We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Action commencing.
Various magic eyes exist in the world, Sleigsta the Elder explains.
Magic beasts that petrify those reflected in their magic eyes are, for example, the super-famous ones that appear in stories and such.
Closer to home, I learned that Lyra’s ability to control the Dragon Race is, in fact, the power of a magic eye. Also, Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye seems to be a rare, always-active type of magic eye.
Furthermore, Lady Rayarin, an Ancient Dragon Species who lent us her aid when we fought the Demon King, heals those she gazes upon with her healing magic eye. However, it seems to lack the power to fully heal injuries, and rather heals mental fatigue and fear.
“Speaking of which, Ada also had a magic eye, didn’t she?”
“Yes. But, we never got to see the full power of that magic eye, did we?”
When Ruiseine and Lady Madrine sparred with Ada in the Forbidden Territory. Ada’s eyes illuminated when she became serious, and Mistral realized it was a magic eye.
But, didn’t Ruiseine and the others surrender before the magic eye’s power was displayed?
“If it were her, she might have been able to show us the direction for Ruiseine’s magic eye.”
Lady Madrine turned her gaze far away, as if reminiscing.
“The Miko from the Ancient Capital also exuded a saintly aura, but compared to Lady Ada, they seemed to fade. I wonder what her true identity was?”
“Just being the Witch’s beloved disciple tells us she’s no ordinary person, right?”
Even Grandma Yuuri, who knows the Witch well, said she doesn’t know anything about Ada, and Alicia-chan, who returned to the Forest of Sages, stubbornly refused to talk.
However, we might have a slight hunch about her true identity.
The name Ada was a pseudonym, wasn’t it? And the surname of the head of the Holy Four Families, one of the most renowned family lines among clergy worldwide, is Ruada, right?
“The Miko can’t lie, can she?”
“Yes, generally.”
“Ruada… The alias is Ada. In a way, it’s not a lie! You can make the excuse that it was just hard to hear at first!”
“She seemed a little troubled even when giving a false name. That’s how fundamentally righteous she is.”
Madrine chuckled, fufufu.
“So, Grandpa. What will happen to Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye from now on? And… Please tell us about Karnar and Restoria soon!”
Restoria, the small winged dragon, quietly sings while leaning close to Ruiseine, who is meditating. And Karnar, who watches us with a gentle smile.
Why are those two in the Moss Garden!?
“Kuhuhu, you ask now?”
Sleigsta the Elder sighs.
But, we were worried about Ruiseine, so other things were put on hold after all.
However, with Restoria’s healing song, Ruiseine’s runaway eyes are temporarily suppressed.
So, we need to properly ask about all the accumulated questions and the growth of the magic eye.
Therefore, let’s start with Karnar and the others!
“Hmm, where should I begin? It’s a story from long, long ago.”
“Elder, that’s a lie, isn’t it?”
“Grr.”
Mistral, holding his unadorned jet-black one-handed club, looks up at Sleigsta the Elder.
Sleigsta the Elder hastily averts his face and his eyes dart around.
“Grandpa isn’t a Miko, so you can lie! But if you lie now, Mistral will punish you?”
“My, you are strict.”
With a sigh, Sleigsta the Elder looks down at Karnar, as if confirming something.
Karnar nods and says, “Yes.”
That’s right. It would be rude to talk about Karnar and Restoria solely based on Sleigsta the Elder’s discretion.
“Well then, I shall tell you. It’s a simple story. The reason these two came to our Northern Great Plains to assist you recently was purely out of their goodwill.”
“Ah!”
Speaking of which, Sleigsta the Elder mentioned it.
He had someone else take over the guardianship of the Dragon Forest.
“So Karnar and Restoria were guarding the Moss Garden in your place! Thank you very much!”
“No, Restoria and I were simply spending our time leisurely here.”
It all makes sense now.
We can leave it to Karnar and Restoria without any worries. Moreover, the reason Sleigsta the Elder was so adamant about not saying who he swapped with was that they were very famous people… or rather, people with the same name as them!
If he had casually mentioned names outside where anyone might overhear, dragons and dragonkin who heard it might have all flocked to the Dragon Forest.
“Due to the matter of your Spirit Tree, they have been substituting for you until today. However, it might have turned out for the best. Karnar and Restoria might know more about the growth of the Dragon Eye than I do.”
“Is that so!? Ah. Perhaps Restoria also has a Dragon Eye and, on top of that, she’s a Miko. And then, she might have even obtained a magic eye that surpasses the Dragon Eye!”
“Elnea, calm down. Your imagination is running wild,” Ruiseine says.
“Ugh, I’m sorry,” Elnea replies.
Karnar smiled. Restoria also smiled as she sang.
“Unfortunately, neither Restoria nor I are clergy, though we are Immortals. Also, we do not possess Dragon Eyes. However…”
Karnar puts a hand to his chin, as if considering.
“There was a woman among the eccentric Immortals who was once a Miko. I believe she had an acquired magic eye.”
“Really!?”
We rejoice at the unexpected information. Ruiseine, who was meditating, also twitches her shoulders in response.
