We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
“Hold it right there!!”
As Caster and I chuckled with his Caster’s Earth Dragon, “You’re quite the scoundrel yourself,” the remaining Earth Dragons watching from a distance raised their voices. Then, with rumbling footsteps that shook the ground, they charged towards us.
“Eek!”
However, among those without Dragon Hearts, my attendants, Prince Grave, and Madrine—who still couldn’t comprehend what I was doing—screamed, startled by the Earth Dragons suddenly roaring and advancing towards me.
As the other Earth Dragons rushed over, I caught a glimpse of Mistral and the others. Their gazes were piercing.
It must be my imagination. Mistral’s cold stare, asking, “What are you doing this time?” Ruiseine’s slightly exasperated gaze, saying, “Please exercise self-control, won’t you?” Laira’s gaze that seemed to see me as something sparkling, and the Twin Princesses’ misunderstanding gaze, thinking, “She’s one of us!” And Priscilla-chan’s gaze, brimming with great expectation. It’s all in my imagination.
Ignoring everyone’s stares, I focused my attention on the approaching Earth Dragons.
“Father, you’re being unfair!”
“Hey! We’ll all get along with you, so give us food!”
“I hate cows. Yet they always serve me cows, and I’m troubled. I want pork!”
“I don’t like sheep; the wool gets stuck in my teeth.”
Uh, am I a restaurant employee?
The approaching Earth Dragons shouted about what they wanted to eat and what their preferences were as they swarmed towards me, rubbing their faces against me.
However, there were no fluffy Earth Dragons like Nimia; their rough, painful textures were all I felt, which made me unhappy.
“Hey, you lot! You’re in the way! Elnea-kun is having trouble!”
Caster’s Earth Dragon, who had been calling me “you scoundrel” just like the other Earth Dragons, now spoke my name. And it protected me from the other Earth Dragons who were jostling to rub against me.
But isn’t that just a selfish desire to get along with him and hoard all the delicious food for himself?
The Dragon Heart is clearly conveying its intentions!
With a wry smile, I soothed the gathered Earth Dragons. Then, I turned back to Prince Grave.
Oh, his face is completely contorted.
He seemed surprised by the sheer presence of the Earth Dragons roaring and stomping their feet, jostling to get close to me.
“Prince Grave.”
Prince Grave responded only with his gaze to my voice.
“As you can see, we’ve gotten along!”
At my words, the surrounding Earth Dragons nodded in agreement.
“What do you think? My words. If you can communicate properly, can you understand now that we can get along with the Dragon Race and build friendly relations?”
This time, I made friends with the Earth Dragons by promising to satisfy their hunger. Even if the personalities of the Dragon Race or the situations were different in other instances, the common factor is to make an effort to communicate properly.
Even without a Dragon Heart, at least the Dragon Race can understand human speech. Therefore, if we can somehow convey our intentions, we will surely be able to understand each other. If that happens, the current situation of subjugating them through training and fear should disappear.
I want tobelieve that.
And to pave the way for my beliefs, I want to do everything I can. I thought the first step was to demonstrate it to important figures of the kingdom like Prince Grave.
“B-but still…”
However, Prince Grave, who seemed to have finally regained his self-awareness, looked at me with a doubtful gaze, contrary to my intentions.
“I saw you tame Caster’s unruly Earth Dragon, but can that truly be called getting along? Perhaps you’re merely controlling it and making it obey orders. From an outsider’s perspective, there’s no difference, and it won’t serve as proof.”
“What?!”
This is an unexpected response. I thought it would be fine if I showed them getting along right in front of them, but to be mistaken for merely controlling them is outrageous.
Now, how should I explain? As I pondered this, the Twin Princesses interjected.
“Prince Grave, what are you saying? Do you think there are dragons that look as gentle as that among the Dragon Knight Order?”
“Prince Grave, what are you saying? Do you think there are dragons that are so fond of people among the Dragon Knight Order?”
“No, you can’t tell the dragon’s expression!”
