We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 28

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

A dog and a cat.

“Um. Is this your first time leaving the village, Priscilla?”

“Meow.”

It was me, Mistral, and Priscilla-chan with Fake Nyanko as we walked through the forest. Priscilla-chan, with Fake Nyanko perched happily on her head, was in high spirits. In contrast, Mistral and I were quite bewildered. Fake Nyanko, oblivious to our unease, purred along in time with Priscilla-chan’s humming.

It was nearing evening, and we hurried our pace. After all, I had to be home before sunset. Mistral, it seemed, was planning to stay overnight with Priscilla-chan at the Moss Garden today.

Just who was this Fake Nyanko, anyway? Or rather, we all, including the Mimicho Race people, had a vague idea of its true identity. But we couldn’t bring ourselves to say it out loud until Sleigsta, the Old Man, told us himself. After all, this was a forest protected by Sleigsta, an Ancient Dragon Species.

Regardless, we had to hurry. But in the end, we could only reach the Moss Garden by following the path, so we just kept walking.

Priscilla-chan, with a light step, walked a little ahead of Mistral and me, who walked with few words. She seemed genuinely happy.

“Oh, a doggy.”

Priscilla-chan suddenly stopped and pointed towards the depths of the forest. There, a gray Ōkami Majū stood, watching us with keen interest. It’s back again, I see. I wonder what it’s here for.

Mistral, perhaps sensing danger, called Priscilla-chan back.

“No, no, no.”

“Meow, meow.”

But Priscilla-chan showed strong interest in the Ōkami Majū and didn’t return to us.

“Big doggy.”

That Ōkami Majū isn’t a dog. It’s agile and dangerous. Mistral sighed in exasperation and headed towards Priscilla-chan.

But he was too late.

Priscilla-chan, laughing joyfully, vanished in an instant.

“Woof-woof is soft.”

The next moment, Priscilla-chan was riding on the back of the Ōkami Majū. Mistral, I, and the Ōkami Majū were all surprised simultaneously. The Ōkami Majū, in particular, was startled when Priscilla-chan suddenly appeared straddling its back and jumped. With great force, Priscilla-chan was flung into the air. I could only watch in stunned silence as Priscilla-chan was sent soaring high into the sky.

But in the next moment, Priscilla-chan disappeared again. And then, once more, she was riding on the Ōkami Majū. What in the world was happening?! I was confused, unable to grasp the situation. The Ōkami Majū, also surprised, jumped again. And Priscilla-chan was thrown off. But in that instant, she vanished again and was back on the Ōkami Majū’s back.

“Wh-what’s going on?!” I screamed. The Ōkami Majū, not understanding what was happening, thrashed about. Each time, Priscilla-chan was flung off, only to reappear on the Ōkami Majū’s back the next moment as if nothing had happened.

“Oh dear.”

Only Mistral seemed to understand the situation and, with a sigh, headed towards the Ōkami Majū and Priscilla-chan.

“You shouldn’t play with magic beasts.”

Just as Priscilla-chan was flung off by the Ōkami Majū, Mistral caught her. The Ōkami Majū, finally free, hastily used a Spatial Jump and disappeared. Oh, Fake Nyanko is spinning around on Priscilla-chan’s head.

“That was fun.”

Priscilla-chan said, a wide smile on her face. I, on the other hand, was completely confused.

“If you play with magic beasts, you won’t reach the Old Man’s place.”

“Um. Grandpa Dragon?”

“That’s right. We’re going to see him now.”

“Exciting!”

Priscilla-chan obediently took Mistral’s hand and started walking.

“W-wait for me!”

I hurriedly followed.

“What was that just now?” I asked, catching up to her.

“Um.”

Priscilla-chan pondered, a finger on her cheek.

“Want to try, Older Brother?”

Saying that, Priscilla-chan took my hand again.

“Ah.”

It was the moment I heard Mistral’s short exclamation. My vision suddenly showed a different scene. Mistral was a short distance away.

“Ugh…”

A sudden wave of nausea washed over me, and I threw up. My head pounded, and I felt dizzy. With intense heartburn, I threw up again.

“Hey. Priscilla. Don’t suddenly do that to someone unused to it.”

Mistral, finding us, came towards us, angry.

“Um. I’m sorry.”

Priscilla-chan stroked my back. My heartburn gradually subsided, but the headache and dizziness continued. It’s like… they say you get carsick from riding in a carriage for a long time, and this felt similar.

By the way, what was that just now? I thought I was holding Priscilla-chan’s hand, and the next moment I was separated from Mistral.

“Elnea, are you alright?”

Mistral asked, looking at me with concern as he poured water from his canteen for me to rinse my mouth.

“Spatial Jumps can make those unaccustomed to them sick. Priscilla, be careful.”

Priscilla-chan looked dejected, scolded by Mistral. So, that was a Spatial Jump. I remember now. The Mimicho Race can teleport short distances. Was that what just happened?

