We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Love triangles are dangerous.
“Sniff sniff, over here, meow.”
“No, Priscilla thinks it’s that way.”
“This way, this way!”
Nimia, Priscilla-chan, and Ares-chan all point in different directions.
We looked at each other, wondering what to do.
We were gathering materials for wedding favors at the same time as discussing the wedding ceremony.
We were going to the dangerous area, the Dragon’s Mausoleum.
After much consideration, we decided that something related to dragons was most fitting for me.
I have a deep connection with the Spirit Tree, but Old Man Sleigsta warned me not to use anything related to it for the favors. So, the next idea, or rather, the commonly held public perception, was something dragon-related.
I am mentored by Old Man Sleigsta, the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest, and I am the leader of the Dragon Peak Alliance. I have earned the title of Dragon King and am on friendly terms with the Dragonkin and Dragons.
Considering the status and positions of the women, the conclusion was to highlight me.
So, we all brainstormed what items could symbolize me and be related to dragons.
Dragon meat?
It might be wonderful to serve at a reception rather than as a favor.
Dragon species are something that humans can’t even touch. Their meat is extremely precious, a phantom ingredient that even royalty and nobles can rarely obtain.
It’s very rarely brought to market by adventurers who hunt weakened dragons or slay young dragons. Or, it’s brought by Dragonkin caravans that descend to the capital only a few times a year as a prized item.
If we served such precious dragon meat at the reception, I’m sure the guests would be delighted.
However, I never proposed the idea of meat.
Not only me, but none of us even hinted at such a proposal.
Because.
Mistral, Ruiseine, Priscilla-chan, and I have all eaten our fill of wyvern meat that Asher-san hunted in the past.
It was a souvenir for the return trip when I first entered Dragon Peak and went to defeat a Rotten Dragon that appeared in Dragon Peak, flying on Asher-san’s back.
But at that time, my only acquaintances among the Dragonkin were Old Man Sleigsta, Nimia, and Asher-san, and I basically saw ordinary dragons as fearsome beings.
I assumed that dragons were not interested in humans, let alone being able to communicate with them. I never even imagined becoming friends with them.
But now, it’s different.
We’ve developed a relationship where we can joke and play with dragons. We cooperate when we’re in trouble and play a lot.
Although we are different species and appearances, the wall between humans and dragons is almost non-existent.
Eating dragon meat now would be unthinkable.
Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.
For us, eating dragon meat has become as taboo as eating human flesh.
So, the idea of meat was rejected without even being proposed.
So, what should we do? As I was pondering, Old Man Sleigsta offered some advice.
“Why not use dragon fangs or scales?”
“Eh? But, skinning them… is a bit… cruel.”
“Ku ku ku. It’s true that you might hesitate to take them from a living being. But there should be no problem with taking them from a dead one.”
But, that’s…
Along with dragon meat, I feel a little uneasy about it.
Everyone else seemed to share the same feeling, showing troubled expressions.
“Mistral, Elnea, I believe you’ve forgotten. Aren’t you already using dragon remains?”
“Are you perhaps talking about the Dragon Jewel?”
“Indeed. There is nothing wrong with using the remains of the dead. Human sorcerers also use the bones of their ancestors. After death, they simply return to nature. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the living to make effective use of their remains. What must not be forgotten is to respect the dead.”
“So, if we use them respectfully and effectively, it’s not a desecration of the deceased?”
Old Man Sleigsta nodded.
“Don’t misunderstand. While you don’t want to eat dragon meat, dragons will attack humans naturally. No matter how well you know them or how friendly you are, as long as they are hungry, humans are nothing more than prey.”
“We understand that we shouldn’t force our refusal to eat them onto the dragons. We understand that.”
“No, what I’m saying is that you don’t need to be so concerned about the dragons.”
“I see…”
I nodded at Asher-san’s remark.
Dragonkin probably wouldn’t attack my family or acquaintances. But that’s not the case for others.
In fact, there are still stories of adventurers who bravely headed to the Wyvern hunting grounds or recklessly set foot in Dragon Peak falling victim to dragons.
Dragons live in a natural world of survival of the fittest. Therefore, they wouldn’t unnaturally stop attacking humans just because of my relationship with them.
We must understand the harsh laws of nature.
Even so, I still can’t accept dragon meat. However, I think favors made from bones and scales would be a valuable item, and the guests would be pleased.
And so, this is why we have come to the Dragon’s Mausoleum.
We are looking for dragon carcasses.
According to Mistral, when Dragonkin get married, they make amulets from dragon remains.
They shave off fangs, horns, bones, or scales to make beads as proof of their marriage.
While not a proof of marriage, we decided to distribute them as amulets filled with our feelings.
However, upon actually coming to the Dragon’s Mausoleum, we encountered a very difficult situation.
Are we being hindered by elderly dragons?
No.
Having dispelled the curse of the Dragon’s Mausoleum, we can now freely enter and exit the northern part of Dragon Peak.
