We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
An outing for everyone.
Today, we all decided to go to the Moss Garden.
It feels like it’s been a really long time since we’ve all gone out together. After all, one of the women is always at my family home doing something or another.
They won’t tell me what they’re doing, even when I ask. They say it’s a surprise for later, and even Laira won’t spill the beans.
What in the world are they up to?
Well, I suppose I have my own secrets that I can’t really talk about.
Regardless, we entered the Dragon Forest before the eastern sun had set low, and with light steps, we arrived at the Moss Garden.
Levia and Fiorina and Rim had already arrived at the Moss Garden.
Fiorina and Rim often play with Priscilla-chan and the others during the day, but they always return to Levia as the sun sets.
Fiorina and Rim, flitting back and forth between the Dragon Forest and my family home, flying at low altitudes over the capital city, have become a familiar sight in the early morning and evening.
“What are we going to do today?”
“Play tag?”
Fiorina and Rim, who had spotted us the moment we appeared at the Moss Garden, pounced on us. While playfully fending them off, we exchanged greetings with the dragons residing at the Moss Garden.
“Grandpa, Asher, and Levia too. Good morning.”
“Mhm, welcome.”
“Hmph. As energetic as ever in the morning.”
“Am I just an afterthought?”
“You’re not an afterthought. More importantly, Levia, you seem quite accustomed to them now.”
“Accustomed to what?”
“You were scared of Grandpa and Asher at first!”
“Elnea, stay still. I’m going to eat you whole, starting with your head.”
“Uwah, help! Grandpa, a bad dragon is trying to spill blood in the Moss Garden!”
“If I eat it whole, the blood won’t fall on the moss.”
“Grrr. Asher is saying terrifying things!”
“Um, play tag?”
Hey, why is it so noisy right from the morning?
You all need a bit more calmness!
“The root of the problem is Elnea, nyah.”
“Grrr…”
As I was dodging Levia’s terrifying jaws, Priscilla-chan suddenly leaped and hugged me using Spatial Jump.
“Um, you see. I want to play tag somewhere else. Priscilla wants to see Mei.”
“I see. You haven’t seen her since she returned from the Northern Land.”
“That’s right. We want to visit the Northern Land too.”
“That’s right. We want to meet the Beastfolk of the Northern Land too.”
Yufilia and Nina hugged me.
Priscilla-chan was around my lower body, and to my left, Fiorina’s chest pressed in, while to my right, Nina’s chest bore down.
“Y-yes. That’s right. Well then, shall we all go?”
Luiseine, who was holding back Laira as she tried to jump on me, and Mistral, who was taking care of old Sleigsta, gave me cold glares as I planned today’s outing.
But is training still okay?
I think I’ve become quite capable on my own, if I do say so myself. However, there is still so much for me to learn from old Sleigsta that I sometimes wonder if I’ll never reach mastery in this lifetime.
Just the other day, I was surprised by Jiludo’s abilities.
So, I think it’s best to train as much as possible.
“There’s no need to rush your life. Playing when you can play is also a part of life’s training.”
However, old Sleigsta read my thoughts, his eyes gently narrowing.
“The Northern Land, you say. In that case, I might as well give you all a ride on my way back.”
“Nyah.”
“Eh!?”
Nimia and I were surprised by Asher’s sudden words.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Nyah, I don’t want to leave yet, nyah…”
“N-Nimia is leaving too?”
“Um, Nimia?”
Priscilla-chan’s expression immediately turned from uneasy to almost tearful. Nimia also fled into my embrace and began to tremble.
Seeing this, Asher sighed and chuckled.
“I just said it, didn’t I? Play while you can. It’s only me who’s leaving. It wouldn’t be good to be away for too long, and it would be bad for her too.”
“Father is sad, nyah.”
That’s right. When someone is away from home for a long time, those who wait become very sad.
I don’t know the scale of a couple’s quarrel between ancient dragon-blooded couples, nor how long it takes for them to bury the hatchet, but it’s about time I let them go back, poor things. Besides, Asher is currently neglecting his duties.
“I thought I could leave my beloved Nimia with you, as I trust you. But if you take her side, perhaps I should eat you instead.”
“Eek! I’m a man, you know. I can’t help but think of my husband!”
This time, I found myself being chased by Asher.
Even if you eat me, I wouldn’t be very filling!
And everyone else, please stop laughing and help me!
My collar was grabbed by Asher’s sharp, large fangs, and I was lifted up. The sight of everyone looking up at me and laughing spread out below.
“Now, if you’re going, get on my back.”
With Asher’s permission, everyone climbed onto his back.
Fiorina and Rim also climbed on as a matter of course, and Levia watched them with a look of exasperation.
