We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Chit-chat by the well.
After parting ways with the King and his accompanying Earth Dragon Knight Order, we returned to the road, heading back west.
The clear sky seemed to offer an endless view, and I found myself captivated by the beautiful scenery. There were hardly any clouds today; it was a clear day.
As promised, Old Sleigsta wandered around, admiring the scenery here and there. While it was no problem for the wyverns flying alongside us, the earth dragons, who had to run on the ground, seemed to be having a tough time.
“What is this exercise…?”
“Is that so? Is this what training is like?”
“If I work hard at this, I’ll have lots of beautiful dragon wives…”
“The food after exercising looks delicious!”
I’m sorry, everyone. Old Sleigsta isn’t considering you at all. He’s just enjoying his own fun!
“Hmm. It appears there’s been a misunderstanding. Look, look, there’s a familiar face over there.”
With that, Old Sleigsta returned to the road and began to descend.
It’s a lie. I’m sure he just happened to find them. Even as I thought that, I wanted to thank the person Old Sleigsta found.
“Listea, good morning!”
“No, no, what’s with the ‘good morning’!”
This time, as we landed normally, we were greeted on the ground by the Hero and his entourage.
“Honestly. We heard you suddenly ran off from the detached palace early this morning, so we wondered what was going on.”
“Elnea-kun. If possible, I’d like various explanations and introductions.”
The Hero and his entourage were all riding on Duranel’s back.
I thought before, but Duranel is still too small for everyone to ride.
From Old Sleigsta’s perspective, Duranel was no bigger than a speck of dust. His presence was incomparable, and faced with the giant face of Old Sleigsta before him, Duranel completely froze.
Listea and the others, knowing that the giant dragon before them was no ordinary dragon, straightened themselves and dismounted from Duranel.
I also jumped down from Old Sleigsta’s head using Spatial Jump.
“That technique is amazing. The movement is completely imperceptible to the eye.”
“Yeah. It’s similar to the Mimicho Race’s Spatial Jump.”
“The Mimicho Race’s Spatial Jump!?”
“Um, it’s the same!”
*Pop*, Priscilla-chan sprang onto my chest. Nimia was relaxing on top of Priscilla-chan’s head.
“W-what, is she your child!?”
“There’s no way! You idiot Slaton. Considering the age, it’s impossible, and Priscilla-chan clearly looks like a Mimicho Race child.”
“N-no. Knowing you, Elnea, and the truths you’ve recently learned, I thought something like that might be within the realm of possibility…”
“Elnea-kun, I’m sorry. I’ll educate Slaton properly later.”
Creacio said with a laugh, twisting his fist into Slaton’s side and pulling him back.
Th-there are terrifying people here too…
“So, what is all this?”
Listea straightened herself and looked around.
She seems to have gotten used to dragons, as she wasn’t flustered even when surrounded by wyverns and earth dragons. Truly a Hero.
However, she couldn’t hide her tension from the dragons like Old Sleigsta, Asher, and Lily, who clearly possessed a different presence from the others.
Oh, Revalia is also splendid and cool.
“Your comfort is not needed.”
*Hmph*, Mistral and the others descended from Revalia, who had turned away.
“Kiiri, Inea. It’s been a while.”
“Ruiseine, it’s been a while too.”
“We’ve missed you!”
The two miko embraced each other, overjoyed at their reunion.
“Well then, let’s introduce each other. It’s a bit late, but…”
“Yeah. It really is late.”
Listea and I laughed.
We had met again in Armēdo Kingdom’s capital and fought together for a short time. However, we hadn’t introduced everyone when we were all together.
I casually asked if maybe they had met while I was sleeping, and it turned out Listea and the others hadn’t been at the detached palace.
According to Listea’s explanation, the Hero and his entourage had all been resurrected three days after the disturbance in Yorttenitos Kingdom ended. However, they had been resting at the eastern fort, near the battlefield, not at the detached palace.
I only just realized now that only we had returned to the detached palace and been entertained.
It was Lyra. She was the reason!
“Well, even though the incident is resolved, vigilance is still necessary. No one can guarantee that all demons have disappeared, so we had no choice but to steadily confirm the safety of the surrounding areas. That’s why we were still here with our forces.”
Unaware of our thoughts, Listea interpreted the difference in treatment this way.
“Regardless of that. Let’s finally introduce each other.”
Hmm. The conversation always gets sidetracked. It’s like a conversation between women. But there’s just too much to talk about, so it can’t be helped.
“Let’s start with our side, perhaps. Your side seems to have more points that warrant inquiry.”
“Th-that’s right…”
With that, Listea introduced her companions one by one.
First, the miko Kiiri and Inea. Introduced as Ruiseine’s colleagues and close friends, they both bowed politely.
