We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Trip and training.
“To think I’d be riding a magical beast before a horse,” she said with a wry smile, seemingly satisfied with the precious experience. That’s my mother.
Magical beasts, like dragons and other races, come and go from our family home. However, magical beasts are still just that – they don’t easily become attached to humans.
My mother said she saw magical beasts at home sometimes, but she didn’t seem to have any deep connections with them.
Nevertheless, with the mediation of the young girls who easily crossed the boundaries between races, this precious experience came to fruition.
The one carrying my mother on its back is the Great Wolf of the magical beast that once chased me relentlessly.
Sniffing my mother’s scent, it seemed to invite her on its own.
Apparently, my mother and I have a similar scent, which is why it seemed to take a liking to her.
The mothers from the Mother’s Federation, aside from my mom, were also enjoying themselves riding deer and large bird magical beasts.
What’s interesting is Laira and Ruiseine, who are riding a bear magical beast.
“What should we do, what should we do…”
“Ruiseine, it’s dangerous if you move too much. Look, everyone is looking at you with concern.”
“But, Laira. …Look, there are tree branches so close.”
“Yes. If I reach out, I can pick the fruit.”
“Oh, what should I do. Is it okay for me to have such an experience?”
I thought she was afraid of the magical beast, but it seems that’s not the case.
Ruiseine was the most excited about this unusual experience.
The reason she’s moving on the back of the bear magical beast isn’t because she’s scared and trying to escape.
She’s touching the sturdy body of the bear magical beast all over, reaching out to the surrounding nature, and even playfully bothering other magical beasts.
Yes. She’s acting like a child.
Laira, who rode with her out of concern, is desperately trying to keep Ruiseine from falling off.
“Hahaha! Ruiseine, if you pull its fur too hard, the bear will be in pain.”
“Look, Laira. The fur is so beautiful.”
My first impression of Ruiseine was that she was a bit withdrawn and shy, like Laira used to be.
But her true nature seems to be different.
While she might hesitate with the first step towards something, once she touches something, she’ll engage with it without fear.
When she left the detached palace where she was imprisoned, she was hesitant at first. But after being persuaded by Laira and us, and getting permission from the King, she started to enjoy the journey.
She even started to try and become friends with Revalia, whom she was so afraid of. She rode Revalia with Laira when they came here from the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Oh, right.
I was worried if she would get along with the Queens of the Armēdo Kingdom, but that worry was unnecessary from the start.
It turns out that just as the Kings of both countries know each other, the Queens have been friends for a long time.
Ruiseine, who is now riding a bear magical beast with Laira, is chatting happily with others during breaks. Sera and the others were also concerned about Ruiseine’s situation, and they spent time together talking about their husbands.
“So, what were you plotting, Elnea?”
“Huh!?”
As I was watching Laira and everyone else from the rear, Mistral, who was walking beside me, glared at me.
“Wh-what are you talking about!?”
“There’s no use pretending. You got your weakness taken by Nimia again, didn’t you?”
“Ugh…”
Nimia, are you trying to corner me right after I returned!?
I glared resentfully at Nimia, who was resting on top of Priscilla-chan’s head as she rode a giant rabbit magical beast.
By the way, besides Laira and the young girl group, only the mothers from the Mother’s Federation are riding magical beasts.
My wife and I, as well as Carly, our guide, are walking.
“Grrr! Why can’t I ride a magical beast?”
“Madeline, give up. We’re accompanying you under the guise of training, so we can’t take it easy.”
Of course, Madeline and Sefina are also walking.
Seeing Sefina holding Madeline’s hand and walking briskly, you wouldn’t know who’s older.
“Elnea, it’s no use trying to distract me by looking at Madeline and the others with a faraway look?”
“No, it’s not.”
“What’s not? Come on, confess.”
Mistral pressed me, entwining her arm with mine and pressing her slender body close to me.
The modest sensation against my shoulder felt good.
“Older Brother Elnea is thinking perverted thoughts, meow.”
“Ah, hey!”
Nimia, looking down at me, exposed me.
Mistral sighed, “Honestly,” but still didn’t let go.
However, Nimia’s confession wasn’t directed at Mistral.
“Elnea-kun, being sneaky like that from behind is unfair!”
“Mist, it’s unfair to be sneaking at the very back!”
Yufilia and Nina, who were walking ahead, noticed Nimia’s voice and flew over to us.
“No, no, we’re not just playing around!”
“Then, I want to join too.”
“Then, I don’t want to be left out.”
And so, I was, as usual, thrown into a lively commotion.
“Ugh, it’s hard to walk…”
“Ruiseine, are you alright?”
After walking all day.
Today, we decided to camp in the Dragon Forest.
Normally, the forest would have worked in our favor, making it easy to reach the foothills of Dragon Peak, but it seems we couldn’t make good progress.
This is definitely Sleigsta’s prank, isn’t it?
What a wicked grandpa to play pranks even when he’s not here.
Carly, who couldn’t guide us well, looks a bit apologetic.
Poor thing. It’s not her fault, it’s Sleigsta’s.
