I wake up from my sleep as the sun rises. The Dragon Capital Mujinn is located at the west of the Human Continent, The Land of Prosperity. We traveled from the Astlan Kingdom which is the capital of human continent to the Valley of the Ancient where the Dragon kin is.
I proceed washing my face in a basin and wash my mouth with a mint like mouthwash that said to be a popular item in this world in cleansing your mouth. I’d say it is much more effective than what the toothpaste from our world can do.
After that, I don my clothes which I sewed myself. It’s a Japanese kimono that I have been longing for since back in our world, although, it looks a bit different from all the modifications and enhancements that were tailored with. With Violetta’s help, we were able to give it a magical resist enhancements and physical damage tolerance and boosted magic recovery.
My bra is getting a bit… tight… I think I need to get a new one…
She said that for adventurers, this will be regarded as Epic class armament and would sell for a few mithril coins.
I pick up the bells and ribbon that was lying in the tabletop beside my bed. I gently lift it up and tie it into my horn. It is something I greatly cherish as it is from someone I really like.
I exited my room that was provided by the Dragon Emperor, Ouro. He welcomed us warmly as he is on a friendly term with the Astlan Kingdom King, Ashfon Astlan Lionheart. Upon hearing our plight and the death of Ichirou, he also sympathizes with us but he still encourages us to move forward for our training as we are needed by this world.
I walk towards the room opposite to mine, Ruri’s room.
I knock at her door.
“Ruri, are you awake?”
“…”
“Please, Ruri… can you come out today too? Ruri… you are stronger than this…”
“…”
“I see. Please… come find me if you need anything…”
I turned my heels when…
CREAK…
“Bacarra…”
“Ruri!?”
“I’m sorry for troubling everyone…as usual… I think I can come out today too. I’ll prepare myself in see you in the library soon.”
“That’s fine enough for me! I’ll see you at the library later, okay?”
“Un.”
CREAK…
Ruri closed the door after engaging a few words with me. Slowly but surely, she is getting better from the setback of Ichirou’s death.
She is close with Ichirou as they trained together back at the Astlan Kingdom. But that’s not what got her into this state. The notion of death scared her as some traumas from her past came hunting her.
Slowly but surely, she is trying to stand up again. I hope she becomes okay sooner.
After my brief conversation with Ruri, I headed towards the training hall. The Dragon Fortress Mujinn is twice as large as the castle of the Astlan Kingdom so I had a hard time walking these corridors and hallways so I have to spend the next ten minutes striding.
As I arrive at a giant door, I can already faintly hear the thunderous roar of a man inside the room. I slowly open the left panel of the large door and peek inside.
There, Mito fiercely swings his sword and conjures fire and at the same time, using the ancient magic thought to him by the sages in this place, he morphs part by part of his body to use for attacking into a part of a dragon.
I enter the room and also saw Rose who is standing far from Mito while watching him train. They both noticed me entering so they stop what they are doing and approaches me.
“Good morning, you two. You’ve been at it early of the day Mito.”
“Good morning to you too Bacarra, It is as you see, it’s an early workout.”
Mito greets me while taking the towel offered by Rose to him and wiping the sweat from his face.
Mito has been training rigorously since the death of Ichirou. He feels responsible for his death. He wants to become stronger than ever, different from all of us. But in my defense, he is just pushing his own body too much that even Rose is worried, making her accompany Mito all the time.
“Good Morning Bacarra! Did you…umm..”
“Yes… Rose, I have talked to Ruri today after heading here. She said she’ll try to go out today. She’ll be heading to the library to come and see me.”
“Thank goodness. She really doesn’t listen to me that much. Her ears are only open to you and Dreg. I don’t know why but it seems that child treats you like an older sister.”
“Thank you too for taking care of the idiots of this group. Talking to Ruri is the only thing I can do for now.”
After informing of Rose about Ruri, I turn to Mito and talks to him.
“Mito… you should not make Rose worry so much.”
“I don’t! This hag here hangs out with me as she pleases! All I want to do is to train!”
“Don’t push yourself. Ichirou’s death… is…”
“It is! If I am not weak that time, he doesn’t need to make the decision to stay back! If only I have more power that time, we would have arrived here altogether! That Ichirou…!”
