We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
By working together,
Entrusted with Sleigsta (Old Man), I first called Priscilla-chan.
“You know. Priscilla worked really hard helping Great-Grandpa!”
“That’s amazing, Priscilla-chan.”
Led by Ares-chan, Priscilla-chan arrived, a radiant smile on her face as usual, and talked about how hard she had been working to help Sleigsta (Old Man).
Beside her, the old man with the white beard who had accompanied her from the Mimicho Race village offered a wry smile.
Priscilla-chan must have been busy thinking she was helping Sleigsta (Old Man), but that wasn’t the real reason. The Mimicho Race had been given instructions by Sleigsta (Old Man) and were undoubtedly rushing to prepare to abandon the Dragon Forest in case of emergency.
If Kongo no Kirisame were to advance and swallow the capital city of the Armēdo Kingdom and the Dragon Forest, those who lived there would become sacrifices. To prevent this, in the Dragon Forest and the capital city, preparations to leave their hometown were being rushed, anticipating the worst-case scenario.
“Priscilla-chan. Well then, this is a new mission. Please feed Ares-chan as quickly as possible, okay?”
“Food, food.”
Ares-chan hugged Priscilla-chan tightly. Priscilla-chan, understanding the meaning of my words, nodded and hugged Ares-chan back.
Ares-chan is also a genuine spirit. Therefore, a certain amount of power is required to manifest in this world and use spirit arts. If she were to manifest in her usual young girl form, the power flowing from me would be sufficient. However, from now on, Ares-chan needs to become the adult “Ares (Male)” and exert her full power.
But her Spirit Tree power was completely used up during the incident at the Gate of Underworld Prison.
So, that’s why I asked Priscilla-chan to replenish her spirit power.
“Alright. Once Ares-chan’s preparations are complete, we depart!”
I also gave Ares-chan as much Dragon Energy as I could while returning to the Armēdo Kingdom. So, once the replenishment from Priscilla-chan is complete, the preparations will be finished.
“So, you guys. How are you going to defeat that monster?”
Asher (Male), sitting next to the tense Sleigsta (Old Man), looked down at us with interest.
“Well, we don’t want to wait for Kongo no Kirisame to descend Dragon Peak, so we’re going to attack them! It’s better to deal with trouble early and resolve it.”
“Hmph. Do you think it will go that smoothly?”
“We won’t know until we try. But if we can’t defeat Kongo no Kirisame…”
The only remaining option would be Sleigsta (Old Man)’s forbidden technique. We intervened forcefully because we disliked that, so failure is not an option.
“I will see your growth up close. I will carry you on my back to his location.”
Riding on Sleigsta (Old Man)’s back and flying in the sky! Only Priscilla-chan rejoiced innocently.
“No matter what, I will definitely defeat it!”
Unlike Priscilla-chan, we nodded with tense faces.
I took everyone and performed a Spatial Jump onto Sleigsta (Old Man)’s back. Priscilla-chan ran ahead and climbed up to his head. We followed, moving after her.
“Normally, being able to ride Grandpa is a rare opportunity, so it would be exciting.”
I had only been on Sleigsta (Old Man)’s back a handful of times.
Sleigsta (Old Man) is strict with us as the Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest. So, unless it’s a special reward or an important task, he doesn’t let us ride on his body.
Well, it seems Mistral, who takes care of him, is allowed to ride him daily to clean his entire body thoroughly.
Even so, Priscilla-chan was excited to be able to ride Sleigsta (Old Man)’s back, which she couldn’t normally do. In contrast, our steps as we walked up his long neck towards his head were heavier than usual.
If we fail to defeat Kongo no Kirisame, we will lose many precious things.
Our hometown capital city and the precious Dragon Forest. And the Spirit Tree, the giant tree that grows deep within it.
Of course, we cannot simply stand by and watch as our precious things are lost without a fight.
If we fail to defeat Kongo no Kirisame. Sleigsta (Old Man) has a trump card.
However, that last trump card is a true forbidden technique. Nevertheless, Sleigsta (Old Man), as the guardian of the Dragon Forest, would not hesitate to use it.
And even if Sleigsta (Old Man) defeats Kongo no Kirisame with the forbidden technique, it would be meaningless if he were to be lost as a result.
Therefore, we must succeed with the opportunity given to us!
We were more tense than usual, facing a crucial matter where we absolutely could not afford to fail.
“Hmm. There is no need to be so keyed up. You just need to do what you can, as you usually do.”
Sleigsta (Old Man), after confirming we had moved to his head, rose from his mountain-like giant body. Just by doing so, our view became surprisingly high.
The checkpoint, which we had only seen in the distance before, suddenly became the landscape below us.
Inside the checkpoint, the soldiers, noticing Sleigsta (Old Man) moving and us gathered above his head, began to run around in a panic.
“If Grandpa is going, I have to go and see him off too. Of course, you’re coming with me.”
“Tch, troublesome.”
Even as he said this, Revalia, urged by Asher (Male), flapped her four large and small wings fiercely.
“Guardian Dragon Lord. Everyone, have a safe journey.”
The white-bearded old man, who ended up seeing everyone off, looked up at us from below Sleigsta (Old Man)’s feet with concern.
We smiled, not only to the white-bearded old man but also to dispel our own anxieties, and waved to those who were seeing us off.
“We’re off!”
Revalia was the first to take flight. Next, Asher (Male) soared into the sky. Finally, Sleigsta (Old Man), carrying us, flapped his large, elegant wings and ascended into the vast sky.
Priscilla-chan, innocently delighted, squealed with excitement. Ares (Male), who had transformed into her adult form, held her tightly to prevent her from falling off Sleigsta (Old Man)’s head.
