We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 370

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Let’s talk properly.

“Now, Elnea-sama. Please have a drink. And how about these fruits?”

“Ah, thank you, Sera-sama.”

“Honestly, Mother. Elnea-kun is ours!”

“Honestly, Mother. Please don’t take Elnea-kun away from us!”

After my report of “I’m home” and greeting Yufilia and Nina’s parents, a standing buffet lunch began.

Half of the nobles who had been present in the room left in disappointment after I confirmed I had passed Sera-sama’s trial. Those who remained were mostly kin or people they knew.

And for some reason, Sera-sama doted on me the entire time.

It was troublesome. Sera-sama was glued to me, and the King looked exasperated. The fact that even her own children, Yufilia and Nina, couldn’t get close was incomprehensible.

“Elnea-sama, listen. When those two were little…”

Sera-sama, in a cheerful mood, told me various things about Yufilia and Nina. Her daughters, their faces bright red, scurried around Sera-sama and me.

I’d never seen Yufilia and Nina like this!

I dutifully ate and drank what was offered, accompanying Sera-sama.

While doing so, I surveyed the venue.

Mistral seemed too busy controlling Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan, who were wide-eyed at the abundance of meat, to spare any attention for me.

Ruiseine was deep in conversation with Kiiri and Inea in a corner of the venue. Perhaps the Miko was being modest about participating in such events.

Listea was chatting with Cerise-sama, Naimi, and other important figures. They, the hero’s entourage, seemed accustomed to such gatherings and carried themselves with confidence.

In stark contrast to the hero’s entourage, Laira was trembling.

Shy? Still not used to lively events due to past trauma? No, no, that’s not it at all.

She was screaming, surrounded by the other queens besides Sera-sama.

“Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

“There’s a resemblance to someone…”

“I feel like I saw you somewhere in the past.”

“Laira, Laira, Laira…? That name sounds familiar.”

The elegant queens tilted their heads, puzzled by Laira’s appearance.

Perhaps these queens had visited the Yorttenitos Kingdom as royals. They might have known her then.

Speaking of which, what should I do about Laira?

Yufilia, Nina, and Laira all have deep connections to the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom, respectively.

In Laira’s case, it’s a public acknowledgment from the King of Yorttenitos Kingdom personally, but if something were to happen, their country likely wouldn’t back down.

While Laira isn’t a princess, there’s no doubt the Yorttenitos Kingdom stands behind her.

Now, how should I proceed?

Huh.

Thinking about it, Mistral is, after all, a representative figure of Dragon Peak.

And Ruiseine is part of the clergy…

A wedding?

It’s still necessary, isn’t it?

The venue selection seemed problematic, and I found myself burying my head in my hands during what should have been a pleasant lunch.

“Oh, Elnea-sama. Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s just that with all the greetings and such, I seem to be tired from the tension.”

“Oh, that’s terrible. Shall we rest a bit over there?”

“Mother, you should let Elnea-kun go soon, or he’ll get more tired.”

“Mother, if you don’t hand Elnea-kun over soon, I’ll get angry!”

“You two are so selfish! Fine, I suppose.”

Am I being selfish?

At any rate, I was finally freed from Sera-sama’s clutches and was able to sit on a chair in a corner of the venue.

“Elnea-kun, you were splendid.”

“Sefina, it’s futile to try and approach Elnea-kun by taking advantage of an opening.”

“Sefina, are you trying to pick a fight with us?”

“Ugh, twin elder sisters…”

The female leopard, who had been coveting me with a predatory gaze, was escorted away, flanked by two terrifying demons and angels.

I’ll have to commend Sefina-san for her efforts in the lowlands later.

“Elnea, you’ve got your hands full.”

“Ah, Listea and Cerise-sama.”

Next to arrive were the hero and the fourth princess. It seemed they had escaped the circle of nobles and officials by sacrificing Naimi.

Listea sat to my left, and Cerise-sama took a seat to my right.

“I was surprised by Sera-sama’s trial. And your greeting to His Majesty was splendid. I was moved.”

“Yes. It was even more amazing than Listea’s.”

“Cerise-sama, saying ‘more amazing than Listea’s’ when the main characters then were the two of you…”

“Hahaha. But it can’t be helped. In my case, I was already engaged, and I was familiar with His Majesty and the queens. It felt like there was nothing new.”

“Fufufu, that’s true. Listea seemed more nervous during her greeting to Naimi’s parents than to her father.”

“Oh, really? So Listea has already greeted Naimi’s family.”

“So, Elnea, how about you?”

“As of today, only Ruiseine remains for me.”

“I see. So the final greeting is to the clergy, as expected.”

“It wasn’t exactly planned, but that’s how it turned out.”

It seems Elnea and Listea have one last hurdle to overcome. After greeting the Miko’s parents, they both have to visit the temple.

At this point, it’s not fair to keep delaying Ruiseine. I’ll have to act soon.

“By the way, Elnea-kun?”

As I was chatting with Listea, Cerise-sama on my right nudged me.

What is it? I turned around, and Cerise-sama was pouting and glaring at me.

Eh!

Why is she angry?

