We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Performance and Kagura
The raffle event concluded in great success.
Everyone, regardless of race, rejoiced over the lucky draws.
Well, the rejoicing was mostly concentrated among those who won invitations to the Demon Race’s Country.
Thanks to the incredibly generous giveaways, many guests left with satisfied smiles.
However, those who didn’t win seemed to be quite dejected…
But, please don’t worry!
“Heeey! There’s no time to be sad!”
Lily’s cheerful voice brought the excitement back to the venue.
“For those who were unlucky in the raffle, I have good news! Anyone who can reach Teruru-chan’s location before the wedding banquet ends will receive plenty of Senju no Kumo no Ito directly from Teruru-chan. For magic beasts and dragon race members who might have trouble using the threads, there’s also rare meat caught in Teruru-chan’s territory. It’s quite a deal, isn’t it?”
A cheer erupted, but it stopped abruptly for a moment.
It seems everyone had realized.
Yes. For anyone to reach Teruru-chan, they would first have to clear that grand labyrinth. However, those with wings, or magic beasts and dragon race members who could fly over the labyrinth, after a brief silence, began heading towards Teruru-chan’s location one after another.
“Gyaaaah!”
“Help us!”
“We weren’t told it would be like this!”
Heheheh.
Unfairness is not good, you know.
And so, for those who do not enter the labyrinth, Teruru-chan’s thousand-handed arms will attack without exception!
Until now, you could approach her casually, but suddenly, you can’t.
Just like the people paling in the venue, the magic beasts and dragon race also turned pale and looked at me on stage.
“Hey, can you really call this good news?”
“What are you saying, Slaton? Isn’t it already a great deal? It’s an opportunity for everyone equally to receive a lot of that Senju no Kumo no Ito.”
“No, no, that’s not worth it?”
“It’s alright. Teruru-chan doesn’t kill unnecessarily. Ah, killing magic beasts is also forbidden for those lost in the underground of the great labyrinth, so don’t try to kill them instead.”
“It’s impossible… Even before the deadline of the end of the banquet, I’ll definitely never reach her.”
“I want to eat rare meat, I want to eat rare meat…”
“Or rather, we can’t leave the water, so isn’t it impossible from the start?”
“It might be disadvantageous for the water dragons. But don’t worry. That’s when Ruilala comes in!”
“Elnea-kun is always so cruel.”
I tossed Ruilala, who gave a wry smile, into the water channel.
Ruilala probably didn’t want to get involved, but she was ordered by the Giant Demon Lord to “participate in the entertainment,” so she had no choice but to start running away within the reach of the water dragons.
“Now, now, there’s no time to hesitate!”
As Lily spurred them on, adventurers, in particular, began to move, thinking, “Our lives are guaranteed, so it’s worth a shot.”
To break through the labyrinth, adventurers’ knowledge and experience are necessary, and it might seem disadvantageous for ordinary people, royalty, nobles, and merchants, but this is where their wisdom can shine.
I think there are various ways, like asking for help from those they befriended at the venue, or hiring them with money and goods. So, everyone, good luck.
After the gift raffle ended, people who had started preparing to go home began to stir again, knowing that the festival was continuing.
We left the stage, casting a glance at the lively venue.
From now on, it will probably be back to making greetings.
The raffle props were being put away on stage, and preparations for the next event were underway. Next up is the fourth act of Kyōgeki.
“But I’m a little hungry, aren’t I?”
Before I knew it, the sun had already begun to set, trying to hide behind Dragon Peak.
The banquet, or rather, the festival-like feast, would continue even after nightfall.
But first, we wanted to fill our stomachs.
It’s bad manners to eat while making greetings, so we decided to head to the family section for now.
The Giant Demon Lord is still staying here, but that’s understandable. He’s a Demon Lord, after all. If he were to wander around carelessly, other guests might faint.
Or rather, shouldn’t the Demon Lord be released from Old Sleigsta’s “wait” soon? Old Sleigsta looks dejected by the Spirit Tree. Perhaps even for an Ancient Dragon Species, the Oldest Demon Lord is terrifying?
“It seems you require a bit of discipline?”
“No, I’m good!”
The Demon Lord, who read my thoughts, let out a sigh as if exasperated.
“Umm, can Priscilla and the others go play with Teruru-chan too?”
