We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The forest of guardianship and the sacred lake.
As usual, I woke up from my weakness ten days later, a considerable amount of time having passed. Whether that was for better or worse, for me it was for the better. For everyone else, it was for the worse. It seems to be the case.
This morning, I sluggishly got up from the bedding, unsure if it was due to sleepiness or lingering weakness. The aftermath of the war, under the guise of “post-war processing,” had already been mostly completed.
To conclude, it appears that, just like last time, the high-ranking officials of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, the Twin Princesses, and the Dragon Kings as representatives of the Dragon Peak Alliance had been working hard.
The Yorttenitos Kingdom’s army suffered approximately 2,000 deaths and 10,000 wounded. Considering the scale of the war, this was reportedly a very high casualty count. However, given that the enemy was demons, there was a possibility of complete annihilation, so from the kingdom’s perspective, these numbers were considered fortunate. I don’t quite understand.
In the Dragon Peak Alliance, there were only twelve Dragonfolk warriors killed in action, with fewer than a hundred wounded, which is simply less than one-hundredth of the human casualties. Once again, their superior abilities were demonstrated.
The victory celebration reportedly went off with great fanfare.
Me?
I didn’t participate. After all, I had been deep in slumber due to my weakness until just then!
It was a major battle that decided the fate of the nation, so an early victory celebration was necessary. It was important to show appreciation to the many soldiers who participated in the fight. Therefore, it seems those who could participate celebrated first.
The distribution of rewards and merits will be held at a later date. Official ceremonies will also take place then, and all other major matters have already been concluded.
Such matters involving the country proceeded smoothly, and there was nothing for someone like me, who had been sleeping, to intervene in at this stage. Well, even if I were asked to participate, I doubt my ignorance would have been of any use, so I don’t particularly feel anything about it.
If I had to say something.
“Well then, Priscilla-chan. Shall we go out!”
“Yay!”
I embraced Priscilla-chan and left the detached palace, which had taken care of me while I was sleeping.
“Elnea, wait up!”
“Lord Elnea, His Majesty King Yort wishes to see you.”
“Elnea-kun, we want you to recognize our hard work.”
“Elnea-kun, we want you to recognize our efforts.”
“Elnea-kun… Madrine-sama is calling for you?”
I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you! I needed to thank Old Man Sleigsta and the others first. After all, if it weren’t for Old Man Sleigsta’s teleportation dragon arts, no one would have made it in time!
And so, after making Nymia grow in the courtyard, Priscilla-chan and I set off towards the eastern sky. It’s just my imagination that everyone on Revalia is chasing after us.
“I don’t care what happens later, nyan.”
“I don’t care either, nyan.”
“Priscilla doesn’t care either, nyan.”
Nymia’s flight speed remained the same. The detached palace near the capital city disappeared in an instant, and the eastern border of the Yorttenitos Kingdom approached. The place where we fought the undead army led by Goldoba was near the eastern border, on the plains dotted with forts.
Everything is in the past tense now.
East of the fort that served as our base, plains were supposed to stretch out. Beyond that, the undeveloped Great Eastern Forest was supposed to extend…
Arriving at the eastern lands on Nymia’s back, a vast lake and the deep, dense forest surrounding it unfolded. A forest resembling the great forest could be seen a little further east, but there were no plains anywhere.
And within and around the dense forest, the main inhabitants of the Dragon Peak Alliance, like Wyverns and Earth Dragons, were relaxing in their own ways, creating a “Dragon Forest” in a different sense.
“You know. Great-Grandpa and Auntie are in the forest.”
“Mother and the others are holed up, nyan.”
Priscilla-chan’s “Auntie” refers to Asher. After the battle, Old Man Sleigsta and Asher, after entrusting the post-war processing to the Dragon Kings, apparently retreated into the forest created by Listea and me, along with the spirits. They were probably bothered by being in public or by people and dragons coming to visit. The forest has a somewhat similar atmosphere to the Dragon Forest because Old Man Sleigsta has cast a Bewildering Technique deep within it. Several dragons and people tried to visit Old Man Sleigsta, but they couldn’t reach him.
