We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
One day, in the forest.
I spent a long, quiet night.
Even though I was so sleepy I couldn’t stand it while being carried by Ruilala and moving underwater.
Once the veil of night fell, and I found myself in darkness lit only by moonlight and the fire of a bonfire, my sleepiness receded.
When I fed thin branches into the flames, the crackling sound was pleasant to my ears.
As I watched the flickering flames, I pondered various things.
First of all, how did Gillar manage to cross Dragon Peak?
Demons cannot cross Dragon Peak. The disturbance last winter was an unprecedented anomaly. Even in Old Man Sleigsta’s memories, such a large army had never crossed Dragon Peak before.
However, there seem to be a few instances of a small number of demons slipping past the Dragon People and Dragon Race’s watch.
Did Gillar also take advantage of a lapse in Dragon Peak’s surveillance to come here?
I couldn’t sense his presence until he was right upon me. Even Revalia and the magic beasts couldn’t track him.
Gillar is a high-ranking demon, aiming for the Demon Lord’s seat. He may possess such abilities.
And before Gillar abducted Graus, he said:
“I will wait in the Demon Capital.”
That didn’t mean come to the Demon Capital if you wanted to save Graus.
What Gillar implied was that we would settle the matter of who was more worthy of being the Demon Lord in the Demon Capital.
I don’t want to be the Demon Lord.
However, some demons do not understand this.
And those dangerous demons have, on their own, involved me and started the Demon Lord Succession Battle.
The reason Gillar didn’t challenge me to a fight then and there was simple.
If he fought me there and defeated me, it wouldn’t be conspicuous. If he were to fight, it would be in the Demon Capital, where there are many eyes of the demons.
By the way, the “Demon Capital” that Gillar referred to is likely not the capital of the countries ruled by the Giant Demon Lord or other Demon Lords, but the place ruled by Demon Lord Kusharilla.
However, Gillar made a miscalculation.
I am not so good-natured as to generously save Graus, who targeted my family, purely because he is also of the human race. Moreover, I want nothing to do with being the Demon Lord and have no intention of participating in the succession battle.
In other words, if I simply ignored it, I could avoid getting caught up in Gillar’s and the demons’ schemes.
“The disturbance will eventually settle down. However, no one knows how many years that will take. It would be good if someone quickly took the Demon Lord’s seat, but if not, it will likely continue for many years.”
Ruilala said this to me as if it were someone else’s problem.
It seems Ruilala himself is not interested in the Demon Lord’s seat.
That’s why it’s truly someone else’s problem.
Ruilala also said:
“If you don’t want to get involved, you should hide in the Forbidden Territory until the disturbance subsides.”
Dragon Peak might be an option, but I would have to be constantly on guard against beings like Gillar who can skillfully conceal their presence. Considering that, I understood that the Forbidden Territory, where unauthorized individuals are eliminated without question, would be better.
“So, have you reached a conclusion?”
Before I knew it, the eastern sky was beginning to brighten. The first light of the sun was reflecting on the surface of the Shū River.
“It would be safer for my family if I wasn’t around…?”
“That’s probably true. After all, even a high-ranking demon wouldn’t ordinarily think of confronting that Dragon Princess and those Dragon People. I don’t mind being stabbed or cut by Elnea-kun’s sword, but I don’t like being hit with that blunt weapon. However, if Elnea-kun is there, someone will likely try to provoke you in one way or another, just like this time. As I said last night, if you want to get through this safely, hiding is the best option.”
“Will everyone be worried?”
“Well, you see. The Tyrant is probably explaining the situation, isn’t he?”
I am being targeted by high-ranking demons, and I was abducted by Ruilala. At this point, Mistral and the others might have figured out what’s going on.
But leaving without saying anything still weighs on my mind.
“It’s up to Elnea-kun. If you want to fight the demons with your companions, I’ll take you back to your original place. If you want to hide, I’ll take you to the Forbidden Territory.”
The sun began to emerge from beyond the Shū River in the distance. The light shone from behind Ruilala’s giant form, casting his face into shadow, making it impossible to see his expression. From Ruilala’s voice, I felt no pressure to rush my decision.
“I…”
Various thoughts raced through my mind.
I don’t know what the right answer is.
