We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Rite of Baptism
“Um, Priscilla, you’ll be the mother. Mei will be the child.”
“Y-yes!”
“What role will Nyanko play, nyah?”
“Nimia, you’ll be the father.”
“Unya… oh…”
“Uwaa, can I join?”
“Me too, Ream!”
“Fio and Ream, you’ll be the friends.”
Mei was still a little nervous. Priscilla, however, paid no mind and started doing what she always did.
Well, I suppose it’s good she didn’t suggest a game of tag.
The young girl group had begun playing house in the center of the flower garden.
It was quite a situation when Mei woke up.
First, when I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by unfamiliar humans, the prayer master Jaballayan, and the pharmacist Fusion, who were important figures among the beast race. Mei was confused.
Apparently, Mei is shy around strangers.
More than being bewildered, she seemed scared of being exposed to people’s gazes and hid under the blankets, refusing to come out.
“Shouldn’t we invite Mei’s family already?”
Following my suggestion, Folganne immediately sent a messenger to the sheep-folk settlement.
Then, Mei’s parents and the sheep-folk arrived at the Ruined Capital.
However, what awaited them there was not a meeting with Mei, but a scolding from the Miko.
“How could you be so indifferent when your precious child is in danger?”
Kiiri, Inea, and Ruiseine spoke with serious expressions, thoroughly scolding the sheep-folk adults who were many years their senior.
Ristea and I were also surprised by this.
It was unlike the typically serene Miko to show such anger.
I sometimes feel that I let Priscilla do dangerous things. However, I’ve never been scolded about it.
Perhaps they trust me and consider it acceptable to a certain extent?
But this incident made it clear how much the Miko cherished the young children.
I quietly resolved that from now on, I wouldn’t let Priscilla do anything too dangerous.
After the Miko’s stern lecture, her parents were finally able to reunite with Mei.
Seeing the family cry with joy, I couldn’t help but shed tears myself.
Although Mei began to calm down after meeting her parents, she still showed wariness and shyness towards Folganne of the lion species and us humans, refusing to approach us.
Just as we were wondering what to do, an angel-like devil appeared, ready to shatter the situation without question.
That’s right, it was Priscilla!
Priscilla took Mei’s hand, who was refusing to come out of her room, and forcibly dragged her outside.
“You know, it’s really nice outside. Let’s play?”
Priscilla and Mei. When the two stood side-by-side, Priscilla looked a little like the older sister.
Well, Priscilla looks about five years old, but her actual age is nine, so she is clearly older, no doubt about it.
At first, Mei was hesitant with Priscilla’s forceful approach, but she seemed less wary of Priscilla, who was closer to her age, and quickly grabbed her hand, refusing to let go.
Then, Nimia made a follow-up move.
Mei’s eyes sparkled with delight when she saw Nimia, the flying, talking Fake Nyanko.
With this, it was only a matter of time before Fiorina and Ream joined them.
And so, the young girl group, oblivious to our worries, was happily playing in the flower garden.
“Mix me, mix me!”
It seems Ares-chan is joining as well.
Ares-chan appeared, clutching a sweet potato, and joined the young girl group.
You were still hiding sweet potatoes!
“Fufufu. What a mysterious combination. Mimicho race, beast race, dragon race, and a spirit.”
“Yeah, true. But isn’t this usual?”
“In Elnea-kun’s case, it’s usually just Mei-chan of the beast race and Mistral of the dragon race switching places. Considering that demons and magic beasts get added to the mix, it’s indeed as usual, isn’t it?”
We were chatting under the shade of a tree, and Ruiseine. Beside us, Ristea, Kiiri, and Inea were rolling their eyes.
“….Whether you’re amazing, or that Miko child is amazing, is another story. From our perspective as ordinary people, this is an astonishing situation.”
“Ristea, who are you calling ordinary?”
“Everyone except you guys!”
What a harsh remark.
The Hero, who is incredibly popular among humans, calls themselves ordinary, implying we are some other kind of beings?
“Putting Ristea’s comment aside. It is indeed a strange sight to see them playing so amicably across different races.”
“Can Priscilla-chan understand the language of that tiny dragon?”
Ah, I see. From Inea and the others’ perspective, it must seem even more mysterious that they can communicate with a dragon race that doesn’t speak human language.
