We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 851

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Resolve that was mistaken.

Nimia, unlike when she headed towards the Dragon Forest, flew leisurely through the sky. Thanks to that, she could clearly see the flowing clouds and the landscape below.

Many people were coming and going on the long road stretching east and west.

Among them were beings that were not human.

Striding imposingly down the very center of the road, as if it belonged to them, were Earth Dragons. Both humans and carriages respectfully made way for them.

For many people, the Dragon Race was still a terrifying existence, and it was rare to see them up close. Nevertheless, there were no frightened people fleeing, nor any fools brandishing their weapons with bravado.

Everyone understands, don’t they?

The Dragon Race doesn’t want to start conflicts just for the sake of it.

Well, there are some dragons who are aggressive. However, if they cause trouble with humans on the plains, they know that terrifying punishment awaits. After all, they are a race with far greater wisdom than humans.

If any mischief reaches our ears, Revalia will come swooping down!

Therefore, even if they walk the road as if to flaunt their presence, the Dragon Race does not cause disturbances. And people, even if they feared the Dragon Race, or if it was their first time seeing them, knew that as long as they remained calm, no problems would arise.

“Those are the Earth Dragons who participated in the battle, aren’t they?”

“Yes. I believe they are leisurely returning after a sightseeing trip.”

My lady Madrine and I looked down upon the ground together. And we smiled at the sight of the lively road.

“Has the Wyvern Knight Order already returned?”

“Yes. We can’t see the Earth Dragon Knight Order either, so I believe the soldiers returned without any time to spare.”

“That’s tough.”

The soldiers who participated from the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom were involved as part of their national duties and did not receive any special rewards. Nevertheless, they received some spoils of war from us at the Wyvern Hunting Ground, but it seems they were not even given time for rest.

Once one mission is completed, another job awaits.

“Speaking of which, Elnea-kun. I heard you granted bridge toll exemption to all adventurers and supporters. And you even allowed resale?”

“That’s right. I issued free passes. However, they are only valid for five years.”

The Shū River flows between the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom. To use the giant bridge that spans it, a small toll is required.

This bridge was actually built by the Earth Dragons using their dragon arts. For some reason, the toll money came into my pockets and is used for the operation of my family home and bridge maintenance.

We issued this toll exemption as part of the reward for this occasion.

“However, I thought some might not need it. That’s why I allowed resale so they could turn it into money. I’m sure it would sell for a high price to caravans that frequently use the bridge.”

However, since there was a concern about unlimited use, it was given a five-year time limit.

“That’s very generous. But, despite that, your wallet doesn’t seem to have any money, Elnea-kun.”

“Wh-why do you know that!?”

“Fufufu, everyone knows? You’re on an allowance, aren’t you?”

“My lady Madrine, you’ll be on an allowance too if you marry me, won’t you? Yufi and Nina also have to get their purse strings from Mistral, so they can’t do as they please!”

“Oh, in that case, please don’t worry. I am a priestess, after all, so whether I marry or not, I live a modest life.”

Madrine-sama smiled with a “fufufu.”

However, I noticed a slight shadow in that smile.

“Madrine-sama…?”

Like Yufilia and Nina, Madrine-sama, who is always cheerful, seemed a little dejected?

Is it exhaustion from a long period of hardship?

Or is she sad to part with everyone?

…No, that’s not it.

“Madrine-sama, if you have something on your mind, please tell me. Our family has a rule of no secrets.”

Even though we haven’t yet joined in marriage, Madrine-sama is already a part of our family.

So, I want her to consult with me rather than bearing her troubles alone.

Then, Madrine-sama looked back from the ground and met my gaze directly.

I also faced her sincerely.

“…Actually, I’ve lost a little confidence.”

I listened to Madrine-sama’s story in silence.

“You are amazing, Elnea-kun. You are a splendid man, praised by heroes and people of other races. Mist and the others are all fitting brides for Elnea-kun. I particularly feel jealous of Luiseine.”

“You have something to say about Luiseine’s Dragon Eye and Magic Eye?”

“Yes…”

Madrine-sama, with a slight dart of her eyes, made a determined resolution and confessed her hidden anxieties.

“Even though I am also a priestess, I possess nothing. No special powers, no special experiences.”

“Thus,” Madrine-sama lowered her eyes.

“I have been thinking lately whether I have the right to marry Elnea-kun.”

“Madrine-sama…”

I was shortsighted. I assumed about Madrine-sama that she would advance no matter what for her goals. And that she would achieve results through reckless determination. I had convinced myself of that.

However, it was different.

Madrine-sama also has ordinary worries and anxieties, and sometimes she is tormented by inferiority.

And now, the problem that was most painfully afflicting her heart was related to marriage.

“I’m sorry. It’s our fault. Knowing that Madrine-sama and Sefina-san have the most difficult problems, we didn’t offer any help…”

“No, that’s not so. This is a trial that I and Sefina must overcome ourselves, so it is not a matter that should trouble you, Elnea-kun. However…”

“I cannot find an answer to the trial,” Madrine-sama murmured softly.

Madrine-sama and Sefina-san. I will marry both of them.

However, before that, there was a major condition.

That is, whether they can overcome the problems of lifespan and immortality, just like us.

