We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The beginning of a male journey.
This is the reception room of the Great Shrine, a place with a particularly solemn presence in the royal capital of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
In the space cleared of people, only I, Mistral, Sefina, and Madrine were present.
Sefina and Madrine were oddly made to sit in seiza in front of Mistral.
And with solemn expressions, they gazed at Mistral, who stood tall and imposing.
“I will not permit marriage until the issue of lifespan is overcome.”
Mistral spoke of his family’s customs and secrets in front of Sefina and Madrine.
Sefina nodded with a sincere expression at Mistral’s words.
However, Madrine, who was sitting next to her, voiced her dissatisfaction.
“Muki! What right do you have to say such a thing!”
“As the privilege of the head wife!”
Mistral’s tone, which left no room for argument, rendered Madrine speechless.
“If you wish to join our family, you must abide by the customs and rules we have established. If you dislike it, you will give up. Furthermore, if you cause any serious problems, you will be sent back to your hometown immediately. Understood?”
Before early summer, Sefina, who had joined our family, had been informed of the family’s rules in advance. Thus, Sefina technically didn’t need to be here. However, at her earnest request, she was present at this meeting where Madrine was brought up.
It seemed she wanted to hear the conversation anew.
Despite all this, Sefina was accepted into our family precisely because she agreed to the promises made with everyone.
However, Madrine looked displeased.
“Madrine, choose. Will you accept our rules and join the family, or will you refuse and continue your current life?”
Madrine, sitting next to Sefina, glared at Mistral with a furrowed brow. However, she did not voice any counter-argument.
Madrine might be moody and selfish, but she understands.
The conditions Mistral presented were the bare minimum, and if they were not met, it would be impossible to live together with us.
“And one more thing. Madrine, what do you intend to do about your current position?”
The “current position” refers to her role as the Head Miko, representing the clergy of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
With such a responsible position as Head Miko, it would be impossible to travel to various places with us or live in forbidden territories.
In response to Mistral’s question, Madrine closed her eyes and pondered deeply.
Madrine, who usually makes snap judgments, could not give a casual answer to this.
We quietly waited for Madrine’s answer.
Then, as if having made up her mind, Madrine opened her mouth.
“It’s unfair that only Sefina gets to. I absolutely won’t forgive Yufi and Nina getting married! But… I don’t want to be mistaken about my duties and responsibilities. Therefore, I cannot marry Elnea-kun for now.”
I wanted to interject by saying that marriage would be possible if the lifespan issue could be resolved, but Madrine’s serious demeanor left no room for interruption.
“I have broken the great staff passed down through generations at the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. No, not only that. The staff, broken by a wicked Demon Lord, has been stolen. I believe that retrieving and repairing that staff is now my supreme mission. Therefore, I want to consider my own circumstances after that… So, take me to the Demon Lord’s Castle with you!”
“That means you’ll be acting with us, right?”
“Well, I suppose so.”
Heh. As expected, Madrine is Madrine.
I thought this was a very serious conversation, but the essence of it hasn’t changed from the beginning.
She wants to go to the Demon Lord’s Castle with us to retrieve the staff. That means, it’s the same as before.
What to do about her position as Head Miko. This is an important issue for the Human Race living in the Yorttenitos Kingdom, but perhaps nothing can be done until the staff is recovered.
Madrine is determined to resolve it as the Head Miko’s imperative, and the clergy supporting her seem to agree with this.
“Understood. Then, Madrine, I accept you. However, do not cause trouble with Yufi and Nina.”
Mistral is here representing the full authority of the head wife. Therefore, Mistral’s statement is the collective will of the wives.
Madrine reluctantly shows her willingness to comply with Mistral’s words.
Well, if she ends up with Yufilia and Nina, she’ll definitely cause trouble, but everyone is prepared for that, and it’s a problem that can be tolerated.
However, the part where marriage is only possible if the lifespan issue is resolved is non-negotiable.
Madrine was well aware of this.
“Sefina-san, Madrine-sama. We will also face the issue of lifespan together, so don’t give up, okay?”
“As expected of Elnea-kun. I have high hopes. Ah, of course, I will make an effort myself.”
“I won’t let Yufi and Nina have all the fun! Just you watch, I’ll definitely become immortal!”
“No, no, you can be ageless, but not immortal, you know?”
We offer a wry smile at Madrine’s resolve.
