Chapter 121
Breaking News.
The Holy Dragon’s leader is here, ready for a showdown.
What the heck?!
Things are just all sorts of messed up.
Why is it that every time I feel motivated, the most absurd troubles come knocking?
Is it my destiny, born under a star that denies me peace?
I look again at the figure displayed on my monitor.
The Holy Dragon.
One of the same Dragon King species as myself.
His overwhelming dignity and presence beam from the monitor.
A long, snake-like body.
Shining, bright red scales.
A magnificent mane of vibrant green.
He kinda looks like the Azure Dragon from the Four Symbols in my previous life, but colored red.
So, this is what the Holy Dragon of the Dragon King species actually looks like…
I wonder if Elja looks the same in her true form.
But honestly, compared to the Holy Dragon’s majestic appearance, I – an Earth Dragon – feel so plain.
Brown, unable to fly, not luminescent at all…
Well, I’m not really complaining.
『Elja… what’s the meaning of this?』
「Eek! Ahh!」
Ann stares at Elja with a seething anger, causing her to tremble as if she might wet herself.
I guess she’s still traumatized from what happened in the dungeon.
I mean, she got roughed up and even lost control of her bladder.
「I-i-i-i, I’ll talk to my father and ask him about it! P-p-please don’t glare at me like that…」
『I’m not glaring…』
「P-Please forgive me!」
She’s stuttering a lot.
Just how terrified is she of Ann?
Tres and Pururu try to calm her down by patting her back.
「Is Ann scary, Elja?」
「Pupuu?」
「No, no, n-not at all… Blgh…」
She just threw up.
She’s REALLY terrified.
A quick glance at Ann, and she’s looking away, looking a little guilty.
Not that she did anything wrong.
「…For now, let’s open a line of communication.」
With that, Elibel operates a terminal extended from a brilliantly colored sphere and hands it to Elja.
「Just speak into this sphere and he’ll hear you.」
「U-Understood.」
Taking a deep breath and collecting herself, Elja brings the sphere to her mouth.
「Father, can you hear me? It’s Elja.」
The Holy Dragon on the screen reacts immediately to her voice.
『Ah, Elja! I’ve been searching for you! It’s Papa!』
Where did all that fury go?
The moment he hears Elja’s voice, the Holy Dragon’s mood brightens up.
Wait, “Papa”?
Doesn’t really fit the mighty appearance…
「Father, how did you know I was here?」
『I heard from Gwyve. He mentioned something about ‘real-world experience’ or something, but taking my precious Elja outside of the Holy Land is madness. I’ve been so worried; I couldn’t sleep at night. But now that I’ve heard your voice, I’m relieved. There’s no more reason for you to be in such a remote place. Let’s go home with Papa.』
Hold up.
Is the Holy Dragon just an overprotective parent?
And both of them keep calling my home “a remote place”.
I mean, I’ve grown quite fond of it.
The magic stones are delicious, and I can indulge in my hobbies.
『It’s… not quite what you’d expect from a typical Dragon King species, is it?』
Ann mutters under her breath.
Yeah.
Yeah, I had the same thought.
Quite the appearance, but…
『Now, Elja, come out of that hidey-hole and let’s go home with Papa.』
But if Elja just goes back, everything should be okay, right?
I mean, she originally came to see me and has done that.
As I look over to Elja with these thoughts in mind, she says…
「…Father, I’m sorry, but I won’t be coming back.」
Huh?
Wait, what is she saying?!
It seems I’m not the only one taken aback.
Peering through the monitor, I can see Papa Holy Dragon’s jaw drop, clearly startled by Elja’s declaration.
『What?! Why, Elja? Everyone back home is eagerly waiting for your return. We’ve prepared your favorite – a whole roasted Add Bison and fruit wine from the Thornboldt tree! And, I’ve told you many times to call me Papa, haven’t I?』
Seriously, don’t try to bribe her with food, Papa Holy Dragon…
「Roasted Add Bison… Fruit wine… *Drool*」
Elja, don’t be swayed by this.
Actually, it would be easier for me if she does get swayed.
「I want… No, that’s not it. Father, please understand. I’ve realized my naivety here…」
『What?』
「I’ve faced many ‘defeats’ on this land and have come to understand the vastness of the world. It’s an entirely new experience that I would never get if I stayed in the Holy Land. That’s why I want to learn more and more right here!」
『What?! You intend to leave our nest and live alone? No, absolutely not! Papa won’t ever allow it!』
Yet, despite the Holy Dragon’s desperate pleas, Elja raises her fist, emphasizing her determination.
