We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A briefing before departure.
While waiting for the tyrant, we relaxed and ate sweet potatoes, steamed by a dragon person woman. With the disturbances settled, the people of the dragon race dispersed and resumed their preparations. The knights, holding freshly steamed sweet potatoes handed to them just like us, stood awkwardly in the plaza.
“Sweet potato, sweet potato.”
“The sweet potato is delicious, isn’t it?”
Ares-chan and Priscilla-chan, their mouths full of sweet potato, ate with gusto. Holding the next sweet potato in each hand, they approached the knights who weren’t eating and looked up at them curiously.
From their perspective, it was strange that the knights weren’t eating such delicious sweet potatoes.
“Won’t you come over here and eat with us?”
It’s still summer. Autumn is approaching, but it’s hot. I understand that they’re trying to maintain a knightly demeanor in front of Prince Friel, but I still think it would be better to stay in the shade of the buildings.
“This is a world outside of human common sense. Status is just a decoration here. So, please don’t mind me and rest in the shade of the trees, preparing for the journey ahead.”
Perhaps Friel’s words gave them encouragement. There was still a hesitant atmosphere, but they walked over to our side and began to eat the sweet potatoes they held.
“It’s delicious.”
“This is very tasty.”
Yeah. They are indeed delicious. All the natural crops grown on Dragon Peak are delicious. I wonder if it’s because they grow in harsh environments. Although the yield is much smaller than on flat land, the taste on Dragon Peak is overwhelmingly superior. That’s probably why even simple agricultural products like sweet potatoes, which can be grown anywhere, are valuable trade goods.
“Speaking of which, how did the Wyvern hunt turn out?”
“You’re right. If the esteemed knights of the Wyvern Knight Order have returned, the guardians will be absent.”
Friel tilted his head at Ruiseine’s question.
When I observed the Wyvern hunt, it seemed like a hunt where the Wyvern Knight Order, who would provide escort, was the main focus.
Against the wyverns, which danced freely in the sky, there were too few methods for attack or luring them to the ground. It looked like a hunt that relied heavily on the Wyvern Knight Order, with the willing participants on the ground somehow dealing with the wyverns that the Wyvern Knights had brought down.
“This year, there have been a series of terrifying wyvern raids.”
“This year’s Wyvern hunt was a disaster.”
“It was correct for Your Highness not to participate.”
“Those wyverns are terrifying.”
“Do they bear some kind of grudge against us humans…?”
The kingdom’s knights, who were even braver and more skilled than the national army soldiers, turned pale and began to tremble.
The tyrant seems to have worked hard. While I feel unbearable sadness at the increase in casualties among humans.
“The Wyvern hunt has concluded with the return of the Wyvern Knight Order.”
“However, it was the right decision to end it. This year, there have been a terrifying number of casualties…”
“The Dragon Knight Ayur said it’s unprecedented.”
Ayur, the Dragon Knight, is apparently a highly skilled individual who has participated in Wyvern hunt escorts for many years among the Dragon Knights.
Seeing their fear, I wondered if the kingdom’s knights had also participated in the Wyvern hunt, and asked them.
“No, we did not participate. We were just searching for the Princess and happened to enter the Wyvern Hunting Ground.”
Ah, I understood from that statement alone that they were risking their lives to search for the Princess. Even with the King’s decree, one wouldn’t go to such a dangerous place unless they were truly worried about the Princess.
These knights here might be among the few in the Yorttenitos Kingdom who cared about the Princess.
Thinking that, the strange feeling that had briefly surfaced disappeared.
As we exchanged conversation, the knights’ wariness towards us seemed to lessen. The initial awkwardness disappeared, and they began to heal the fatigue from their journey so far in the shade of the buildings.
However, it didn’t last long.
A large shadow crossed the village.
Everyone turned their attention to the sky, wondering what it was, and the knights also looked up, as if on guard.
Then, they let out screams and hastily took refuge inside the buildings.
Oh. I forgot to explain. I’m sorry.
The one that flew in was, of course, the tyrant.
The tyrant roared in the sky and landed fiercely in the village.
“Hello!”
“Hmph, you! What business do you have?!”
Because Nimia, who was carrying luggage, couldn’t shrink down, and Yugra-sama was relaxing leisurely, there wasn’t much empty space in the village square. The tyrant, who landed forcefully in the narrow space, glared at me hatefully.
“I’m thinking of proposing a long trip this time.”
“A long trip?”
“Yes. To the Yorttenitos Kingdom.”
“Ho ho. Are we going to destroy those despicable Dragon Knights and their country, and make the humans realize the horror of provoking dragons?”
Looking at Nimia and Yugra-sama, the tyrant nodded, deeming their combat power sufficient.
No no no. What kind of violent thoughts do you have! I couldn’t help but butting in strongly, and everyone wore bitter smiles. Friel, for example, had his mouth agape in astonishment.
“That’s completely wrong. It’s a social outing.”
“Why must I do such a tedious thing?”
“See? We need to give Rimu, the young dragon, various experiences, right?”
The real target is you, the tyrant. However, by bringing up Rimu, the tyrant reluctantly follows me.
Fufufu. I know. You dote on Rimu, who has become your only fellow of the same kind. If I say it’s for Rimu, the tyrant will act with priority over himself.
“It seems the Wyvern hunt is over, so let’s take a little break, shall we?”
“You always string me along, don’t you.”
“Yeah. It’s fun, isn’t it?”
When I grinned, the tyrant turned away with a hmph.
Alright. The tyrant has been persuaded. Next are the knights. We’ll be flying away soon, but I want to clear up any misunderstandings.
