We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Tonight, we attack the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Carrying the various thoughts of many people, Nimia flies.
We wanted to entertain our fathers, who always take care of us.
The King’s heart danced with excitement for the journey ahead.
Madrine held her mission to reclaim the holy staff in her heart.
With people whose hearts danced with excitement, Nimia flew through the great sky with the flapping of wings that no one could disturb, connecting the capital cities of the Yorttenitos Kingdom and the Armēdo Kingdom in just one day.
On this day, my family, the Fathers’ Alliance, and everyone else stayed at my parents’ home, and the next day, we took to the sky again.
My father and the others were in high spirits even before the journey. The banquet continued late into the night.
The next day, we were blessed with a pleasant clear sky.
There were few clouds around Dragon Peak, making it a perfect day for flying.
Ancient species Nimia and Lily carried us and easily soared over Dragon Peak, which pierced the clouds, to Mistral’s village. After picking up Mistral’s father, Ascres, they flapped their wings further west.
“By the way, Elnea. You seem to be flying quite far west?”
“Didn’t the Queens travel across Dragon Peak on foot?”
The Fathers’ Alliance and I were all riding on Lily’s back.
Two of the Kings, captivated by the magnificent scenery of Dragon Peak spreading out below, casually asked me a question.
“Yes. So, I thought traveling the same way wouldn’t be interesting.”
“Is that so? Then you can enjoy a different kind of adventure than what your wives told you about?”
“Yes, you can. So please look forward to it.”
I replied with a smile to Ruiseine’s father, who, being a clergyman, was expressing his excitement in a slightly reserved manner.
“However, if we go further west than this, we’ll be leaving Dragon Peak altogether!”
“Oh no, Ascres. That’s surely just your imagination, right?”
“Elnea, at least tell us where you’re heading.”
“Dad, if I tell you, it’ll halve the fun. A journey where you don’t know where you’re going, just following your heart and the wind, is wonderful, isn’t it?”
“Is that so?”
While we were having such conversations, the scenery of Dragon Peak continued to flow by.
I explained to Ascres about Dragon Peak’s nature, saying that the scenery we were looking down on from the sky was beautiful and magnificent, but that it was so harsh when walking that it could inspire despair. Ascres nodded deeply.
“Elnea-kun, you’re a splendid resident of Dragon Peak.”
“There are still many places I haven’t visited, so I’ll continue my journey!”
“I’m envious. I just spend my days being pushed around by the Queens.”
“I also can’t retire at peace until my sons grow up a bit more.”
“Your Majesties have a difficult life.”
Since we were traveling by air, we couldn’t chat over drinks, but my father and the others seemed to be genuinely enjoying their sky journey.
On Nimia’s back, flying beside us, the women were also lively.
It seems Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine had already started causing a commotion.
Although I was entrusted with looking after the Fathers’ Alliance who were riding Lily, I might have been better off coming here.
“Nyan’s back got dirty, nyan.”
“When we reach our destination, we’ll have to take a bath.”
“Nyan.”
“Lily wants to take a bath too, doesn’t she?”
“I found a hot spring lake in the forbidden territory, so we can relax there.”
They say women can talk forever once they start, but men can also become talkative when they’re having fun.
My father and the others were having a blast, transcending their status, positions, and races.
However, for some reason, Ascres’s expression began to cloud over.
“Elnea-kun, Elnea-kun. Is it just me, or can you see the western edge of Dragon Peak?”
“Hahaha, it’s just your imagination. Perhaps you’ve had a bit too much to drink?”
“No, that’s not it…”
Mumumu. As expected of a Dragon race who live on Dragon Peak. He’s starting to feel a bad premonition.
Still, there’s no way to escape from here once we’ve taken to the sky.
Even Ascres, who can deploy his wings when necessary, cannot fly from above the clouds.
Hehehe. The fun is just beginning.
Lily and Nimia, unconcerned by Ascres’s anxiety, continued to flap their wings.
Then, in the blink of an eye, they passed over Dragon Peak.
“E-Elnea-kun…?”
“Hahaha, it’s just your imagination.”
No, it was not just their imagination.
The landscape unfolding below had changed from the magnificent nature of Dragon Peak to the activities of the Demon Race.
“Lord Ascres, what troubles you?”
