We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The White Kagura Sword.
Next to the blue jewel, another was embedded. It was a mysterious jewel that changed into polychromatic colors depending on the angle you looked at it.
The jewel is said to change color according to the attribute of the power contained within it, but I wonder what kind of attributes are dwelling inside?
Intricate carvings were carved around the two large jewels. But this was from the beginning, wasn’t it?
Normally, I didn’t look at it closely, but upon re-examination, the carvings were beautifully etched not only on the guard but also on the hilt and the scabbard where the blade was housed.
However, the impression was quite different from before.
I wonder what’s different? I observe it carefully.
Then, I immediately noticed.
Mother-of-pearl inlay was applied to the carvings to make them stand out.
Together with the polychromatic jewel, it reflected light and was very beautiful.
The changes weren’t just on the white sword itself.
Bells were added as decorations to both ends of the guard.
But, strangely, the bells did not ring when the white sword was shaken.
Also, the bells themselves were decorated and swayed elegantly at the end of the guard.
And one more thing.
Or rather, one more place.
A long ribbon dangled from the tip of the hilt.
Hm?
What is this ribbon, I wonder?
The brocade ribbon was about three fingers thick. It was tied to the tip of the hilt with a red braided cord. The length of the ribbon was about the same as the blade of the white sword?
Like the bells, I tilted my head slightly at the decorations, which seemed ill-suited for combat.
Then, Mistral hesitantly told me.
“I agonized over it. No, it was the old man, the Dragon Arts Master who was making the jewel, who truly agonized over it.”
“What do you mean?”
The white sword was originally handed to me unfinished, wasn’t it?
The material for the white sword was Sleigsta’s fangs. It was carved by the greatest swordsmith of the Dragon Race.
However, to be ready for my fifteenth birthday departure, there were no decorations or jewels other than the carvings.
Mistral said when she first prepared the white sword that the jewel was not ready yet.
Of course, that’s true.
Like Listea’s Orb of Flame, it takes many years to create a jewel that harbors Dragon Energy.
If the material is a Spirit Tree jewel or a jade stone from a Jade Spring, it’s easier to imbue it with power. However, even though it’s possible to imbue it with power in a shorter period than with mineral-based jewels, it still takes a considerable amount of time to make a truly excellent piece.
In other words, the jewel shining polychromatically next to the blue jewel is the jewel prepared from the production stage for the white sword.
But what was she agonizing over then?
Mistral continued.
“You see, you received the Thunder Jewel from the Giant Demon Lord midway, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s a little cursed, but its power is amazing.”
“That’s right. When the old Dragon Arts Master heard about it, he wondered if the jewel he was imbuing with power was enough to match the Demon Lord’s jewel.”
“Ah, I see!”
Although I casually accepted it from the Demon Lord, the blue jewel being fitted into the white sword was an unexpected event.
If that’s the case, the Dragon Arts Master, who was preparing the jewel while envisioning the finished white sword, must have been quite troubled.
“So, a while ago, I was consulted. What kind of power does Elnea need? What kind of jewel is suitable for you?”
I never imagined that someone was having trouble without my knowledge. And I didn’t know Mistral was secretly cooperating.
“I’m sorry. I caused you trouble.”
“No, you don’t need to worry about that. Because thanks to that, we were able to complete a white sword that is uniquely yours and suitable for you.”
Mistral smiled with a “Fufufu.”
Everyone around also nodded with smiles.
“Elnea. You are loved by everyone more than you think.”
This wasn’t just about his wives. It included the Dragon People, all the Dragons, the Spirits, and even the Magic Beasts. Besides them, the Mimicho Race, the Beast Race, and the Demon Race. And, of course, the Human Race too.
Mistral explained how many people admired me.
And then, she said, there was the answer for the white sword.
“Since you are loved by so many people, wouldn’t it be more fitting for your sword if the power imbued in the jewel wasn’t just the power of one practitioner, but rather imbued with everyone’s feelings?”
At the wedding ceremony, I received jewels imbued with the feelings and powers of my wives.
The jewel of the white sword is a masterpiece that expanded upon that to a much larger scale!
“And so, after consulting with the old Dragon Arts Master, we changed our approach. Let’s complete it by having those who have a connection with you pour in their power little by little, not just the Dragon Energy of the Dragon Arts Master.”
“Yes, yes! And that’s where I come in!”
“Lily!”
Lily puffed out her chest with a proud “Ehem.”
“It was tough, you know! I flew all over the place secretly from you, Elnea-kun! Sleigsta-sama and Mist-sama are truly rough with their Dragon usage!”
Could it be that Lily has been so busy lately because she was flying around with the jewel?
“This was a trial to protect the Dragon Forest!”
“Whoa, whoa! Lily, thank you so much!”
Knowing the origin of the jewel, my heart was filled with emotion.
The reason it shines polychromatically is because the powers and feelings of many people with various attributes are complexly imbued within it.