It seems she recovered her strength after receiving plenty of food from Priscilla-chan.
Alright! With this, no matter what kind of monster it is, we can definitely repel it!
Sleigsta (Old Man) took us and turned our course westward.
With just a few powerful wing flaps, he easily crossed the mountain ranges connected to Dragon Peak.
And in an instant, we reached our destination.
From above the clouds, we looked down at the rugged nature of Dragon Peak.
We could see thin clouds flowing between the mountains.
A gust of wind blew through the valley, shaking the trees growing on the steep slopes. A flock of small birds took flight all at once, as if surprised.
The flock of small birds, unaware of us flying far above, flew joyfully. Then, they entered the mist, like a membrane of mist, into the mist rain without caution.
We watched the flock of small birds.
The wind flowed gently, and the scenery faintly visible beyond the mist rippled.
“Ah.”
Someone let out a sound.
I also held my breath, surprised by the view below.
The flock of small birds that had flown into the mist rain vanished the moment the scenery rippled.
The mist rain, which distorted the scenery as if the flock of small birds had never existed in the first place, covered two mountains’ worth of area.
From a distance, it looked like an ordinary mountainous landscape. However, as we witnessed it firsthand, the inside of the mist rain was an abnormal world.
“No, that’s not right. We’re not seeing an abnormal world, we’re just recognizing the monster called Kongo no Kirisame as such?”
“Hmm. If it’s just about appearances, I too would see it as nothing more than ordinary mist rain. However, as the flock of small birds showed, if one enters it without caution, who knows what will happen.”
“In other words, it’s like entering the monster’s body on our own accord?”
“That is correct.”
We carefully observed Kongo no Kirisame from above the clouds.
Even dragons are eaten if they enter that mist rain. Considering that, it is dangerous for us to intrude into the mist rain as well.
“Then, how will you repel that monster?”
In response to Sleigsta (Old Man)’s question, I took out a young branch of the Spirit Tree from my pocket.
“Even if I can’t get close, I can exert my power from afar now!”
My Spirit Tree Sword reached the Primogenitor Race giants who could not be reached.
The Spirit Tree Sword can freely change its power and range with my strength and will.
Therefore, there is no need to risk danger by entering deep into the mist rain.
We just need to repel Kongo no Kirisame from the outside with our full power!
I entered a state of deep concentration.
I stood on Sleigsta (Old Man)’s head, closed my eyes. Then, I could immediately feel the world.
From Sleigsta (Old Man) beneath my feet, I could feel immeasurable Dragon Energy, overflowing as if ready to explode. If we hadn’t made it in time, he might have used the forbidden technique with this power.
“Elnea. Feel free to use my Dragon Energy to your heart’s content.”
“Eh! Is that okay, Grandpa!?”
We were surprised by Sleigsta (Old Man)’s unexpected offer, and he let out a low growl.
“Since I’ve entrusted it to you, it’s better to use this stored power effectively. Besides, that’s not an opponent to hold back against.”
“That’s true. In that case, I won’t hold back.”
Once we ascend into the sky, we can no longer draw power from the Dragon Veins. Instead, I decided to use Sleigsta (Old Man)’s Dragon Energy.
“I shall entrust all my power to you as well.”
Saying that, Ares (Male) merged with me.
The spirit power replenished by Priscilla-chan was converted into Spirit Tree power within Ares (Male), and it filled my body.
Perhaps stimulated by the Spirit Tree power, the Dragon Jewel I housed also unleashed its power more fiercely than usual.
The Dragon Energy and Spirit Tree power combined within me, raging like a storm.
“I can’t make Elnea bear the burden alone.”
A warm hand was placed on my back.
It was Mistral’s hand.
However, the power flowing from Mistral’s hand to me was not hers alone.
It was the Dragon Energy of Yufilia, refined by Nina, and the energetic Dragon Energy of Laira. Sefina (Female)’s delicate Dragon Energy guided everyone’s power.
The power flowing from Ruiseine and Madrine (Female) was undoubtedly magic power. A sacred warmth fell upon the corners of the raging storm-like power within me, transforming it into a gentle flow.
And Mistral’s clear Dragon Energy spread out, gently enveloping all the power.
The powers of everyone flowed, mixed, and swelled within me like thick midsummer clouds. I refined them with the Dragon Energy I received from Sleigsta (Old Man).
“No holding back. We’ll hit Kongo no Kirisame with all our power!”
I raised the young Spirit Tree branch high above my head.
The young branch was already emitting a dazzling green light.
I gripped the young branch with both hands and poured the power that was still continuing to swell.
The young branch absorbed our power, just as a Spirit Tree draws from the Dragon Veins through its roots.
And it increased in brilliance and began to change its form.
The young branch, understanding my will, transformed into the shape of a familiar wooden sword.
Furthermore, the wooden sword gradually evolved into a splendid, new green sword.
It was a very familiar sword shape.
The white sword I always held in my right hand. Although the color was different because the young Spirit Tree branch glowed green.
However, the transformation of the Spirit Sword, formed from the young Spirit Tree branch, was not over yet.
The Spirit Sword grew larger, evolving into a greatsword suitable for wielding with both hands.
And the green blade, continuously absorbing our power, elongated infinitely, as if it could cleave the sky.
“Elnea. Show them your power!”
Sleigsta (Old Man) let out a roar that seemed to tear the sky.
“Sacred power residing in the Spirit Tree Spirit Sword, banish the evil that distorts the world!!”
I swung down the Spirit Tree Spirit Sword with all my might.
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