We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Selection: Attendant of the Dragon King.
After resting for three days in a Dragon Race village with hot springs, we returned to our travel schedule.
We rejoined the Earth Dragons, who had been waiting with saddles attached to their backs, and headed for the depths of Dragon Peak.
Although a problem arose when Yufilia and Nina got lost for some reason, they were safely found thanks to the efforts of Yunyun and Rinrin.
“I can understand Sefina or Madrine getting lost, but why did Yufi and Nina get lost together?”
“There was a beautiful bird.”
“There was a beautiful bird.”
“Be careful, both of you. There are magic beasts and monsters that lure travelers in and prey on them like that!”
“Were the birds you two saw decoys!?”
Regardless of the truth, careless actions can be fatal, and that’s Dragon Peak.
We all renewed our resolve and enjoyed the journey.
And after passing through several villages, we, along with the members of the Mother’s Federation, finally arrived at Mistral’s village.
“So this is the village where Mist grew up.”
The village, with its grassy central plaza and houses arranged in a semicircle, impressed the mothers with its simple yet organized appearance.
“Welcome, please rest and make yourselves comfortable.”
Under the welcome of tribal chief Koa, the human travelers were welcomed by the entire village.
“Um, there’s a big spring over there, and you can swim in it.”
“Priscilla-chan, let’s wait until summer to swim. Also, it’s deep, so you can only play when the Water Dragon is around.”
Everyone laughed as Priscilla-chan enthusiastically guided the Mother’s Federation, as if welcoming them to her own village.
Perhaps, for Priscilla-chan, Mistral’s village was already like a second home.
“Mistral, please take care of the luggage.”
“Yes, Mother. Now, everyone, let’s work… Yufi, Nina, don’t run away!”
The wives carried the luggage unloaded from the backs of the Earth Dragons.
There were souvenirs from the flatlands, leftover food and clothing, and items obtained along the way.
It seemed that luggage tends to increase more on the way back than on the way out.
We hadn’t really experienced it since we don’t do much shopping when we’re out, but seeing the queens made it understandable.
At Ms. Cornelia’s request, everyone was busy even after arriving at the village. The mothers immediately went sightseeing in the northern forest and interacted with the villagers.
A young Dragon Race man caught by Priscilla-chan screamed.
This isn’t my hometown, but seeing this heartwarming scene made me feel a sense of peace, as if I had returned.
“Hey, what are you spacing out for? You’re coming hunting with us too.”
“Zan, it’s been a while. Yes, I need to thank the Earth Dragons, so I’ll accompany you on the hunt.”
As for me, I left the newly arrived village with the warriors who were going hunting to entertain the mothers.
The night, of course, was a banquet.
The entire village gathered in the grassy plaza for a grand welcome party.
It’s true that the Mother’s Federation was welcomed wherever they went.
For the Dragon Race people, human travelers are a rarity. They understand the hardships of travel, and welcoming visitors might be a custom common to the entire Dragon Race.
“Oh my! There’s a warrior’s trial in the summer, isn’t there? I’d like to participate.”
“No, no, Sphira-sama. The Dragon Race warrior’s trial is extremely tough!”
Sphira-sama, who was chatting animatedly with a strong warrior woman, was full of enthusiasm!
And, how long do they plan to stay in Dragon Peak…
“We also considered better trade, but through our journey, I realized how truly difficult it is for humans to enter Dragon Peak.”
“Sailor-dono, I hear that human adventurers are still struggling in the entrance area. If they don’t train a little more, it’s impossible.”
“In that case, it seems that the caravans of the Dragon Race will continue to be the key to our interaction.”
Sailor-sama was engrossed in a conversation about exchange with Koa.
She is the biological mother of Yufilia and Nina, but her personality is quite different from her daughters.
Unlike the free-spirited twin princesses, Sailor-sama is composed. The engagement trial to distinguish between them was also difficult, so I wonder how those daughters grew up from this mother?
Besides that, my mother was asking about me from the villagers, and Madrine was enjoying drinks with Yufilia and Nina.
Although reserved, Karen also seemed to be enjoying herself.
For some reason, Karen is exceptionally popular with the men… or so I thought. But when I think about it, most of the young women are either my wives or young girls, and the Mother’s Federation are all married women. Madrine is beautiful, but she’s already known as the partner of the twin princesses. And as for the elegant single woman, Sefina… she’s currently sparring with a Dragon Race warrior!
I see, no wonder Karen is monopolizing the popularity!
Sefina has challenged Zan multiple times since the banquet started and has been defeated every time. But she seems to be having fun.
They both use a similar fighting style, and Zan’s efficient movements are admirable even from a male perspective.
“…So, Elnea-kun, what are you going to do now?”
“Ruilala, you’re alive!”
“No, no, I’m perfectly fine.”
Mistral’s village is circular overall. However, since the southern half is a spring from the longhouses that divide the center of the village, only the northern half is habitable.
The spring is very deep and inhabited by Water Dragons. And in the center of the spring, there is a small island where the Dragon Mausoleum is located.
Even the villagers don’t approach the Dragon Mausoleum unless absolutely necessary.
We are probably the only ones who use it as a transit point to get to the Moss Garden.
By the way, when crossing to the small island where the Dragon Mausoleum is built, we always have to be carried by a Water Dragon.
If you try to approach the Dragon Mausoleum without the Water Dragon’s permission, you will face a harsh penalty.
