We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Under the night cherry blossoms.
“Grandpa, I… I…”
“You’ve returned. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Ah, I can see the flower garden…”
“It seems you’re quite seriously injured. I suppose I’ll have to see you back, then.”
With trembling legs that had lost all strength, I finally made it back to the Moss Garden after the sun had already set.
Spirits, please go a little easier on me…
I only came to deliver a lunchbox to Mistral, so why am I in critical condition?
Mistral, who had already finished his duties in the morning, must have left long ago. As I stood in the moss garden enveloped in darkness, only old Sleigsta was waiting for my return.
“Grandpa, where’s Revalia?”
“She flew off saying she was hungry.”
“Is that so? I wonder if she’s feeling better? It’s probably best not to tell Rim, since she’ll worry.”
“You too, be careful of surprise attacks.”
“Forget surprise attacks, I almost got wrung dry by the spirits.”
“Kukuku, I suppose I have to play with them once in a while.”
“I’d much rather leave dealing with the spirits to you, Grandpa.”
“I refuse!”
Crawling on the ground on all fours, I somehow managed to reach old Sleigsta’s side. Then, I was immediately enveloped in a golden radiance.
“Your journey with your parents must also be at a temporary rest. You should rest well too.”
“I wish I could rest…”
With a farewell greeting, I was engulfed in a dazzling light and, a moment later, had been transferred to the Dragon Race village.
“Ah, the inn is so far away…”
The Spirit Tree Spirits are merciless. If you come to play, they’ll make you play to the fullest. They don’t care about my stamina at all, and I’m completely exhausted from being dragged along.
Still, perhaps because I was so engrossed after a long time, I was able to forget my strange worries and enjoy myself while playing with them.
Could it be that the spirits could sense my mental strain?
I pushed myself up, willing my weak legs to move, and headed for the inn.
It seems old Sleigsta transferred me near the village entrance, not the village square. If anything, it would have been less troublesome if he had transferred me to the inn’s garden.
The village, spread across the mountains, is famous for its hot springs, which I enjoyed last night.
According to the innkeeper, travelers seeking solace visit from all over Dragon Peak. Especially in winter, the few inns in the village are fully booked.
Mistral’s village attracts travelers seeking the Dragon Jewel enshrined in the Dragon Mausoleum, and the Dragon People travel for various reasons.
For those who live on Dragon Peak, surrounded by harsh nature, perhaps their greatest pleasure is to travel through their own strength.
If so, we are in the midst of the happiest experience. I mean, not us, but our mothers.
Speaking of which, last night, all the members of the Mother’s Federation stayed at the Dragon People’s village for the first time.
The most amusing thing was that my mother was the most surprised.
In the flatlands, or rather, in the Capital City, it’s lively even after the sun sets, and the lights on the main streets never go out. For my mother, who grew up in such an environment, the fact that people go home after sunset and rarely go out unless necessary, and that there are no lights on the village streets, seemed fresh.
Well, even though she lives in the Capital City, she’s not the type of person who goes out at night to have fun, so I don’t think she’s ever experienced a night out, even by common sense.
Incidentally, the Queens were more familiar with life in remote areas.
I’m sure those people were running wild with the King when they were young.
Yesterday was chaotic in the evening, but the night was fun. I recall that as I walked along the dark road with difficulty.
Then, a lively commotion echoed from afar.
“Oh? That looks like it’s towards the plaza.”
Looking closely, the sky visible above the roofs of the houses was bright.
The artificial light stood out against the darkness of the path I was walking.
I felt drawn to it.
With my weakened legs!
“Whoa, welcome back!”
“Yeah, I’m back.”
Then, perhaps sensing my return, Fiorina flew over.
“What are you doing in the plaza?”
“We’re having a flower viewing!”
“Oh, really!”
“Are you tired? I’ll give you a ride!”
“Thank you.”
