We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Search begins.
Once we decided to act, we were swift. We arrived at Sister Carnela’s village the same day, and immediately asked Fiorina to alert the dragon tribes of Dragon Peak. The next day, we moved to the northernmost village ruins and joined forces with volunteers from the dragon-people.
“Please don’t provoke the resting dragon tribes.”
“Ah, we have no intention of disturbing the dragons’ peace. We will enter the Dragon’s Mausoleum with the utmost care.”
The dragon-people warriors nodded as if it were stating the obvious.
About twenty people gathered, including four Dragon Kings. Dragon Peak is vast. Even in an emergency, it’s not possible to gather a large group immediately. Those here are mainly seasoned travelers and warriors living in the villages of northern Dragon Peak. A vanguard of about ten people had already entered the Dragon’s Mausoleum, so with about thirty people, we would first find Rugah.
“Is there anything else we should be cautious about?”
Dragon King Yakushion, with his muscular physique, asked while munching on meat for a pre-departure meal.
“If there’s accumulated miasma, don’t get close. Also, if you fly carelessly, an old dragon might get angry.”
“Hou. In that case, travel will be quite difficult.”
“Don’t do anything reckless. The Dragon’s Mausoleum is more dangerous than other regions.”
Even with the old dragons’ permission, complacency is forbidden. There are likely dragons agitated by Rugah’s actions, and monsters and magic beasts roam freely.
“Rugah is attacking old dragons in the shallow areas of the Dragon’s Mausoleum. He probably knows it’s dangerous to go too deep. So, please focus your search on the shallower areas.”
The gathered dragon-people nodded at Mistral’s instructions.
“So, what will the two of you do? Will you search from the sky using the tyrant’s flight capabilities?”
“No.”
Yakushion asked, looking at Revalia, who was resting her wings a short distance away. Some of the dragon-people also directed their gazes toward Nimia, who was comfortably settled on Priscilla-chan’s head. I responded to such people by shaking my head.
“We will split into two groups and stand by. Revalia will be here with Lyra and Mistral. My group, consisting of myself, Ruiseine, Yufi, Nina, and Priscilla-chan, will wait in the region west of Dragon Peak, known as the Forbidden Territory.”
This arrangement was made considering efficiency and defense. It’s inevitable that Revalia and Nimia would stand out when flying. If I were Rugah, I would definitely hide if a dangerous dragon were flying in the sky. He’s attacking old dragons because he doesn’t want to fight strong dragon tribes honorably.
Therefore, Revalia and Nimia cannot be moved carelessly. Thus, I devised a plan for a surprise attack unit.
First, the dragon-people will be divided into small groups to search for Rugah over a wide area. These are people who know Rugah and gathered despite that. They are all confident in their abilities. However, since the movements of Baltnowar and his companions are unknown, we cannot be careless. Therefore, if they find Rugah or Baltnowar and his group, they are to send a signal. They can release dragon arts into the sky, or if dragon energy swells somewhere, we will notice it.
Then, Revalia and Nimia will launch a surprise attack on the location of the signal.
“Revalia will cover the Dragon’s Mausoleum facing northern Dragon Peak, and for caution, the eastern area. Nimia will watch the western area bordering the Forbidden Territory.”
Nimia, being an Ancient Species dragon, has superior flight capabilities. Therefore, even though Nimia is stationed in the Forbidden Territory, she can fly anywhere in eastern Dragon Peak or other wide areas in an emergency.
Revalia snorted with slight dissatisfaction at my explanation, but knowing Nimia’s abilities, she didn’t object.
“Even so, isn’t the force stationed in that Forbidden Territory unbalanced? I don’t doubt the abilities of the Dragon Princess and the tyrant, but couldn’t a few more people be assigned here?”
“Uh, there’s a reason for that too.”
We need to pay attention not only to Rugah but also to Baltnowar and his companions. Among them, one person requires particular caution: the Mimicho race woman who appeared in the Forbidden Territory and can use the Transferring Art. Last time, she was severely injured by Ada, but since her companion Rugah is on the move, she might coordinate with him and invade the Forbidden Territory again.
Sefina is undergoing training in the Forbidden Territory. Oz is also staying there to create mirrors. If danger approaches there, we won’t be able to respond to Rugah with peace of mind. Although Jiludo, a former Eight Great Dragon King who can fight Mistral to a draw, should be watching over them, the opponent is a Mimicho race woman who uses sage-class Spirit Arts.
“For that reason, Priscilla-chan will be in charge of guarding the Forbidden Territory. Please do your best, Yunyun and Rinrin!”
“Umm, leave it to me!”
“We won’t be outdone next time!”
“We’ll get them back twofold!”
The dragon-people cannot hear Yunyun and Rinrin’s voices. However, they keenly felt the surrounding nature stir.
We are also concerned about the movements of a demon named Ryzen who appeared in the Dragon King’s Capital, but we’ll ask Meduria to handle that for now. Of course, if it becomes dangerous, we will immediately go to their aid, but we don’t have the luxury of sending someone there permanently right now. We also have Lily as a reserve force, so I don’t think we’re in a dire situation. Therefore, we are prioritizing the immediate problems.
“Ruiseine is scheduled to serve as a healer for injured people and old dragons in her capacity as a miko. So, if there are any injured old dragons, please tell them to come to the west.”
