We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A Transaction
“Gwen, are you alright?”
I went to Leviathan’s side and spoke to Gwen, who was crushed and on the verge of death.
Gwen turned only his face towards me and offered a smile that looked utterly exhausted.
“Do you see this as a safe appearance?”
“Well, yes. The fact that you are alive after being attacked by Leviathan means, from our perspective, you are safe, right?”
Leviathan is the ruler of the skies of Dragon Peak. She shows no mercy to enemies or those who defy her. She may no longer be called a tyrant, but everyone and everything connected to Dragon Peak, be it people, dragons, or other creatures, knows the fear and strength of Leviathan.
It is no exaggeration to say that, by simply not being killed by Leviathan, who showed leniency, she has already been shown abundant mercy.
Gwen, a subordinate of the God of War who had been engaged in various espionage activities, might know a little about Leviathan. He looked up at Leviathan, who was crushing him, with only his gaze, let out a deep sigh, and said nothing more.
Gwen himself must have deeply felt that he had narrowly escaped death.
Besides, if he displeased Leviathan or me in his current state, he would be mercilessly crushed and killed. Perhaps he has resigned himself to complying with us.
“Gwen, do you need healing magic? Of course, it will be after we’ve finished our discussions, though?”
I have no intention of killing Gwen and Gina here and now to eliminate the Divine Race from the Winged Tribe’s country. If rumors spread that the Divine Race was annihilated in the Winged Tribe’s country, it would cause problems for the Winged Tribe later.
If the Divine Race were to attack the Winged Tribe’s country with the excuse of avenging their kin, it would be a major issue. And since we wouldn’t be in this region at that time, we would only leave behind trouble.
Therefore, I need Gwen to return to his home country with substantial gifts and provide us with a favorable report.
So, I suggested healing him after our talk, but Gwen shook his head slightly.
“No. For the Divine Race, becoming susceptible to mental interference means becoming powerless. I’ll refrain.”
“Oh? You know the price of powerful healing magic, do you?”
“Even within the Berisalia Empire, temples and clergy are protected. Furthermore, the Divine Race sometimes receives help from Miko.”
Clergy help those in need regardless of race.
Some within the Divine Race have suffered severe injuries and benefited from healing magic, and they seem to know the effects and repercussions of such healing.
Powerful healing magic has the drawback of making one vulnerable to interference from others in exchange for healing wounds.
Lyra also received powerful healing magic in the past, but as a consequence, she cannot live without protective gear even now.
As a close aide to the God of War, Gwen seems to consider becoming weak to outside interference to be fatal.
Divine Arts, which affect all things in nature, easily influence the human mind. Therefore, he seems to be more concerned about the repercussions than the benefits of powerful healing magic.
“In that case, you’ll have to heal yourself.”
Gwen has no option to use the universal medicine made by Old Man Sleigsta. So, if he doesn’t want magical healing, he has no choice but to rely on natural healing.
However, his body, being crushed by Leviathan, must be in a rather critical condition. How much time would it take to heal that through natural recovery?
Gwen, perhaps understanding his situation, gave a wry smile and proposed an alternative.
“I don’t need powerful magic for complete recovery. However, I would appreciate some healing magic that doesn’t have any repercussions. In return, I will listen to your demands.”
“I see. If Gwen agrees to that, we have no objections.”
After our discussion, I decided to ask Ruiseine and Madrine to heal Gwen enough for him to move.
However, he must remain pinned under Leviathan during our talk.
If the cunning Gwen were freed, even in his weakened state, we couldn’t be sure what he might do.
“So, what demands do I have to accept?”
Gwen prompted us to get to the point without any complaints about his treatment.
Perhaps he’s too weak to have the luxury of complaining. Upon closer inspection, beads of cold sweat were flowing from his forehead, and his complexion was extremely poor. Although he spoke normally, he might be on the verge of collapse, barely able to maintain consciousness. Therefore, he might want to conclude the discussion quickly and rest.
I will recount the events of the Underground City Ruins to Gwen.
What happened after Gwen betrayed us!
How the Giant of the Primogenitor Race, with my power, regained its sanity.
How the Giant, now back to its normal state as a Guardian, saw the Divine Race as intruders and defeated them in an instant.
How we were forgiven for saving the Guardian and returned safely from underground.