They should be practicing hunting to become adults, but it felt unfair for only Fiorina and Rim to endure training while everyone else was out having fun. It couldn’t be helped.
With everyone on his back, Asher let out a majestic roar and slowly floated up.
“I’ll come play again next time.”
“It wasn’t play, it was an argument that led to you leaving home. I’m not waiting for you, you know.”
“Hmph. I’m here to take care of Grandpa. Don’t you dare bite the dust before I see you again.”
Asher and old Sleigsta bickered, but they seemed very close. Even though they sometimes snapped at each other, it was probably like playful nips.
Asher ascended to near the canopy formed by the branches and leaves of the Spirit Tree and began to move at high speed.
“Ugh!”
And then, I screamed!
Don’t tell me he’s planning to take me all the way to the Northern Land like this!?
I’m still caught in Asher’s fangs, you know!
Asher, paying no mind to me, flew beyond old Sleigsta’s barrier. He passed the Spirit Tree’s canopy, the Dragon Forest in the blink of an eye, and soared over the capital city.
Asher ascended to a position high above the clouds in an instant, and the citizens of the capital city, who fortunately witnessed his beautiful, giant form, looked up at the sky.
The Wyvern Hunting Grounds that Ristea and I traversed for days, Asher flew through them in the time it takes for a brief conversation.
Yes, a brief conversation with the people riding on his back. I was, as usual, stuck in the gap between Asher’s fangs.
As we passed over Urangala Forest, more cheerful voices drifted down from above.
When riding an ancient dragon like Asher, you’re enveloped in the protection of the wind, so you’re not affected by the violently flowing air. That’s why you can converse normally, and those voices reach you.
Levia could probably provide such protection if she wanted to, but the fact that she doesn’t shows she’s still Levia.
Urangala Forest, seen from above, was nearly as large as the Dragon Forest.
Well, I haven’t seen the entire forest, so it’s not an accurate comparison, but the deep forest stretching far to the east from the foothills of Dragon Peak is certainly vast enough for humans.
From above the clouds, it’s clear that the Northern Land is a region nestled within this vast, natural forest.
Asher flew, making slight adjustments to the direction according to my instructions. Below us, Iskui’s grasslands and the ruined capital came into view.
However, even that was just a small part of the forest. Iskui’s grasslands, the ruined capital, and the western valley were all openings in the land swallowed by the forest.
“Asher, please land without scaring the people playing over there.”
“Scaring them? How rude.”
“I’m sorry.”
The flower fields were still there.
Before the ruined capital, several Beastfolk were playing happily.
Oh, I can see them. I can see them!
Because they had Dragon Energy in their pupils, I could faintly make out the ground even from above the clouds.
Playing in the flower field was Mei, all white and fluffy. And playing with her were a boy of the wolf species and a girl of the lion species.
Hmm, a carnivore playing with an herbivore. It makes me a little worried. But they’re all Beastfolk, so it won’t be a terrifying scene, I’m sure.
Asher slowly descended.
The three on the ground were playing happily, unaware of Asher’s presence.
Asher lowered his altitude towards the ground, passing through thin clouds that were like white mist.
They still hadn’t noticed.
However, the adults had. Several adults watching from a distance were hurriedly calling the little ones back.
Asher and we continued to descend, looking down at them. And then, Asher landed gently, so gently that not even a petal scattered.
The Beastfolk adults, the wolf boy, and the lion girl were somewhat frightened, but surprisingly, Mei ran towards us energetically.
“Big sister.”
“Hello!”
Priscilla-chan leaped off Asher’s back using Spatial Jump and ran towards Mei.
The two little girls running with a waddle. It’s heartwarming to watch.
“You’re not scared by my appearance. You’ll be a big shot someday.”
“Perhaps it’s because I’m used to Nimia.”
“I see.”
Nimia had grown too, but for Mei, the difference in size between Asher and Nimia seemed to be within acceptable limits.
The little girl, overjoyed at reuniting with Asher, who was even larger than Nimia, was joined by Nimia, Fiorina, and Rim.
Mistral and the others descended slowly, so as not to agitate the Beastfolk people watching from a distance.
“Dragon Race!?”
“That giant dragon. It’s bigger than the jet-black dragon…”
“But it looks the same as the dragon that always played with Mei.”
From a distance, the Beastfolk adults were exchanging words.
With Mistral leading the way, the women approached the Beastfolk. The Beastfolk, spotting Luiseine among the group, finally seemed to understand.
“It’s you, Luiseine-sama. Welcome.”
“It’s been a while. These are all Elnea-kun’s wives.”
“Oh, his…!”
