We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
We will not run nor hide!
“You’ve done it now, messengers of the Dragon God!”
As those words were spoken, and immediately after we turned around.
The presence and figure of Elnea-kun, which had been by my side a moment ago, vanished. At the same time, Sefina and Madrine also disappeared suddenly.
And with the loss of the family’s presence, there was a new, unknown presence of three people and one beast. They stood where we had turned to face.
“They’re unfamiliar faces. They don’t seem like guests, do they?”
As Mistral said, the individuals standing before us exuded a menacing aura from the start.
One was a red-haired woman. She was petite, but her arms, visible from her sleeves, and her legs were toned, suggesting a nimble physique. However, the weapon she held was a thick, greatsword, nearly as tall as she was.
The impression I received from her appearance, combined with her weapon, threatened to confuse my mind.
Nevertheless, my eyes clearly perceived who she was.
“Dragon energy is surging to the tip of that greatsword. That red-haired woman is a Dragonewt, I believe.”
“Yes, she is. Is it as Ruiseine says? The red-haired woman is a Dragonewt. And the brown-haired man and the blonde-haired man are humans. And that great wolf with silver fur is a magic beast.”
Mistral, who nodded at my words, added information about the other visitors.
“They’re quite an unusual group of visitors.”
“What an odd combination.”
The brown-haired man offered a wry smile at Yufilia’s and Nina’s words.
“No, I’d say you lot, whom we’ve heard about, are quite the unusual family yourselves?”
The brown-haired man was a refined-looking individual, comparable to Listea-kun. He was tall and well-built. And his preferred weapon seemed to be a medium sword? However, he wore two wide-bladed daggers at his waist and a longsword on his back.
Did he truly wield all those weapons?
“Dragon God’s messengers, Elnea Eris and her family. For a reason, we are here to face you.”
The one who spoke, with a growl, was a large magic beast wolf with silver-white fur.
It was about twice the size of the great wolf magic beast, who was great friends with Elnea-kun and Priscilla-chan in the Dragon Forest, so much so that I wondered if it could even be classified as a “wolf.”
However, despite its threatening voice, its presence felt gentle.
“You already know, don’t you? The meaning of our appearance and the reason Elnea and the three others have vanished from this place.”
The last one to speak was the imposing blonde-haired man.
He held a greatsword, similar to the one the red-haired woman wielded, with one hand, but given his physique, the greatsword looked like a one-handed weapon.
His arms and legs were thick, and his chest was terrifyingly broad. His short-cropped blonde hair, as Elnea-kun would put it, was truly “manly.”
Yes, absolutely not my type!
As the three people and one beast each spoke their words, Mistral responded.
“So, you are beings called the ‘Four Guardian Stars,’ like Nazaria? The man named Warren that Elnea told me about.”
“That’s right,” the blonde-haired man nodded.
“You went too far. To the point where Lord Warren had to intervene.”
What did we go too far with?
I could imagine it from the fact that Elnea-kun, Sefina, and Madrine had disappeared from our side.
However, I chose to feign confusion and tilt my head.
We all tilted our heads—Mistral, Yufilia, Nina, Laira, and myself.
“Hahahaha! That’s slander! We didn’t go too far at all. It was all according to Elnea’s scheme!”
“Laira, the way you say that makes Elnea-kun sound like the bad guy.”
“But it’s true. Elnea-kun used this opportunity to plan various things.”
“But it’s true. Elnea-kun planned to guide Sefina and Madrine using this opportunity.”
“That’s right. To welcome those two, Elnea didn’t choose his methods. If that’s what Laira calls a scheme, then it’s not wrong, is it?”
They all laughed without any tension. Of course, I laughed too.
Because it was all according to Elnea-kun’s plan and expectations.
“So, we all get to punish Elnea-kun for plotting, right? But, as you say, we have no memory of ‘going too far.’ Because, isn’t that right? We are certainly guided and watched over by the Dragon God and Micheila and the others. But we have never been bound by what we shouldn’t do or what we should do.”
That’s why we sometimes use the Dragon God’s power a little for our own intentions!
And then, Mistral continued, holding a jet-black one-handed club.
“We don’t know any man who spoke rudely to Elnea, and we have no need to listen to the arbitrary claims of you who are associated with him, do we?”
That’s right!
There is no one in the Eris family who has any positive feelings towards that man named Warren, who said unnecessary things to Elnea-kun and troubled him. And we have no positive impression of you, who claim to be Warren’s Four Guardian Stars, do we?
Receiving our intentions clearly, the three people and one beast sharpened their presence even further as they faced us.
“I see. We understand your reasoning. However, we are Lord Warren’s Four Guardian Stars. Therefore, we will act according to Lord Warren’s instructions and face you.”
With that, the three people and one beast entered a state of readiness.
However, they didn’t commit the impolite act of attacking immediately, and they dutifully introduced themselves.