Of course, I won’t mention the specific details, such as what kind of magic I used or how the Imperial Honored Mansion was turned into stone.
I don’t want to give Gwen any unnecessary information.
“…In other words, from now on, that monster will reign as the Guardian of the underground and show no mercy to intruders from the Divine Race?”
“And don’t forget that they have regained the wisdom and magic power that annihilated the great Demon Race army?”
“Then, if the Divine Army were to cross the Gate of Underworld Prison in the future, it would only cause immense damage with no prospect of success?”
“Before that, I’d like you to forget about the Gate of Underworld Prison altogether?”
“I see. Your point is that crossing the Gate of Underworld Prison is meaningless, so you want me to forget its existence and not report it?”
“That’s right!”
It would be problematic if the secret that the Slustal family has protected for ages were casually spread.
Therefore, instead of saying that the Gate of Underworld Prison cannot be used due to the expected heavy damage, I want them to forget about it entirely and not report its existence.
Both Gwen and Gina readily nodded at my proposal.
The Divine Race probably doesn’t want to fight the Guardian lurking beyond the Gate of Underworld Prison either.
The results would only bring about more damage with little gain.
A potential outcome of becoming like the Demon Race would not be a favorable report for Gwen.
“Instead, we will not sense Ethne. You are free to take that back to your country.”
Near Gina, who had been apprehended, lay a bundle wrapped in cloth. The cloth, darkly stained with blood, looked quite eerie. I’m sure it contains Ethne’s severed head.
While pushing aside the thought of whether it would rot if left unattended, I continued.
“As Gwen wished, we have defeated the rampaging Imperial Honored Mansion and Ethne, so you should be satisfied, right?”
“If I take this back, our mission is over. As you say, it turned out to be the best possible outcome. How we defeated Ethne and eliminated the Imperial Honored Mansion, we’ll think about that on the way back.”
“And you won’t involve us or the Winged Tribe in that, will you?”
“Hmph. I promise.”
Gwen is cunning, but he keeps his promises. We can trust him in that regard, as he hasn’t leaked our secrets to those around him up to this point.
“Well then, let’s conclude. Our demands are that you forget the existence of the Gate of Underworld Prison and not report it. And that you do not involve us or the Winged Tribe when you report. In exchange, we will tacitly permit Gwen and Gina to leave this place, and we will also act as if we haven’t seen Ethne.”
I’m still angry about being betrayed at that last moment, but I have to overlook it to reach an agreement. I checked with Gwen, Gina, my family, and Slustal, asking if they had any objections to my decision. My family agreed with my opinion immediately. Leviathan and Asher, uninterested in our conversation, seemed to be leaving it all to us. Gina also nodded readily, and Gwen nodded in agreement.
“You are…”
Meanwhile, only Slustal looked at me, concerned about the Divine Race’s Gwen and Gina, and Leviathan and Asher, who were of the Ancient Dragon Species.
Hmm. Does Slustal have any complaints?
Of course, since Gwen and I decided this alone, the Winged Tribe, who were left out of the discussions, might be dissatisfied. They are left with the burden and damages, while Gwen and I have achieved the results we wanted.
“Mr. Slustal, if the Winged Tribe has any claims, please make them now. Gwen will listen to you right now!”
At my irresponsible remark, Gwen wryly smiled at my feet. Gwen, in his current state, has his life and death completely in the hands of myself and Leviathan. Whether he likes it or not, he has to accept any demands.
However, Slustal didn’t seem to want to voice the Winged Tribe’s claims. Instead, he looked at me and opened his mouth, sounding suspicious.
“Who are you? You command a dragon so colossal and terrifying that I’ve never seen before, and you show no fear of the Divine Race. Furthermore, you, who negotiate on equal or even superior terms…?”
“Umm. As I’ve said from the beginning, we are travelers continuing our journey with Lady Shooting Star. Well, we’ve met various beings along the way. Leviathan and Asher are like family whom I befriended during those times, and I know beings more terrifying than the Divine Race or the Demon Race, so I don’t get intimidated by this much.”
