We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Those surrounding us.
Ignoring Elnea’s worries, the Urangala Forest, which stretched to the northern part of the Wyvern Hunting Ground, had calmed down.
That was only natural. At the instruction of the priest Jabalan, most of the Beast race, who had settlements throughout the forest, had already left.
A small number of warriors remained to guard the forest, but they quickly took shelter inside their village buildings upon sensitively detecting the abnormality in the sky.
The animals that originally inhabited the Urangala Forest, as well as beasts that fled from the Wyvern Hunting Ground, huddled together regardless of their race in the depths of the bushes or caves, quietly watching the unsettling situation.
There were few figures in the Iskui Grasslands, which spread to the northern part of the Urangala Forest.
Evacuation was also completed here, and there was no one carelessly wandering about.
So, where did all the evacuated Beast race people go?
“Heave ho. Sheep-san, please get into the pen, okay?”
Mei, a sheep-type Beast race person wearing fluffy clothes, was desperately pushing the buttocks of a sheep, which were wrapped in fluffy fur accumulated during winter.
However, the sheep, as if teasing Mei, refused to move. Mei was still desperately pushing the sheep’s buttocks, trying to guide it into the pen.
This was the forgotten Ruined Capital.
Beast race people living in the northern lands had gathered in the Ruined Capital, located further north of the Iskui Grasslands.
Mei, fluffy as she pushed the fluffy sheep’s buttocks, brought smiles to the faces of those gathered.
Then, someone appeared from behind, put their arms around Mei, and lifted her up.
“Gawon?”
Mei, turning around, was met with a nod from Gawon, a dog-type warrior.
“Lady Mei, please rest. We will handle this kind of work.”
“No, Mei wants to work too. Otherwise, I won’t be able to brag when Priscilla-onee-chan comes to visit next time.”
The devoted leader’s earnestness healed even the hot-blooded individuals. Gawon was one of them.
“Then, Lady Mei shall do her work here.”
With that, Gawon placed the Mei he was holding onto the back of a sheep.
Fluffy Mei straddled the fluffy sheep. Laughter rippled through the Beast race.
“Alright, sheep, get into the old pen! Otherwise, I’ll skin your fur in this cold.”
The sheep, having their rears patted by the dog-type Gawon, promptly fled into the pen in a panic, thinking “This is bad.” Mei also entered the old pen while riding the sheep and disappeared into the huddle of sheep.
“Crap, I miscalculated.”
Gawon chuckled bitterly. Just then, Mei returned, weaving through the legs of the sheep.
“Hey, Gawon. That was really fun. When Priscilla-onee-chan comes, how about we play tag around the sheep’s legs?”
“Haa,” Gawon, picking up the energetic Mei again, carried the small leader on his shoulder and left the pen.
“Well then, shall we all pray for Priscilla and Elnea to finish their business quickly and come visit?”
“Yeah, let’s do that!”
Mei frolicked on Gawon’s shoulder. The shy infant of the sheep race, guided by her long-eared best friend and those she trusted, had developed a bright personality.
If Mei was their leader, the future of the Beast race living in the northern lands was bright. Gawon looked up at the southern sky and prayed for the safety of the warriors fighting valiantly in a distant land. Mei and all the other Beast race people naturally looked up at the southern sky and offered their prayers.
In that sky, only thin clouds, characteristic of spring, drifted by, with no ominous clouds in sight.
Apparently, the miasma clouds that Elnea was worried about had not spread to the Ruined Capital where the Beast race had evacuated.
“What’s the situation in the north?”
In the Armēdo Kingdom’s capital city, in a section of the royal castle. Crown Prince Rubion rushed up to a tall bell tower.
Currently, the King was attending matters in the secondary capital, and Crown Prince Rubion was stationed in the capital city. The King had said, “I entrust all dealings with future national crises to the Crown Prince,” but Rubion correctly recognized that he had simply been burdened with troublesome matters.
Nevertheless, since the “future national crises” were being dealt with on the front lines by the Armēdo Kingdom’s proud hero, the neighboring country’s Dragon Knights, and the savior of both nations, Dragon King Elnea, Rubion was not particularly worried.
