We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The rain began to fall.
The people of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, the Mimicho Race who fled from the Great Forest to the East, and the Mimicho Race of the Dragon Forest. Each with their own positions, intentions, and desires. It was a difficult issue with three different parties, but they accepted my proposal, and a meeting was decided.
However, Grave-sama was not in a mood to welcome Yun-san, who attacked the fort, and the Mimicho people captured underground into the fort for friendly discussion.
Among the Mimicho people who came from the Dragon Forest, Carly and Kate also did not seem to have positive feelings towards Yun-san, and openly showed their hostility.
Now, this is a problem.
Even if we are to have discussions, where should the venue be?
Until a moment ago, it was so hot that we forgot it was winter due to the heatwaves emitted by the Flame Giant, which Yun had transformed into. But now that one big disturbance has subsided, and the next step is to communicate with words rather than violence. The sweat that had been flowing unconsciously began to freeze my entire body in the cold winter wind.
As if to add insult to injury, darker clouds than gray began to spread across the sky, and a few drops of rain began to fall.
“Whoa, it’s cold!”
Hugging my shoulders and shivering, I screamed at the falling rain. Then, Ares-chan returned to her young girl form and jumped on me.
“Um, Priscilla too!”
Priscilla-chan, who was being held by the Light Spirit, deliberately switched to me.
I held the two warm-bodied young girls in my arms, feeling cozy. But this is not the time for that!
While Mistral and the others allowed my and the young girls’ actions with their gazes, Grave-sama’s stare was piercing.
We will have discussions. However, to clearly show that Yun-san and the Mimicho from the Great Forest to the East are hostile forces, soldiers were stationed around Yun-san, who was still struggling to breathe, and Gorigal, who was by her side.
Yun-san and the others will undoubtedly be escorted by soldiers to the discussion location.
That is, well… is it unavoidable?
It is difficult to read the movements of the Mimicho people. What is their objective? What actions will they take to achieve their objective? Based on the stories I’ve heard so far, Yun-san’s actions just now, and the information that they have apparently broken taboos, it would be unnatural not to be vigilant.
Nevertheless, I feel that discussions will not be possible outdoors in this cold wind, that is, outside the fort. It’s raining too, so at the very least, I want to get under a roof.
“Grave-sama. Could we enter the fort on the condition that security is strict? Also, Yun-san seems to be quite exhausted.”
“If you take full responsibility for anything that happens, I will consider it.”
“Leave it to me!”
No, I’m not just carelessly agreeing.
If I don’t do this, Grave-sama might actually hold the discussion in the rain and wind without any problem.
Although Grave-sama is of royal blood, his record as a Dragon Knight, a noble position, is not for show. His body and mind possess the strength to ride a wyvern. Therefore, this level of rain and wind is nothing to him.
He would not care about the freezing cold or the opponent’s exhaustion if it meant leading an entity he considers a hostile force into his important base. That is Grave-sama, the Crown Prince and Wyvern Knight.
But what about Yun-san and the others?
Yun-san herself is completely weakened. In normal circumstances, it might be better to rest before discussions.
However, if that happens, I have a feeling that the problem will be postponed, and the situation will worsen.
Grave-sama ordered the Mimicho people captured in the fort’s dungeon to be brought out, but he has not withdrawn that order. This means that regardless of whether discussions take place, the Mimicho people are likely to be exposed to this bad weather.
Also, I am concerned about the other Mimicho forces that attacked the fort when we arrived. Lily should be tracking them, but there is no sign of her return yet.
Therefore, is it alright with my decision? I asked everyone and they nodded.
I am truly happy to have such reliable family members.
“Follow me. Let’s make some space.”
With that, Grave-sama turned towards the fort while giving orders to his subordinates.
The soldiers who received the orders surrounded Yun-san and Gorigal and instructed them to go inside the fort.
Yun-san, barely able to stand with Gorigal’s support, began to walk with a staggering gait.
Yun-san glanced at me. Then she blinked deeply. To me, it seemed like her meager attempt to express gratitude, unable to move properly due to her weakness.
“Well then, shall we go too?”
“Yes. We’ll catch a cold if we stay like this.”
“Elnea-kun, I will remain on guard around the fort. See you later. I’m expecting good news.”
“Good luck. I’ll try my best to make the discussions go well too.”
After seeing Grave-sama lead the way and Yun-san and the others follow, Friel and Yugra-sama returned to the sky.
We also followed the soldiers who were leading the way and returned to the fort.
The place provided by Grave-sama was one of the rooms where non-combatant staff working in the fort took shelter.
As expected of a room for emergencies, the semi-basement room was sturdily built. The unadorned room, lacking any decorations, felt somewhat claustrophobic and stifling. The view of the outside from the window, located high up near the ceiling, was also gloomy with rain, further dampening the mood.
Into this room, not only we who were to have discussions, but also the Mimicho people who had been captured underground were brought.
Apparently, the Mimicho people were to be kept within our sight at all times.
When all the involved parties entered the room, a strong soldier stood blocking the entrance.
The Mimicho people were directed to the back of the room. A table and chairs were set up near the entrance, and the discussions were to take place there.
“It’s just like the people in the back are hostages.”
“It feels like they’re trying to prevent the people in the back from escaping.”
