We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Is there a problem?
We tightly bind the half-mermaid, half-dragon people who were abandoned on the shore, ensuring they can’t escape this time. Of course, regular ropes would be torn apart, so with the cooperation of Ares-chan and Spirit Tree-chan, we have them reinforced.
“Speaking of which, are there any other dragon people mixed in?”
Upon searching with Ares-chan’s help, we found two more dragon people among those who had lost consciousness. Since it would be troublesome if these two woke up, we asked Ares-chan to put the bandit group into a deep sleep.
“We just can’t tell them apart,” Sefina said.
“Why is it that only humans lack the ability to distinguish races?”
That is a very mysterious thing. Even the Mimicho Race and the Dragon Race have intuition to distinguish other races. Moreover, the ability to distinguish seems to be an innate ability, as even Beast Race children can correctly identify them. Yet, humans, no matter how hard they try, cannot distinguish other races. Of course, races with prominent physical characteristics, like the Beast Race or Mimicho Race, can be identified, but even I lack the ability to distinguish people like the Dragon Race or Divine Race who look similar to humans.
“If we’re speaking in human terms, then the fact that the Goddess didn’t bestow such an ability upon you likely means you don’t need it.”
At that, the Water Spirit King said something like that. To think that other races would mention the Goddess. Surprised by this unexpected remark, Sefina and I exchanged wide-eyed glances.
“But where does that intention lie?” Sefina pondered.
“The more I think about it, the more mysterious it gets. Alright, when we get back, I’ll question Madrine and trouble her!”
“Fufufu, Elnea-kun, you’re quite the prankster, aren’t you?”
“It’s a man’s psychology to want to trouble the person they like!”
“Oh? Then will you trouble me too?”
Saying that, Sefina pressed herself close to me. She wrapped an arm around mine and leaned her firm body against me.
“Is it just my imagination?! It’s actually me who’s in trouble!”
With the capture of the bandit group, the problem in Paradise has been resolved. Perhaps Sefina finally felt at ease and decided to tease me by turning my words back on me. But she wasn’t the only one who joined in.
“Well then, shall I trouble you as well?”
“Hah. The Spirit King is plotting something?”
As usual, the Water Spirit King stood on the bubbling surface of the water. From above the spring, the Spirit King pointed at the bound bandit group.
“What do you intend to do with them? It seems like two people won’t be enough to escort them outside the forest. Or, shall I dispose of them here?”
“Ah, I forgot about that!”
The Spirit King wasn’t being mischievous, but rather pointing out something we had completely forgotten.
“That’s right. It’s not realistic to drag so many bandits out of the forest ourselves.”
“Even so, we can’t just leave their disposal to the Spirit King, can we?”
If we left it to the Spirit King, they would likely be turned into fertilizer for the forest without question. But that won’t do! I believe the best punishment for them, who committed evil deeds in a human kingdom, would be to face the laws of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. However, it would be difficult for humans to judge the three dragon people who were mixed in with the bandit group, so we might need to borrow Mistral’s strength.
“Then, what shall we do?”
Sefina tilted her head at my question. Come to think of it, please move away a bit! Sefina’s tilted head rested on my shoulder. The scent of a woman strongly tickled my nostrils, making my heart race.
“I should have brought Nimia with me.”
“But if you brought Nimia, then Priscilla-chan would have come along too, wouldn’t she?”
“And if Priscilla-chan comes, then Alicia will also accompany us?”
“In that case, the ones involved in Yugra’s rescue would be Prince Friel and his three attendants?”
“That’s right. And if Alicia, the sage, were to leave that place, the Spirits would start causing trouble again?”
“And thus, we’d end up back at square one?”
“The idea of bringing Nimia was impossible from the start!”
What a terrifying chain of events! I never imagined that simply moving Nimia, the key, would cause such a shift in circumstances.
“Then, what about Leva-chan…?”
“Won’t she get angry?”
“She will *absolutely* get angry!”
Sefina laughed at my certainty. However, I couldn’t think of any other solution. Then, Spirit Tree-chan offered a brilliant idea.
“Why don’t you ask the Spirits for help?”
“Hou hou, that’s a good idea. We could have them manipulate the Bewildering Technique a little, so we could leave the forest immediately… Ha!”
Ares-chan looked at me with sparkling eyes!
“No. This idea is too dangerous!”
“What do you mean?”
“Sefina-san, you mustn’t underestimate the mischief of the Spirits. They pretend to cooperate but will definitely play tricks. In this case, we’d definitely get lost.”
“Fufufu, I see.”
“Too bad, too bad.”
The captured bandit group is asleep thanks to Ares-chan’s power, and they are bound with ropes reinforced with Ares-chan’s cooperation. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about the bandits waking up and causing trouble. And it’s precisely this lack of worries that is worrying me. Ares-chan can read the atmosphere of the situation. When things are tough, or when cooperation is needed, she’ll honestly help. But in this situation where things have calmed down, she’s likely to play pranks. The fact that she said “too bad” already means she’s fully intending to play a prank!
“Making memories?”
“Spirit Tree-chan is the ringleader!”
To play pranks on us for the sake of making travel memories, what a wicked child!
“Speaking of which, Elnea-kun, you seemed to have a rather enjoyable time at the inn in the Sub-Capital? Madrine and I haven’t had a similar experience yet.”
“No, no, it was quite tough for me.”
“But you enjoyed it, didn’t you?”
“…Yes!”