「Please, Father! I believe staying here will help me grow as a dragon and as a woman!」
『No! A young female dragon shouldn’t be so indecorous! And besides, there’s no need. For I, your Papa, will take care of you forever! You hear me!』
This is… weird.
To an outsider, this sounds like a regular quarrel between an overprotective father and his rebellious daughter.
Everyone around seems a bit fed up.
By the way, Elja, no one here ever said you could stay, okay?
Why are you ignoring our opinion?
「And Father! There’s someone I, I like—」
「Ah, stop, stop.」
Elja’s words are cut off by Elibel.
「E-Elibel? I was talking to my father—」
「Hey, can you hear me, Elja’s father?」
『Hmm? Who’s this speaking?』
「Pleased to make your acquaintance, even if only through voice. My name is Elibel Löwenherz. Two hundred years ago, I was known as the ‘Sage’, a renowned sorcerer.」
Upon hearing Elibel’s introduction, the Holy Dragon’s expression seems to register slight surprise.
『Ho… The famous Sage from the rumors?』
「Oh? You believe me quite easily.」
When Elibel remarks this, the Holy Dragon snorts.
『Either the person claiming to be the Sage is genuine or an utter fool. But you, you’re human… or have you turned into a dead person?』
「Well, you’re half right. Anyway, my backstory isn’t important. What’s crucial is the beneficial discussion I wish to have with you, Lord of the Holy Dragons.」
Elibel then shifts her gaze to Elja, who nods silently in response.
It seems they’re communicating without words.
『A beneficial discussion? Nonsense. Now release Elja. If you don’t, I’ll destroy this dungeon—』
Elibel signals Elja to interrupt.
「Father, if you dare destroy this dungeon, I swear I’ll never speak to you again.」
『Wha—!?』
Elja’s firm statement has the Papa Holy Dragon utterly flabbergasted.
『El-Elja! How could you say something so terrifying! Papa would never do something that makes you hate him! I won’t destroy it, I promise!』
Papa Holy Dragon’s immediate compromise is almost comedic.
Such a doting parent.
Plus, his reactions are so like Elja’s.
Like father, like daughter.
By the way, the force of his agitation has caused cracks in the surrounding walls.
Typical Dragon King species.
Everything they do is grandiose.
「Also, Father, please listen to Elibel. If you don’t— I’ll genuinely come to despise you.」
『I’ll listen! Of course, Elja. I’ll hear out anything the Sage says. Just promise not to hate me.』
Seeing his extreme malleability, Elibel lets out a sigh.
Yeah, I get how she feels.
「So, Elja’s father, back to the main topic. Would you consider leaving Elja in our care?」
―――Wait, what? Taking care of Elja?
What’s this all about? No one informed me.
Also, why is the conversation progressing as if my opinion doesn’t matter?
『Don’t joke around! I cannot possibly allow such a thing! I came here to bring Elja back! Why would I go through such agony? What do I stand to gain from it?』
Papa Holy Dragon’s argument is understandable.
There’s no apparent benefit for him.
But the moment he finished, Elibel’s grin suggested she had an ace up her sleeve.
「―――Recently, your daughter avoids conversing with you.」
『What!?』
「―――She intentionally avoids having meals with you. She purposefully shifts her eating times to avoid you.」
『Wh-Wha!?』
「―――She used to take baths with you, but now she absolutely refuses. If you go in first, she gets incredibly angry.」
『Arghh!』
「―――When she sheds her skin, she asks you to throw it away separately. But out of habit, you still dispose of it together. And recently, she doesn’t even scold you; she just silently returns the shed skin.―――」
『Stop, stop, stop! No more, please!』
Papa Holy Dragon looks utterly defeated, his head in his hands.
Elibel’s words hit too close to home.
While I stare at the scene in disbelief, Elibel sends me a thought transmission.
『Fufufu, it seems I struck a nerve.』
『Hey, Elibel. What was that about?』
『Oh? I just had a little chat with Elja about her life over there, about her father. It became clear he dotes on her a lot. From our exchange, I felt more certain and wanted to test the waters.』
That’s more than just a test.
―――He’s clearly mentally distressed.
『Haa…. Haa…. I didn’t expect to be so shaken. As expected of the Sage. It felt as if you had witnessed our daily lives.』
Well, in a sense, she did, through Elja’s stories.
「Miss Elibel, how could you possibly guess so much about our lives?」
「Eh?」
No, it was you who told her!
Why are you surprised too?!
Don’t tell me you forgot what you said?
Even Elibel appears genuinely surprised.
「Fo fo fo, such a dim-witted father and daughter.」
「Indeed. It’s embarrassing just to watch.」
Fáfnir’s followers, Othel and Robun, watch the exchange with cold expressions.
