Ariane smiled. “Thank you. In that case…”
Just as Ariane was about to stand up, Villiers Fim seemed to remember something. Actually, wait! While my actions, admittedly, have been somewhat careless, you are not all blameless, either. If you truly are sorry, well…
The Dragon Lord’s long, swooping tail twitched slightly, like that of a small, nervous animal. The sight was hardly cute, however.
Ariane frowned. “Villiers Fim, what would you like us to do to show our sincerity?”
Well, I… You see… Umm… Someone named Felfi Visrotte lives in your forest. Well, I believe so, at least. I would like you to request an audience on my behalf. The Dragon Lord’s front claws glowed as he brought them together slowly.
“Do you know this Felfi Visrotte, Ariane?” I asked.
Ariane hesitated, her gaze still fixed on the Dragon Lord. She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and responded in a low voice. “Felfi Visrotte is a Guardian Dragon who lives within the Columbia Mountains at the center of the Great Canada Forest.”
The name of the mountain range brought to mind the delightful scent of roasted Colombian coffee, but I had the feeling it probably referred to the Canadian Columbia Mountains, to go along with the “Canada” and “Maple” naming pattern.
I recalled Ariane mentioning Guardian Dragons before. Relatively few elves lived in the forest’s depths, but if powerful protectors like Villiers Fim lived with them, I could see how they kept the overwhelming number of humans at bay.
I took another look at our surroundings, awed by the sheer destruction. Humans wouldn’t stand a chance against a Dragon Lord. Not in the slightest.
“Do you think we can fulfill Villiers Fim’s request?” I asked.
Even as the daughter of the village elder, Ariane was still just a soldier. It seemed unlikely that she’d be able to make any promises.
“Kyi?”
For some reason, Ponta also seemed curious, and looked quizzically at Ariane.
Ariane put her hand to her chin. “I don’t know if I can secure an audience for you, but my elder sister Eevin knows the Dragon Lord personally. So, at the very least, I can say that your message will be heard. How is that?”
Despite his reptilian features, excitement was clear on Villiers Fim’s face. I would be greatly honored if you would serve as an intermediary. But when you speak with Felfi Visrotte, please don’t be too pushy about my wanting to meet. I’d hate to give a bad impression. Villiers Fim looked like an overstimulated puppy as he bounced up and down, completely different from the Dragon Lord who’d just turned the plain into a wasteland.
“Well, with that settled, we’ll be on our way to the Lord Crown.”
Ariane offered thanks to the Dragon Lord and turned her attention to the mountain.
I am usually in this area, so there’s no rush on the reply.
The Dragon Lord unfurled its wings and prepared to take off.
“Wait, Dragon Lord!” Chiyome said. “I have one question I would like to ask you! Will you spare me a moment of your time?”
Villiers Fim folded his wings and craned his neck to get a closer look at Chiyome.
Ah, the little one from Hanzo’s clan. What is it that you seek? I will answer, if I am able.
“Did you know Hanzo? If so, do you know where his hideout is?”
I looked toward the torii.
Aaah, that. He had already made his home here by the time I arrived. But you will find what you seek near the spring at the top of the mountain.
Chiyome bowed her head. “Thank you.”
Villiers Fim gave a warm nod before once again unfurling his wings and leaping into the air, soaring toward the Lord Crown.
“Well, it looks like you and I are heading to the same place, Chiyome.”
“It seems so. I never thought it would work out so easily.” Chiyome turned to me and smiled. “Now that we have the Dragon Lord’s permission, we should make our way to the peak.”
“Kyiii!” Ponta cried in excitement as it wagged its tail.
A short distance away, the gray torii stood stoically at the base of the mountain.
Ariane smiled at me, although there was no warmth in her expression. “That was a pretty awful thing you did back there, leaving us behind and acting all on your own, Arc.”
There was something rather intimidating about her smile, accented by the vein bulging in her forehead. I took a few steps back. I could practically see the angry aura rising from behind her and closing in on me. I dropped to my knees and bowed my head.
“I-I’m really sorry, Ariane. I saw this structure, and just kind of got…caught up in the moment.”
There was really no good way to explain myself. Sure, I might have gotten overly excited at the sight of the torii. Nevertheless, I had to acknowledge that running off on my own, in a place I knew nothing about, was dangerous. If this had been a movie, I would almost certainly be dead.
Ariane shrugged her shoulders, looking down at me with exasperation. “You’re usually pretty coolheaded, Arc. I swear, though, sometimes you act just like a child.” She sighed.
At least it seemed as though Ariane was willing to let this go. In that way, she took after her mother, Glenys. Still, when she got angry, the look in her eyes was terrifying.
Chiyome butted in, cheeks flushed. “I admit, what you did back there was impressive, Arc. I’m amazed you could stand up to the Dragon Lord like that.” She looked at me with pure admiration.
“Ah, um, yes,” I mumbled, feeling embarrassed under her gaze. “Well, I was pretty much fighting at my limit.”
I wasn’t being modest, either. I’d barely held my own against the Dragon Lord. Not to brag or anything, but most of the skills at my disposal were on the level of weapons in an international arms race. So, the sight of me going toe-to-toe with someone even more powerful must have been nothing short of unbelievable.
“The Dragon Lord whom Villiers Fim mentioned, Ariane…is he equally powerful?”
Ariane scrunched her face into a frown. “I’ve heard that Felfi Visrotte is one of the strongest Dragon Lords, if not the strongest. But I think Villiers Fim might have another reason for wanting an audience.”
“Oh? Do you think he’s scheming something?”
Judging by how happy the Dragon Lord looked earlier, I had a hard time imagining that he was planning anything underhanded.
Ariane shook her head. “Felfi Visrotte… Well, you see, Felfi Visrotte is female.”