365 – On White Wings

Two days have passed since I parted with Dragon King Eldia.
I am standing on the end of a branch near the nesting hole, looking out over the island.
I look out over the many trees to the waterfall at the edge of the world and sigh deeply.

『Why the gloomy face?』

 My partner suddenly stretches out and cuts into my field of view.

As expected, I have a lot to think about.
From here on, I’m probably going to get dragged into a bunch of troublesome things.
I don’t know what to do about Eldia… And there’s also the problem of the Demon Lord and of God’s Voice.

『Even if you think about it, there’s nothing you can do.
It’s fine to leave it to chance and just do whatever you want.』

No, but… Though I suppose you are right that there’s too little information to make any decisions at the moment.
I don’t know what’s going to happen now that I’ve already killed the Hero who was meant to fight the Demon Lord.
If I only knew about the history of the Demon Lord, I might be able to see some trends…

Should I try leaving the vicinity of the dangerous person, or rather dangerous dragon, Eldia, and try and make some powerful allies in the world?

I’ve occasionally caught glimpses of Eldia looking up from the base of the tree, but he doesn’t seem to be taking any major actions.
As a subordinate of the Demon Lord, he’s keeping an eye on me as someone with a sacred skill…is not a possibility.
I’m sure he’s just worried because he’s lonely.
Sorry, but I’m not so socially dexterous as to be able to get along with someone who I know I’ll eventually fall out with.

Speaking of troubles, there’s the matter of Aro and the others.
I look behind.

The nightmare is biting at a two-toned red and white giant bee, a [Death Needle: Rank C+] that got caught in its web.
Treant-san is launching [Clay Spheres] at the death needle from below to weaken it while Aro sits on the branch watching over them relaxedly.

They’ve become quite strong.
Although I expect enemies far stronger than the adams will show up in the future.

『Hey partner, something’s coming.』

My partner, who was looking out over the sea, suddenly sends a thought to me.
I follow her line of sight.

In the distance, something is flying.
With its entire body a bluish green, it’s a giant bird monster that looks almost like a copper statue.
Uncharacteristic of a bird, it has four widespread wings that leave a striking impression.
It has a calm human face, and its long hair flutters in the wind.
Only its eyes are red, as they stare fixedly ahead.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be headed this way.
Rather than not having noticed us, it seems to not care.

【[Neptune]: A- rank monster】
【Once a [Siren] has piled up several tens of thousands of human bones, she takes on the name of [King of the Sea].
】
【She boasts of overwhelming defensive and flight ability.】
【In addition, she uses large-scale skills that make use of the ocean.
Everything above the ocean is her domain.】
【People in countries bordering the ocean or on small islands fear her as the [Guardian Deity of the Sea].】

Th-this is dangerous… There really are A ranks out there aside from Eldia and the adams.
On this island, C+ are small fry, B ranks form the medium levels, and A- ranks are the leading figures.
I’m truly glad that in the forest I hatched in, C ranks were the strongest.

In terms of rank, it’s the same as the two adams that I managed to take down together, but its ability to utilise the ocean worries me.
Let’s not get involved carelessly.
For that matter, if they can evolve into such a monster, it might be best if I try and wipe out all the sirens on this island.

『That also looks tasty, but it’s not what I meant.
Further off in the distance.』

…What about it looks tasty? It looks like it’s made of metal.
Even boiled or roasted, I doubt it could be eaten.

I squint and follow her line of sight.
Far away, in the distance… Something small is shining with white light.
I’m amazed she was able to spot it.
Squinting, I’m able to just barely make out the shape of a dragon.

C-could it possibly be a wandering dragon? Mother-san? No, nono, there’s no way that could be possible.
But it certainly seems to be a dragon on its way to visit this island.

I get the feeling it’s spotted me, so I stay in place and stare back.
As it gets closer, it becomes clear that there’s something on the white dragon’s back.
They’re humans.
There are two humans riding it.
One of them has a sword, and the other a staff.
Both are women.

A shock runs down my back.
N-no way, are they here to subjugate me?

So that as little of the fallout for the Tolman incident would fall on the Lithovars as possible, I intentionally made sure I was seen as I flew here.
The damage I’m responsible includes wiping out the reconnaissance team that was associated with the Hero, invading the country of Harenae, killing the Hero who was meant to be their countermeasure against the Demon Lord, and also getting close to one of the kingdom’s towns.
In addition there’s the demand for sacrifices from the Lithovars, and the killing of the noble, Tolman, and his private army.

There is plenty of reason for the humans to chase me, provided they have a way of defeating me.
I didn’t think they would come all the way to this distant island.
But if they can fly on a dragon it’s a different matter.
The fact that they didn’t come with more people… Is probably thanks to the ocean.

If they have hope to defeat me, then that dragon is probably B+ or A- rank.
If the two humans are Hero or Azalea-class, then they could pose quite the threat.

People of the same class as the Hero must receive some sort of special treatment among the humans.
If I can borrow Eldia’s power, I’m sure we could repel them easily.
There’s no doubt Eldia would readily agree to help.
But he would surely kill the humans.

Should I humanise to show a lack of hostility? No, if they attack without a chance to talk, it’d just create a huge opening.
But if I try and incapacitate them and then persuade them, there’s a chance Eldia will hear the commotion and come to interrupt.

The white dragon shortly enters the sky above the island.

AN: 【Activity Report】 I’ve released some frames from the manga adaptation (link: https://mypage.syosetu.com/mypageblog/view/userid/625518/blogkey/1839943/)!
The web serialisation begins next Thursday!