“All of them!?”
No, Luiseine-san.
Could you please not mention me right now?
The people gathered before the ruined capital turned their attention to me.
And I was still being held by Asher’s fangs by the collar of my clothes.
Ah, what a pathetic sight.
“She is Nimia-chan’s mother. She gave us a ride here.”
“Is that so? I was surprised by the difference in size.”
They were having a pleasant conversation.
The little girls were also playing happily.
The wolf boy and the lion girl watched Priscilla-chan and the others with curiosity but were too afraid to approach Asher’s immense form, which they were seeing for the first time.
“Well then, I’ll be heading back.”
“Nyah!”
Asher flapped his wings, and Nimia hastily clung to her mother.
“I’ll miss you, nyah.”
“Don’t lie. You never stayed overnight at the Moss Garden anyway, always wanting to be with Elnea and Priscilla.”
“Nyah. Feeling your presence nearby is different from you being far away, nyah.”
Nimia buried herself in Asher’s fluffy fur, lamenting their parting.
“If you miss me, come back anytime.”
“Mother, please visit again, nyah.”
Asher, while reluctant to part with his beloved daughter, soared into the sky.
Nimia transformed into her large form and ascended into the sky with her mother.
Priscilla-chan slyly took Mei’s hand and climbed onto Nimia’s back. Fiorina and Rim, as a matter of course, also jumped on.
Mother and daughter circled each other in the sky, bidding farewell once more.
And then, Nimia and the others in the sky, and Mistral and the Beastfolk on the ground, saw them off as Asher began to fly east.
…No, no, no!
I’m still caught by his fangs!
“Ah, I forgot.”
“H-how cruel.”
Asher looked at me, dangling from his mouth. Then, he opened his mouth with a *kupa*.
“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh……!”
Naturally, I began to fall towards the ground.
I’m going to die, I’m going to die!
If I hit the ground like this, I’ll be flattened!
Only winged dragon-blooded individuals can fly in the sky.
I screamed as I fell.
“Elnea, you’re such a handful, nyah.”
“Um, I’ll save you.”
“H-hello?”
The one who saved me in my desperate situation was Nimia, who had been flying with me.
Nimia skillfully caught me in her mouth as I fell through the air.
Phew, I’m saved.
Seeing me secured by Nimia, Asher instantly ascended far into the clouds. Then, he disappeared into the eastern sky in the blink of an eye.
Nimia watched the eastern sky with lingering reluctance, but once Asher disappeared from view, she descended back to her original position.
Upon landing, Nimia shrank to her small form and moved onto Priscilla-chan’s head.
Finally freed from my mother and daughter’s fangs, I swayed unsteadily and lunged into Laira’s chest.
Asher, the giant, returned, and Nimia became small again. The wolf boy and the lion girl looked eager to play with Mei and the others.
“You should go. It’s fun to play together, you know.”
Perhaps my words encouraged them, for the two of them, though hesitant, ran towards the little girls.
“Elnea-sama, it’s been a while.”
“Hello. I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”
“Not at all, you’re always welcome. However, to come by dragon is quite something.”
“It ended up being a sudden visit, so I didn’t have time to prepare any souvenirs or anything. Asher… Nimia’s mother gave me a ride on her way back to her hometown.”
“Is that so?”
The Beastfolk adults and Mistral and the others seemed to have exchanged greetings.
I also exchanged greetings and watched the children playing joyfully in the flower field.
Among the Beastfolk, there were people who seemed more interested in the beautiful dragon-blooded women, or rather, in Yufilia and Nina, who looked strikingly similar, or in Laira and Luiseine, who were vying for me, but overall, we spent our time peacefully.
We received some tea and shared the food we had brought for lunch at the Moss Garden, spending a leisurely time on the spring grasslands.
Suddenly, a horse-type Beastfolk came running from the west in a panic.
“I-it’s terrible! To the west…! A dragon has appeared in the west!”
“What!”
The Beastfolk became suddenly agitated. Several of them ran into the ruined capital.
“It’s an old dragon. It’s advancing with a fearsome aura…”
Dragon Peak, bordering the Northern Land to the west, is around the Dragon’s Mausoleum. If it descended from there, it must be a dying old dragon, no doubt.
While a dragon is a familiar existence to us, it’s only a terrifying object to the Beastfolk.
And even to us, the existence of an old dragon is a cause for slight unease.
When dragons die with deep resentment, hatred, or suffering, they can fail to pass on and become Rotten Dragons.
A dragon deliberately descending from the Dragon’s Mausoleum at this time made not only me but also Mistral look uneasy.
“Please guide me. I will confirm.”
I spoke to the horse-type Beastfolk.
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