We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Returnees from the South.
About 300 years ago, there were those who fought against the Rotten Dragon King, alongside the brothers Armēdo and Yorttenitos.
Among them were Old Man Sleigsta, the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest, the Mimicho Race who lived in the forest, and the Dragon Race and Dragonewts of Dragon Peak.
Among them, the eight Dragon Kings who led the Dragonewt warriors eventually came to be respectfully called the Eight Great Dragon Kings.
Lord Jiludo, who is also my master, is one of them.
Lord Jiludo passed on his techniques and the Dragon Jewel to me, and now lives quietly in a corner of the Armēdo Kingdom’s capital.
Besides me, there are other Dragon Kings who were mentored by the previous Eight Great Dragon Kings and inherited their titles.
Recently, Lord Wol, who is dedicated to fostering friendly relations with the Demon Race, is one such example.
Unfortunately, besides me and Wol, there are no other Dragon Kings who have inherited the title of Eight Great Dragon King.
And so, the Eight Great Dragon Kings who did not choose successors gradually disappeared from history due to old age and retirement.
However, there was one more person, besides me and Wol, who was an active Eight Great Dragon King until recently, even after 300 years had passed.
Eight Great Dragon King Laza.
She is one of the legendary Dragon Kings who fought side-by-side with Lord Jiludo in the distant past.
She is a Dragonewt renowned for her exceptional Dragon Arts, with no equal even now.
However, Laza’s whereabouts suddenly vanished on a certain day.
Orta, who brought disaster to Dragon Peak.
The deadly battle against Orta, who had transcended death with cursed power, escalated into a widespread disturbance that engulfed the entire Dragon Peak, causing many Dragonfolk and Dragonewts to lose their lives.
And the Dragonewts, despite cornering Orta countless times, failed to deliver the fatal blow. In a desperate measure, they resorted to a plan.
Instead of killing Orta, they sealed him.
It was Eight Great Dragon King Laza who, by gathering the power of the Dragonewts, sealed Orta after a fierce battle.
However, peace on Dragon Peak did not last long.
To everyone’s shock, Orta broke Laza’s seal and revived.
At the same time, Laza vanished without a trace.
The Dragonewts all over Dragon Peak, believing in Laza’s survival, continued their search.
Mistral’s parents also joined the search party, rushing all over Dragon Peak.
But in the end, Laza’s survival could not be confirmed, and the search was called off.
Everyone must have given up by then.
They believed that Laza had become a sacrifice for Orta’s revival.
A new fierce battle with Orta, who had resurrected with deep resentment.
The conspiracy and the flames of war spread not only to Dragon Peak but also to the eastern plains.
Nevertheless, we somehow managed to defeat Orta.
Even now, when I close my eyes, I vividly recall the arduous battles of that time.
And I remember the efforts of the Dragonewts who desperately searched for Laza.
That person, at the heart of it all.
Eight Great Dragon King Laza, has now appeared before us.
“Laza. You were alive…”
Lord Jiludo looked at Laza with disbelief in his eyes.
“Jiludo, I am sorry… for living in shame like this.”
Laza, whose mouth was covered with a white beard, lowered her eyes apologetically.
I was heartbroken by the sight of her, a frail old woman with so little vigor, so different from the person I had heard about from Mistral and others.
I wonder what hardships Laza has endured until now.
Where and how did she live?
And with what feelings did she finally show herself now?
“It is my fault for failing to seal Orta that I caused trouble for so many people.”
Laza bowed deeply.
The weight of her guilt seemed to bend her at the waist.
Laza continued to bow to the Dragonewts who had gathered in surprise.
The Dragonewts silently watched Laza.
However, no one blamed Laza.
On the contrary.
Everyone was moved by Laza’s return and was speechless.
“Laza, it’s alright now. You don’t need to apologize for anything. You fulfilled your role splendidly.”
“Jiludo…”
Jiludo, her comrade in arms, reached out to Laza and made her raise her face.
Lord Jiludo smiled at his old comrade.
“Orta’s revival was a sad incident. But, I believe that because of that incident, the younger generation was able to grow significantly.”
Saying that, Lord Jiludo introduced me to Laza.
“Look, this is my proud successor. Eight Great Dragon King Elnea Eris.”
“A Dragon King… of the Human Race?”
