Ah... The scenery is beautiful, just beautiful. I couldnt help but let out a sigh of admiration.
This was northwest of the Kingdom of Friedonia, a small village on the border with the Orthodox Papal State of Lunaria.
Looking out further to the west from the center of the village, the bluish-green peaks of the Star Dragon Mountain Range stood there with an incredible sense of presence. Even though they were still a long ways away, they still looked so big. It was a series of mountains the size of Mt. Fuji, so I could understand why the view was so impactful.
Was Dracul, where the dragons lived, in the middle of those majestic mountains? Just what sort of place was it? I couldnt even imagine.
Whats the matter, Big Brother? Tomoe called as I stared vacantly at the mountains.
Hmm? I was thinking, Those mountains sure are big.
Yeah. Theyre really big.
Seeing Tomoe and gazing at the mountains, Hal objected. Oh, co on. You can see the Star Dragon Mountain Range all the way from the castle.
Hal, you just dont get it, Kaede chided the unsentintal Hal with a wry smile. Both from afar and up close, theyre a breathtaking sight, but in different ways, you know.
Aisha and Carla returned from leaving the wagons horses at the inns stable.
Well then, Sir Kazuma, Aisha said, are we to wait here in this village until they co to pick us up?
...Uh, yeah, I said. Thats how its supposed to work.
Whoops. Because Aisha had addressed as Kazuma there, like in the backstory Id prepared for her, it had taken a mont to respond.
Incidentally, in that backstory, I was the young heir to The Silver Deer, and I was traveling around many countries to find potential trade goods. Tomoe was my little sister, and I had her hiding her wolf ears and tail beneath that hooded robe.
The other four, Aisha, Halbert, Kaede, and Carla, were playing the role of adventurers wed hired to protect us in our travels. For this trip, Id actually talked things over with the adventurers guild and had them registered as such.
In an alternate plan, I would have been an adventurer, too, but it stood out so badly that my skill level was below that of the these four that I had to give up on that one. It was true that I was weak, but they were almost too strong. We had the best fighters in the kingdom with us, after all.
Lets get back to the story.
The arrangent was that we would wait here for our escort from the Star Dragon Mountain Range to arrive. However, there was no set ti for that. It was possible we would be delayed on our trip here, so we could only decide on a vague ti, within a day or two of our arrival.
I said, Well, if we just wait
theyll make contact with... Uh... Wait, what?
I had been responding to Aisha, but suddenly she was gone from my side. Actually, Tomoe, Hal, Kaede, and Carla were gone, too. More than that, everything including the village and its buildings had vanished in an instant.
The next thing I knew, I was standing alone in the middle of a field.
What, why am I in a field?! Where did everyone go?!
It was a desolate field with no sign of people or buildings.
Let... Let tell you what happened! I was in the village, but I sohow ended up in a field. You... You guys think I dont know what Im talking about...
Wait, this wasnt the ti to be joking around.
Unable to believe the situation Id found myself in, I was looking around restlessly, trying to find soone else, when the whole area suddenly went dark. Had it clouded over...? No, that wasnt it! There was sothing massive up in the sky, and it was blotting out the sun. When I looked up to see what it was, there flew a massive dragon, twenty ters in length.
Awhuhwhuh?! I babbled incoherently at the incredible sight.
? ?
Bzzt.
Huh? Just now, for a mont, I felt sothing on my cheek... she thought.
At that sa ti, in her cave on the Dracul Plateau, Naden quizzically tilted her head to the side.
Naden had once again shut herself in today to watch broadcast programs from the Gran Chaos Empire, but she just felt sothing weird in her cheeks. It was small, like a little bug had landed there. However, when she rubbed her squishy cheeks, there was nothing there.
...Well, whatever. Naden returned to watching the broadcast program.
Suddenly, Pai rushed up to her in human form. This is huge, Naden!
The very next mont, bang, Pai struck her leg on the table. While Pai crouched down and grasped her leg in pain, the still hot tea that had been sitting on the table splashed all over Nadens tail.
Hiyahhhhh! It was so hot Naden let out a scream that could have co from a kung-fu movie star.
Thrashing around, she almost knocked the simple receiver over, but desperately stopped herself just short enough to keep from breaking it. anwhile, Pai, who had already recovered from the pain in her leg, was looking at Naden in exasperation.
Groaning, Pai said, What are you doing, Naden?
What am I doing?! This is all your fault! It was hot, okay?!
Hold on, that doesnt matter right now, said Pai. This is a much bigger deal.
That was a big deal to ! If I break this receiver, I may not find another one...
Im telling you, theres sothing more important going on!