“Priscilla-chan can also understand the language of dragons, just like us. Ares-chan is a spirit, so she can understand inherently. As for Mei…”
Speaking of which, Gawon said that Mei can also hear the voices of the forest. However, judging by the way they were playing house, she doesn’t seem to understand Fiorina and Ream’s words. It seems they are communicating through gestures.
Still, they are able to play happily because they are a group of young children having fun.
Perhaps Mei can only hear the voices of the forest trees and small animals?
As she grows, she may be able to hear the voices of more beings. If so, she might eventually be able to converse with dragons.
“Hey. Lily, let me join too!”
Just then, the black dragon Lily flew over.
Lily is also still a child, but her body size is more than twice that of an ordinary dragon.
Startled by Lily’s sudden arrival, Mei began to cry in fear.
“Lily, you shouldn’t make her cry, you know?”
Then, Priscilla, shielding Mei with her back, put her hands on her hips and scolded Lily.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to -”
It seems Lily is also no match for Priscilla.
Fearsome, the beast tamer Priscilla.
“It’s okay, nyah. Nimia is actually big, nyah.”
The Fake Nyanko, who had been playing happily until just now, also grew to a giant size, surprising Mei.
However, perhaps because she had first seen its small and cute form, Mei didn’t seem to feel fear towards the grown Nimia.
“Um, well then, let’s go for a walk in the sky.”
Priscilla took Mei’s hand and climbed onto Nimia’s back.
That’s impressive. She didn’t use Spatial Jump.
It can be quite troublesome to use on someone not used to it.
Putting aside their game of house, the young girl group soared into the sky.
At first, Mei only screamed, but her cries gradually turned into sounds of joy.
It seems that our worries and those of the beast race adults were misplaced.
While a bit forceful, if we leave it to Priscilla, I feel that Mei will naturally open up.
“I believe that even if our races are different, we can form friendships if we communicate properly.”
“Yes. After all, the world was created by the Goddess of Creation, wasn’t it? If so, I don’t think she would create us with relationships of conflict. That’s why I think we can understand each other, whether we are dragons or demons.”
“That’s true, but there are many demons and divine beings who won’t listen to the language of humans, aren’t there?”
“But conversely, there are those who try to understand, even if they are a minority, right? The important thing is not to jump to conclusions based on prejudice, categorizing everything, but the willingness to try and understand.”
“…I never thought I’d be lectured by Elnea someday.”
“It has a certain persuasive power, coming from Elnea-kun, who is on familiar terms with the Demon Lord.”
“Ruiseine, what terrible things are you saying? If you keep saying ‘Demon Lord, Demon Lord,’ I’m afraid he might show up anywhere.”
I couldn’t help but glance around.
Good. No miasma was generated in the surroundings.
As I looked around, I noticed that not only us, but also the people of the sheep-folk were watching the young girl group from a distance.
“Nice! I want to fly in the sky too.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Even if you want to fly, would you really get to ride on the back of a dragon?”
“What a terrifying thought…”
From the perspective of the beast race, dragons are a superior species that preys on them. Of course, it’s natural to be scared.
But, as I mentioned earlier, I believe that even they can become friends if they don’t neglect their efforts to understand each other.
As a matter of fact, Mei had already become friends with not only Nimia, Fiorina, and Ream, but also Lily.
“You know? Next, we’ll ride on Lily’s back. Let’s ask Fio and Ream to help us move.”
“Yes!”
High in the sky, Priscilla and Mei transferred from Nimia’s back to Lily’s. Priscilla rode on Fiorina’s back, and Mei clung to Ream’s back, moving without touching the ground.
And then, another walk in the sky.
It’s truly a wondrous sight.
The young girls playing together across their races looks like an ordinary scene.
Old Man Sleigsta said that we are insignificant beings in the grand scheme of the world.
If the Goddess, who created the vast continent and oceans and brought forth countless lives, were to see this inter-species interaction, would she be pleased?
Or perhaps, she would lament the current state of conflict among the races?
After all, since she created them, she must hold affection for all of them.
Ruiseine and the others were genuinely angry about Mei, even though she wasn’t their child.
For women, for mothers, children are precious treasures. Sometimes, they even dote on their children more than their husbands…
I know the love my mother showers on me. I know Asher’s doting on Nimia. I saw many women and mothers in the ruined capital, ravaged by demons, who looked after children that weren’t their own.
