We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
My Destiny
“Ehh?”
Luiseine and I let out a cry at the same time. But our reactions were different.
Luiseine’s was a simple “What do you mean?”, while mine was a cry of astonishment as I realized a certain fact.
Mistral then asked Luiseine if she could see dragon energy. I didn’t understand what she meant for a moment, but I quickly realized it wasn’t normal.
When I meditate, I can feel the dragon veins close by, and I can recognize the dragon energy circulating within my body. While my eyes are closed, it appears like a great river, and I can perceive it as a pseudo-visual. However, when I open my eyes, even though I can continue to feel its distinct presence, it’s not something I can see. And Luiseine said she could see it.
“Um, is it normally not visible…?”
Luiseine asked hesitantly, and I nodded.
“I can’t see it. I can only feel it.”
“Then, what does it mean to be able to see it?”
Luiseine and I looked at Mistral, perplexed. Mistral was still looking at Luiseine, surprised.
“M-Mistral, are you alright?”
When I nudged Mistral, she finally snapped back to attention and firmly grabbed my shoulder.
“Elnea. You must not let Luiseine go. Make her your wife, no matter what. I permit it.”
“Ehhhh?!”
Luiseine and I screamed at Mistral, who suddenly said something so outrageous.
Priscilla-chan was startled and sat up, and the chariot’s patrol soldier peeked inside the canopy, wondering what was happening.
“Ah, I’m sorry. We’re in the middle of a complicated conversation.”
Mistral pushed back the peering patrol soldier and returned. Priscilla-chan quickly fell asleep again.
“Mist, what are you suddenly saying?”
“That’s right. You can’t say such a thing without confirming Luiseine’s feelings.”
Luiseine and I, our faces flushed red, flustered about.
“Listen, Elnea. Listen carefully. And Luiseine, understand your position.”
However, only Mistral had a solemn expression as she pulled us closer. Then, pointing to Luiseine’s eyes, she said,
“Luiseine’s eyes are Dragon Eyes.”
“Dragon Eyes?”
Both I and Luiseine tilted our heads at the unfamiliar term.
“Yes, Dragon Eyes. As Luiseine said, they are very special eyes that can perceive dragon energy.”
“I agree that being able to see dragon energy is special, but is that something that would surprise you, Mist?”
“Fufufu, it’s more than just surprising. Dragon Eyes are legendary eyes. They are even rarer than my Dragon Princesses.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
“And Dragon Eyes are said to be natural enemies to dragonkin and dragons. Of course, that includes you too, Elnea, who uses dragon energy.”
“Eh?”
Dragon Eyes are natural enemies to dragons and dragonkin? Just for being able to see dragon energy?
Mistral seemed to notice my question and continued her explanation.
“For now, they can only see. But if they gain more power, they will be able to understand enemy intent just by seeing their dragon energy.”
“So, in other words, they can predict our moves?”
“Yes, because they can read our movements, our actions become completely sealed. Especially for dragons and myself, we use dragon energy unconsciously, and when that happens, we’re completely defenseless. Everything is seen through.”
“But, as expected, just being able to see and predict moves wouldn’t be that much of a threat, would it?”
Even if our movements are read, what’s the point against overwhelming destructive power or high-speed movement comparable to teleportation?
“Ah, I’m sorry. My explanation was insufficient.”
Saying that, Mistral returned to the beginning of her explanation.
“This time, it’s Luiseine, a human, who obtained Dragon Eyes. However, Dragon Eyes can potentially appear in anyone. Not just humans, but also in dragonkin, dragons, ear-long races, divine races, and even demons. That is, if Dragon Eyes appear in demons or divine races, they would become our natural enemies by combining with their race’s specific powerful abilities.”
I see. So if they appeared in divine or demon races, which already possess extraordinary power, and they could predict movements, they would become unstoppable.
“Is that so? Then, my Dragon Eyes won’t be a threat to you, Mist? That’s a relief.”
Luiseine breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well, for now, they are not a direct threat to me or the dragons. But for other dragonkin, they are already a threat.”
“Eh?”
“Think about it. Luiseine is a Battle Priestess. I saw your fight earlier, and you are undeniably skilled. As one of the dragonkin, I cannot overlook someone who could be a threat to our race.”
“However, I have no intention of antagonizing you, Mist, or the dragonkin.”
“Not now, perhaps. But what if humans and dragonkin were to go to war? You are a Battle Priestess. You would undoubtedly fight us without hesitation to protect your believers, wouldn’t you?”
“Ugh,” Luiseine and I were speechless. I wanted to say that humans and dragonkin would never fight, but the incident with the fake dragonkin had just happened. If something like this incident were to escalate into a conflict between races… Luiseine seemed to think the same thing, her expression darkening as she looked down.
“For that reason, Elnea, you must keep a firm hold on Luiseine.”
“Eeeeeeeeeeekkk!”
Again, Luiseine’s and my screams overlapped. This time, Priscilla-chan didn’t wake up, and the patrol soldier didn’t peek in.