Can’t blame them.
This just looks like typical teenage daughter and father drama.
「Listen, Elja’s father. Don’t you see this as an opportunity? You don’t want your beloved daughter to hate you, right?」
『Of course! I’d rather die than be hated by Elja!』
「Then show your dignity as a father. Elja’s at an age where she wants a little independence.」
『But leaving her parents…』
「She won’t be gone forever. We can send her home once every few weeks. We could even set up a teleportation gate so she can come and go as she pleases.」
『That teleportation gate in the Add Mountain Range… it was your doing?』
「You’re quick on the uptake. That’s right, and if we set up a similar gate in the Holy Land, the travel time becomes negligible. You can see her whenever you want.」
『Ugh… But… but…』
「Imagine your daughter returning with a smile, sharing stories of her adventures―――」
『But! There’s Earth, that foolish dragon that might deceive my daughter! She mustn’t fall into bad company―――』
「No worries. Such a thing is a hundred percent impossible.」
『Why are you so sure?』
Elibel’s flaming eyes glint mischievously.
I feel her gaze shift towards me momentarily before she declares
「――――Because that dragon named Earth? He’s just a two-year-old dragon.」
『What!?』
「Eh?」
Papa Holy Dragon and Elja look shocked.
Elja turns to me, seeking confirmation.
I nod silently.
「―――Vueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?! *Faint*」
Slam.
With a squeak of disbelief, Elja collapses.
「Alright. One obstacle down.」
Elibel raises her arm in triumph.
What a demon.
『A mere two-year-old baby dragon… Is that true?』
「Dead serious. If you doubt it, maybe check with Gwyve. Anyway, going back to the topic, do you really think that a Holy Dragon who’s lived for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, would genuinely fall for a toddler of a dragon?」
『Ah, I suppose you have a point. Even if it’s Elja, she wouldn’t fall for an infant. Alright, if you insist that much, I might consider allowing Elja to live on her own.』
「Yes. That’s right. That’s right. As expected from someone like you. You’re quick to understand.」
『However, I have some conditions―――』
After that, Elibel and Papa Holy Dragon discussed the terms.
Coming to an agreement that seemed beneficial for both parties.
Installation of teleportation gates to the Holy Land.
And, a non-aggression pact with Elja’s father.
All these were highly beneficial to our side.
However, he decides to take Elja home for the time being.
It seemed that from now on, they would use the teleportation gate to traverse to the dungeon.
『Now then, Elibel. We’ll send someone later to discuss the teleportation gate. Till then, farewell.』
「Yes, till we meet again, Holy Dragon Harsha Lude.」
Holding the unconscious Elja, the Holy Dragon departs.
『Phew… glad he’s gone.』
『It was quite stormy, wasn’t it? I feel strangely exhausted.』
Both Ann and I slump our shoulders.
We’re bizarrely drained.
Yet, I’m grateful to Elibel.
『Elibel, thanks for that.』
「Hmm? It’s fine. From my perspective, having more experimental samples―――oops, I mean data―――especially from the Holy Dragon and his followers is always a boon. Plus, had we fought outright, the damage would’ve been enormous. Better to resolve things through dialogue.」
『I see.』
She’s always so unyielding, but we owe her big time.
Honestly, I’d rather not engage in full combat with the Holy Dragon.
「Now then, let’s get to work. Earth, can we discuss this tomorrow?」
『Sure, sounds good. Everyone else okay with that?』
Everyone nods in agreement.
Until tomorrow then.
『Sigh…』
I let out a sigh.
Something tells me things are about to get noisy again.
Oh, right!
I still have to ask Elibel about my mother.
I’ll have to do that later.
Thanks to Elibel’s persuasion, we managed to avoid a full-scale war with the Holy Dragon.
What impact this will have on the future, no one can tell.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Kingdom of Harshalud…
「Pope! It’s dire! The Holy Dragon has vanished from the Holy Land!」
「What!? Impossible!」
「It’s true. There might be some disaster looming. Also, we found the charred remains of a White Wyvern…」
「Gather the priestess and priests! We must pray and summon the Holy Dragon back to the Holy Land!」
「Yes, your Holiness!」
「Hurry! We must be swift!」
However, the Pope would later find out the circumstances from the Holy Dragon who returned quite nonchalantly, and due to shock and fatigue, he’d be bedridden for a while. But that’s a story for another day.
Author’s note:
Given the nature of the Holy Dragon, those around him always seem to be stressed.
Oh, and Gwyve is alive, just so you know.
In his case, he just got angry when Gwyve tried reasoning with him, shouting, “Don’t make things complicated!” and well, that happened.
August 2023 Patron: GoatBeards