Ah, kind Fiorina. You’re the only one who worries about me. May you grow into a splendid adult with this pure kindness and lead the dragons of Dragon Peak.
Without hesitation, I perched on Fiorina’s back.
Fiorina and Rim, who are still young dragons, are for solo rides, unlike the adult Revalia and the Ancient Species.
Fiorina, carrying me, flapped her wings desperately. And then, she took me to the plaza.
“Elnea-sama, welcome back.”
“Lyra, I’m back. …I see, so Lyra tried to sneak away and got caught?”
“Ugh, how sad.”
Speaking of which, Lyra wouldn’t miss me being alone.
She must have been the first to notice my return. But unfortunately, she was apprehended by Rim.
So, my welcome was a coordinated effort between Fiorina and Rim.
And Lyra, there was an unexpected hidden enemy.
After Lyra was released and I was helped by her, I joined the circle of people making merry.
Everyone congratulated me on my return, and before I knew it, food and drinks were brought before me.
“It seems to be an apology for the trouble we caused you yesterday.”
“Eh? I think it was us who caused the trouble.”
“Fufufu, perhaps, but let’s enjoy ourselves without getting caught up in the details. We have this opportunity, after all.”
As I peeled Lyra off who was sticking to me, Ruiseine told me.
The night flower viewing with everyone from the village was being held in grand style.
People gathered with torches, drinks, and food, making merry. Since we usually go to bed early at night, we make the most of it when we can be rowdy like this.
And since this is a banquet for everyone to enjoy, not a formal event, even clergy members like Ruiseine, Madrine-sama, and Risene-sama can participate.
“Hey hey, I want to eat meat!”
“Me too, Rim!”
“Oh my, oh my!”
Ruiseine, who had finally managed to pry Lyra off me, was now being clung to by Fiorina and Rim.
Ruiseine’s efforts were in vain.
Ruiseine, it seems you had an unexpected hidden enemy as well.
I was tired, so I let everyone do as they pleased.
As I was sharing meat with Fiorina and Rim, I was then entangled by the drunken Yufilia and Nina, noticed Mistral who came to reprimand them and was monopolized by him, and finally surrounded by the Mother’s Federation.
“Elnea-sama, I want to see your grandchildren soon, you know?”
“Urgh…”
“Elnea-sama, please take good care of Lyra.”
“Ugh!”
“Elnea-kun, won’t you take Sefina?”
“Ugh!!”
“What a shame, I should have had a daughter instead of a son.”
“Annes, isn’t it too late even now?”
“Camila, you’re right!”
Someone!
Please do something about these drunken married women!
The Mother’s Federation, no, the Queens, have pushed aside their daughters and are monopolizing me.
I have to escape this hell somehow…
But my wish was not granted, and I became a plaything for the Queens.
Yunyun and Rinrin have also manifested.
They are lighting the way with spirit arts and seem to be having fun with the Dragon People.
It’s thanks to them that Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan aren’t causing any trouble.
We all cooperate to store power in the Spirit Tree Jewel on a daily basis. Then, we summon Yunyun and Rinrin in emergencies.
Eh!?
You’re saying I’m needlessly consuming our emergency reserves?
No. In times like these, we have to enjoy ourselves together. That’s why Yunyun and Rinrin won’t be left out.
“Elnea-older brother is drunk, nya. He’s starting to talk to himself, nya.”
“Mumumu, Nimia. Come here. Now, you have something to tell me, don’t you?”
“Nyah!?”
“What kind of place is the Ancient Capital?”
“No, nya. He’s drunk, nya. Who gave him alcohol, nya?”
“I’m not drunk, nya? It’s just that my head is a little fuzzy…”
“Now, Elnea-kun, have another drink.”
“Ah, Madrine-sama, I can’t drink anymore.”
“Suspect found, nya!”
The Queens, who had used me as entertainment, were soon seen chatting with the Dragon People elsewhere. In their place, I seemed to have been caught by Madrine-sama now.
