We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 304

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

The center of sky, mountains, and earth.

“Hey, hey, Friel. What’s going on?”

“I, I don’t understand anything…”

The Twin Princesses and Sefina are embracing each other joyfully.

My elder sisters…

So, Sefina is the Twin Princesses’ younger sister?

That means…

“Could it be that Sefina is the Third Princess?”

As I let out the question, Sefina, who had been embracing the Twin Princesses, turned towards me.

“Hmph. so you’re Elnea-kun. I’ve heard the rumors.”

Sefina walks towards me and extends her hand. I assume it’s for a handshake and reach out my own.

The moment she grasped my hand, I was hit with an unsettling sensation, as if the very core of my body had been twisted.

I instinctively tensed up and resisted.

“Hmph. As expected, you’re not like that useless prince.”

“U, useless!?”

Releasing my hand, Sefina, without paying any mind to Friel’s bewildered expression, gracefully bowed.

“Nice to meet you, Elnea-kun. I am Sefina, the Third Princess of the Armēdo Kingdom. To block my attack on your first encounter, you truly are as praised by my sisters.”

“Th, thank you?”

Analyzing if that was some kind of technique from Sefina, I gazed at her anew.

A valiant face. Tall and with good posture, every gesture was cool.

The beautiful First and Second Princesses, the Twin Princesses. The cute Fourth Princess, Cerise. And the cool Third Princess, Sefina.

Aside from the Twin Princesses, they all had different mothers, didn’t they?

To have so many unique and charming princesses like this.

There are apparently two more princes above the Twin Princesses, but I bet they’re just as unique.

…Speaking of which, the Crown Prince, my eldest brother, is rumored to be shrewdly managing the administration in the Capital City, but I wonder what kind of person the second prince is? While I was lost in thought, someone coughed in front of me.

“So, Elnea-kun. My sisters. Could you explain this peculiar gathering?”

“Right.”

I shouldn’t have gotten lost in my personal thoughts.

Only my family and the demon Lailala are keeping up with this situation.

Yugra-sama, after surveying the surroundings, was looking down at Duranel, whose face was contorted. Is Duranel, the earth dragon, of no concern to Yugra-sama?

On top of Duranel, Slaton is still in a daze.

Creacio is also confused, but barely maintaining his consciousness in Ruiseine’s arms.

Friel, while concerned about the situation in the Capital City, is still bothered by the group of long-eared people, directing a pleading gaze towards me for an explanation.

Hmmmm.

It’s appreciated that reinforcements have come from all directions, but it’s troublesome to explain things every time, and it’s a waste of time.

While we’re standing here, the invading demons are wreaking havoc in the Capital City.

Alright, I’ll explain it all at once to everyone!

And so.

“Heyyyyy!”

I faced the Dragon Forest and raised my voice.

Sefina looks at me with a puzzled expression, asking what I’m doing, but I ignore it and focus my consciousness on the Dragon Forest.

Then, the bushes in the forest swayed violently.

Yugra-sama let out a low growl.

“Wait. They are all my friends.”

Yugra-sama is on guard, and the new group emerging from the forest is hesitant to come out due to Yugra-sama’s intimidation.

“You too. You’re all allies, so come out. And I want you to cooperate with us.”

All eyes were on the bushes, from which emerged the magical beasts that inhabit the Dragon Forest.

“W, magical beasts!”

Sefina gasped, and Friel’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Carly and the others already know about my relationship with the magical beasts, so they aren’t shaken by the beasts that suddenly appeared beside them.

“What is this strange group!?”

“Dragons are scary!”

“Demons are scary!”

“He’s as reckless as usual.”

“Fufu. We might cooperate, you know?”

Led by the Great Wolf Beast, numerous magical beasts appeared, including giant rabbits, deer, and large birds in the sky.

“Hohou. You capture not only dragons and the forest’s long-eared people, but also magical beasts.”

Yugra-sama looks at me.

On Yugra-sama’s back, his three attendants look at me with exasperation.

Ignoring everyone’s strange gazes, I crouch down and tap the shadows.

Yeah. If Slaton can do it, there’s no reason I can’t.