However, Nymia easily broke through the Bewildering Technique. Immediately after sensing a change in the atmosphere that indicated we had reached the Moss Garden, the giant bodies of Old Man Sleigsta and Asher, not entirely hidden by the trees, appeared in the center of the forest. Old Man Sleigsta had returned to his usual glossy black form.
“Good morning.”
“Indeed. A late awakening, was it not?”
“Noisy guests have arrived.”
There was no open space to land. So, I apologize, but Nymia had to cut down trees to land. Priscilla-chan and I got off the ground and greeted them. Revalia, arriving later, followed suit. Everyone disembarked from Revalia’s back with a hubbub, and I was unceremoniously caught by Mistral.
“Hey, why are you trying to escape!”
“Ouch. Because if I stayed there, it seemed like I’d get into all sorts of trouble…”
“We went through that trouble, so you should endure it too.”
“I don’t understand difficult things.”
“Even so, you have to do what you can.”
“What can I do?”
“Things about this forest and lake, perhaps? And explanations from the Old Man, too.”
“Didn’t Mistral already explain about Grandpa and the others?”
“I did, to some extent. But everyone wants to hear from you.”
“Why is that?”
“Fufufu. Because the representative of this group isn’t me or the Dragon Kings, but you.”
“I’m the representative…”
“That’s right. In terms of status, it’s the Old Man, but you are the representative. Therefore, it is your duty to formally introduce the Old Man and Lord Asher to the kings of this country.”
I see, that’s what Mistral meant. After all, King Yort’s ancestor and Old Man Sleigsta are connected, so perhaps I should introduce the current king to him? Everyone else, dragons and dragonfolk, gathered around the forest probably also wants to become close to Old Man Sleigsta. It seems it’s my role to lure out Old Man Sleigsta and the others who are holed up in the forest.
“This is troublesome.”
Asher, who seemed to read my thoughts, sighed with genuine distaste. Asher isn’t misanthropic; he dislikes men. The ancient capital he protects is said to be inhabited only by women.
“Hmm, it’s not good to linger. We can’t leave Rosa in charge of the Dragon Forest and the Spirit Tree indefinitely. Let’s return.”
“Ehhhh!”
Even Old Man Sleigsta started saying outrageous things.
“No, no, no. Since Grandpa made the lake, you should at least say a word to the King.”
“What are you saying? It was you who filled it with water.”
“Grandpa dug the hole!”
“Perhaps I’ve forgotten due to old age.”
“Remember!”
What kind of dragon do you think you are? Don’t conveniently pretend to forget!
“Still, the lake and forest are a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Ugh.”
I faltered under Asher’s jab. It was done on impulse, but maybe it really was too much? I heard that the lake is filled with pure water, which is similar to holy water distributed by temples. Apparently, its efficacy gradually fades, but there’s a commotion among the clergy about what kind of being I am to have created pure water on a lake scale. Regarding the forest, its deep and solemn atmosphere is close to that of the Dragon Forest, and the creation of a new forest on the east side of the great river has caused a stir. And it wasn’t just humans who were excited, but the dragons even more so. Currently, members of the Dragon Peak Alliance are occupying it and relaxing, but the Earth Dragons who inhabit the northern mountainous region and came to help in this upheaval are reportedly asking for it to be ceded.
This forest and lake will likely become a new important base for the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Hmm, my explanation, which is deeply involved in its creation, is necessary. It’s troublesome, or rather, I don’t know how to explain it.
“That is so. Then, let us be resolute and return to our path.”
Saying this, Old Man Sleigsta picked me up, who was still caught by Mistral.
“Well then, let’s go back.”
Asher also caught the shrunk Nymia, along with Priscilla-chan. And without further ado, they soared up from the forest.
“Aaaah…”
Mistral’s figure, sighing helplessly on the ground, grew smaller.
“Mist-san, I’ll chase them!”
