We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 121

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Joining the Dragon Kings.

The oldest, the scantily-haired old Dragon King, is Sleny. Excluding the missing Sleigsta, he is currently the Dragon King with the most superior Dragon Arts.

Next is the middle-aged Dragon King, Jura. A master of sword techniques, he invited me, who drew with Ruilala, to a match.

Below him is Yakushion, a Dragon King with tanned skin and well-developed muscles. He has mastered martial arts and is said to be Zan’s goal.

The giant Dragon King is Sestarinis. A wielder of an ultra-giant two-handed axe, he is the strongest among the Dragon Kings.

Heorona, a lean Dragon King with a flippant tone and casual attitude. While he appears to be a spear user, he skillfully wields daggers in close combat, showing his dexterity.

Lastly, the youngest Dragon King among them is Wol. He is said to be amazing in everything, from Dragon Arts and martial arts to sword techniques. Furthermore, besides me and Sleigsta, he is the only one among the Eight Great Dragon Kings who is a successor.

These six were the Dragon Kings who rushed to the scene of the disturbance caused by the demon raid in the western part of Dragon Peak this time.

There seem to be four other Dragon Kings. However, only these six were able to rush here on short notice.

Although I didn’t get to meet all of them, I was moved.

I never thought I would get to meet and be welcomed by so many as six Dragon Kings at once.

When dinner was ready, we decided to have a meal while introducing ourselves.

At that time, I properly introduced myself, stating that I am Mistral’s fiancé and one of the Eight Great Dragon Kings who succeeded Jiludo.

I was very nervous until I introduced myself. The Dragon Race people accepted me, but I actually lacked confidence in whether I would be accepted by the men who held the honorable title of Dragon King.

However, there was nothing to gain by hiding who I was.

And if I were to introduce myself, I had to do it with confidence, otherwise, it would be embarrassing.

I introduced myself to the Dragon Kings with confidence, or rather, by hiding my anxiety.

Then, it seemed they had already been informed about me by Mistral, so they accepted me smoothly.

“I’m a fellow Dragon King. You don’t need to call me ‘Sama.’ Rather, you can call all of us by our names without honorifics.”

Yakushion, who outwardly appeared stern and intimidating, said this kindly, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah, we’ll acknowledge you. Otherwise, Mistral’s terrifying blunt weapon will come flying at us.”

“Heorona is right. We don’t resent you for taking Mistral. We’re just afraid of the blunt weapon. So, we welcome you.”

Heorona and Wol, who are younger, spoke with some hidden meaning. However, with just one glare from Mistral, they quickly shrunk back.

The villagers, whose homes were burned and whose kin and friends were killed, ate in silence.

We were mindful of the villagers and moved to a separate location to eat, so a little lighthearted banter was permitted.

Although I also feel sad that so many Dragon Race people have died, I believe that moping around, being dragged down by the sorrow of the villagers, will not lead to any progress.

We must do what the villagers, lost in their grief, cannot. Finding the missing warriors and bringing them back to the village safely is what we can do now.

After our self-introductions, we discussed the steps we could take from tomorrow onwards.

“We need to search for the warriors who didn’t return during the village disturbance.”

“I don’t think all the remaining villagers are covering for each other. If that’s the case, then perhaps the warriors truly went to help the young people who were attacked by demons.”

Sestarinis agreed with Yakushion’s words.

These two are more than a head larger than the other Dragon Kings and have an imposing presence. Anyone would doubtlessly recognize them as Dragon Kings.

“But still. Even if they were attacked by demons, would everyone really go? That’s foolish.”

“Whether it’s foolish or not, acting without thinking ahead was hasty.”

Heorona, leaning against his spear planted in the ground and drinking alcohol, said this as if it were someone else’s business, and Wol nodded.

With Wol’s youthful appearance and Heorona’s casual demeanor, these two don’t look like Dragon Kings at all. However, Heorona is apparently a genius in combat, and Wol has lived for longer than his appearance suggests.

“While searching for the warriors is necessary, the reconstruction of the village is also a challenge.”

“Indeed. We must gather manpower from nearby villages and urgently prepare buildings for temporary housing.”

Sleny looked worriedly at the surviving villagers who were eating separately from us.

And Jura, with a map in hand, was considering arrangements with neighboring villages.

“Village security, requesting support from nearby villages, searching for warriors. And village reconstruction until reinforcements arrive. We don’t have enough manpower.”

Mistral’s words elicited sighs from the Dragon Kings.

The women, children, and elderly villagers were dejected and couldn’t be expected to take action immediately.

Therefore, even with me, Laira, and the surviving village men, we were severely short of manpower. Nevertheless, the things that needed to be done remained unchanged, so we discussed our roles and responsibilities until late into the night, albeit in a somewhat chaotic manner.

And the next day.

Mistral, Laira, Nimia, and I left the village that had been attacked by demons.

We were assigned the task of searching for the missing village warriors.

Wol’s opinion that it would be better for us, the women and children, to be involved in reconstruction and security work at the village was rejected.

