We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 890

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

First Time: Dragon Knight Selection Tournament

“Your Majesty! What is this Dragon Knight Selection Tournament!?”

“Elnea-kun, you’re here. I apologize for not coming out to meet you.”

We rushed to the Dragon Stable where the King was. Then, we called out to the King, who was about to mount his beloved dragon, Gusferus.
However, unlike us who were carefree, the guards and Lord Grave looked somewhat flustered.

“Elnea, welcome. You tell him too. It is too much for His Majesty to come out himself. Please refrain from going to the venue.”
“Lord Grave, hello. So, what is the situation?”

The King, who was about to mount Gusferus, and Lord Grave and the guards, who were trying to stop him.
We had no idea what was going on.
Or rather, we wanted to know the details of the Dragon Knight Selection Tournament!

“Hmm. There’s no other way. Well then, I’ll explain on the way. Here, Elnea-kun and you all, get on too.”
“No, no, we can’t all ride Gusferus!”

The King beckoned me, ignoring the guards’ pleas.

“There’s no other way. Elnea, you go as representative. We’ll talk to the Prince and catch up later.”
“Understood.”

Urged by Mistral, I mounted Gusferus with the King.
Lord Grave and the guards reluctantly retreated, seeing that I was accompanying the King.
Gusferus was led outside by the stable keeper and immediately began to run.
Gusferus, the earth dragon, ran, shaking the ground with heavy thuds.
I couldn’t help but exclaim with delight at the powerful run.

“It has a different kind of power than flying in the sky!”
“Doesn’t it? Earth dragons are good too.”
“Yes.”
“Nyan!”
“Nimiam!?”

Surprised, I checked above my head. There, Nimia was relaxing as usual, wagging her tail.
I had gotten so used to it that I hadn’t noticed until now!
Well, it’s my head’s designated spot when Priscilla-chan isn’t around.

“So powerful, nyan.”
“It is an honor that the daughter of the Guardian Dragon also likes it.”

Gusferus, maintaining its momentum, leaped out of the royal palace and ran towards the center of the capital.

“So, Your Majesty, may I have an explanation?”
“Hmm. That’s right.”

The King’s lower body is still not good.
Nevertheless, he seemed much better than when he was bedridden, and he mounted Gusferus himself and rode it.

“You have already heard about the Dragon Knight Selection Tournament from Princess Yufilia and Princess Nina, haven’t you?”
“Yes. We caused you trouble with the dragon summoning.”
“No, no, you haven’t caused any trouble, so don’t worry. Besides, it was I who asked you so earnestly.”
“So, is it true?”
“Umu. I’ve come up with an idea. The Dragon Knight Selection Tournament!”

The King said this and laughed heartily.
As the King rode Gusferus through the city, the citizens were all surprised.
However, the city was not destroyed, and although the people were surprised, there was no great chaos.

“So, Your Majesty, please tell me more about the Dragon Knight Selection Tournament.”
“Umu. Gladly.”

The wyverns ridden by the Dragon Knight Order are mostly from the Wyvern Hunting Ground, and are those who have submitted to humans.
There are also dragon tribes that contract with humans in exchange for food supplies or through individual connections, as well as earth dragons that inhabit the northern mountainous regions.
However, large-scale hunts have not been conducted in the Wyvern Hunting Ground in recent years.
This is because the Yorttenitos Kingdom, led by Friel, is exploring the establishment of new relationships between dragons and humans.

The Yorttenitos Kingdom has shifted from using dragon-slaying weapons to coerce contracts to new methods of forming bonds and making contracts.
However, having noble ideals alone cannot stop the decline in the number of Dragon Knight Order members. After all, human lifespans are short.
People retire every year due to aging and declining physical strength.
So, what the King thought of was this “First Dragon Knight Selection Tournament.”

