We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Oz is petrified.
This is a land even farther than the barren land where the Giant Tribe lives. Moreover, it is a place hidden from the world.
Yet, why is Grave, a royal of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, here of all places?
However, Grave seems to have the same question as us.
“Why are you in such an out-of-the-way place? Aren’t you, Madrine, also rushing to repair the damaged sacred staff?”
Grave, who became bald after a heartbreak, has lost none of his regal aura. But that atmosphere clashes with the desolate Nine-tailed Fox Shrine in a remote corner of the frontier.
Still, the same could be said for us.
Surely, from Grave’s perspective, the people involved with me are active in areas like Dragon Peak, to the west of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, and he must feel a strong sense of incongruity at my appearance in such a place far to the east.
“Uh, we’re here about the matter of the sacred staff…”
Elnea and Ruiseine looked at each other, wondering where to begin explaining.
But then, a third person appeared.
“What is it, Father? You came so suddenly. I’ve already finished cleaning the shrine. I’m busy.”
“Rubia, over here. I have someone I want you to meet.”
The surroundings of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine are a lonely forest where hardly any animal presence can be felt.
From beyond a narrow animal trail that opened up there, Rubia, who manages the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, and another middle-aged man appeared.
And then, the two of them were surprised to see us.
However, it was for different reasons.
“Oh my, I’m surprised. You guys are back?”
“Oh, Grave-kun. Are these people acquaintances you met separately from those you were with earlier?”
Rubia’s eyes widened as she looked at me, Charlotte, and Revalia, who was glaring at the blue-scaled wyvern behind us.
The middle-aged man first looked at Grave, then at us confirming our presence, and spoke.
“Rubia-san, it’s been a while. Uh, we…”
“Yuguri-dono, a slight correction. These people are…”
My voice and Grave’s voice overlapped. And then, we both hesitated, yielding the floor to each other.
Oh dear. Everyone present has different question marks floating above their heads, making the situation quite confusing.
In such cases, we can only unravel the tangled threads, one by one, carefully.
“Well then, I’ll explain our situation first. After that, Grave-sama, please explain yours.”
“Understood. I’ll leave the handling of this matter to you.”
With Grave’s permission, I went back in time and explained our circumstances.
“We came here before with this woman with sideways rolled gold hair and Revalia the wyvern to investigate the condition of the shrine.”
I omitted Charlotte’s name.
After all, high-ranking demons dislike being spoken to so casually.
I also omitted unnecessary information for this situation, such as details about the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine and the great disturbance that occurred in the Demon Race’s Country.
Saying too much would only deepen the confusion.
Everyone else, perhaps also wanting to sort out the situation before discussing individual names, listened to my story without interruption.
And so, I explained that the ancient sacred mirror housed in the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine was broken, and we came to dedicate a new one. I also stated that we would then go to the Yorttenitos Kingdom to return Madrine and the sacred staff.
“…I see. So you came here to craft and bring a new sacred mirror, did you? It seems Madrine-dono also went through a lot of trouble.”
After my lengthy explanation, Grave nodded and seemed to understand our situation.
Grave seemed to know about Madrine and the sacred staff matters.
Well, as the Crown Prince, I imagine he’s aware of national affairs.
After me, Grave began to explain his own circumstances.
“Filiel’s marriage is progressing. His post was near the eastern border, where he was in charge of dealing with the Great Forest and the Mimicho Race. But, it was decided that he should settle in the central region for a while before his wedding. We didn’t want him to get injured before such an important ritual.”
Filiel is the Fourth Prince of the Yorttenitos Kingdom and my best friend.
I see, Filiel is finally getting married.
He’s probably busy with preparations for the wedding in the capital right now.
And so, Grave went on an inspection trip in Filiel’s stead, away from the eastern border.
“Apparently, His Majesty has returned from his travels and is showing an unprecedented passion for the country. He told me to broaden my horizons as well.”
I’m sorry, but I was the one who ignited the King’s heart.
It seems the King is full of motivation. He saw a prosperous country ruled by a Giant Demon Lord on his travels. Perhaps, as a fellow ruler, he felt he couldn’t be outdone. And he probably wanted Grave to harbor great ambitions as well.
Alright, next year I’ll take Grave on a male journey!
“Originally, I was supposed to inspect the Great Forest and visit various parts of the country. But then, a request came from the Giant Tribe.”
The Yorttenitos Kingdom, in addition to the Mimicho Race living in the Great Forest, also enjoys friendly relations with the Giant Tribe.
Among the pacts that maintain this peace, there was a promise that if a dangerous monster appeared in the land where the Giant Tribe lives, the Wyvern Knight Order would provide support.
Grave and his subordinate Wyvern Knights, who were scouting the eastern border, received a request from the Giant Tribe and flew over the Great Forest to the Giant Tribe’s territory, where wastelands spread out.
“It was there that Yuguri-dono was being attacked by a monster.”
“At that time, I was prepared to die. But to so easily defeat a monster that the warriors of the Giant Tribe couldn’t handle… As expected of the Dragon Race, as expected of Grave-kun, I was impressed, and thus invited him.”
At this point, the middle-aged man called Yuguri introduced himself.
Although I knew from Rubia’s initial words, Yuguri-san is indeed her father.
He said that on his way back here after a long journey, passing through a Giant Tribe settlement, he was attacked by a terrifying monster.
It was then that Grave and the Wyvern Knight Order rushed to his aid.
While not as magnificent as Revalia, the wyverns of the Wyvern Knight Order are also splendid Dragon Race members.
They unleashed their ultimate combat power and apparently mowed down the monsters.
The battle-scarred areas we saw on the way here must have been remnants of the battle between the Wyvern Knight Order and the monsters.
