We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A moonlit rest.
A girl sleeps, clutching fruit like peaches that grew on the luminous great tree in her hands.
Satisfied with the girl’s sleeping face, Alicia and Momo begin to hop and skip together.
I see. So Momo is on that side too.
By the way, I have a question.
The luminous great tree will probably disappear once it finishes purifying the remnants of the Demon King, won’t it?
Then, will the fruit I gave the girl also disappear at that time?
First of all. My magic is not material creation. Therefore, it is not real food like Astel’s. That’s why I can’t eat it.
…I can’t, right?
Huh?
Is it just my imagination?
The fruit in the girl’s hands looks real?
Huh?
I’m starting to not understand my own magic?
My magic isn’t real material, but the fruit is real?
“Ooooh…”
I hold my head, my mind in a state of confusion.
“Um, are you hungry? You know, Priscilla and Momo are hungry?”
“Why did you think I was hungry when I’m holding my head?! But well, I’m hungry too.”
It’s probably because I’m hungry that I can’t think straight. That’s why I can’t find the answer. In that case, let’s eat a feast until we’re full and nourish our brains!
“Well then, shall we go eat?”
“Let’s go!”
“Oh, I’m… hungry.”
Holding hands with Priscilla-chan and Momo-chan, we leave the tower.
“That’s right, later we should take some food to the celestial people too.”
“Um, they said they were taking turns resting?”
“Is that so, the celestial people are hungry too. Speaking of which, where did the gluttonous Nimia go?”
Normally, Nimia, who would be relaxing on Priscilla-chan’s head, is nowhere to be seen.
“Gugugu. Mikan, and… food… eat.”
“You know, she went to Asher’s mom.”
“She didn’t so much go as she was kidnapped…”
Mikan is the great eagle, Momo-chan’s best friend.
It seems Nimia is eating with Mikan at Asher’s place. Urus-san must be there too.
It would be bad to disturb their family time, so I should stay away!
“Kukukku. Afraid of a little brat who’s obsessed with his parents, are we?”
“Grandpa, that’s not true. It’s just troublesome!”
“Kahahaha, you say that.”
As we exited the tower, old Sleigsta was relaxing.
He still has quite the presence. However, there were familiar bite marks around his neck.
That must be Asher’s punishment for old Sleigsta’s prank.
“Grandpa, please eat a lot too?”
“Cornelia takes care of me. You should enjoy the celebration without worrying about us.”
Besides old Sleigsta, Ancient Dragon Species were gathered around the banquet hall.
Of course, the dragons from Dragon Peak and the Yorttenitos Kingdom are also gathering, but their presence is diminished in front of the Ancient Dragon Species.
However, Levria is an exception.
As expected of Levria.
Even though she’s not an Ancient Dragon Species, she exudes an aura that overwhelms others.
“…or rather, everyone is too scared to approach her!?”
Sighing, I managed a bitter smile.
Levria was also near the banquet hall, but she was emanating an aura that kept not only dragons, but also people and beasts, from approaching.
Around Levria, there were only the young dragon Rim, Fiorina, and Lyra, who was diligently taking care of them.
“But like that, it’s fine for Levria, but it’s pitiful for Rim and Fiorina, isn’t it? Priscilla-chan, Momo-chan?”
“Um, I understand!”
“Leave… it… to… me.”
Letting go of my hand, Priscilla-chan and Momo-chan run off. Towards Levria, of course.
“Levria-chaaan!”
“GOHANNN!”
“Gah, you noisy brats!”
No matter how fearsome an aura she exudes, when innocents like young girls and pure women get involved, her dignity is ruined.
Levria glares at me from afar, having sent in her assassins. I hastily fled further into the hall.
“But well, with that, the other dragons will probably be able to approach Levria more easily.”
“Fufufu, I won’t be responsible for what happens later, though?”
The next person to speak to me was Mistral.
“Hey, Mistral. Thanks for preparing the food.”
Astel provided a lot of ingredients and dishes, but it’s thanks to Mistral and the others’ hard work that dishes from various races and countries are lined up in the banquet hall. And of course, among those who cooked were Mistral and my wives.
“So, what’s up? Trying to get a head start?”
In situations like this, Mistral is actually the one who most successfully gets a head start. Lyra, a habitual offender and confirmed attempted offender, should also try to plan her strategies better. In any case, it seems Mistral is finally able to join the banquet after finishing his behind-the-scenes preparations. Mistral watches the children and the bear making noise around Levria, standing next to me. But it doesn’t seem to be an invitation to get a head start after all.
