We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Transmigrator
Nazaria explained that the Immortal Race refers to those who died, ascended to heaven, and were reincarnated as new beings.
“So, did Carnar die once too?”
“No, there are a few who became Immortals through exceptional circumstances. Carnar and his consort, Restoria, who leads the Immortals, are well-known. They became Immortals by their own will, a rare existence.”
Restoria… I recall Carnar mentioning her name.
Hmm, so there’s someone even more amazing than Carnar above? I nodded as I listened.
“By the way, what kind of person is Carnar’s wife?”
When I casually asked, I received an unexpected answer with a laugh.
“Ahaha. Restoria isn’t human. She was an Ancient Dragon Species before reincarnating. Well, she’s definitely a beautiful dragon.”
“Huh?”
A human’s companion is a dragon?
No, such companionship might be possible in this vast world.
Or rather, it feels like Carnar’s true identity is becoming even more confirmed!
“Um. That’s great, Nimia. You can marry your older brother?”
“Nya. If I go to greet her, Mother will definitely eat me, nya.”
“The most terrifying mother-in-law!”
I believe the biggest hurdle for whoever eventually marries Nimia will be how to placate Asher, who dislikes men.
It definitely won’t be easy…
“Is Restoria big?”
“Is Restoria strong?”
Elder Sleigsta, who has lived for over two thousand years, is as large as a small mountain.
If Carnar is the legendary figure, and his wife is an Ancient Dragon Species, she must have a magnificent form.
Nazaria’s family burst into laughter again at Yufilia and Nina’s questions.
“She’s small? Look, she’s even smaller than Fio and Rim over there, who are so deliciously eating meat?”
The two young dragons brought by Revalia were also enjoying wild boar that Revalia had hunted.
When Ayura called their names, Fiorina and Rim turned towards us. The deer-like beast people let out small screams at the sight of the dragons with blood around their mouths and pupils shining in the night.
“She’s smaller than Fio and the others? Maybe she can change her body size, like Nimia and Asher?”
Nimia, who was sitting on Priscilla-chan’s lap and eating together, is actually larger than Revalia.
I wondered if Restoria could also use a similar technique.
Ayura shook her head.
“She cannot change her size. Restoria has a weak and kind personality, and because of it, she was ostracized even in her habitat, let alone fulfilling her duties as an Ancient Dragon Species, I hear.”
“But instead of fighting, she’s a great singer! Incredibly good!”
Azeilan stood up suddenly, panting with excitement. Then, Nazaria scolded him for his impolite behavior during the meal.
“It’s a legend, but within the story. Persecuted by her own kind, and driven from her home. It is said that Restoria, singing alone in the depths of a deep forest, met Carnar there.”
Mistral told me this while serving more stewed meat to Priscilla-chan, who was asking for seconds.
Carnar’s legend.
Later, before sleeping, I should ask him to tell me more about it.
“So, let’s get back to the topic.”
Nazaria steered the conversation back to explaining what Immortals are.
“Immortals are chosen not only from humans but also from other races.”
“That’s why you don’t call them ‘Immortal beings,’ then?”
Stories and fairy tales of humans also feature “Immortal beings.”
But someone like Restoria, who was originally an Ancient Dragon Species, isn’t “human,” so calling her an “Immortal being” would be strange.
“They are sometimes called Dragon Immortals or Beast Immortals, but usually, they are distinguished by gender.”
“Since Soshi and Restoria are female, they are female Immortals. And Carnar is male, so he’s a male Immortal, right?”
Nazaria nodded in agreement.
Then, I wondered what kind of Immortal Airi, who guards the Dragon Altar, would become if she were to become one, but I shouldn’t dwell on that!
“In addition to those chosen for their martial prowess, like Soshi, Immortal beings are also selected for excelling in arts, such as those who accumulated virtue during their lives or those who preached ethics and the Way. Since only a very limited number are chosen from a wide range of selection criteria, Immortals are the cream of the crop.”
Soshi and the other Battle Goddesses, although they expressed dissatisfaction, were undeniably skilled.
Well, they were slightly embarrassed by the unexpected surprise attack from Nazaria’s family and the beast people.
But setting that aside.
We were chosen by Micheila and her companions, with various achievements and future expectations.
Unlike us, the Immortal Race are also special beings reincarnated by someone’s will.
However, a question unique to humans arose.
The Temple Religion teaches that all beings in the world, after death, ascend to the lap of the Goddess and find peace.
But if they reincarnate, they can’t go to the Goddess’s lap, can they?
Exactly who interrupts and takes the dead away from the Goddess’s presence?
Moreover, if one were to say that applying human religious views to a world with multiple races is a mistake, then that’s that.
I should ask Ruiseine and Madrine about this later.
“By the way, Elnea.”
“Yes?”
“Having encountered Immortals, did anything pique your interest?”
Nazaria’s sudden question left me bewildered.
Anything that piqued my interest?
As I thought about Soshi, the Battle Goddesses, and Carnar, a question, or rather, something that left a strong impression, came to mind.
“Teacher, I’m curious about the large, glowing wings!”
Azeilan referred to the Battle Goddesses as “former Winged Tribe.”
This means the Battle Goddesses were of the Winged Tribe before they reincarnated.
However, I’ve never heard that the Winged Tribe possesses glowing wings.
The Winged Tribe’s wings are smaller than those of the Heavenly Race, which is why they are inferior in flight capability. Also, while the Heavenly Race only has white wings, the Winged Tribe has people with wings of various colors.
But we don’t know of any Winged Tribe with wings several times larger than the Heavenly Race’s and that also emit light.
And then there’s Carnar.
Carnar’s wings also emitted a dazzling light. Moreover, although his wings were very similar to Mistral’s or those of the Dragon Race, their spread was double.
