Chapter 523: Circumstances of the Silver Dragons
“Can we talk about it here? I can’t leave my people behind too long”
“Haa. ……Then let’s just stand around and talk”
On a cliff path overlooking a desolate valley in the moonlight, several dragons, led by a silver-haired old man, slowly stood up and looked at me intently.
“You are using a black dragon and a blue dragon……two dragons of different genera”
“Yes, that’s right. Is that unusual?”
“Not so many. Not many riders have more than one dragon, but it is unusual to choose two who are not related to each other and follow”
Black dragons and blue dragons. A fire dragon and an ice dragon. Even though Laila and Broll-san were somewhat acquainted with each other, it is true that the flow of events may be difficult to understand. Laila and Maia are both relatively young dragons.
“A dragon trusts the eyesight of his companions, especially his own clan. Therefore, you know that they may offer you a contract following in the footsteps of your bloodline”
“Yes, some of the blue dragons wanted to sign a contract with me”
“And so it was that three of us offered to make a contract with Rainer-dono……”
“Well, I can almost guess. But so what?”
I pretend to be talking casually, but I’m careful not to say something I accidentally said and I’m trying to be assertive so as not to give in to Rainer, and I’m adjusting myself so as not to be too frivolous. Since I’m talking, it’s actually quite full. This is the moment when I realize that I am basically a lowly person. This kind of attitude cannot come naturally.
“I can’t help but think that we may have made a mistake there. I can’t help but think that we may have blindly followed Rainer-dono, believing him to be a capable man……”
“Leyla?”
“Only Shario, I suppose, is able to make a true judgment about him. I can’t help feeling that Corti is being guided by Shario. Corti’s sister Leyla has her own doubts about this, but she can’t argue with that”
“…………”
Shario, the woman we first recognised as 「Rainer’s dragon」. What if she was wrong? The old man says so. But.
“If you decide to follow the extreme values of the dragon riders, isn’t that also inevitable?”
Justice is left to one different race. Many dragons without riders follow. There’s no way the people themselves didn’t know that it was extremely dangerous.
“Left. But it is good that we are harmed by it”
“?”
“A dragon is the strongest creature. They perish through the cause and effect of their decisions, but they are also strong. It is good. ……But. If our mistakes harm the little lives of this valley, who have been watching hell for generations, then I pity them”
“……Pity the people, you mean. It’s not like dragons”
“We silver dragons are not belligerent by nature. We have no sympathy for the small siblings of three hundred years ago, when they perished in a rampage of monsters, but we even have respect for the people of the valley who have endured for three hundred years since then. If one day a dragon handler appears in the land and uses our power for the people, we will gladly use our tusks and wings for them”
“If that might be off the mark, you want to entrust it to me. ……Is that what you mean?”
“Haa. There are many people who still can’t give up on Rainer-dono, so I’m saddened that it can’t be the consensus of the palace”
……I see. Although there are some doubts about Rainer’s actions to some extent, there are only a few of them here who have given up on him enough to make a public move. Nowhere is a monolith. It’s a hassle.
“You are a follower of two genera of dragons. You have the courage to use the dragons. We believe that you are the one to save this valley”
“That said. The reality is that we are prisoners of war. You’re all for the uplift, but that doesn’t mean you can go toe-to-toe with Rainer´s faction, does it?”
I dare not say that 「That is an overestimation」. In the first place, I don’t really want to save the residents of this valley that much. Yes, I just want to save Neia. Everything about this country is, for me, an overwhelmingly lower priority than that. However, there is no point in talking about my personal life like that. In short, they want me to replace Rainer. It would be impossible with my efforts and it would be impossible if only a small portion of the silver dragons agreed with me. I’m not strong, I don’t have any secret tricks that can reverse the situation, I’m just a soldier who relies on dragons. But.
“……If you want to escape to the south, I’m ready to help you. I am still the elder of my clan. I can restrain any dragons in the palace who try to interfere”
“……Are you sure about that?”
“It is no wonder people think we are ignorant fools. We understand that there isn’t much you can do. We must change this country……the country, that you have to save the people of the valley. You may not be able to do it now, but one day you will gather the strength to do it and you will step on this land again. I will not set a deadline for when this will happen. Even then the people of the valley will have made not a few sacrifices, but still it is better than you, our hope, losing your life in haste”
“…………”
As expected of a long-lived species…….I’m a bit crestfallen. They’re thinking much longer term than I am. At this rate……it seems like they can see through the fact that I’m putting Neia first. But, oh well.
“It’s a fascinating story, but I don’t think it works that way”
“……Hou”
“If you go through with such an impossible task, you will probably be purged by Rainer. It would be a one-time emergency measure. Besides, I can’t read Rainer or the King’s true intentions either. There’s no point in moving in a hurry just yet. Above all”
Around the border of the craftmen village, I spot a shadow standing anxiously.
“……I am sure that Neia’s pride would not allow her to run away without leaving Kalwin alone. No, I cannot bear it”
“……Hero Neia. Is she a defender of this land?”
“It’s the girl who was the protector……I’ve come to fulfill that child’s wish”
Look straight back at the old man.
“For me, this country is a foreign country after all. But Neia, a girl like that, is risking her life all by herself to save it. So I’m just going to defend her will. Now, I have to face this country. It’s not a good idea to throw them out, cause confusion and then run away. That’s why I can’t leave yet”
“I see”
The old man nodded.
“……Indeed. Indeed, a righteous dragon rider. Unchanged since the old days. The nostalgic messenger of the sky”
He looked up at the sky, very deeply moved. ……E, Emm, stinky……I guess. I was just going to say that unlike you guys, I’m only working for Neia. A young male dragon steps forward from behind the old man, hands clasped in a bow.
“We silver dragon elders, we are outnumbered, but we will be martyrs to your justice. We will be there when the time comes for things to happen”
The other dragons bow along with him. It seems like it somehow struck a chord.
“N, No, I’m happy about your feelings, but…..please don’t be too exaggerated. Or rather, what about Leyla? She’s the one who’s in danger”
“I sent Leyla home immediately. As you can imagine, it’s dangerous to let her get too involved. This is an expanded interpretation of Rainer-dono’s words, 『Let’s make some accommodations while we wait and see』”
“……I see”
For Leila, it’s a form that takes into account both Rainer’s orders and the Presbyterians’ requests……. It’s a form of last-minute defiance against Rainer, who doesn’t show his true intentions……. A young dragon replaces the retreating elder and a silver-haired girl who looks to be about the same age as Maia steps forward.
“I am Rey and this is my sister Emma. We will be in charge of your personal security and contacting the elders from now on”
“Just give us a call and we’ll be there for you. If you’re a dragon rider, I probably don’t need to explain myself”
“No, are you sure? Rainer’s going to stare at you”
“We don’t care if he just stares at you without clearly stating his intentions. He is not the only dragon rider now”
Bullish, these two siblings. Or rather, that role is Maia’s and it seems a bit miffed.
“Well, if you like, you can give the order now”
“Shall I send you to the temple? If you like, I can hunt three or four beasts for you”
“No, you don’t have to do that”
“I’m sorry. They are young dragons and it is their time to dream of becoming good riders and soaring through the skies”
The siblings are not embarrassed by the elder’s words, but are rather excited to see me. I don’t know if I should be happy that I have a reliable collaborator…….