However, Rubion was not so optimistic as to casually dismiss a situation that was clearly abnormal to everyone. He had ascended the watchtower due to the unexplained aerial luminescence that had continued since early morning and the abnormality he had just received a report about.
“Your Highness, please look over there.”
The soldier pointed to the northern sky, but Rubion had already noticed the abnormality by the time he ascended the watchtower.
Dark, eerie, writhing clouds were encroaching upon the northern sky. This could be seen even from the watchtower located in a section of the royal castle.
The dark clouds continued to spread, threatening to engulf the sky of the Wyvern Hunting Ground. Depending on the future situation, they might even reach the capital city’s skies.
The capital city of the Armēdo Kingdom was located immediately south of the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
The warriors summoned by Elnea should be positioned far beyond the great plains known as the Wyvern Hunting Ground, but if these dark clouds spread to the extent of swallowing the Wyvern Hunting Ground itself, danger would also approach the capital city.
“This individual of the Rabbit race says that the alarm bells were sounded in the north last night as well.”
A male Beast race person of the Rabbit race, standing beside the soldier, nodded.
Many Beast race people with dreams of founding their own nations had come to study in the Armēdo Kingdom. The Rabbit-type man was one of them. The Rabbit-type man, with his keen hearing, relayed the movements since last night to Rubion.
“Around midnight, a faint bell sound reached us from the north. Even now, a faint bell sound can be heard from the north.”
Rubion, who was of the human race, could not hear the bell sound. However, if the exceptionally sharp-eared Beast race person of the Rabbit race said so, it must be true.
“What about this morning when the sky brightly illuminated?”
“Yes. At that time, I didn’t hear any particular abnormal sounds, but…”
“So, the morning luminescence phenomenon and those dark clouds are separate events?”
Simply put, the phenomenon of the sky shining was likely an auspicious omen due to its divine splendor. However, the fact that dark clouds began to spread afterward implied that something extremely unusual was happening in the Wyvern Hunting Ground, enough to negate the auspicious omen. Rubion glared with a stern expression at the eerie clouds spreading across the northern sky. At that moment, a messenger came running.
“I have a report, Your Highness. Among the citizens in the castle town who have seen those northern clouds, a sudden surge of people falling ill has begun!”
“Just by seeing them!?”
The royal castle was built using a large amount of white ash left behind by the roar of a giant, pale pink dragon that had flown in during the previous great war. For some reason, there were no reports within the castle of people feeling unwell “just by seeing it.” However, if people outside the castle began to experience a succession of abnormalities, it could not be overlooked. Rubion immediately issued an order.
“Listen carefully. Broadcast widely the information not to look at the black clouds spreading to the north unnecessarily. Take shelter indoors and wait quietly. Tell those who are still anxious to evacuate to the royal castle, the temple, and the residence of the Dragon King.”
Rubion did not believe that physical damage would reach this land. He was confident that Elnea, who was commanding at the Wyvern Hunting Ground, would absolutely prevent that. Therefore, all that remained was to deal with the immediate problem.
Within the royal castle, no one would feel unwell due to the influence of the white ash. Similarly, at the temple, the clergy would likely erect barriers to protect the commoners. And the Dragon King’s residence, that is, Dragon King Elnea’s family home, should be protected by the grace of the Dragon race. However, the Dragon King’s residence, which was usually lively, was now silent. All the dragons who visited had already departed for the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
The message from the Crown Prince spread rapidly throughout the capital city. People took shelter indoors and held their breath. However, no one voiced their anxiety.
They were used to it. In the past, they had been invaded by demons. Just when they thought the demons were gone, the dragons began to visit and walk freely through the capital. And it was the boy named Elnea who had repelled the demons and summoned the dragons. The residents of the capital city understood that Elnea, who was now gathering people and dragons at the Wyvern Hunting Ground and undertaking some activity, was undoubtedly involved in the abnormality in the northern sky. Therefore, they felt no anxiety. Elnea would surely figure something out. All they had to do was wait quietly for the disturbance to subside. In their homes, people eagerly awaited the next interesting commotion, anticipating what this abnormal situation would bring.