“That’s right. He is the hero who brought victory in the battle against Orta. And he is a young man who will forge the future by forging bonds with all of you here—the Human Race, Dragonewts, Dragonfolk, Mimicho Race, Spirits, Beast Race, Magic Beasts, Demon Race, Divine Race, and Heavenly Race.”
Laza looked around again.
A diverse range of races had gathered for a single purpose.
Although I didn’t gather them solely through my own strength, everyone shared a common will.
Down with the Demon King!
“I believe that Elnea-kun was able to grow significantly by confronting his nemesis, Orta. In a way, by releasing Orta, you gave Elnea-kun an opportunity to grow.”
“However, no matter what words I use to justify it, the truth is that I caused trouble for many people. Many have lost their lives…”
Lord Jiludo tried to console her, but Laza regretted not having sealed Orta herself.
At that moment, a man with great spirit raised his voice.
“Even as Eight Great Dragon King Laza, if you have been in seclusion for a long time, your vision must have become clouded! Don’t be foolish! First and foremost, it was our own inadequacy that we could not defeat Orta!!”
Dragon King Id shouted with a voice that seemed to shake the sky.
“Orta’s seal was broken, and many sacrifices were made? Don’t mess with me! We were the first to sacrifice Laza! We were the ones who averted our eyes from the victims and became complacent in our false peace! It is we who are sinful, we who were powerless and could do nothing!!”
“That’s why, Laza,” Lord Id placed his hands on Laza’s shoulders.
“Don’t suffer alone anymore. We are genuinely happy that you are alive, Laza! And, etch into your memory the sight of us, who have grown. It’s not just Eight Great Dragon King Elnea. We, too, have grown as Dragonewt warriors!!”
In response to Id’s war cry, the gathered Dragonewt warriors roared, shaking the air.
Laza took a breath, feeling the fighting spirit of the Dragonewt warriors gathered around her. Then, she slightly turned up the corners of her mouth and smiled.
“But, where have you been and what have you been doing all this time?”
Lord Jiludo grumbled, “These young people these days are so noisy,” as he asked Laza.
I’m curious too.
Even though all the Dragonewts searched so desperately, they couldn’t find any clues.
Where on earth was Laza, and what was she doing?
Then, a one-winged woman, who had been observing the situation silently, opened her mouth.
“Regarding that matter, please allow me to apologize.”
She had long, fiery red hair.
She was tall and slender, with a physique that was slightly muscular for a woman.
And her large eyes were sharp, revealing a strong will.
“Uh, you are…?”
Alex and Louvent arrived late.
Among the five people they brought, one was Laza, whom all Dragonewts knew.
However, the others were strangers.
Among them, the most striking was this one-winged woman.
The single wing protruding from the woman’s back was pure white.
Judging by its color, she was undoubtedly a Heavenly Race.
But why did she only have a wing on one side?
“My name is Jewel…”
“Hmm? Jewel, is it?”
When the one-winged woman introduced herself, Ruilala, who had grown bored of her sword fight with Toris and had come over, immediately interjected.
“Hmm, hmm, hmm… Indeed, I have seen you several times on the battlefield among the Divine Races clashing with each other. To be precise, I have looked up at you, perhaps. Your flaming red hair and pure white wings. Mila Jewel, the undefeated Divine General of the Karmal Divine Kingdom, which is ruled by the Divine Race. You’re famous!”
Ruilala’s impertinent gaze, sweeping over her from head to toe, made Jewel, the woman who had introduced herself, frown slightly.
“Divine General? Ruilala, what do you mean?”
Divine General, I believe that refers to a military position within the Divine Race, doesn’t it?
But Jewel clearly looks like a Heavenly Race. And the Heavenly Race are a race that serves the Divine Race with absolute loyalty.
Therefore, it seems impossible for the roles of master and servant to be reversed, with the Heavenly Race commanding the Divine Race army as generals, right?
In response to my question, Ruilala said, “That’s right. Normally, Heavenly Races cannot become Divine Generals. Even if they could, they would be Heavenly Generals commanding the Heavenly Army. But if we are talking about the Heavenly Race named Jewel that I know, she is indeed a Divine General. She is a user of Divine Arts that surpass even those of the Divine Race, and she was granted the position of Divine General as an exception for her long-standing achievements as the guardian deity of the skies of the Karmal Divine Kingdom. But, that’s strange, isn’t it?”
