We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Those gathering on the plains.
Who said that! That I’m scarier than Id!
Duranel, was it?
No, no, no. Absolutely not!
Id, who displayed an unusual strength and presence different from other Dragon Kings, instantly killed the Beast Demon General Neris and then sat down on the spot.
Id, sitting firmly on top of the blood-soaked pile of rubble, resembled a monster more than a Dragon King.
It was the opposite of awe or nobility. If anything, it gave off a presence close to Orta, who was steeped in madness, making one hesitate to approach.
Whether Id noticed us behind him or not.
He tossed Neris’s corpse, which he had brutally strangled with overwhelming violence, towards the west of the fortress while remaining seated.
West of the fortress. In other words, from the forest in the direction of Dragon Peak, demons were still pouring in in large numbers even without their Demon General. A rain of magic was also being continuously unleashed from the ground to the sky, demonstrating that defeating Neris alone would not stop the demon invasion.
Id threw Neris’s corpse at those forces.
The demons, seeing Neris’s pitiful remains, hesitated. However, the other demons, as if possessed by a madness of destruction, continued to invade the capital city.
Id paid no attention to the invading demons. Instead, he sent dragon arts towards the demons unleashing magic into the sky.
It wasn’t the refined dragon arts of other Dragon Kings. Nor was it the intricate techniques of someone like Jiludo.
He simply accumulated a vast amount of dragon energy and released it. However, its destructive power was immense, exploding with the might of the Twin Princesses using the Dragon Jewel.
Id’s dragon arts flew towards the demons hiding in the forest at the foothills of Dragon Peak, spreading beyond the West Fortress.
There was no individual targeting. He simply arbitrarily sent his dragon arts to the approximate locations from which magic was being unleashed. That alone caused a massive explosion, obliterating the surrounding demons along with it.
In this way, Id trampled the demons while still seated on the rubble.
No, it’s different. Id is on a different level from other Dragon Kings. He wields his incomparably stronger dragon energy than me or other Dragon Kings with a wild ferocity and fights one-sidedly with overwhelming power.
Even as a young dragon, he had the ability to subdue Duranel without question. He has the capacity to descend to the plains alone and accompany Listea and her group.
“What are you doing? Standing there won’t reduce the number of demons.”
Id, while unleashing dragon arts towards the forest, turned his head and called out to us.
I had stopped in my tracks by Id’s power-driven battle. Id, as expected, seemed to have noticed our presence.
“A human boy with cute features and strong dragon energy. Beside him, a sword-fighting idiot. You two are Dragon King Elnea and the demon Ruilala, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Id, nice to meet you.”
Around Id, there was a zone of emptiness where demons didn’t approach and magic didn’t fly. Ruilala and I stepped into that void.
In the sky, Revalia was going on the offensive as the gaps in the rain of magic widened. Does Revalia know Id? They might know each other, given how much he’s rampaged at Dragon Peak. Revalia, as if to release pent-up frustration, began to attack wildly, showing no concern for our situation on the ground. However, the demon forces were numerous and spread out across a wide area, invading.
Demons that evaded Id’s dragon arts and Revalia’s flames were invading the capital city one after another. Yugra and the Dragon Knights were gathering, perhaps judging the west to be at a disadvantage, but they couldn’t counter the overwhelming number of demons. The area around the West Fortress was being increasingly occupied by demons.
“What? You seem surprisingly relaxed. Is it a policy of ‘as long as the country is protected, it’s fine,’ even if your kin die?”
The surrounding situation was dire. Even with Id’s dragon arts and the valiant efforts of Revalia and the Dragon Knights, the demon advance could not be stopped. Seeing me not actively intervening in this situation, Id knitted his brows.
As I reached Id’s side, I shook my head.
“No, lives are more important than the country.”
I stood up and looked around. Id, sitting beside me, was still at about the same eye level. Id, whose physique was a full size larger than the hulking Sestarinis and Yakushion, also looked around, as if prompted. However, he continuously unleashed dragon arts.
“My dragon power isn’t as great as Id’s, so if I fight carelessly, I’ll quickly weaken.”
I can recover by meditating, but ultimately, I can’t participate in the battle while meditating. Spatial jumps also consume dragon energy, but if I release the Dragon Jewel, I can use it multiple times within acceptable limits. However, if I were to expend my dragon energy carelessly and a crucial moment arrived? I wouldn’t be able to face it at full strength, and failing in a battle that could decide the war would be out of the question. Besides, I’m not alone.