“I have properly announced it to the citizens. We will hold selections for the Dragon Knight Order in the capital.”
“But that was just before it was held, wasn’t it?”
“Hahahaha. I just suddenly thought of it. But the citizens understand. After all, everyone is given an equal opportunity.”

Originally, only daredevils or stout warriors participated in wyvern hunts.
After all, the dragons they faced were far superior to humans and were wyverns that flew freely in the sky.
One could not participate without being fully prepared.
Furthermore, even if they participated and survived, it did not mean they could become Dragon Knights.
If they couldn’t hunt a wyvern, they couldn’t get a new mount, and if they didn’t hunt it themselves, they wouldn’t even get the qualification.
However, this Dragon Knight Selection Tournament is apparently different from wyvern hunting.

“According to the Princess, they convey their requests to the dragons during summoning. ‘What do you want to summon for this time?’ she says. And the dragons that respond are summoned.”
“In other words, the dragons summoned to the capital are those who agreed to the Dragon Knight Selection Tournament from the beginning, right?”
“That’s right. And I’ve also told the dragons this beforehand: ‘If you find a human you’d like to form a bond with, contract with them and join the Dragon Knight Order. In return, you can roam freely in the capital during the tournament and enjoy this foreign land.’ Of course, I’ve explained this to the citizens as well, right? ‘Do not provoke the dragons unnecessarily.'”

Apparently, the dragons were also told not to destroy the city and not to harm those uninvolved.
If they broke their promise, they could incur Commander Yugra’s scolding, and possibly even be attacked by Revalia.
The dragons seem to be following instructions obediently.
If Revalia and Commander Yugra were brought up, of course the dragons of Dragon Peak would become obedient!

“Dragons roaming freely within the capital. But as long as they don’t provoke anyone, they won’t be attacked? And during that time, those who want to join the Dragon Knight Order will somehow form bonds with the dragons, is that it?”
“The method of forming bonds is left to each individual. It’s good to show your strength through a test of might, and it’s also good to show your courage. I would be happy if someone like you, who becomes friends and forms bonds, appeared, rather than resorting to rough methods.”
“Humans approach dragons in their own ways. And if a dragon appears that they deem worthy for a contract, they can join the Dragon Knight Order. This is a wonderful selection tournament!”

Moreover, if the selection method doesn’t rely solely on strength, the doors are open to everyone.
What’s important is the desire to form a deep bond with a dragon and the aspiration to become a Dragon Knight.
With that desire alone, those who were flower shopkeepers or running around parks yesterday might become members of the Dragon Knight Order, a symbol of the country, tomorrow.
After all, dragons are free to walk and fly around the capital now. Anyone can approach a dragon if they wish.
The King has opened the gates of the Dragon Knight Order, which were originally only open to daredevils and stout warriors, to everyone.
This in itself is an accomplishment that can be called a revolution.

“To be praised so highly by Elnea-kun. Friel will be pleased.”
“Could it be that this wasn’t your idea?”
“That’s right. While I came up with the idea for the selection tournament itself, it was Friel who proposed that everyone should have an opportunity.”
“Is that so!”

It felt like Friel’s dream had taken a big leap forward.
To build a nation where dragons and humans are bound by strong bonds.
The Dragon Knight Order is its symbol, and this selection tournament should be the first step.
Of course, simply forming a bond with a dragon does not grant formal admission to the Dragon Knight Order.
Their qualities as knights will likely be assessed, but they have overcome the minimum requirement of “obtain a dragon mount.”
After that, it’s up to their own effort.

“I finally understand. The feelings behind why Your Majesty and Friel held the selection tournament, and why the dragons are making a fuss but not rampaging. So, Your Majesty, where are we headed?”
“Hmm. I didn’t say, did I? We’re heading to the venue for the tournament’s operations. Those who have formed bonds with dragons have been notified to gather there.”
“You want to see the dragon knight candidates quickly, don’t you?”
“Hahahaha. Laira is there too.”
“That’s your real reason!”

