So what's going on here, after all?　The old bones of the old dragons have disappeared somewhat, haven't they?　The young dragons I know are dwindling in number.

　While flying behind Laudanus, Reffi asks the old dragon, "What do you think?

Hmm. There are now only about 70% of the dragons from before. A while ago a red-haired demon appeared in our village. and said, 'Will you join us in changing the way the world works? It was so obvious that we were relying on the power of the dragon that the previous Dragon King and I rejected his invitation and snickered. ......

　The red-haired demon tribe ...... remembers, there are .

　We fought several times over the demon chieftain Gojim.
　He was a redhead.

"...... I see. So that's what instigated the fool.

　At Leffy's words, but Rodanas shook his head from side to side.

"No, I don't think that's the right word. At least I've sensed a real desire to make a real difference in this world. I'm sure it was a foolish offer, but it was something he believed in.

　Change, huh?
　After all, I don't know what they wanted when they started their movement, what they wanted when they started fighting in the magical world.

　...... Well, the day will come when I will know that.
　The demon tribe's dark work is not over. Nell has informed us that the conflict is still going on in the demon world, and meddling with the humans is increasing ・・・・・.

　Then the day will come when we'll face them again.
　Let's wait for that moment.

So the young people who are unhappy with the state of their village will be inspired by the demon tribe's words. Particularly the most powerful of them all, Gyugauga, seemed to be strongly influenced by his words, saying that a dragon with great power should rule the world, and that the people of the outside world should be shown the power of the dragon.

　The name of that d*mn dragon I killed before.
　So he was still one of the strongest young dragons?

　I'm sure there are some dragons in this dragon village that are weaker, equal or slightly stronger than me as far as analysis skills are concerned ...... but more than half of them are still better than me.

　It's a good thing that you're not that strong yet, but it's a young dragon.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. We thought it would settle down after a few decades, but ...... the fool was a lot more ambitious than we thought. One night, Giuoger stepped into the forbidden area that was off limits to everyone except the dragon king and the village leaders.

　As if remembering that time, Rhodanas continued with a look of regret.

I do not know what happened then. The next thing you know, Gyugurga, who went under the Dragon King, has become the new Dragon King and the bloody previous Dragon King has fallen inside. ...... Perhaps they killed him by surprise. I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.

Why did you let him get away with it if you knew what he was doing?

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. I thought about going after him, but if I killed another Gyugurtian here ...... there was a possibility of a conflict that would divide the village. You will be able to find out the best way to get the most out of it.

　...... A battle of the dragons?
　That's terrible.

But we must not be foolish enough to kill each other. That would be the end of our race. I hate to say this, but I would rather let someone else die than have that happen. I'm sorry that I caused you guys so much trouble.

　At Rhodanas's words, Reffi looked as if she was considering what was going on and then opened her mouth.

The old bones of the old dragons don't like trouble and the young people don't like you.

"Hmm . A dragon's life is long. Young and old can do and spend their time as they please. That's what it means to live. Some will adapt to the outside world and change for the better, just like you. But where shall we live if this place is ruined then?

"...... home?

　Glancing at you, Reffi looks at me.

　You might be able to find out what he was thinking by looking at me now .......
　Now, I'm probably thinking the same thing, and so is Leffi.

...... This is getting a little sentimental. Here we are.

　As we were talking, it seems we arrived at our destination before we knew it.
　Before we knew it, there in front of us was a large open mouth cave.

　A staircase between the valleys led to this cave, although we didn't use it because we were flying along.

It's a forbidden area or ...... that I miss. Yuki, it's a little slippery inside. Be careful.

"Oh, oh, okay,

　The two of them entered with a familiarity, and I followed them inside ...... and soon the interior was revealed.

　--It was a huge shrine.

　A thick rope like a shimenawa is stretched across the rugged pillars, which seem to have been formed naturally from the rocks of the cave.
　The center of the building is elevated, and there is a main temple-like structure that exists there.

　No sunlight reaches the building, but it's not that dark inside.
　As if by magic, some balls of faint light float inside and hazily illuminate the surroundings.

　It's a sacred place where the word "divine abode" comes to mind. ...... However, there is nothing inside the main hall at the back center.

　There is only a huge, empty floor that is adjusted to the size of the dragon's body.

New Dragon King. This is the forbidden area. It's been the dwelling place for the Dragon King since long ago. From now on, the place is yours alone. But there's almost nothing here!



Hmm, this is a place for vain a**h*les who want to look good. Yuki, this is not to your liking.

　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

I'm going to ask the old dragon, "So, what's your dragon history?

"It's further down the line. This one.

　Rhodanas turned his head to the innermost part of the main hall.

　I thought it was an empty space, but once inside, I noticed a large, old stone in the spot that Rhodanas had indicated -- a stone monument.

　--It is a stone monument.

　It's about twice as tall as I am, and it's lined from above with letters and what looks like a name.

This is ......

"Hmm. . is the history of dragons, inscribed with the names of successive dragon-wings.

　--These are the names of all the Dragon Kings?

　There must be about a hundred or so in all.
　They're written in dragon tribe characters or something that looks like ideograms.

...... Is this the first Dragon King or how old is that dragon?

"The previous generation you defeated and the previous generation were replaced early, but the Dragon King is replaced in about 4,000 to 5,000 years. Therefore, probably the oldest Dragon King - the original Dragon King (・・・・・), which is about 600,000 years old.

　...... Awesome.

　I'm sure the human species hadn't even started farming back then.

　...... or maybe it's too late now, but I wonder if the dragon tribe has lived for a thousand years or so and Lephi is still a young man.
　The scale is so big that I don't know what to feel about it: .......

"Leffy, are you the youngest of the dragons?

"Hm?　I'm relatively young. The ancient dragons are not dragons that have lived since ancient times, but dragons as powerful as the powerful dragons that lived in ancient times. I have been an ancient dragon since I was born.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in the same boat as you. ...... When describing the village grandma and grandpa, Reffi says "old bones of the old dragon" instead of "old dragon".
　I'm sure you're not the only one who has seen this.

The name of the new dragon king is here. The names of all dragons are to be engraved here. Your name will be engraved here too.

"Well, how do you do that?　Do you carve normally?

　I don't think I'm going to be very good at that.

"No, no, you don't have to carve it. That stone is a magic tool for record purposes. Only the Dragon King can handle it. If you pour your magic power into it, it will read your status and carve your name on it.

　So a magic tool is a grimoire.
　Okay, so it's that simple.

　I touch the bottom of the row of names, in the margin.

　...... here to carve my name.

　I'm a little nervous because of the long, long years that can be felt from the monument, and I build up my magic power - and immediately the monument reacts and my name is engraved as if it were wriggling.

Yuki-Mao.

　...... Hey, what's that, the Demon King looks like a family name: .......