I will maintain the pretense of being travelers. If I were to announce myself as the Dragon King or talk about Dragon Peak, rumors might spread and cause trouble for the local area. Especially if word of our unusual activities spreads while the Berisalia Empire, Gwen’s homeland, is trying to expand its influence into this region, the Emperor and the God of War might turn their attention not only to Dragon Peak but also to the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom. Even I, who am not well-versed in governance, know that this must be prevented at all costs.
Perhaps sensing something in my words, Slustal didn’t nod easily. Nevertheless, realizing that no more information would be forthcoming from me, he finally replied with a sense of resignation.
“Understood. If that is what you say, then we who have been saved will not interfere. The Winged Tribe will also abide by the decisions made between you and Lord Gwen.”
“Thank you.”
Thus, with the consent of Slustal, the representative of the Winged Tribe, everything has been decided. As our discussion concluded, Leviathan stepped away from Gwen, flapped her wings fiercely, and immediately took flight.
“Leviathan, thank you too!”
I expressed my gratitude through Dragon Heart, and a roar echoed from the sky. Leviathan doesn’t associate with strangers, so it seems she will wait for us in the sky.
Well then, let’s sort out the remaining problems. I look at Gwen.
“Whoa! Gwen, your leg is bent in a strange direction!”
There are extra joints in his arm too! No, it’s broken. Gwen, whose appearance was painful to look at, remained lying on the ground unable to move even after Leviathan took flight. Ruiseine and Madrine rushed over to him and began casting a basic level of healing magic as Gwen had requested.
The fractures were to be straightened, and then splinted and bandaged, and the wounds would be healed using medicinal herbs. His internal injuries, not visible from the outside, also seemed severe, and after minimal healing, they were left to nature. Gwen will have to recuperate in the Winged Tribe’s country until his wounds heal and he can move. Gina took charge of carrying Ethne’s head back to her home country first.
“If I report that I was near death from fighting Ethne and am recuperating, Lord Enbu will believe me. After all, I am truly near death,” Gwen instructed Gina while undergoing treatment.
“Mr. Slustal, please take care of Gwen. We cannot stay in this land until Gwen’s injuries are fully healed.”
“I will take responsibility for Lord Gwen’s care. Although I am generally neutral and cannot take sides with the Divine Race, this is a special circumstance. It is a request from you, who saved the Winged Tribe from crisis.”
Dahlbach nodded in affirmation of Slustal’s words.
“Now then, since our issues are mostly resolved.”
I finally turned to Asher. Asher, who had patiently watched our discussions conclude, turned his gaze to me from Nimia, who was joyfully flying around. Then, he said in an unforgiving voice.
“If you’re done with your business, get on my back quickly.”
“Eh!?”
“Come on, stop dawdling. Or do you want me to eat you?”
Asher bared his long fangs, and not only we but also the Winged Tribe people screamed and scattered.
“Asher, you must have some urgent business, right?”
“If not, I wouldn’t have come all the way here.”
“Indeed!”
It seems we don’t have time to rest leisurely. Following Asher’s almost commanding words, we quickly boarded his back after saying goodbye to Slustal and Gwen. As soon as we were on his back, Asher took to the sky.
“Asher, aren’t you going too fast!?”
We were confused, blinking in bewilderment at the unexpected speed. Asher flew higher than the clouds, and accompanied by Leviathan, who was waiting in the sky, began to fly east at an incredible speed. I hurriedly conveyed the remaining tasks to Asher.
“Asher, please wait a moment. We still have the most important item on our agenda.”
That’s right. It’s not like we wanted to cause trouble with Gwen and the others in the Winged Tribe’s territory. All of it was to rescue Ruilala and Toris, who were captured by the Fairy Demon Lord Kusharilla. However, Asher did not slow down his flight at my explanation. Asher flew towards the east without hesitation. All we could do was helplessly look down at the receding Heavenly Mountain Range and the mountainous region spreading to its east.
I wonder what Asher is in such a hurry about? If it weren’t for some important urgent business, as Asher said, he wouldn’t have come to pick us up at a place like this.
Then, Asher, as if reading my mind, said in a heavy voice, looking towards the eastern sky.
“You two might be able to stop Grandpa’s rampage. Time is running out.”
“Eh!”
At Asher’s words, we gasped. Old Man Sleigsta is rampaging!? And time is running out?
I wonder what on earth is happening. On Asher’s back, our anxieties began to grow to an unimaginable extent.