How did it come to this? Last night, I accidentally saw Luiseine in her underwear due to an unforeseen accident, and she told me I had to take responsibility. Now, Mistral is strongly telling me not to let her go and to make her my wife. Am I imagining things, or are marriage proposals progressing outside of my intentions? Luiseine is a beautiful woman, and being told to marry her or take responsibility makes me happy, but… I feel conflicted.
“W-what would happen if I refused to marry Elnea-kun?”
“Th-that’s right. Luiseine also has the right to choose her partner.”
“Rejected.”
“Eeeeeeek!”
“It’s only fair, isn’t it? You saw her underwear yesterday; you want her to take responsibility too, don’t you?”
“Well, that, um…”
Luiseine, her face flushed red, mumbled hesitantly.
“Elnea, you must also make a sincere effort to make Luiseine fall in love with you. If you let her escape, I will break off my engagement with you. And Luiseine…”
As she said that, Mistral tapped her jet-black one-handed club.
“Hii!”
Th-that’s too terrifying. Not only breaking off my engagement with Mistral, but she’s also threatening Luiseine’s life?
“I-I’m okay with my engagement being broken off, but you shouldn’t threaten the life of the priestess, Luiseine.”
“Hm? You’re okay with your engagement being broken off?”
“N-no, no, no. I absolutely refuse to have the engagement broken off. But threatening Priestess Luiseine’s life is a bit…”
“You don’t understand, Elnea. Dragon Eyes are that much of a threat to us. It’s acceptable if they are within our sight. If that’s not possible, then so be it.”
Mistral was smiling, but it wasn’t cute at all. It was terrifying.
“Um, Elnea-kun. Please take responsibility for various things, okay?”
“Guf”
Seeing Luiseine looking embarrassed, I also blushed beet red.
“By the way, Mistral, aren’t you jealous that you might be getting another wife?”
“Fufufu. Make sure you fall in love with me so much that I get jealous.”
“Gaf”
Being told such embarrassing things so casually, I was blushing neck-deep. I was too embarrassed to look at either Mistral or Luiseine.
The carriage ran smoothly, and after dusk, we arrived at an area lined with inns and restaurants. That said, we had only boarded the carriage before evening, so we hadn’t covered much distance. The kind patrol soldier offered to provide a carriage again tomorrow, which delighted us. It seemed we could reach Vice Capital as planned, and we wouldn’t have to walk. I had been worried about how things would turn out from last night until the daytime today, but it seems things are looking up. Yes, at least for the journey.
However, in the afternoon, I found myself facing a new problem. A problem that could change my life. Not only Mistral, but Luiseine too might become my wife. While this is a happy prospect, I can’t honestly rejoice. After all, I now have to make Mistral and Luiseine fall in love with me from the bottom of their hearts. How does one make women fall in love? For me, who has never dated a woman, it’s an insurmountable challenge. How did Listea make Keiri and the others fall in love? I’ll have to ask Listea herself sometime.
However, my worries were unknown to the ladies, and they were getting along well since the commotion in the carriage. Well, I can’t fathom what feelings the ladies have right now either.
Having disembarked from the carriage, we decided to look for an inn to stay in for the night, regardless of our inner turmoil. This time, unlike yesterday, we were able to find an inn easily. However, there were two rooms for two people, each with a large bed. In other words, rooms for lovers or married couples. What should we do?
The initial plan was for Mistral, Luiseine, and Priscilla-chan to share one of the two-person rooms. But the innkeeper pointed out that even for a child, the bed wasn’t wide enough for three people to sleep comfortably. Just as we were considering looking for another inn, another guest, who said no other inns were available, entered the inn we were surveying. We hastily signed the contract for accommodation, but now we were in a predicament.
We gathered in one of the rented rooms and began a room assignment meeting.
“Wouldn’t it be fine if I shared a room with Elnea? If he were to be attacked, I’m stronger than him.”
Yes, that’s true, but it’s sad. I’m being considered a potential victim, and I’ve been clearly told I’m weaker than Mistral.
“Oh my, oh my, Mist. That won’t do. Even though we’re moving towards an engagement, it’s not appropriate for an unmarried man and woman to be in the same room alone.”
“Even so, besides Elnea, everyone else is a woman, and we three women cannot sleep together.”
“Well then. I am a priestess.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t understand what you mean as a dragonkin.”
“There are no disrespectful people among humans who would attack a priestess. Elnea-kun is also like that. Therefore, I will share a room with Elnea-kun.”
“Rejected. You were hesitant to share a room with everyone yesterday, weren’t you?”
“Ugh, that’s because…”
“Um, I’m happy with anyone.”
The two women glared at me as I smiled. What? Why are you glaring at me?
“Elnea, you stay quiet.”
“I’m sorry, Elnea-kun. But, a battle between women has already begun, you see.”
What do you mean by battle? And I don’t have a choice, do I?
As I was feeling dejected, Priscilla-chan hugged me.
“Umm, Priscilla will sleep with big brother.”
No one could win against Priscilla-chan, who was smiling broadly.
“I-it can’t be helped. I’ll yield to Priscilla tonight.”
“Oh my, oh my, there’s a surprise contender here.”
Mistral and Luiseine gave a wry smile at Priscilla-chan. It seems I’ve decided to sleep with Priscilla-chan tonight.
