The Stigma
Surprisingly, the 'changes' that Elenoa and Isabella had undergone weren't limited to just the two of them.
—Uh, uh…?!
—My body…!!
Those who had survived the pilgrimage through the flames had also undergone quite a few transformations. The countless wounds and burns from traversing the flames had all been healed the moment they arrived in the cave.
Of course, their hair and skin colors had changed to something similar to Elenoa and Isabella's as well. But when some of them, mistaking it for a curse, tried to flee the cave right away—
—Gaaahhh…!!
The wounds that had vanished from their bodies reappeared, inflicting agony upon them once more.
The truth was clear from this.
"…It's a stigma."
"A stigma, Mom?"
"Yes, that's right. They betrayed Verinal to survive."
"I thought the Red Dragon did it to keep them from running away."
"I don't think so. We're fine even outside, aren't we?"
"…Yeah, you're right."
"Honestly, we never truly served Verinal. He never helped us even once."
Elenoa had no choice but to nod at her mother's words. She'd always begged for Verinal's aid, but he'd never once helped her. The god of life, who commanded not just elves but countless other followers, hadn't offered even a shred of hope.
That's why the mother and daughter had never truly believed in Verinal.
"…But they're different. They sincerely served Verinal. And yet, they turned their backs on the world tree—another of his 'children'—and betrayed it. Then they tried to crawl back outside?"
"So Verinal branded them with a stigma to keep them from ever showing their faces out there again."
"That's what I think."
In truth, most of those who came here had served Verinal inwardly while abandoning the world tree. It was that flimsy faith that now brought down the iron rod upon them.
In that sense, the two realized just how much fortune they'd grasped. If not for the Red Dragon's blessing. If not for his protection. They would have been the ones struck by Verinal's rod.
"That's why we must guard this place all the more firmly. We have to lead these foolish kin of ours and somehow earn the Red Dragon's favor. That's our duty, isn't it, Elenoa?"
"Yeah, I think you're right. And who knows—maybe the fact that we were elves will end up being a big help."
And so, the two led them in establishing a foothold inside the cave. Like building a new nation, a new home. With lighter, happier hearts than ever before. Diligently.
****
"O Red Dragon, I've come to report something."
[…]
I found it hard to shake off the annoyance as I listened to Elenoa. No, thinking about it, it wasn't just annoyance—it was extremely annoying.
They kept coming to report every little thing they did. I wished they'd just handle it themselves. My ears are always open, even when I'm asleep, so I can roughly grasp what's happening anyway.
But unfortunately, I couldn't do that. Ever since they underwent those 'changes,' I'd started feeling this inexplicable fondness for them. Like a cat or dog nuzzling up and acting cute. So even though I inwardly found it bothersome, I had no choice but to hear her out.
[What is it?]
"First, we've safely built residences for all our elves."
[Good. Congratulations. Is that all?]
"Of course not!"
[Then what else?]
"We're planning to create magical devices to keep uninvited guests out."
[…Oh?]
I perked up at the most welcome news I'd heard so far. Didn't that mean setting up traps at the dungeon entrance or something?
[What kind of devices?]
"When we lived in Yggdrasil, we deployed countless illusion and confusion spells around the area. They drastically reduced the number of intruders."
[You'll draw magic circles to deploy those?]
"Yes, exactly! On top of that, we're considering physical traps utilizing the cave's features. I came to ask if you'd permit it."
I was thoroughly satisfied with her words. It was a bit annoying, but this was the first step toward automated hunting. They were creating a structure that could drive off intruders without me even breathing on them or threatening them directly. How could I not be pleased?
[Approved.]
I granted permission immediately.
"Thank you! O Red Dragon."
Elenoa happily accepted my words and vanished from sight.
But a few days later, I realized once again that automated hunting wasn't so easy.
"…I-I'm truly sorry, O Red Dragon."
[What now?]
"It seems Verinal is playing tricks."
[…Verinal? Who's that again?]
The gods' pranks had begun.
****
I followed Elenoa's guidance to the heart of the cave. The village the elves had built was in the central section. They'd dug into the earth to build stone houses, using the excavated stone for countless structures. The barren space now filled with something gave me an oddly profound feeling.
