We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A Difficult Departure
The beast race living in the Northern Land are mostly carnivorous and ferocious races like the Bear and Wolf tribes, and they are apparently very aggressive.
Even so, even if they are ferocious beastmen, they would not come southward through the Wyvern Hunting Ground where wyverns fly. Similarly, the adventurers who brought information from the Northern Land have not traversed the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
So, how did the adventurers go to the Northern Land and obtain information about the beast race?
In the first place, there are no reckless adventurers who go north through the Wyvern Hunting Ground. Those who aim for the Northern Land seem to take a long detour to around Ambis, the sub-capital, and then head north over the mountainous region of the north. Then, they enter land that has not been opened up by humans, but Listea provided information that the beast race is not very friendly.
Adventurers have entered the Northern Land before, trying to establish friendly relations with the beast race or seeking rare treasures. However, the results have not been good.
The Northern Land is inhabited by ferocious beastmen, and they fight amongst themselves. It has been over three hundred years since the Armēdo Kingdom was founded. The fact that humans only have information of that level is proof enough.
“Are your preparations thorough? Absolutely do not push yourselves. It is courage to retreat when you think it is dangerous.”
“Yes, I’ve taken Mistral’s advice to heart. I’ll definitely come back, so everyone, believe us and wait for us.”
Early in the morning on the day we set off for the trial. We had gathered in the north of the capital city.
Gathered were my family and Listea’s family. And, everyone involved with the temple.
When I told Mom and Dad that I was heading to the Northern Land to bring Ruiseine home as my bride, they were exasperated at how soon I was going. However, they didn’t worry about me to the extreme as they did when I left for Dragon Peak.
And, having completed our preparations, the time to finally depart had come.
“One last time. No one has ever overcome this trial. As you already know, the Full Moon Flower is legendary. Despite that, are you still going?”
“Yes, we’re going.”
“We know it will be a difficult journey. Nevertheless, we will go.”
“Your determination is wonderful. However, please think carefully once more if this is a trial for which you should risk your lives. And, are you resolved to go, knowing that you cannot return until you obtain the Full Moon Flower?”
Head Miko Yashura’s words strongly pierced our hearts.
If we cannot obtain the Full Moon Flower, we are not allowed to return. If we were to return without obtaining it, it would mean giving up on Ruiseine and the others.
Listea and I looked at each other and nodded firmly. Kiiri, Inea, and Ruiseine also gave their departure greetings to Yashura with serious expressions.
Yashura is a representative of the Temple Religion of the Armēdo Kingdom, and strictly treats even me and the hero Listea according to the precepts. However, her expression was exactly like that of a grandma worried about her grandchild.
“May the Goddess’s mercy and guidance be with you. All I can do is offer prayers like this. Please forgive us, who are powerless.”
“No, it is our will to go even knowing the harshness of the trial. It is not something for you to worry about, Head Miko. Please rest assured. We will overcome any hardship.”
Finally, we shook hands and departed.
Straight north.
Normal adventurers don’t go through the Wyvern Hunting Ground?
No, no, we’re not normal. We are a specially organized group, the Hero’s Entourage!
“We’re a specially organized Dragon King’s Entourage. It’s thanks to you that we can walk openly through the Wyvern Hunting Ground like this.”
“Eh, I thought we were the Hero’s Entourage!”
“Even with Elnea-kun here, don’t let your guard down. There are dragons that haven’t joined the Dragon Peak Alliance, and ferocious dragons that will attack even if they know who we are.”
“Even so, Ruiseine, you seem relaxed.”
“As expected of the Dragon King’s bride.”
Soon after leaving the capital city, we proceeded while exchanging conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
Somehow, it feels strange.
Just two years ago, the Wyvern Hunting Ground was known as the Land of Death. It was only recognized as a terrifying place where brave adventurers and soldiers challenged wyvern hunts, and many lives were lost. But now, we can walk through it as if on a stroll.
Everyone praises me, but I don’t really feel it.
I think the influence of those behind me is greater than my own achievements.
Behind me, I believe, are Sleigsta (Old Man) from the Dragon Forest, Revalia, the conqueror of Dragon Peak’s sky, Yugra, who is respected as a Count, and Mistral, a representative figure of the dragon race.
The Wyvern Hunting Ground has sparse trees and is a wasteland or grassland, offering a very clear view. For a while after departing the capital, we could see Mistral and the others watching us from their original positions.
And, a clear view on the ground means a clear view from the sky and from the distant Dragon Peaks, doesn’t it?
Wyverns hunt their prey from the sky in these ideal hunting grounds.
Even though terrifying wyverns attack frequently, the Wyvern Hunting Ground does not become devoid of animals.
Herbivores gather in herds to graze on the abundant grass, and carnivorous beasts also come to prey on them.
Watching animals like cows grazing in the distance, we head north.
The Northern Land is said to be a place rich in topography, with forests and rolling grasslands. However, in front of our eyes, plains still stretched out.
“The trial is harsh, but it’s very reassuring to have Elnea here.”
“I’m happy you say that, Listea. I never thought I’d have the chance to adventure with you.”
“Me neither. That, Elnea, who was so clumsy…”
“Uwah, don’t call me clumsy. Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll show you how amazing I am during the trial!”
“Just don’t turn the Northern Land into a wasteland, okay?”
“Waaaah, that’s so mean!”
Listea and I walked at the front, ostensibly to keep watch of our surroundings.