“I am Rishara. As you’ve figured out, I am a warrior of the Dragonewt race. But I am not from Dragon Peak! I govern the ‘Body’ of the Four Guardian Stars.”
The red-haired woman introduced herself. Next, the gentle brown-haired man introduced himself.
“I am Earthgal, who governs the ‘Arts’ of the Four Guardian Stars. It is regrettable that we have come to face each other due to a difference of opinion.”
What exactly are the Four Guardian Stars?
And what do the things they govern signify?
Ignoring my questions, the imposing blonde-haired man introduced himself next.
“I am Garrett. I am the ‘Leader’ of the Four Guardian Stars. As Lord Warren’s representative, I will correct your mistakes.”
“I am Sarina. I am the one who governs the ‘Form’ of the Four Guardian Stars.”
And finally, the giant magic beast wolf with silver-white fur introduced itself.
Since they introduced themselves, it is only polite for us to do so as well.
“Dragon Princess Mistral.”
“I am Yufilia, the twin sister.”
“I am Nina, the twin sister.”
“Hahahaha! I-I’m Laira.”
“I am Ruiseine, the shooting star of Dragon Peak.”
Immediately after I introduced myself last, Mistral moved first!
Swinging her jet-black one-handed club, she closed the distance to Rishara, the Dragonewt, in an instant. Then, with terrifying power, she sent Rishara flying far into the distance!
Not only Rishara, who was blown away, but the remaining three were also astonished, their eyes wide open.
“As the Dragon Princess, I cannot lose to another female warrior of the Dragonewt race. You can leave Rishara to me.”
With those words, Mistral flew off in pursuit of Rishara, whom she had blown away.
“Oh dear. It can’t be helped. Well then, we…”
The refined man Earthgal and the imposing Garrett turned their gaze to me. Therefore, I returned their gaze with a soft smile.
“Oh my, oh my. Are you two humans going to raise your hands against me, a shrine maiden?”
“…I suppose so?”
“Even as an exponent of the Four Guardian Stars, let’s show some respect there.”
That’s good.
I would have been in trouble if they had attacked me mercilessly.
Earthgal and Garrett looked around for an alternative target.
However, it was already too late.
“Hey, where did that timid-looking woman named Laira go!?”
Yes. The moment Mistral directed everyone’s attention to Rishara, Laira had vanished, her presence gone.
Furthermore, Yufilia and Nina joined hands and activated their signature Dragon Arts.
“Yufi and”
“Nina’s”
“Dragon Step Evasion!”
Immediately after they activated their techniques in unison, Yufilia and Nina fled with a speed that rivaled even the swift Dragon Race.
“What!?”
The three of them were dumbfounded.
Hehehe. Even the individuals called the Four Guardian Stars, who seem to be close attendants of the Transcendent, are surprised by the unexpected.
As I, the only one left in the courtyard of the mansion in the Forbidden Territory, laughed, the three regained their composure and directed hostile gazes at me.
Therefore, I too shall make my move.
“This is troubling. Are you two humans going to break the promise you made before a shrine maiden?”
The two who had just vowed “not to attack the shrine maiden” in front of me obviously clicked their tongues.
And then, they disappeared in a flash, faster than the eye could follow, in pursuit of Laira, whose presence had vanished, and Yufilia and Nina, who had fled hand in hand.
Rumbling, Sarina, who was left behind, lowered her stance, a low growl emanating from her throat.
“Your boldness surpasses any tales I’ve heard, doesn’t it?”
“Hehehe. I’ll take that as a compliment?”
The Four Guardian Stars of Warren, who appeared to punish us,
However, there is no need for us to honestly go along with it.
Therefore, all we need to do is to fully utilize the skills of tag and hide-and-seek honed through our daily lives.
Everyone except Mistral, that is.
From far away in the Forbidden Territory, the sounds of fierce blows and explosions, along with wave after wave of storm-like shockwaves, reached us.
“Mist will surely be alright. …Laira also seems to be well hidden. She might catch up to Yufi and Nina, but what happens after that is more terrifying?”
After all, when Yufilia and Nina no longer have to worry about others, they become indiscriminated!
“So, what about you?”
Then, Sarina, glaring at me, threatened me.
As a magic beast, Sarina has no faith in the Temple Religion held by humans, and more importantly, she has no hesitation in attacking people.
Sarina’s killing intent intensified, demonstrating her resolve not to show mercy.
So, I smiled in return.
“I think it will be fine, now that it’s just you, Sarina!”
Sarina’s brows furrowed with displeasure at my impertinent reply.
“You believe you have the means to counter me? Or do you think you can escape me by using sorcery?”
“You look down on me,” Sarina said, revealing her large, sharp fangs and letting out a threatening roar.
But to me, it was all meaningless.
“My eyes were originally Dragon Eyes. If you, who have been observing the actions of Elnea-kun and the Eris family by Warren’s side, know this?”
But, what do you think?
After I defeated the Demon King, my eyes began to awaken and transform.
