We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Before the banquet.
In the autumn of harvest, the main road that spreads through the grain-producing area bustles with activity.
The main road connecting the capital and the secondary capital of the Armēdo Kingdom was experiencing more traffic than usual.
Even now, in the autumn, the reconstruction of the capital city continues.
While the mansions of royalty and nobility, major buildings, and residents’ homes were prioritized, there were delays in the construction of entertainment facilities, parks, and defense systems.
Someone lighthearted says,
“Crises won’t happen anytime soon. Elnea and Listea are here.”
But the country cannot afford to be so optimistic.
Neither Elnea nor Listea is immortal. Eventually, they will leave this world.
At that time, will the human race be able to maintain friendly relations with the dragon race, the dragon people, and not only that, but also the beast race and the mimicho race?
Can relations with the demon race continue without Elnea?
In any case, the capital city’s defense functions must be established. Nevertheless, the current situation is that they are inevitably relying on Elnea’s existence and putting it off.
It was on a pleasant autumn day that a caravan arrived in the capital city, which was in the midst of reconstruction.
The people traveling on the road cheered and watched the royal procession, which was rarely seen.
Thin clouds drift lazily high in the sky. Below them, a flock of wyverns flies.
Some fly north and south as they please, sometimes leaving the royal procession behind and flying west. Among them, a group of wyverns formed a beautiful formation in the sky, matching the long procession on the road.
Even within that formation, everyone looks up at the sky, dazzled by the golden sparkle that flashes across the sky. The dragon is significantly larger than the surrounding wyverns, and flies with dignity, slightly different from a wyvern. The sight of the rare golden winged dragon is just like a fairy tale.
Everyone knows it. It is the legendary winged dragon that appears in the founding stories of the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
However, the people on the road were not only looking at the sky. A strange procession was also proceeding on the ground.
At first, everyone was surprised and made a fuss. However, for some reason, no confusion occurred. Those heading from the capital to the secondary capital seemed particularly accustomed to it, and opened the road for those traveling west. Those who were heading from the secondary capital to the capital and were unfamiliar with “those people” had already fled in droves initially.
First came the earth dragons. However, there were no dragon knights on the backs of the earth dragons. Apparently, they were wild earth dragons. The earth dragons, walking as they pleased, walked with calm steps, seemingly unconcerned about the people making a fuss around them. Although Armēdo Kingdom’s patrol soldiers and national army were briefing people to be cautious, no major problems arose.
The wild earth dragons advanced with a low rumbling sound. Finally, after them, earth dragons carrying people appeared. These were valiant knights clad in white armor. They were the dragon knight order, the pride of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Unlike the wild earth dragons, they advanced in formation with solemnity. Long spears were attached with rectangular flags, making it obvious that these were ceremonial equipment.
The Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom have prospered in harmony as twin kingdoms since their founding. Even seeing such a large procession of the Yorttenitos Kingdom’s dragon knight order near the capital of the Armēdo Kingdom, no one would think they were invading. This might be solely due to the solemn demeanor of the dragon knight order and the friendly attitude of the welcoming Armēdo Kingdom’s national army.
After the earth dragon knight order passed, it was finally time for the main event of the royal procession. Everyone held their breath. The legendary winged dragon flying leisurely in the sky certainly had presence, but it was a distant existence for people on the ground. However, the one who received all the cheers from the ground was truly an object of admiration for the people. A colossal body, larger than the earth dragons moving ahead. Wrapped in jet-black scales, the earth dragon walked slowly with the dignity of a king. A luxurious saddle was placed on the back of the jet-black earth dragon, and a middle-aged man sat leisurely upon it. It was the King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom himself. Some knelt on the road. Some wept with emotion. Or, the King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom responded with a smile to the people who cheered loudly and waved their hands. It is said he was ill. Or, it is said he fell into a curse from the demon race and had been unconscious for a long time. To be able to see the healthy figure of the neighboring king like this in the Armēdo Kingdom. Fortunate travelers watched the royal procession, as if to burn it into their memories. After the jet-black earth dragon ridden by the King, the knight order of earth dragons followed. Then, finally, cavalry appeared, followed by a line of nobles and merchants. Lastly, wild earth dragons leisurely followed. It was an unusual procession of humans and dragons, but it was becoming a familiar sight for the people of the Armēdo Kingdom. After all, these days, you can see dragons in the capital city. As long as they are not provoked, the dragons won’t rampage. Boys and girls living in mansions rumored to be larger than the royal palace were teaching them how to interact with dragons through their own experiences. The spectators, while marveling at the strange procession up close, saw them off without any confusion.