“Fufufu, I’d rather take you with me and spend a relaxing time on a branch of the great tree.”
“Ah, that’s a great idea!”
“But alas. I came to bring you an invitation. The Mimicho Race people were impressed by your magic and want to hear about it.”
“Waaah, Mimicho Race.”
The Mimicho Race, who live in the Dragon Forest, should have heard of the Spirit Tree, which old Sleigsta, the guardian dragon, cherishes. Moreover, for the Mimicho Race who came from the great forest in the eastern part of the Yorttenitos Kingdom, the luminous great tree, which symbolizes nature, and my magic, which has even incorporated the power of spirits, would be of interest.
“They are interacting beyond tribal boundaries over there, so would you mind showing your face?”
“Yes, of course!”
As the organizer, I cannot neglect to reward those who cooperated. If I am needed, I will show my face anywhere!
Alright, next I’ll go meet the Mimicho Race. As I thought this, new requests poured in. And several at once!
“Hahahaha! Elnea-sama, Levria-sama has a complaint. She says to take Priscilla-chan and the others away quickly. And the dragons want to praise Elnea-sama.”
“Elnea-kun, the beast race people want to gather around you and drink.”
“The knights of the Armēdo Kingdom are holding a victory celebration over there. Rudoriado-niichama said he wants Elnea-kun to show his face.”
“The knights of the Yorttenitos Kingdom are holding a victory celebration over there. Prince Grave said he wants Elnea-kun to show his face.”
“Elnea-kun, please play with the spirits and magic beasts too?”
“Lady Leti and Lady Sue praised Elnea-kun greatly. Later, please join the clergy’s circle as well?”
Ruiseine, Lyra, Yufilia, Nina, Sefina-san, Madrine-sama. Everyone delivered requests to me one after another.
“Wha, wah, where should I go first!?”
I’m pulled by the clothes to go there, and my arm is grabbed to go over there. Someone wraps their arms around my waist wanting to get a head start, and I’m hugged with a “getting a head start is still prohibited.”
“Sheesh. It seems like our battles will continue even after the war is over.”
I was so happy to be called by everyone that I couldn’t stop smiling, despite the difficult situation.
The grand banquet will continue forever. It started in the evening, the sun set, and even as night deepened, the commotion showed no signs of stopping. It will probably continue until morning and past noon. Those who got drunk, woke up, and found the banquet still going on, would drink again and get drunk. Those who dance and sing would rest, then sing and dance again. Those who fought shoulder to shoulder, converse and laugh across racial boundaries.
We looked down at the grand banquet, illuminated by the lights of the spirits, from a high vantage point.
“Nyan. Finally, I’ve been released by Father nya.”
“Urus-san, you were being threatened by Asher-san at the end, weren’t you?”
We laugh, recalling the marital spat between Asher-san and Urus-san. We were on a thick branch of the luminous great tree. Nimia brought us here, of course.
“Um, Momo-chan says this is the first time she’s had so much lively fun!”
“Gugugu, Amazing. Delicious…”
“Here, Momo-chan. Your mouth is dirty.”
“Th…thank…you.”
Even though Ruiseine wiped Momo-chan’s mouth, she immediately took another bite of the peach meat, and her mouth got dirty again. Seeing that, we laughed again.
“It’s time for a little break.”
Called here, abducted there. We, as a family, were very busy with the grand banquet. So, we’re taking a short break. Momo-chan and mikan included, we enjoyed a moment of family time. Relaxing on a branch of the luminous great tree.
“Elnea. You’ve shown a lot of interest in the western regions, haven’t you?”
After being called by the Miko-samas and talking, I became more and more interested in the western regions. The human cultural sphere centered around the Temple City. The Holy Four Families, the Sacred Kingdom, and the great figures of the East, West, North, and South.
“Speaking of which, out of the East, West, North, and South, we’ve met everyone except the Saintess of the West!”
Momo-chan, who is still sitting on the branch of the luminous great tree with us, munching on meat. She is the great woman known as the Eastern Magician. Alicia-chan, one of the Southern Sages, is also watching below with Priscilla-chan on her lap. And the Northern Witch, of course, is the master of Ada-san.
“Ada-san… I know it’s a pseudonym, but her last name is very similar to the Luarda family, one of the Star’s Holy Four Families, isn’t it?”
