Chapter 980: The Second Holy Beast Festival 1
“A dragon is only a dragon when it flies with a rider on its back”
The phantom of Chibi Maia says this with a strangely heartfelt tone.
“……What? So you’re getting bored of a life that’s all about sex after all?”
Well, I guess that makes sense……I’m the only one who’s busy and having fun……just as I thought that, Chibi Maia shakes her head vigorously.
“No. ……The other day, I took the kids for a ride, just like I promised”
“!”
Come to think of it.
“So did you fly?”
“No, I didn’t. It’s a bit too difficult to fly safely, and since they were having fun just sitting on me, I just lay on my stomach for about an hour”
“……I, I see”
Even so, I think that 40-meter-long body was pretty imposing, and I think it’s way too thrilling to use as playground equipment……jf they were ordinary parents, I think they’d faint if they saw their kids climbing all over something like that. However, according to Maia, quite a few kids seemed to have gathered.
“Mother and Azel the cat helped make sure the kids didn’t get hurt, so at worst, a few of them just slipped off and ended up covered in snow. But stuff like that isn’t fun for a dragon”
“……Well, I suppose that’s true”
If dragons actually found it fun to be playground equipment for random kids, they’d all be sitting around doing that every day.
“That’s why when I fly like this with Andy-sama on my back, I really feel like I’m a dragon”
“……Good work”
To be honest, it’s all my fault for making them promise to do this. While I was buried in boobs and pussies in the barrier prison, spending all my time having sex, Maia, Azel, and a few others actually went and fulfilled that promise. Since I was the one who originally planned it, I really should’ve at least gone to see it through. I regret it.
“Corti and Shario can’t fly with their master on their backs like this anymore. When I think about it that way, I can kind of forgive Andy-sama for always paying attention to me”
“……Ah”
That sense of superiority that comes from being bonded to a legitimate Dragon Rider. I was the one who took that away from them……well, actually, it was Neia, but since I was the one who ultimately decided to confront them, I feel a little reluctant to fully approve of Maia’s choice. But.
“Don’t make that complicated face. That, too, is proof that Maia chose the right master, and it’s also a punishment for them”
“Umm……”
I replied to Irina’s words with an ambiguous tone, as expected. The predetermined victor and vanquished in this clash. One could say that’s just the way it is. But still. I do like Corti and the others in my own way, after all. Just as I was about to respond with a thoroughly indecisive expression, Chibi Maia gave a wry smile.
“I guess I let my dragon instincts get the better of me”
“……No, I think I understand the logic, at least”
“For a dragon, that’s not something to worry about. They never feel ashamed of their rider’s actions or mistakes, nor do they ever forget them”
“……Yeah”
What Rainer did, his defeat, and his death. For those three, it was undoubtedly their own reality, but for outsiders like Maia or other dragons, they might feel pity, but that’s all. For a dragon, it is a virtue to accept that as one’s own life and to die for it. That is precisely why all three were even prepared to accept death. Twisting that logic over and over again to force through exceptional treatment in the hope of 「Even the slightest salvation」, that is the current state of 「My Female Slave」 and the fact that Maia and the others, as their original mounts, feel a sense of superiority over that is by no means something to be ashamed of as 「Base Mentality」. ……Even though I think I understand that, there are still moments when it clashes with my normal way of thinking.
“But I think it’s fine if Andy-sama still feels uncomfortable with that. Our logic is our logic. A rider’s sense of justice shouldn’t have to kowtow to a dragon’s convenience”
“…………”
If the dragons’ logic is everything, then there’s no need for an external 「Sense of Justice」 from the riders. That’s why Maia is saying that if I’m not convinced, it’s fine to voice my objections.
“……No, when you get right down to it, this is about me personally”
Can I truly accept and shoulder the outcome of my showdown with Rainer, one that took the dragons’ values into account, from the bottom of my heart? That’s all it comes down to. ……It just means it hadn’t been long enough for me to come to terms with it yet.
“……You’re no good. You’re getting all worked up over the wrong things. And I’m about to go play the hero”
“That’s not it, Smithson-dono. A hero is one who suffers”
Irina clung to my chest as she spoke with the wisdom of an elder.
“A hero is one who isn’t satisfied with the obvious answer. Therefore, suffering is inevitable. If everyone could always choose the right and brave path, they wouldn’t be called heroes”
“That’s a cool story, but it doesn’t really have much to do with anything……I mean, I’m about to go perform that mysterious play. Actually, what is that all about? The elves get incredibly moved by it, do you guys know how to hit just the right emotional notes or something?”
“I and Breakcore merely conveyed the facts in an easy-to-understand way. I suppose that’s what makes it so moving”
“Was it really like that?”
I’m trying to recall it, but it just doesn’t quite click. Judging by how grateful Breakcore herself was, there’s no doubt it was a deeply moving event for her, but what exactly about it and how was it conveyed, that made the elves clap their hands while shedding tears? It’s quite something that the elves were moved to such a degree by such a short skit.
“On this end, too, the cultural barrier I don’t understand seems pretty high……”
“Kuku. Well, there’s plenty of time to learn. After all, this clan chief here can have her way with you whenever you want♪”
How many years do they plan to spend teaching me Elven culture? ……Well, naturally, it’ll probably take a lifetime. Yeah. I know.
Breakcore had likely been waiting at the designated landing spot ever since the Blue Dragon appeared as small as a speck. Maybe she’d been keeping watch on the sky ever since the day Christie first visited this labyrinth village. That’s the kind of thing she does.
“Andy, glad you made it!”
“I heard it was time for the Holy Beast Festival. Whoa!”
I tried to jump off Maia’s head looking cool, but I failed to pull off the action I’d imagined, landing gracefully and turning to smile at Breakcore……instead, I plopped down on the grass with both hands outstretched, then stood up, feeling embarrassed. I guess I’m not as good as Dianne or 100-man Commander Becker. I thought I could pull it off since it wasn’t that big of a drop.
“A, Are you hurt?”
“Aren’t you taking a bit too much of a low view of me? ……Well, I guess I was pretty clumsy”
Even if I tried to save face, there was no way I could look cool after that botched landing. Breakcore was in adult mode today. Her height and proportions were those of a perfectly sculpted physique, rivaling even Laila and Sharon.
“They say the season, but nothing’s been decided yet, not the timing or anything. The elves were just mentioning it in passing”
“Isn’t it something you do every year?”
“Elven calendars vary in length, you know. Plus, the forest is in perpetual spring. Since we don’t need to align with the outside calendar, we can do whatever we want”
“Ah……I see”
We value both the New Year and the four seasons, but for the elves within the barrier of the Northern Forest, it’s always warm and pleasant, like spring. There’s no real need to align with a specific time of year, so I suppose they could create calendars with all sorts of cycles just for fun. Still, a year that matches the outside world works well as a milestone, and above all, it’s easier for us to remember.
“But we’ve come all this way. Since people are gathering, let’s do it”
“……If you say so, I have no reason to refuse. Alright”
Breakcore nodded, her words sounded rational, but her expression was full of joy.