Chapter 524 - Twelfth Story: Dragonewt Village ⑥
When concerns about the future of the Dragonewts were shown from Gnome's mouth, they all fell silent. However, the Vice-Chieftain seems to want to say something.
"Your daughter says you're consuming a massive amount of magic because you won't leave the high mountains. She says that as a result, your life force itself has become scarce and you've become unable to have children. Do you have no intention of living at the foot of the mountain as before?"
It was Gnome who broke the silence. Otherwise, the Dragonewts might have continued their silence forever.
"Gnome. We Dragonewts have seen the livelihoods of all living things on this island since the time our ancestor, who was given blood by a dragon, was born in this land."
After Gnome asked, the Chieftain, who had been silent for a while, finally opened his mouth.
"Hmm. That's true. In a sense, they probably know better than we do."
"And we have always existed as those who oppose the strongest race in that era."
"It seems so."
"That is to prevent the strongest race from gaining power and wiping out other races, including us."
That's quite a difficult role. In a sense, it might be an indispensable deterrent for the coexistence and co-prosperity of other races.
"And unfortunately, the Demon Race and humans have fought in every era. Fortunately, spirits maintain neutrality, but it has been found that dragons and Beastmen are not so. Therefore, we have no choice but to protect this place."
Combined with the Vice-Chieftain's story, does it mean they have to occupy either the Mountain or the Central Mountain Range?
"Doesn't matter. Just leave the conflict between the Demon Race and humans alone. It won't be settled anyway."
Gnome says something blunt.
"W-What is the basis for that?"
Exactly. When it comes to fighting, both sides are doing their best. Every time the Demon Lord is resurrected, humans pay a great sacrifice to achieve subjugation in various places. However, that might be the impression of someone who hasn't actually fought.
"Isn't it because the Demon Lord has no intention of controlling the island?"
"Human girl. On what basis do you say such a thing? Are you following Gnome?"
I explain that it's the impression of Henry-sama, who actually fought and achieved a splendid subjugation. Harris-sama was saying something similar. The Demon Lord is a disaster for humans. However, as a result, it's the same as the occurrence of a natural disaster where many humans die, and he's not intentionally trying to wipe out humans.
"Is that person a so-called hero?"
"Yes. He has actually faced the Demon Lord. For two generations in a row."
"That is no guarantee."
Well, that's true, but if you talk about guarantees, you can't do anything. The husband of the eloping couple was like that, but isn't he a bit too meticulous?
"The Demon Lord doesn't think about controlling the island. He only gives instructions to kill humans he doesn't like."
It's Violet. She used to be in the Demon Lord's army. Moreover, she was treated as an executive class.
"Violet was in the Demon Lord's army, wasn't she?"
It's Gnome. He used to call her Arachne, but this time he called her by name.
"You're calling me by name. Thank you. That's right, I was invited by the Demon Lord. I've even attended meetings with the executives. In short, we were just told to kill humans who live in or approach our respective assigned areas, and it didn't include the occupation of this entire mountain range."
"What are the assigned areas?"
"Yeah. Probably places that were originally the territory of the Demon Race. Both in the last resurrection and the one before that, he didn't mention this mountain range at all. The talk came from the executives, but it was only about the underground caves. Number Three or someone was saying he'd dig a new hole and do something, but in the end, it was only a small part of the underground. Around where the Earth Dragon was."
The place where the earthworm user was digging a hole. The place where Number Three was raising spiders.
"Did the Earth Dragon team up with the Demon Lord again?"
"No, he's not teamed up anymore, and he moved. Though I say that, it's just nearby. Now he says he's recovering the earth's power of the mountain range and seems to be cooped up. I think he'll stay like that for another thousand years."
The Dragonewts looked at each other. With this, there's no need to be on guard against the Earth Dragon.
"In short, the Earth Dragon will not team up with the Demon Lord. Because he firmly promised me that he would stay quiet until the earth's power is recovered."
"But even so, we cannot abandon the defense of this mountain range."
They're stubborn. Mel said dragons are stubborn, but I wonder if Dragonewts inherited that too.
"Um, who are you protecting it from? At this point, I think the Demon Lord, the Earth Dragon, and humans are not interested in this mountain range."
The Demon Lord just wants to kill humans. The Earth Dragon won't move from his habitat for about the next thousand years. Humans won't deploy an army in a place like this, or rather, they can't.
"You all have really done well thinking about the living things on the island. However, isn't it enough? It's about time you live thinking only of yourselves."
