We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Disguise Operation
We departed from the Demon Lord’s Castle and headed straight for the mansion in the Forbidden Territory.
Nimia carried us elegantly across the skies of the Demon Race’s country.
After all, I was told to scout the Divine Race’s country, but they didn’t give me a strict deadline. So, there should be no problem with going after I’ve made sufficient preparations.
I’m concerned about the Divine Race’s country’s movements, but there’s no use in rushing, and besides, this is a problem for the Demon Race.
Moreover, we intended to primarily investigate whether our own people, the Human Race, or Dragon Peak would be harmed, rather than seeking information that would benefit the Demon Race.
“But still, if we’re going into the Divine Race’s country, we need to be careful, right?”
The Divine Race’s country, like the Demon Race’s country, looks down on other races and enslaves them. If I were to wander around such a land without any precautions, I’d definitely be captured by slave hunters, wouldn’t I?
“How about asking for Alex-sama’s cooperation?”
“Laira, that would involve Alex-san, wouldn’t it?”
Wender-san didn’t seem to mind, but Alex-san is also of the Divine Race, so he must have some resistance to outsiders spying on his country. It would be too much to involve him in this.
However, we do plan to visit as a point of entry, so we might be causing trouble at that point.
“Well then, how about this plan?”
Then, Ruiseine came up with a brilliant idea.
“I am a shooting star, and no one would question my travels. So, why don’t you all travel under the guise of my companions and bodyguards?”
“Ruiseine, wouldn’t it be fine if we were family?”
We are a genuine family. So why would we hide our family relationship and choose to be “companions” or “bodyguards”?
Besides, humans wouldn’t lay hands on clergy, but I don’t know about the Divine Race.
It’s said that clergy are protected in both the Demon Race’s country and the Divine Race’s country to avoid riots from angry believers, but slave hunters might not adhere to that strictly either.
To my question, Ruiseine gave a clear answer.
“First, the reason for not stating we are family is this: If it were said that not only I but also others are Elnea-kun’s wives, it might lead to discussions about the Goddess’s trials. Of course, we have overcome the trials and are formally married, but it would be troublesome to prove it every time we travel, and more importantly, it would make us stand out.”
“I see, not standing out is important, isn’t it?”
“Yes. If we stand out and attract attention, we won’t be able to do any reconnaissance.”
Madrine-sama is also a miko, so if we present ourselves as many companions and bodyguards accompanying two mikos, other clergy shouldn’t be suspicious.
“Even so, there’s still a possibility of encountering slave hunters or getting involved in trouble, as Elnea-kun is concerned. That’s why I’d like Mist-san of the Dragon Race to deliberately act as a bodyguard.”
“Even the Divine Race likely wouldn’t dare to challenge a warrior of the Dragon Race, would they?”
The Dragon Race is a stronger race than the Demon Race or the Divine Race. That’s why demons can’t cross Dragon Peak, and the Divine Race can’t interfere. Furthermore, we’ll use their ability to discern races against them by showing Mistral as a bodyguard.
Coincidentally, only Mistral has a powerful weapon, so I think it’s a great idea.
“I don’t have a problem with it. Then, as we did when we set out, I’ll act as a bodyguard hired by Ruiseine.”
Come to think of it, when we set out on our journey on the day of the Vernal Equinox when we turned fifteen. Mistral came to pick us up at the Great Shrine in the capital as Ruiseine’s bodyguard, didn’t she?
“Um, Priscilla should be a bodyguard too?”
“That’s right! Priscilla-chan can be a lost child. And then, we can say we’re looking for Priscilla-chan’s parents!”
If we do that, traveling around different places aimlessly shouldn’t be too suspicious. Moreover, if we attract suspicion while gathering information or investigating, we’ll have an excuse.
Although she couldn’t become the bodyguard she desired, Priscilla-chan was satisfied with having an important role among us.
“Nyan will pretend to be a normal young dragon, nyan.”
“That’s right. We’ll have her stay small normally and pretend to be a dragon owned by Mistral.”
“Um, is it okay for Priscilla to be friendly with Nimia?”
“Of course. Because Nimia is here, Priscilla-chan won’t be lonely traveling with us even if she’s separated from her mother.”
That’s the setup.
Well, in reality, she’s always separated from her mother and having adventures with us!
Although I reluctantly accepted the request at first, thinking of this kind of false setup and traveling is surprisingly fun.
Next is how well everyone can play their roles.
By the way, as a result of our discussion, Laira is my older sister. Yufilia and Nina are decided to be Sefina-san’s older sisters.
“Elnea-kun hasn’t changed at all.”
“Elnea-kun isn’t pretending to be anything different.”
“Why am I always the one who’s the younger sister to both of you?”
There were complaints like that, but it can’t be helped.
After all, the three sisters look alike.
And while we were making a fuss and refining the setup, we arrived at the Forbidden Territory in the blink of an eye.
When we landed in the mansion’s courtyard, Priscilla-chan’s mother came out to greet us.
“Um, Priscilla is going on a journey to find her mother?”
“Priscilla, what on earth are you talking about?”