It was cute to see the dragons follow suit and nod their heads.
When I introduced Naimi, she greeted us with a spirited voice that belied her small physique.
In response to Naimi’s energetic voice, the dragons let out roars.
As expected, the Hero and his entourage widened their eyes in surprise.
The dragons are definitely playing around, aren’t they…
“The other man over there is Slaton, and the one kicking is Creacio.”
What kind of introduction is that?
Now it was our turn to exchange glances.
“It’s just like you and Mistrall.”
“It’s just like you and Ruiseine.”
“N-now, wait a moment, Twin Princesses. Please don’t say things that give the wrong impression so casually!”
“I can’t let that stand!”
“Mistrall-sama, there’s no mistake!”
“Lyra?”
“Eek!”
Are beautiful women often sharp-tongued? I find myself feeling a sense of kinship with Slaton.
Creacio, having been introduced, hastily straightened himself. Slaton also grumbled and returned to our side.
“Next, this is Cerise. She is the Fourth Princess of Armēdo Kingdom. She is your younger sister, Twin Princesses.”
Listea’s tone is polite.
Perhaps she’s refraining from casual speech because there are elders and superiors, as well as unfathomable beings, here.
I wish she wouldn’t be so considerate.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Cerise…” *Gasp!*
Just as the princess was about to greet us, the Twin Princesses pounced on her.
“Cerise, I’ve missed you.”
“Cerise, how have you been?”
“Oh, o-older sisters…”
As they squeezed each other, my, Listea’s, and Slaton’s gazes were fixed on their chests.
“Elnea?”
“Listea?”
“Slaton?”
Startled by the murderous aura that filled the surroundings, we quickly averted our gazes.
“A-and finally. I am Listea, the Hero.”
Right. Even though it’s an introduction, I already know everyone, and Listea was probably speaking to everyone else from the beginning.
That makes sense, of course.
Hearing the word “Hero,” Old Sleigsta, who had been listening quietly, cleared his throat.
“That’s everyone on this side, I suppose.”
To Listea’s statement, I pointed at Duranel, who was still frozen stiff.
“Duranel is also family, right?”
“Ah… Yes, you’re right. To you, anyone who walks alongside you is family, whether they are dragons or not. We are still lacking in that regard.”
“That’s true…”
Listea and Slaton lowered their heads apologetically. Slaton then proceeded to introduce Duranel.
“This guy is Duranel, my partner. He’s still a young dragon, but he’s reliable.”
Even after being introduced, Duranel did not budge.
Well, that’s understandable. After all, Old Sleigsta’s face was right in front of him. He would surely shrink back.
Old Sleigsta stared down at Duranel.
We quietly moved away. I also took Listea and the others by the hand and pulled them away.
“Ah-ah-ACHOOO!!”
“GYAAAAH!”
“WHAAAT’S THISSS!”
They were sacrificed.
Duranel, along with the dragons who had gathered behind him, was swept away by a gale and a flood of snot.
“…”
Listea and the others were frozen, their eyes wide, speechless.
But this is how they are. There’s no need to be considerate of my family. After all, none of them have a personality that would be intimidated…
“Well then, it’s my turn to introduce everyone.”
Let’s just leave the blown-away Duranels for now. Come back when you’ve dried off.
“Um, this is the miko Ruiseine, and over there is Yufilia, the First Princess of Armēdo Kingdom. And that’s Nina, the Second Princess.”
“Elnea-kun, your introductions are sloppy…”
“Elnea-kun, that’s cruel.”
“Elnea-kun, that’s sad.”
“No, well, you all know the three of them already, right?”
“Even so, you should introduce us properly!”
“Even so, you should introduce us with love!”
“That’s right. Please do it correctly.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. You’re right.”
I guess I was too relaxed. I’ll reflect on this.
So, I will reintroduce the three of them.
“Elnea-kun, do your best!”
After introducing the three, Cerise suddenly grabbed me firmly by both shoulders and encouraged me.
“Elnea-kun, if you make Ruiseine cry, I won’t forgive you!”
“That’s right! I don’t know! Or rather, what did you do to our Head Miko?”
“Eh, something happened with Madrine-sama?”
I tilted my head at the name that suddenly came from Naimi.
“This morning when I met her, she was shouting that the only one worthy of being the Head Miko’s husband, a devout believer and praiseworthy savior, is Elnea-kun!”
“Whaaaat, what is that!”
Am I a devout believer?
I’m a human who neglected my prayers to the Goddess for quite a long time until praying at the Great Shrine in the Necropolis.
“You have no self-awareness? At the end of the battle, you shouted the Goddess’s name. In that situation at that battle, being able to speak the Goddess’s name means you are a devout believer, and she was trying to convince everyone that you are suitable as her husband, a position of Head Miko.”