The Dragonewts' gazes gathered on the Chieftain. In particular, the Vice-Chieftain's gaze is harsh.
To be honest, what the Dragonewts have done hasn't meant much. However, not pointing that out and instead appreciating their efforts must be Gnome's kindness.
The Chieftain says nothing. Perhaps he is hesitating.
"Hey, by any chance, is it related to Amphipteres? Dragons that have wings but no limbs? Was that it?"
The moment Violet said that, the Dragonewts' complexions changed.
"Arachne. Why do you know about that dragon?"
The Chieftain's eyes changed.
"I saw them flying in the sky in the morning. There were lots of nests. Which one is real, that one or you all?"
Lust for blood was released from the Chieftain.
"Gnome, sorry!"
Oh no!
I instinctively release Light from my mouth.
At the same time, my body floated, so I unintentionally closed my eyes.
"Guh, you..."
When I open my eyes, the Chieftain is holding his eyes. The sword at his waist had been drawn. The sword that was on his left waist is being parried to the right.
Before I knew it, I was being held by Violet's side leg. Violet had jumped back while holding me. Surely, if she hadn't done that, I would have been slashed by the Chieftain's sword.
Will also seems to have jumped back, as she's brandishing her spear.
"You, you aimed for Jeanne instead of me. If you do any more, I'll have you die here."
Eh? Was I the one aimed at? No, no, that's not it.
"Violet! Stop!"
I say desperately, but she won't look at me. She's still glaring at the Chieftain.
"Arachne. Do you think you can escape while facing four Dragonewts?"
The Chieftain said while still holding his eyes. Four Dragonewts stand up as if surrounding the Chieftain. Everyone has already drawn their swords.
"Hmph. It's not about the result. It's about how many I kill, including you, before I am killed."
She spread her three side legs wide, except for the one holding me.
Bad, bad, bad!
For Violet to say such dangerous things... Moreover, it's a tremendous lust for blood. I, who should be protected, am about to be overwhelmed.
When I look at Gnome to have him stop them, he's acting as if he doesn't know.
I see, he's neutral. Just as he doesn't intervene in the conflict between humans and the Demon Race, he doesn't intervene in the conflict between humans and Dragonewts.
Wait? Wait a minute. Why was I the one aimed at first?
"Um—, did I do something to be killed?"
The reason the Chieftain became bloodthirsty is because Violet talked about Amphipteres. If so, the target of his anger should be Violet, not me...
"We cannot allow humans to know. Therefore, you must be killed. Of course, I will also kill the Arachne."
Will, who heard the Chieftain's words, gripped her spear again.
"Um, if I die here now, you all will definitely die."
"What are you blathering about. No matter how many hundreds of thousands of human-like things you mobilize for a revenge match, you are no match for us."
He doesn't understand.
"I am under the protection of the Water, Wind, and Fire spirits, and I wear the stones that are proof of that. If I suddenly die here... Gnome, what will happen?"
I have no choice but to involve Gnome now.
"If that sword just now had sent Jeanne's head flying, the powers of the Three Great Spirits would have gone out of control simultaneously, and this entire area would have been blown away. Water and Fire are particularly bad. Not only would this village be wiped out, but the surrounding terrain would change, and an explosion large enough to create a volcanic crater would occur. Even I wouldn't be able to suppress it."
He has an expression of "good grief," but he explained it properly.
"W-What?"
The ones whose complexions changed were the Dragonewts.
They're flustered. That's right. I can't die easily.
"Ahahaha! That's right. That's not all. If Jeanne is killed by you, the Water and Wind spirits will definitely retaliate. The Dragonewts will surely be eradicated. Ahahahaha!"
Violet laughs loudly.
I don't know if Dune and Mel would retaliate. Well, I'll keep quiet here. Besides, she thinks Salamander won't come.
The Dragonewts, who could no longer kill me, seemed unable to move. They also seem quite shaken.
"Chieftain. For now, sheathe your sword. If we don't make this a discussion, everyone in the village will truly die. Besides, if you kill Jeanne, at least Water will definitely kill all of you Dragonewts. Wind and Fire probably won't stop it either. And neither will I."
"...Gnome... I understand. Everyone, sheathe your swords."
Whether his vision returned or not, the Chieftain said while blinking his eyes and returned his sword to its scabbard. The other Dragonewts follow suit. Will also sheathed the spear she had once brandished and held it with her right hand like a staff. Only Violet backed away a little. I was still held by one of her side legs.
"Just tell them everything. There's no secret worth killing those who know it."
"But..."