“Yeah, go ahead. Be careful.”
Since everyone was heading towards Teruru-chan, the little ones apparently wanted to go too. Nimia had grown up, and Priscilla-chan, Mei, Fiorina, and Rim climbed on. And in the blink of an eye, they flew towards Teruru-chan’s location. Lily also finished her important role and flew along with Priscilla-chan and the others. There was no interference from Teruru-chan! It seems the simplest answer was here. If they had become intimate with Priscilla-chan or one of the children, they could have arrived without Teruru-chan’s interference. Everyone stared in bewilderment at Nimia and Lily who easily arrived above Teruru-chan’s head.
“The deadline was the end of the banquet, but will it continue even after dusk?”
“Yes, while we won’t be here the whole time, we plan to keep the venue open for several days.”
The Kings also joined us, and it truly felt like a private family section. It was amusing to see my resurrected father awkwardly accepting a drink from the King of Yorttenitos Kingdom. He’s casually drinking with the Giant Demon Lord, yet he’s tense with a human King, who should be more familiar.
“Elnea-kun, please.”
“Thank you.”
I gratefully accepted the food Ruiseine served. After receiving a drink from Mistral, Laira offered me meat with an “aahhn.” Everyone’s gazes were focused on us. I’m so embarrassed! But if I don’t eat it, it would be rude to Laira…
“I don’t think you need to hold back. Today is the day for you to show off your love to everyone.”
“That’s right, show it to your heart’s content.”
When even Ruiseine’s parents, who are clergy, said that, I couldn’t back down. I took a bite of the meat Laira offered.
“Elnea-kun, aahhn.”
“Elnea-kun, aahnn.”
“Guh, it’s still embarrassing!”
Yufilia and Nina, like baby birds, brought their faces closer to me and opened their mouths. With my face bright red, I tossed fruit into their mouths.
“Elnea-sama, I want you to feed me too.”
“Since it can’t be helped, I’m a man after all!”
Abandoning my embarrassment, I put meat into Laira’s mouth too. Then, I quickly averted my gaze and caught Mistral and Ruiseine who were trying to escape.
“Fufufu, you can’t escape that easily.”
“Hey, let go. You should just do that between yourselves.”
“W-well, I have preparations for the following Kagura…”
“The three of you, restrain these two.”
“Leave it to us.”
“It’s time for revenge.”
“It’s for all the grudges of the past.”
Mistral and Ruiseine were restrained by Laira, Yufilia, and Nina. Then, I approached them with meat in hand. The two shook their heads, saying “no,” and tried to escape, but it wasn’t going to happen. Now, endure the embarrassment and say “aahhn”!
As our marital commotion ensued, even those outside our section gathered and started making noise. See, because you resisted, you just drew more attention and created a crowd.
“Heheheh, accept your fate.”
“Elnea, your tone is strange!?”
“Elnea-kun, you shouldn’t do such things to a Miko.”
“Now, now, open your mouths cutely. Otherwise, something even more embarrassing will happen.”
Mistral and Ruiseine had bright red faces.
“Damn it, you remember this!”
“There’s punishment from the Goddess, you know!”
But perhaps they resigned themselves to the fact that they couldn’t escape. Reluctantly, they opened their mouths. I then tossed meat into them. Mistral and Ruiseine chewed and ate. When I wiped the meat juice that spilled from their mouths, they glared at me, saying I shouldn’t treat them like children. But you see, since they were being restrained, they couldn’t wipe it themselves.
Witnessing our sweet scene, the onlookers themselves seemed more embarrassed.
“You guys really go at it, huh.”
“It’s embarrassing just watching you.”
Rudoriado and Caster clasped shoulders and went somewhere. It seems that if they showed it too much, it would be too stimulating.
While making noise, we replenished our empty stomachs with food and drinks. And so, we returned to our greetings.
The sun had completely set beyond Dragon Peak, and the time had come for the half-moon and stars to shine in the sky. However, the fervor of the venue showed no signs of subsiding. Those who challenged Teruru-chan continued to try again and again, even if they failed. Those who got drunk or ate too much would revive as time passed. In the venue at night, it was illuminated by the light of Hōjutsu, magic, and the radiance of the Light Spirits.