“Heyyyy, Lily. Come here.”

Focusing my consciousness on the shadow, or rather, the dragon vein beneath it, I try to call Lily.

Then, my shadow swayed gently.

“Ngh!?”

Everyone was utterly astonished by this.

The swaying shadow generated a dark mist, and from it, a colossal dragon was summoned.

Lustrous black scales. A giant body that even surpassed Yugra-sama’s.

And yet…

“Lily-chan is hereeeeee!”

With a cute voice, Lily, who had been separated at the ruins on the Dragon Tomb side, appeared in the small remaining space in front of the ruins.

“Is that a child of the black dragon? Where did you meet it?”

Yugra-sama being surprised is rare.

“Um, there are complicated circumstances, so I’ll explain that another day.”

I can’t say “I borrowed it from the Giant Demon Lord” right now.

The legendary species inhabiting the Dragon Forest, the long-eared people. Their warriors.

Magical beasts, said to be cunning and terrifying, who rushed to our aid from the forest.

From the eastern sky, the founding hero dragon and a prince flew in, and for some reason, the Third Princess of Armēdo accompanied them.

And Lily, the ancient black dragon who traveled through shadows.

Yeah. I doubt anyone could avoid confusion in this situation.

I’m probably the only one who can grasp everything.

Ruiseine and the others probably didn’t expect Lily to come either.

Lily’s summoning was an experiment inspired by Slaton’s actions. So, I myself didn’t think it would actually succeed.

As expected of Lily!

Slaton summoned Duranel, a dark-attribute earth dragon, from the shadows.

At that time, I was reminded of Dantal, the Demon General I fought in the Demon Lord’s Castle. He also moved from shadow to shadow.

That’s when I realized. Maybe dark attribute users can travel using shadows? And also, the will can be transmitted through shadows?

“That’s a slight misunderstanding. It’s not that convenient, you know! I came here because I remembered Elnea-kun’s dragon energy. Also, I received Elnea-kun’s dragon heart through the dragon vein. My movement was like a magical beast using遁甲 (tonkō), so it wasn’t instantaneous teleportation either.”

“Is that so. But wasn’t your movement fast for 遁甲?”

“Elnea-kun, you’re worse than the Demon Lord.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Because you moved here, leaving me behind.”

“Uggh…”

“I panicked when Elnea-kun’s presence disappeared from nearby and rushed here using 遁甲.”

“I, I’m sorry…”

“Since you were nearby, your dragon heart reached me, and I arrived quickly.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

That’s right.

I made Lily worry with my own presumptuous assumptions.

Thinking about it calmly, Lily is right.

If my presence suddenly disappeared, she would worry, and instant teleportation and telepathy aren’t acquired so easily.

“Hmm. It seems there are various complicated circumstances. Now, if the main parties have gathered, let’s get to the explanation. We must hurry, as the Capital City must be in a dire situation.”

Right!

For some reason, I don’t feel a sense of urgency.

On the way to the Dragon Tomb, I felt my heart pound like before a festival, and a sense of exhilaration.

Now, facing the black smoke rising from the Capital City, I inexplicably feel no rush or distress, only a calm pounding in my chest.

What is this feeling?

While grappling with this unprecedented, mysterious sensation, I explain to everyone who has gathered once more.

They listen to my explanation while keeping an eye on the Capital City.

“Demons, how foolish.”

Yugra-sama growls and glares into the distance. However, unlike Carly and the magical beasts who are eager to fight, Sefina’s expression darkens.

“If demons have invaded here, then perhaps Yorttenitos also…”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Everyone now focuses on Sefina, trying to understand the meaning of her ominous words.

“Actually…”

Friel opens his mouth.

“As Elnea-kun knows, in the eastern part of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, there are ancient ruins similar to these. And just like here, those ruins are also alive.”

We are stunned into silence.

Just like here, there are ruins in the Yorttenitos Kingdom with functioning teleportation devices.

The demon army that used the teleportation device was an army of undead led by the Demon General Goldoba.

Goldoba can summon an infinite number of undead with his magic power.

And the great invasion of the Demon Race Army.