“And I was saying, don’t get too full of yourself, moron. All of us are weak! We are all responsible! Do not take the blame for yourself.”
“…”
“Haa… I kind of want to get breakfast now… I shall be taking my leave. See you two later.”
I turn my heels and exit the room. I began striding again along the hallway of the Dragon Fortress. Along the way, I meet Mana who lazily walks while leaning over the wall.
“Mana…”
“Oh…hey…Bacarra…”
“Did you… snuck another drink again…?”
“Their liquors are good! It doesn’t give me any hangover. I don’t want to read more books… I don’t want to work anymore… I want a life like this...! Forever vacation!”
“Haa… you’re a hopeless case.”
“You and the others are strong enough. I am not needed. Someone like me… I can’t contribute anything useful…
“…”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Ahahaha… I should die… hahaha…”
“Just don’t stress yourself too much… it would be troublesome.”
“Yes.”
I walk away as Mana is giving out the atmosphere of negativity. Being dragged into her world will only make you question your own existence.
I stride past her and heads to the dining room across the large grand hall of the first floor. There are soldiers and officials going around doing their own businesses. As they catch my glimpse, they all made a slight bow and greetings.
These people, not long after we arrived here, after performing the feats of my magic capabilities, most of the sages here applauded me and most of the people here looked up to me despite my mutated race of Demon.
Some are just lecherous gazes, though…
………
I entered the dining hall and saw a familiar man. It was Dreg.
Dreg is sitting in one corner chewing bread while soaking it into a soup. Most of the warriors and soldier in this place also respected him for his smart approaches to everything. He is more intelligent than anyone would think despite his size.
I turn my head to him and made a small nod. He also gazes at me and returned a nod too.
I find my way to a seat but before I can even pull a chair backward to seat on…
“It’s Bacarra!”
“It’s Bacarra, Casablanca...!”
“She really is Hibiscus!”
“Yes, she is!”
“Good morning, Miss Bacarra!”
“Good morning…!”
Ahhh!~
The two elven child Priscilla brought.
Casablanca and Hibiscus…
Priscilla told us that Susanoo handed them to her as they are in immediate danger. That Susanoo… even though he disappeared abruptly from the group, he did a pretty strange thing handing over these two to us…but whatever…
They heal the soul… like Asagao. All of them are cute that I just want to hug them all day. Such eye candy everyday energizes me.
Both of them are wearing a personalized tailored maid clothes made by Priscilla with enchantments and modifications just like my kimono. Priscilla has taken them under her as her own apprentices.
As they come running towards me, the frilly clothes bounces and their blooming smiles stopped my heart from beating for a second.
“Hug!”
“Hug!!”
“Fufufu. You two seem so lively this morning.”
“Right!~ Miss Bacarra is so soft! Mofumofu!”
“Mofumofu! There are enough for each of one of us, Casablanca!”
“You’re right, Hibiscus! Just like mama!”
Ahahaha…
These two comes hugging me while digging their faces into my breasts. It seems their mother also has breast as large as mine. But with this, every day, I get to hug these two precious angels into my bosom without any difficulty, unlike Asagao.
Whenever I hug Asagao, she always struggles to get out, but that its own self is also charming and cute.
“Miss Bacarra, what are you getting?”
“We will bring it to you Miss Bacarra!”
“Hmm… let me see…anything the two of you can recommend.”
“Roger! Let’s go, Hibiscus!”
“Yes, Casablanca!”
The two lovely elven children left, heading towards the kitchen where they always work each morning as an assistant. Having these two energetic cute little girls brighten up my day.
………
After waiting for at least three minutes, I can already smell the food wafting in the air. From the door of the kitchen, someone comes out…
Why her…?!
“You seem rather surprised, Miss Bacarra.”
“Priscilla…”
“I had the two do some errands just now so I am delivering you your own food. My liege of servants and maid in this shithole of a place is now doing other works I assigned. ”
“Taking over the whole place regulation even here, I see. Fearsome as always…”
“They were all high and mighty. I just have to put them in their proper places. By force that is. If they cannot compel to my standards, they are better off the cold streets.”
“That’s harsh.”
“They are just slacking and finding a way to be lazy. With me taking in command, I shall see to it that they become proper and noble.”