From the watchtower, Rubion looked down at the capital city, from which all figures had vanished after the messenger reached every corner. Rubion, gazing at the silent capital, contemplated whether his actions as the King’s proxy were adequate. Was it really enough to just take shelter indoors? So far, reports indicated that people felt unwell or even collapsed upon visually observing the dark clouds spreading to the north. However, if the situation worsened, different measures would need to be taken. Moreover, the royal castle, the temple, and the Dragon King’s residence had a limited capacity to shelter people.
“No, perhaps I’m overthinking it. After all, that Elnea wouldn’t make a mistake that would spread the damage this far.”
Elnea had made thorough preparations. Rubion’s gaze shifted from the watchtower to beyond the Wyvern Hunting Ground. Just then, the Rabbit-type man, while looking south, away from Rubion, twitched his long ears.
“Crown Prince… I can hear singing from the south.”
“Singing?”
At the Rabbit-type man’s words, Rubion and the soldiers turned their attention south. However, Rubion and the humans could not hear anything like singing.
“Are you sure it’s singing? Could you have mistaken it for the sound of the wind?”
To the suspicious Rubion, the Rabbit-type man, with his rabbit ears pointed south, firmly denied.
“No, it is singing. A singing voice, so beautiful it seems otherworldly, is coming from deep within the Dragon Forest.”
“From the Dragon Forest?”
At the Rabbit-type man’s confident words, everyone looked at each other with surprise.
Human adventurers were quickly withdrawing. Beast race warriors, without even glancing at their immediate prey, retreated into the fortress. Although they were not an organized military force, the people moved in a coordinated manner. Those looking down from a section of the fortress watched them.
“So, Wender. Tell me your impressions after leaving the Emperor’s side and visiting this human country.”
Alex, a man with the most refined features among those present, asked, and the imposing figure standing beside him chuckled bitterly.
“You’re too hasty, aren’t you, asking for impressions when this commotion hasn’t even subsided yet?”
Wender looked down at those evacuating from the eerie miasma clouds spreading through the sky.
Certainly, miasma was dangerous. Those with weak spirits could feel unwell just by sensing it, and some might even weaken. If the miasma was so thick that it became visible, it could be life-threatening in some cases. However, God race and Heavenly race individuals could prevent the ill effects of miasma through their own power. In that respect, no matter how strong humans or Beast race individuals were, they were not a threat.
But, Wender swallowed his glib impressions and surveyed his surroundings further. Then, he could see individuals continuing to fight in various parts of the fortress and the Wyvern Hunting Ground, undeterred by the miasma clouds encroaching upon the sky. Dragon Race warriors, dragons, as well as giants and magic beasts. And demons. Individuals that even Wender, known as the God of War, would hesitate to confront directly had gathered and were fighting. Wender, standing next to Alex, calmly analyzed the battlefield. Then, despite calling himself hasty, he reached a conclusion.
“If I were still the God of War and in a position to advise the Emperor… I would strongly urge that we should absolutely not invade this land.”
It was an attractive land. Abundant nature and the many animals that lived there. If this land were imperial territory, the people would surely be able to enjoy great happiness. However, that was only under the premise that it was imperial territory. Wender harbored thoughts unbecoming of a God race member.
So, if asked if they wanted to obtain this land by force, he would unequivocally deny it. It wasn’t a question of whether there was enough charm to conquer it at the cost of great sacrifice. The conclusion was that no matter how much sacrifice was made, this land could not be violated.
“Eight Dragon Kings, Elnea Eris. I can honestly say I’m fortunate not to have encountered him as an adversary. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for guiding me to this land.”
Without looking away from the intensifying battlefield, Wender spoke his true feelings. Alex, who was listening beside him, smiled with satisfaction. Then, a young man standing behind the two of them interrupted the conversation with a hint of displeasure.
“Brother, Wender-sama. We can discuss our impressions of this journey later. It’s about time we showed our divine prestige, or we’ll become a laughingstock for those demons.”
Behind Alex and Wender were two God race members and one Heavenly race member. Among them, Alex’s younger brother, Alf, drew his divine sword from its sheath and pointed its tip toward the battlefield.
“Amira is also displeased with the current situation.”
Amira, standing next to Alf, had her words sealed. Thus, her brother Alf, voiced his youngest sister Amira’s thoughts. However, Amira herself shook her head in distress. It seemed Alf was speaking for himself. Nevertheless, Alex and Wender understood Alf’s sentiment. With their agreement, Alf, brimming with youthful vigor, was about to rush out.