Friel and I split up to call back the knights who had hidden. However, the tyrant was so terrifyingly feared that they wouldn’t show themselves at all. If they didn’t participate in the Wyvern hunt, they shouldn’t have directly encountered the tyrant. Yet, they showed such fear. The tyrant’s fearsomeness must have spread among humans.
But, he’s actually cute. Even though he looks scary.
I persuaded the black-bearded knight, who had somehow come to the entrance of the building, to relax, telling him that the tyrant was a comrade.
“WHAT?! He’s a comrade?! Then you are an enemy of humans!”
Come to think of it, I haven’t even introduced myself. Since I’m friendly with dragon people and dragons, maybe they don’t even consider me human.
“That’s not true. Please listen for a moment.”
Here, I persuaded the black-bearded knight from the perspective of dragons, the thoughts of the dragon people, and how the Wyvern hunt affects Dragon Peak. Finally, I questioned whether the Wyvern hunt itself was mistaken. Friel also spoke of his own thoughts and dreams, and together we persuaded the black-bearded knight.
The black-bearded knight initially countered, but he understood that things depend on one’s perspective, and upon learning of Friel’s passionate aspirations, he finally sympathized. Then, albeit hesitantly, he came out of the building and called the remaining knights.
The other four knights finally emerged from the building at their captain’s word. Perhaps it was because they had seen Nimia and Yugra-sama, who were larger than the tyrant, first. Once they realized it was alright, their fear of the tyrant began to lessen.
Big and strong feel the same, don’t they? I also sometimes think that giant dragons are strong. It might not be the reality, but this thought proved fortunate at this moment. The tyrant is terrifying, but with Nimia and Yugra-sama, who are even larger and gentler, they probably think that even if something happens, it will be alright.
I introduced the tyrant to the knights who appeared, and Friel once again conveyed his thoughts to them.
“To have such deep friendships with these dragons, who are you?”
“Dragon Peak is indeed a fearsome place. The idea of humans and dragons understanding each other and living together is beyond imagination.”
“To think that Your Highness held such strong convictions…”
“Your Highness, you have splendid ideas.”
“We shall support Your Highness!”
If he couldn’t persuade the kingdom’s knights now, his future would be bleak. But that worry was unnecessary; Friel’s eyes held a strong will, and he splendidly captivated the kingdom’s knights.
“We will now return to the capital city with the help of the dragon people. Upon our return, we will serve wholeheartedly to bring Your Highness’s ideals to fruition.”
The five kingdom’s knights offered a knight’s salute to Friel.
Uh, shouldn’t loyalty be sworn to the King…
However, even if it’s just five people, creating allies within the country first is a good thing.
Come to think of it.
Speaking of allies, I feel like we’ve forgotten something…
“Hmph, where are you going leaving us behind!”
Two men and one woman, appearing with ragged breaths.
Ah, I forgot! These three people I had encountered came with me from Carnela-sama’s village under the guise of taking care of Yugra-sama, who was confined as punishment for our match.
“You went on a morning walk, but what are you doing?”
“Honestly. We thought you wouldn’t come back, and then you ended up here…”
“Ah, I’m sorry!”
It appears Friel had forgotten too.
“We sensed you heading towards the suspension bridge, and when we went to check, we heard you had moved to this village.”
“We demand an explanation.”
“Don’t leave us behind!”
Friel explained with a bitter smile.
“To the Yorttenitos Kingdom?”
“A human country?”
“How interesting.”
They are fully intending to come with us. It’s only natural since they are Yugra-sama’s attendants.
After the explanation, introductions began, including the knights and the three attendants.
The knights, even though they were Yugra-sama’s attendants, looked at Friel, who commanded dragon people, with an expression of astonishment that was hard to count how many times that day.
And then, for the first time, I learned the names of the three attendants.
It’s because I didn’t have much interaction with them in Carnela-sama’s village.
The handsome man with thick blonde hair, who led the three, is Zex. The other man with a shaven head is Jixlies. The sole woman, a beauty with abundant blonde hair, is Maleyna. One of these three will apparently become Carnela-sama’s next attendant.
The three attendants, like most dragon people, are actually good people. They attacked us purely because they deeply cared for Yugra-sama and the winged dragons. Once we made up, they were kind and indiscriminate.
In fact, they were chosen by Carnela-sama as Yugra-sama’s attendants precisely because they are considerate and fond of taking care of others.
The knights were abashed at being treated so politely by dragon people, whom they had considered a superior race.
“Well. If we’re going, we should depart soon.”
Mistral said, seeing the opportune moment.
“That’s right. Now that everyone’s here, we should set off.”
At my command, the morning briefing came to an end.
Rimu, who had been waiting on the tyrant’s back, quickly moved to Nimia’s back. Friel and the three attendants went to Yugra-sama’s back. Fiorina wagged her tail and wouldn’t leave my side. Inevitably, Fiorina and I headed to Nimia as we had before. But then, Laira walked up to the tyrant.
“If you don’t mind, please let me ride.”
“Absolutely not!”
Come to think of it, Laira had ridden on the tyrant’s back when we went to Carnela-sama’s village. She might like the tyrant.
“You don’t like Nyanko’s back, nya?”
“That’s not it. Nimia is the best. However, I would also like to ride on Lady Revalia’s back sometime.”
Maybe riding on a different back sometimes would be nice.
“Revalia, please treat Laira well?”
“You…”
I decided to ignore the tyrant’s intense gaze.
When I told Laira that it was alright, she happily climbed onto the tyrant’s back. The tyrant rumbled with a purr, but did not resist.
“I look forward to your companionship.”
Laira said, standing on the tyrant’s back with a broad smile.
Alright. Preparation complete.
Our entourage waved goodbye to the village’s dragon people and knights, and took flight towards the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
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