Chapter 68

After taking it easy for a while in the Dragon Empire, we decided to head for the Spirits’ habitat.

This was where we would part ways with Grandfather and the others, and to be honest, a part of me wanted to linger a bit longer.

But I was the one who said I’d put them in my debt, so there was no helping it.

Besides, I couldn’t exactly give the cold shoulder to a request from the Spirit King.

The spirits lived in the forest on the southern side of the Great Forest.

Elves who worshipped the spirits lived there as well.

Like Dwarves, Elves were a long-lived race and were few in number. Most held considerable power through contracts with Spirits, but for some reason, they were famously beautiful, making them frequent targets for criminal slave traders.

Apparently, there was no shortage of people willing to buy them—men for their combat prowess and women as “playthings.”

That being said, since Elves were accepted as demi-humans, international law—to put it simply, the rule that basically only those drowning in debt or who have committed crimes can be enslaved—prohibited the buying and selling of any other humans or demi-humans…

But that just meant there were idiots everywhere who would ignore the rules for profit.

Ah, what a pain.

“It’s not ‘a pain.’ You’re the one who said you’d put them in your debt.”

Ril scolded me.

Seriously, stop reading my inner thoughts through Telepathy.

“Papa, you can’t. You can’t break a promise.”

“Our opponent is the Spirit King, after all.”

“I wonder what would happen if you reneged on the deal…”

“I get it, I get it. I’m going, and I’ll help as much as I can.”

Good grief, it’s not like I was actually planning to break the promise or anything.

“Well then, Dragon Emperor, Grandfather. I’m off.”

“Take care of Ouka.”

『Ryu. Your opponents are humans. Do not go overboard.』

“Got it.”

That’s right, the enemies this time were humans.

Which meant there was a high probability I’d end up killing my own kind.

“Well, as long as we watch out for traps, we’ll be fine, right?”

“As for me, I’d say watch out for the Hero.”

…Man, Thea really is hated.

Well, I guess it’s impossible to feel good about someone who comes to kill you without listening to a word you say.

“Should I hear the details directly from the Spirit King?”

“No, go to the Elf village first. The Elf Elder will speak with you as a proxy for the Spirit King.”

I guess they don’t want to let me into the Spirits’ actual home yet.

“Understood. How far do we have to walk south to reach the Elf village?”

“About an hour on human feet, but it shouldn’t take your group long at all.”

Well, we were a Fenrir, a Garuda, and dragons.

Forget an hour—it probably wouldn’t even take thirty minutes.

“Well then, thank you all for everything!”

“Come visit my pack next time.”

“You should come to my village as well.”

“Help us out if the Hero shows up.”

Yeah, everything except that last one was fine.

I said my goodbyes to each of the Elders.

“Ryu, get along well with Ouka. If you take a liking to her, you may even take her as your bride.”

“Draig, as a father, shouldn’t you be saying something like, ‘I won’t give you my daughter yet!!’?”

“But Ryu has become quite the powerhouse himself. There shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Oh, honestly. Lord Ryu, I also ask that you look after Ouka.”

“Yes. I’ll take responsibility and protect her. Also, Tiamat, please say a word to them too.”

““They’ll be fine anyway, won’t they?””

“You two…”

I’ll protect these two now that they’ve become my Soul Familiars.

So Tiamat, please let go of them. They’re both turning blue in the face.

“Grandfather, do you have anything?”

“It is not so much from me, but it seems my son-in-law has a word for you.”

From the Pack Leader?

I wonder what it is.

“Ah… Ryu. You… you’ve grown strong…”

“Uh, yes.”

What is this atmosphere? It’s kind of awkward.

Grandfather was prodding the Pack Leader, trying to get him to say something else.

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen well. …I also acknowledge Ryu as my daughter’s husband.”

“…Eh?”

“…Father.”

“I saw that you gained the strength to back it up in that battle and the duel. Therefore, I acknowledge you. That is all.”

His attitude was blunt, but he’d accepted me.

Nothing could make me happier.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll definitely make her happy.”

He didn’t say anything back, but I had to say that much.

I had to treasure Ril and make her happy.

“Lord Ryu, it is about time we departed.”

“Ah, wait just a second.”

I said that and handed a package to both Grandfather and the Pack Leader.

“Give these to Grandmother and Madam.”

“What are these?”

“Gifts as a token of family appreciation. Since I can’t go back myself, please give them to them for me.”

“What’s inside?”

“Scarves in different colors. Light blue for Grandmother, and yellowish-green for Madam.”

I handed over the presents I’d prepared a while back.

“Understood. I shall deliver them.”

Then there was nothing left to do.

“Well then, we’re off!”

“We’re off!”

“We’re going now!”

“We’re heading out!”

“We are departing.”

And so, our group—now grown to five—set off for the Elf village.