Large wings that exceed racial characteristics. And mysterious luminescence.
Nazaria, pleased with my thoughts, offered me some meat.
Of course, Priscilla-chan’s hand reached out from the side and snatched the meat!
“Remember this. All Immortals possess glowing wings.”
“Does that apply to former humans and former beast people too?”
“Even to magic beasts and earth dragons.”
“Wow!”
The beings who appeared before us happened to be of the former Winged Tribe. However, if they reincarnate and become Immortals, everyone can have wings like that!
“For those without wings, it’s wonderful to gain wings and fly freely in the sky. But for those who originally had wings, they have lost their wings and gained glowing ones.”
“Hmm. Thinking about it that way, those who took pride or confidence in their own wings wouldn’t be happy, would they?”
“Because of that, some abandon their duties as Immortals. That’s all you need to know for now.”
Some rejoice at gaining wings.
Conversely, others grieve at losing their prized wings.
And others are angered by the fact that an advantage called “wings” has been granted to those outside of winged races, Nazaria explained.
“If that’s the case, is reincarnation not voluntary, but rather forced?”
Nazaria nodded sadly at Mistral’s question.
Why did Nazaria tell us about the negative aspects of Immortals?
“As a side note, the ‘Immortal beings’ that appear in stories are actually those who have abandoned their duties as Immortals and are searching for their own path or aiming for a new level of understanding.”
Seijim’s concluding remark made me nod in understanding.
The basic facts, embellished with tails and wings, become various legends and fairy tales. Carnar had said something similar.
Every story has a basis in reality, and even the Immortals appearing in stories were originally real people.
“Now, that’s enough about Immortals. You have things you need to do from now on, don’t you?”
After the meal, we warmed ourselves by the bonfire, sipping hot drinks before bed.
I truly wanted to ask many more questions, but time was limited.
“The girls are going on a journey soon, aren’t they?”
“They will come on an auspicious day in spring, guided by the Spirit Tree that Elnea holds.”
“Then we need to finish our preparations by then!”
There is a very high probability, or rather, Micheila and the others are convinced, that demons and their king will appear, targeting the girls.
And they are counting on us to protect the girls and defeat the Demon King.
“Quite some time has passed since New Year’s Eve.”
“The beginning of spring is also near.”
Yufilia and Nina clasped their hands together, wondering what to do.
“Hahaha. There’s no time!”
“We need to quickly make our preparations.”
Laira’s eyes darted around restlessly, and Sefina placed a hand on her chin in thought.
“My, my, this seems like an unprecedented commotion.”
“We must face it with all our might.”
Despite her words, Ruiseine seemed slightly amused. Madrine’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“Well then, let’s split up and get to work.”
Mistral said this and looked at me for confirmation.
“Yes, that would be best!”
We prepared, but it wasn’t enough. Such a situation would be no laughing matter.
Since we accepted the request, we must complete it in perfect condition.
“Well then…”
Before I could even suggest how to divide the tasks, everyone in the family eagerly raised their hands.
“We’ll handle the Armēdo Kingdom.”
“Leave the Armēdo Kingdom to us.”
Yufilia and Nina declared they would go directly to the King.
The assistance of the Armēdo Kingdom is absolutely indispensable.
We want their support in terms of people and supplies to prepare for what’s to come.
“I will go to the Yorttenitos Kingdom.”
Lyra decided to go to Yorttenitos Kingdom, the eastern neighbor that is like Armēdo Kingdom’s twin.
“Is it possible to get cooperation from the Adventurer’s Guild?”
Then, Sefina, returning from her contemplations, offered her opinion.
“That’s a great idea. There are some very skilled people among the adventurers.”
Indeed, many adventurers played an active role in the incident involving the evil race at the end of last year.
We would be happy if anyone volunteers to cooperate.
“The Beast Race will also spare no effort to help.”
The Beast Race warriors, who had been listening to our conversation, stepped forward.
Jab also smiled favorably, promising their wholehearted assistance.
“Then, leave Dragon Peak to me.”
A regular Dragon King Conference will be held soon. Mistral will request cooperation there.
“In that case, I will appeal to the temples.”
“If Madrine handles Yorttenitos, I will go to the temples in the Armēdo Kingdom.”
Ruiseine, the priestess, and Madrine, the Head Miko, would both appeal to the temples. I thought so, but Madrine stopped me.
“Ruiseine. Leave the temple matters to me. You have other duties to attend to.”
Although Madrine belongs to the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, it might be more efficient for her, as the Head Miko, to act.
However, what other duties could Ruiseine possibly have?
Everyone tilted their heads.
At that moment, someone with the answer stepped forward.
“Umm. Alicia will help too! Okay, I’ll go ask my best friend for help. Priscilla, are you coming?”
“Whoa! I’m going, I’m going!”
Hmm, who could “best friend” refer to? I thought for a moment and it dawned on me.
“Ruiseine, please accompany Alicia and Priscilla!”
“My, my, this is a major task.”
Come to think of it, the Mimicho sisters had made a best friend before New Year’s Eve.
A great magician named Momo-chan!
If Momo-chan cooperates, it will be a great relief.
However, sending only Alicia and Priscilla to meet her is far too dangerous.
Therefore, Ruiseine was tasked with accompanying the two girls.
“Then, I will…”
“Elnea, you’re in charge of the Demon Race’s country.”
“What!?”
“Also, communicate with the magic beasts, and as the leader of the Dragon Peak Alliance, appeal to the Dragon Race.”
“Mis- Mistral-san…?”
“That’s right. Go pay your respects to the old man, and make sure to speak with the Mimicho Race and the spirits in the Dragon Forest, okay?”
“Eeeek!”
Everyone laughed at the workload assigned to me without question.
However, not a single person offered to help me.