We did all sorts of things together. Some things I can talk about, and some I can’t. Things I can’t talk about? Those would be the pranks Ares-chan and Spirit Tree-chan and I played while Mistral and the others were sleeping. Hahaha!
“You are a married couple after all. My, my…”
“I feel like the Spirit King just read my mind… or rather, my memories!”
“Just imagination.”
“Ares-chan, whose side are you on?”
Without even needing the Spirits to play pranks, I’m already being teased by everyone. This is troublesome!
“So, uh… what do we do from now on? Is calling Revalia the most realistic option?”
“She’ll probably get angry, but it will only be Elnea-kun who gets yelled at, right?”
“Sefina-san, at least apologize together. I’m sure she’ll calm down if we offer our service.”
“Alright, but afterwards, you’ll have to serve me properly too, okay?”
“W-what kind of service would you like!?”
“Fufufu, as you wish.”
“Kyaa!”
My heart won’t stop pounding!
“Report, report.”
“Ares-chan, who are you reporting to and about what!?”
“Priscilla?”
“Lies!”
“Truth, truth.”
“I won’t get angry, so tell me honestly.”
“Mistral.”
“Kyaa!”
We can’t let our guard down just because the monitor Nimia isn’t here. Ares-chan is also dangerous!
“I’ll give you some sweet potatoes, so this will be our little secret, okay?”
“Sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes. But it’s not enough. Ares, you have to offer me a reward too.”
“Is that little Ares-chan, or adult Ares-san?”
“Fufufu. Elnea likes adults, does he?”
“You suddenly switched to speaking like Ares-san!?”
What a terrifying child. To be able to switch between addressing a young girl and an adult like that, the most wicked child in the family isn’t Priscilla-chan, Yufilia, or Nina, but Ares-chan.
“I’ll keep quiet if you serve me~?”
“Spirit Tree-chan, you’ve turned into a wicked child too!”
Are there no good children around me? Seeing me in distress, everyone laughs.
“Child of man. You are loved by many people, are you not?”
“Am I?”
“Yes, Elnea-kun. Therefore, quickly marry Madrine and me.”
“They just proposed to me, quite casually.”
“Oh, isn’t it about time?”
“But I want to be the one to properly express my intentions as a man, you know? So, please wait a little longer. I will deepen my understanding of Sefina-san and Madrine-sama before proposing.”
“Fufufu, I think that’s already a confession too. But, fine. I’ll wait. However, you must propose before we become old women.”
“I’ll properly take you in while you’re still young!”
The Water Spirit King watched our exchange with a smile. Such a kind-looking Spirit King. I’m sure not only the water spirits but all the spirits in the forest must adore them.
“By the way, I was wondering. This Paradise hasn’t been around for very long, yet a Spirit King is already residing here?”
“Now that you mention it, it is a question. Also, if there’s a Water Spirit King, do kings of other elements exist as well?”
I still lack knowledge regarding spirits. However, looking at the state of the Dragon Forest and the Forbidden Territory, it doesn’t seem like Spirit Kings are born so readily. Indeed, in that vast, natural Forbidden Territory, I have never encountered or felt the presence of a Spirit King. Yet, in this Paradise, which was born from the influence of Listea and myself, there is already a Spirit King residing here. I wonder, why is that?
However, the Spirit King did not provide a direct answer to my question.
“Please ask the Sage that question. It is not my role to teach and guide you, but the Sage’s.”
“Fumu. When you say Sage, do you mean Alicia-chan? Or perhaps Yunyun and Rinrin? Or maybe Grandma Yuuri?”
“Now that I think about it. Aren’t there too many sages around Elnea-kun?”
“Now that you mention it?”
Besides, if we extend our journey to the Great Eastern Forest, there’s Ranran, and in the Northern Land, there’s Istericia. Before I knew it, among my acquaintances, there had been an increase in sages comparable to that of a Dragon King. Well, considering that, it feels a little belated. After all, unusual people often gather around me. Ancient Dragon Species, Spirit Kings, I’ve even met three Demon Lords, and have encountered beings of an even higher order. Furthermore, I’m on good terms with Momo-chan, the Northern Witch and Eastern Magician, and Alicia-chan, the Southern Sage.
The more I think about it, the more extraordinary individuals come to mind, so I should stop thinking about it. Otherwise, the value of beings like human kings and heroes might be downgraded to “ordinary people,” which is frightening.
“…So, the conversation has gone off track. To get back to the point, how do we transport the bandit group out of here?”
The answer to that question is postponed to next time. First, let’s deal with the immediate problem.
“What about waiting for Yugra-sama to be rescued? If Yugra-sama or Nimia-chan hadn’t returned, I think they would come searching for us if Elnea-kun and I hadn’t come back?”
“That’s a good idea. In that case, shall we stay here a little longer? Spirit King-sama, may we impose on you for a little while longer?”
The Water Spirit King readily accepted our proposal.
“We do not refuse those who come. Please, take your time.”
“Fufufu, this way I can have Elnea-kun all to myself for a little longer.”
“Sefina-san, was that your intention?”
But, have you forgotten? Ares-chan and Spirit Tree-chan are also here. So, I don’t think you’ll be able to have me all to yourself. And now that the Water Spirit King has appeared…
“Spirit King-sama~!”
“Let’s play together.”
“It’s fun.”
“See! Here they come!”
Sensing the presence of spirits gathering from all around, not only I but Sefina too wore a wry smile.
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