We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
This is not a trip.
We are to take Yugra-sama on Friel. Tyrant on Lyra. Everyone else will ride on Nimia’s back as we descend Dragon Peak southward.
The quickest aerial route would be to head straight east, but that would cause various problems.
If three giant dragons were to fly from Dragon Peak, the capital city of the Armēdo Kingdom would fall into utter chaos.
Especially with Tyrant around, passing through the sky without the Wyvern Knight Order is not advisable.
Therefore, we decided to descend southward, pass over the Dragon Forest, and then proceed east.
I wondered if I should have informed Elder Sleigsta, but…
“What is it? That person will realize as soon as we enter their domain. We cannot reach their location from the sky, so we will just pass by. It would be enough if you brought back souvenirs when you return.”
Yugra-sama told me.
Since I had not told Friel anything about Elder Sleigsta or the Dragon Forest, he tilted his head in confusion, but we understood. Mistral also said it would be fine, so there seemed to be no problem.
Speaking of which, Asher was able to return easily from Dragon Peak to the Moss Garden. I suppose that is something to praise as expected of an Ancient Species dragon.
If I have the chance to meet him again, I will make sure to experience Asher’s magnificence.
After descending sufficiently southward, we finally began to head east.
The journey in the sky was extremely smooth.
While flying through the skies of Dragon Peak, we were fortunate not to encounter any monsters or magic beasts. The airspace above the Dragon Forest is Elder Sleigsta’s territory, so there were no dangerous creatures.
Although magic beasts still live in the Dragon Forest, they did not show themselves before three giant dragons.
“Um, aren’t we heading a bit too far south?”
It’s understandable to think that. After all, if you look to the north, forests continue as far as the eye can see.
Even if we chose an aerial route that wouldn’t attract attention, wouldn’t going too far south be a detour?
“Just follow me silently.”
Under Yugra-sama’s lead, we seemed to be heading southeast.
As I was enjoying the journey in the sky, wondering if there was a specific destination, it appeared, tearing through the green vista.
What seemed like the blue of the sky reflected on the ground, an endless beautiful water surface, appeared before us and then immediately spread out beneath us.
For dragons flying at high speed, what appeared in the distance quickly transforms into the scenery directly below.
In an instant, the scenery below changed from green to light blue, and everyone gasped in awe.
I recalled hearing that a giant lake lay to the south of the Dragon Forest.
When I first saw the light blue scenery, I thought it was the sea covering the continent. But then I remembered the legends and realized it was a lake.
Nimia lowered her altitude and flew just above the water’s surface.
Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan leaned out, trying to touch the splashes of water kicked up by the wind. They wouldn’t fall, as they were wrapping Nimia’s fur around themselves, but my and Mistral’s only job was to keep them from going too wild.
“The water below is beautiful.”
“We should look at it.”
Tired by the words of the twin princesses, I peered down at the water surface from Nimia’s back.
We were all surprised to see Nimia’s reflection clearly mirrored on the transparent lake water.
It was like a mirror of water.
Not only Nimia but also the clouds overhead were reflected, creating a fantastic scene.
As we were captivated, the water’s surface became violently disturbed with a loud splashing sound.
We were all drenched by the water that rushed at us with great force.
“Hey, what are you doing!”
Mistral shouted at the culprit.
“I, it wasn’t me!”
Lyra, completely soaked, hastily denied it.
That’s right. There’s no way it could have been you.
“Hmph. To get angry over this little bit, what a narrow-minded Dragon Princess.”
Yes. The culprit was Tyrant!
Even though Tyrant was being scolded by Mistral, she repeatedly plunged into the lake, creating splashes of water and playing.
Is it just me, or does Tyrant seem to be the one having the most fun?
Each time she powerfully charged into the water and then soared again, Lyra, standing on her back, let out happy screams of “Kyaa!”
Rather, Lyra-san! How can you stand so nonchalantly on Tyrant’s back when she’s thrashing around?!
“Um, she looks like she’s having fun.”
Priscilla-chan said, looking on enviously.
“Let’s ask her to do it next time.”
“Yeah!”
We couldn’t ask Nimia now. After all, we had not only ourselves but also some luggage on her back.
It would be a disaster if anything came undone like Tyrant’s playing.
Nimia flew comfortably just above the water’s surface. Tyrant played by diving into the lake and flying. And Yugra-sama flew gracefully at a slightly higher altitude.
Ah, Friel was looking down at us with envy.
We still have a long way to go.
I need to build a relationship where I can say “I want to play too!” to Yugra-sama soon.
Before I knew it, not even a trace of the Dragon Forest was visible. It was just an endless expanse of lake and blue sky.
There are deep forests, and then there are rugged mountains. And there are endless lakes that seem to stretch out to the horizon. The world is truly vast.
I was overwhelmed with emotion by the unimaginable grandeur of nature.
After happily flying over the lake for a while, we decided to return to the edge of the Dragon Forest on the north side for a rest.
“Water, water.”
“It’s cold.”
As soon as we landed, Priscilla-chan rode on Fiorina’s back, and Ares-chan rode on Rim’s back, imitating the game Tyrant had been playing.
The women were chatting while drying their wet clothes and hair with clean cloths, gazing at the lake scenery.
However, Lyra was so wet that she had to change, so she went into the depths of the forest to change.