Perhaps…

“Don’t worry, Elnea-kun. And Sefina-sama.”

Friel, as if dispelling our despair, smiles.

“In the Yorttenitos Kingdom’s central territory, there remains a strong Earth Dragon Knight Order commanded by my elder brother, Caster. Of course, the remaining Wyvern Knight Order should also have gathered from across the country. We will protect the Armēdo Kingdom with all our might. And once this is settled, please lend your aid to the Yorttenitos Kingdom once again.”

“Fiel, I’ve used up valuable forces for my own selfish reasons…”

“Sefina-sama, that is not so. I was certain. Elnea-kun would surely rush to the aid of the Armēdo Kingdom in its time of crisis. And I know. Elnea-kun will save the Armēdo Kingdom from crisis in an instant. And if his companions are with him, they should also arrive in time for the recurrence of Yorttenitos’ crisis. I did not indulge Sefina-sama’s selfishness. I came to meet him to gain the cooperation of Elnea-kun and his companions. Of course, I will not overlook the crisis of Armēdo, our twin nation.”

Friel shifts his gaze from Sefina to me. Then, he kneels on one knee, looking up at me.

“As the Fourth Prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I beg you. Dragon King Elnea Eris, please save the two nations of Armēdo and Yorttenitos!”

“F, Fiel!?”

I am flustered by Fiel’s sudden kneeling. Then, Sefina also kneels before me.

“Dragon King Elnea. Please save the human nations.”

“Pl, please both of you, stand up…”

I panic, flustered. Fiel is actually a prince. But he’s also a friend. He doesn’t usually use honorifics or treat me with such deference. So, it’s troubling when he suddenly adopts such an attitude. And Sefina too…

“Fufufu. This has become peculiar.”

“Fufufu. This has become strange.”

The Twin Princesses laugh.

“Up on Dragon Peak, you were asking the Dragon People and Dragons to do something for you, Elnea-kun, weren’t you?”

“Um, but they all said it was for Elnea Older Brother.”

“The Dragon People and Dragons are not for the sake of humans, but for Elnea-kun, you see.”

Ruiseine, Priscilla-chan, and Lily laugh.

“By the way, I’ll help too. Except for things concerning Dragon Peak, I can do other things.”

“No, Lailala, please be good and stay put!”

I want Lailala to remain quiet for now.

People kneeling respectfully before me. Those who look at me and laugh with amusement. Others who are surprised by this.

A very small portion has stopped moving, but I’ll let them be.

Yugra-sama laughs with a rumble.

“Everything converges upon you. Then, you give the orders. We shall all obey Dragon King Elnea.”

Yugra-sama lets out a heroic roar. Carly and the long-eared warriors raise their weapons and let out spirited war cries.

The magical beasts respond with howls and stomps. The wyverns of the Wyvern Knight Order, circling overhead, also roar.

“Well then, I shall give my instructions!”

I help Fiel and Sefina to their feet.

“Lily, stay here in front of the ruins and annihilate any demons that break through the labyrinth. Carly and the long-eared people, support Lily. However, your top priority is to protect the Dragon Forest!”

“Ooh!” the long-eared warriors respond and begin to move. Carly receives permsission and draws her bow on Lily’s back.

“Earl Yugra and the Wyvern Knight Order, head to the Capital City! Rescue any stragglers and annihilate the demons that have invaded the Capital City!”

“First Princess Yufilia approves the actions of the Wyvern Knight Order within the Armēdo Kingdom.”

“Second Princess Nimia acknowledges the Wyvern Knight Order’s activities as post-event processing.”

“Third Princess Sefina will take full responsibility for the explanation to His Majesty the King.”

With permission from the three princesses, the Wyvern Knight Order moves to formal support activities. Fiel and Sefina return to Yugra-sama’s back. Yugra-sama roars once more and soars into the sky. And the Wyvern Knight Order disperses above the Capital City.

After seeing Fiel and the others off, I turn to the magical beasts.

“Thank you for coming.”

As I express my gratitude, a small deer-like magical beast happily hops closer. Priscilla-chan immediately jumps onto its back.

“I want you to head towards the western forest.”

