We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 361

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Decoy and Decoy

“If Ash and Elnea’s stories are combined, it means the tunnel on this side doesn’t lead to the exit, right?”

“I’ve been moving around, but I haven’t found any such path. There were just a few dried-up human corpses lying around.

“So, to escape, we have to go through that plaza again?”

“But that plaza is occupied by a Shadow Dragon, a dragon of higher status than ordinary dragon-kind.

I and the three members of the Styler Family groaned.

It wasn’t long after Iwafu and I joined up with Yozen. Ash also joined from a different direction.

Yozen apparently prefers to observe without moving in such situations. He knew Ash’s active personality well and knew from past experience that it was more likely to encounter each other if one waited rather than both moving. It seemed he planned to find Iwafu and Aquil after they met up.

“Just being a dragon is already uncontrollable, and now a stronger enemy?”

“And it seems like its presence can’t be detected at all.”

Ash and Iwafu, while comparing the paths they had taken, also concluded that there were no side passages.

“Is Aquil safe?”

“Yes. He ran towards the exit, so I had him return to the campsite alone.”

“Well then, if at worst he can just be saved…”

“No, no, Ash-san. What are you saying? I haven’t given up at all. I will definitely get everyone out safely.”

I absolutely don’t want to die side by side with three other men in a place like this. I have a sweet life waiting for me with Mistral and the others!

“Impure thoughts, nyann.”

“No, no, impure or not, I want to return to the place where everyone is waiting.”

“Because I got caught up in the commotion, Mist-older sister will punish me, nyann.”

“Grrr, I didn’t get caught up in it…”

The gazes of the three were directed at Nimia, who was relaxing on top of my head. And they looked at me with faces that seemed to want to say various things, but this is not the time to explain in detail.

“Well then, let’s think of a plan. I’d like everyone to escape while we serve as decoys. Nimia, is it impossible for you to grow larger after all?”

“Impossible, nyann. The darkness of the plaza itself is like the Shadow Dragon’s body, nyann. There’s no space to grow larger, nyann.”

“So, entering the plaza is like entering the Shadow Dragon’s body.”

“Elnea’s offer is appreciated, but how about we escape and leave you to bear all the burden?”

“Isn’t there anything we can do too?”

“Indeed. Let’s all combine our strength to escape.”

Even if you say that, I’m very troubled.

To be honest, I’m barely managing to handle myself.

The Styler Family seems to be top-class adventurers. However, they haven’t been active since we met them, so I haven’t been able to see their true abilities.

It makes me realize anew how dangerous Dragon Peak is, through others.

But, that’s right.

This is a land where even traveling to the next village is difficult for dragon-people. Only warriors and experienced dragon-people can act on Dragon Peak.

Seeing the Styler Family, I realized it anew.

And then, I told the three their current situation without any reservations.

With their abilities, I’m sorry to say, they won’t be of any help. Even Nimia and I have never fought against an Ancient Dragon Species before.

I know Nimia’s abilities. Even the “Tyrant,” the conqueror of the Dragon Peak skies, is no match for the child Nimia. And the Shadow Dragon is an Ancient Dragon Species with such abilities, and perhaps it’s even a mature dragon.

The Styler Family apparently fought bravely against demon-kind during the disturbance in the capital of the Armēdo Kingdom.

I saw it then. The overwhelming combat power of dragons and dragon-people. And then, the extraordinary abilities of Old Man Sleigsta and Asher, an Ancient Dragon Species, which made even that seem like dust.

The three looked down at my persuasion.

“It’s not that Ash-san and the others are weak. It’s just that the opponent was wrong this time. And everyone lacked knowledge and experience regarding dragons and Dragon Peak.”

“So, Elnea has that knowledge and experience? And the courage and ability to face terrifying dragons?”

When Yozen spoke, I nodded emphatically.

“Yes. After all, my master is not like any ordinary Ancient Dragon Species. And I’ve lived on Dragon Peak for a year and met dragons and dragon-people with the highest level of skill. I also know the Giant Demon Lord, and people who are like the bosses of spirits… Huh? Are there no ordinary people among my acquaintances…?”

