We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A sudden turn of events.
“Elnea-sama—!”
Lyra fell from the sky.
“Eh? …Wha—!?”
What did you say!?
This happened right after Ares-chan and I arrived at the grand plaza in front of the Great Shrine, holding hands.
Suddenly, I sensed something and looked up at the sky with Ares-chan.
Then, both of us were stunned.
Because Lyra fell from high up in the sky!
“Master, Lyra is falling from the sky!”
“She’s falling, she’s falling!”
Uh…
Can Lyra fly?
No, she cannot.
“Then why!?”
Lyra was falling headfirst towards me.
If this continues, Lyra will crash into the ground, and it will be a disaster!
I, who would surely be crushed along with her, will also be in a terrible situation!
“Wh-What should we do!?”
Just as flustered as I was.
“Hmph, what a clumsy fool.”
A giant, crimson shadow zipped across the sky.
The giant, crimson shadow, which had been in a nosedive from the same altitude as the clouds, approached the falling Lyra.
And then, the crimson shadow and Lyra met in the air.
“Revalia!”
The giant, crimson shadow—no, Revalia—skillfully caught Lyra with the tip of its sharp, ferocious claws. It then slowed its descent by flapping its four large and small wings fiercely and descended slowly.
I waved my hands to welcome Revalia and Lyra.
However, the people who had been relaxing in the grand plaza in front of the Great Shrine fled in a panic.
After all, Revalia exuded a terrifying aura, mercilessly, far more so than ordinary dragonkin.
I’m sorry. For causing such a disturbance…
At any rate, Lyra safely landed on the ground, thanked Revalia, and rushed towards me.
“Elnea-sama!”
“Hey, Lyra. You came quickly.”
Lyra was supposed to bring Priscilla-chan to the Mimicho Race’s village and then come to the Yorttenitos Kingdom with Revalia. However, Revalia had to take Fiorina and Rim to the Wyvern’s nest in the depths of Dragon Peak. To accomplish that, two days later than me and Madrine-sama, and then arrive.
“Because I wanted to see you, Elnea-sama, as soon as possible.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. But falling from the sky is dangerous, so please be careful next time, okay?”
“Hahahaha. I’m sorry.”
Knowing Lyra, she probably arrived in the capital city riding Revalia, saw me from above, and couldn’t contain herself, falling off Revalia in her haste.
“Revalia, thank you for bringing Lyra.”
“Tch. She’s such a handful.”
Revalia watched me with a weary expression as Lyra hugged me joyfully.
Beside me, Ares-chan was also smiling.
Of course.
No matter how rushed she was, she couldn’t wait for Revalia to land and jumped into the sky.
Let’s be careful from now on, I said, gently scolding Lyra as I patted her head.
However, the reason Lyra came rushing down from the sky wasn’t just because she wanted to see me quickly.
“Elnea-sama!”
Satisfied after having her head petted for a while, Lyra raised her head.
With a very serious expression.
“What’s wrong?”
The anxiety was overwhelming.
Lyra, who always had a smile, showed a stern expression. Those were the times when there was truly a problem.
And this time, that anxiety was perfectly accurate.
Moreover, it was a situation beyond expectation.
“Elnea-sama, it’s a disaster. Sefina-sama is…”
“Se-Sefina-san is…?”
“She left alone for the Northern Land where the Beast Race lives.”
“Wh-What!”
Sefina-san left the Moss Garden, saying she would report the subjugation of the Demon King to the King and dignitaries of the Armēdo Kingdom. And she was also supposed to find a way to stop Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye from going berserk.
And that Sefina-san, left the Armēdo Kingdom for the Northern Land?
Perhaps she found some clue.
But it’s not unusual for Sefina-san to act alone from there.
Sefina-san can act independently.
She’s a cool woman who can complete what she can do by herself. That’s Sefina-san.
Lyra must know about Sefina-san’s assertiveness.
So, she shouldn’t be flustered now just because Sefina-san went to the Northern Land alone.
This means there’s more to this story…
Lyra took a deep breath, as if to calm herself.
And then, she told me about the serious situation.
“Um, Sefina-sama has gone missing.”
“Eh?”
If she went to the Northern Land, she must have intended to cross the Wyvern Hunting Ground that spreads north of the Armēdo Kingdom’s capital city.
The Wyvern Hunting Ground.
Literally, a great plain where wyverns hunt their prey.
Once you step foot in it, humans become prey for wyverns.
However, for us, there is almost no danger.
Because of the bonds we have built with the dragonkin up to now.
Of course, Sefina-san also benefits from this.
So, even if Sefina-san crossed the Wyvern Hunting Ground, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.
And yet, Sefina-san went missing!?
I was bewildered, thinking, “That’s ridiculous.”
But Lyra’s report didn’t stop there.
“And… we’ve also lost contact with Mistral-sama, who went to Dragon Peak.”
“Eh…?”
Lyra, what did you just say?
Lost contact with Mistral?
That Mistral? The strongest of the Dragon Race, possessing the highest title of Dragon Princess.
Mistral, who lost contact in Dragon Peak…?
I was dazed, unable to comprehend Lyra’s words.
Lyra, while showing concern for me, explained the details.
“Sleigsta-sama said that Mistral’s presence suddenly disappeared…”
Sleigsta (Old Man), while in the Moss Garden, can sense the presence of those far away through the Dragon Vein. In some cases, he can even grasp their situation.
