Chapter 436: Banquet in the dragon city
The city of Helicon was as busy as ever. It is not every day that dragons really appear in a big way, even if only occasionally. Especially after the Fire Dragon War.
“Normally, there are tens of thousands of dragons on the continent. So they should not be so rare. After the turmoil, even the dragons could not make indiscreet contact with humans and the dragon riders were forced to hide. If this optimistic town can serve as a banner to connect the dragon and human worlds, we may be a little closer to a world where dragon riders can walk the streets as they did before”
Laila sits on one knee on the window sill, looking at the commotion that has started on the main street. I just think the otherwise thoughtful Laila is strangely obsessed with a town that respects her in a strange way……and she wanted to visit? But, well.
“……I can’t imagine what that would be like”
A world where dragon riders walk around with their hands in the air. I wonder if such a thing is possible. I understand in theory that dragon riders do not even need to disguise themselves and should be welcomed with awe in a simpler way. However, I still can’t picture Celesta, Trot……and the human society swallowing the existence of dragons. A single dragon can wipe out an entire nation and they are far too large to be used in earnest by the human world. I wonder if the time will come in the future when dragons will be incorporated into military strategies and wars will be decided by the movement of a single dragon. It may sound strange coming from me, but I can’t imagine such a thing.
“Ho, I am not saying that the time will come when dragons will be sent on business trips to kill each other. Dragons have always kept a reasonable distance from humans. I am not saying that there have not been mistakes, but dragon riders have long been regarded as the last righteous men to face down calamities that are beyond the reach of humans”
“……Unreachable by humans?”
“It may not be a big deal now, but back in the days when people didn’t have the power to fight together, there was nothing you could do about swarms of monsters. When a hundred monsters appear in a peaceful countryside like Polka, what can you do but pray to God?”
“……Well, of course”
“In the history of the world, it’s only recently. The first time humans were able to face monsters head-on was in the early days of history. The dragon rider is considered to be the fang that devours such a fatal calamity. There was a time, long ago, when dragon riders could not pretend to be something they were not, even if they were on a par with gods and spirits”
“……I see”
If you know such a time, you can only say that the current human society is abnormal, where you can be punished just for coming in contact with a dragon.
“I can’t tell you not to be afraid of dragons, but at least understand that they are not so angry anymore. If the ease with which the people of this town are living here spreads to other towns, maybe someday they will understand”
“……I hope”
I don’t want to see another time of serious conflict between dragons and humans. I think so too and I don’t think I have to tell that Laila does. If once loose incomprehension caused it and then excessive avoidance caused another incomprehension, then someday this distance will have to be resolved.
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Anyway, I really like the Celesta way of celebrating in an unprincipled and festive way. The atmosphere is such that everyone naturally gets into the swing of things. I don’t dislike the Trot-style drinking style, but I think the open and honest sharing of alcohol is the best, as long as you can keep up with the groove.
“One for me. Is this orge killer? Is that from the East?”
“Oh, are you okay with it, older brother? It’s Eastern style, but it’s actually made at home”
“Eh, you made it at Helicon?”
“Yes, we do. The Helicon No. 2 Brewery with the diagonal lattice. Please patronize us”
“Hee……it seems to have an aroma that can only be produced in the eastern part of the world”
“Actually, it’s not so bad. The secret is in the barrel……well, it’s a trade secret”
I had an alcohol discussion with an old man next to us who smelled of alcohol. He seemed to be a liquor brewer, but in fact he had no idea how to make alcohol. But it doesn’t make me feel bad that he’s talking so enthusiastically about how to make good alcohol while drinking it, so I start my second round of drinks while listening to him. Then a new excitement erupts nearby. Naris is arm-wrestling with a muscular military police officer and flips him over.
“D, Damn……what the hell is that slender arm!”
“Arm-wrestling is all about breathing. You can’t beat me by force”
Naris triumphantly twists her wrists. ……No, you stopped old Dan’s punch with one hand. It’s not a matter of breathing or anything.
“Is it possible that you are also a dragon!?
“No way. It’s been 113 years since I was born, and I don’t remember ever being anything other than an elf”
“Go get Riley. It’s bad for the reputation of the military police if I’m left on the ground”
“No, wouldn’t it be cooler if you passed the baton?”
“Damn! A, Another match!”
“Yes, yes. The next match will be a pay-to-win match. The one who loses will be the one who’s drinking what that dull brother over there is drinking
Naris suddenly pointed at me. ……Heey. Who’s the dull older brother?
“Okay, fine. Let’s play!”
“Let’s go……hyawa!?”
Just as Naris was getting ready to play, Naris immediately turns around, but it seems that it is not clear whose hand it is. ……I can see it from here. That’s……Tetes. Naris is playing with a mix-up because she’s the only one who can win at this point and it’s no fun.
“What are you doing, good grief?”
And sitting next to me is Almeida. Instead of wearing conspicuous armor, she changed into a slightly loose and plain dress like southern Celesta, so she didn’t give a feeling of intimidation to the surroundings, but even so, a elf beauty who was startled suddenly put herself in a manly drinking party. Since she interrupted, the air around me changed for an instant.
“Hey Almeida, why don’t you stop Tetes doing something weird?”
“Eh, are you friends with that beauty, older brother? Hey, I envy you, buy me a drink”
The old man at the tavern saw that I was talking to Almeida and immediately demanded an ogre killer, but I put that aside.
“That’s Naris’ fault, so leave it alone”
“Eh, what’s wrong with Naris?”
“It’s only natural for him to win. Besides, Tetes can’t help but get mad at her for calling Andy a dull guy”
“No, that’s what you’re mad about!”
No, that’s the part that makes me mad. ……I don’t feel good if anyone names Master and makes fun of him. Me neither”
Almeida said something embarrassed, like she was rotten. No no no.
“You’re not the kind of person to say that, are you?”
“I, I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to be sensitive about that”
“In the first place, I thought you were the type to think in terms of things that were flatter, or rather separate!”
“D, Don’t ask me to do such a difficult thing! I don’t think I can be so dexterous as to like you on the one hand and not care about you on the other!”
……No, you don’t have to be so brazen. I mean, don’t completely become a loyal dog by yourself while you don’t really understand this either.
“I’m not going to cover for Naris because I don’t like her right now”
Almeida folded her arms and looked up. The old tavern owner whistles silently. So the arm-wrestling table goes warbling. Naris had been grandly defeated by the military policeman due to Tetes’ exquisite interference.
“W, Who touched someone’s butt! This is no contest!”
“Hohoou, I’m not impressed with your excuses, elf lady”
“Eh, no, really, who touched my butt?”
“No questions asked. It’s your call, come clean!”
“……Uh, yes”
“Good”
Narris throws a gold coin into a ceramic bowl. The gallery goes wild. Behind them, I see Tetes and Hilda high-fiving each other. ……What are you doing?
“By the way”
“Yeah?”
“There’s a lot of excitement about dragons……do you know? Rumor has it that dragons have gone on a rampage south of here”
“……Eh, what’s that?”
“Yeah, I haven’t heard the details either. But I heard they burned down an entire village. I think it might be real”
“……Seriously?”