You can talk all you want. Im going to sleep.
Naden went to lie down in the bed she had acquired from the outside world, but Pai, who had a sulky look on her face, put a stop to that.
No sleeping! Listen to ! Lady Tiamat has summoned you!
...Eep. Naden froze stiff just as she was about to get into bed.
Tiamat, who was also known as Mother Dragon, the ruler of the Star Dragon Mountain Range, was sacred and inviolable, and her existence was an absolute. Not even the dragons could lay eyes on her revered face without good reason. Only when they were invited by her to perform so function, or on so other business, were they able to stand in her presence.
Furthermore, about the only ti she summoned them was when she ant to bestow so honor on them, or harsh punishnt.
Pai looked at Naden pityingly. Whatd you go and do this ti, Naden?
Could you not imdiately assu Im getting punished? Naden griped.
Well, have you done anything youd deserve to be honored for?
...No...
While Naden was wracking her brains, thinking, What could I have done...? the idol dancing and singing on her simple receiver caught her eye. There were so dragons with more traditional values who opposed bringing in things from the human world like this.
You think its this? Naden stared at the simple receiver.
Pai sighed. They say Tiamat can see everything in the whole world. She definitely knows.
I-If it was a problem, she would have told off for it sooner! Naden protested. Thats never happened, okay?
Wasnt she just letting it slide before? Or can you think of another reason?
A reason... Maybe that Ive crossed the border over thirty tis now?
Youve been going out that much?! Wait, Ive got another idea. Naden, you refused to participate in the Contract Ceremony, didnt you?
But... I an... Nadens face turned gloomy.
The Contract Ceremony, when the young knights of the Nothung Dragon Knight Kingdom ca to form marriage contracts with the dragons, was a grand occasion for the dragons that ca around once in a lifeti. However, for an odd, wingless dragon like Naden it was only a place where she would be a laughingstock.
Pai knew how Naden felt about it, but she also knew that skipping out on things would only isolate Naden more, so she was stern. You skipped the dance practice for the Contract Ceremony, didnt you?
During the ceremony, a knight and dragon would dance together as proof of their newly ford contract. Then, when the dragon had finished dancing in human form, she would take on the form of a dragon, and their contract would be formally established when they departed the Star Dragon Mountain Range together. The dance lessons were to prepare for this.
Naden puffed up her cheeks and pouted, turning her head to the side and refusing to make eye contact. Theres no point in practicing for an event I have no intention of attending.
Pai groaned. Didnt you get in a fight with Ruby and the others a little while ago, too?
They made fun of for not being able to fly!
Dont you think the combination of all that is whats getting you called in now? In my opinion, its impressive she let you get away with all of that for so long.
Urgh... Naden had no response to that.
But, well, if shes never said anything to you before, I dont think youre going to suddenly get punished for it, you know? Pai said with a sigh. If youre doing sothing wrong, you ought to be scolded first.
Y-Yeah! Naden said with relief.
But even if its just a warning this ti, will that change how you behave? Pai put her hand down on the simple receiver as she spoke. If she told you to dispose all these things you picked up in the lower world...
Thats like telling to die!
Its that bad? Pai asked.
Naden pulled the exasperated Pais hand off the receiver and hid it behind her back. I cant throw this out. The simple receiver is my longing for the outer world.
And the romance novels?
My longing to have soone choose .
What are you, a maiden with your head full of dreams?
I am a maiden. ...Even if Im like this.
Pai shrugged her shoulders in dismay. Whatever; just be ready for it. Even if shes going to be mad at you, its best to get it done with quickly.
With Pai admonishing her like that, Naden reluctantly turned off the receiver.
? ?
The big dragon descending from the heavens began to shine when it touched the ground. The outlines of its form blurred in the light, shrinking down to human size.
When the light subsided, before stood a woman wearing all-white robes, a square hood over her head, and a thin veil over her face. It was hard to be sure with her face mostly covered, but she was maybe in her forties. Well, in a world with long-lived races, it was basically impossible to rely on how old soone looked, though.
The woman in white walked up to . You are King Souma Kazuya of the United Kingdom of Elfrieden and Amidonia, I presu?
I am... Are you here from the Star Dragon Mountain Range?
The woman brought a hand to her chest and bowed to . I co on behalf of Lady Tiamat, our mother dragon. I will now bring you to the Dracul Plateau in the Star Dragon Mountain Range.
Our mother dragon... Oh, thatd be that Mother Dragon, I guess. Was Tiamat her na...? Wait, huh? Tiamat... Wasnt that the na of the oldest dragon to appear in Earths legends? I vaguely rembered it because the na had shown up in all sorts of things.