I myself have survived thanks to Sleigsta (Old Man)’s ability in the past.
Sleigsta (Old Man), who can accurately sense distant presences, lost sight of Mistral’s presence!?
“What, could that possibly mean…?”
My mind was in chaos, and I couldn’t organize my thoughts properly.
No. My heart rejected the thought, trying to prevent me from imagining the worst.
Lyra also remained silent, as if fearing that her words would become reality.
I hugged the anxious Lyra. Lyra’s warmth warmed my frozen heart a little.
“Lyra, the information about Sefina-san going missing also came from Grandpa?”
“Yes. Her presence, which was heading north through the Wyvern Hunting Ground, suddenly vanished.”
“At that time, did he sense any disturbance in her presence, or any sign of a struggle?”
To my question, Lyra shook her head.
In other words, Sefina-san left no trace of a struggle with anyone?
In other words, she was suddenly attacked by something that even Sleigsta (Old Man) and Sefina-san herself did not foresee?
“Even though the locations are far apart… Sefina-san, whose presence vanished in the Wyvern Hunting Ground, and Mistral, who suddenly disappeared in Dragon Peak. Is there any connection?”
Given those two, even if they were attacked by someone, I don’t think they would be unilaterally defeated. Moreover, it’s inconceivable that they would suddenly disappear without any trace.
This means they might have been caught in some accident or incident.
“We have to hurry back!”
“Yes!”
We strongly nodded at each other and looked at Revalia.
Revalia growled unpleasantly and let out a threatening sound.
“I just brought Lyra here.”
“U-Um, could you possibly…?”
She must have flown at full speed to get to the Yorttenitos Kingdom’s capital.
But, just a little more. I wanted to ask for a bit more.
At our pleas, Revalia glared at us with murderous intent, but reluctantly agreed.
“Well then, first to Lin-sama’s house!”
“Hmph, where is that!”
Revalia, carrying Lyra and me, flapped its four large and small wings fiercely and soared into the capital city’s sky.
The many people who had been watching us from afar looked up at the sky and cried out in amazement.
“Elnea-kun, and Lyra-san. Please visit a little more quietly.”
And then, we arrived at Lin-sama’s residence in the blink of an eye.
Even though our journey here and back had been arduous, passing through backstreets, side roads, and parks, flying on Revalia made it truly instantaneous.
By the way, Lin-sama’s mansion was filled with plants, and there was no space for Revalia to land. So, we had Revalia descend close to the roof, and then we used Spatial Jump to land in the garden. Madrine-sama rushed over.
“Madrine-sama, Lin-sama, I apologize for the disturbance. But this is an emergency!”
I, who had promised to have a carriage sent to pick up Madrine-sama, returned with Revalia. Lin-sama seemed surprised by this, but sensing the urgent atmosphere from Lyra and me, she allowed our hasty return.
“So, Elnea-kun, what is it?”
Madrine-sama also asked, tensing up. I took a breath and explained the abnormal situation that had occurred with Mistral and Sefina.
I need to hurry back to the Armēdo Kingdom for them. And I need to find the cause as soon as possible and search for them.
“Wh-What… Not only Sefina-san, but Mistral-san too…”
Madrine-sama also gasped at the news of Mistral’s disappearance.
“In that case, Elnea-kun needs to return quickly, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. However, it’s not just me.”
Saying this, I looked at Lyra and Madrine-sama.
Next, I shifted my gaze to Lin-sama, who was quietly observing the situation behind Madrine-sama.
“Lin-sama!”
“Yes, is there anything I can help with?”
Receiving my gaze, Lin-sama asked.
Without any hesitation, I spoke my mind.
“From now on, I will rush back to the Armēdo Kingdom. I intend to take Madrine-sama with me.”
“E-Elnea-kun!?”
Madrine-sama was bewildered.
It’s understandable.
Madrine-sama had returned to the Yorttenitos Kingdom to resume her sacred duties as Head Miko. Yet, shortly after returning, I proposed taking her with me, so it’s natural for her to be perplexed.
Madrine-sama is also worried about Mistral and Sefina. But more than that, Madrine-sama is someone who doesn’t shy away from her responsibilities.
However, I unequivocally told Lin-sama that I would take Madrine-sama with me now.
Even Madrine-sama looked back and forth between me and Lin-sama with a troubled expression.
But my resolve did not change.
A problem has arisen with our family. Therefore, all family members should face that problem together.
And Madrine-sama is also a valued member of our family.
However, Madrine-sama is still the Head Miko of the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Therefore, I asked Lin-sama for help.
“Please, I beg you. Please help us overcome the Goddess’s trial as a family.”
Then, Lin-sama smiled kindly.
“For those in the clergy, the Goddess’s trial is the most sacred task. If you intend to face it with all your might, I do not mind assisting you. Well then, shall I temporarily return to my duties?”
“Master, that…!?”
“While Madrine is away, I will preside over the Great Shrine of Yorttenitos as acting Head Miko.”
With that, Lin-sama firmly pushed Madrine-sama’s back.
“Therefore, go and face the Goddess’s trial without any reservations. And be sure to rescue your family and overcome the trial before returning.”
“…Thank you, Lin-sama.”
Madrine-sama’s eyes welled up with tears, but she stepped beside me with firm steps.
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