Because I don’t know, I will choose the path I believe in.
“Ruilala, please take me to the Forbidden Territory.”
“That’s an easy task.”
Ruilala, who replied in a light tone, grasped me with both hands just as he did yesterday. Then, he disappeared into the water.
For several days, I traveled underwater with Ruilala.
Except when we made camp, Ruilala never surfaced, and I spent all my time in his large hands.
The water of the Shū River remained cloudy, and despite the underwater journey, the scenery was uninteresting.
During the journey down the Shū River, Ares-chan did not manifest.
Unusually, I often didn’t sense her presence near the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword.
Is she with Priscilla-chan?
Perhaps she found it boring to manifest while underwater.
Occasionally, when I woke up in the morning, I would find fruit or a small meal placed near where I had slept. The food was simply seasoned and plain, favored by the Dragon Race, and its deliciousness soothed not only my body but my heart as well.
Besides the food, there were no letters expressing concern for my well-being attached.
I didn’t need to ask to know. I believed without confirmation. That’s how it is, isn’t it?
I will proceed towards a conclusion that does not betray everyone and does not cause sorrow.
After arriving at the Forbidden Territory and thinking about everyone, I traveled for several days enveloped in Ruilala’s hands.
Before I knew it, changes began to appear in the water quality.
Transparent water had begun to mix in patches with the murky water of the Shū River. The murky and clear water separated into two layers, or sometimes mixed together agitated by the current.
Since the scenery had been unchanging until then, I was captivated by the movement of these two mysterious types of water.
“We’re about to enter the sea soon.”
Ruilala’s words made my heart leap.
I had finally reached the North Sea.
So, this transparent water must be seawater?
The waves on the surface grew larger, and the river’s current seemed to become more complex.
I could see the murky and clear water swaying and mixing.
Ruilala thoughtfully surfaced. Still held by Ruilala, I emerged from underwater.
Today is a fine day.
There were only a few faint clouds in the sky. There seemed to be no wind in the upper atmosphere, as motionless clouds dotted the sky like ink stains and stretched eastward.
To the east, as always, only the water surface and the sky were visible.
In contrast, to the west, a lush forest spread out. Even so, the land was very far away. With eyes that held dragon energy, I could tell that the distant green was a forest.
And as I looked in the direction Ruilala was swimming, I saw several streaks of white waves.
“Is that the sea?”
“Yes.”
Even so, I couldn’t quite grasp it.
After all, there was nothing to distinguish it other than the presence of waves.
My excited heart deflated with a sigh.
I didn’t feel the sense of openness or the joy of entering a new world that I had imagined.
This was all because the Shū River was too vast!
After days of descending a river so wide that I couldn’t see the opposite bank, and being surrounded by water, I had become desensitized to the sight of the sea.
Oh, dear…
I’m sure if I had crossed the northern lands on Revalia’s back and reached the sea, I would have experienced immense emotion.
When I go to the North Sea with everyone, I’ll avoid the Shū River journey.
Ruilala swam on, seemingly unconcerned by my fluctuating emotions.
He cleaved through the crashing waves, bypassing the land visible to the west, and headed out to sea.
“Wh-What is this—!”
I owe Ruilala an apology.
The wonder of the sea was not on the surface.
The beauty of the ocean was underwater!
Unlike the murky water of the Shū River, the seawater was crystal clear.
Sunlight penetrated deep to the seabed, illuminating the world spread out beneath the water.
Fish of unheard-of colors swam in schools, and plant-like organisms, resembling trees made of jewels, grew from the seabed. These plants spread out flat like tables, or extended branches, creating forests of red, green, and yellow in the water, with small fish building paradise around them.
Occasionally, I saw giant fish, several times my size, swimming leisurely.
Perhaps if I were alone in the water, they would have been a source of fear. But I was in the hands of something far more terrifying.
“Elnea-kun, how is the sea?”
“Wow. It’s amazing!”
“That’s good to hear.”
I was moved by the world spread out beneath the water, which exceeded my imagination.
At this rate, I wouldn’t get tired of looking at it forever.
How much of the world spreading across the ocean do people know?
Perhaps I am the first human to fully enjoy the underwater scenery like this.
