Chapter 42

Past the gate lay a simple road, but further ahead, a town came into view.

“That over there is the Dragon Empire’s castle tooown~.”

Surprisingly, it looked a lot like a human town.

“It’s not all that different from a human settlement, is it?”

“It can’t be helpeeed~. We have to stay in human form most of the time, and there are far more Draconewts than there are actual dragons~. Naturally, the size of the houses ends up being about the same as a humaaan’s~.”

“Huh. Then how many actual dragons live here? Just a rough estimate is fine.”

“Hmm… I’d say about thirty perceeent~?”

Thirty percent. That sounded like a lot to me, but was it considered low or high for a place like this?

“You should ask the Dragon Emperor for the detailssss~. I’m not usually around here myseeelf~.”

Well then, I guess I’d ask the Dragon Emperor for the specifics. After that, we just walked in silence. There really wasn’t much to see on this particular stretch of road.

After walking for a bit, we entered the town proper. There were all sorts of people there. Some had the heads of lizards; others had human heads but sported horns and tails; and some were in complete human form through transformation.

“Most of these people are Draconewts…?”

“That’s riiiight~. Most Draconewts are descended from a half-dragon, half-human bloodline, but there are also some who evolved into Draconewts from Lizardmeeeen~.”

I see. So those lizards can eventually evolve into Draconewts.

“It’s certainly lively. It doesn’t look like a place facing an imminent threat at all.”

“It can’t be helpeeed~. Everyone believes the Dragon Emperor will handle everything, so they don’t really feel a sense of crisisss~.”

To put it in a positive light, they just had that much faith in the Dragon Emperor’s power.

“Still, it feels like there’s a bit too little tension in the air.”

“Ha ha haaa~, the Evil Dragon is about to be resurrected, so it would be nice if they were a little more concerneeed~.”

Mr. Orm gave a wry smile at Grandfather’s remark.

“By the way, what are we actually doing at that castle? Is it going to be some kind of summit?”

“Nope, it’s just a formal introductiooon~. They said the strategy meeting won’t start until all the reinforcements have arriveeed~.”

Wait, until everyone is here? Do we really have that much time to spare?

“Looook~, we’re almost at the castleee~.”

Sure enough, a massive castle stood almost directly in front of us.

“Mr. Orm, I’m not going to run into more trouble here just because I’m human, am I?”

“It’ll be fineee~. That’s only the gatekeepers on the outsideee~. The ones at the inner gate are elites, so they probably won’t do anything like thaaat~.”

Probably. He said probably. Are humans really considered that weak?

“In the kid’s case, it’s even worse. His profession is ‘Tamer,’ after all.”

“That is likely the case. To them, strong humans have always been those specialized for combat, like warriors or mages. It can’t be helped.”

Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m well aware that I’m a total outlier.

I mean, most Tamers don’t go to the front lines themselves, right? But here I am, fighting my own battles. I don’t want to treat my familiars like disposable pawns; if we’re going to do this, we do it together…

“Ryu, you’re very kiiind~.”

“Huh? Kind?”

“Isn’t that riiight~? I don’t think an unkind person would worry about the well-being of those around them like you dooo~.”

“Isn’t that just normal? They’re my friends and family. Besides, Ril and the others are my wives. It’s only natural for a husband to care, isn’t it?”

Mr. Orm looked genuinely happy to hear that.

“Ryu, you really are interestiiing~. I can see why the Fenrirs took a liking to you. That way of thinking is something you just don’t find among humaaans~. Perhaps you might even become the hope for us monstersss~.”

Me, the hope of monsters? That felt like a conversation on a massive scale. Wait, did he mean…?

“Mr. Orm, are you telling me I should become a Demon King or something?”

“Aha ha haa~, in a way, it might be something close to thaaat~.”

Mr. Orm laughed playfully.

“Wait! If a weakling like this kid becomes a Demon King, it’ll reflect poorly on our own status!?”

“Indeed. Unless he reaches a level comparable to myself or the Dragon Emperor, the others surely won’t accept it.”

“Hey, hold on! I never said I wanted to be a Demon King!?”

“But weren’t you the one who brought up the Demon King, Ryuuuu~?”

“Well, yeah, but still!!”

Behind me, I could hear the Fenrirs whispering among themselves. “Ryu as a Demon King, huh…” “That could be interesting.” “I wonder if we’d get to eat even better food then.”

Seriously, I’m not aiming for that!

“Well, all of that will have to wait until after this war is oveeer~.”

A hint of tension finally entered Mr. Orm’s voice.

“Alright everyone, let’s go greet the Dragon Emperooor~.”

The castle of the Dragon Empire loomed before us, waiting.