“I wonder how big it is.”
“Including the dragons, there must be over two thousand.”
“Amazing. It wasn’t this grand even during our King’s wedding ceremony.”
“No, our King just remarries too much. If he holds wedding ceremonies that many times, he can’t possibly come in such grandeur every single time.”
“But to invite guests greater than our King…”
“As expected, it’s that boy.”
“So that’s what a Dragon King is.”
Everyone knew. The reason why royalty and nobility from the Yorttenitos Kingdom had traveled from afar. It was to attend the wedding ceremony of Dragon King Elnea, which was scheduled in a few days. Elnea, the Dragon King, is spoken of in the same breath as Listea, the Hero. However, people felt it.
“Wow, even the Hero will be overshadowed.”
“Besides, the Hero isn’t someone who can blow up a whole kingdom.”
“Of course not. The Hero has self-control.”
“On the other hand, that kid…”
“I heard he also obliterated the capital of the demon race?”
“Whoa!”
The people on the road, in addition to celebrating, were enthusiastically discussing the hero who saved the kingdom.
“I heard that the kingdom will be showering gifts generously at Elnea’s wedding ceremony.”
“I’m looking forward to that. I need to finish my business in the secondary capital quickly and head back.”
“Hurry, hurry!”
“I heard they’ll be giving out freebies in the secondary capital too.”
“That’s great!”
After the royal procession passed, people started moving again. Rumor has it that the kingdom will be providing celebratory food and drink to those not invited to the wedding ceremony. Where in the Armēdo Kingdom, still under reconstruction, could they have such reserves? People didn’t know. They didn’t know that for the wedding ceremony, not only from Armēdo and Yorttenitos, but also from Dragon Peak, Dragon Forest, and even the demon race’s country, all possible relief supplies had arrived. The royal procession of the Yorttenitos Kingdom had departed as early as the summer. Although the King was showing signs of recovery, he was still not in perfect health. They had taken a leisurely pace for their journey. Thanks to that, the welcoming Armēdo Kingdom had ample time to prepare. They had stationed the national army in various locations and welcomed the royal procession with a full-fledged system. Still, they had trouble with the wild earth dragons and wyverns. However, there was someone in the Yorttenitos Kingdom who could manage the dragons well. A prince riding a golden winged dragon, and his loyal retainers. They understood the language of dragons, just like Dragon King Elnea, and they often pacified the dragons who, if left unchecked, would act beyond human rules. Then, the unsung heroes of the royal procession, the golden winged dragon and the prince, along with a beautiful blue-scaled wyvern, descended. The royal procession halted. And only the King, riding the jet-black earth dragon Gusferus, broke away from the line and moved to the front. Those waiting on the road were the royal procession and the dragon knight order descending from the sky.
“Oh, brother. It was a long journey.”
“Brother, to be able to meet again like this.”
The King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, dismounting from Gusferus with the help of his attendants, shook hands firmly with the King of the Armēdo Kingdom who had come to greet him, and embraced him.
“I’m glad you came all the way to greet me.”
“Not at all, it is we who have traveled far. I had to come out to greet you before you enter my capital.”
“Meaning?”
“Hahaha. There are no special arrangements, but the capital is beyond me.”
“I see. That person concerning the matter…”
“Yes, that person.”
The two Kings, laughing heartily as they embraced, looked like brothers. Perhaps it was because of their similar age. Or perhaps, it was due to an ancient blood connection. Or perhaps, it was because they had adventured together in their youth. The distant brothers, reunited after a long time, enjoyed a brief chat. Then, from the descending golden winged dragon and the blue wyvern, two men disembarked.
