Three days later, we safely arrived at the Dragon’s Village.
As promised, Alice-san camped with us on the first night. However, by the next morning, she had been whisked away to Alfheim by Four Seasons-san and didn’t return until we reached our destination. Though I had heard how busy she was, seeing it firsthand made me realize just how much she had on her plate.
Still, she mentioned that things would soon settle down. Considering how long she had been fighting, I truly hoped she could enjoy a peaceful life.
Anyway—
「Whoa! This view is incredible!」
Right on cue, Alice-san returned just in time for our arrival, her excitement bubbling over as she took in the stunning scenery of the Dragon’s Village.
「Terraced fields, pastures, charming cottages, and the vast, open sea! You don’t come across a place like this every day!」
「It’s an honor to hear such praise from the Progenitor Elf.」
「Ah, drop the formalities, Mine Ah. I owe a great debt and carry a heavy sin towards your husband’s family—or rather, your entire lineage. I’m not someone worthy of being revered.」
「Please, don’t call it a sin. Our ancestors certainly wouldn’t have wanted you to think of it that way.」
Ji Liz and Mine Ah exchanged warm smiles with Alice-san.
Two thousand years ago, Ji Dia—who had been turned into a Demon King—was Ji Liz’s great-great-grandfather. His mother, in turn, had been one of Alice-san’s dearest friends. The bond between Alice-san and the Dragons had been severed for centuries, but now, against all odds, it had been miraculously restored. I hoped it could become a source of warmth and happiness for all of them.
「…Thank you. Alright, then. I’ll be in your care for a while. Let’s make the most of this.」
Alice-san briefly bit her lip, but then her face broke into a dazzling smile.
Meanwhile…
「Mine Ork, Ji Ness, you bigger!?」
「Eh, really…..? I don’t notice it myself…」
「Well, maybe not Mine Ah, but my wings have definitely grown!」
Just as we arrived, Mint was already playing with the dragon siblings, who seemed just slightly larger than the last time we’d seen them. It seemed they were in their growth phase.
As I observed them, Karen walked over to Mine Ork-chan and hugged her tightly from behind.
「Wha—! Karen-san, what’s gotten into you…?」
「Hmm… Yeah, you feel different.」
Seeing Karen’s expression, I immediately understood why she did it. And as I realized it, I felt the same.
「Hey, what’s going on, niichan?」
I walked over to Ji Ness, who was fluttering his wings and hovering slightly in the air. Without a word, I grabbed him under his arms and lifted him up, placing him atop my head.
「You’ve really grown. You feel heavier. But I guess I’m still the one carrying you, huh?」
「You think so? Are you sure you can handle me, niichan?」
「As long as you don’t fall off, I’ll be fine. Think you can hold on tight?」
「Alright, let’s race over there, then! Me and niichan, Karen and neechan, Mint and… you’ll team up with Chocola!」
「Alright! Shocola, ride on!」
「Bark!」
「Got it. Mine Ork, hold on tight!」
「O-Okay…!」
Mint eagerly climbed onto Chocola, full of excitement, while Karen adjusted her grip on Mine Ork with a determined look. Ji Ness, perched on my head, turned around and shouted,
「Alice-neechan! Give us the signal!」
「You shouldn’t ask our guest for—」
「It’s fine… It’s really fine, Mine Ah-san」
Behind us, Alice-san’s voice quivered slightly, her emotions barely contained.
Yet, I could sense a joyful warmth in her tone.
「Alright, everyone ready? On your marks… get set… go!」
With that, we all burst into a sprint.
「Whoa, fast! And bumpy!」
「Hold on tight! Don’t let go!」
As we raced, my thoughts drifted to that moment—the torrent of magical power and the fleeting glimpse of two thousand years ago. I recalled Alice-san’s heart as she stood before Ji Dia-san as a hatchling.
Holding him, placing him on her head, running alongside him—dreaming of the day he’d grow big enough to soar through the skies with her. That’s how she must have spent her time with him.
And now, before they grew too big, we wanted to enjoy these small, endearing friends while they were still little.
※※※
After playing with the young dragons in the pasture for a while, Pochi, who had been freed from his harness, sauntered over. He grazed lazily for a bit before lying down and shutting his eyes, drifting off into a light doze.
「Hey, let’s go over there! Pochi worked hard, so we shouldn’t bother him!」
「Bark….kwuun」
「Yeah, he hasn’t slept since last night.」
Tarasques like Pochi can pull a load tirelessly for a full day and night, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get tired. Though he seemed to enjoy the journey, even a Tarasque would feel the effects of a three-day trip.
「Pochi, before bed, drink water?」
「Hmm, I gave him plenty as soon as we arrived」
「Uuuu!」
Mint’s thoughtful care for Pochi was truly kind.
「By the way, niichan, the Lamias should be back from fishing soon.」
「Oh, then let’s all go greet them.」
「Yeah, let’s go!」
「Ooh, will we get to see the sea fish?」
「Definitely. I wonder what kinds they caught?」
「Lately, they’ve been saying it’s a bountiful haul, so you’re in for a treat!」
Ji Ness puffed out his chest proudly, as though he had caught the fish himself. A plentiful catch—what wonderful news.
Come to think of it, it’s been almost a year since we defeated that mutant species in this very sea. That was right before the rainy season.
Back then, I missed out on the springtime fish. This year, though, I’m finally going to enjoy it.
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