“Hmm, have we crossed Dragon Peak? That means the country to the west is…”
The King of the Armēdo Kingdom, with the hearty demeanor befitting a great man, patted Ascres on the shoulder, who looked worried. His expression gradually became the same as Ascres’s.
The King of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, who had initially laughed off Ascres’s anxious expression, gradually began to feel uneasy.
“Elnea-kun, are we by any chance in the land of the Demon Race…?”
“Hahaha. Elnea, have you perhaps passed your destination?”
Ruiseine’s father and my father also began to have strained expressions.
It’s understandable.
For the Human Race, the Demon Race is still a terrifying race.
Although they had helped save human kingdoms in the past, everyone understood that it was due to the whims of rare “good-natured demons.”
Therefore, the original demons were still fearsome and posed an undeniable threat to humans.
Even Ascres, who is stronger than demons, is not so reckless or foolish as to descend alone into the middle of the Demon Race.
Seeing the landscape on the ground, the Fathers’ Alliance began to stiffen.
But Nimia and Lily didn’t stop.
“We’re going straight through!”
“Meow.”
Nimia and Lily, feigning a deliberate descent in altitude, flew on.
The demons on the ground were in an uproar at the sight of two giant dragons flying from the eastern sky.
“Now, now, please enjoy your journey in the sky. It’s a rare experience!”
I led the Fathers’ Alliance with a smile.
“Look, let’s look at the scenery on the ground,” I urged.
But my father and the others were past that.
Their faces were pale, and the grown men huddled together trembling.
“Oh dear, it’s alright. Look, even if the demons attack, they can’t catch up to Nimia and Lily’s flying speed.”
“No, I don’t think that’s the main issue…?”
In response to the appearance of the dragons, some hot-blooded demons on the ground fired magic spells, and those who could fly tried to pursue them.
However, all of it was meaningless in front of the high-speed flight of Nimia and Lily.
Glancing back at the yelling demons, we continued westward.
The scenery, which flowed by in an instant, changed rapidly.
From the desolate countryside of the provinces to the scenery of villages and towns spreading along the roads and paths. Occasionally, we could see giant cities.
“Look, see. This is the country of the Demon Race.”
I urged the two Kings in particular to look at the scenery.
The Kings, who had initially been scared by the cities and townscapes I pointed out, gradually widened their eyes.
After all, I didn’t invite the Fathers’ Alliance to the Demon Race’s country just to be malicious.
I wanted to show them. I wanted to show the Kings what the country of the Demon Race was like.
“This is…”
“Unbelievable…”
Even the large cities, which rivaled the capital cities in their development, were merely provincial capitals.
However, even the roads extending from those provincial cities were perfectly maintained, with many people moving about vibrantly.
Not only that, but buildings lined the roads branching off from the main roads, forming settlements that extended deep into the mountains.
From the demons’ perspective, human countries might be considered more rural than the frontiers. The scenery unfolding below was so developed.
“This is the country of the Giant Demon Lord, who has maintained stable rule for hundreds of years. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
If we headed north, we would eventually reach the territory once ruled by Kusharilla.
I have a faint memory of the prosperity of the northern country, which is now a lawless zone. However, it had not prospered as much as the country of the Giant Demon Lord.
Looking again like this, the Giant Demon Lord is indeed amazing.
He ruled over demons who would destroy everything at the slightest absence of a ruler for hundreds of years. His power and skill can be recognized, even across different races.
And he silently demonstrates how important it is to prosper peacefully.
The two Kings, amazed by the flowing scenery, thought they couldn’t believe that evil demons could be so wonderfully prosperous.
“We were receiving aid from a King who rules such a country.”
“I never imagined the Demon Race could be so prosperous.”
“It’s amazing! While there are unforgivable cultures like slavery for humans, this is the country ruled by the Giant Demon Lord.”
“How insignificant our country is compared to this.”
“How much effort must have gone into developing it to this extent?”
To make the country flourish. To make the citizens happy and prosperous. Anyone who rules a country must surely cherish such desires in their heart.
I wanted the Kings, and indeed everyone in the Fathers’ Alliance, to have a more accurate understanding of the Giant Demon Lord they were about to meet.
The scenery on the ground clearly depicted what I wanted to convey.
“The way of prosperity differs by race. We must surprise the races who come to observe us in our own way.”
“If it’s difficult for the Human Race to prosper alone, then cooperating with the Dragon Race, Giant Race, and Mimicho Race would be good. We can’t lose to the Demon Race.”