Although they have not yet settled on a direction and unleashed their full potential, a hint of their ultimate power already resides within them.
“You think you can escape my fangs and claws with those magic eyes? You underestimate me!!”
Sarina leaped from a low stance in an instant and attacked me!
She mercilessly brought down her claws, which were as thick as my arms!
“Ngh!?”
But neither Sarina’s sharp claws nor her terrifying fangs managed to harm my body, nor even my shrine maiden attire.
Yet, I hadn’t even moved my fingertips.
Yes. If Sarina, a magic beast, attacked with all her might, I, in my living body, would be utterly helpless.
Still, I was unharmed.
Then why was I not hit by Sarina’s attack?
Looking up, I saw Sarina’s claws stopped right before my face.
“What beautiful claws. Claws that are carefully maintained daily. Nimia’s and Asher’s claws are beautiful, but Sarina’s claws are also beautiful.”
As I reached out to touch Sarina’s claws, which had stopped just before my face, she quickly withdrew them. Instead, Sarina’s face, baring her terrifying fangs, loomed before me!
“…Why are you not even trying to defend or evade?”
Warren’s Four Guardian Stars, who stood before us.
Indeed, Mistral is still fighting Rishara, the Dragonewt.
However, Laira took advantage of an opening and hid, and Yufilia and Nina fled.
Among them, I alone remained.
I was left to face Sarina, the magic beast, but before her attack, I didn’t even move my fingertips.
So, Sarina must have been puzzled.
Therefore, stroking the tip of Sarina’s nose, which was close to mine, I answered.
“Oh my, oh my. This is troubling. Why would I need to escape from you, Sarina, who has no intention of harming me? Without even defending, you had no intention of harming me from the beginning, right?”
Hehehe. Yes. I saw through it from the very beginning.
My Dragon Eyes, which can perceive dragon energy.
Magic Eyes, which can read the flow of dragon energy and thereby read the movements and emotions of those who wield it, making them an potential enemy to Dragonewts and Dragons.
However, that is a story of the past.
My eyes have begun to transform.
Although their direction is not yet set and they have not displayed their full power, they already harbor a glimpse of the ultimate.
“Yes. From the very beginning, I could see it. While the other three directed strong hostility towards us, Sarina alone had a gentle presence that seemed to care about me.”
“You mean to say you read the opponent’s emotions by observing their presence?”
“That’s slightly different. I can’t see their presence yet. However, I can see other powers besides dragon energy, such as sorcery, magic, spirit power, and even beast power of other races.”
If that’s the case, it’s an extension of my Dragon Eyes. Seeing Sarina’s beast energy, I had predicted beforehand that Sarina would not attack me.
What kind of evolution awaits at the end of my Dragon Eyes’ development is still unknown, but I can still see and read Sarina’s movements and emotions.
Therefore, no matter how much she threatens me, Sarina’s kind heart cannot deceive me.
Sarina let out an obvious sigh at my words.
“I understand. That’s why you made the humans Earthgal and Garrett give their word that ‘a shrine maiden would not be attacked.’ Those two were indeed trying to punish members of the Eris family. Rishara too… Well, she wouldn’t have been able to do anything against someone with Dragon Eyes. And besides, you have the Dragon Princess on your side.”
“If that’s the case, then Sarina inevitably becomes my opponent. Therefore, at that point, I can feel at ease!”
Sarina moved her face away from my eyes, with a sigh.
Hehehe. She’s a strange person, isn’t she?
Despite being Warren’s Four Guardian Stars and having appeared to punish us, she shows no motivation at all.
When I voiced my curiosity, Sarina lay down on the grass and answered gently.
“The Four Guardian Stars are those who support the protection and daily lives of people like Lord Warren. People like Lord Warren select those who have the potential to become Four Guardian Stars, separately from beings like you. But just because one is selected does not mean that every Four Guardian Star fully believes in the ideology or actions of the person they chose.”
This means that Sarina had some reservations about this matter.
But won’t she be scolded later for disobeying orders?
When I worried about that, she laughed.
“That’s certainly a shrine maiden’s consideration. To worry about the future of one’s enemy.”
“As a shrine maiden, it’s normal.”
“Is that so? Then, I’ll tell you not to worry. There is no narrow-minded person who would be troubled by such a thing.”
“Hehehe. So, regarding Elnea-kun’s scheme this time…?”
“Oh, let’s not say any more than that.”
In the courtyard where I and Sarina were leisurely conversing, the Dragon God and Micheila, who seemed to be observing without interfering in our matters, were being diligently attended to by Nazaria’s family.
And they were chatting while watching our situation.
“So. Aren’t you worried about your other family members? The Dragon Princess, maybe, but the others…”
“Don’t worry. We had no reason to fight from the beginning.”
And then, I looked up at the sky, having perceived “a certain power.”
Sarina also followed my gaze to the sky.
“Four souls that seem to be suffering from indigestion.”
There, the scenery of the sky was ripped apart.