“Whaaaat!”
Meeting Madrine right now feels dangerous. Thinking about it, maybe running away from the detached palace was the right thing to do.
“Th-to get back to it, I’ll continue the introductions. This is Lyra. The bright red wyvern behind her is Revalia, and the two of them are very close friends.”
“Hey!”
“Elnea-sama, thank you for that wonderful introduction!”
Listea and the others can’t understand Revalia’s voice, so I’ll just ignore it. Lyra, who gratefully hugged me, was pulled away by Mistral and Ruiseine.
“And this is Mistral. She holds the title of Dragon Princess and is like a representative of Dragon Peak. Ah, she is of the Dragon Race.”
“Was that the beautiful woman with those wings I saw the other day?”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hero. I’ve heard about you from Elnea. Let’s drop the honorifics.”
Mistral smiled softly. However, because she was physically restraining Lyra, everyone had already noticed. Like Creacio, she was terrifying when angered.
“Was the form I saw the other day the true form of the Dragon Race?”
“No. That is a transformation ability that only first-class warriors possess.”
“Uwah. So Mistral-san is both a princess and a first-class warrior. Just like Cerise!”
“Fufufu. I’m not the kind of princess you imagine.”
With that, Mistral, as she had when we first met, explained about the titles of Dragon King and Dragon Princess among the Dragon Race.
“Is that so? So you haven’t become a King. I received an explanation from Mr. Grave, but I didn’t quite understand. I finally get it now.”
“I-I’ll become a proper Dragon Knight first, and someday I’ll become the Dragon King!”
Slaton, why are you declaring that now? And you’re nervous, too.
At Slaton’s declaration, everyone’s faces softened.
“Good luck.”
Only Mistral spoke kindly.
“Um, don’t forget to introduce Purishia too?”
“Meow too.”
“Do it, do it!”
Ares-chan also manifested, and the young girl group pleaded.
“Of course.”
I lifted the young girls into my arms and introduced them.
“This girl of the Mimicho Race is Priscilla-chan. She’s the next tribal chief of the Mimicho Race. The one on Priscilla-chan’s head is Nimia. As you can see, she’s a child of the super giant dragon behind us. The dragon behind us is Asher-san. He’s an Ancient Dragon Species who guards the place called the Ancient Capital. Ah, be careful. He hates men and is ruthless towards men and males. Lastly, this is Ares-chan. She’s a very rare Spirit Tree Spirit.”
“No, no. It’s not just her that’s rare, is it? Priscilla-chan of the Mimicho Race, the Ancient Dragon Species, the representative of the Dragon Race living on Dragon Peak, and the princess of Armēdo. All of them are usually rare.”
Everyone laughed at Listea’s retort.
Then, after a good laugh, Listea’s gaze shifted to the mountain-like giant dragon.
“Yes. I apologize for keeping it a secret. The one there is my master, Old Sleigsta. You probably know already, but he’s the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest.”
“The legendary guardian of the Dragon Forest. And, Elnea’s master…”
“Wait. Didn’t you say in Armēdo that Jiludo-sama was your master?”
I nodded at Slaton’s words.
“Yes. Jiludo-san is one of my masters. I was able to grow thanks to the guidance of many people. Jiludo-san mainly taught me Dragon Arts. And Old Sleigsta taught me something very important called Dragon Sword Dance.”
“Dragon Sword Dance… Is that the name of the technique that describes that dancing fighting style?”
“Yes. It’s a sword dance that is said to be passed down from Kensei Lady Faruna. It’s no exaggeration to say that I am who I am today thanks to Old Sleigsta!”
“Indeed. It pleases me to be thought of so highly by you.”
Old Sleigsta finally turned his head and faced us.
“Hero, huh? I know Armēdo, the first wielder of the Holy Sword, well. It’s good to see it’s being inherited correctly.”
“Is that so? I will continue to strive to be worthy of the titles of Holy Sword and Hero.”
Even though she had just witnessed his outrageous actions, Listea greeted Old Sleigsta with deference. Following her lead, the Hero and his entourage offered their greetings.
“If you encounter any trouble, visit the Dragon Forest. Before you are Heroes, you are Elnea’s dear friends. I will lend you my strength.”
“Thank you very much!”
Listea and the others seemed deeply moved.
As expected, Old Sleigsta is great.
While we have become ordinary, he is a special existence not only to Listea and the others but also to the Dragons and Dragon People.
“Are our introductions complete? So then, what were you all doing, Listea?”
“Hey, hey, hey!”
“Elnea, you forgot about us!”
“You forgot about Lily too! You’re worse than the Demon Lord, aren’t you?”
Lily and the dragons chimed in.
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