After all, the North Sea is ruled by Ruilala’s parents, and not only humans but also demons other than Ruilala are forbidden from entering.
Ah, there are seas to the south of the continent, so perhaps people living there know?
But at least, within the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I believe I am the first!
The journey, which had been devoid of scenery, turned into a journey through a jewel-box-like landscape that I could gaze at forever.
Fish of countless varieties. Vividly colored plants. Occasionally, eerie seaweed stretching up from the seabed, or giant and ferocious-looking fish.
Because the water was so clear, the deep sea, where light could not reach, felt terrifying.
And.
My slight hope of meeting Ruilala’s parents was dashed, and I finally arrived at the Forbidden Territory.
“Aren’t you coming ashore, Ruilala?”
“I don’t have any clothes.”
“Ah, you mentioned that at the beginning.”
“Well, even if I had clothes, I couldn’t come ashore anyway.”
“Even Ruilala can’t enter the Forbidden Territory?”
“That just shows how secluded a place it is.”
“Then, is this where we part ways, Ruilala…?”
“Don’t worry about that, you see?”
I returned a strained smile to Ruilala, who smiled at me.
“I don’t think there are any demons here who would act against your will. However, there are magic beasts and monsters, so be careful.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Ruilala set me down on a white, sparkling sandy beach. Without any lingering farewells, he returned to the sea.
Well, it’s not like it’s our last goodbye.
I just wish I could have thanked him a little more properly.
Ruilala’s shadow, which sank into the water’s surface, quickly disappeared, erased by the waves.
Ruilala mentioned that if I went further west, I would pass the Forbidden Territory and reach a port town where I could receive supplies.
Now then. I have finally arrived at the Forbidden Territory.
Quite a lot of days have passed to get here.
At times like these, I don’t count the days. Ruiseine often scolded me, saying, “You’re too vague!”
I wonder if everyone is doing well.
The supplies I received the other morning included very powdery and salty sweets. Those must have been handmade by Priscilla-chan.
If she’s baking sweets, she must be living peacefully.
While I wished I could return to everyone quickly, I headed into the depths of the Forbidden Territory.
The first thing I need to do upon entering the Forbidden Territory is secure drinking water and food.
For water, there seem to be several streams at the foothills of Dragon Peak nearby. So, the priority should be future food supply.
I immediately headed towards the untouched forest.
Sensing my surroundings, I detected no human presence at all.
Of course…
Instead, I sensed the presence of many animals.
Hiding my presence, I carefully advanced through the forest. It was a densely wooded area with no discernible animal trails, but thanks to the ear-length tribe’s teachings, I crossed branches of trees using spatial jumps, moving without difficulty.
Ahead, I saw a mother and child deer. I’ll let them be. I don’t need a large prey; I just need to be full.
I passed by herds of wild boars and groups of monkeys.
Considering the future, I’d like to secure a bit more meat and preserve it, but unfortunately, I don’t know the detailed smoking methods. I might have to experiment with that from now on.
Searching for a suitable prey, I advanced deeper into the forest.
I had no specific destination, but I decided to head south for now.
And so, while the sun was high when Ruilala brought me here, before I knew it, it had begun to tilt.
Oh my.
It’s time to seriously aim for prey. I also need to find a campsite before nightfall.
Taking a deep breath, I seriously began searching for prey.
Then, I spotted a rabbit that seemed suitable.
I took aim.
With a spatial jump, I instantly appeared behind the rabbit.
Bows and arrows, traps, are unnecessary for me.
When I first met Mistral, I was amazed by her skill in hunting prey. To think that I could do the same.
I quickly grabbed the rabbit by its ears and held it down.
I don’t have a dagger, so I used my White Sword to end its life without prolonged suffering. Then, I quickly removed the blood and organs, skinned it, and butchered the meat.
“Hmm. You have a cute face, but your movements are skilled. And it’s not the way humans hunt. You’re like the Dragon Race, relying on physical ability. Yet, your reverence for the life of your prey is like that of the ear-length tribe.”
“…!”
Suddenly.
A voice came from beside my ear, not from behind, and I hastily turned around.
Another face was right next to mine.
Brown skin. Gray hair. And long ears.
The person, who nodded while looking at the rabbit I was butchering, glanced at me, who had turned around, and smiled gently.
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