So, even for the Dragon Race people living in the village, the deep spring inhabited by Water Dragons is not a place to be careless.
Ruilala is a water-attribute demon who, for some reason, happily plunged into the large lake.
Yes. It was quite an ordeal.
We were in a panic as the Water Dragons cried out that a demon had invaded.
In the end, it was fine because the Water Dragons regained their composure and realized the intruder was Ruilala, but it was a close call that could have endangered the village.
“Well, it seems there are those among the Dragon Race who can understand each other.”
“…Truly, it was fortunate that we had met during the wedding ceremony. So, why are you befriending the Water Dragons now?”
“Well, you know. As those who like water.”
Should I say that stormy weather brings clearer skies? After the disturbance, Ruilala and the Water Dragons, for some reason, hit it off and seemed to have been deepening their camaraderie in the spring just before.
This demon is actually audacious and unrestrained!
The more I get to know her, the more I lose sight of Ruilala’s true nature.
Her parents are said to be the Primogenitor Race who rule the North Sea, so perhaps her heart is as vast and deep as the sea.
“So, what are you going to do?”
Ruilala, who asked again, made me ponder.
“My mothers seem to be staying here for a while, so I think I’ll go meet the Demon Lord in the meantime.”
“Then, would you like to come to my territory while you’re at it?”
“Ruilala’s territory?”
“Yes. I’ve been away from my territory for a long time, and I want to check on things.”
“Even so, Ruilala is still a lord, isn’t she?”
“Not just a lord, I intend to be a splendid lord.”
Ruilala’s village is located at the western foothills of Dragon Peak, wasn’t it?
It might be a good idea to stop by on the way to the Demon Capital where the Giant Demon Lord lives.
“Well then, for the journey from here, I think I’ll ask Nimia for help again.”
“Nyan?”
Priscilla-chan, who was full and ready for a nap, was being led by Yunyun towards the longhouse. Nimia, who was on Yunyun’s head, heard our conversation and flew over.
“Nimia, take me to the Ancient Capital for that reason!”
“The direction is the wrong way, nyan!”
“It’s just your imagination?”
Nimia landed on my head and wagged her long tail.
The tip of her fluffy fur touched my neck, making me feel ticklish.
“Someday, I want to go to the Ancient Capital in the real world.”
“Nyan doesn’t mind, nyan. But Elnea-older brother, since you’re a man, you’ll have to defeat all the Guardian Dragons to enter, nyan.”
“Eh!?”
I recall that the Ancient Capital is located at the innermost part of multiple outer walls. And between each outer wall, Ancient Dragon Species nest and guard the capital, don’t they?
“Does that mean I have to deal with Asher too…”
“Father is strong too, nyan!”
“Sniffle, it sounds very difficult…”
Why can’t men enter the capital? And what about children?
Is it that they specifically go out to get married, have children, and then return? But what happens if the child is a boy?
The Ancient Capital is a place full of mysteries.
“Well then, I’ll give up on the Ancient Capital for now. Could you take me to the Giant Demon Lord at a later date? Can I ask you?”
“Leave it to me, nyan.”
“I can ride Nimia again after a long time!”
“Nyan.”
Nimia is the best to ride.
While Lvailia’s powerful flight and Lily’s elegance are charming, their entire bodies are covered in hard scales, so even with cushions, riding for a long time can be painful.
In that regard, Nimia, wrapped in fluffy fur, is soft and comfortable.
“Um, then who should I select…”
“Yes, Elnea-kun! Of course, you won’t leave me behind, will you?”
Thinking that not the entire family needed to go, I was about to select companions when Madrine was the first to raise her hand.
“That’s right… considering the matter of the staff, you’d want to go, wouldn’t you…”
“Why are you making such a disgusted face?”
“It’s nothing!”
“If Madrine is going, I’ll go as a supervisor.”
“If Madrine is going, I’ll go as a controller.”
Then, Yufilia and Nina volunteered next.
“No, it’s scary when the three of you are together!”
“Then, please leave Madrine-sama to me.”
“Indeed, it’s safer to leave it to Ruiseine.”
“Hmph! What do you mean by ‘safe’?”
“I can’t let that pass!”
“I can’t let that slide either!”
Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine attacked me in protest.
See, this is what happens!
“Hahaha, Elnea-kun and the others are amusing.”
“Ruilala, don’t just laugh, help me!”
“No way, it’s fun to watch. By the way, shouldn’t we take the Dragon Princess as well? Her Majesty is her guardian, and I think things will go more smoothly if we involve her?”
“R-Right. Then Mistral too… Mmmph, I can’t breathe because of these breasts. …Wait, this elasticity is Laira’s!”
“Hahahaha, Elnea-sama. I will accompany you as well.”
When did she join?
The breasts covering my face were undoubtedly Laira’s.
“That’s right. Laira would want to go too.”
At this point, it would be impossible to not take Laira.
Which means…
“Priscilla is going too, nyan?”
“As a tribute to the Demon Lord, Priscilla-chan’s essence is necessary.”
The Demon Lord is kind to Priscilla-chan.
Not just to appease him, but if it’s going to be like this, let’s add Priscilla-chan, Yunyun, and Rinrin too!
“In the end, it’s everyone as usual, nyan.”
“Guh…”
With Nimia’s merciless retort, I collapsed into Laira’s chest.
Epilogue: It goes without saying that Sefina joined later.
