We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
We have returned.
The next morning, an incident occurred.
When we woke up, a large amount of meat dishes that should have been leftovers from last night’s dinner had suddenly vanished.
“Umm, meat?”
Priscilla-chan looked up at me with teary eyes.
“Asher-san…”
It was obvious who the culprit was, no need to look for them.
Asher-san and Old Man Sleigsta must have secretly eaten it after we went to sleep.
We were sleeping near Asher-san’s stomach, but we didn’t notice anything at all. That’s understandable. Both Asher-san and Old Man Sleigsta could reach the messy spot where we had left our food just by stretching their necks, without even moving.
“Priscilla wanted to eat more,” Priscilla-chan mumbled sadly, hugging me.
“Asher-san, Grandpa. What will you do to a small child who is sad?”
“Oh dear, oh my, this is troublesome,” Ruiseine said, cradling Priscilla-chan to comfort her.
“Grr, this is because…”
“It’s because the old man ate it all. I left some for you,” Ruiseine retorted.
“Mumu, you dare to criticize me despite being so young?” Old Man Sleigsta grumbled.
“It’s not criticism, it’s the truth,” Ruiseine replied.
“Old man, stop right there,” Mistral declared.
“Wait, wait, wait, Mistral. Don’t be hasty,” Asher-san intervened.
Mistral pressed his temple with his left hand while drawing a one-handed club with his right.
“Finish him off!” Priscilla-chan shouted.
“Agyaaaaaah!” Old Man Sleigsta’s scream resounded through the Ancient Tree Forest early in the morning.
“What a terrifying little girl,” Asher-san winced.
“Honestly. I wish you wouldn’t create more problems before we leave,” Mistral sighed and stroked Priscilla-chan’s head.
Held by Ruiseine and petted by Mistral, Priscilla-chan finally cheered up.
“Umm, we’ll have you get more next time, okay?”
“Yes. Asher-sama will surely be able to, so let’s have him get some more,” Ruiseine said.
“I’ll be looking forward to it too,” Priscilla-chan added.
Asher-san had a troubled expression at the three girls advancing the conversation on their own, but he couldn’t argue back since they were in the right.
Ah, could it be? Perhaps he decided it was better not to resist after seeing Mistral’s strike.
“Well then, now that Priscilla is feeling better, I must return to the village.”
“Ehh, you’re leaving already? We haven’t even had breakfast yet.”
“Unfortunately, I’m busy.”
Mistral then stroked my head.
“You all are returning to the Capital City in the evening, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
“Well then, we’ll meet again next time. I’ll probably come here again tomorrow morning, but I have to leave right away.”
I will continue to come to the Moss Garden in the afternoon after tomorrow, but Mistral won’t be here in the afternoon.
Is this what they call a staggered life?
“Mist-san, I look forward to the next time we can meet.”
“Yes, let’s meet again.”
“Umm, bring souvenirs when you come,” Priscilla-chan said.
“Of course. I’ll bring you some snacks,” Mistral replied.
Mistral, Ruiseine, and Priscilla-chan each said their farewells.
“Well then, Elnea, let’s meet again.”
“Yeah, let’s meet again sometime.”
Mistral and I exchanged smiles and said our goodbyes.
“Hmm, are the greetings finished? If so, I shall escort you.”
Old Man Sleigsta, who had been waiting for our greetings to conclude, deployed his Dragon Arts.
A golden 3D magic circle floated around Mistral.
“Goodbye, until next time.” Mistral waved and disappeared into the light.
“Nyaa, I was too late,” Nimia, who hadn’t been there, said in a panic as she returned from the Ancient Tree Forest with a large bag hanging from her neck. The bag hanging from Nimia’s neck was filled with many fruits.
I was amazed that she could fly with such a large bag hanging from her neck, despite being only about the size of a kitten. However, Nimia seemed to have been quite desperate, wobbling and flying towards us. Then, she fell to the ground, exhausted.
“Here, good job,” Asher-san said indifferently.
“Nyaa.” Nimia, who wasn’t praised despite her efforts, cried sadly, dropped her load, and jumped onto Priscilla-chan’s head.
“Welcome back,” Priscilla-chan petted Nimia. “You brought us breakfast, didn’t you? Thank you.”
That’s right. Since the meat was gone and there was nothing to eat for breakfast, Nimia had been sent to the Ancient Tree Forest by Asher-san to get fruits.
“That’s amazing,” Ruiseine also praised Nimia.