We glance at Alicia-chan. Alicia-chan seems to know more about Ada-san than we do. So, we checked her expression.
“Alicia won’t say anything. Ada-chan has her own circumstances, so Alicia can’t say anything, can she?”
“That’s undeniable logic. But I never expected such logical reasoning to come from Alicia-chan!”
“Um, Alicia is a sage too, you know!”
“You know, when my older sister says serious things, the spirits trip over stones and fall. Mother said so.”
“That means it’s that rare!”
Not only us, but the spirits gathered around also laughed. Alicia-chan shrugged her shoulders and gave a wry smile.
“But Elnea. You’ll keep the Giant Demon Lord’s instructions, right?”
“That’s right, Mistral. I have to endure it for Momo-chan’s sake too.”
This was after I had shown interest in the western regions and heard various things. The Giant Demon Lord had specifically left the banquet to warn me.
“It may hinder your interest, but. Behave yourself for a few years. You promised the Fairy Demon Lord not to extend your reach to the west, didn’t you? Then, you shouldn’t carelessly head west before that.”
“So, while I told Kusharilla not to extend her hand of invasion to the west, if I cross the Heavenly Mountain Range without thinking, it will provoke the demon race?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for the Fairy Demon Lord to curb her ambitions for the sake of the Eastern Magician?”
“That’s right.”
This is the exchange that took place between the Giant Demon Lord and me.
“I want to take Ruiseine and Madrine-sama to the west too, but. We’ll have to be patient for a few years!”
The reason for ‘a few years’ is. Both the Giant Demon Lord and I are convinced that Kusharilla will eventually break her promise and make a move. Besides, we have plenty of time. So, there’s no need to rush. Well, Madrine-sama and Sefina-san are not immortal yet, but considering that, the problem of how to welcome Madrine-sama and Sefina-san is far more pressing than turning our thoughts to the west.
“Alex said it’s best not to approach the Divine Race’s Country right now.”
“Wender said it’s best not to get involved with the empire right now.”
“That’s right. The southern region is also becoming dangerous.”
The Divine Race Empire is making some unsettling moves. Wender-san and Jewel-san, unlike us, will be heading west in the future, possibly related to this.
“As expected of Elnea-kun. To obtain a passage permit from the Giant Demon Lord and the Fairy Demon Lord, allowing the Divine Race and Heavenly Race to pass through the demon race’s country.”
“Sefina-san, after that, Elnea-kun also received a promise of passage permission from the country of the Demon Lord known as the Sage Demon Lord? To be precise, it was that the Giant Demon Lord would vouch for him.”
I have to prepare rewards for everyone commensurate with this fierce battle. Among them, I had to prepare passage permits through the demon race’s country for Wender-san of the Divine Race and Jewel-san of the Heavenly Race, who are heading west. However, it was obtained surprisingly easily.
“They said they would prepare the permits by the time the two of them cross Dragon Peak. But…”
Here, it’s the demon race and the divine race. As expected, they are enemy races. Both the Giant Demon Lord and Kusharilla advised that while they would grant passage within their own country, they would be responsible for their own safety. In other words, it was a declaration that even with a formal passage permit issued by the country, they would not guarantee their safety if they caused problems with the demon race.
“Well, I guess it’ll be fine for those two.”
“Because one is a former God of War and the other is an undefeated Divine General!”
Wender-san and Jewel-san are scheduled to cross Dragon Peak with the guidance of the Dragon Race. Then, they will traverse the demon race’s country with the passage permit, and reach the Heavenly Mountain Range. There, Momo-chan will surely lend her strength. And then, they will reach the western region, which we have yet to see.
“I wonder what kind of place it is.”
Even if they tell me not to go, it’s okay to imagine, right? Just thinking about the western land makes me excited. I definitely want to go there someday! But before that. We are still very busy.
The grand banquet will likely continue for a few more days, so we must continue our reception duties. Also, during the grand banquet, we need to prepare rewards for everyone. Of course, I also want to reward my wives who cooperated without hesitation. And, I touched the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword, whose leaves at the tip of the guard swayed comfortably at my right hip.
“Was it fun?”
“Yes! We made so many memories!”
Reiju-chan’s joy flowed directly into my heart.
“When we return to the Forbidden Territory, it’s finally time.”
“So excited.”
Ares-chan gently touched her cheek to Reiju-chan and smiled.
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