“Is that so? Excuse me, but to me, it looks like the dragons are affectionately nestled by Elnea-kun’s side.”
“I-I also think Elnea-sama and the dragons look to be on good terms.”
Everyone began to support me with one voice.
“Hey, you lot are Elnea’s family, aren’t you? How can I believe your words?”
“Oh, so you admit we are Elnea-kun’s family.”
“Oh, so you admit the relationship between us and Elnea-kun.”
“W-well…”
As Prince Grave stammered at the Twin Princesses’ retort, one of the attendants standing nearby cautiously spoke up.
“Forgive my presumption. While I was initially shocked by the Earth Dragons’ movements, now that you mention it, it does seem to me that the boy and the Earth Dragons are getting along. We have taken care of dragons for many years, but I have never seen a dragon show such affection towards people. Even Anya-sama, who grew up with wild wyverns, has not been seen interacting with dragons this intimately.”
Unexpected backup fire. The attendants who had witnessed the entire exchange between me and the Earth Dragons earnestly advised Prince Grave.
“Your Highness, I also feel that Elnea-sama has become friends with the Earth Dragons. I am not knowledgeable about the relationships between humans and dragons, but at least it does not seem like he is merely controlling them and showing a superficial friendship.”
Even Madrine came to my aid, putting Prince Grave in an even more desperate situation.
And the final blow came with applause and words from a completely unexpected source.
A man appeared in the plaza, clapping his hands.
He was a giant with a well-built physique. His brown hair was grown wild, and he had a magnificent beard and eyebrows. His unadorned, practical full armor was covered in scratches and dents, giving him the aura of a warrior who had just returned from the front lines. This man, with a gentle smile unsuited to his appearance, approached me and said, “Hoho, boy. That’s amazing! You’re the first person I’ve ever seen other than myself who this dragon has taken a liking to.”
The man, Caster, who was applauding heartily, made Prince Grave look overtly displeased.
“Caster. Where have you been again, abandoning your dragon?”
“Hoho, brother. I have just returned. And I shall make a plea. This boy and these dragons are on friendly terms, bound by a strong friendship, not by subjugation. I say this as someone who controls this dragon. There is no mistake.”
Having said that, Caster, the man who appeared, arrived beside me and gently stroked the head of a particularly large, deep green Earth Dragon. The Earth Dragon allowed him to stroke it without resistance.
“Hmph. It is not unpleasant to be touched by Caster.”
The Earth Dragon purred softly.
“Actually, I’ve been watching from the beginning. If it looked dangerous, I would have intervened with my hands and mouth. Well, what a splendid talent. Are you a new Dragon Knight?”
As Caster smiled down at me from his towering height, I shook my head vigorously. Then, I introduced myself, explained my position and dreams, and that I had demonstrated this practice to prove that I could build friendly relations with the Dragon Race. Finally, I apologized for becoming friends with the dragons on my own.
“Hahaha! Don’t worry about it, boy.”
However, Caster was not angry; instead, he was impressed and patted me heartily on the head.
It hurt because of his gauntlet.
“I understand your point. Brother, it seems Elnea-kun’s words are not false, and I believe we should trust him. What do you say?”
“What are you talking about, Caster? This boy is trying to do something that could affect the very foundation of our kingdom. Are you telling me to easily accept it?”
“Brother, that is incorrect. Precisely because it could affect the foundation of our kingdom, we royals must be the first to listen to this boy’s words and consider them. If this is advanced by foolish nobles or those with ill intentions, the kingdom could be in danger.”
Oh, he’s a sensible person!
I was surprised by Caster, whose way of thinking was as dependable as his appearance.
To be honest, I thought the royals of the Yorttenitos Kingdom were all a bit eccentric. However, Caster, at least, seemed to be a reasonable person.
“Isn’t it an interesting idea? If his ideals become reality, we won’t have to go through wyvern hunts that cause so many casualties. As for me, if we can become friends with dragons, I think it’s worth a try.”
“B-but still…”
Caster looked at Prince Grave, who was still hesitating, with a wry smile and a sigh.