Around this time, our greetings also finally ended, and we began to be in the position of receiving blessings and celebratory gifts from everyone instead. On stage, various events continued as usual. Among them, Kyōgeki finally reached its conclusion. It was a grand story about saving the Armēdo Kingdom and Yorttenitos Kingdom from the beginning of my journey. Since one theater troupe couldn’t perform it alone, five groups from both the Armēdo Kingdom and Yorttenitos Kingdom cooperated to perform it. Although the venue was noisy, many seemed to have watched this rare grand performance, and as it concluded, thunderous cheers and applause were sent. The theater troupe members also seemed to have given their all, and everyone stood on stage responding to the cheers.
But it wasn’t over yet.
Speaking of Kyōgeki, it’s essentially a dance battle, isn’t it? Originally, it’s a special performance for troupes with dancers, but today is different.
While applauding the theater troupe members, I also went up on stage.
“Now, now, we will now begin the final performance. Please do not miss it until the very end!”
As the representative male’s voice echoed, the theater troupe members who had finished their greetings returned to the wings of the stage. Then, only a select few remained on stage. Those holding instruments like taiko drums and flutes. Dancers in revealing costumes holding twin swords. And me.
“This is a special joint performance only for this day. The title is, Dragon King and Dancer’s Dance Battle!!”
Waaah, the venue shook. Dragons who had collapsed from overeating, magic beasts who had stretched out from exhaustion from playing, people drunk and asleep. Everyone’s attention was focused on the stage.
The dancer raised her twin swords high and assumed a stance. In my right hand, I held a white sword, and in my left, a decorative sword. The Spirit Tree watched over us from behind the stage. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword, but a ceremonial sword borrowed from the temple. The swords of the dancer and mine lightly touched. And then, the dancer’s and my eyes met.
The music began to play. Slowly at first. The dancer began to dance with gentle movements. I, too, began to dance the Dragon Sword Dance with slow movements. I never thought such a day would come. Two years ago, the day I went to see Kyōgeki with Listea, seeing the dancer’s performance sent an electric shock through my heart. I still haven’t forgotten the beautiful dance that was burned into my memory. And the dancer from that time is now dancing beside me.
My spirit, honed to the tips of my sword. My feet gracefully drew arcs in the air, and my clothes flowed, following the dancer’s movements. It was precisely because it was a gentle dance that her exceptional skill was evident. My body axis and gaze were unwavering, and there were no wasted movements connecting to the next, captivating everyone who watched. I couldn’t lose either.
Originally, the Dragon Sword Dance is a technique for fighting. But now, I focused on captivating the audience. I performed the forms according to the music. Intricate footwork, swordplay that bewilders the opponent. I captivated the audience with a different charm than the dancer’s performance.
The first song ended, and it moved to the next. The tempo slightly increased. Along with the change in music, my and the dancer’s performances also changed. This was just a preliminary test. As I spun around, my eyes met the dancer’s again. Can you keep up with me? the dancer’s eyes provocatively looked at me. I looked back, thinking I wouldn’t lose. In the brief moment our gazes crossed, sparks flew, and we danced, wondering how many spectators we could captivate. However, a dance battle isn’t just about captivating everyone. The second song ended, and it moved to the third. The third song ended, and it moved to the fourth. With each transition to the next music, the tempo became more intense and faster.
Following the music, the dancer’s performance intensified. However, not a shred of elegance was lost, and she continued to dance enchantingly. I also increased the speed of the Dragon Sword Dance. The more hand techniques, which are the greatest weapon of the Dragon Sword Dance, the faster the tempo, the more it unleashes its true potential. Sharp slashes left afterimages, overlapping with the next sword clash. High kicks, leaps while twisting the body. Even amidst the intensity, I didn’t forget elegance and beauty.
Those who noticed must have. My Dragon Sword Dance was performed in movements that matched the dancer next to me. Even now, when I close my eyes, I can recall the dancer’s every move. And the Dragon Sword Dance is not something to be danced alone; there must always be an opponent. My opponent is the dancer. I danced the Dragon Sword Dance, conscious of the woman dancing beside me. Then, it seems the dancer also noticed the movements of my Dragon Sword Dance. A hint of regret, as if she had lost a point, appeared in the dancer’s eyes.
The tempo became even faster. But far from lagging, the dancer pointed her sword at me.