“I’m home. Well, you see…”
Laughing at Priscilla-chan’s statement, we explained our future plans.
Priscilla-chan’s mother also listened with a smile.
However, she didn’t forget to add a stern warning as a strict mother.
“If you’re with Elnea and the others, I won’t stop you from going. It seems you’ve studied diligently in the Dragon Forest. However, your preparations against danger must be thorough. Even if you are disarmed, you should at least have a way to escape if danger approaches.”
And with that, we gave a bitter smile to the people Priscilla-chan’s mother called.
“While taking care of the spirits is important, your own safety is also important.”
“That’s why we’re reluctantly helping you out, you know!”
“Yunyun and Rinrin are looking at us with eyes that seem to want to join.”
“I told you we’re reluctantly helping!”
Rinrin puffed out her cheeks in anger, and Yunyun gave a wry smile.
Regardless, it’s a welcome addition of reliable bodyguards.
Moreover, since both of them can usually disappear like spirits, they won’t make our group appear any larger. And fundamentally, although they are both sages, they can unleash their full power if they accept Priscilla-chan’s command.
“However, I and Rin will only assist in escape.”
“Don’t rely on our power for fighting, okay? Understood, Elnea?”
“Only I was told to be careful!”
“You’re the biggest troublemaker!”
Nodding in agreement with everyone, I hung my head in dejection.
“Whoa, what’s all this commotion!?”
Then, the one who appeared late was a shaggy old man.
“Uncle, I’m home! Where have you been?”
“Kid, you’re finally back. But what’s with this large group!?”
Seeing the assembly in the courtyard, the shaggy old man, now known as Uncle Luludodo, was surprised.
“I told you I’d introduce you before. These are my wives.”
To further surprise Uncle Luludodo, who’s eyes were wide open, I introduced my wives one by one.
Mistral and Sefina-san already knew each other, so it was fine, but when Ruiseine greeted him, Laira smiled shyly, and Yufilia and Nina spoke in unison, Uncle Luludodo was so shocked he fell over.
“We haven’t even introduced Madrine-sama and Priscilla-chan yet, and it’s too soon?”
“Um, it’s too soon?”
Priscilla-chan, who is not easily intimidated, approached the overturned Uncle Luludodo. Then, she gave a cute greeting.
“Whoa, is this your daughter? I see, she’s adorable.”
It seems Uncle Luludodo and Priscilla-chan’s mother also became good friends in our absence. So he must have heard about his beloved daughter Priscilla-chan.
“…I see. So this is the family you boasted about introducing, kid?”
“We still haven’t introduced Revalia, so I think you’ll be surprised again?”
Revalia, Rim, and Fiorina. Plus, there are many more family members and companions I want to introduce.
Uncle Luludodo, still lying on his back, laughed at my boasting about my kin and said, “Well, I can’t say I’m tired of the world.”
“That’s right. It’s too early to be tired of the world. We’ve been given an unrefusable request by the ruler of the demons, and we’re going to the Divine Race’s country, albeit reluctantly.”
“What?! That, the ruler of the demons!?”
“Uncle Luludodo, you went to Shuzan Palace but were turned away, so you haven’t met them, right? See, there’s still a world you don’t know here.”
The hardships we faced. The days filled with being tossed around not only by the ruler of the demons but also by Ruilala, the Demon Lord, and Charlotte, would surely be an interesting story for Uncle Luludodo.
With so much fun and unknown stories so close by, it’s a waste to die.
“I see, I see. You kids are undoubtedly messengers, living life to the fullest. In that case, I can’t be left behind.”
Saying that, Uncle Luludodo picked up Priscilla-chan and stood up.
Then, adopting a firm posture, he declared to us.
“Very well. I shall also go to the Divine Race’s country and help you kids!”
“Yes. We respectfully decline!”
“Mm-hmm, I see. You refuse. Good, good. …Wait, why!?”
I, who refused him outright, was approached by Uncle Luludodo with a sorrowful expression.
So, I regretfully stated the practical problem.
“Because we can’t wait until you arrive at the Divine Race’s country?”
“Nuuuoh!?”
Confused as to what that meant, Uncle Luludodo looked around at us.
Then, after surveying everyone present, his gaze stopped at Nimia, who was resting on Rinrin’s head today.
“So, you kids are traveling by riding a young dragon?”
“Yes. We can also call Revalia, but I don’t think Uncle would ride her. She’s a very proud wyvern. Besides…”
“Um, Uncle smells.”
“People who smell can’t ride, nyan.”
“Wh-what did you say!?”
That’s right.
Uncle Luludodo still smelled.
A sweaty smell, or rather, a wild smell. In any case, it’s the smell of someone who doesn’t bathe regularly.
“Uncle. Have you taken a bath since then?”
“No, not at all!”
When asked, he said he had been invited to bathe many times by the Mimicho Race living in the mansion, but he refused.
Why? When asked, he replied as if it were obvious.
“I hate baths.”
“Then Nimia will refuse to let you ride, so we can’t take you.”
“Nuooooooohhh!”
Uncle Luludodo stamped his foot in frustration.