“That can’t be helped, nyann.”

At first, I said it with my chest puffed out so as not to give the three any anxiety, but in the latter half, as I spoke, I felt a sense of incongruity, as if something was wrong.

The three also seemed to not understand the latter half of my words, and their mouths were wide open in a daze.

“Anyway. While I and Nimia attract the Shadow Dragon’s attention, the three of you escape.”

“And, Elnea, are you really alright?”

“Elnea, you’ll escape properly too, right?”

“Of course. I don’t have any spirit of self-sacrifice.”

This time, I said it with my chest puffed out, with confidence.

“Then, let’s go with that. However, if Elnea himself becomes endangered, and you think we are a hindrance, don’t hesitate to cut us loose.”

“It’s alright. If it comes down to it, I’ll blow away the whole mountain… Ah, but if I do that, everyone will probably scold me severely again… I really don’t want that… If I were to summon the Giant Demon Lord, it would be a huge debt… I’d definitely be overworked…”

Imagining the worst-case scenario, my puffed-out chest deflated.

I can’t.

The fate of the Styler Family rests on me. If I don’t move with confidence, the three won’t be able to move due to anxiety.

In fact, the three are looking at me with twitching faces. To relieve their worries, I have to act as if I’m not fazed by anything.

“Well then, let’s put our plan into action immediately.”

With that, I strode powerfully towards the tunnel leading to the plaza. Behind me, the three followed, chasing after me.

After advancing a short distance, the crystal stone that had been faintly glowing in the place where we had our strategy meeting turned pitch black.

“The plaza is just ahead.

“Do you have the direction of the tunnel towards the exit?”

“Yeah, I’ll run in the direction you told me, and then I’ll try to find a side tunnel.”

“Well then, here I go!”

Leaving the three behind, I advanced into the dark tunnel. Soon, as Yozen said, I emerged into an open space that seemed to be a plaza. I paid attention to my surroundings and proceeded cautiously. On top of my head, Nimia kept watch to cover my blind spots. From inside my body, I could feel the tense presence of Ares-chan.

Nimia said the Shadow Dragon was angry. What it was angry about was unclear for now, but if I reacted even a moment too late, both Nimia and I would die. In such a situation, my grip on the White Sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword intensified.

I went around a large rock and headed in a slightly different direction than the side tunnel to the exit.

At that moment.

A nasty presence from above made me feel uneasy, and I avoided it with a Spatial Jump. Then, gripping my White Sword, I turned around. In the darkness, there was the face of the Shadow Dragon, casting an even darker shadow.

“What are you angry about?”

I tried speaking, not knowing if it could understand me. However, the Shadow Dragon just glared at me with irritated eyes and melted back into the darkness. The darkness that clung to me like a slime was repulsive. This presence might be the only sign of the Shadow Dragon.

I unleashed the full power of the Dragon Jewel and Ares-chan, and remained on guard. I felt a vibration from within that shook my body, like the pulsing of my heart or the Dragon Jewel. I was already starting to breathe heavily, even though I was doing nothing.

“Nyan!”

As Nimia became alert, danger approached from behind. I activated a short-range Spatial Jump again and dodged. Then, checking the spot where I had been standing, I saw the Shadow Dragon’s face there again. But this time, I wasn’t just running away. Seeing the Shadow Dragon’s real form where I had jumped, I executed another Spatial Jump. And I flew near the Shadow Dragon’s face. I swung the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword in a flash. The tip of the sword hit the Shadow Dragon’s face. But, as if I had swept away black mist, only the Shadow Dragon’s outline wavered. And the Shadow Dragon melted into the darkness.

“You!”

I swung the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword once more. It was a blow infused with Dragon Energy, but it only stirred the darkness and had no effect on the Shadow Dragon. Angered by the counterattack, the Shadow Dragon attacked again without pause. Detecting a heavy presence that split the darkness and crawled along the ground, I leaped back. A giant dragon hand passed silently before my eyes. Its sharp claws gleamed with a dark color. I counterattacked with equal fervor. I swung the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword and attacked the place where it manifested. However, all my attacks ended up being fruitless like empty swings.