“It’s called a Spatial Jump. Amazing! To be able to do that, Priscilla-chan, you’re amazing!”

When I praised her, her eyes lit up, and she was overjoyed.

“Hey. Don’t spoil her.”

Mistral gave me a look of exasperation, but I was truly impressed. After all, I had a very valuable experience. I doubt even the Hero Listea has experienced anything like it. I rinsed my mouth and skipped happily with Priscilla-chan. Mistral watched us with the look of someone watching children. Fake Nyanko was still spinning around on Priscilla-chan’s head. After sharing our joy, we continued through the forest.

Before long, as usual, the air changed.

“I’m home!”

“I’ve returned.”

“Um, hello?”

We entered the Moss Garden. Sleigsta, the Old Man, greeted us as usual in his usual spot.

“Hoho. A Mimicho Race girl? Welcome.”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, smiled as he looked at Priscilla-chan, who had come with us. After all, “cute” is a universal feeling across all races. There isn’t a living being that wouldn’t find Priscilla-chan cute.

“Hmm, hmm. So this is your preference. It seems Mistral was a bit too old for you then.”

“Huh?”

Mistral’s face contorted.

“G-Grandpa, what are you saying?! I’m not a pervert!” I quickly explained.

“Is Older Brother a pervert?”

Priscilla-chan, please don’t ask so innocently. Mistral’s cold gaze is piercing.

“Hahaha. No need to worry. I am tolerant of human tastes.” Sleigsta, the Old Man, laughed merrily, and Priscilla-chan, as if encouraged, giggled happily. I had to change the subject somehow. Otherwise, I was afraid Mistral’s blunt weapon might fly my way.

“R-right. Grandpa.”

I grabbed Fake Nyanko, who was still exhausted on Priscilla-chan’s head, and showed it to Sleigsta, the Old Man.

“This child appeared in the Mimicho Race village. What is it?”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, his eyes wide, seemed to have just noticed Fake Nyanko in my hand.

“Oh. Why has this one come to the forest?”

It seemed he knew Fake Nyanko’s true identity. Sleigsta, the Old Man, looked at Fake Nyanko intently.

“Place it down, and you all move away.”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, gave instructions in an unusually serious tone. I did as I was told, placed Fake Nyanko on the moss, and took Mistral and Priscilla-chan to a spot further away. Confirming we had put enough distance between us, Sleigsta, the Old Man’s eyes began to glow golden. Oh no, did we bring a dangerous creature with us? We watched, holding our breath.

“Fuhahahah!”

“Ahhhh!”

“What are you doing?!”

“Nyanko!”

He did it. This old man. Just like last time, he blew Fake Nyanko away with all his might! Fake Nyanko screamed and disappeared into the depths of the Ancient Tree Forest. Sleigsta, the Old Man, laughed heartily. Dammit, I was deceived. He pretended to build tension, only to resort to silliness.

“Nyanko!”

Priscilla-chan hurriedly chased after it into the Ancient Tree Forest.

“Ah, wait a minute.”

I followed Priscilla-chan.

“Old Man, get back there.”

Mistral, radiating killing intent, drew his jet-black Katatekon.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, panicked. He keeps doing such foolish things, even though he knows how it will turn out. Having no sympathy, I continued chasing after Priscilla-chan. Then, Fake Nyanko returned from the depths of the Ancient Tree Forest. It fluttered its wings and flew back.

“Whoa! The kitty is flying.”

Priscilla-chan’s eyes widened in surprise. Um. Didn’t it have wings on its back? Perhaps Priscilla-chan really thought it was a cat.

“L-look. The little girl is back. This is no time for dawdling.”

Behind us, Mistral and Sleigsta, the Old Man, were locked in a standoff.

“Great-Grandpa, Nyanko is back!”

Priscilla-chan happily embraced Fake Nyanko and returned to Sleigsta, the Old Man.

“Well, well, Mistral. This is not the time.”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, trying to avoid Mistral’s blunt weapon, urged the conversation forward.

“Now, daughter of the Mimicho Race, place the little one down again and step back.”

“You won’t do anything weird this time, right?”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, nodded tremulously at Mistral’s threat, completely lacking in dignity. We again took our distance from Fake Nyanko.

“Then, the play is over. Little one, reveal your true form.”

Now, at last. Sleigsta, the Old Man’s dignified words echoed in the Moss Garden.

“Nyahhh.”

Sleigsta, the Old Man, and Fake Nyanko exchanged gazes for a moment. Fake Nyanko let out a long, cat-like howl. Then. Grrr, Fake Nyanko’s body began to grow gigantic. Its wings on its back spread wide. Its tail, long and supple, swayed in time with its growing body. Its two ram-like horns became more majestic and sharp, and its rounded face transformed into that of a dragon. As we watched in stunned silence, Fake Nyanko transformed into a giant Winged Dragon.