We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A Gentle Day
Carried by a grown Nimia, I returned with everyone to a district of the city where everyone was staying.
From the sky, it was clear that we were staying near the center of the city, close to the Necrotic Castle that I had obliterated.
Well, that made sense.
With so many injured, children, and people like me who had collapsed, there was no need to move far away from the abandoned city.
As we returned, people from neighboring houses came out, and others gathered in the streets.
“Is that an Ancient Dragon Species?”
“It must be that small, cute dragon, right?”
“It’s just as we heard.”
“Is it larger than the Tyrant or the Black Dragon…?”
Perhaps this was the first time many of them were seeing Nimia’s large form. She hadn’t grown that much while I was comatose.
At my instruction, Nimia landed a short distance away from the gathered people.
I didn’t want dust to get into the breakfast we had prepared.
After setting down Priscilla-chan and me, Nimia immediately shrank back to her usual spot.
“Good morning. We’re home, everyone.”
“We’re home.”
Holding Priscilla-chan’s hand, we walked towards everyone. Suddenly, we were surrounded by a large number of people.
Whoa, what’s going on?
It happened so suddenly, it startled me.
“Dragon King, thank you for what you did for our warriors the other day.”
“Thank you so much for saving us.”
“Is it true that Mistral and all those beautiful women are your brides?”
“May your hair fall out!”
It seemed everyone wanted to thank me.
I had collapsed from exhaustion right after the battle.
Being surrounded by the Dragon Race people and receiving their thanks was a bit ticklish, but I couldn’t be so foolish as to refuse their gratitude. If I didn’t properly accept their thanks, it would be like trampling on their feelings.
I responded to their smiling gratitude with a smile of my own.
Although there had been time since I woke up, I had been busy with the preparations for commemorating the departed, so I had barely had a chance to interact with the Dragon Race people.
I had been thanked by a few representatives, though.
“You were the one who dealt with that Giant Demon Lord, weren’t you?”
For some reason, the story had been twisted, and everyone wanted to express their gratitude directly.
…I heard a few strange things, but I’m sure it was just my imagination.
While I was surrounded and being thanked, Priscilla-chan cheerfully and cutely replied, “You’re welcome.”
Priscilla-chan’s and Nimia’s adorableness brought bright smiles to the faces of the gathered people.
That was a relief.
I had been kidnapped, and I was worried that if I had lost family and friends and become depressed and despondent, or filled with resentment, what would have happened?
Seeing everyone’s smiles, I felt I could finally relax, knowing things weren’t heading in a bad direction.
“It’s all thanks to Older Brother Elnea, nyan. Everyone now knows that the Giant Demon Lord became an ally, and that the Demon Race has various circumstances and feelings, nyan.”
Everyone nodded at Nimia’s words.
Once the round of thanks was over, we all headed for breakfast.
I thought we might be late because we had gone for a walk, but it seemed everyone had waited for us.
My heart was filled with their kindness and the joy of being able to help these people.
And so, breakfast passed busily.
We invited the Black Winged Demon Race people to breakfast, but they politely declined.
Judging by the demeanor of the Dragon Race people, there wasn’t the apprehension that the Giant Demon Lord had feared.
If anything, the Demon Race seemed to be the ones being overly cautious and keeping their distance.
I hope this event will be a catalyst for the Dragon Race and the Demon Race to become friends someday.
Would that make it easier to head towards the Forbidden Territory?
After breakfast, we discussed what to do next.
Until the Giant Demon Lord returned, we couldn’t leave the Necropolis.
The Black Winged Demon Race people were also handling security, so we had some free time.
I considered discussing Orta again, when Ruiseine, who had been cleaning up after breakfast, approached me.
“Elnea-kun. Would you like to go for a walk with me?”
“Hmm? I’d be happy to.”
I glanced at the cleanup in progress.
Mistral and everyone else were still tidying up. It was unusual for Ruiseine, who was always so diligent about these things, to take a break and invite me out.
Everyone else seemed unconcerned about Ruiseine’s absence and continued their work harmoniously.
Perhaps they had all planned this together?
If so, there was no reason to hesitate.
I nodded and set out for my second walk of the day with Ruiseine.
By the way, I didn’t need to help with the chores. If I tried to help with everything, it seemed to make everyone unnecessarily concerned.
So, there was an arrangement that I wouldn’t interfere with general household chores.
I had always helped my mother with chores at Armēdo’s family home, so I sometimes felt an urge to help.
And so, walking alongside Ruiseine, we strolled through the now-empty city, its residents having been purified.
“Ruiseine, is there anywhere particular you’d like to go?”
I wanted to visit a different place than where I had walked with Priscilla-chan.
“Fufufu. Actually, there is one place.”
“Where?”
“I heard from one of the Black Winged Demon Race people that there’s a temple in this city.”
“A temple in a Demon Race city? Really?”
“Yes. It seems that human religions are tolerated even in the Demon Race’s Country.”
“What?!”
That was unexpected. They had freedom of religion even in the Demon Race’s Country?
“Apparently, if they suppressed religion too, there was a risk of humans becoming rebellious. It seems there was a big disturbance long ago because of that, and now it’s permitted.”
I was surprised that the Demon Race could be so tolerant. Hearing Ruiseine’s story was changing my perspective on them.
And another thing.
I was also surprised that Ruiseine had managed to gather such information from a member of the Black Winged Demon Race, with whom I hadn’t even had a proper casual conversation.
