We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Darkness and Shadow
Darkness and shadow.
Attributes that seem similar but have different natures.
Even I cannot accurately describe the two attributes. That’s how similar darkness and shadow are.
However, I can state unequivocally that they are clearly different, even if they are similar.
Even in the darkness of night, shadows are born if there is even a faint moonlight. Moreover, even on a dark night like this, without any light source, shadows are reflected in eyes that can see through the night.
Shadows that dye even darkness.
But darkness is not inferior to shadow.
Shadows cannot exist without a place with light and something to cast a shadow, but darkness exists everywhere.
The world is plunged into darkness just by the setting of the sun, and dark shadows exist deep within people’s hearts.
Therefore, it is impossible to clearly rank which is superior and which is inferior.
Nevertheless, there is a definite difference, and darkness and shadow are distinct in their proof of existence.
When these two attributes, which are similar yet different, are expressed in common colors, both become “black.”
Whether it is darkness or shadow, the color we imagine is “black,” and the nature is “evil.”
Well, darkness, being the opposite of light, is evil, and shadow, existing behind bright things, is black. In reality, it’s not that simple to say. But still, the common symbol for both darkness and shadow is “black” and “evil.”
And then, Nimia says.
“Shadow Dragons are evil dragons, nyan!”
Nimia, sensing my thoughts, flapped her wings as if in a panic.
That’s right. Shadow Dragons.
Ancient Dragon Species with the attribute of shadow.
They are terrifying dragons with abilities far surpassing ordinary dragons, like Sleigsta (Old Man) and Nimia, and they wield black power like the dark-attribute Black Dragon, Lily.
Furthermore, there is at least one Shadow Dragon currently sleeping deep within a cave on Dragon Peak.
“But it’s not that Shadow Dragon, right?”
“Nyan!”
On the last day of my fifteenth year, the year of my journey, I entered a cave to rescue a human adventurer family by the name of Styler. There I encountered a Shadow Dragon, an Ancient Dragon Species.
However, the Shadow Dragon was merely about to enter a long slumber.
It had been lurking deep in the cave as a place to sleep for decades to grow into an adult dragon.
So, if all went according to plan, the Shadow Dragon we encountered should be sleeping deep within the cave.
In that case, even if the Shadow Dragon were an evil dragon, it could not have kidnapped Mistral or Sefina.
Besides, with strength that only allowed it to draw with me, it would be impossible to kidnap Mistral without giving her time to resist.
“But, we know of another Shadow Dragon…”
Everyone’s faces stiffened.
A little while ago.
At the Wyvern Hunting Ground, we confronted the Demon King.
At that time, Nimia invited reinforcements from the Ancient Capital to drive away the demons and monsters.
Seven Ancient Dragon Species of various colors flew in from afar to the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
And among them was a Shadow Dragon.
Shadow Dragon, Argilthal.
The outermost defense of the vast, multi-layered outer defenses protecting the Ancient Capital is said to be guarded by Shadow Dragons.
Argilthal is an Ancient Dragon Species guarding that very outermost defense and is the very one Nimia refers to as an “evil dragon.”
It is said to attack mercilessly not only those who approach the Ancient Capital but even those who approach the outer defenses, and many have fallen victim to it.
Regarding that Shadow Dragon Argilthal, however.
During the banquet after defeating the Demon King, I let slip a word and ended up talking about the young Shadow Dragon sleeping on Dragon Peak. When that happened, Asher, who said he would go check on it, parted ways with us and headed for Dragon Peak after we started our journey back.
Not much time has passed since then. If that’s the case, it’s highly probable that Argilthal is still on Dragon Peak.
And if it is Argilthal, an Ancient Dragon Species who can manipulate shadows at will, it might be able to easily abduct even the Dragon Princess Mistral.
“N-No way…!”
Ruiseine’s eyes widened in shock.
“Earlier, just after entering the cave, your eyes reacted, Ruiseine. Perhaps that was your Dragon Eye reacting before your Magic Eye? Reacting to the residual Dragon Energy when Argilthal abducted Mistral.”
Ruiseine’s eyes are sensitive now.
So, her Dragon Eye might have reacted to the faint residual Dragon Energy.
“Certainly, I did feel a momentary glimpse of Dragon Energy just before my eyes started to ache… But if it was Argilthal’s doing, why would he abduct Mist and Sefina?”
“That, I don’t know… ”
Assuming, hypothetically, that Argilthal is the one who abducted Mistral and Sefina. However, unfortunately, I cannot find a motive for the crime.
Why were they targeted?
Perhaps my entire family is being targeted, not just the two of them. But still, I don’t understand the reason for the targeting.
“Nevertheless, Argilthal the Shadow Dragon is the most suspicious culprit given the current situation, right?”
If he used “shadow” instead of “darkness.”
No matter how much Mistral and Sefina hold their breath and spend the night, shadows exist. It should be possible to sneak in from that shadow and drag them away.
Even Lily, the child of a Black Dragon, could freely move from darkness to darkness. If so, Argilthal, an Ancient Dragon Species guarding the Ancient Capital, should be able to move easily through shadows and drag the targets into the shadows.
