We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Two Who Were Kidnapped
“From a young age, I admired Yufi-sama and Nina-sama.”
A shadow, modeled after Sefina, spoke. Sefina listened silently to the words of “her own shadow.”
“My noisy sisters. My sisters who always caused trouble. But strangely, no one disliked them. Rather, they were doted on and loved by far more people than I, who was praised as a model student in everything I did.”
In the deep darkness, Sefina folded her arms and stared at the shadow without refuting.
“That’s why I kept chasing after my two sisters’ backs. I wanted to be like them. To be someone who was free yet loved by people.”
On the day Yufilia and Nina, the twins, embarked on their journey at fifteen years old, they left the royal palace without hesitation to become adventurers. Sefina, too, followed in her twin sisters’ footsteps, becoming an adventurer at the age of fifteen without a second thought.
“Each time my sisters were active, the people in the royal palace would talk about them with annoyance, yet with affection.”
Sefina was greatly stimulated by her sisters, who teamed up with the miko Madrine and were active across the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
“I also want to become someone praised by everyone someday. That’s why I worked hard. I traveled to countless lands, broadened my knowledge and experience through my own body and mind, and gained strength.”
Before long, the name Sefina became widely known not as a “princess” but as an “adventurer.”
“But while I took one step forward, my sisters took two. That’s why I could never catch up to my sisters, and instead grew further apart.”
It was then.
That I heard about Yufilia and Nina’s marriage.
“I assumed they would marry the Prince of Yorttenitos. But when the truth came out, it was completely different. My two sisters had fallen in love with a boy who was beginning to make a name for himself, a boy who was no less than a hero in the making, the Dragon King.”
Elnea Eris. A cute boy who, at fifteen, entered Dragon Peak alone and captivated the beautiful princess of the Dragon Race along with the title of Dragon King.
“No matter what, my sisters were unconventional. They shattered their arranged marriage despite being royalty. Not only that, but they captured the heart of Elnea-kun, who was rapidly gaining influence at the time.”
Who would have predicted it? That the twin princesses of the Armēdo Kingdom would marry a commoner boy, even one who held the title of Dragon King, and was by no means a noble. Yet, their marriage talks progressed smoothly, rather than becoming complicated.
“That’s why I became interested in Elnea Eris, the boy.”
What kind of person was the boy who captivated my sisters?
“And then, I thought. What would happen if I were to captivate the boy who captivated my sisters?”
I felt as if the backs of my sisters, which had seemed so distant, were now within reach.
“At first, I wondered how I should captivate Elnea-kun.”
I tempted him with every means possible. Sometimes, knowing it was unbecoming of a princess, I even tempted him with my body.
“But before I knew it, I was the one who fell for him.”
Looking back, it was perhaps the natural outcome. He was the one who captured the hearts of my carefree twin sisters, who were bound by nothing. It was only natural that I, who was inferior to my sisters, would be captivated. However, I have no regrets. Rather, I feel happy with who I am now. He showed me a new landscape, me who had only looked at the backs of my twin sisters. He taught me about love, about being passionate enough to stake my life on it. I can be happy if it’s with Elnea, and with my twin sisters and everyone else.
“…But is that the truth?”
The shadow tilted its head.
“I am me. That’s why I know. I am always solitary. I can live without relying on others.”
My childhood, admiring my twin sisters. The days I became an adventurer, chasing their backs. And up until now. Certainly, Sefina was alone. It wasn’t that she rejected others. She had many good friends and wonderful companions. But at crucial moments, she was always alone. Without being swayed by anyone’s actions, without being bound by anyone’s heart. She was simply, solitarily, alone.
“Therefore, I will say this to myself. I don’t need Elnea-kun, Yufi-sama, or Nina-sama. I can ascend to greater heights without anyone’s help.”
“…Greater heights?”
Sefina, who had been listening silently to the shadow’s words, finally spoke. What were these “greater heights”? What was the shadow trying to say? The shadow plainly stated what Sefina sought.
“I am no longer on the path of chasing after my sisters’ backs. I can now wield many arts and techniques. And someday, I will be able to freely wield all kinds of arts and understand the principles of magic. Yes, even without Elnea-kun by my side. Even if I remain solitary, I can ascend to greater heights.”
“I see,” Sefina nodded slightly. It was her own reflection that was speaking, recounting the past. Hearing it spoken aloud, she recognized many things anew. However, the shadow was trying to negate her present state by making her strongly recognize her past self.
She no longer needed to chase her twin sisters’ backs. She didn’t truly need to be bound by Elnea or anyone else. The shadow was exposing the truth hidden deep within Sefina’s heart. That was it. Sefina met the shadow’s gaze, which awaited her answer. Then, she uncrossed her arms. She took a step forward, her right foot towards the shadow. And she said,
“And, is that all the preamble?”
To the shadow, which tilted its head in confusion, Sefina offered a smile.
“You’ve said a lot, but so what? I would think that none of that matters. Because, isn’t that right?”
Sefina quietly lowered her stance and lightly clenched her fist. Then, she told the shadow her true feelings.
“Being able to fight oneself is a rare experience, isn’t it? Then, wouldn’t it be more meaningful to clash fists rather than make excuses!”
With that, Sefina powerfully leaped towards the deceitful shadow.