Everyone on Revalia, holding onto Ruiseine’s hand, took to the sky.
“You guys…”
Revalia, though somewhat exasperated, obediently soared into the sky. The moment the forest’s barrier was suddenly lifted and Old Man Sleigsta and Asher flew out, the dragons relaxing nearby began to make a commotion.
“Everyone, we’re going back. Follow me closely.”
“Ooh, Sleigsta-sama. Are we not using teleportation for the return?”
“Indeed. We shall fly back at our leisure.”
“That sounds interesting. May we accompany you?”
“I don’t know about those who fall behind.”
“W-wait… we Earth Dragons aren’t as fast as Wyverns…”
“I told you. We’re going at our leisure. There’s no need to rush. Only those who wish to and can, shall follow.”
“Awww…”
The Earth Dragons on the ground slumped dejectedly. It’s a bit sad, isn’t it?
“It is not fitting for a dragon to deepen bonds casually in a place crowded with people. Your rewards will be given when we return to Dragon Peak. Elnea will properly handle it.”
“Ooh, as expected of the guardian of the Dragon Forest. You speak with understanding.”
“Meat? Will there be meat when we return!?”
“It’s an Elnea sleepover.”
“That sounds good. Let’s invite them to our respective dragon dwellings and have them stay over.”
“A field trip sounds good too.”
“A tour of Dragon Peak sounds excellent.”
“Ehhhh, what are you all deciding on your own?!”
“It means we’ll go back first and make arrangements.”
“That can’t be helped. Let’s have them return quickly.”
“Goodbye!”
I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go back! Why is that? I feel like it would have been more peaceful to stay in the Yorttenitos Kingdom and help with the after-effects.
“You might have forgotten, but the human capital on the other side has also been obliterated, you know?”
“Ah! That’s right!”
Reminded by Asher, I recalled something I didn’t want to remember.
“It’s good to go through hardship when you’re young.”
“No, no, you and Asher also blew away the capital!”
“What are you saying? That was the Demon Lord’s fault. It’s because he dropped lightning on his daughter’s nose.”
I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to go back! Could I have imagined a year ago that there would come a day when I would dislike stepping foot in my hometown so much?
“Give up.”
“You should give up.”
“It’s divine retribution.”
Even Revalia said harsh things to me. And so, my rejection was ignored, and the great march of the dragons began. Old Man Sleigsta said only those who could keep up, but they didn’t fly at high speed, truly traveling leisurely and slowly through the sky. Come to think of it, it’s been centuries since I’ve left the Dragon Forest like this. It’s only natural they’d want to enjoy the scenery outside.
“Um, everyone. Have you forgotten about Lily?”
From afar, Lily flew over, gracefully swimming her jet-black giant body.
“We forgot…”
“Ah, Elnea-kun, you really are cruel!”
I messed up! I muttered idly, but it seems Lily heard it.
“So, where was Lily going?”
“Lily was observing the surrounding areas. I have to see and hear various things before taking on my role.”
“Your role?”
“Yes! Elnea-kun, you are close with many Ancient Dragon Species besides Lily, yet you don’t know about their roles?”
“Hmm. Now that you mention it, I don’t know.”
“When Ancient Dragon Species reach adulthood, they are assigned a role of guardianship over something, like the ancient capital or the Spirit Tree.”
“Ah, I see. So that’s what it is.”
Come to think of it, Old Man Sleigsta is guarding the Dragon Forest, or rather, the Spirit Tree, and Asher is guarding the ancient capital. Does that mean Lily and Nymia will also become dragons who guard something when they grow up?
“Nyan will guard the ancient capital with Mother and the others, nyan.”
“Then, Lily?”
It was a casual question. However, upon hearing Lily’s answer, almost everyone who was eavesdropping was dumbfounded.
“What are you talking about? Lily is the next guardian of the Dragon Forest!”
“Ehhhhhhh!!!!”
The only one who didn’t show surprise at Lily’s words was Old Man Sleigsta.