With this, it has more than enough value to stand beside the jewel gifted by the Oldest Demon Lord.
“I need to try even harder. Otherwise, I won’t be able to draw out everyone’s power.”
Everyone here must have also poured their power into the jewel.
So, I must make a vow.
To become a splendid Dragon King who can live up to everyone’s feelings.
“Elnea-kun. Regarding the bells and the brocade ribbon.”
Then, Ruiseine spoke up.
Ah, yes, I was so focused on the new jewel that I almost forgot about the decorations that are just as important on the white sword.
I ask again.
Since Ruiseine has come forward, it means she has taken the lead regarding these decorations, right?
“I always think. Elnea-kun keeps getting stronger, doesn’t he? And he breaks a lot of things.”
“Ugh…”
Ruiseine-san, we agreed not to talk about that, didn’t we?
However, Ruiseine wasn’t scolding me but smiling kindly.
“However, as for the essence, it’s different. Not just me, but everyone knows that. Elnea-kun’s techniques are filled with emotion, and his Dragon Sword Dance is truly beautiful.”
I have never danced the Dragon Sword Dance for selfish violence. I have always honed my power and skills with someone in mind, or to protect something. That’s something I can say with confidence.
Well, there are times, very rare times, when I break things a little, but that’s it?
“Nyaa.”
Nimia, why are you yawning there!
“Fufufu. And so, when I was consulted by Mist-san about the jewel, I thought. The white sword is a weapon only for Elnea-kun, but at the same time, it is also a sword for the Dragon Sword Dance, isn’t it?”
Just as the Flame Holy Sword is a sword for humankind.
Just as the Great Holy Sword is a weapon solely for destroying the Evil Race.
My white sword is a precious partner for dancing the Dragon Sword Dance.
“Therefore, the Spirit Bells and the Brocade Ribbon were prepared as decorations necessary for the Dragon Sword Dance.”
“Elnea-kun, melody is indispensable for dance.”
“Elnea-kun, rhythm is indispensable for performance.”
“Elnea-sama, you can’t fight wearing beautiful attire, but the brocade ribbon will create an elegant impression.”
“If it was… unnecessary decoration, I apologize. Elnea-kun…”
Then, everyone pleaded in unison.
I see, they were all a little worried.
Whether I would like these decorations.
I try shaking the bells.
However, no sound comes out.
I realize this is no ordinary bell.
Ruiseine said “Spirit Bells,” right? In that case, the times when the bells ring are when the Spirits are involved?
Surely, by imbuing the bells with Dragon Energy, they are mystical treasures that produce musical tones.
Next, I pick up the brocade ribbon.
It has a very smooth texture.
Is it woven with Teruru-chan’s thread? It feels as delicate as silk thread, but it seems very durable.
I need to swing my sword carefully so as not to get tangled with the long hanging ribbon. And when the ribbon flows beautifully, it means the swordplay has become elegant and attractive.
“Everyone…”
When I look up, Mistral and the others are watching my reaction with serious expressions.
“Thank you! I think it’s wonderful. It feels like the Dragon Sword Dance has been elevated to another level!”
This is no exaggeration.
I truly felt that way.
That’s right.
With this, I can even fight the Evil Race!
The Spirit Tree Wooden Sword that has supported me all this time. The completed white sword, everyone’s feelings, and my Dragon Sword Dance will be combined to give me a new trump card, different from the Great Holy Sword.
Everyone’s faces brightened at my joy.
To all of them, I say.
“Mistral, and Yufi and Nina, please help me too. Ruiseine, please offer a congratulatory prayer to the Goddess. Laira, please gather the power of the Dragon Race. Sefina-san, please control the flow of everyone’s power. Come, let’s do this. Dragon People, and all Dragons, everyone cooperate!”
No one asked what we were going to do.
Everyone understood.
What I was about to do from now on.
And they believed that the answer to defeating the Evil Race lay beyond my actions.
I hold the completed white sword in my right hand and draw the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword with my left.
Mistral holds her jet-black one-handed club. Yufilia and Nina carry their Ryūhōken, facing me.
Ruiseine began to recite the congratulatory prayer sonorously.
I dance the Dragon Sword Dance to the prayer.
Mistral, Yufilia, and Nina serve as my dance partners.
The Dragons hum to keep rhythm. The male warriors of the Dragon Race play a low melody, and the female warriors play a high melody.
With the recitation of the prayer, the rhythm, and the melody, music was born.
I accelerate the Dragon Sword Dance to the music.
With a flick, I swing the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword, my upper body flowing. It beautifully clashes with Mistral’s jet-black one-handed club, and Dragon Energy explodes.
The white sword draws a beautiful trajectory of slashes. Yufilia and Nina deflect it with their golden Ryūhōken, and the exploded Dragon Energy amplifies.
Then, the Dragon Energy we exploded gradually gained directionality and eventually became visible like shooting stars, leaving trails.