From beneath my feet, I could clearly feel a familiar presence welling up. Id and Ruilala sensed it a little later than me. Id tensed up slightly, but I smiled and reassured him, telling him it was okay.
Demons, surging into the capital city over the rubble of the outer wall destroyed by magic. In a place where Revalia’s and the Wyvern Knight Order’s attacks couldn’t reach, for some reason, the demons let out screams.
A giant rabbit, suddenly appearing, crushed the demons. A deer, radiating killing intent not of a herbivore, impaled demons with its antlers. A monkey-like beast swung its log-like arms, and a giant snake constricted them. Beasts resembling wolves and leopards, their sharp fangs and claws glinting, moved smoothly across the battlefield. The beasts, which had erupted from the ground as if by surprise, attacked the demons. And then, they disappeared back into the ground.
The demons, thrown into confusion by the sudden attack, were then assailed by more beasts. And then they vanished. Even Id’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment.
“Reinforcements have arrived.”
The Great Wolf Beast appeared silently near us.
“Thank you.”
As I rushed over and petted it, the Great Wolf Beast’s eyes narrowed with pleasure.
“Explain what’s going on.”
Beasts attacking demons. Normally, with Neris, who had the ability to control beasts, it would be natural for demons and beasts to be enemies. However, Id instantly judged the beasts to be allies and lowered his guard against the beasts that were repeatedly attacking and retreating around him.
“It’s thanks to you, Id. Because Id defeated Neris, the beasts that were being cautious started to move.”
“The beasts on the Dragon Peak side are also cooperating. Thanks to Elnea’s advice, we were able to escape from that demon.”
“Thank you. But don’t push yourself too hard.”
Beasts are more cunning and stronger than humans. However, it’s unclear how well they can contend against demons. After all, some demons are far stronger than beasts. Therefore, the beasts are fighting cautiously with hit-and-run tactics.
The Great Wolf Beast, saying “Demons!” with resolve, vanished.
“We were friends with the beasts from the beginning. But Neris had the ability to control beasts, so we had them evacuate. Now that that worry is gone, they’ve come to help us.”
“Milly mentioned it. A strange Dragon King.”
“I’m not really aware of it myself…”
“Taming a tyrant and having beasts and demons as friends. You’re a strange one, aren’t you?”
Hahaha, Id laughed heartily, a stark contrast to his ferocious appearance.
“Oh, I’m glad. You consider me and Elnea-kun friends.”
“I’d prefer to refuse…”
Hahaha, Ruilala chuckled lightly. But I, for one, don’t want to be friends with Ruilala. Because she’s scary. I don’t want a friend who might attack me from behind at any moment.
Revalia attacked a group of demons, and as they scattered, beasts launched surprise attacks. Demons that were missed and advanced deep into the capital were ambushed by the Wyvern Knight Order. Amidst the fierce battle, it was peaceful only around us.
“So, what’s your next move?”
Id said, unleashing dragon arts into the forest. At first, I felt like his dragon power was bottomless and inexhaustible, but upon closer inspection, I realized. His presence had deepened, like during meditation. The ferocious aura he had when fighting Neris had subsided, and the roots of his spirit were firmly connected to the dragon veins. And from the dragon veins, he was drawing power at a rate incomparable to mine. His ability to draw from the dragon veins so naturally while talking, combined with his appearance, made him seem closer to the Dragon Race than a Dragonfolk.
Ah, I see. Id really is a Dragon King. I shouldn’t judge him by his wild fighting style or ferocious appearance. Dragon Kings are those who obtain the title after enduring rigorous training and achieving accomplishments for the Dragonfolk and Dragon Peak. His violent and brute-force-like fighting style and dragon arts are also not what they seem. Like the dragons, he draws from the dragon veins naturally and instantly refines it into a highly concentrated mass of dragon energy. Or he circulates it throughout his body, converting it into extraordinary physical abilities. I learned that his true strength lies in his unparalleled handling of dragon energy. And Id’s abilities as a Dragon King were not just physical.
“Think carefully. Why did the demons come all the way to this distant place to attack? I don’t know if it will help your thinking, but I’ll tell you. Demons do not rule over other races’ countries. They destroy everything and create anew. They don’t think about charming people’s hearts. They don’t hesitate to eradicate the races in the territories they control. If they attacked, it means that if you cannot resist, you will perish.”
“You know the ways of demons?”
“I know them well. After all, Milly’s tribe was annihilated in that manner.”
Id said it was revenge. Revenge for his tribe meeting the same fate when Milly’s tribe was attacked and annihilated. Contrary to his appearance, he has a kind side. And he’s completely smitten with Milly! Although our acquaintance is recent, I feel like I’ve begun to understand Id’s character. Perhaps someday, I’d like to have a leisurely conversation with him, with Milly present. However, as Id said, we need to move on to the next action.