Nevertheless, we have now confirmed Madrine’s intentions.
All that’s left is for everyone to move forward towards the challenge.
And the immediate challenge is the male journey with the federation of fathers.
So, we have come to the Yorttenitos Kingdom to pick up the King.
The scene changes.
We have arrived at the palace of the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
Early summer quickly passed, and now it is the height of summer. The story of the men is finally about to begin.
Well, that’s how I’m putting it grandly, but in reality, we’re just taking advantage of the period when the royalty takes a break for summer vacation.
“Your Majesty, we have come to escort you.”
“Oh, is it finally time for our journey?”
“Yes. I will take you to a fun place.”
With a smile, I offered my hands to the King, who extended his expectantly. I firmly clasped them with both of mine.
“Nimia will be in charge of transportation. If it were Gusferus, we’d lose pace with the other fathers’ federations.”
“Are we going somewhere far?”
“Yes. We’re going somewhere quite far.”
“There’s no problem. Gusferus is an earth dragon with a dark attribute. If I hide in his shadow, I can accompany you anywhere.”
The King’s partner is Gusferus, after all.
He might have wanted to ride his partner, but crossing Dragon Peak on an earth dragon’s feet would surely take us beyond the year.
And so, here comes Nimia!
“Leave it to me, nya.”
“Oh, Guardian Dragon, I entrust it to you.”
When the Yorttenitos Kingdom faced a crisis, it was Asher, Nimia’s mother, who appeared majestically and showed overwhelming presence.
Therefore, Nimia, who resembles her mother and is a snow dragon just like her, is also inexplicably popular in the Yorttenitos Kingdom as a Guardian Dragon.
It seems that woodblock prints depicting me, the celestial maiden dancing on the divine Nimia, or Asher, have been selling well even now.
“My packing is finished. I have also handed over my political affairs to Grave. How much food will be needed?”
“There is no need to worry about food. We will reach our destination in just a few days, and a luxurious meal awaits us there.”
The King, excited like a boy about the upcoming male journey, had Lyra by his side, taking care of him.
Lyra, without accompanying us to the Great Shrine, had met the King shortly after arriving in the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
“Hou hou, you are inviting me to a place of great importance, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes. Elnea-sama has planned a wonderful journey.”
Lyra, I’m sorry.
Because I’ve involved you in my schemes, I cannot tell you where the King is being taken.
In my heart, I apologized to the diligent Lyra.
“Tch. You all have it so easy.”
Just then, Grave appeared, carrying the King’s luggage.
It seems Grave also wanted to go on the male journey. So, I decided to invite him.
“No, I’ll pass. I have work to do.”
“Understood. As the next king, please diligently carry out your political duties. Also, if you’d like, shall I invite you after the King and the others?”
“Hou, that’s unusual of you to be so considerate.”
Hee hee hee. I wonder what would happen if I left Grave alone in the Demon Lord’s Castle?
Without showing even a fraction of this devilish thought on my face, I made a pledge with Grave.
By the way, the third prince, Caster, and the fourth prince, Friel, are active on the eastern border.
They are apparently working with the Giant Tribe and the Great Forest’s Mimicho Race to crush monster nests.
And speaking of the Giant Tribe.
Their delegation has already entered the capital city.
Of course, the Mimicho Race’s delegation has also come to the capital.
Grave’s return to the capital is also for the purpose of entertaining and negotiating with the delegates of various races we have invited.
According to what Madrine told me on the way, woodblock prints of the valiant Giant Tribe and elegant portraits of Mimicho Race beauties have also been popular recently.
The people of the Yorttenitos Kingdom are quick to catch trends, aren’t they?
Well, this trend is also an indication that other races are being accepted with tolerance, which I think is something to be genuinely happy about.
Inter-species exchange in the Yorttenitos Kingdom seems to be progressing smoothly.
And if the country’s operations are smooth, we can enjoy our journey without any lingering worries.
Well then, let’s head to our destination immediately!
In the courtyard of the royal palace, Nimia grows large.
We tie the King’s luggage to Nimia’s back and carefully guide the King, who has a disability in one half of his body.
Madrine, who accompanied us to the palace, also leaps onto Nimia’s back.
“Everyone, do your best in my absence.”
After saying so to the high-ranking officials who came to see us off, the King takes to the sky!
Madrine, likewise, bids farewell to the clergy and embarks on her journey to reclaim the staff.