“Grave-sama, what about the other members of the Wyvern Knight Order?”
“According to Yuguri-dono, he didn’t want too many outsiders near here, so I was invited as a representative. The others have already returned.”
Even though I wanted to thank them for saving my life, I understand that Yuguri-san didn’t want to invite too many guests to the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
However, I suddenly realized something.
No, that’s not it.
Yuguri-san’s true purpose is…!
“What do you say, Rubia? He’s a wonderful man, isn’t he?”
That’s right, it was bound to happen!
Rubia’s parents usually go out to work.
Although her family has protected the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine for generations, they can’t produce heirs or overcome financial hardship by just staying in this isolated area. So, when Rubia’s children grow to a certain age, they go out to work and find spouses for their children, as I heard when I came here before.
It seems Yuguri-san brought Grave here intending him to be Rubia’s partner. And perhaps he didn’t invite the other Wyvern Knights to quietly persuade Grave?!
By the way, does Yuguri-san know Grave’s status?
No, he doesn’t seem particularly respectful, so I’m sure he doesn’t know at all.
Perhaps he recognizes Grave as a captain of the Wyvern Knight Order and a person of importance, but he definitely doesn’t think he’s the future king of the Human Race.
Well, I’ll confirm that later.
“Father, what are you…”
Rubia, looking confused at Grave, shyly averted her gaze when their eyes met.
It’s understandable.
Although Grave was rejected by Yufilia and Nina, he has the appearance to captivate women at first glance. His noble features and imposing height, his bravery as a Wyvern Knight, and his toned physique, evident even through his armor. Even his bald head is a minor issue in front of Grave. He would be a sought-after noble in any social gathering.
“Yuguri-dono, what are you saying? And Elnea, please do something about the Flame Emperor who keeps menacing my wyvern.”
“That’s right!”
While the humans are deepening their connections, we must also pay attention to the others.
“Revalia, no, alright?”
“Hmph, the monsters defeated by these guys must have been minor.”
“Dragon King, please save me… I feel like my lifespan is being shortened.”
The magnificent blue-scaled wyvern that saved Yuguri-san and the Giants. However, in front of the tyrant, it was like a frog staring at a snake. Since Revalia landed, the wyvern had been cowering.
“Wow, it’s nostalgic. Have you been well?”
Perhaps embarrassed to face Grave, who was introduced by her father, Rubia approached Revalia, as if to change the subject.
For a moment, Ruiseine was worried, but there was no need to worry. Revalia remained calm even when Rubia approached.
“Oh my, oh my, what a rare sight.”
“Rubia also has the ability to hear the voices of all things, so she can communicate with dragons, reducing their wariness of each other.”
“Grrr, to be able to hear the voices of all things before me, how unfair! By the way, she…?”
“That’s right, Rubia hasn’t received her baptism, but doesn’t she have the demeanor of a miko?”
At this point, attention was once again focused on Rubia.
Although old-fashioned, Rubia was still wearing miko’s attire. In her hand, she held a well-worn naginata. And her polite manners were also familiar to us.
Ruiseine and Madrine stared intently at Rubia, observing her. Rubia, perhaps embarrassed by everyone’s gaze, tried to hide behind Revalia. Just then, Madrine rushed over.
“I can’t believe there’s such a talent in a place like this!”
Wha–!?
Rubia, as well as we, were surprised by the sudden development.
“Elnea-kun, I’ve found her! The one to succeed me!”
“Eeeeh—!”
Madrine placed her hands on Rubia’s shoulders and declared with bated breath.
“There’s no mistake. Rubia is a talented individual who can become Head Miko in the future.”
“But, Madrine-sama…?”
Even Ruiseine, it seemed, couldn’t keep up with Madrine’s eccentric behavior. She looked at Madrine with a bewildered expression. However, Madrine continued, unconcerned by Ruiseine’s confusion.
“Originally, those who become senior mikos or Head Miko are trained and educated from childhood, but…”
“Madrine-sama, leaving aside the studying, your adventures were filled with what could be called training, weren’t they?”
“Yes, Elnea-kun. Please don’t mention that. That aside, Rubia is a little older…”
Rather, she looks about twenty years old, so I wondered if she didn’t fit Madrine’s description of “from childhood.” But my doubt was quickly dispelled.
“Living in this harsh land while strictly adhering to the basics of being a miko has bestowed upon her a remarkable willpower and demeanor.”
“I see. Unlike Madrine-sama, who only becomes serious when someone is watching, it’s amazing that she has self-discipline!”
“Elnea-kun, you idiot!”
Setting aside the banter between me and Madrine.
Admittedly, Rubia seems to have the qualities to become a splendid miko.
However, it seems unrealistic for her to immediately succeed Madrine and become Head Miko.
Ruiseine and Grave seemed to share the same doubt and chimed in. Especially for Grave, as it concerns the future of his country.
To our doubts, Madrine retorted.
“Of course, I don’t mean immediately after me. But this is a matter for the distant future.”
No matter how much miko potential Rubia possesses, Madrine doesn’t seem to think she can become Head Miko overnight. However, she believes that if she gains experience at the Great Shrine from now on, she will definitely be capable of becoming Head Miko, either then or the one after.
I wonder what it is about Rubia that Madrine values so much?
“Elnea-kun, this is the intuition of someone with the potential to be Head Miko. It’s the same way Linze-sama recognized me, and the previous hero intuitively chose Listea-sama.”
“I see?”
Madrine has a strong intuition about Rubia. I also often have accurate intuitions, so I can’t deny it.
However, Rubia herself was bewildered throughout the entire exchange.
“Elnea-kun, what does this mean?”
Ashamed and utterly confused, Rubia buried her face in Revalia, looking on the verge of tears.