The Dragon Energy shooting stars danced wildly, brilliantly enhancing the Dragon Sword Dance.
Under Laira’s command, the Earth Dragons stomp in unison. Wyverns and winged dragons flap their wings gracefully, painting the sky.
Revalia’s flames dye the sky red, and sparks fly like a blizzard.
The Dragon Energy that explodes through the Dragon Sword Dance. Furthermore, Sefina skillfully guides the power released by the Dragon Race and Dragon People into a single flow.
Supplementing the Storm Dragon Arts, it adds rotation to the main current of power and leads it to the sky.
Clang, the bells that shouldn’t ring chime refreshingly.
Everyone’s feelings filling the atmosphere spread with the sound of the bells.
Then, as if attracted by the melody, the Spirits gathered.
The Spirits sing and dance lightly to the Dragon Sword Dance.
The brocade ribbon flutters gracefully, tracing the trajectory of the white sword.
To make the flow of the ribbon look beautiful, I have to be more careful with my Dragon Sword Dance than ever before. But it’s very difficult, yet not impossible.
Rather, by consciously focusing on each movement, the precision of the Dragon Sword Dance increases.
Within the Dragon Veins, the Magic Beasts dance.
A wild dance, enough to change the flow of the Dragon Veins.
However, there is no disorder that would disrupt the circle. Everyone played their part in accordance with the music and the Dragon Sword Dance.
This is no longer just my “Dragon Sword Dance.”
It is a “Dragon Performance” offered to the world, a collaboration of everyone’s strength.
The Evil Race, the enemy of the world.
Therefore, our Dragon Performance, which cherishes the world, will be the trump card.
The opponent you clash swords with doesn’t have to be an enemy.
Rather, it is when you have an opponent who shares your feelings that the performance reaches its peak.
And the music and dance that color the performance further adorn the stage.
However, this is not an entertainment performance.
This is a sacred Kagura dance dedicated to the world and the Goddess.
Through Ruiseine’s congratulatory prayer, the Dragon Performance should reach the Goddess.
And our feelings for the world will surely be conveyed.
Goddess.
Please save the world.
Exorcise the Evil Race, the enemy of the world, and bring peace.
We offer our Dragon Performance, pouring our feelings into the Dragon Sword Dance.
Our feelings created a miracle.
Although it was daytime, the realm of night descended upon the world.
However, it was not dark.
The full moon, which had risen to the zenith unnoticed, illuminated us gently.
And around the full moon were countless stars, shining with all their might, not to be outdone by the moonlight.
A mysterious night sky where the light of the full moon and the radiance of the stars coexist.
Surely, the Goddess and everyone in the world are watching this Dragon Performance.
I raised my white sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword high.
I felt as if the Spirit Tree, crossing the visible world and the interconnected, overlapping worlds, had reached the Goddess’s hand.
The Spirit Tree gently glowed.
It gathered the light of the full moon and the stars.
And the crystallized feelings gathered by the Spirit Tree poured into the white sword’s new jewel, intensifying its polychromatic brilliance.
Because it is a jewel imbued with everyone’s feelings, it is worthy as a vessel to receive the will of the world.
Now then, Evil Race.
This is everyone’s feelings.
This is the will of the world!
A little further ahead from here is the dwelling of the Evil Race.
But there’s no need to confirm the dying Evil Race.
The will of the world is filling the world.
And it is strongly imbued in the white sword’s jewel.
I felt as if I heard a scream from the Evil Race in the distance.
But without hesitation, I swung the white sword.
The power dwelling in the jewel is released.
The world is filled with the radiance of the full moon.
It’s so bright I can’t keep my eyes open, but it’s not an intense light. Rather, it’s a radiant glow that gently envelops everything, full of compassion.
The Goddess embraces even the enemies of the world, the Evil Race, with compassion in the end.
If so, we must respond to the Goddess’s kindness.
The presence of the Evil Race fades.
I wish.
Please, may I not become a hated being, an enemy of the world, in the future guided by the Goddess.
I think.
Not just the Evil Race. Through this offering of the Dragon Performance, I hope that the evil energy that brings discord to the world will be calmed.
For that purpose, we will offer our Dragon Performance anytime, as many times as needed.
Then, behind my closed eyes, I felt as if someone smiled at me.
A woman like the full moon, with wings on her back?
Is it my imagination?
The moonlight slowly subsided. And then, I noticed that the world had returned to daytime, illuminated by the sun’s rays.
There was no full moon in the zenith, and with the sun’s brilliance, not a single star was visible.
What just happened was like the limited paradise world that Micheila-chan showed me.
We continued to offer our Dragon Performance even after the presence of the Evil Race completely disappeared.
It’s not over just because everything ended. After the main act is over, we must offer our gratitude.
And then.
Seriously, but happily.
The Dragon Performance, with everyone’s cooperation, was busily performed until evening.
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