Ruilala said with a knowing grin, looking meaningfully at Jewel.
“I heard that the undefeated Divine General Mila Jewel was killed by a betrayal from her confidant, didn’t I?”
A Heavenly Race who rose to the rank of Divine General, a position only attainable by the Divine Race, due to her exceptional achievements.
However, she was killed by betrayal.
That is the Heavenly Race woman named Mila Jewel that Ruilala knows.
And the one-winged woman standing before us now looks exactly like the person Ruilala knows.
“…I see, Sword Noble Ruilala. There were a few instances where a sword-crazy Demon who repeatedly caused trouble on the Divine Race’s battlefields. And, two Demon Lords… It seems they cannot be hidden.”
The Giant Demon Lord seemed uninterested in our conversation and was busy tormenting Astel with impossible demands. The Fairy Demon Lord Kusharilla also seemed uninterested in the Dragonewts and other races, keeping her distance and looking bored.
Jewel glanced at the two Demon Lords and sighed in resignation.
“These are names and statuses I have already abandoned. I was indeed once loyal to the Karmal Divine Kingdom. However, as you can see. I lost one of my wings and was dismissed from my post.”
Recalling a bitter past, Jewel’s expression darkened. It seems that the reason Jewel is one-winged is that she lost her right wing due to various circumstances in the past.
“To return to the beginning of the conversation. The reason Laza was delayed in her return to Dragon Peak is entirely my fault. I wish to offer my heartfelt apologies to the Dragonewts.”
This time, Jewel bowed to the Dragonewts.
“It was Laza who saved me when I was near death, pursued by my former friend.”
“Hey, Laza. Did you flee to the Southern Divine Race’s country?”
“At that time, I was so busy escaping the pursuers sent by Orta that I don’t even remember where I was running. But when I realized it, I had already arrived at the border forest of the Karmal Divine Kingdom.”
Lord Jiludo looked at Laza with a look of exasperation.
So that’s why, no matter how hard they searched Dragon Peak, they couldn’t find her.
Laza had fled far away from Dragon Peak.
Setting aside the conversation between Lord Jiludo and Laza.
Jewel continued her story.
“Although I was near death, I initially swore revenge. It was Laza who helped me cast aside those negative emotions. The reason my return to Dragon Peak was delayed is because Laza was guiding me.”
“No, I was saved by you as well. If it weren’t for Jewel, I would have succumbed to despair long ago and died.”
What happened between these two in that distant land?
I am very curious, but that’s for another time.
Once this matter is resolved, I will have them tell me their story in detail with many Dragonewts present.
“I met Alex when I was fleeing from pursuers. It is thanks to Alex’s guidance that both Laza and I are here now.”
Alex, the Divine Race member, greeted us again when addressed.
“I have heard about this matter from Dragon King Sestarinis. Although my contribution may be small, I wish to help. These are my younger brother Alf, my younger sister Amira, and my old friend Wender. My sister is unable to speak due to circumstances. Please forgive her silence. I brought them along because I wanted them to broaden their perspectives. I hope that is acceptable?”
Alf, Amira, and Wender bowed politely. However, their expressions were filled with apprehension.
Well, it’s understandable.
The person they are bowing to is me, a Human, whom they look down upon as an inferior race. And among the various races gathered around, there are even Demon Races, their sworn enemies.
Nevertheless, Alf and Amira tried to be polite, following their elder brother Alex’s lead.
And Wender, who claimed to be an old friend, also tried to blend in with a gentle demeanor.
However, there was one exception who was full of spirit!
“Listen carefully, Elnea, and tremble with gratitude. Alex, who was offered the position of God of War by the Emperor, declined it to rush here. In return for this great favor, you will strike down the Demon Lords!”
For some reason, Louvent, a Heavenly Race member, was the most arrogant.
However, you shouldn’t carelessly mention Demon Lords!
Louvent, glared at by the Giant Demon Lord and the Fairy Demon Lord from afar, instantly turned pale and eventually fainted.
“Please forgive this person’s rudeness.”
And it was Alex, his master, who bowed to the Demon Lords in place of his subordinate.
Louvent, you are embarrassing your master!
Laza and Jewel also chuckled at this.