For starters, it was said that Mother Dragon had been around since before the people of this continent had ford countries, so she lived up to the na, at least.
I asked the lady in white, And might I inquire as to whom I have the pleasure of speaking with?
Theres no need to be so polite with . I am one of the priestesses in the service of Lady Tiamat.
A priestess?
Yes. The dragons are a race that live a thousand years. However, if a dragons partner leaves this world before they can have children, that dragon lives in solitude for a long ti. Such dragons return to the Star Dragon Mountain Range, becoming priestesses who serve Lady Tiamat. They care for her, maintain Crystal Castle, and look after the young dragons.
In other words, dragons who lost their families returned to the Star Dragon Mountain Range to beco priestesses.
Cant they get remarried to another knight? I asked.
There are so who can, the woman said. However, this is a matter of fate. It is up to the guidance of destiny, and to the blessing of Lady Tiamat who binds the fates of n and dragons.
The guidance of destiny, huh. Was Mother Dragon a god of matchmaking or sothing like that, then?
That aside, I decided to ask the question that had been bothering for a while now.
By the way, where is this? Im pretty sure I was with my companions in the village where we agreed to et just a mont ago...
This field lies five kiloters to the northeast of that village, the woman said. Lady Tiamat used her power to move you here.
Who could have expected teleportation?! Appearing in dreams, instantly transporting people... Mother Dragons power really was off the charts. I could see why people might worship her.
Can all dragons do things like that?! I exclaid.
No, the priestess said. It is only possible for Lady Tiamat, who has lived an eternity, and who is worshiped as a god. It is her divine intervention, you might say. Rest assured, she will never use that power for her own selfish desires.
...I hope I can believe that.
Used correctly, it was a power with limitless destructive potential, after all. This was soone I didnt want, and couldnt afford, to make an enemy of. I wanted very much for her to be a god that watched over the world, but didnt intervene in it.
I scratched my head. Anyway, you were saying youd take to Dracul, but what about the companions I left behind in that village? I may not have been coronated yet, but I am a king, you know? Didnt my sudden disappearance cause a total panic back there?
The dragon priestess looked at apologetically, and bowed her head deeply. I must apologize. Due to the urgency of our circumstances, while I do realize this is rude, I ask that you co to Dracul alone. One of my fellow priestesses is heading to your followers now to explain the situation. We will invite your followers to co on another day, at so ti before the day of the ceremony.
Will I be getting an explanation of those circumstances? I asked.
Please, ask Lady Tiamat for the details. I will just say... Lady Tiamat wishes for you to participate in this years Contract Ceremony.
The Contract Ceremony... That was where the knights and dragons ford marriage contracts, right? Did this an that, just as Hakuya had hoped, I would be participating as one of the partners?
Im the King of Friedonia, you know? I said. Im not from the Nothung Dragon Knight Kingdom, and I have absolutely no intent of becoming a dragon knight.
That is not a problem, the priestess said confidently. If Lady Tiamat says you are worthy to participate, that is all there is to it. Besides which, I hear the first king of Elfrieden was a hero who ford a contract with a dragon.
The priestess spoke with certainty, as if Mother Dragons words were absolute. Even if they were... I didnt know what to say about being suddenly told to marry a dragon Id never even t before. Well, my engagents to Liscia and Roroa had been the sa way, but it wasnt exactly a thing you got used to.
But isnt the contract a vow between husband and wife? I asked. I still havent married them yet, but I already have four fiances, you know? Is that okay?
That is, again, no problem, the priestess said. This contract is, by no ans, sothing that has already been decided on. If you do not wish to form a contract with anyone, human or dragon, you may make that decision.
Oh, I see, I thought. The Contract Ceremony isnt sothing Ill be forced into in any way? Its more like a matchmaking session thats hard to get out of because I cant afford to offend my parents or the other party, then. If thats all... I was beginning to feel better about the situation.
However, Lady Tiamat is one who binds the fates of humans and dragons, said the woman. Lady Tiamat went to the trouble of calling you here, so I suspect that there is soone that you are ant to et there.
I was speechless.
The priestess said that with the sa confidence as before.
Did that an there was a dragon in the Star Dragon Mountain Range who was fated to be with ? And, if I went there, was I going to be stuck taking her as my wife? Just like the god of matchmaking, Mother Dragon, had claid?
When I thought of how Liscia and the others would react, my head started to hurt.
Then the dragon priestess began to shine once more and turned into a dragon. Now, I will take you to Dracul at once.
Wha?! Right now?!