Ah, I see. I realize now.
Mothers pour boundless love into their children.
“Hey, Ristea. Everyone.”
Everyone looked at me.
“I may have found the Full Moon Flower.”
Mei’s chieftain investiture ceremony was to be held as planned on the night of the full moon.
In the center of the pond, illuminated by moonlight, a stage for the rite of baptism was prepared.
Deep within the ruined temple, there was a garden where the full moon could be seen, and a square pond filled with transparent water up to ankle-height.
“It’s just like the Miko’s rite of baptism.”
“Maybe Jaballayan incorporated it since he’s a Miko.”
“It reminds me of the old days.”
We watched the ceremony from around the pond.
Folganne and Gawon. Not only them, but also important figures from the sheep-folk and beast races were invited and surrounded the pond.
And in the center of the pond, the ceremony began on the stage.
Jaballayan, instead of a congratulatory address, cheerfully recited the customs and traditions of the beast race.
Holding a staff resembling a crescent moon with both hands, he raised it towards the full moon in the sky.
After reciting in a slow tone, Mei opened her mouth next.
Mei knelt before Jaballayan with both knees, clasped her hands in front of her chest in a prayerful pose. In that state, Mei earnestly recited the same words as Jaballayan.
The beast race passes down important things to the next generation through oral tradition. It is the one who bears this responsibility who is the chieftain.
Before the ceremony, Mei, who was earnestly trying to memorize the words, was adorable.
Midway, Mei stumbled over her words a few times.
It couldn’t be helped. Mei is still young, and she had too little time to memorize. And above all, there were too many rules and regulations to recite.
With a slightly troubled look, Mei looked up at Jaballayan.
Jaballayan offered a compassionate smile and told her the parts she forgot.
With that, Mei remembered the next words and earnestly recited them.
“Go, go.”
Only Mei’s small voice echoed in the plaza with the pond.
Not only us around, but even the night birds and insects held their breath and gently watched over her.
The full moon, reflected on the surface of the pond, trembled faintly.
A wind that had begun to lose its chill began to flow softly, as if carrying Mei’s words into the night sky.
After finishing the long recitation, Jaballayan placed one hand on Mei’s head.
“Mei of the sheep race. From this moment on, you shall be the chieftain of the beast race. Love and guide the beast race at all times.”
“Y-yes!”
My voice cracked with tension.
Fufu, gentle smiles rippled through the crowd.
Mei, her face flushed red, stood up with a cute movement.
Even standing, she was much smaller than the stooped Jaballayan.
Mei received the crescent moon staff from Jaballayan.
Jaballayan supported her wobbling body, which was unsteady with the weight of the staff.
“Mei… will do her best!”
Actually, there was supposed to be a speech about how she would lead the beast race and her future guidance here.
But, it’s Mei. She’s a small child.
Mei’s declaration was met with a burst of laughter from the audience.
Is a rite of baptism supposed to be like this?
I had expected something more solemn, something that felt sacrilegious to disturb.
“Everyone. Mei is still young. If you do not support her properly, she will falter easily when holding this staff, just as she did. It is everyone’s role to support her firmly from both sides. And as the children of the human race, thank you for being her guardians. We are grateful. Please guide Mei onto the righteous path.”
Supported and petted on the head, Mei wore a strange smile, half from the joy of being able to complete the recitation, and half from the embarrassment of being watched by everyone.
“Yes, if there’s anything we can do…”
Ristea’s reply was drowned out by the roars of Folganne and Gawon.
Following them, the people gathered around the pond also roared. Not only the fierce species, but even the herbivores raised their voices to the fullest.
Ah, I see. This is not the Miko’s rite of baptism, but a beast race ritual. Rather than solemn, this kind of wild atmosphere suits it better.
The roars of the beast race spread beyond the pond plaza and throughout the Ruined Capital.
In various places, many beast race members roared in the same way, celebrating Mei’s chieftain investiture.
Tonight, beast race members gathered from all over the Northern Land have entered the Ruined Capital. All of them roared, acknowledging their chieftain.
Sharpening my ears, I could hear insects and birds singing songs of joy as well.
From silence, the full moon night abruptly became noisy.
Let’s overlook the momentary incident where Lily imitated a terrifying roar and briefly drowned out the beast race’s cheers.
