunately, I’m just a burden to Elnea.”
“Elnea’s consideration, while unfortunate, is correct. Slattton and I will soon have a child. Before that, we can’t cause mental anxiety to Cerise and Creacio.”
Not burdening the pregnant Cerise-chan and Creacio is precisely the mindset required of Listea and Slattton right now.
“I’m sorry. Truly, I consider you the utmost companions. But please give up this time? You found out about this matter because I accidentally started to say it, but you two don’t need to worry about it at all.” Cerise-chan and Creacio are also pregnant. Sefina and Madrine, who seemed to understand Listea and Slattton’s feelings, spoke to encourage the two who were restraining themselves despite their disappointment.
“Once the child is born, ask Elnea-kun to have you take the Dragon Race warrior trials.”
“Bravery and recklessness are different. It is reckless for you to get involved in the demon race’s problems now. However, it is a brave act to think of your precious family and the life to come and restrain yourselves.” Listea and Slattton are not weak men who would dwell on this matter. They quickly switched their moods and began walking through the Dragon Forest again with strong strides.
“Next summer, huh. Slattton, you have a goal now. To participate in the Dragon Race warrior trials, we’ll have to be able to walk Dragon Peak by then too.”
“Ou! It’ll be a laughingstock if the little Mimicho kids are running around freely while the Hero’s entourage is helpless! Let’s put aside Elnea for now and do what we can do!”
“Entering Dragon Peak itself is a difficult trial, so don’t push yourselves too hard, okay? You shouldn’t worry your families, okay?”
“Elnea-kun, that particular statement lacks credibility!”
“Elnea-kun, first, please endeavor not to worry Mist-san and us!”
“Elnea, what exactly have you done?”
“Ugh…! Was it the puppet king’s big commotion? Was it about Alice-san? Or was it about the North Sea?”
“Aren’t you causing too many disturbances even for things you didn’t write in your letters!”
“Listea, that’s a misunderstanding!”
After that, until we left the Dragon Forest, I was interrogated by Listea and Slattton about all sorts of things.
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