Mistral immediately felt the sting of his own immaturity. When camping in Dragon Peak, it was natural to be wary of magic beasts, yōma, and even dragons. Of course, as a Dragon Princess, Mistral would not be careless. However, there were other things to be cautious of. This treacherous mountain peak harbored unknown dangers. Even for a warrior of the Dragon Race, traveling Dragon Peak was no easy feat. Moreover, it was right after the legendary magic beast Shōjō had left. Those with unknown intentions must be stirring, eager to seize its vacant territory. Therefore, he should have been more vigilant than usual. He should not have confined himself to a tree hollow that restricted his movements.
“…So, this is the situation, is it?”
Mistral, holding his jet-black one-handed club in his right hand, stood in the darkness. He slowly scanned his surroundings, but only darkness prevailed. However, beside himself and the darkness, there was one other presence, at the last place his gaze stopped.
“Why…”
It was a shadow he recognized. A figure he could never forget. Just by its outline, he knew who it was.
“…Orta.”
The shadow standing before Mistral was tall and had a robust physique comparable to his childhood friend Zan. However, it lacked the strangely crooked horns he remembered, and it didn’t sprout evil wings or a tail. The shadow, shaped like the figure he once trained with, waited for Mistral in the depths of the darkness.
“Why.”
Once again, Orta’s shadow muttered. With sadness. With pain. With hatred. Mistral suppressed his confusing thoughts with cold dragon energy, trying to maintain his composure. But the more he tried to stay calm, the more his thoughts raced. Why was Orta’s shadow here? Where was this darkness, anyway? He felt a faint flow of dragon energy in the air of the darkness. Could he have been captured by such an existence? Then, what kind of being could abduct him from Dragon Peak in an instant and trap him in this darkness? Darkness, shadows, and dragon energy. He felt as if he had found the answer.
As if sensing Mistral’s contemplation, the shadow uttered words that seemed akin to anguish.
“Why… Why did you choose that boy, not me?”
“Are you talking about Elnea?”
“Yes. Why wasn’t I enough, but he was?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why did you abandon me, yet live happily with him? What’s the difference between me and him? Is it because I’m a child of the Dragon Race and human, born without power, while he is pure human yet holds the title of Dragon King?”
“What nonsense!”
Mistral couldn’t help but shout at the shadow’s words.
“You and Elnea are different!”
It was a mistake to compare them in the first place. Orta, along with Zan, grew up together as childhood friends. If asked whether they were close, he could certainly say they were best friends. However, Orta strayed from the path.
“I am still saddened that I couldn’t save you. But I have no regrets. Because at that time, we risked everything to challenge you.”
It was a painful and arduous battle. Many people died, and it left deep scars between the tribes afterward. But Mistral had no regrets whatsoever. They had done everything they could. He would not turn away from the results.
“Besides, Elnea is a splendid husband, worthy of me.”
He was a younger husband, but when needed, he was more reliable than anyone else and brought the right outcomes to Mistral, his family, and his companions. Therefore, he wouldn’t compare Elnea to his childhood friend Orta, or even Zan, who was still his great friend.
“Because, I truly love Elnea.”
Orta’s shadow trembled with Mistral’s unwavering words.
“You love him more than me…?”
“No. In the past and in the future, Elnea is the only one I love.”
Therefore, Orta’s shadow’s words were wrong. Orta’s shadow trembled further at Mistral’s assertion.
“Is that so…”
The shadow’s words could not shake Mistral’s heart. Realizing this, it gradually melted into the darkness and disappeared. However, as it faded, the shadow left a final word.
“…You love that boy? Then, what about the other wives?”
“What do you mean?”
As Mistral asked, Orta’s shadow completely vanished. Instead, a new shadow emerged from the depths of the darkness.
“…Now, me?”
“Yes. I am me. Your shadow.”
A black shadow, identical to Mistral, appeared. Mistral’s shadow said,
“At first, I was resolved. I am of the Dragon Race. And he is of the human race. Our lifespans are vastly different. That’s why I thought marrying Ruiseine was important for Elnea’s future.”
I thought it would be happiness for Elnea to have someone by his side to grow old and pass away with. I would surely endure it. My long life after Elnea and Ruiseine were gone, with only memories, would not be painful or sad. Thinking this, I had resolved myself.
“But, the situation has changed greatly. Elnea took in Laira and the twins. And during the wedding ceremony… those who were united with Elnea, including myself, were granted immortal life.”
It was an unexpected event. I never imagined the issue of lifespan would be obliterated in such a way.
“I was happy. I was honestly happy that I wouldn’t have to see everyone pass away. But…”
The shadow looked straight at Mistral. Mistral, too, glared at her own “shadow” with sharp eyes.
“But… Is this truly okay? Am I satisfied with the way things are now?”
The shadow whispered into the darkness of Mistral’s heart.
“Elnea and I have no lifespan anymore. Then, everyone else who stands by Elnea’s side as someone to grow old and pass away with…”
Is not needed.
“I was the first to fall in love with Elnea and receive his confession of love. I know Elnea better than anyone else. I love him more than anyone. Therefore…”
The other wives are no longer needed.
“Instead, they are nothing but a disturbance to Elnea and me. Don’t you think so?”
To grow old together with Elnea, just the two of us.
“With the current me and Elnea, it’s possible.”
Therefore, the others should just disappear.
Receiving the shadow’s words, a simmering emotion welled up from the depths of Mistral. The Dragon Jewel pulsed violently.
“Come, there’s no need for self-restraint anymore. I know my desires. Now is the time to unleash my power following my instincts.”
An uncontrollable surge of dragon energy flowed out from within Mistral. Golden scales, close to silver, appeared on her skin, and wings sprouted from her back. Mistral’s eyes, fiercely gripping the jet-black one-handed club, shone a deep blue.
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