West of the Capital City. One might even say it’s an extension of the Dragon Forest. I want the magical beasts to head to the forest that spreads from beyond the West Fortress across the foothills of Dragon Peak.

“From the west, Beast General Neritz is approaching. According to the information, Neritz seems to be able to command magical beasts. So, I want you to go to the western forest before him and evacuate the magical beasts who can understand you.”

The magical beasts cry as if wanting to fight, but this cannot be helped. I don’t want my friends, the magical beasts, to become enemies. Only magical beasts can persuade magical beasts. And if magical beasts rampage in the city, the soldiers will be thrown into confusion.

“Will you play with me again?”

The small deer-like magical beast looks up at me with shining eyes, and I promise I will.

“Children should hide in the forest.”

“That’s cruel!”

Scolded by the adult magical beast, the small deer-like magical beast dismounts Priscilla-chan and reluctantly returns into the forest.

“What shall we do?”

Ruiseine asks, and Carly responds.

“Priscilla, return to the village. Grand Elder Yuuri will perform Great Spirit Arts. You will assist Yuuri-sama.”

Priscilla-chan looks back and forth between me and Carly.

“Priscilla-chan, please help the Grand Elder along with Nimia.”

“U, okay!”

After a slight hesitation, Priscilla-chan replies with a cheerful “Okay!”

“Well then, I’m going to fly, nyan.”

Nimia stirs and gets up.

And then, she grows enormous.

“Eh…!”

Creacio’s eyes widen.

Honestly, his eyes have been wide open, with his mouth agape, for a while now.

Priscilla-chan teleports onto the back of the massively enlarged Nimia.

“Nimia, protect Priscilla-chan, okay?”

“Leave it to me, nyan.”

“Have a good trip!”

Lily wags her tail enthusiastically. Nimia also waves her tail in greeting and flies off into the depths of the Dragon Forest.

“W… Wha… Wha… Whathathath…”

Ah, there’s someone who’s broken.

Slaton, still astride Duranel, is spasming. Looking closely, Duranel also had his eyes rolled back.

You two really are kindred spirits.

I’d like to observe them, but there’s no time. Just as I’m having wicked thoughts like leaving them here, Duranel, who recovered first, lets out a growl.

“Who in the world are you!?”

“Me? I’m Dragon King Elnea Eris?”

“No, even if you are the Dragon King, it’s just a title for a dragon person. I’ve never seen or heard of a human being so friendly with Ancient Dragon Species or the legendary Golden Winged Dragon.”

“Ah, that’s probably because… I’m also acquainted with the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest and Nimia’s mother.”

“The Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest… You’re friends with even greater beings!?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmph… If only this human were as capable as you…”

Duranel glares at Slaton, who is lost in thought astride him.

“That’s not right. You’re mistaken. Lily and the others aren’t amazing because they’re Ancient Species. I didn’t become the Dragon King just because I’m close with dragons. We all worked hard to get where we are today, both dragons and myself.”

I use Spatial Jump to move to Duranel’s neck.

“So, if you and Slaton put in the effort, you will surely be able to reach our level.”

Looking down, a silver dagger was stuck in Duranel’s neck, slightly ahead of where Slaton was mounted. I pull out the dagger. Then, I apply Nose Water Universal Medicine to the wound.

“However, just rebelling meaninglessly and causing trouble won’t do you any good. The fact that this was stuck in you means you were captured, right?”

Duranel looks at me. Slaton’s focus also returns as he sees the silver dagger being pulled out before him.

“If you continue to only rebel, you won’t grow. And if Slaton misunderstands Duranel as just a tool, I won’t forgive him.”

I hand the dagger to Slaton, who is starting to regain his senses.

“Duranel must honestly reflect on his weakness for being captured. Slaton must understand that dragons also have pride and will. You both need to reflect and move forward together.”

The first step is to remove the curse from Duranel. Then, to become equals and connect hearts to become friends. Then, perhaps, you two can grow together.

Duranel and Slaton look up at me quietly.

And then.

“Who would become friends with someone so stupid!?”

“Who could become friends with someone so violent!?”

“Ehhhhhhh!!”

I recoil in surprise at their screams.

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