“Then, let’s go to that temple. Oh, but I don’t know where it is?”
“Don’t worry. I was told the location.”
And so, with Ruiseine’s guidance, we set off towards the temple in the Necropolis.
But wait.
Having her decide where to go and guide me… isn’t that a bit embarrassing for a man?
Alright, I need to take the lead as a man, just this once.
With newfound resolve, I took Ruiseine’s hand as we walked side-by-side.
Ruiseine looked at me, her eyes widening slightly in surprise, then she smiled happily.
“Fufufufu.”
Ruiseine leaned into me, her shoulder touching mine, and her face turned a little red.
My face was probably red too.
It had been a while since I had been alone with Ruiseine. In fact, I realized I could barely remember going out with anyone else individually.
Speaking of which, Listea and the others had said something similar. We often act as a group, but we don’t have much time to go out individually.
What a predicament!
I was in the same situation as Listea.
Moreover, I thought I had become accustomed to interacting with women and could handle myself properly. But now that I was alone with someone, I was incredibly nervous.
My heart was pounding.
My hands weren’t getting sweaty, were they?
I was acting strangely due to the unexpected tension.
“Fufufu. Elnea-kun, you’re moving in an interesting way.”
“Ugh, I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.”
But that’s strange. This wasn’t our first outing alone together.
I had gone shopping with Ruiseine right after the New Year, and we had been alone together in Yorttenitos. We had also been alone in the Dragon Forest. Oh, but there were Magic Beasts then.
But why was I so nervous this time?
I thought about it for a moment and reached a conclusion.
Ruiseine’s assertiveness was making my heart race.
Ruiseine, as a Miko, is typically demure and reserved. When everyone else was commotion and crowding around me, she would always step back.
But today, Ruiseine, who usually stays back, was actively pressing herself against me. Perhaps that was why?
Ruiseine actually has an assertive personality, doesn’t she? She invites us out on errands, and before I know it, she’s had all sorts of conversations with the Demon Race.
Alright, I should be proactive too. I can’t lose to Ruiseine.
When I pulled Ruiseine closer, she didn’t resist and moved even closer.
“Fufu, fufufu. Recharging with Elnea-kun essence.”
“W-what is that supposed to mean!?”
We both burst into laughter at Ruiseine’s nonsensical words.
“A lot has happened since we got back, and I was a little tired.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m absorbing a lot of Elnea-kun’s essence right now, so I can do my best again.”
“Ruiseine, you went through a lot this time. For some reason, magic power flowed from Mistral, and dragon energy flowed from me.”
Ruiseine, as the recipient, must have had the hardest time adapting to the sudden changes. Why the power was flowing into her, and what to do with it.
I’m sure she was exhausted beneath her smile.
Then, let’s allow her to replenish her “Elnea-kun essence” to her heart’s content.
We continued our walk, pressing close to each other, enjoying our time together. And at Ruiseine’s guidance, we arrived in front of a certain building.
A stone plaza in front of the building. A solemn temple with several splendid spires made of stone.
Although its appearance and decorations were different, it was truly the temple we knew.
“It really exists.”
“Yeah. Even in the Demon Race’s Country, temples are normally built.”
“Even if there were one, I thought it would surely be small and just decorative.”
“Me too.”
We both looked up at the magnificent temple.
“Shall we go inside?”
“Yes. I want to see the inside too.”
We nodded at each other and headed into the temple.
Beyond the plaza was a sanctuary, but the entrance door was not closed, so we could easily enter.
“The interior is made the same way.”
“The temple in Yorttenitos also had a similar structure to Armēdo’s, so maybe it’s the same worldwide?”
“They say Miko’s Attire has been the same worldwide since ancient times, so perhaps the construction of temples is too.”
We proceeded inside and arrived at a beautifully cleaned sanctuary.
With my purification dragon arts, all the residents of this city had vanished. They were people forcibly held in this world by Goldoba. Among them would have been Miko and Shinkan who served in the temple.
Elnea and Ruiseine knelt side-by-side in the sanctuary and offered a prayer for those who had been bound to this city.
Hmm. Come to think of it. How long has it been since I prayed in a temple sanctuary like this?
Since meeting Old Man Sleigsta in the Dragon Forest and visiting the Moss Garden every day, I don’t think I’ve been to a temple.
I’m sorry, Goddess.
You guided me to meet Old Man Sleigsta, so many kind people, kind magic beasts, and fun dragons, yet I neglected my worship.
I confessed my past actions to the Goddess.
And I prayed.
Please, let everyone welcome the New Year with smiles.
Dragon Peak, the Demon Race’s Country, and perhaps even the Human Race’s Country might see much bloodshed and many sacrifices.
But please, may there be as little damage as possible. May no one suffer misfortune.
Everyone and I will do our best.
So, Goddess, please watch over us so that this may have a happy ending.
I offered a deep, deep prayer.
After finishing my prayer, I opened my eyes.
Ruiseine was smiling gently beside me.
“I’m sure your prayers will be heard, Elnea-kun. I guarantee it as a Miko.”
“Wha?! Ruiseine, can you read my mind now?”
“Fufufu. No. But seeing your sincere prayer, I can tell what you wished for. I’m always watching you, Elnea-kun.”
“Yeah, I’m watching you closely too.”
“Thank you.”
“Likewise.”
We looked at each other, blushing.
Then, Elnea and Ruiseine spent a little more sweet time in front of the sanctuary.
