第８９８堀：天上の庭 (Part2)
"Yes. As Raiya-san said, that has happened many times. So, perhaps you were using a type of magical power that we couldn't perceive to ward off unwanted visitors?"
Ah, so that’s what it was. Like an animal emitting a foul odor, I suppose.
"That is correct. For ordinary living things, it should have been enough to discourage them from approaching any further, but for our guests, this magical power seems to have been nothing more than a gentle breeze."
"But then, what about the powerful monsters that were on the mountainside?"
Charl was right. Even if animals avoided the area due to the dragon's magical power, there were still many monsters on the slopes.
"Ah, those are monsters that spontaneously appeared after we arrived. They originally had a resistance to our magical power, and besides, that place is their home."
"So that’s why they stayed there without fleeing. But, if those monsters were to come here... Ah, so that’s why the Doral were on guard."
Lowell seemed to convince herself as she spoke. I understood the situation now, too. The powerful monsters on the slopes sometimes climbed up to the summit, which was why the Doral were on alert.
*I see. Even if they were subjected to magical power that included that kind of intimidation, Tori and the others wouldn't be pressured by it, given their daily training with Yuki. Besides, it would be a problem if they were rendered immobile by mere intimidation.*
Ah, Comet’s explanation made sense. It was true—in training with Yuki-san and the others, if your movements slowed down due to intimidation, it was an instant "game over."
"Indeed. Well, they also serve as food, so we hunt them periodically. Now, I have spoken much about myself, but I know nothing of our guests. Would you mind introducing yourselves?"
"Oh, right. I’m Riel. I’m a Cat Beastman."
"…I’m Kaya. Though, I don't think that's what Gaul wants to know."
I agreed with Kaya’s retort. But Riel’s introduction seemed to amuse Gaul-san.
"Hahaha, no, that was my poor phrasing. Regardless, a lovely name. A pleasure to meet you, Riel-dono. And you as well, Kaya-dono. Now, forgive me, but may I ask why you have all come to this summit? Ah, we can discuss the complicated matters in the village, but first, tell me this."
As he said this, Gaul-san’s gaze sharpened. Wings, a tail, and horns sprouted from his back, and then...
"Are you enemies, or are you allies?"
He transformed into a massive dragon and stared down at us. I could feel a certain level of threat emanating from Gaul-san. This sensation—if I let my guard down, I’d get hurt. But we had no reason to fight. After all...
"Uh, we don't know if we're enemies or allies yet, but we definitely came here to talk. For now, do you recognize this jewel? An acquaintance gave it to me and told me to bring it if I ever came here."
As Mauve-san said, we came to negotiate. We had been entrusted with the jewel by Queen Miyabi. It seemed the Doral hadn't understood its significance, so I hadn't expected much from Gaul-san either, but...
"That thing again. I don't recognize such a..."
"Oh! To think someone would actually bring that here."
Oh, surprisingly, he seemed to know it. Phew, that’s a relief. If he had said he didn't know it, I would have started to doubt Queen Miyabi’s information.
"Chief. You know of that jewel?"
"Yes. I am the one who gave it away long ago."
"““Eh!?””"
The person who gave it away himself!?
"That would mean these guests are the descendants of the hero from those days."
Ah, no, I don't think that's right. We aren't the descendants of a hero. I was wondering how to explain it accurately when...
"Eh!? Are these people the descendants of the hero the Chief often told us about in his old stories!?"
"Indeed. No wonder the Doral could not defeat them. Ah, it brings back memories. In that case, it would be boorish to talk here. Let us head to the village at once."
And so, we successfully made contact with the Dragonkin, but...
"When should we clear up the misunderstanding about the hero?"
"The sooner the better. The longer you wait, the more complicated it’s bound to get."
"That’s true. Let’s make sure to clear up the misunderstanding before we get into the other topics."
Yeah. As Raiya-san and Curse-san said, we should resolve this quickly. And so, we followed Gaul-san.
This place was a kind of plateau. It felt a bit like Tibet or Morocco. It wasn't exactly wealthy, but this was where the Dragonkin lived.
Also, the cover for Volume 12 is out! Yay! Furthermore, "Level 1 Now, General Person" is getting a light novel adaptation! It’s been quite a busy time with Volume 12 at the end of September and Volume 1 of Level 1 in October! Please buy them!