We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Whose hunting grounds are where.
The journey south with the beast race, including the lion species Folganne, proceeded smoothly.
Some of the beast race were herbivorous, and my worry that they might not be physically capable seemed unfounded. In fact, they possessed more stamina than the ferocious beast types and seemed to be enjoying the journey the most with their abundant curiosity.
We crossed the plains of Iskui, navigated through the deep forests of Urangalan, and finally arrived at the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
“Are you sure there won’t be any dragon attacks?”
“Don’t worry. Even if a bad dragon comes, I think we can handle it.”
“Where does all that confidence of yours come from?”
“Uhmmm… I just have a feeling?”
With Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye, we can do early detection, and I believe we can handle normal dragons through negotiation or some other means. To be sure, where does that conviction come from? Is it because I’ve lived on Dragon Peak? Is it because I’m on good terms with dragons? There are likely various factors, but I don’t even know myself what specifically forms the basis of my confidence. Since I don’t know, I don’t know how to explain it either.
Seeing me laugh lightly, “Hahaha,” Folganne and the other beast folk’s faces stiffened.
“Well, I understand Folganne’s anxiety. Even I wouldn’t dare to cross the Wyvern Hunting Ground without Elnea. But as long as we’re with him, we’ll be fine.”
“Ristea, should I take that as a compliment?”
“Why?”
“When I hear Ristea speak, it sounds like I’m an unknown, mysterious person, but someone who should be trusted, somehow.”
“It’s all in your head.”
“Is it really?”
Ristea, who averted her gaze with a “fuff,” seemed to be holding back laughter.
“You know what? How about Elnea just takes over the Wyvern Hunting Ground?”
“That’s right. If we do that, both humans and beast folk will be able to travel safely to and from the Wyvern Hunting Ground.”
At Inea and Kiiri’s words, I looked out at the vast plains spreading before us. The trees were sparse, and gently undulating, lush green grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see. In the distance, herds of herbivores grazed, their heads held high, looking at us with apparent interest. But suddenly, they began to flee with shrill cries. I watched as a carnivorous beast leaped from the shadows of the grass, pursuing them.
“If the Wyvern Hunting Ground were safe, humans would surely prosper even more than they do now.”
“I imagine so. How much benefit would it bring if we could develop the Wyvern Hunting Ground, which we’ve been unable to touch until now?”
“Then what would happen to the dragons and animals that have lost their hunting grounds?”
My question caused Ristea and the others to tilt their heads in puzzlement.
“You might be thinking a bit too grandly. Even if we develop it, it won’t be all of this vast grassland. The lands where wyverns hunt and the environments where animals live will remain.”
“Besides, if Elnea could just negotiate with the dragons, wouldn’t it be possible to divide it properly?”
“Or, if you could persuade them not to attack people, it would be safe.”
Ristea and the others might have said it casually, but I, having lived on Dragon Peak for a year and interacted with various races, understood that it was an impossible task. And so did Ruiseine.
“Please wait. While you say it easily, it’s not realistic. Animals living in nature require much more land than we think. On Dragon Peak, I saw many animals that migrate east and west with the seasons across that dangerous terrain. Furthermore, even if the dragons were to obey Elnea’s persuasion, what would happen in the future when Elnea grows old and passes away? I believe the dragons would gladly follow Elnea’s words. However, what will you do after Elnea is gone? Will someone properly inherit Elnea’s will?”
Looking only at the present, humans could indeed prosper as Ristea and the others imagined. But as Ruiseine said, what would happen if I disappeared from the human world? Animals whose living spaces would be taken away. Dragons who would lose their hunting grounds. In reality, only humans would benefit, and others would suffer.