But, this is fine. My role right now is to attract the Shadow Dragon’s attention. I sensed Ash-san and the others emerging from the side tunnel, confirming that the Shadow Dragon had focused its attention on me. The three of them ran at full speed in the direction where the exit was believed to be, through the darkness. While sensing the presence of the three, I also paid attention to my surroundings. This time, I felt a sinister presence from the front. And for the first time, I saw it. The darkness wavered, and the shadow that formed in the gap transformed into a dragon’s head. The Shadow Dragon’s head lunged at me.

“Dangerous!”

I shouted. At the same time, a loud roar echoed behind me. Vibrations spread through my feet.

“Damn it. So I’m the decoy, huh?”

The Shadow Dragon’s head that had taken shape before me was a trap to draw me in. The decoy, me, had been deceived by the decoy, and our main target had been attacked! The Shadow Dragon had clearly sensed the presence of the three running figures and, while attacking me, was also attacking them.

“Everyone, are you alright!?”

“Yeah!”

When I shouted into the darkness, a reply came from the depths of the darkness. As expected of top-class adventurers. They have overcome many crises. The three, who had dodged the Shadow Dragon’s surprise attack, seemed to be running without stopping.

“You damn…”

If I’m useless as a decoy, I should focus on protecting them. As I ran in the direction the three were heading, I unleashed Dragon Spears indiscriminately around me. Due to haphazardly generating Dragon Energy, poorly shaped and low-power Dragon Spears were fired. It was quantity over quality. I fired a barrage of Dragon Spears as if to intimidate the Shadow Dragon, whose appearance point was unknown. And I ran. Then, finally, my Dragon Heart caught the angry will of what appeared to be the Shadow Dragon. Even if it had no physical effect, it seemed to have shaken its spirit. The Shadow Dragon attacked me. Sensing heavy presences from the left and right, I leaped back. Then, I felt a presence from above and took evasive action again.

“Damn it. It’s a dead end.”

“Don’t rush, look for a side tunnel!”

“This way!”

The voices of the three reached me from the depths of the darkness. Iwafu seemed to have found a side tunnel. The remaining two moved towards Iwafu’s voice, and the three began to move together. If I knew the exact direction and distance, I could catch up immediately. From a series of short Spatial Jumps, I extended the distance at once. And in an instant, I too reached the side tunnel.

Victory lies in fleeing! I ran at full speed into the side tunnel, trying to catch up with the three. However, an unexpected obstacle stood in our way.

“This is…!”

“No way…”

“This is unfair…”

Perhaps I should have thought a little more. Although we were able to enter the side tunnel, it was still darkness. And this darkness is a part of the Shadow Dragon’s body. In front of where we stopped. Just a short distance from the light of the crystal stone tunnel. Like a blockade, a giant hand of the Shadow Dragon was waiting. Turning around at an ominous growl.

“I see. So its body size is also versatile…”

Behind me was the Shadow Dragon’s face. Nimia let out a threatening cry. But the Shadow Dragon ignored Nimia’s threat and looked down at me.

“Fools who disturb my slumber. Pay with your lives.”

The gigantic Shadow Dragon’s head, which spoke human words, made the three let out small screams. It seemed that an impression was vastly different between the small Nimia and the giant Shadow Dragon. The Shadow Dragon’s pressure, emanating from a bottomless presence, might have been a contributing factor. But the dragon’s pressure had no effect on me. Compared to Old Man Sleigsta, after all.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for disturbing your sleep.”

“I do not accept your apology. Death to the foolish.”

The Shadow Dragon, showing displeasure towards me and Nimia, who were not bowing to its pressure, glared at us. Its eyes spoke of looking down on those who trembled and begged for their lives, then slowly killing them while mocking them. It seems I couldn’t engage in proper negotiation or communication. Finally reaching this conclusion, I returned a strong gaze, knowing that intimidation was useless, and pointed the tip of my White Sword towards the Shadow Dragon’s head. The tip of the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword was aimed at the ferocious hand behind me.