Mistral is a Dragon Princess and the strongest among those gathered. I also have the strength to travel around Dragon Peak, Laira’s abilities were proven in the recent battle, and there is Nimia, who can move at high speed and is actually the strongest. Therefore, we were assigned the most dangerous task of searching for the warriors.

In an emergency, we can’t afford to discriminate based on being human or deeming it dangerous. Those who can, do what they can.

Both Laira and I obediently accepted the decision.

Crossing the collapsed village walls, we walked towards the direction of the spring where the warriors were said to have gone. The village is surrounded by a forest, but to the west, there is a grassland. Further beyond that is a spring, and the village youths used to hunt beasts that came there to drink water.

“By the way, why did Mistral notice something was wrong with this village?”

As we headed towards the western spring, I asked Mistral. I and Laira learned about the situation because we were brought here by the tyrant, but how did Mistral and the others, who were supposedly holding a meeting elsewhere, find out?

“Fufufu. You are being watched by the elder.”

Ah, that’s right. I remembered. During the ruins investigation training and at other times, I was being monitored by Sleigsta (Old Man) by tracing the dragon veins. This wasn’t because Sleigsta (Old Man) didn’t trust me, but rather it was similar to a lonely grandpa keeping a close watch on his grandchild.

Therefore, if anything happens to me, for example, if I were suddenly taken away by the tyrant or engaged in combat with demons in the west of Dragon Peak, Sleigsta (Old Man) would immediately know.

While I was traveling around Dragon Peak, he respected my solo journey and didn’t interfere, but this time, he contacted Mistral immediately.

I should properly thank him next time I go to the Moss Garden.

“Sleigsta is amazing. To be able to sense Elnea, who is far away.”

Laira was amazed when I explained.

Laira has been in a much cheerier mood since leaving the village, or rather, since the battle yesterday. Although she never strayed from Mistral’s and my side, she always seemed to be in good spirits.

“Because I’ve never been needed or praised by anyone,” she said casually. But, what does that even mean? Is it normal for people to go through life without ever being needed by anyone? Surely not. “Go buy groceries.” “Take this to the neighbor.” “Bring in the laundry.” “Help with the cleaning.” While I don’t believe people are frequently needed for life-altering events, there are countless small things in daily life. And when you help out, you’re usually thanked or praised each time. Yet, she has never experienced that? Laira is usually a bright and energetic girl, but sometimes she shows a glimpse of darkness like this. I believe this is the problem she carries and the reason she has been driven towards a path of challenging the Dragon Race and dragons.

However, Laira did not try to talk about the problem she was facing. She exhibits absolute obedience towards me, having saved her life, but never speaks of her past. Whenever something that touches upon her past occurs, Laira instantly becomes somber, and the light in her eyes fades.

Neither I nor anyone else intends to pry into things she doesn’t want to talk about or recall. Everyone has things they want to keep secret. However, if this problem isn’t resolved, can we truly become companions, or even family? To turn a blind eye to a problem that clearly exists, simply because she doesn’t want to talk about it. While it’s kind to not pry too deeply, I also wonder if it’s not indifference.

No, Laira’s problem is difficult. It would be better if she decided to confide in us herself. Perhaps if we become closer, and can talk freely without reservation and spend time together without any pretense, the day will come when she confides in us.

Walking alongside Mistral, I pondered as I watched Laira, who was walking ahead with a cheerful stride.

“Even though Mistral and I are being vigilant, don’t let your guard down too much.”

Mistral cautioned Laira, who was walking with a bouncy, springy step, with a slightly troubled, wry smile.

There were no reckless monsters or magic beasts that would dare to challenge the realm of dragon aura that Mistral and I had set up with our double vigilance. We proceeded smoothly westward without any obstacles.

Then, just before the grassland, we took a break.

Beyond the grassland lies the spring, where the village youths and warriors were likely headed. If the demons attacked as the villagers said, then this place ahead would be dangerous.

Taking a moment to rest, I meditated to replenish my dragon energy.

While meditating, I thought about Laira again. Nimia has been perched on top of my head since this morning. If Priscilla-chan were here, she would be jumping between my head and Priscilla-chan’s, but since she’s not here with Ruiseine, she’s been on my head the whole time. Nimia is the brightest existence within our group. With her immeasurable dragon power and presence, even if she wasn’t on my head during meditation, I would definitely feel her presence if she were nearby. And the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword, resting on my lap as I sat in meditation, possesses a presence that might rival Nimia’s. It truly feels like a young Spirit Tree. Mistral is resting beside me, standing. She is filled with powerful dragon energy and emanates a dignified presence. Truly Mistral-like.

However. I could not sense Laira’s presence at all, even though she should also be resting beside me. She fights with surprising dragon energy during battles, and just a moment ago, she was walking cheerfully in front of me. Yet, when I tried to sense her presence during meditation, I couldn’t feel anything. What is she truly? As I pondered this, I realized I wasn’t drawing power from the dragon veins at all. It seemed I had too many distracting thoughts. I continued meditating, dispelling my distractions.

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