“I tried my best, nyaan.” Thanks to Nimia’s efforts, we managed to avoid the tragedy of skipping breakfast. Ruiseine peeled the fruits Nimia brought back, and Priscilla-chan and Nimia ate them. I peeled and ate my own share. Without Mistral, Ruiseine seems to be taking care of everything. I feel sorry.
I thought about helping, but Ruiseine seemed to be enjoying taking care of them and smiled as she refused my offer. Yes, she will surely be a good mother in the future.
After the meal, we considered what to do next. We were scheduled to return to the capital in the evening, so we had to spend time here until then.
“Umm, let’s play tag,” Priscilla-chan suggested, just as I expected. I was determined to escape successfully today, but only I was stopped by Old Man Sleigsta.
“You shall train.”
“Ugh, yes.”
Tag also involves various abilities, so it can be considered training, but I had other things I needed to do. I entrusted Priscilla-chan to Ruiseine and began my usual meditation training. I meditated deeply, trying not to be disturbed by the noisy and cheerful presence of those around me. I felt the Dragon Vein, refined my Dragon Energy, and accumulated Dragon Power. Deep meditation gradually created a world of my own. The surrounding noise faded, and I felt a sense of unity with nature. As I meditated with a clear mind, time passed before I knew it.
After meditation, it was time for Dragon Sword Dance practice. I held the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword in my left hand and, as always, picked up a suitable tree branch to hold in my right hand.
How long will I continue to hold a tree branch in my right hand? I don’t have the money to buy a new sword at home, so what should I do? Lately, I’ve felt a sense of emptiness in my right hand. When I stopped, I suddenly saw Ruiseine and the others in my field of vision. Ruiseine and the others had already finished playing tag. When did they finish? I was so engrossed in meditation and Dragon Sword Dance training that I didn’t even notice.
After the tag game, Ruiseine was experiencing a spatial jump, held by Priscilla-chan. Priscilla-chan jumped once. Priscilla-chan appeared after a spatial jump to a slightly distant location, with Ruiseine holding onto her. Ruiseine clutched her chest and crouched down. Ah, she must be enduring intense nausea. Go, Ruiseine. Once you get used to it, the nausea and dizziness disappear. While keeping Ruiseine and the others in my peripheral vision, I danced the forms of the Dragon Sword Dance. The forms of the Dragon Sword Dance, which I had repeated hundreds, even thousands of times, were already ingrained in me. First, I traced the forms, with Old Man Sleigsta giving me detailed pointers on sword angles and how to raise my legs. Then, I danced while channeling Dragon Energy throughout my body. This is very difficult, unlike simply dancing the forms. I, who do not yet possess sufficient ability, do not have enough Dragon Power to refine Dragon Energy from beginning to end while dancing the Dragon Sword Dance. Therefore, I absorb the necessary amount from the Dragon Vein and refine it to envelop my body, but if my concentration breaks even slightly, I fail. I practiced over and over again. Before I knew it, Priscilla-chan, Ruiseine, Nimia, and Asher-san were watching my dance. When I finished dancing, there was applause. To my surprise, I became embarrassed and blushed.
“Amazing, Elnea-kun. I’ve never seen such a dance before,” Ruiseine exclaimed.
“Older Brother is amazing,” Priscilla-chan said.
“You get better every day, nyaan,” Nimia chirped.
I became even more embarrassed by the praise. Is it really that amazing? I myself am only conscious of my shortcomings and have no awareness of dancing well.
“I have seen something wondrous. You are worthy of entrusting Nimia to,” Asher-san said, acknowledging me for the first time in a while.
“You should have a little more confidence,” Old Man Sleigsta advised.
“May I?” I asked.
“There is no harm. You have earned that much.” Praised by Old Man Sleigsta as well, my embarrassment turned into joy. After all, being recognized by Old Man Sleigsta, who guides me every day, makes me the happiest. As I scratched my head with a sheepish grin, Asher-san got up.
“Well, with this, I can return with peace of mind.”
“Nyaan.” Nimia looked sad at Asher-san’s sudden preparations to leave. Even though she had run away from home or been scared, she still missed her mother. Asher-san also seemed sad to part with Nimia.
“When you play a lot, come back properly,” Asher-san said.
“Nyaa, Mother, come visit sometimes, nyaan,” Nimia pleaded, her eyes welling up. And for some reason, Priscilla-chan was crying, snuggled up to Asher-san.
“Your fluffy fur felt so nice. Please come again,” was Priscilla-chan’s somewhat strange and inexplicable farewell greeting, which made us offer a wry smile.
“Old man, you will escort me, of course, won’t you?”