Animals might have to accept losing their land due to the law of the jungle, albeit inevitably. Then, how would the dragons, who stand at the apex of the food chain, act in a future where my relationship with them ceases to exist? There would surely be dragons who continue to keep their promises to me. However, there would also be those who wouldn’t. Even now, there are dragons who are not part of the Dragon Peak Alliance. I cannot manage all of those dragons. And such dragons would surely attack humans who have expanded their range into the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
It is precisely because it is currently dangerous and people avoid the Wyvern Hunting Ground that damage to humans and beast folk is minimal. But if word spread that it was “approved by me,” and people casually started venturing into the Wyvern Hunting Ground, wouldn’t a great disaster be imminent?
Ristea and the beast folk grumbled, “Mumumu,” at my and Ruiseine’s words.
“So, does that mean we can’t use the Wyvern Hunting Ground if we want to foster friendly relations with the beast folk?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t be of help.”
“No, hearing your thoughts allowed me to think seriously. Until now, I seem to have taken it too lightly, thinking that if I just relied on you with the dragons, things would work out.”
“Then, although it’s a detour, we must pioneer the eastern road.”
At Folganne’s words, everyone’s gaze turned east.
“If we go as far as the sub-capital, the Wyvern Hunting Ground stops, right?”
“Ah. However, from around there, it becomes a deep mountainous region.”
“In the eastern mountainous region, there is a leopard tribe.”
“Yes. I’ll leave the terrain around there to us.”
A woman of the leopard species among the envoys proudly showed her presence.
“It’ll be a roundabout way, but there’s no other choice.”
“If humans and beast folk cooperate, a wonderful road will surely be created.”
While discussing such future possibilities, we continued our southward journey. I had expected some interference from dragons this time, but contrary to expectations, no group of dragons appeared. Occasionally, wyverns circled overhead, but it was no more than a greeting, and they didn’t cause any major commotion. Did they hold back? Well, we made enough of a fuss on the way here.
Then, about four days after entering the Wyvern Hunting Ground, on the afternoon of the day before we were expected to arrive back at the capital. From the south came a running earth dragon. The first to notice was, as expected, Ruiseine, the Dragon Eye holder.
“Elnea, we have guests.”
“Huh? For me?”
As I peered to the south wondering who it could be, I noticed a familiar earth dragon and three figures riding on its back.
“Duranel, Creacio, hello!”
Duranel, running with a thud, had an impressive presence, as expected. Even as a young dragon, he was far more imposing than any nearby carnivorous beast. The beast folk who saw Duranel for the first time took a few steps back in surprise.
“Hey, you! Deal with this idiot!”
“Hey! What’s with greeting me last?”
Our guests from the south were Duranel, Creacio, and Slaton riding on his back.
“Elnea is truly awful, isn’t he?”
“Hey, Elnea! Deal with this demon fellow!”
“A… demon!?”
So, he is my guest… And one more person. Folganne and the others immediately entered a combat stance towards the young man with a noble appearance, who shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
“Ah, everyone, it’s alright. Ruilala is also my friend.”
“Sniffle, you won’t call me family.”
“People who would attack if you showed them their backs aren’t family!”
“You’re even making friends with a demon.”
“Speaking of which, that giant jet-black dragon was saying something about His Majesty the Demon Lord.”
“I see…”
While wary of Ruilala, the beast folk relaxed their combat readiness. That was a relief. Ruilala tends to eagerly involve herself in any hostility directed towards her. But why is Ruilala here too…
“Hey, hey. What’s with the beast folk behind you?”
Duranel, who had arrived before us, dismounted along with the three on his back. Creacio joyfully reunited with Ruiseine and the others.
“No, before that, we have questions for you…”
“Slaton… Creacio did that to you?”
Slaton, who jumped down from Duranel, had a red, swollen face and numerous scratches. Looking closely, there were claw marks on his arms and neck…
“You’ve finally returned.”
“You were too late and got punished by Creacio, weren’t you?”
“Also, he destroyed a village to the east.”
“Hey, wait a minute! The destruction of that village was your fault!”
“Hahaha. If I hadn’t saved you then, I think you would have lost.”
