We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Things to see.
“…And that’s what happened, Friel!”
“Elnea-kun. I’m glad you came to help, but didn’t you forget about us along the way!?”
“W-What are you talking about? It was your imagination. Come on, let’s go home!”
When the Cloud Dragon Nereilaisha calmed down, the thunderclouds that had widely covered the northern mountainous region regained their silence. And as we listened to Miko-sama and talked about the future, the clouds had completely cleared, and the situation, which had seemed like a natural disaster, was gone.
So, after the clouds cleared, we took flight to pick up Friel and the others.
Accompanied by Miko-sama and Nereilaisha-sama.
“I see, it was the Cloud Dragon. To not be able to see through it, I still have a long way to go.”
“Don’t say that, Lord! We survived because of your quick thinking.”
Three dragonfolk warriors, who were our caretakers, were comforting Yugra-sama.
Apparently, the thunderclouds had been extremely fierce right after they swallowed Friel and his party. It was probably around then that Nereilaisha was tricked by Argilthal and became overly sensitive to intruders.
However, Yugra-sama quickly responded to the abnormal situation and led us to safety deep in the cave.
Well, it seems Nereilaisha-sama was aware of that too, but she is a wise Ancient Dragon Species. She didn’t cause any unnecessary damage.
And in the depths of the large cave where Friel and his party had taken refuge, other members of the Wyvern Knight Order were also gathered.
“Anya, I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Yes. We are deeply grateful to Prince Friel and the entire Wyvern Knight Order for saving us.”
“Don’t be so formal.”
After all, Friel and Anya are victims who were caught up in this commotion.
It’s all Argilthal’s fault!
“Nyaan!”
The Dragon Knights, while surprised by Nereilaisha-sama waiting outside, led their wyverns out of the cave.
The wyverns, also slightly intimidated by the Ancient Dragon Species they saw up close, were finally able to fly now that the thunderclouds had cleared, and they emerged from their shelter.
“Well then, we’ll go and check on the surrounding villages.”
And they cheerfully took flight.
“Friel and Anya, I’d like you to return to the capital city with Lyra, who will be in charge of reporting this incident.”
“Hahahaha! Elnea-sama, I’ll miss you.”
“It’s alright. We’ll be going to the capital soon too. So, Lyra, I’ll leave the report to the King to you!”
“Yes!”
That’s the excuse I prepared, but in reality, I just want Lyra to meet the King quickly. Everyone knows that, so Friel and his party readily agreed.
“So, Elnea-kun and the others are not heading to the capital, where will you go from now on?”
“We’re going to Paradise as we are. We have to see Miko-sama home.”
I informed Friel about Miko-sama’s “All-Healing Magic Eye,” but asked him not to mention it to the public.
If the rumors spread, it would put too much burden on Miko-sama, and above all, it would threaten the peace of Paradise.
Even if someone were to carelessly approach Paradise, they would undoubtedly be eliminated by the Guardian Dragon Nereilaisha.
Nevertheless, it’s best if there’s no disturbance.
So, with Head Miko Madrine-sama present, Miko-sama and Nereilaisha-sama were to go directly to Paradise, and I and Madrine-sama would report to the local people. Besides, I looked at Ruiseine.
“…Is that so. You acquired your Magic Eye postnatally.”
“Yes. I was told that Miko-sama’s All-Healing Magic Eye was also acquired postnatally.”
This was before we went to pick up Friel and his party.
We told Miko-sama about Ruiseine’s Magic Eye situation.
According to Karnar-sama, Miko-sama’s Magic Eye was also acquired postnatally. If so, Miko-sama might know how to stop its rampage and control it properly.
That’s why Karnar-sama went out to find Miko-sama, the solitary female immortal.
Well, as a result, due to various circumstances, we discovered Miko-sama first.
Miko-sama listened to our story and touched the band covering her eyes.
“This band is a Seal Band. My Magic Eye heals everything in my sight, even unconsciously. Therefore, I usually seal my Magic Eye like this.”
The Seal Band was wrapped around her head multiple times. But that would mean she has no sight at all, right?
Even so, Miko-sama walked without hesitation, and it seemed like she accurately perceived our every move.
To our question, Miko-sama replied, “I cannot see, but I can perceive.”
“Could it be that Miko-sama can feel the breath of the world?”
I was once taught by Ada-san.
If you read the breath of the world instead of searching for others’ presence, you can sense the existence of even those who cannot be seen or who have hidden their presence.
Similarly, perhaps Miko-sama perceives everything around her as if she were seeing it, by reading the breath of the world?
When I asked, she nodded.
“Nereilaisha-sama taught me. Even so, it took many years to master. You acquired it at such a young age, Elnea-sama. That is wonderful.”
“No, no, it’s all thanks to Ada-san’s excellent guidance!”
When I made that excuse, Mistral next to me coughed ostentatiously.
“Elnea?”
“No! It’s a misunderstanding!”
I’ve made him jealous.
But Ada-san was a stunning beauty, and I harbored no inappropriate feelings towards her, you know?
Besides, I thought.
Ada-san was so noble that she seemed untouched by romance, possessing a purity that made one hesitate even to touch her.
Yes. She was exactly like a Saintess.
That’s why, even though I thought Ada-san was beautiful, I felt no inappropriate feelings at all, not even a speck.
Putting that aside.
We returned to the main topic.