The venue for the First Dragon Knight Selection Tournament was the vast grounds of the former royal palace in the center of the capital.
The underground of the former royal palace has become a labyrinth due to a certain young girl great sage and a certain great spirit.
However, the ground level is still widely usable, so they made it into a venue.
And although the King didn’t mention it, Friel and Commander Yugra were also at the venue.
In fact, Friel was the overall in charge of operations, and Laira was accompanying him!

“Lord Elnea! Hahaha, Your Majesty the King!”
When we arrived at the venue, Laira flew up and hugged me.
Then, the King looked a little sad, so Laira quickly hugged him too.
As the three of us were laughing, Friel, riding Yugra, descended from the sky.
Furthermore, there was another shadow rushing towards us!

“Uwan. I missed you!”
“Me too, Rim!”
“Fio, and Rim too! How did you get here!?”
After the battle with the Demon King ended, the small dragons Fio and Rim were supposed to be spending time in Yugra’s hometown.
Yet how did they get to the Yorttenitos Kingdom?
I thought, but there was only one answer.

“Rim can be forgiven, but Fio, you need to restrain yourself a little more, okay? Otherwise, Commander Yugra will get angry.”
“You’ve already scolded her. Sigh, who did she take after?”
Fioリーナ rubbed her head against my stomach, purring. Commander Yugra sighed as she landed.
I wonder who influenced her…

“Elnea-kun, hello. Your Majesty, thank you for taking the trouble to come here.”
As I averted my eyes from Commander Yugra’s stern gaze, Friel approached.
I dismounted Gusferus and we rejoiced at our reunion.

“Prince Friel, this is a wonderful tournament!”
“Thank you. I would be delighted if future Dragon Knights are born from among these participants.”
“Oh? Judging by your tone, it seems no one has passed yet?”
Well, it’s not like successful candidates would appear immediately for a selection tournament that was decided so suddenly.
The King’s visit to the venue was to encourage the hopeful participants who were struggling.
Looking around the venue, I saw many people seeking advice and cooperation from the waiting Dragon Knight Order members.

“It’s not just about holding the selection, but the country also provides support. They can receive advice and cooperation from experienced people like that. With this, I’m sure we’ll have dragon knights bound by bonds of dragons and humans soon.”
I wonder if I’m mistaken. I could see a few members of the Mimicho and Giant tribes.
Perhaps a Dragon Knight Order that transcends racial boundaries will be born.

“However, they are still struggling. So, Elnea-kun.”
“Yes?”
Friel grasped both my hands and looked at me with expectant eyes.
Hmm, hmm, I quite predicted what was coming?
As I had expected, Friel made his request.

“As the noble Dragon King, would you please show us an example!”
“Hou hou. Me, the Eight Dragon Kings and the leader of the Dragon Peak Alliance, to show an example? Very well!”
“Are you bragging, nyan?”
“Nimia, humor me and let me be cool for once, okay?”
“But you’ve already revealed your hand, nyan.”
“Sob sob.”
As expected, dignity and coolness seem to be far from me.
I have no choice but to do it in my usual style.

“Heey, the Dragon King is going to show us an example!”
The rumor spread quickly through the Dragon Knight Order members gathered at the venue.
I gathered my resolve to be an example for those gathered. Then, I raised my voice, channeling my dragon heart.

“Come here, come here!”
Raising both hands, I waved them.
Then, the dragons that received my dragon heart immediately responded.

“Oh. It’s the Dragon King.”
“Is he giving us something, I wonder?”
“Alright, here we come!”
“Don’t be left behind!”
“Everyone, Elnea is calling us!”
“Yippee!”
With a roar that shook the ground, earth dragons rushed from all over the capital.
From the sky, not only wyverns but also winged dragons descended.
Finally, even the dragons belonging to the Dragon Knight Order rushed towards me.

“Ah, I forgot to go easy on them!”
The people gathered screamed and fled from the swarm of dragons rushing from all directions.
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