“Well, it might be too soon for us to make a decision on our own. I propose we bring this matter to His Majesty and his loyal retainers for consideration. Brother, is that acceptable?”
“O-oh. That’s fine.”
I wonder. Does Prince Grave dislike Caster? Prince Grave, who was persuaded with a slightly dejected look, avoided looking at Caster much.
“Well then, shall we head to His Majesty immediately, brother?”
“W-wait a moment, Caster!”
Prince Grave hastily stopped Caster, who had removed his hand from my head and started walking with long strides. He then looked around.
“It’s a promise. Please allow us to visit.”
“It’s a promise. Please allow us to accompany you.”
“Your Highness, it is a promise with you all. Elnea-sama has shown friendship with the dragons, so if it’s not an obstruction, please allow us to visit.”
“Grrr…”
“Hoho, you all are visiting Father too? Alright, then let’s all go.”
“No, wait, Caster.”
“Why do you stop me?”
“Actually, that fellow Bariatel…”
“Tch, that second brother of ours!”
Caster let out a sharp click of his tongue, as if Prince Grave did not need to explain. He then looked overtly displeased.
“Very well. I will speak sternly. Alright, let’s go.”
I have a feeling he’s incredibly dependable!
Caster’s back, as he started walking again, looked very large.
Let’s all go to the King’s bedchamber like this. Then, Caster will surely intercede for me.
But before that.
“Ah, please wait a moment.”
I thought it might be rude to stop the procession of princes, but I still had something I needed to do.
I rushed over to one of the attendants and asked them to convey the Earth Dragons’ food preferences and dislikes to give them their meal first.
“Is that so? I didn’t realize they were acting out due to hunger. I’ve learned something.”
The meal is supposed to be given after they are brought to the Dragon Stable. Otherwise, if they eat cows in the plaza, many people will see it.
There are, of course, people who cannot stomach seeing beasts or dragons preying.
However, here, I prioritized the Earth Dragons’ desire for food. It is the attendant’s duty to distance those who are physiologically unable to witness a feeding scene.
Coexistence and co-prosperity. If we are to build friendly relations, we must listen to the other party’s demands as much as possible, rather than just imposing our own.
The Earth Dragons roared in agreement with my suggestion.
“Indeed, it is interesting. I never thought they were so hungry. After all, I just fed them until they were full before coming,” Caster said, nodding deeply as he watched my exchange with the attendants.
“It was a forced march from the eastern border, right? Dragons also get hungry quickly when they move a lot.”
“I see, I’ve learned something.”
It’s not always rejection. It’s encouraging to see royal family members like Caster who try to understand.
“By the way,” Caster said, turning to the Earth Dragon as if an idea struck him.
“Although he usually obeys my commands, he absolutely refuses my requests.”
I thought it would be the opposite, but perhaps because of their master-servant relationship, he obeys commands as a contract, but refuses requests out of pride.
Caster nodded understandingly at my explanation.
“Then, will he listen to your request, since you’ve built a friendship?”
“I don’t know?”
I tilted my head and looked at the Earth Dragon.
“Fine. Try saying something. I’ll grant your request.”
Even if he said that, I couldn’t think of a request on the spot.
“Hey, try rolling over.”
“I refuse!”
The Earth Dragon roared in rejection at Caster’s words, leaving it unclear whether they were a command or a request.
“See? He won’t listen to my requests.”
…Was that a request just now?
With a wry smile, I decided to make a request to the Earth Dragon as well.
“Um, could you please roll over?”
“Oh, leave it to me!”
The Earth Dragons gladly accepted my request. Not only Caster’s Earth Dragon, but all the Earth Dragons in the plaza simultaneously lay down on their sides, rolled over, and completed a single rotation.
Immediately afterward, a crunching sound echoed.
“Aaaah!”
It was the sound of the saddles attached to the Earth Dragons’ backs being crushed and shattered between their massive bodies and the ground as they rolled over.
“Hoho! My saddle…”
Caster next to me was speechless.