“It may take time to identify their location and make contact, but we will also assist you.”
“Thank you!”
Among the Immortals, some abandon their duties and seek their own paths.
It will undoubtedly be difficult to find an Immortal who has left their service, and they may not be nearby. Furthermore, if they left of their own will, they might be hiding, disliking contact from our side. Considering that, I can imagine it’s not a simple task. Still, we, who have gained a clue, rejoice with honesty.
“Hmm. If we can receive advice from our elders, that is indeed most welcome. However, it is foolish to rely on others and neglect our own training.”
“Yes. I am deeply aware of that,” Ruiseine replies to Sleigsta the Elder’s admonition while meditating.
“Elnea-kun. I would like to continue my training under Sleigsta-sama until my eye power stabilizes. Is that alright?”
“So you’re saying you’ll be staying at the Moss Garden continuously?”
Speaking of which, we still hadn’t heard about the trial Sleigsta the Elder intended to show us.
I imagine it will be very strict training. Still, Ruiseine is ready to face it without running away.
“In that case, I suppose I’ll stay with the Elder for a while as well, and keep Ruiseine company.”
It’s possible to teleport from Mistral’s home village to the Moss Garden using Sleigsta the Elder’s secret technique inscribed on the Dragon Mausoleum. However, teleportation is not possible from the Forbidden Territory to the Moss Garden.
That’s why Mistral’s mother is acting as a substitute when Mistral is staying in the Forbidden Territory.
Eventually, someone else will be chosen to replace Mistral, but for now, they are both in charge of caring for Sleigsta the Elder.
Mistral will remain here while Ruiseine is training at the Moss Garden and will commute between the village to fulfill her duties.
“In that case, I’ll return to the capital and look for any literature that might be useful to Ruiseine.”
“Then, I’ll return to the capital and search for any information that might be helpful to Ruiseine.”
Yufilia and Nina will gather information in the capital.
We won’t just passively wait, relying entirely on Karnar and Restoria. We will do everything we can ourselves.
“If that’s the case, I think I’ll return to the capital too. Actually, I was planning to report on the subjugation of the Demon King. I’m worried if I leave it to my brother.”
“Sefina-san, please!”
Reporting… I didn’t forget! … I didn’t, okay?
I was just so busy with various things that I put it off.
Really!
“Meow.”
Sefina-san seems to be returning to the capital to report the battle with the Demon King to the kingdom.
The Wyvern Hunting Ground is, after all, territory of the Armēdo Kingdom. Since large-scale combat took place there, the kingdom is naturally expected to request a report.
Prince Rudoriado, the second prince and general of the national army, also participated in the battle, but knowing him, he’s probably been slacking off and hasn’t submitted a proper report yet.
So, Sefina-san’s report is our only hope!
I’ll also visit the capital once things settle down.
I want to see how my family’s place is doing.
“Well then, I will be accompanying Elnea-sama to the Yorttenitos Kingdom to gather information.”
Lyra’s reaction is as expected!
However, Yufilia and Nina put a stop to it.
“Lyra, you go to Revalia and the Yorttenitos Kingdom after sending Priscilla to the village.”
“Elnea-kun, you and Madrine will return to the Yorttenitos Kingdom ahead of us with Nimia.”
“That’s right. Priscilla-chan also needs to return to this village soon. Besides, we have to see Lady Madrine off.”
This was part of the original plan.
Lady Madrine needs to return to the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom soon.
Of course, Lady Madrine is also worried about Ruiseine. However, due to her position as Head Miko, she cannot neglect the clergy and citizens of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. So, she has to return now.
And naturally, Nimia will be escorting Lady Madrine.
“Meow.”
But, am I supposed to escort Lady Madrine alone?
Normally, Yufilia and Nina would try to interfere by any means necessary in a situation where I would be alone with someone?
As I tilted my head, Yufilia and Nina said:
“Elnea-kun, please take care of Madrine.”
“Elnea-kun, I’m entrusting Madrine to you.”
“Yes. Of course, leave it to me.”
I will properly escort Lady Madrine, even if you don’t tell me to.
You both should know that, shouldn’t you?
Hmm, is there some hidden meaning?
Despite my confusion, I urge Lady Madrine onward.
Everyone else also takes on their respective roles and begins to move.
“Karnar-sama, Restoria-sama, Grandpa. Please look after Ruiseine.”
“Yes, leave it to us.”
“You too, should proceed firmly on the path you believe in. Then, the doors of the future will naturally open.”
“Yes, we’re off!”
I wanted to talk with Karnar and Restoria for longer, about various things. However, this is not the time for that. As Sleigsta the Elder says, it is important to proceed correctly on one’s own path.
First, let’s deal with Ruiseine’s eye problem. And then, properly escort Lady Madrine!
“Nimia, Lady Madrine, let’s go.”
I take Lady Madrine’s hand and jump onto Nimia’s back.
Nimia flaps her wings energetically and takes off from the Moss Garden.
…Huh?
Now that I think about it. Sleigsta the Elder’s last words feel strange.
What exactly was he referring to when he said that?
With this question in mind, I leave the Moss Garden behind.