Besides, if he drags them into the shadows, the narrow entrance of a tree hollow would be irrelevant, and there would be no signs of resistance.
“Was the ‘darkness’ that blinded the spirits actually the influence of ‘shadow’? You see, when Argilthal was fighting at the Wyvern Hunting Ground, he spread a dark, shadowy mist and dragged demons and monsters into it, right?”
Argilthal was extinguishing demons and monsters mercilessly by creating a shadow mist that blocked all light and engulfing them.
Similarly, he created shadows in the spirits’ vision and concealed the scene of the crime.
“If they are Ancient Dragon Species, they might have the power to affect even spirits that are not manifested.”
“As Laira-san says. We still haven’t grasped the full capabilities of the Ancient Dragon Species. At the very least, if they are comparable to Sleigsta, they might be able to obscure the vision of spirits, even if they are not manifested.”
“Moving from shadow to shadow is comparable to spatial transfer. It would prove that the two were abducted simultaneously in different locations.”
“If they are the same Ancient Dragon Species, they might be able to outwit Sleigsta. Especially for such a meticulously planned crime.”
“Also, was the crime committed at night to make us mistake darkness for shadow?”
If we assume Argilthal the Shadow Dragon is the culprit, several mysteries are solved.
“So, he’s suspicious, right!”
Everyone nods in agreement.
“There’s only circumstantial evidence, no physical evidence. The motive is unknown. Why Mistral and Sefina were targeted first is also unclear, but still, Argilthal is the most suspicious!”
Then, our course of action is decided.
“Argilthal is probably in the cave where the young Shadow Dragon sleeps. Let’s head there!”
“Nyan. Aren’t we going back to the Moss Garden, nyan?”
It’s already night.
In a world dominated by darkness, the Shadow Dragon’s “shadow” might mix with the darkness, increasing its influence even further.
But even so, I cannot simply return to a safe place while Mistral and Sefina have been abducted.
Besides, if Argilthal moves from shadow to shadow and drags them into the shadows without giving them time to resist, then it might not be safe anywhere, day or night.
If our actions are discovered, they might attack us mercilessly.
In that case, instead of retreating to a safe zone, we’ll barge in!
And rescue Mistral and Sefina as soon as possible!
As a display of my determination, I raise my fist towards the night sky.
Then, everyone’s hands are placed on top of my fist.
“If they are Ancient Dragon Species, my Dragon Eye might be of use.”
“I agree with Elnea-sama!”
“Bad dragons deserve to be punished.”
“Bad dragons deserve a lecture.”
“It’s inexcusable for a guardian dragon to act so wickedly, unlike Lord Asher and Nimia-chan. As Head Miko, I must scold them severely.”
Finally, Nimia leaps onto our determined fists and cries out bravely, “Nyaa!”
Argilthal might be watching us through the shadows.
So, this is a declaration of war!
“We’re coming in now, so be prepared!”
We teleport using Spatial Jump to the back of the enlarged Nimia.
Nimia flaps her wings and takes off, slicing through the Dragon Peak sky dominated by the night.
Nimia, carrying us, flies at high speed through the Dragon Peak sky.
Normally, Nimia is reluctant to engage in conflict, but this time, she seems angry.
A dragon from the same Ancient Capital has committed evil in a different region. And it’s someone she brought.
It’s natural for her to be angry.
“Nyan. I’ll punish them and report to Mother, nyan.”
“Let’s inform Raya-sama too and have them sternly scolded.”
“Nya!”
I am greatly indebted to Argilthal the Shadow Dragon for his help in defeating the Demon King. However, that is a separate matter.
No matter the reason, I will show no mercy to anyone who lays a hand on my family!
Even if my opponent is an Ancient Dragon Species, I will confront them without hesitation.
Tonight, the scenery of the flowing starry sky did not seem beautiful.
More than that, I want to head to the cave where Argilthal is lurking as soon as possible and rescue Mistral and Sefina.
“Nyaa. Argilthal-sama is indeed on Dragon Peak, nyan!”
“Elnea-kun, I can see strong Dragon Energy!”
“Everyone, be on your guard!”
We cross the complex mountain ridges and approach our destination.
Then, Nimia quickly senses Argilthal’s presence. And before anyone else, Ruiseine spots the spreading black Dragon Energy.
“As expected, they were waiting for us. That’s proof that they kidnapped Mistral and Sefina!”
Soon, we too begin to see the anomaly on Dragon Peak.
An unnatural black mist spreads in the deep mountains.
That is undoubtedly where the cave of the young Shadow Dragon slept.
Nimia slows down and flies cautiously through the black mist.
“Be careful, nyan. The inside of the shadow mist is the Shadow Dragon’s territory, nyan. Also, shadow is oneself, nyan.”
“Shadow is oneself?”
As I tried to confirm with Nimia what she meant, the black shadow mist stirred as if with a will of its own and attacked us!
And we were swallowed by Argilthal’s shadow.
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