We have told Madrine-sama and the others everything about ourselves without reservation.

When and how we gained immortal lives. How we would interact with the world. Also, we spoke without reservation about how we had once resigned ourselves to eventually parting with Mistral, who had a different lifespan, and the struggles we and Mistral went through at that time.

As an option, if we could accept the eventual parting, marriage was possible regardless of lifespan or immortality.

However, the situation is different now than it was in the past.

We learned of the possibility. And we have attained that possibility.

The problem of lifespan can be overcome.

It is a very, very difficult trial, but.

It is different to accept fate without knowing the possibility, and to be tossed about by fate after knowing the possibility.

Therefore, I wished for Madrine-sama and Sefina-san to also overcome the problems of lifespan and immortality. Conversely, if they could not overcome these two problems, I thought they should give up on marriage and find ordinary happiness.

But, that was a grave mistake.

It was a cruel act towards them, caused by my arrogance.

“I made a big mistake. I was looking down on you, thinking that for me to marry Madrine-sama and Sefina-san, they needed to overcome trials. But that’s not it. I want to marry Madrine-sama too. If so, I needed to make new resolutions. I will take every possible measure to help Madrine-sama and Sefina-san overcome their trials. This is not a trial that Madrine-sama and Sefina-san must overcome, but a problem that our family must absolutely conquer.”

Despite that, I distanced myself, saying that while I would help if necessary, it was ultimately their trial.

But, it’s not like that.

If I wanted to marry Madrine-sama and Sefina-san, I should have been the one working the hardest from the very beginning.

“It’s not Madrine-sama’s fault. It’s mine. So please, don’t worry. I will absolutely make Madrine-sama my wife!”

I tightly hugged Madrine-sama.

Madrine-sama also hugged me back and buried her face.

“Thank you. With Elnea-kun’s help, it’s as good as solved already.”

“That’s right! From now on, you can relax and take it easy, as if you’re riding a big ship! Well, you are riding on Nimia’s big back right now, though.”

“Nyan.”

At Nimia’s interjection, Madrine-sama smiled with a “fufufu.”

Finally, the shadow of anxiety disappeared from Madrine-sama’s face.

“I see. Yufi and Nina noticed Madrine-sama’s unease from the start, didn’t you?”

That’s why they went out of their way to arrange for Elnea-kun and Madrine-sama to be alone.

“I’m annoyed, but those twins know me best.”

“Grumble grumble, I can’t afford to lose to Yufi and Nina. I will be the one who knows Madrine-sama best!”

“Well then, from now on!”

“Kyaa! Madrine-sama, why are you taking off your miko’s attire!? You are the Head Miko, so please be a little more modest!”

“I’ll report this when we get back, nyan.”

“Kyaa! Nimia, if you give me snacks, this will be a secret, okay?”

The problem of lifespan and immortality, which Madrine-sama and Sefina-san had, was not fundamentally resolved. Nevertheless, we newly resolved to face it from now on as a problem for all of us.

We will not make only them suffer. If there is suffering, the entire family will suffer. And together, we will solve the problem and rejoice as a whole family.

Madrine-sama, perhaps because she honestly expressed her worries and heard my feelings, returned to her usual cheerful demeanor.

On Nimia’s back, Madrine-sama and I were playfully chattering.

Nimia also flew slowly through the sky.

On this day, we decided to camp on the plains beyond the Shū River.

“Speaking of which, Madrine-sama.”

We sat side by side before the bonfire, my lady Madrine and I.

Nimia sat on Madrine-sama’s lap and was being fed.

Madrine-sama stopped what she was doing and turned to me.

“Uh. When marrying multiple women, including a priestess, doesn’t the temple issue a trial? In that case… what kind of trial will it be when marrying the second priestess!?”

When marrying Luiseine, she underwent a trial to find the “Full Moon Flower,” which no one had ever found. So, when marrying Madrine-sama, what kind of trial would it be?

Then, Madrine-sama, who heard my question, burst into laughter.

“Elnea-kun, that is an unprecedented issue! After all, no one has even brought back the Full Moon Flower.”

“Hah! It’s not about the second one; even the first trial is something that normally cannot be overcome.”

Even when I and the hero Listea brought back the Full Moon Flower, it caused a great commotion among the clergy.

After all, as far as history records, we were the first to bring back the Full Moon Flower.

Therefore, the temple has no contingency for welcoming a second priestess.

“Furthermore, Elnea-kun. Originally, it is I, the Head Miko, who issues the trial.”

“The one who assigns the trial is the one who receives the trial!”

“Muki! And, of all people, the Head Miko, a person of noble status, is the second wife!”

“No, no, the moment you say you are noble yourself, the prestige diminishes, you know?”

The lively atmosphere continued even into the night.

“Ahem. Regardless, Elnea-kun. To marry me, you will need sufficient resolve, okay?”

“Yes. Including that, I will absolutely take Madrine-sama as my wife. So, please rest assured.”

I wonder what the unprecedented trial will be?

Well, it’s not more difficult than the problems of lifespan and immortality, is it?

…Is it!?

“Niaaa.”

Nimia let out a cute cry, wanting more food. Madrine-sama began to move her hands again.

The flames of the bonfire flickered softly.