Miko-sama, stroking the Seal Band gently, began to speak.
“I was bestowed this Magic Eye in my childhood.”
Miko-sama was born in an era where wars continued for decades.
As her family had been hereditary priestesses, Miko-sama had already begun her training as a priestess when she was old enough to understand.
And witnessing the wounded soldiers and people caught in the crossfire brought to her daily, even as a child, she felt the desire for peace.
Miko-sama prayed incessantly, forgetting to eat or sleep.
Between training. Between services. Whenever she had even a little time, she prayed to the Goddess.
“Please, grant me the power to heal those who suffer.”
It wasn’t a miracle, but.
One day, Miko-sama’s eyes began to glow green. Then, she began to heal the wounds of those in her sight and to soothe their hearts.
“My Magic Eye is derived from magic power, so I didn’t have the same troubles as Lady Shooting Star.”
Even though it’s derived from magic power, it doesn’t consume Miko-sama’s own magic power. So, no matter how tired Miko-sama was, the All-Healing Magic Eye continued to activate.
And even though it was a postnatal special ability, as it was eyes imbued with magic power, the temple did not impose any restrictions on its use.
“However, to be honest, I didn’t have any troubles like rampages.”
“Then, why is Miko-sama wearing the Seal Band?”
I had a feeling it wasn’t just because she healed everything she saw.
Then, Miko-sama hesitated slightly before murmuring.
“…I was running away.”
Miko-sama looked down sadly.
“As Head Miko-sama pointed out earlier, I have been evading the role I imposed on myself. I was afraid of healing someone, and by sealing my Magic Eye, I have been turning my back on my duty.”
But, Miko-sama continued.
“After Head Miko-sama’s guidance and everyone’s encouragement, I have finally realized.”
When asked what, Miko-sama raised her bowed head and replied with a smile.
“Everything is compassion and trials bestowed by the Goddess. My All-Healing Magic Eye, and Lady Shooting Star’s new power as well.”
Miko-sama looked at Ruiseine through her Seal Band and said,
“It may be presumptuous of me to say, but if Lady Shooting Star’s new power is a trial from the Goddess, I believe you must not run away. Confronting it and overcoming it is how you repay the Goddess who bestowed this power upon you.”
“I see!”
We might have misunderstood.
“We were only thinking about suppressing the power that rampages, but perhaps, instead of that, we should be releasing the power?”
“Elnea-kun!?”
Ruiseine’s eyes widened in confusion at my sudden remark.
She probably thought that since the Magic Eye’s power rampaged on its own, it would be bad to release it.
But, it’s different.
“Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye is a constantly activating Magic Eye, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I can still clearly see the flow of Elnea-kun’s and Nereilaisha-sama’s dragon energy.”
“Mhm. And, about the new Magic Eye, how is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ruiseine’s Dragon Eye is always active, like Miko-sama’s All-Healing Magic Eye. When new power was added to that, was it a consciously activated Magic Eye, like Lyra’s Eye of Domination? I feel like it’s different.”
It is said that great power resides in the eyes. But, can one person’s eyes contain various types of powers and Magic Eyes with different activation conditions?
Instead, if there is a certain degree of rule or regularity. I thought that Ruiseine’s new power might also be a constantly activating Magic Eye.
“It is constantly activating, but the power is still unstable, so it activates and recedes. However, since it is constantly activating, when a certain amount of power accumulates, it activates on its own. At that time, Ruiseine’s eyes are surprised, and it goes into a rampage, isn’t that right?”
“Now that you mention it, that might be the case…”
So, I returned to Miko-sama’s story.
“Perhaps Ruiseine’s power should be trained to be in a state of constant release, rather than trying to suppress it?”
“Wait a minute, Elnea. Even if you say that, Ruiseine’s eyes rampage unintentionally, and if the rampage continues, there’s a possibility of blindness!”
Mistral furrowed his brow as if in doubt.
But, I looked back at Miko-sama and said with conviction.
“Now, we have Miko-sama’s All-Healing Magic Eye!”
“Ah,” everyone’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, they all lined up in front of Miko-sama and pleaded.
“Miko-sama, please help Ruiseine!”
“Yes. I was also hoping to help.”
Miko-sama also gladly accepted our request.
“We have been running away from our destinies. You, on the other hand, see what you should truly see.”
Nereilaisha-sama also looked down at us kindly.
“I have to escort Miko-sama and Ruiseine to Paradise.”
“Elnea-kun, please take care of us.”
As I was explaining to Friel and his party, Ruiseine came up to me in high spirits.
It seems her worries have been lightened by the path shown for her Magic Eye.
We don’t know yet what sort of power the released Magic Eye will hold. However, with Miko-sama’s help, Ruiseine will undoubtedly be able to acquire new power.
When we left the cave where Yugra-sama and his party had taken refuge, the sky was a clear, cloudless blue.
“It is a good day for flying.”
“I apologize for the trouble, beautiful winged dragon.”
Nereilaisha-sama stood beside Yugra-sama.
When comparing winged dragons like this, Nereilaisha-sama, being an Ancient Dragon Species, is indeed much larger.
“There is no superiority or inferiority based on size.”
“Revalia is right!”
“Meow.”
Nimiam, who was relaxing on my head, yawned widely.
Revalia glared at the small Ancient Dragon Species with a wrinkle in her nose, and we laughed at the sight.