“Healing arts, you say? Can’t dragon-people become miko? If they can, teaching them would be useful.”
“Oh my, oh my, are you interested in Sorcery? If so, you’ll have to convert to the Temple Religion. Those without even faith cannot wield Sorcery.”
“You have to worship the Goddess of Creation, not the Dragon God.”
“Hou hou.”
Yakushion has a flexible way of thinking. He nodded with interest at our conversation. Seeing this, I feel like he might approach one of the dragon-people soon and actually try to convert.
“By the way. Can beings other than humans learn Sorcery?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that in various parts of the world, there are miko who are not only human but also from the demon and divine races. They can use Sorcery properly. Ah, however, only women can learn Sorcery, you know?”
“Is that so? That’s a shame.”
“Were you planning on learning it, Yakushion?!”
Your thinking is too flexible! Not only I, but everyone gathered was surprised by Yakushion’s reply.
“Alright, let’s save the miko discussion for another time. Well, let’s get moving soon.”
The dragon-people, having confirmed my plan, readjusted their weapons and luggage and finally stepped into the Dragon’s Mausoleum. Apparently, the Dragon Kings Sleny, Jura, Yakushion, and Berrig will move individually. The other dragon-people will search in pairs. By the way, former Dragon King Gashark will be in charge of rear support and will be waiting in a nearby village. He will coordinate those who will join the search late and organize supplies.
“Alright. Well then, let’s go too!”
I urged Nimia, and she grew larger. I, along with Ruiseine, Yufilia, Nina, and Priscilla-chan, jumped onto her.
“Mistral, Lyra, be careful!”
“You too, don’t let your guard down. Rugah is a warrior whom Wol fought in the past. He must be even stronger now than he was then.”
“Lord Elnea, have a safe journey!”
After bidding a temporary farewell to Revalia as well, we took off toward the Forbidden Territory.
That evening, we had moved close to the Forbidden Territory. However, Nimia, who was flying on the western edge of Dragon Peak, suddenly began to descend.
“What’s wrong?”
“Discovered, nyan!”
“Wh-what?!”
How swift! She found the target so quickly. Carrying us as we readied ourselves, Nimia landed at the base of the mountain. We immediately drew our weapons and cautiously dismounted from Nimia’s back.
“Oh my, haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Ah!”
However, the person waiting on the ground was not who we expected.
“Airi-san, what are you doing here!?”
It was Airi-san of the dragon-people, who lives at the Dragon Altar, petting Nimia’s nose after she let us down. Airi-san, as if asking what the other party was saying, retorted.
“You yourselves have come here, haven’t you? To punish that scoundrel, I presume?”
“Yes. We heard from an old wyvern who was sent by Airi-san.”
Without much pleasantry, we confirmed each other’s situations. It seemed Airi-san was also searching for Rugah while moving through the Dragon’s Mausoleum.
“And then, I thought I’d descend the mountain once…”
Saying this, Airi-san gazed in the direction of the Forbidden Territory.
“I have a premonition that it’s better not to go carelessly in that direction. Come to think of it, I remembered that even dragon-people never entered the flatlands ahead in the past.”
“This area ahead is a special land called the Forbidden Territory. It’s also the territory of the Thousand-Handed Spider, so your premonition is correct.”
As expected of Airi-san. Her danger-sensing ability is excellent.
“However, you’ll be fine if you’re with us.”
“Oh my, that’s a rather mysterious thing.”
Let’s add one more person who can enter the Forbidden Territory. I invited Airi-san. Airi-san also wanted to rest a bit, so she happily moved onto Nimia’s back.
“If Teruru-chan attacks, will we run away with all our might, nyan?”
“Don’t worry!”
With my stamp of approval, Nimia happily entered the Forbidden Territory. Airi-san is one of my masters. Furthermore, she has watched over Dragon Peak for longer than any other dragon-person. We trust Airi-san, so we are certain there is no problem inviting her into the Forbidden Territory. Airi-san, initially, looked around with caution, but upon confirming there was no disturbance, she relaxed. Then, seeing the mansion that came into view ahead, she let out an exaggerated sigh.
“As expected of Jiludo-bou’s successor. You know nothing of common sense.”
“No, no, that wasn’t built by my own will, you know?”
When I explained the circumstances, saying it was the work of a legendary carpenter, she sighed again.
“A Demon Lord showing flexibility? That’s even more eccentric. Haa, I feel like I’ve been foolishly searching for scoundrels. Lord Elnea, I’ll leave the rest to you, okay?”
“No! As a guardian of the Dragon’s Mausoleum, please do your best! In return, I will properly thank you.”
Airi-san, expecting what kind of reward I would offer, received an advance payment of my special thank you.
“Wh-what!?”
“Oh my, Jiludo-bou.”
Upon arriving at the mansion, I presented Jiludo-san, who was watching Sefina’s training, to Airi-san!
“Fufufu, thank you for the wonderful gift, Lord Elnea.”
“Did you like it?”
“Oh, you could say that.”
Jiludo-san, upon seeing Airi-san, tried to escape. Airi-san quickly restrained him with a satisfied smile.
“I won’t let you sleep tonight!”
“Lord Elnea, what kind of person did you bring!”
“I met him near the Forbidden Territory. Jiludo-san, please entertain Airi-san?”
At my request, Jiludo-san sighed, looking genuinely troubled.
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