Yes. Lady Tiamat said it was urgent.
Urgent? Were the circumstances that pressing?
The dragon priestess grabbed tightly with her large front leg. Oh, it was covered in a thin layer of fur, and was kind of warm... Wait, now wasnt the ti to think about that!
Hold on, Im not emotionally prepared forwait, ah!
Now, let us be on our way.
Hold on! Ahhhhhhhhh!
I was instantly taken away into the sky.
? ?
Oh... For an instant, Naden felt her cheeks buzz again.
It was slightly numbing, like there was a jolt of electricity passing through them. It felt stronger than the last ti, too.
Naden wondered what it could be, but... she had bigger concerns. After all, she had been summoned by Mother Dragon right now.
In the center of the Dracul Plateau was a lake, Lake Drag, large enough that waves ford on its surface. In that lake was Crystal Castle, where Mother Dragon resided.
That palace was made from an unknown material that was translucent like crystal, and it was more massive than any castle in the world outside the Star Dragon Mountain Range. The master of that castle, Mother Dragon, was the size of a hill herself, so it was only natural that her residence be so large.
Naden was in Crystal Castles waiting room. Everyone whod been called in by Mother Dragon would wait in this room, then be magically summoned to appear in front of her when she had ti to see them.
Incidentally, though there were no strict rules about this, it was customary to take dragon form, not human form, when having a eting with Mother Dragon. This was because their human form was a temporary one, taken for the pledge with a knight, and it was seen as inappropriate to appear before a godbeast like Mother Dragon in it. However, Naden was still in her human form.
She hadnt done that because she would be appearing before Mother Dragon. Naden was usually in human form. She hated her dragon form, which had gotten her ridiculed as a flightless lizard and a worm. To put it simply, shed developed a complex about it.
Does having wings... and being able to fly make you all so great...? Naden muttered in her head.
The area around her suddenly began glowing. Then, the very next mont, a massive silver dragon the size of a hill appeared.
Her eyes sparkled like sapphires. Her horns looked incredibly strong. Her wings were large and powerful, with feathers like a birds, each of them was as large as a broadsword.
Furthermore, her entire body was covered with smooth hair, and in the light that shone down from the open ceiling, she sparkled with a color that went back and forth between silver and rainbow. She was a being so absolute that even Naden, who had seen her many tis now, gulped and stared in awe each ti they t.
She was the queen of dragons, the holy mother dragon: Tiamat.
When Naden ca back to her senses, she knelt down, putting a hand over her breast and bowing her head. ...Naden Delal. Here at your behest.
Naden was feigning calmness, but her heart was pounding. She couldnt help but worry about why Mother Dragon might be upset with her.
Is it my skipping practice for the Contract Ceremony? Is it my fighting with the other dragons? Or... is it my having brought a simple receiver made in the Gran Chaos Empire back here? Oh, what am I going to do if she tells to get rid of it...?
Raise your head, Naden.
Naden heard that peaceful voice co from above her head. It had a depth that sounded like three people speaking at the sa ti, as if it were echoing inside the listeners own heart.
When she raised her head like the voice told her to, those sapphire eyes were staring right at Nadens face. In that tense atmosphere, Naden thought she could feel the sweat running down her back.
Um... Er...
Naden tried to say sothing, but her tongue just wouldnt move right.
Tiamat didnt seem angry with her. If anything, it was a soft look on her face.
Shes not going to get mad at ? Then why did I get called here? Why is Lady Tiamat looking at with such gentle eyes?
Those questions sprang to mind one after another, throwing Nadens heart into disarray. Um... Lady Tiamat...?
When she managed to force just those words out, Tiamat began speaking softly.
The furiously moving gear approaches the gear that has co to a stop.
...Huh? Naden had no idea what had just been said to her. Gears? What was she even talking about?
Without any concern for Nadens confusion, Tiamat continued. Eventually, the two gears will sh. The stopped gear will be forced to move, and the gear that spins furiously as if driven by sothing will slow its pace. However, that is nothing to be sad about. It rely ans that they will spin at the sa pace.
U-Um... I have no idea what youre talking about...?
It was too abstract for Naden to make sense of. Had she been called here to hear this? The furiously spinning gear... The stopped gear... The shing of the two...?
Naden.
Y-Yes!
With Tiamats eyes fixed straight on her, Naden stood up straight.
Be prepared. It will soon begin to move.
Prepared? Begin to move? What would, exactly...?
Um... Lady Tiamat... just what is going to start moving? Naden ventured.
Tiamat took on the face of an angel delivering a revelation, or a mother watching over her child, and told her:
Your ti.
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