The Chieftain fell silent again.
"Chieftain, enough already. Gnome is also saying that. Since it is already a problem beyond our control, why not consult Gnome?"
"Chieftain. I also agree with the Vice-Chieftain's idea. We are already old. It doesn't matter. However, just like the Chieftain's daughter, the young ones are suspicious of the current situation. At this rate, the young ones will escape one after another, and the village might disintegrate."
It's the Vice-Chieftain and the Wind Village Elder. In particular, the Vice-Chieftain's eyes are sharp. Depending on the Chieftain's answer, he might say something.
"How about it? Chieftain. I intend to eventually grant my protection to this Jeanne. And that has already been approved by the other Four Great Spirits. Do you understand what this means?"
"That the Four Great Spirits have chosen this girl..."
The Chieftain looks at me. Receiving the protection of all Four Great Spirits by oneself seems to be something amazing, but I hadn't thought about it until now.
"It means she is the one chosen by the Four Great Spirits, then."
"That's right. I think this girl... Jeanne, is worthy of it. Well, she looks extremely frail, though."
He's laughing, "Hahahaha." Frail or not, it's wrong to compare me with Dragonewts. Since I'm a priest, my role is recovery and support, and I don't go to the front lines, you know.
As a result of requesting to clear the room, Will and the guide went out of the room. The Chieftain showed reluctance for Violet to remain, but Gnome mediated and she stayed.
Since I was asked to vow not to disclose it beforehand, I made a Vow of Silence, and Violet vowed to Gnome not to tell others.
"I understand. However, to explain the current situation, I must speak from the lore of our Dragonewts..."
What the Chieftain started talking about was the lineage of the Dragonewts.
An era long before humans were born in this world. It was the era of dragons. Huge dragons were rampant in the mountains, fields, rivers, lakes, seas, and the sky, and they greatly prospered. That suddenly came to an end for some reason. The reason is unknown. A great climate change suddenly arrived, and the world cooled down all at once. As a result, plants died out. Herbivorous dragons died one after another, and at the same time, most of the carnivorous dragons also died. It can be called extinction. There were only a very few dragons that survived. That is the dragon species that manipulates magic, the Dragon.
"Since Dragons are powerful and have long lifespans, their population is small. Therefore, many existences that became the ancestors of the races we call Beastmen and humans began to prosper greatly."
There were many types of existences that became ancestors, but they were eventually weeded out. However, the one that is powerful and has a long lifespan is the one humans call Amphiptere, a dragon with wings but no limbs. That ancestor had high intelligence, and eventually, the Dragonewts, an even more advanced creature, were born. From around that time, an era of prosperity by new creatures arrived.
"The problem is after that. The reason is unknown, but magic in this world gradually began to become scarce. All the creatures humans call monsters take dense magic into their bodies and use it as a source of life force. When it becomes scarce, individuals who cannot control magic from birth began to be born."
Here, the Chieftain looked at Violet.
"As the Arachne there saw through, our true form is a dragon with wings but no limbs. This current form is a temporary form. We are changing it like this using magic."
The Amphipteres we saw are apparently individuals who cannot control magic. Although their form resembles the ancestor, their abilities are greatly inferior. It seems that Dragonewts generally become able to change their form when their early childhood ends and they reach the period of boys and girls. And individuals who cannot do that apparently live as they are as large flying lizards, following their instincts without feeling the love of a mother and child. It must be hard for a parent. To not be recognized as a parent by the child they gave birth to and raised. And the proportion of Amphipteres being born has increased as the years passed.
The Dragonewts perceived it as the time of extinction as a race. If everyone is going to become an Amphiptere eventually, they decided to move to the highlands where magic is scarce and quietly wait for extinction. As a result, the births of females decreased significantly, and even when they were born, there were many cases where Amphipteres were born. That was roughly two thousand years ago. It was around the time when the perennial snow began to cover the top of the Central Mountain Range, where the earth's power had weakened. It's also good for hiding the village with a disguise. Besides, it corresponds to the time when Mel settled her habitat on the Mountain. They decided to protect the Central Mountain Range as long as they could as long as the Mountain was safe. In other words, if Mel hadn't chosen the Mountain, they would have moved to the Mountain. In that case, the Fire Dragon, who was given great damage by humans after going on a drunken rampage, might still be healthy now.
"I thought it would eventually be known to other races. However, we must keep it secret as much as possible. Otherwise, it won't be a deterrent against the conflict between humans and the Demon Race... especially against the Demon Race."
The Chieftain said that and concluded his explanation.