“Hoo, what exhilaration!”
The King is the foremost Dragon Knight of his generation, but it seems this is his first time riding a flying dragon.
Looking down at the capital city’s scenery, which rapidly grows smaller, the King, whose joy explodes like a child’s, is gently supported by Lyra.
“Departure, nyaan!”
As Nimia flaps her wings, the shrinking terrestrial scenery and the clouds below flow by.
The King’s eyes widen in surprise and emotion.
Yeah, yeah, I totally get it.
I was also incredibly moved when I was first carried on Asher’s back.
Although the view from the sky is now commonplace, it is still something special.
Flying at high speed, higher than any wyvern.
The King expresses his innocent delight at Nimia’s spectacular flight.
“I’m sorry, Gusferus, but this is truly wonderful. Don’t you owe Nimia-dono your gratitude?”
“Yes, she always works hard, so I can’t thank her enough.”
“As a reward, I always get snacks, nya.”
It’s very kind of Nimia to be satisfied with snacks as her reward.
Revalia, who is not here, demands meat in return, or orders us to wash her.
That Revalia is acting separately from us.
No, it’s more accurate to say she’s babysitting at Dragon Peak, having rejected our request without hesitation.
She’s probably diligently taking care of Rim and Fiorina right about now.
“By the way, what are the others doing?”
The King asks, still mesmerized by the flowing scenery.
“Uh, the people from the Armēdo Kingdom are entrusted to Lily. Yufilia, Nina, and Ruiseine are acting as guides. First, we’ll rendezvous with everyone else in the Armēdo Kingdom, and then we’ll pick up Mistral’s father at Dragon Peak.”
“What? You call it a male journey, but there are women involved, aren’t there?”
“Well, they are my wives, so to speak. However, once we reach our destination, the wives will step aside, and that’s when the real event begins.”
I’ll be gone too!
A thrilling journey to the Demon Lord’s Castle for the federation of fathers.
Sponsored by the Giant Demon Lord and the demon race.
It will definitely be a memorable experience!
A terrifying memory, perhaps?
That’s just your imagination.
Seeing my heartwarming smile, Mistral, who knows the full extent of the plan, sighs.
However, the King, who is enjoying the journey through the sky, is oblivious to our exchange.
Lyra, diligently tending to him, tries to entertain him.
“Wicked nya.”
“Mmm, Nimia-dono, did you say something?”
“It’s nothing, nya.”
Nimia, by not reporting to the King, you are also an accomplice, ha ha ha.
Heading directly to our destination at high speed is also to prevent the fathers’ federation from having a chance to escape.
By the time they realize it, they’ll be at the Demon Lord’s Castle!
Being able to stay at the Demon Lord’s Castle in the Demon Race’s Country is a rare experience.
Let’s make sure the fathers’ federation fully enjoys it.
Incidentally, while the fathers’ federation is enjoying their male journey, we will also be busy.
Oz’s stone polishing finally came to an end just a few days ago.
Oz, having accomplished his mission, triumphantly descended from the sacred mountain and proudly showed us the stone.
The cross-section was truly beautiful.
Twinkling like stars adorned the mirror surface, transforming the reflected scenery into a mystical landscape.
The women who peered into the mirror were mesmerized by their own appearances, which seemed even more beautiful, and held onto the Orichalcum Mirror for so long that they annoyed Oz.
I managed to retrieve the Orichalcum Mirror from my wives and explained the future plan to Oz, then entrusted the next task to Jiludo.
“I have already conceived the design for the carving. I shall finish carving it within a few days.”
Jiludo said, puffing out his chest, so it should be completed by the time we return to the forbidden territory after escorting the fathers’ federation to the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Once the mirror surface is polished and the carving with the design is complete, we will return to the Demon Lord’s Castle to show the actual item to Charlotte. If there are no problems, Ruiseine and Madrine will purify it, and we will only need to dedicate it at the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine in the distant eastern land.
Of course, we will bring Oz, who worked so hard, along for the dedication.
It is unknown how much the dedication of the Orichalcum Mirror will contribute to preventing the revival of the evil demons.
However, I am confident that there will be some progress as a result of the dedication.
And if we can prevent the revival of the Nine-tailed Fox demons, it will also be a step towards thwarting Baltnowar’s schemes.
Our hot summer has finally begun.