“Prince Friel, you’ve become quite a man. And Prince Grave, have you matured as well? That shaved head suits you quite well.”
On the golden winged dragon were four people, one man and three women. One of them, Friel, disembarked. Prince Grave disembarked from the blue wyvern.
“I apologize. We are borrowing Prince Caster.”
“Your Majesty, it has been a long time. My brother is surely happy to have been able to assist Elnea-kun.”
“My foolish brother, I am fortunate if he is of use in this ceremony.”
Prince Caster, the second prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, had arrived in the Armēdo Kingdom well before the royal procession and had been participating in the preparations for the wedding ceremony. Apparently, it had become too large-scale. When they received the report, everyone laughed. It seemed like something those youngsters would do, or perhaps they only noticed the problem now. In any case, they decided to ask for help from those around them. Not only Caster, but also dragon people, dragons, and other races, they were likely busy with preparations right now. From the Armēdo Kingdom as well, the first prince, Rubion, has been mobilized. The second prince, Rudoriado, is also leading the national army to patrol the royal procession.
“So, I heard the wedding ceremony will be held at the Wyvern Hunting Ground?”
“Oh, that’s right. It suits them, doesn’t it? For us, the Wyvern Hunting Ground is a terrifying place.”
“For Elnea and the others, the vast grassland is a perfect venue, isn’t it?”
Even with the progress in understanding between humans and dragons, the Wyvern Hunting Ground is still a dangerous place. However, with Dragon King Elnea there, it would be alright. After all, he is a boy who even became friends with the demon race, who should be evil to humans. There was no surprise in being told that the wedding ceremony would be held at the Wyvern Hunting Ground now. However.
“I wonder just how large it will be…”
“I hope it doesn’t cause too much of a commotion.”
Those present could only laugh at the conversation between the two Kings.
“Well then, let’s soothe the fatigue of your long journey. It would be a waste if you couldn’t enjoy their grand occasion because you’re tired.”
“Indeed.”
Led by the King of the Armēdo Kingdom, the royal procession finally reached its destination. And a few days later. Elnea’s wedding ceremony was finally to be performed. From early morning, the entire capital city was bustling. People had been in a festive mood for several days, calling it a pre-festival night. Taking advantage of this, the dragon people of the Yorttenitos Kingdom were deepening their friendships with the dragon people of Dragon Peak. Not only dragon people, but also many dragon people descended from Dragon Peak and are staying in the capital city, awaiting the ceremony. Not only dragon people, but also mimicho race. And there were also beast race and demon race figures. As the sun began to show its face in the eastern sky, everyone began to line up and head towards the Wyvern Hunting Ground. The party of heroes was also among them. In the vast Wyvern Hunting Ground. Where exactly will the wedding ceremony be held? Everyone already knew. A giant creature visible even from a distance. The place where the legendary magic beast, the Thousand-Handed Spider, resides, is the venue. The Thousand-Handed Spider, which had appeared from a distance a little while ago, is now completely recognized as Elnea’s friend. It certainly has a fearsome appearance and is imposing, but it is apparently not dangerous. This, in turn, sparks curiosity. People, while making a cheerful commotion, headed towards the Thousand-Handed Spider. Beneath the Thousand-Handed Spider, an unfamiliar tree had grown. Listea, and indeed some others, tilted their heads, wondering if such a tree had grown there. In any case, they would know when they got there. As the invited people proceeded through the Wyvern Hunting Ground, someone was guiding them.
“Hey, everyone. Here’s your guide map! Don’t get lost!”
“…What on earth are you doing here!?”
“Huh?”
“Not ‘huh’!”
Listea was utterly exasperated. The one handing out handmade guide maps to the guests was Elnea, the main protagonist of today.
“It’s not like that, Listea. It’s a misunderstanding!”
“Explain how it’s a misunderstanding!”
As always, Elnea was still Elnea. Not only Listea, but everyone was relieved by the main character’s carefree attitude. Clicking the heart allows you to easily convey your support. (Login required.) Support Log in if you have an account. Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