“…Can I get my food now?”
“You are no fun in conversation.”
“I am fine with that.”
Priscilla elegantly and swiftly brings down my food in front of me and walks away. Even her walk is full of grace and elegance that anyone who walks beside her will be ashamed.
And so, I eat my breakfast with a ruined day because of Priscilla, flaunting her elegance and miss perfect in everything demure.
But despite being high and mighty, I respect her as an irreplaceable comrade as she is keen and perceptive. She can easily overcome any difficulties with her high intelligent as she calculates everything accordingly with facts and truths.
After eating the soup brimmed with herbs and spices complimented with potatoes and finely cut carrots with tidbits of meat in a creamy stock, I sought out the field where I can blast magic so I can burn some calories that I have taken.
It’s important to stay fit and healthy all the time after all. I am not exactly a fist fighter and I only compound and experiments magic and read books so I need to eat lightly and make sure to exercise every single day.
Again… I walk down the really long hallway of this damn fortress to get to the field. Along the way, I walk past through the training grounds where the cavalrymen train. Even though they are Dragon Kin, most of them cannot morph into their dragon forms yet as their magical aptitude hasn’t reached maturity yet. Mito is just an exception as his morphing is being guided by the Hero’s Blessing.
“Arrggh! I submit, Lord Shouta! You have bested me yet again in a showdown.”
“There’s nothing into it, really. I can train you guys more if you wanted.”
“Thank you very much for your continued guidance!”
Shouta Murayama, the male twin, is having another bout with one of the division captain. His spearman ship is excellent. It’s like watching a dance in a middle of the battle. Despite looking so girly, he is definitely a manly man.
“Please, Lady Shouko! Please teach me the way of archery! I want to know more a lot about you!”
“Me too Lady Shouko!”
“Lady Shouko, teach me too!”
And so on and so forth.
Some of the cavalrymen who is training in archery approach Shouko Murayama, the girl twin, as they pleaded to her for her guidance in archery. They are also showing a few their carnal thoughts.
I was about to step in when…
SHING.
“Shouko is troubled, would you guys take a step back. Train yourselves. Don’t be lazy. You can find greater strength in reflecting in your own misdoings.”
“Thank you, Shouta.”
Shouta immediately steps in to help Shouko as she seemingly looks timid around strangers. Pointing one spear in his left-hand overhead and brandishing the other one on the left hand pointed low, he lectured them.
After Shouta’s lecture, everyone apologizes to both of them and resumes their training. Shouko also teaches the archery everyone longed for. With Shouta observing, that is.
Knowing that I am not needed, I continue my walk towards the field.
.
.
.
Skipping the time I almost drained myself firing magic at the empty dry field, I head to the library.
I headed to my usual spot filled with towering books that I already read. There is also papers and pen lying around. Some papers are stacked neatly and, some are crumbled and piled into one corner.
The thing that I find weird is that Shun is still not here as we are doing another experiment. Proceeding without him is dangerous as he always gives me all the reminders that I fail to remind myself.
And so, I sit down and pull a book from the pile and looks at its title.
………
I gently put it down as I already read this one and so, I pulled another one book.
.........
I am also done with this one so I stack it with the book I pulled earlier and proceeds in grabbing another one. Because I am eager to read a book, I didn’t notice that the tower of books wobbles and going to fall over me…!
“Ahhh…!”
“Whoops... Careful there…”
“Ah…Thank you… Eh..?!”
“What’s wrong?”
“K-Kouta?!”
“Is there something in my face?”
“Kouta…who never set foot in the library…is actually here?!”
“Ahahaha…somehow… I want to read a book…but I don’t know anything good…”
Kouta holds down the wobbling tower of books and push it back to its original standing position. I just can’t believe he is actually here…
But what kind of book does this idiot wants to read…?
“Any genre you want to find?”
“Hmm…anything heroic… I guess?”
“That’s vague, but I know there’s a good book I read last night.”
I rummage throughout the pile of books to look for that. After moving the pile of books to left and right for a minute, I found the book with a hard cover with a title, Compilations of Heroic Tales and Art of Weaponry written by Mrothgir.
I believe that I read something about this man. It is said that he is one of the oldest dragons who lives long enough to be called a legend. Although rumors said that he already joined the celestial bodies as he found true stillness.