“Kts…”
Did something happen on the way back? Anyway, I’m glad Ruilala and Slaton are getting along. And Creacio, good for you too.
“How incredibly stupid can this guy be? Do something about it.”
Duranel muttered in exasperation, watching Slaton bicker with Ruilala.
“…You seem to be having a hard time. But keep at it. Slaton isn’t a bad guy. I’m sure once you can communicate effectively, you’ll become the best partners.”
“Who knows how many decades that will take…”
Duranel seems to be having a lot of trouble. Slaton is making an effort too, but it’s inevitable that there’s a gap. Duranel can understand human speech, so he probably understands Slaton’s thoughts. He’s simple, after all. But since Slaton doesn’t have a Dragon Heart, I don’t think he can quite grasp Duranel’s emotions. It’s a bad analogy, but it’s like owning a dog or cat. Dogs and cats also act having understood human intentions well, but humans can’t understand their language, so some people treat them incorrectly. Slaton might be in that situation now. However, at the bottom of Slaton’s heart, there is a desire to care for the other party. Therefore, Duranel is also making an effort to bridge the gap, rather than arguing.
“Good luck!”
Duranel nodded with a sigh at my encouragement.
“So, why did you guys come north through the Wyvern Hunting Ground?”
“Ah, that. We came to investigate the state of your pre-nuptial trip.”
“Did Priscilla and the others return safely?”
“Those brats? Ah. We heard they would be returning soon and came to check.”
“I see.”
Perhaps Mistral and Cerise-chan didn’t come because they see the return journey itself as a trial.
“But I never expected a bonus.”
Slaton looked at the beast folk with interest.
“Didn’t Priscilla and them tell you about that?”
“Elnea, do you think small children can explain things effectively?”
“That’s true. But wasn’t Lily with them?”
“She was playing with His Majesty.”
“…The Giant Demon Lord is here, I see.”
I suddenly remembered I had something to do…
Just as I tried to escape, Ristea grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.
“I’m not letting you go. You deal with it.”
“No way, no way! I can handle dragons, but I can’t handle the Demon Lord!”
What kind of evaluation do I have from those around me? That I can make all dragons obey, or that I can face the Demon Lord. Realistically, that’s impossible, right?
“Hmm. Beast folk, how unusual. The lion species there has quite a remarkable fighting spirit. How about it, shall we spar?”
“No, no, sparring is forbidden! And Folganne isn’t a swordsman.”
“What a shame…”
Our smooth journey home became noisy just as it was nearing its end. After expressing our joy at reuniting, and after Slaton and the beast folk finished their greetings, we resumed our journey. It seems Slaton and the others will accompany us to the capital.
Then, the next day, in the early afternoon. Beyond the grasslands swaying in the wind, a large number of figures came into view. They were clergy members, protected by the kingdom’s army under Lord Rudoriado.
“Welcome back.”
“We have returned.”
Waiting at the center were Yashura, the Head Miko of the Great Shrine of the Armēdo Kingdom, and Madrine, the Head Miko of the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Wondering why Madrine was here, we, the entourage, bowed deeply. Lord Rudoriado and the beast folk stood aside, watching us. We probably all had things we wanted to talk about and ask, but they prioritized us, who had returned from a trial.
“Your return means you have found the answer to the trial.”
Yashura looked at me and Ristea, then made eye contact with Kiiri, Inea, and Ruiseine beside us.
“Yes. We found the Full Moon Flower.”
“Then, let us see it.”
Following Yashura’s words, we each took out a flower from our belongings. Mine was yellow. Ristea’s was white. Ruiseine and the others also took out different flowers.
“Impossible! Isn’t that just a common rapeseed flower!?”
The High Priest, looking at the yellow flower in my palm, was bewildered. Several soldiers and high-ranking miko who saw the different flowers also stared at us with confused expressions.
“This is the Full Moon Flower, favored by the Goddess.”
However, we declared so with confidence.