Did I do something?

Did she get sulky because I was only talking to Listea?

“Elnea-kun.”

“Y-yes. Cerise-sama, what is it?”

I asked nervously.

“Elnea-kun, why do you only use ‘-sama’ when referring to me?”

“Eh?”

The unexpected question made not only me but also Listea’s eyes widen.

“I understand calling Yufi-nee-sama and Nina-nee-sama by their names. But you use ‘-san’ for Sefina-nee-sama and Rudoriado-nii-sama. Why is it only for me, who you’ve known the longest, that you use ‘-sama’?”

“Now that you mention it…?”

At this belated realization, Listea and I exchanged a wry smile.

“Because, Cerise-sama is a princess.”

“My sisters and brother are also royalty.”

“Yes, but… when I first met you at school two years ago, royals were like people on another planet!”

“But now you’re right next to me.”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“Elnea, understand her. Cerise hates feeling distant and treated impersonally.”

“But it’s hard to drop the ‘-sama’ I’ve gotten used to now.”

“If you don’t call me affectionately, I’ll get sulky!”

“No, no, you’re already half sulking, aren’t you?”

“Elnea, be careful. If Cerise gets angry…”

“Listea?”

“N-no. It’s nothing.”

Please don’t have a marital dispute with me in the middle. Listea, glared at by Cerise-sama, offered a strained smile.

“Elnea-kun, what is my name?”

“C-Cerise-sama.”

“Mmm?”

A smile on her lips, but a glare in her eyes – that skillful maneuver looked familiar.

Ah, it’s like Mistral!

So, if you anger Cerise-sama, she becomes like Mistral?

That’s terrifying.

“Elnea-kun?”

“Yes, Cerise-chan!”

Sensing danger, I blurted out something outrageous in my haste.

“Ce-Cerise…chan…!”

And Cerise-sama, her face bright red at the unexpected way of being called.

“Wow! Just like Priscilla!”

“Just like! Just like!”

Then, the original “chan” users, the young girls, rushed at us.

With their mouths and hands still dirty, they hugged Cerise-sama, the newfound “chan” alliance.

Cerise-sama’s luxurious, befitting a princess, attire was instantly soiled.

“Hey, you two!”

“Oh dear, oh my, this is trouble.”

Mistral and Ruiseine, who rushed over in a panic, looked exasperated at the two little girls buried in Cerise-sama’s chest.

“Nyan also wants to be called ‘chan’!”

“No, no, Nimia is big.”

And finally, Nimia, whose long hair was also stained with food, landed on Cerise-sama’s head.

Oh, what a disaster.

You truly know no fear.

The young girls who dirtied the Armēdo Kingdom’s fourth princess’s outfit played around energetically.

Cerise-sama froze, surprised by Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan who suddenly hugged her via spatial jump.

“Wow, amazing! It’s like teleportation!”

“I heard from Ruiseine, but I can’t believe such a small child…”

“I want to teleport too! Then I could instantly escape from the grown-ups’ circle!”

Kiiri and Inea, followed by Naimi, who had been sacrificed, escaped and came over.

The area around me, who had intended to rest with my future worries, suddenly became lively.

Priscilla-chan, Ares-chan, and Nimia clung to Cerise-sama without hesitation, enjoying themselves. Cerise-sama was distressed by her soiled clothes, but Listea and Naimi watched her, smiling. Mistral and Ruiseine looked troubled, but Kiiri and Inea told them “It’s alright,” and they sighed, weary.

“Your family is lively.”

“Yeah, they’re not outdone by Listea’s family. Nor in their closeness.”

“Is that so? Elnea has finally surpassed me.”

“Speaking of surpassing, Kijirum…”

When I mentioned Kijirum, whom I met in the morning, everyone gasped in horror.

“He’s amazing…”

“Yeah, perhaps Kijirum had the most amazing year.”

We ended up engrossed in discussing Kijirum, who wasn’t present. As we were talking about the events at Dragon Peak with the Styler Family, who Kijirum had joined, Listea listened to my story with envy.

“After all, I’d like to join Dragon Peak someday too.”

“Please, come anytime. You are welcome.”

Mistral expressed her willingness to welcome him.

Perhaps the day Listea and I adventure together in Dragon Peak is near.

As we all chatted and laughed, time flew by in the blink of an eye. Then, an important person asked about tonight’s accommodation.

“What do you think? Shall we stay at this palace? I’d be happy for you to come to my residence as well.”

“Coranta-sama, thank you for your concern. But I have a place I need to go to today.”

Yes. I have to go.

While the greetings to the brides’ parents, introductions to the country’s important figures, and reunions with Listea and the others are important, there was one more crucial matter.

“I have to go home. My parents are probably the most worried about me. So I want to show them my energetic face soon.”

“I see. That is indeed important.”

Chancellor Coranta smiled kindly, not showing any displeasure that I declined his offer.

During the report of my return, I had already learned where my parents currently lived. I had wanted to go immediately, but I prioritized this event. However, I couldn’t put it off any longer.

After the lengthy lunch ended, I finally set off towards the place where my parents were waiting.

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