And countless elves bowed their heads as they saw me. Faces stained with fear and terror. Seeing elves without the previous golden hair or vibrant skin really drove home how much I had changed them.
[…Get back to what you were doing. I'm just here to check something.]
I didn't like the atmosphere much. If they cowered like that, who would guard the entrance? I'd already committed to automated hunting, so I wanted this place to feel worth protecting to them.
But of course, they couldn't obey.
"Th-this is more comfortable for us, O Red Dragon."
Would soldiers relax just because the division commander visited and told them to be at ease?
[Fine, do as you please if that's comfortable.]
I roughly understood their psychology and, feeling there was no point arguing, followed Elenoa right away.
"O Red Dragon, this is the magic circle."
Where Elenoa stopped were a few human-sized boulders. Complex magic circles were etched into them. Having lived countless ages, even I could roughly discern their structure.
[Mist, illusions, and confusion. Quite a lot packed in.]
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with the magic circles. Precisely constructed without excess. Intricately made enough to understand how they'd protected Yggdrasil. I couldn't fathom what the problem was.
"Yes, that's right, O Red Dragon. It was drawn by a fairly skilled mage."
"…M-my humble kind greets the R-Red Dragon." The one who appeared next was Isabella and an elf woman I didn't remember. But judging by the mana dwelling within her, she was undoubtedly a mage of considerable skill.
[What's the problem?]
I cut straight to the point. Elenoa had mentioned 'Verinal's prank.' I'd heard on the way that he was the god who created the elves—what kind of prank had he pulled?
I wanted to know.
"W-well… Uh, I-I'll show you directly…."
And the moment the mage infused mana into the magic circle, I immediately understood what this 'prank' was.
A faint golden veil. So thin and intricate it couldn't belong to a mere mortal. Such a thing… enveloped the magic circle.
[Is this Verinal's prank?]
"Yes, O Red Dragon. Because of this, the defensive spells used in Yggdrasil won't activate."
What kind of petty god pulls something this childish? If he was bitter about me smashing it, why not come at me directly? Thinking about it, the elves' overall arrogance and selfishness must stem from this god's influence.
[More troublesome than expected. I overheard from afar—you two are the only ones who can go outside, aside from you mother and daughter?]
"Yes… That's true. When we need supplies from outside, we two go, or they endure the pain."
…Not pleasing at all. This Verinal couldn't manage his own kids, so he's bothering me, and now dumping the after-service on me too? Infuriating in every way.
[…What a nuisance you are, Verinal.]
So I decided to move just a little. I'd done nothing so far out of laziness and fatigue, but this was too much. More people who could go outside would make chasing off intruders far more efficient.
[Draw a space in that magic circle for a catalyst.]
"P-pardon…?"
—Crack.
With that, I plucked out one of my scales and handed it to the mage.
[This will activate the magic circle. Verinal's stigma is ultimately tied to your mana. With my scale as catalyst, there should be no issue.]
"Ah… U-um, understood…!"
She took my scale, drew an additional space in the magic circle while clutching it, and embedded the scale. Red light enveloped the circle.
—Ruuuuumble…!!
A subtle yet scorching energy spread from the magic circle, filling the space. Soon, a pitch-black mist that obscured all vision began to unfold.
"W-wow…!"
"S-so easily…! As expected of the Red Dragon…!!"
"I-it's… working…! W-we did it…!!"
Leaving the astonished group behind, I surveyed the area. Without spatial perception abilities or means to dispel magic, no one could easily enter. Seeing it in action was quite satisfying.
But this wasn't the end. We still needed people to come and go from outside.
[Elenoa, Isabella.]
"Y-yes…! O Red Dragon!"
"What is it?!"
Verinal's stigma wouldn't reach me. And as evident from Elenoa and Isabella, it was useless against those under my jurisdiction.
[Here. Spare scales. Give them to those with strong loyalty. They'll bypass the stigma.]
Just make them mine, plain and simple.
[You know what these scales signify. So… choose carefully whom to give them to.]
With that, I returned inside. Now I could finally sleep well.
—Tsk, damn thing.
…I thought I heard something faintly irritating, but whatever. Must be my imagination.
Anyway, I drifted back into sleep.