Behind us, Kiiri, Inea, and Ruiseine followed, chatting happily. This trio has always been stable to watch.
“Ruiseine. Listea and Elnea-kun seem like they might get closer.”
“Oh my, oh my, leaving us wives behind, just the men.”
“Whoooa. Your imagination is running wild.”
…What is the Miko imagining?
In response to Inea’s remark, not only Ruiseine and Kiiri, but Listea and I also burst into laughter.
It’s a fresh combination, but we were together at school from the beginning, so it’s easy to be around them without feeling the need to be overly cautious.
As we proceeded leisurely in an atmosphere somewhat different from facing a trial that seemed fraught with difficulty, Ruiseine issued a warning from behind.
“Elnea-kun, wyvern from Dragon Peak.”
At Ruiseine’s words, everyone tensed up.
As Ruiseine said earlier, not all dragons are friendly towards me.
There are no bushes around where we can hide. If it’s a dangerous wyvern, we might have to fight here.
“…I can’t see it.”
Listea, gazing intently at the Dragon Peaks to the west, muttered while holding her holy sword.
“And also, how come Ruiseine noticed it before Elnea-chi, the Dragon King?”
Kiiri and Inea had deployed a defensive barrier with magic.
“No, no, in these matters, no one can match Ruiseine.”
I can’t tell Listea and the others that I’m sensing the wyvern’s movements from afar with my Dragon Eye.
Oh, what a thing! Even now, I’m still keeping a secret from Listea.
After waiting cautiously for a while.
Then, in the distant sky. A dot appeared beneath the clouds.
What was initially a small dot rapidly grew larger. We could see the flapping of wings and discern its color.
It was a green wyvern.
The wyvern seemed to have recognized us from much farther away than we thought, and it came straight towards us.
A roar, like thunder, echoed in the sky.
“Hmm, it seems to recognize us as prey.”
“Does it know you’re here?”
“In my normal state, I don’t have much Dragon Energy. Dragons that haven’t seen me might not realize I’m the Dragon King.”
“Hey! Say that sooner! That means, if we’re casually walking through the Wyvern Hunting Ground, we’re just as much in danger as anyone else!”
“Ah, you noticed? Heh.”
This is not the time to be talking so cheerfully.
The green wyvern was rapidly approaching.
“W-What do we do!?”
“I’ve never fought a dragon before…”
Kiiri and Inea turned pale within the barrier. Unlike Ruiseine, they are ordinary Miko, so in a fight, they can only provide rear support.
“W-What should we do?”
Even Listea was tense.
As expected, even for a hero, dragons are a frightening opponent.
Naturally…
Unlike Listea, I stood without drawing a weapon.
In a situation where we were likely to be attacked, it could be called reckless. However, Ruiseine, who issued the warning first, was as calm as usual.
The original Hero’s Entourage showed confused expressions at our situation.
“Please, make a judgment. In this situation, you are more reliable because you are used to dragons.”
It was a rare sight to see Listea flustered.
I smiled.
Then, I pointed in a direction separate from the sky where the green wyvern was flying.
“It’s alright. The wyverns of Dragon Peak cannot win against that.”
Where I pointed, and where Ruiseine and everyone else turned, a giant crimson wyvern flew from another part of Dragon Peak.
It flew through the sky several times faster than the green wyvern, letting out a roar several times more terrifying.
The vibration of the air reached us even from far away.
The green wyvern, facing a terrifying opponent flying in from another direction, turned tail and fled before even fighting.
“How carefree.”
“Revalia, hello!”
And then, to the Tyrant Revalia, who arrived above us, I waved and greeted with a wide smile.
“Uwah, I missed you!”
“Play with us!”
From Revalia’s back, a small child fell.
No, no, let’s fly!
Fiorina and Rim, who landed with a tremor, immediately clung to me and rubbed their faces against mine.
“Ouch, ouch. Mio, your horns hurt.”
As I appeased the two playful young dragons, Revalia also landed with a rough flap of its wings.
“Flame Emperor…”
Not only Listea, but Kiiri and Inea also looked up at the landed Revalia with maximum tension.
Revalia seemed to disregard Listea and the others, and looked down at me with a look of exasperation.
To ordinary people, the embodiment of flame is Listea, who possesses the Flame Holy Sword. But to me and Ruiseine, it might now be Revalia.
Listea desperately controlled her holy sword, from which flames threatened to spill, with a strained mind.
“Hello, out for a skywalk today?”
“Today, it’s practice hunting prey.”
“Oh, that’s amazing. I saw some cow-like animals over that way earlier.”
“From the sky, I can see them better than you.”
“Haha, that’s right.”
While stroking Fiorina and Rim, I walked closer to Revalia.
Revalia bared its terrifying fangs as if to threaten me, but it doesn’t work on me and Ruiseine.
As I stroked Revalia with a smile, Ruiseine also came over and we stroked it together.
“I understand now… how far beyond common sense you two are…”
“Eh, what are you talking about?”
As I turned to refute Listea’s voice of utter exasperation, Kiiri and Inea had fainted…
And Listea was looking at us with a contorted face.
“Listea-kun, what are you saying? Elnea-kun’s lack of common sense is nothing compared to this.”
“Uwah, Ruiseine, you said something terrible!”
Betrayed by the family I trusted, I, overcome with sorrow, nuzzled Revalia and wept.