“Hey, Kouta, this one here.”
“Hmm? Can you read it for me?”
“Wha-?! You…”
“I want some motivation…”
“…”
Kouta lamented the most as he is really close to Ichirou treating each other as a brother. Dark lines become visible under his eyes as sleepless nights started to haunt him about Ichirou’s last words that only him have heard.
I pretended that I don’t notice any of it and kept my mouth shut about it. I don’t want to force him to say anything. I just laid out the book in front of me and find the most interesting part of the book to read for him.
“Kouta…?”
“Hmm…?”
“No…nothing…”
After calling out to him to make sure he is going to listen, I start reading as he sat down beside me…
“There are many tales where gods grant power to lower creature to take them as their champions, their representative for their own glory. Each race reveres their own gods and worships them and prays to them for prosperity and good fortunes. Some pray for guided strength and wish to do unnerving feats.
The most notable powers granted to lower creatures dwelling in this realm are weapons created by the gods themselves, for competition and fame against one another.
One example of these weapons is The Hundred Meter Sword Mountain Cleaver which was used by a Dwarven Hero in the olden days namely Ish’ranor Talon who is a half dwarf and half human.
Another Example of these weapons is The Battle Axe Heaven Splitter which was used by the wicked Demon Lord Baal to terrorize and bring havoc.
But one weapon, granted by the Goddess of Blessing herself, Nivalis, who is treated as one of the higher Gods that treated every race equally, and respected by all livings, created a weapon that only a rightful hero can carry.
The weapon is called Excelsior.
Going down into the history, the sword Excelsior only had two bearers. One is an unnamed hero, who used it to slay the Black Dragon Warlord Krothgir that planned to invade the Rainforest of Healing, the Fairy Kin Continent. After that, the sword is passed to another bearer or rather, another hero. The hero is called Senya who used the sword to bring peace and carry out the will to spread equality.
As for today, the sword Excelsior still exists and is still being held by this Hero…”
I look at Kouta…
He is just staring at me intently.
Not in my breast…but in my face.
“What’s the problem?”
“Nothing…”
“Hmm? Are you listening?”
“Yes, I am. Excelsior, right?”
“Fufufu. I think it is something a sword Ichirou would want, right?”
“…”
I seem to have stepped on a landmine as his countenance darkens. I shouldn’t have brought up about Ichirou to him.
As I was trying to find a way out of this problem, he suddenly leans on my shoulder.
“Y-you…”
“Sorry. Let me…just lean on you for a moment.”
“I will let it slide for now.”
A magical moment…
I thought to myself…
I don’t like someone I am acquainted with dying, especially if they are a nice person like Ichirou.
But I can only see that as an opportunity for me and Kouta to be brought closer and I want to do as much as possible to comfort him. He is unexpectedly emotional at this time.
………
……
…
BOOM!
Huh?!
We both jolted from our seats by the exploding sound that entered our ear. Our vigilant switch immediately flips in this time of calamity purely because of what we experienced in Ichirou’s death.
“Kouta!”
“I know! Do you know where that happened?!”
“No…! I…”
As I was about to speak…I sensed something…
It is something I had sensed before… an impending doom…
“Kouta! In the throne room!”
“Got it! Let’s go!”
Kouta and I run out of the library and run towards the throne room where the explosion came from.
Passing through the open windows on the second floor of the fortress…
The city outside…is being engulfed in flames...And Devils are teeming around battling and killing people…!
No way… What happened?!
“Let’s hurry, Bacarra!”
“Y-yes!”
As Kouta shouted, he immediately grabs my hand and runs together with me.
After running around for a minute, we arrived at the throne room where the Emperor is supposed to be but…
The large door of the throne room was blasted open and as we entered inside…
……..
A man with black hair and eyes stepping on the dead body of the Emperor Ouro smiles as he sees us and the other guards crowding the place.
Beside him is a Beast Kin Wolf with light blue hair wearing light leather armor is staring down at everyone, engulfing us with his strong bloodlust, a Dragon Kin with jaded full plate armor with golden hair and emerald eyes with no expression on his face.
That’s when we realized… we’ve been had.
And sooner, we are going to know that this was an inside job.