However, this is on the condition that we do not disturb the grandparents who are living out their remaining years peacefully.
In any case, there are no Dragonkin in the Dragon’s Mausoleum that threaten us.
So, are we unable to find dragon carcasses?
Indeed, we can’t find any.
This is where the dragons of Dragon Peak end their lives, so it should be easy to find their remains if we search.
…Normally.
But we are not normal.
I wish we were normal…
“Um, the Light Spirit says it’s that way!”
“This way, this way!”
“There’s a scent from over there, meow.”
The culprit who plunged the situation into chaos.
Or rather, the person herself is not at all to blame.
The fault lies with the green jewel hanging around her neck!
Yes. The one creating this troublesome situation is the Jewel of the Bewildering Forest on Priscilla-chan’s necklace.
Shortly after entering the Dragon’s Mausoleum.
Initially, we were relaxed, thinking we might find dragon carcasses right away.
As we chatted and proceeded, we noticed that the scenery seemed strange. As if something was wrong, I checked Priscilla-chan’s necklace and found the jewel shining brightly with full energy!
I mean, we don’t even know if this is the northern region of Dragon Peak anymore.
We don’t know how far the Bewildering Technique has spread.
This is where Nimia’s nose, Priscilla-chan, the owner of the jewel and master of the Light Spirit, and Ares-chan, the Spirit Tree Spirit, come in handy.
However, since the young girls are each pointing in different directions, we are at a loss as to who to believe.
“Nimia is probably sniffing out the location of the dragon carcasses.”
“Yes, I think Mistral is right.”
“Meow.”
“However, isn’t Priscilla-chan’s direction the correct one?”
“Yes. Because even if we proceed in the direction of the scent, we get lost.”
“Um, I’m not wrong?”
“I support Ares-chan. Because she’s a Spirit Tree Spirit.”
“I support Ares-chan. Because she’s the ruler of spirits.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
“No, meow. It’s not far, so we won’t get lost, meow.”
“If you ask the Light Spirit, you won’t get lost.”
“Won’t get lost, won’t get lost.”
“Mumumu…”
Faced with the innocent gazes of the young girls asking who to trust, I was at a loss.
“Elnea. You decide. We will follow your instructions.”
“Who will you believe, meow?”
“Older Brother?”
“Will you betray us?”
Aaargh!
No matter who I choose, the outcome is that someone will be saddened!
I clutch my head and crouch down.
Someone, help me!
If this continues, I will live burdened by the deep sin of betraying a young girl!
The young girls press me to choose who to trust, and the women urge me to make a decision quickly.
Ah, how much easier it would be if I could escape this situation. Wasn’t it more peaceful when I was traveling with Ruilala in the Demon Race’s Country?
As I pondered with my head in my hands, everyone pressed in on me.
“…Enough of this!”
I stood up abruptly and grabbed everyone.
I endure their suspicious glances, wondering what I’m doing.
“Torryaa!”
I unleashed Spatial Jump with all my might.
“…Elnea?”
Mistral sighed in exasperation as the scenery changed abruptly.
“Well, which way is it this time?”
“This way, meow.”
“Over there.”
“That way, that way.”
“Torryaa!”
I haven’t gone mad.
Because Nimia, Priscilla-chan, and Ares-chan pointed in different directions again, I activated Spatial Jump for the second time.
“This time it’s that way, meow.”
“The Light Spirit says it’s that way.”
“This way, this way.”
“Doryaaaah!”
With each Spatial Jump, the scenery changed.
And the young girls pointed in different directions.
Each time, I activated Spatial Jump in yet another direction.
After changing locations many times, I had them point in directions.
The women shrugged and smiled at my outrageous behavior.
And after countless Spatial Jumps.
We arrived at a flat, wide swamp area with only withered trees and short, sparse grass.
“That way, meow.”
“That way.”
“That way, that way.”
Oh, what a surprise.
Finally, the directions indicated by the young girls matched.
I jumped for joy.
“You seem very happy. Well then, Elnea, I’ll leave the search to you.”
“Eh!?”
Why is it?
Even though the opinions of the young girl group finally matched, I was the only one happy.
“Um, tie this lifeline around your waist, okay?”
“Priscilla-chan, this isn’t a string. It’s called a vine.”
“If you sink into the swamp, I’ll pull you out, meow.”
“Wh-where did you get such vines?”
“Sink, sink.”
“…”
Should I call it thoughtful or abandoned?
Mistral and Ruiseine took the lead and tightly tied vines around my waist.
Yufilia and Nina waved with smiles, telling me to do my best.
Laira watched me with concern but didn’t say “I will follow you endlessly.”
I should have realized sooner.
This is a flat, wide swamp with almost no obstacles like foliage.
It’s a place with bad footing, with small and large swamps scattered here and there.
And in the direction indicated by the young girl group, there was no dragon carcass to be found.
I see…
The dragon carcass is at the bottom of the swamp…
The place I stepped into reluctantly, after being sent off with smiles and “Bon voyage” by everyone, was a bottomless swamp.