“Fufufufu, getting Elnea-kun drunk…”
“The Head Miko is the most evil, nya!”
Madrine-sama caught Nimia, who flapped her wings around me in a frenzy.
“Nimiah-chan, please cooperate. If you do, I’ll give you a lot of sweets.”
“Madrine-sama, Nimia won’t betray me even if you do that!”
“Is there some for Priscilla too, nya?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Nyah!”
“Oh dear, I’ve been betrayed.”
This is problematic.
What should I do?
I feel like I’m facing a crisis, but my head is fuzzy and my thoughts won’t function. I even feel like I should just let things take their course?
“Madrine-sama, what are you doing?”
“Grrr! Risene-san, you interrupted at such a good moment!”
“Fufufu, I’m on my daughter’s side.”
It was Risene-san, Ruiseine’s mother, who saved me from being dragged into the darkness when I didn’t even realize it.
“Here, Elnea-kun. It’s water.”
“Thank you.”
“My mother seems to be getting sleepy. Why don’t you escort her home?”
“Yes, I will!”
I thanked Risene-san and escaped Madrine-sama’s clutches. Then, I went to my mother.
“Mom, shall we head back soon?”
“I suppose we should.”
My mother, who usually goes to bed and wakes up early. The night is quite late, and she looks a little sleepy.
Perhaps from the alcohol, the corners of her eyes are drooping.
“Can you stand? I’ll lend you a hand.”
“What are you talking about? You were already swaying when you got back.”
“I’ve eaten my fill, so I’m already recovered.”
Saying that, I offered my hand to my mother. She took my hand and tried to stand up.
But perhaps it was the alcohol, my mother swayed a little.
“Are you alright? I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
I hoisted my mother onto my back, said goodbye to those around me, and took her home.
Truthfully, I’m tired too, but as a son, I have to do my best.
Feeling the weight on my back, I walked towards the inn with steady steps.
Perhaps it was because I was determined to show my mother a good impression, but my fuzzy head cleared up.
“I never thought I’d be carried by you like this someday.”
“Even though I might not seem like I’ve grown, I have grown, haven’t I?”
“You truly have grown up.”
Yes. My appearance probably stopped around fifteen years old, so I might seem childish. But I’m a full-fledged adult now.
My back might be a little small, but I can now give my mother a piggyback ride.
My mother smiled thoughtfully on my back.
“This is Dragon Peak, isn’t it? I’m happy to be able to come to the place you earnestly faced.”
“I’m happy I could guide you to Dragon Peak too.”
“Hmm, should I have brought Father too?”
“Don’t worry, I’m planning to invite the Father’s Federation to the Demon Race’s Country.”
“Haha, that will be quite troublesome.”
I told my father and the others that I would take them on a trip too. However, I didn’t tell them that the destination was the Giant Demon Lord’s country!
“Amazing. You traveled to such a place alone. And just after turning fifteen.”
“Hmm, to be exact, only up to the entrance. After that, I was indebted to Revalia.”
The path I took and the path my mother and the others saw are different. But it’s still the same Dragon Peak. Even though it was a safe and secure journey on an Earth Dragon, seeing Sefina-san and Madrine-sama, I could sense the difficulty.
My mother might have sensed the kind of journey I had.
“You humbly say it was thanks to Reva-chan or the help of the Dragon People, but as a mother, I’m happy that my proud son is admired by everyone.”
“I also respect my mother for being friends with Mistral’s parents and her strange companions?”
“Haha, certainly, while I’m surprised by the eccentric behavior of Sera-sama and the others, they are fun people. And Ruilala-chan from the Demon Race is also a good child, isn’t she?”
“Is she a good child!?”
“She’s a good child, because she gets along with you. The heroes, the dragons, everyone is a good child. You’re a fortunate person.”
“Yes, I’m fortunate. Because I’m your son!”
“You really say that.”
She gave my back a thud, but the well-intentioned blow didn’t hurt; instead, it felt warm.