For dinner, the Mother’s Federation, led by the culinary skilled Ruiseine, is working together. We, who have free time, are resting as we please.
Somehow, Ruiseine doesn’t seem to have much energy.
Come to think of it, she wasn’t very involved in the commotion during the day either.
When I asked her, concerned, she smiled gently.
“Elnea-kun, thank you for your concern. However, I’m perfectly fine?”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh my, is something bothering you?”
“Yes. From what I can tell, since returning from the Yorttenitos Kingdom, Ruiseine seems to be on my mind about something.”
“Fufufu.”
Ruiseine smiled happily at my thought.
But she still seems to lack energy.
“Is something troubling you? Perhaps you’re angry that Madeline followed you?”
“No, it can’t be helped that Madeline came. As a fellow member of the clergy, I know the value of the staff that the Demon Lord took.”
“I see. Then, why are you not feeling well?”
I’m not the only one who noticed Ruiseine’s change in demeanor. Mistral and the others seem to be concerned too, as they watched our conversation without interrupting.
Even Yufilia and Nina, who would normally butt in, didn’t.
Ruiseine, perhaps noticing that all of us were worried, opened her mouth, albeit with some hesitation.
“I wonder if I am being helpful to everyone.”
“Eh, you’re being very helpful! Or rather, you’re family, and I care about you very much!”
“Fufufu, thank you. I feel your love abundantly, Elnea-kun? But that’s precisely why I think this. Yes, it’s something I’ve thought of many times before…”
Her hands fidgeted nervously, and I took them. Ruiseine then squeezed my hand back happily.
“In battle, I feel like I’m a hindrance. I can’t use high-level magic, and I don’t have any special powers like you all… In the Yorttenitos Kingdom, I only ended up healing the injured and the dragons.”
I see. She feels guilty about not being able to participate in the fight.
“That’s not true. Rather, I think you are our biggest support. We can only fight, but you are the only healer. Besides, didn’t you stop the movements of the magic sword user?”
“That wasn’t my magic, it was Madeline’s twin magic that affected them.”
“No, that’s not true! We saw you perform wonderfully!”
“Thank you…”
I let go of her hand and hugged Ruiseine instead. She then wrapped her arms around my back.
“Ruiseine, don’t misunderstand. Our daily lives are not about fighting. The important things are in the peaceful days, the ordinary days. And you are the center of that peace.”
“That’s right. Just as Mistral says! I, too, would prefer to live without fighting and conflict if possible. …You people there, stop looking at me with suspicious eyes! Anyway. Ruiseine, you are my dear wife, and you are by no means unhelpful!”
Recently, or rather, since I started going to school? Things have been a bit chaotic.
Ruiseine, the Battle Priestess, felt ashamed of her inability to contribute in battle. But the people around her are dragons and demons, beings that humans normally couldn’t handle. So, it’s not Ruiseine’s fault, and no one is blaming her.
In fact, I think Ruiseine, who brings order and modesty to my family, is contributing a great deal.
“Ruiseine, you’re being silly. It’s because we have a healer that we can fight with all our might.”
“Ruiseine, you’re being silly. It’s because we have a healer that we can take risks.”
“Ruiseine-sama. My life was saved by you, Ruiseine-sama.”
“That’s right. Not just Laira. Anya-san’s wyvern and many others have been saved by Ruiseine.”
“Um. Yunyun and Rinrin also say you’re amazing?”
“Oh my, to be praised by the Sage of the Mimicho Race, I’m embarrassed.”
By some unspoken agreement, everyone surrounded Ruiseine.
Ruiseine, with her usual gentle smile, seemed to have truly felt the warmth of her family.
“I’m sorry. I ruined the pleasant travel atmosphere.”
“No, not at all!”
No, it was Madeline who ruined the good atmosphere!
As we were deepening our family love, Madeline interrupted.
“Ruiseine, this is training! If you feel you are insufficient, do not worry others, but overcome it through your own practice.”
Madeline pointed at Ruiseine briskly.
“To be useful to others, you must refine yourself. You are a priestess, so your path is shown to you.”
“Yes, Madeline-sama. That’s right, we priestesses must strive in our training every day to fill the world with the Goddess’s love.”
“Exactly. So, it’s training!”
“Yes!”
It seems Ruiseine’s concerns have passed.
Ruiseine, now motivated with Madeline, immediately straightened herself and began to act, starting with meditation.
“Well then, let’s meditate too. We need to replenish our dragon energy.”
“Elnea, meditation is good, but… what were you plotting in the end?”
“Ugh! You still remember that!?”
“Meow.”
“Hey, Nimia. This is all your fault!”
“I didn’t say anything, meow.”
“Um. The aunties…”
“Ah! Priscilla-chan, here are some sweets. Are you satisfied now? Or rather, you’re still talking!”
Lesson learned.
Don’t plot mischievous plans.
Be pure, righteous, and beautiful.
Even if you’re not clergy, live a righteous life!
Click the heart to easily express your support. (Login required)
Support
Login if you have an account
Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu
