Moonflowers and Fractured Wings
Lehatna's lair was teeming with monsters.
Among them, there wasn't a single high-rank beast like Giryu—every last one was low-rank.
Lehatna herself, who had at some point cast Sokchwi's Art to shrink down to the size of the other low-rank monsters, was frolicking happily among them.
She didn't look SS-rank in the slightest.
I watched the scene for a moment before Giryu approached quietly.
[I apologize for the noise when you should be resting easy.]
[It's fine. I don't hate this kind of atmosphere.]
There was no way I could dislike the lively bustle that reminded me of Suli and the other kids.
[That's a relief, then. If you'd prefer somewhere quiet, just say the word. I'll guide you.]
I nodded slowly at Giryu's words when suddenly a pink slime bounced over.
Pong-pong—
The little guy, who'd hopped over with great effort, offered me a blue flower.
It gave off an oddly pure mana scent.
[...What's this?]
I eyed it curiously, and the slime bounced in place even more vigorously, pong-ponging away.
A low-rank monster too weak even for thought-speak.
Slimes were creatures of instinct over intellect by nature, but this one seemed a bit sharper than most, with a strong sense of self.
I carefully accepted the flower from the persistently bouncing slime.
Only then did it bounce away contentedly, seeming pleased.
[It's a moonflower.]
As I pondered the slime's intentions while gazing at the flower in my hand, Giryu, who had been watching silently, spoke up.
[Moonflower?]
[A common bloom around these parts. It holds remarkably pure mana, so everyone eats it as a meal substitute. It's quite sweet—give it a try.]
I nodded at Giryu's explanation, though I felt a bit dazed.
So this slime had brought it for me to eat?
I never imagined I'd live to receive food from a G-rank slime.
I glanced at the slime still pong-ponging in front of me and brought the flower to my mouth.
A mild sweetness filled my palate.
[It's not meat... but it's tasty....]
I nodded at the voice echoing in my mind—Rue's—while quietly marveling to myself.
As Giryu had said, the flower brimmed with dense mana.
A single small bloom, yet the purity of its mana brought a profound sense of satiety.
In terms of sheer efficiency, nothing could compare.
It felt strangely akin to sipping an elixir.
[There are a lot of these around here?]
[Indeed. They're quite abundant.]
[I like it.]
[Hm. It has healing properties too, but you don't seem to need them.]
[I'll grab some when I have time.]
[I'll guide you later.]
[Appreciate it.]
I thanked Giryu while lightly petting the pink slime still bouncing before me.
I'd never paid much attention to slimes before, but up close like this, they were surprisingly cute.
That soft, slightly cool texture felt nice.
Addictively so, one might say.
As I petted the pink slime for a bit, the other low-rank monsters began gathering around one by one.
Lehatna blended right in among them as if it were natural, and soon my surroundings grew noisy and lively.
It reminded me so much of Suli and the kids that I quietly enjoyed the vibe for a while.
By the time the raucous monsters began tiring and drifting off to sleep one by one, only Giryu and I remained awake.
As I carefully set down the pink slime curled in my coils and the other monsters on the ground, Giryu spoke.
[Care for a flight?]
I smirked at Giryu's clichéd yet oddly weighted line and nodded.
[No wings on this one.]
[...I'll lend you my back.]
Riding Giryu's back, we flew to a small floating island not far from Lehatna's lair.
The island was blanketed in blue flowers glowing ethereally under the moonlight bathing the entire place.
[All moonflowers.]
[I told you they bloom plentifully nearby.]
I nodded at Giryu's words and plucked a few blooming flowers, popping them into my mouth.
The sweetness spread through me once more.
Suli and the kids—not to mention Snow—would surely love this taste.
I definitely needed to stock up on my way back.
Along with the floating stones and ents, there were quite a few things to gather on the return trip.
[So, why drag me out here alone?]
Giryu hesitated with a 'hm' at my glance.
[I hardly know where to begin.]
[Didn't you say you couldn't tell outsiders anything?]
[I've changed my mind. Seeing how you treat the others, I trust you enough.]
[...So you'll tell me everything?]
[Yes. Truth be told, the young miss lacks power. I need your help, Nix.]
[...Fine. Let's hear it.]
I nodded once, and Giryu began his tale.
[You've probably guessed by now. The skies are currently divided into several factions.]
[Family feud?]
[It's shameful to admit to an outsider, but... yes. Broadly split into two, centered on the elder miss and the young master.]
[And Lehatna's faction?]
Giryu shook his head slowly.
[The young miss's side isn't strong. That's why they haven't purged the last of the Sperados either.]
[Trash or not, every bit of firepower counts, I suppose.]
Giryu nodded in agreement.
[So, I've weakened your precious forces, and in exchange, you want me to bolster them?]
[That's the conclusion, but not the only reason. As I said, I trust you enough to ask.]
[...What sparked this family squabble? What was the Dragon King doing while his kids fought?]
[...The Dragon King is no more.]
[......]
As I fell silent for a moment, Giryu continued.
[It all began with his death.]
[...Did he fail to name a proper heir before dying?]
[Quite the opposite. The Dragon King named his successor before passing.]
[Then why?]
[Because the one he chose was none other than young miss Lehatna.]
[......]
I was speechless once more at Giryu's words.
From everything I'd seen of Lehatna so far, she didn't look like a ruler in any sense.
More like a spoiled young lady, if anything.
[...Sounds like the other two siblings rebelled against the Dragon King's choice.]
[The young master rebelled hardest. Most who followed the Dragon King did too. They assumed the next would be the elder miss or young master.]
[...And you? Wait, never mind. Your presence here says it all....]
Giryu gave a wry smile and nodded.
[I serve the young miss to honor the Dragon King's final will, but also because I chose to myself.]
[...Why? Honestly, Lehatna doesn't strike me as Dragon King material.]
[Everyone says that. She's too gentle and affectionate to be next in line.]
[Knowing that, why follow her?]
[But that's precisely what the Dragon King and I valued. She can bring peace to the skies—something the other two can't.]
[......]
I fell quiet at Giryu's words.
Honestly, I couldn't fully empathize.
Lehatna, as I'd seen her, just didn't fit the Dragon King mold.
But I'd only known her a day; there could be hidden depths, qualities I hadn't witnessed.
[...So, how's Lehatna's faction holding up?]
[Not well. As you saw, we lack real powerhouses. I'm practically the only one.]
[...Dire straits. Impressive you've lasted this long.]
Giryu smiled bitterly at my furrowed brow.
[The elder miss and young master don't even see us as threats. Just trash they could crush anytime.]
[...Silver lining, then. No immediate invasion risk.]
Giryu nodded affirmatively.
I pondered as I watched him.
Truth be told, my heart had already leaned one way.
Toward helping Lehatna.
Not because I particularly liked her or Giryu.
There was some fondness, sure, but the decisive factor was the hordes of low-rank monsters filling her lair.
Seeing them reminded me of Suli and the kids—and suddenly, Arde came to mind.
Arde had always cared well for her subordinates, especially the low-ranks.
Not to Lehatna's excessive degree, but enough to catch that familiar scent.
Besides, helping her meant clashes with strong foes.
[So, Giryu—how many heavy hitters in the two factions?]
[Chiefly, the Dragon King's second and third wings. They follow the young master and elder miss, respectively.]
[How do they stack against you?]
[Though I'm first wing, they're no pushovers—fierce warriors. It wouldn't be easy.]
[High praise.]
[They're not weaklings to underestimate. Despite our split, lifelong comrades.]
[...Got it.]
I nodded calmly as Giryu continued.
[Beyond them, each faction has plenty of notables. The young master's group is especially formidable.]
[How so?]
[Minimum Sperado-level.]
I let out a quiet gasp at that.
I'd handled Sperado easily enough, but he was no slouch—an SA-rank, layer-boss caliber.
And there were plenty like that.
[Sounds fun.]
Giryu frowned slightly at my faint smile, eyeing me like some incomprehensible creature.
I shrugged off his gaze impassively.
I didn't need his understanding.
As long as I was satisfied.
[Is that the extent of their forces?]
[...No. Their true aces are the elder miss and young master themselves.]
[Hm. That level?]
[Worthy of the Dragon King's blood. Without the successor choice, one of them would have taken the throne. The elder miss is especially off-the-charts.]
[How much?]
[Hm. If your power against me was your limit, avoid fighting her.]
[That certain?]
[Absolutely.]
[......]
My pride smarted a bit at Giryu's assertion, but curiosity burned brighter.
If he was that emphatic, just how strong was this elder miss?
Not SSS-rank, surely—but beyond standard SS? Nearing SSS, perhaps.
[Really looking forward to it.]
[Just to confirm—you don't enjoy pain, do you? You're utterly mad.]
I ignored Giryu's frowning gaze.
As I said—no need for understanding.
My satisfaction was enough.
[The elder miss is an outlier, but the young master is no slouch either. True heir to the Dragon King's blood—and in temperament, the closest match. That's why so many powerhouses flock to him.]
[...Not one to underestimate, then.]
Giryu nodded gravely at my murmur.
The road ahead already looked grueling.
[...Time to head back.]
[No more questions?]
[Details can wait. More info would just give me a headache.]
[...Fair enough. Ask anytime. I'll explain what I can.]
I nodded at Giryu's words, and soon we returned to Lehatna's lair.
Part of me wondered if deciding to help her was rash, but I felt no regret.
Only faint anticipation.
There seemed to be plenty of intriguing opponents.
A night where tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.