“We did not choose to step into this place. Nevertheless, if you are unforgiving, I will have no choice but to resist, as I do not wish to die?”

I released the Dragon Energy that had been suppressed, flowing into the White Sword. Receiving sufficient Dragon Energy, the White Sword increased its presence. And the jewel embedded in the guard began to glow blue.

“W-What… is that giant jewel…?”

Ash noticed the jewel of the Spirit Tree and widened his eyes. The jewel that had captured Ash’s gaze glowed even more intensely and began to emit small sparks. Looking at the Shadow Dragon, an Ancient Dragon Species. You, being an Ancient Dragon Species, should understand the performance of this sword and the power of the jewel. The gazes of the Shadow Dragon and I met.

“I am a disciple of the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest, and the leader of the Dragon Peak Alliance. I am Elnea Eris, the Eight Dragon King. Know that fighting me, who possesses the Dragon Slayer’s sword and the Demon Lord’s jewel, is equivalent to fighting Dragon Peak, the demon race, and countless ancient dragons.”

This time, I spoke in a threatening manner. The words, spoken in a low, calm voice, slowly seeped into the dark tunnel. The Shadow Dragon and I glared at each other in silence. If the Shadow Dragon made even the slightest suspicious move, I would immediately act with all my might. I could unleash the Storm Dragon Arts here. If I had to die, I wouldn’t hesitate to blow away the entire mountain with storms and lightning. Even if I had to summon the Giant Demon Lord, it couldn’t be helped. In such a dangerous place, put in a pinch. I am not so fragile as to calmly accept death, saying “Oh, well!”

“So, what will you do?”

If it’s a fight, I’ll do whatever it takes to survive, you know? If it’s an Ancient Dragon Species, it should be able to read my thoughts. Then, it should be able to read my resolve. The Spirit Tree jewel embedded in the White Sword’s guard grew bluer during the standoff. And the released lightning licked the walls, ceiling, and ground of the tunnel. The Spirit Tree Wooden Sword also made its presence known, pulsating with mystical life force and expanding its aura.

“I’ll summon Liriria, the Black Dragon, nyann. Darkness is also something a Black Dragon is good at, nyann.”

“That’s right. Summoning Liriria is one option. Liriria remembers the scent of my shadow, so she’ll come quickly along the Dragon Vein.”

“You even know Black Dragons.”

The Shadow Dragon’s eyes shone dark. However, its threatening aura had weakened, replaced by irritation at the cards we held.

“I do not desire needless conflict. We do not intend to disturb your sleeping quarters. If we had known you slept here, no one would have approached.”

“I have made this place my home for a hundred years. Fifty more years remain until I become a mature dragon, and I shall remain here in seclusion. Do you make a promise to me?”

“Yes. I swear upon the name of the Eight Dragon Kings. Great Shadow Dragon of the Ancient Dragon Species.”

My dragon-people, and dragons, would show respect to the Shadow Dragon and not enter its sleeping quarters. And so, we reached an agreement. I don’t know how long we glared at each other. However, the Shadow Dragon, having negotiated with me, removed its hand that was blocking our path.

“Go forth. And never again, set foot here.”

The Shadow Dragon’s head remained floating in the darkness, but it seemed to have given its permission.

“Everyone, shall we go?”

Still with my White Sword drawn, I turned back to the three.

“Ah, ah…”

By some point, the three had collapsed and were sitting on the ground. It was understandable. Only I and everyone in my family seem to be unfazed by being threatened by an Ancient Dragon Species. I managed to help the three to their feet and walked towards the tunnel ahead, where the Shadow Dragon’s hand had disappeared. The Shadow Dragon glared at us, but it didn’t seem like it would attack. Then, with the three staggering, we returned to the place where the crystal stone was faintly glowing. After that, we took a break and headed for the entrance of the campsite cave.

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