“There are also the Dragon Race and Beast Race, and even good-natured Magic Beasts. And if we can connect with mischievous spirits and animals, they can surely become good friends. If we all work together, it will surely be a wonderful country.”
“No, no, I think only you, Elnea-kun, could become friends with Magic Beasts and spirits.”
The men all nodded in agreement with Ascres’s retort.
*Sniffle.* It’s a shame to dismiss possibilities from the outset.
In any case, it seems the Kings have properly understood the scenery I wanted to show them and the meaning I wanted to convey.
“That’s good! You won’t be branded as wicked Dragon Kings who kidnapped good people to the Demon Race’s country!”
“Hey, Lily. What are you saying?”
However, I might receive the evaluation Lily just uttered.
After all, our destination is the Demon Lord’s Castle!
After entering the Demon Race’s country, Lily took the lead, with Nimia following.
And everyone in the Fathers’ Alliance was captivated by the scenery of the Demon Race’s country.
“Um, where’s the castle?”
“That’s not a castle, it’s a noble’s mansion!”
“Then, is that a demon’s mansion too!?”
“That one’s a castle!”
“Hmm, I can’t tell at all!”
It’s no wonder the Kings were scratching their heads.
Even within the prosperous townscape, the buildings that stood out as large were scattered here and there, and all of them were heavily constructed.
“The large buildings are probably residences of nobles or high-ranking demons. And the strict security everywhere is probably to prevent raids, right?”
“Elnea-kun, you got it exactly right!”
“Even nobles and high-ranking demons are subject to attacks?”
“The Demon Race operates on a ‘survival of the fittest’ principle. No matter how strong they are, they can be tripped up if they’re careless. Even in a peacefully governed country.”
Just because they enjoy civilization doesn’t mean the demons have lost their true nature.
The peaceful rule of the Giant Demon Lord only extends to preventing internal strife and invasions from other countries, not to preventing large-scale calamities.
Therefore, localized conflicts among demons are commonplace.
My father and the others were surprised by the contrast between the prosperous cityscape and the true nature of the demons.
“However, aren’t there quite a lot of large mansions and castles?”
Indeed, there might be.
If a country prospers for a long time, more people will acquire wealth, but it’s normally unheard of for so many large mansions to be scattered throughout.
Lily replied in a light tone to the King’s question.
“We’re entering the Demon Capital.”
“Eh!?”
It was because we were near the Demon Capital, the base of the Giant Demon Lord, that there were many mansions of high-ranking demons and castles of guardians!
Did that explanation reach the ears of the Fathers’ Alliance?
When I checked, the Fathers’ Alliance had blank stares on their faces.
“That you see over there is the Demon Lord’s Castle.”
“Wha!?”
The men opened their mouths wide.
“His Majesty the Demon Lord awaits you! The demons are eagerly waiting for you!”
“Na-na-na-na-NAH!!”
Now, now, Lily. You shouldn’t say such ominous things.
It’s true that the Demon Lord, the Demon Race Army, and the Chancellor are waiting for the arrival of the Fathers’ Alliance, but they aren’t plotting anything sinister.
The Fathers’ Alliance were frozen, staring at the ground cities that prospered more than any landscape they had seen so far, and the giant Demon Lord’s Castle spread out before them.
“You don’t need to be so tense. Your father and I have shared drinks with the Giant Demon Lord before.”
“N-no… that’s a different story!”
“Everything around us is demons…”
“Will we be able to return alive…?”
“Could it be that we’re sacrifices!?”
“Ah, Goddess. Please grant us your protection.”
The Fathers’ Alliance, who were excited by the scenery of Dragon Peak, moved by the sight of the Demon Race’s country, and now despairing before the Demon Lord’s Castle.
We experienced so many things in just one day!
But the fun is just beginning!
Lily and Nimia, full of spirit, landed in the courtyard of the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Demons assembled, surrounding the two giant dragons.
“Representatives of the Human Race, welcome. Tonight, the Demon Race shall entertain you fully.”
And then, a peerlessly beautiful woman, clad in luxurious blue attire, appeared and smiled.
But for some reason, it didn’t look like a welcoming smile, but a wicked one. I can’t say that out loud!
“You don’t need to say it, I’ve already received it?”
“Damn it!”
Glowered at by the Giant Demon Lord, I froze just like my father and the others.