Id, urging me to do something, pointed west.
“Hey!”
And so, I waved towards the western sky. The awaited guests had arrived.
First, a roar echoed from deep within Dragon Peak.
“Don’t fall behind the Wyverns!”
“Charge!”
A swarm of Earth Dragons attacked from behind the demons advancing towards the capital city. The Earth Dragons trampled the demon army as if declaring themselves the rulers of the ground. And above them, a second wave of winged beings appeared.
“Elnea—”
“Elnea-kun!”
Mistral, flying gracefully but at high speed with wings of a silvery-gold hue, was pushed aside as Anemone rushed towards me.
“Uwah!”
I managed to catch Anemone, who had hugged me forcefully.
“Elnea?”
“Ugh. It’s not like that. If I hadn’t caught you, Anemone-san would have crashed into the ground…”
Mistral descended slowly, her beauty almost divine. However, her sharp gaze pierced me. Anemone couldn’t possibly fly faster than Mistral. It was simply the difference between Mistral, who slowed down to land, and Anemone, who charged in without slowing down. Anemone, perhaps because she had only recently gained the ability to human-dragon transform, still couldn’t fly well. That’s why she charged at me, and I had no choice but to catch her. I had no ulterior motives. Really!
Id was not surprised by the Earth Dragons that had arrived and begun fighting the demons. However, he was surprised by the Dragonfolk riding the Earth Dragons and the second wave of Dragonfolk with wings who had arrived.
“Were you guys leisurely picking flowers and grasses in this situation?”
Yes. Mistral and the other Dragonfolk who had arrived were holding baskets and bags, carrying a lot of flowers and grasses in them.
“It was Elnea’s order.”
“We worked hard to pick them.”
“That’s why we’re late!”
Everyone who arrived one after another, the Dragonfolk, were smiling cheerfully. The sight of them smiling and unleashing dragon arts to defeat the surrounding demons was terrifying…
“I don’t understand your objective. What is this all about?”
Of everyone present, only Id, apart from the beasts, didn’t understand my intentions. Id, looking perplexed, couldn’t understand my reasoning for making the Dragonfolk go pick flowers when it was a matter of utmost urgency. From the flowers Mistral and the others carried, a festive scent, ill-suited for the battlefield, emanated.
“These are all medicinal herbs. My Grandpa’s universal medicine is limited. The Miko’s sorcery alone cannot heal the injured. Therefore, I asked those knowledgeable about medicinal herbs, like Mistral and her group, to gather them at Dragon Peak.”
The North was left to the main forces of Wyverns and Dragonfolk warriors. And the West, we had entrusted to the Earth Dragons. The miscalculation was that Neris and the other demons arrived earlier than expected. I had judged that once the forces from various locations were assembled, we could handle the situation, even though we were vastly outnumbered, considering the overwhelming combat power of the Dragonfolk and Dragons. However, I had anticipated that demons would inevitably infiltrate the capital city, slipping through the net of the Dragon Peak Alliance. The reason I had them divert troops from the North Fortress to the capital was to intercept them. In the capital, the Wyvern Knight Order, brave adventurers, and soldiers were engaging the demons. Perhaps even the Priestesses and Battle Priestesses were involved. Although individually weaker than demons, they had to rely on numbers. But doing so inevitably increased the number of injured. The Miko, who should be in charge of healing, performed a great ritual in the Great Shrine. This would lead to a shortage of healers. Judging this, I had asked Mistral and her group to gather medicinal herbs. Even if their arrival was slightly delayed, it was necessary to have them gather them. If there was a severe injury, we would have no choice but to use the medicinal herbs without troubling the Miko. But if the essential medicinal herbs were insufficient, there would be nothing we could do.
“Well, everyone’s here now. Shall we move on to the next step?”
Saying that, Mistral pulled Anemone away from me. Then, Mistral put her arm around my body. Anemone, puffing out her cheeks with a hint of dissatisfaction, quickly flapped her wings and soared into the sky.
“Will Id be alright here?”
“Ooh, leave it to me. And you guys?”
“We’re going to deliver the medicinal herbs to the Great Shrine.”
Mistral hugged me tightly with one arm and flapped her wings. My and Mistral’s feet left the ground.
“Are you not bringing me along?”
Ruilala said with a wry smile on the ground.
“Come on your own, or stay here with Id.”
Mistral said that and, carrying me, ascended.