“Amira, please take care of him?”
Amira, entrusted by her eldest brother Alex, clenched her fists in front of her chest and nodded. Seeing this, Alf exclaimed with displeasure.
“No, Brother. I will protect Amira!”
“No, Alf-sama. Protecting both of you is my duty. Well then, Alex-sama, Wender-sama, I shall depart.”
“Louvent, please rely on us.”
Alex watched his younger siblings and their loyal retainer depart. Beside him, Wender also glared at the miasma in the sky, preparing for the coming battle.
Around that time. In another part of the great fortress, four men and women were in a dispute.
“Come on, Jiludo-bou, Laza-chan, and Jewel-chan too. It’s about time we went!”
“Hey, Jiludo. Stop Airi-sama.”
“What are you saying, Laza? With me, who inherited the Ryuhōgyoku, how could I possibly stop Airi-sama?”
The four men and women, who had previously only engaged in combat to fend off minor attacks and had been sightseeing around the Wyvern Hunting Ground, could no longer afford to be leisurely as miasma clouds began to spread across the sky. However, only Airi showed any inclination to act. The two elders exchanged troubled glances.
“After all. Why must I get involved in Jiludo’s troubles?”
“Hey, what are you saying? Didn’t you receive a lot of help from Airi-sama in your youth? Besides, you were the one who said you wanted to go around and watch the younger generation’s exploits?”
“I said it. I said it, but must you give me new hardships right after I’ve returned?”
Three hundred years ago, Airi looked older than Jiludo and Laza, who were then youthful men. However, with the passage of long years, their positions had reversed. Airi, who retained her youthful appearance unlike the elderly Jiludo and Laza, sighed at their reluctance to move.
“Hey, you two. Are you really Eight Dragon Kings?”
“No, I’m not anymore.”
“No, no, I’m not either?”
“Don’t lie, Laza. You’re still active, aren’t you?”
“Hmph, what do you know. Even I can’t defy old age. I have no stamina left.”
“That’s a lie, isn’t it? You walked all the way here from the Southern Divine Race’s Country. Your stamina shouldn’t have weakened. Besides, you’re good at Dragon Arts, so you can compensate for your aging stamina with your techniques, can’t you?”
“Don’t be foolish. Without Jewel’s care, I couldn’t even cross Dragon Peak? You should show a little more concern for me now that I’ve finally returned.”
“Hahaha. I’m the one who wants to be cherished. After all, I don’t have the Ryuhōgyoku. I have no strength left, you know?”
“It’s just as well that you don’t have that rampaging Ryuhōgyoku. You were always a handful, even without it.”
“If you’re going to say that, then you too…”
Airi laughed at the bickering of the two elders. Jewel, a Heavenly race member watching the three Dragon Race individuals, hesitantly spoke to Airi.
“Um… isn’t it okay to not stop them?”
Airi brushed off Jewel’s concern with a laugh.
“It’s fine. Those two have always been like this. ‘Fighting like cats and dogs’ referred to them in their youth. Well, now they just quarrel verbally; they don’t seem to have the youthful energy for wrestling anymore.”
As Airi explained, Jiludo and Laza approached her.
“The thing is, Airi-sama. Why haven’t you aged?”
“The thing is, Airi-sama. Is it really okay to leave the guardianship of the Dragon’s Mausoleum and descend to the plains?”
Airi lived in the northern part of Dragon Peak, in a place feared as the Dragon’s Mausoleum. Even Laza, one of the Eight Dragon Kings, found it unbelievable that Airi would leave the Dragon’s Mausoleum. At Laza’s question, Airi smiled, gazing at a particularly tall tower visible in the distance.
“Because, when the Dragon God’s messenger asked me, I couldn’t refuse, could I?”
At Airi’s answer, Laza gasped. It seemed he had not known that the Dragon King was the Dragon God’s messenger.
“O-oi, Jiludo?”
“Hahaha. Have you finally realized the greatness of my disciple? If you want to do better, you should try raising a fine disciple yourself.”
“Hmm, a disciple…”
Laza, who had been staring at the direction of the tower with wide eyes, then turned back to Jewel, who was quietly standing behind them, and smiled with satisfaction.
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