“Oh!”
I deflected it with my white sword. While being careful to suppress the sharpness of my white sword, I accepted the dancer’s challenge. The dancer’s twin swords and my sword crossed. I dodged the dancer’s smooth footwork and launched a kick. Since it wasn’t a duel, it was a movement the opponent could receive. But, no compromises are allowed. My opponent is a supreme dancer whose name will go down in history. The dancer also performed a graceful dance, matching my movements.
The interweaving performances of the dancer and me on stage. Who would falter first? Everyone in the venue held their breath, watching. However, the ones who were confirmed to lose first were the members of the orchestra. They couldn’t keep up with the music that had become too fast, and the sound became disordered.
That’s right. The original dance battle was a contest between the orchestra and the dancer. But the battle between the dancer and me was undecided. We both still had room to spare. Then, instead of music, clapping began to sound from the venue. The clapping struck a fast tempo without holding back. The dancer and I, thinking “let’s do it to the bitter end,” clashed in our dances.
Waaah, cheers erupted, as if blowing away the night. Resounding applause and roars of admiration. Everyone stood up and sent their unstinting admiration to the dancer and me on stage. The match was ultimately undecided. The dancer and I continued to dance without faltering, no matter how fast the tempo became. The clapping that had replaced the music finally turned into generous applause, and as if by mutual agreement, the dancer and I stopped our performances.
The dancer was breathing heavily, but she gracefully bowed in response to the cheers. I also calmed my breath and responded to everyone in the venue. And I applauded the dancer who performed such a wonderful dance. Then, the dancer also applauded me. We smiled at each other and shook hands.
“Thank you very much.”
“The honor was all mine, to be able to dance with you, the Dragon King.”
“No, the honor was mine. I started learning this Dragon Sword Dance because I admired you.”
“Oh my, really!?”
As I was happily conversing with the dancer on stage, a cough came from the wings.
“Excuse me during our conversation.”
Mistral came up onto the stage. Mistral was holding a string instrument. Everyone else who followed Mistral onto the stage also held instruments or bells. Laira brought a drum. Yufilia and Nina had large and small flutes. Priscilla-chan and Mei held bells and lined up on stage. Ruiseine had only a shakujo and no instrument.
The dance battle ended in a draw. Next is our family’s Kagura. It’s awkward to have another dance right after a dance performance. I never expected the dance battle to be this exciting.
After parting with the dancer, I caught my breath. I sheathed my decorative sword and handed it to someone waiting in the wings. Then, the place I headed to was the Spirit Tree growing behind the stage.
“I’ll just take a small branch.”
“Yes, please.”
Fluffy, a cluster of branches fell from above my head. The branches spread out like a fan, with many leaves attached. I received the branches and returned to the center of the stage.
“Um, I apologize after the dance battle, but this is a performance I definitely want everyone to see. Today, we were able to get married with everyone’s blessings. We are filled with happiness right now. Therefore, we want to share this happy feeling with everyone. This is Kagura performed with all our hearts, so please watch.”
After my greeting, we all bowed together. First, Ruiseine struck the floor with her shakujo, signaling the start. Mistral strummed his string instrument, and Laira played the drum. Yufilia and Nina played the flutes, and Priscilla-chan and Mei jingled their bells, and the music began. Ruiseine sang with a cheerful voice. Then, I danced Kagura to the singing and music. This, too, is a splendid Dragon Sword Dance. This time, it’s a dance of offering, rather than bewitchment. May our happiness reach everyone. May everyone live their days in harmony, health, and joy, with smiles on their faces.
It lacks the intensity of the dance battle. I danced slowly, with all my heart. As I swung the Spirit Tree branch I held, the leaves rustled, creating a natural sound. The Spirit Tree gently swayed, in sync with our music and singing. This is the Kagura we practiced together for this day. Carefully, beautifully, paying close attention to every movement, I danced Kagura. The music, singing, and dance merged into one, enveloping the venue like our family. Sparkles, like iridescent light particles, appeared from nowhere throughout the venue. The light particles began to dance in time with the Kagura. It seems the spirits couldn’t hold back and joined in. However, the spirits’ light made our Kagura even more fantastic, and everyone in the venue, who had been at the peak of excitement during the dance battle just moments before, watched in rapturous admiration.