We are flying towards the capital city of my country, Yorttenitos, because the King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom is critical. I wondered if it was a bit indecent, but when I looked at Friel, he was also contentedly gazing at the scenery.
“I am concerned about His Majesty’s condition, but worrying about it here won’t help him recover. Besides, it feels wrong to dampen the mood when the young children are enjoying themselves. Of course, I am in a hurry. However, it is certain that we are advancing east at an impossibly fast speed on Yugra-sama’s back. So, there’s no problem.”
That’s what he said. I wonder if Friel actually has a more mature way of thinking than I do.
The young girls, drenched and playing, played with all their might, as if they didn’t know what they were going to do in the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Mistral and Ruiseine, who usually act as the scolding ones, now let the young girls do as they pleased.
If everyone is this happy, maybe we should have come to this lake sooner. I had completely forgotten about the existence of the lake itself, so it feels like we missed the season to visit.
Next year, in summer, we will definitely come together.
After a brief rest, we continued flying along the Dragon Forest and the edge of the lake.
According to Yugra-sama, if we continue like this, we will reach the great river that flows along the border between the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Once we reach the great river, we will head north from there and enter the plains of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
“I could fly straight to the capital city, but that would be a problem for the Human Race.”
“What do you mean?”
“Imagine three dragons, not belonging to the Dragon Knight Order, suddenly appearing in a human city. It would cause a huge sensation, wouldn’t it? Moreover, one of them is Revalia.”
Yes. It’s easy to imagine. Even the arrival of a wyvern in the capital city of the Armēdo Kingdom would cause quite a stir. Even with people riding on dragons, it would undoubtedly be a major problem.
And, if anyone knew that Tyrant had been rampaging and interfering with wyvern hunting, it would be a disaster.
“Would you like to make Asher-sama’s daughter smaller as well?”
“Nyan?”
“It’s better to minimize any stimulation. I will carry the luggage.”
Therefore, before entering the Yorttenitos Kingdom, Nimia shrank, and Yugra-sama took over carrying her luggage.
“How shall we assign the riders?”
I glanced at Tyrant, and she averted her gaze with a hmph.
I can’t help it. I’ll ride first and try to persuade her during the journey.
As I used Spatial Jump to ride on Tyrant’s back, Lyra also climbed up.
It seems Lyra is quite fond of Tyrant. Even though this is an excellent opportunity to ride on Yugra-sama’s back, she unhesitatingly chose Tyrant’s back.
“I’m envious. Please let us ride with you next time.”
Ruiseine said.
Speaking of which, aside from that presumptuous young girl, only I and Lyra have ever ridden on Tyrant’s back.
“Yeah. I’ll persuade Revalia.”
I grinned mischievously at Tyrant.
“What do you take me for!”
Tyrant let out a disgruntled roar and took off fiercely.
I hastily clung on. Beside me, Lyra stood nonchalantly!
“Lyra. Why are you standing?”
It wasn’t just a matter of having a good sense of balance. Even when Tyrant tilted her body, her feet remained as steady as ever. There was no sign of slipping or wavering.
“It feels better to stand than to sit.”
No, that’s not what I meant.
I phrased my question poorly.
“How can you stand there so calmly?”
Lyra tilted her head for some reason at my question.
“I’m entwining my Dragon Energy with Lady Revalia’s Dragon Energy to stick to her.”
Lyra-san, what a skillful thing you’re doing!
Could this be Lyra-style Dragon Arts?
While impressed by Lyra’s strange Dragon Arts, I looked back and saw Yugra-sama following us with a cold gaze, carrying the rest of the group.
“You’re making me do everything.”
Her accusation was conveyed through our dragon hearts.
I’m sorry. I intended to take responsibility for at least the young girls…
Thus, with several breaks along the way, we continued eastward.
Nimia had said before that it would take one day to fly to the capital city of the Yorttenitos Kingdom from Dragon Peak. However, this time, Yugra-sama and Tyrant were with us, and the unfamiliar journey in the sky consumed more stamina and mental energy than expected.
I was fine, but the women seemed quite tired. However, Mistral, perhaps due to her usual resilience, was still energetic. As we landed at our campsite near evening, she began preparing dinner by herself.
We are only a short distance from the capital city of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Although we could advance further if we exerted ourselves, as Yugra-sama pointed out, to avoid unnecessary alarm, we would leisurely traverse the Yorttenitos Kingdom throughout the day tomorrow.
No one thought that we had the luxury of time to spare. After all, we received the notification from the kingdom’s knights this morning and have already reached the border. And if things go smoothly, we should arrive at the capital city by tomorrow evening.
This is an impossible journey, taking less than two days to cover a distance that would take about sixty days on foot. It’s something that surely no one but us could achieve.
According to Friel, even the Wyvern Knight Order takes four days to travel between the capital cities of the Yorttenitos Kingdom and the Armēdo Kingdom.
The group of young girls, exhausted from playing, were fast asleep. The women, unexpectedly drained of energy, were slumped over. Friel also looked quite tired but was diligently taking care of Yugra-sama and her three companions.
And I, along with a busy Mistral, proceeded with dinner preparations.
Tomorrow, we will finally enter the Yorttenitos Kingdom, where there is likely to be some commotion. Tonight, we will eat a fortifying dinner to prepare for tomorrow.
This day concluded with a quiet night, sandwiched between the sound of the gentle forest breeze and the gentle lapping of waves on the lake.