“Oh dear, you are still a child,” Old Man Sleigsta sighed, but he didn’t seem displeased to be relied upon. Old Man Sleigsta’s golden eyes shone.
“By the way, old man,” Asher-san said, suddenly asking as he was enveloped in light. “Your right hand seemed lonely during the Dragon Sword Dance.” Asher-san gazed at the wooden branch in my right hand.
“Hmm, I have already considered that.”
“Then it’s fine,” Asher-san said, then looked at Old Man Sleigsta’s face with a meaningful expression. I don’t know what it meant, but I was happy to know that Old Man Sleigsta was thinking about my right-hand weapon. The exchange seemed to have ended, and Asher-san was enveloped in golden light once more.
“Let’s meet again.” We waved to him from a short distance away. Then, after a dazzling pillar of light rose, Asher-san was gone.
When the Giant Body, Asher-san, disappeared, the Moss Garden felt considerably larger.
“It’s a little lonely,” Ruiseine said, who had initially been extremely frightened, now lamenting Asher-san’s departure.
“Indeed. His presence was immense, so it feels lonely now that he’s gone,” I agreed.
“Will we be able to meet again someday?” Ruiseine asked.
“He seemed to dote on Nimia, so I’m sure he won’t be able to stand it and will come back soon,” I replied.
“Nyaa, that’s scary,” Nimia whimpered. Nimia, who had been sad to part with him, shedding tears just moments ago, was rather heartless.
“He was only kind because everyone was here; he’s actually scary, nyaan.”
“I don’t like scary things,” Nimia and Priscilla-chan trembled. Watching the two of them with their cute gestures, I realized something. Huh? What about Priscilla-chan? We were returning to the capital in the evening, but wouldn’t Priscilla-chan also have to return to the Ear Tribe village? However, Mistral usually takes her back and forth. So, with Mistral absent, wasn’t it up to me to take her back to the village?
“The little girl will stay with me for tonight.”
“Wow, I get to stay overnight with Grandpa!” Priscilla-chan rejoiced, practically jumping for joy at Old Man Sleigsta’s suggestion.
“Is that alright?” I asked.
“No problem. I’ll have Mistral take her tomorrow morning.”
“I could take her, if you’d like,” I offered.
“You already have another bride, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be improper to leave her alone?” Old Man Sleigsta questioned.
“What about going together?” I asked.
“It’s not permissible to enter the Ear Tribe village without permission,” he replied.
“I see.” Even if she is a potential bride, I can’t just bring someone I haven’t met without permission.
“Oh dear, oh my. Then, will I not be able to go to the Ear Tribe village?” Ruiseine looked sad.
“You can ask the little Ear Tribe girl to invite you. If it’s an introduction from the next tribal chief, it shouldn’t be a problem.” So, if Priscilla-chan returns to the village first and introduces Ruiseine, there will be no problem.
“Priscilla-chan, please invite me,” Ruiseine implored.
“Umm, I understand,” Priscilla-chan replied energetically, hugging Ruiseine. Perhaps to get invited to the village, Ruiseine was extremely indulgent with Priscilla-chan afterward. I wanted to say that spoiling her too much would get her scolded by Mistral, but perhaps Ruiseine’s sweetness and Mistral’s strictness create a good balance. And so, we spent the remaining time enjoyably, and it was finally nearing evening. Ruiseine and I were scheduled to be teleported by Old Man Sleigsta to near the entrance of the Dragon Forest. Usually, it’s the garden behind my house, but this time, with Ruiseine here, I needed a different location.
“See you later, Priscilla-chan.”
“Ruiseine, see you later!”
“Nyaan. See you later, nyaan!” Ruiseine and the others hugged and said their goodbyes. Ruiseine would also like to come to the Moss Garden every day, but she usually has sacred duties at the temple, so it’s difficult for her to come. Therefore, they were reluctant to part, as they didn’t know when they would meet again. Ruiseine seemed particularly regretful. I’ll invite Ruiseine again when our schedules align.
“Now then, is it alright?” Old Man Sleigsta said, enveloping us in a 3D magic circle.
“Please. And thank you very much,” Ruiseine gave a polite bow, befitting a priestess. I also waved to Old Man Sleigsta, Priscilla-chan, and Nimia. Then, we were enveloped in a light so dazzling that we couldn’t open our eyes. Phew. The six-day errand, filled with various experiences and great commotion, was finally over. With a sigh of relief, Ruiseine and I emerged at the entrance of the Dragon Forest. You can express your support with a simple click of the heart. (Login required) Support Log in if you have an account Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