As Yufilia and Nina said. This place doesn’t feel like a shelter, but rather like a place to confine the involved parties when a problem arises.
The Mimicho people were also huddled in the back, intimidated by the atmosphere of the room and the gathered people.
“It’s your imagination. Come, sit down.”
Disregarding our feelings, Grave-sama urged everyone to take their seats.
A total of twelve people surrounded the hastily prepared table.
From my family, there were three of us, Mistral and Laira. From the Dragon Forest, there were Carly, Kate, and Erion-san. From the Yorttenitos Kingdom, there were Grave-sama and two knights from the fort.
Three people were also selected from the Mimicho who came from the Great Forest to the East.
One of them, needless to say, is Yun-san. However, Yun-san, who shows no signs of recovery from her weakened state even after coming here, seems unable to stand on her own. Gorigal is constantly by her side, assisting her.
Therefore, the second person is Gorigal-san.
My opinion that Yun-san should rest, given her poor condition, was refused by Yun-san herself.
“You don’t need to worry about my condition. It’s all… due to the karma I bear.”
At first, her voice was dry like Grandma’s, but after receiving several cups of water, it returned to the voice of a normal, delicate woman.
Apparently, her own flames had burned the back of her throat.
We, who had witnessed the battle between Yugra-sama and the Flame Giant, were astonished by a fight that seemed to have no physical form and where all physical attacks were ineffective. However, it seems that it also placed a great burden on the caster herself. Perhaps if the battle had been prolonged, she might have self-destructed without needing to rely on Ares-chan.
But right now, that’s not the point.
From the Mimicho of the Great Forest to the East, Yun-san, Gorigal-san, and another woman with blonde hair were participating in the discussion.
“First of all, my apologies. I am Rustina. When you came underground, I was the one who rushed ahead and sent a spirit messenger to Yun-sama.”
Before taking her seat, Rustina-san bowed deeply.
It seems she was the cause of it all.
“I couldn’t sense the movement of the spirits. Honestly, I praise you. But please be aware that you caused trouble.”
Before deciding whether to forgive or not, Kate-san spoke.
Kate-san is one of the skilled spirit users among the Mimicho of the Dragon Forest. The fact that she couldn’t sense the spirit’s movements means that Rustina-san is quite a skilled spirit user.
“I took the liberty of having spirits weave a barrier around this room. I’m sick of external interference and interference from the outside. I’m sure you understand, but I want you to refrain from using spirit arts. Communication with spirits is also forbidden.”
Carly-san drove home the point.
The Mimicho understand the movements of the Mimicho well. If they resort to underhanded tactics using spirits that hide their presence, we will be in trouble.
Grave-sama nodded in agreement with Carly-san’s opinion, entrusting it to her. Yun-san and the others also showed their willingness to comply without objection.
However, the soldiers and knights in the room looked tense. Their combat abilities, honed through battles with dragons, monsters, magic beasts, and yōma, are of unknown assistance against the unknown arts of a spirit user.
Amidst the tension of the human race, the anxiety of the Mimicho people in the back, and the strained atmosphere of us surrounding the table, the discussions began.
“First of all… well. I believe we all have our claims, but let’s set those aside. Let’s start with self-introductions. After that, we’ll have a question time. So, I’ll go first!”
For some reason, I had become the facilitator without anyone explicitly saying so.
Well, I was the one who initiated the discussion.
So, I cheerfully announced my name.
“I am Elnea Eris. I am one of the Eight Dragon Kings, and the husband of the women gathered here!”
“Dragon King…?”
“Husband? …Of all these people!?”
“Even the little girls!?”
“Ah, I made a mistake! Priscilla-chan and Kate are exceptions!”
Close call. I almost got a jab in the ribs from Mistral sitting next to me.
“Hehehe, still, with that many, I’m incredibly envious.”
Let’s ignore the cheerful murmur from Erion-san.
Only Mistral and Laira are sitting on either side of me for the discussion, but everyone else is also in the room.
Luiseine, in her capacity as a Miko, is tending to the Mimicho people in the back. She is extending her hand equally to those who are unwell, dispirited, or exhausted. Luiseine is truly a righteous and pure woman.
Yufilia and Nina are also helping Luiseine. The sight of the two, who have identical appearances, moving in exactly the same way seems very unusual. With Luiseine’s kindness and Yufilia and Nina’s movements, the people in the back were somewhat healed.
As for Priscilla-chan, she was playing house with Ares-chan in a corner of the room. The Light Spirit was by her side, watching her kindly.
Priscilla-chan initially tried to play with the people who had been held captive.
This is usual for her, but we have asked her to refrain this time. After all, their situation is not yet clear. If Priscilla-chan were taken hostage, it would be a disaster.
Priscilla-chan, who has become a little more obedient due to the training she received during New Year’s, listened to my request and is now being quiet.
“… Elnea?”
“Ah!”
Oh boy, my thoughts were wandering.
It’s not the time to think about how reliable and wonderful all my family members are.
It seems that Yun-san and the others are not aware of the title “Dragon King.” Also, Yun-san’s gaze is occasionally directed towards Ares-chan. It’s not a calculating look, but rather a look of intense curiosity.
It seems we have a lot of explaining to do to each other.
The discussions are likely to be long.
The view from the high window was beginning to resemble a winter storm.
