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Chapter 149 — Part 1

The Three Celestial Dragon Emperors and the Three Dragon God Emperors are all beings with strength and spiritual power worthy of those possessing the strongest title, in the world where Dran was reincarnated.

It wasn’t just their fellow dragons, but even humans, sacred beasts, and evil demons are in awe of them and respect them as the existences who stand above all.

After all, in the face of those existences, any person would feel so nervous, their throat would dry up instantly. They are the highest ranking dragons that live in the Dragon World.

But, the one that the emperors have to meet face to face with this time is none other than Dragon himself, who is not just any ordinary dragon, but also a god known as the Ancient Celestial Dragon.

It’s an experience equivalent to pious followers getting to meet their revered god. While it would be normal for the Dragon Emperors to be the ones imposing nervousness upon their followers, this time they would be the ones compelled to feel nervous.

The one who was especially nervous was the youngest of the emperors, the Wind Dragon Emperor Fuka, whose normally calm demeanor had been thrown out somewhere.

Fuka usually settles down on a floating continent which migrates through various predetermined routes.

It is an impenetrable fortress which is home to not just wind dragons, but also bird-people, flying beasts and sacred birds as well. When the Celestial Beings once attacked long ago, they hadn’t allowed the invaders to take even a single step inside.

It is also the frontline of battle against the many flying demons that are always attacking from the other side of the clouds. They have fought for countless generations, with the Wind Dragon Emperor always at the center of battle, to protect the skies of this planet.

The current Wind Dragon Emperor, Fuka, is a girl in her mid-teens, if counting in human years. But if she ever felt like it, she could easily summon a wind from nothing, and use it to erase a star or two into dust. She possesses real power that lives up to her title as Wind Dragon Emperor.

That is the kind of person Fuka is, but lately, she’s been unable to remain calm, and the sound of her footsteps as she paces around nervously can be heard throughout the palace.

Fuka usually takes on the appearance of a young dragon-girl, which coupled with the sight of her restlessly moving around the palace, caused her retainers and court ladies to smile and watch over her with warm feelings in their hearts.

Then Fuka, who’d been walking without any rest until then, suddenly stopped and looked out the open window at the wide, blue sky.

Her hand unconsciously lifted to fiddle with her coral hair ornament, which Ryoukichi had given to her on the day of her inauguration as Wind Dragon Emperor. It was a habit she had for when she needed to relieve stress.

In the center of the floating continent — which Fuka and the other inhabitants call Amanohara — is the palace, and in the center of that is a tall tower. Fuka is currently standing at the top of that tower.

She gazed out at the scenery of the plains and rivers, the hills and lakes, and all the people who lived there with their farms and orchards, and then she let out an unbearably melancholic sigh.

She was used to breaking her own heart in her efforts as Wind Dragon Emperor to make sure her people can live peaceful lives, and she’s also used to fighting off the Sky Demons too; there shouldn’t be anything for her to be afraid of now, but meeting face-to-face with someone who ranks far, far above her — that is not something she is used to.

When meeting with the other Dragon Emperors, who are of equal ranking to her, she already gets quite nervous on the inside. But meeting with an existence so far above them that they can’t even be compared? The thought had never occurred to her.

「Ahh, I have to make sure I don’t do anything rude. But what should I do…?」

Two retainers behind her watched as a tiny sigh escaped her small lips for the umpteenth time that day.

There were also many other retainers waiting near the front door, and outside the room as well, but the only ones immediately next to Fuka were these two.

One of them was a man in his prime who could easily pass as her father, and he wore loose white clothing decorated with multicolored embroidery.

His yellow-green hair was brushed back smoothly, and his dark green eyes watched the restless Fuka. His name is Dragon King Zephaltos. Before Fuka was born, he served as a royal retainer and protected Amanohara.

The other one was the Dragon King Hijin. She is about a year older than Fuka, her dark green hair is tied back with a magic wind jewel, and she wore the same Eastern-style clothing as Fuka.

For both Zephaltos and Hijin, the fact that their lord would be meeting with the Ancient Celestial Dragon is an astounding thing, but it wouldn’t do if they also panic together with Fuka, so they made sure to keep their composure.

The timing isn’t bad at all. The seven ocean demon kings and the ocean demon gods were defeated by Ryoukichi and her people, causing their influence and power to greatly weaken.

Thanks to that, Ryoukichi has enough time to pay attention to things outside of the Dragon Palace now.

In addition to Conquester, Ryoukichi is one of the strongest among the Dragon Emperors, and now that she can move freely, the other emperors feel very reassured. On top of reassuring them mentally, she also added to their military power greatly.

「Lady Fuka, if you are in this much of a panic now, then you won’t be able to speak properly when you meet with Dragon」

Zelphaltos’ words are that of a retainer, but his sentiment is like that of a father soothing his daughter, as Fuka turned toward him.

Fuka will be the one to meet directly with Dragon, while Zephaltos, Hijin, and all the other dragons passed it up this time. Fuka does feel a little bitter about that.

「You are absolutely right, Zephaltos, but you should understand my feelings. It’s Lord Dragon, the one who is equal to a god for us, you know?

What kind of face should I make when I meet him? There isn’t a single person in Amanohara who knows the answer」

Fuka was at a complete loss as her shoulders drooped. Then Hijin quietly stepped closer, and embraced her in order to comfort her. There was no one there who wouldn’t think they were acting like close sisters.

「It isn’t good to worry too much. On the day of the event, Lady Ryoukichi and the White Dragon Emperor will be there with you. The two of them are acquainted with Lord Dragon, so if anything goes wrong, you can ask them for help」

Although those words lightened her mood a bit, Fuka responded slightly angrily, a behavior which she can show only to these two, her close friends.

「Don’t talk as if you’re assuming I’m going to mess up! Jeez, if that really happens, then what am I going to do? If I end up offending Lord Dragon, then I’ll lose my mind」

As fellow dragons, Zephaltos and Hijin could understand Fuka’s distress and nervousness, so they felt disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to meet directly with Dragon, but even though it might be a bit impolite, they also felt somewhat relieved at the same time.

When that weak point of theirs was pointed out by Fuka, Zephaltos and Hijin couldn’t quite find the words to reply.

「Hmm, that’s exactly correct. All I can say is that if you do happen to commit a blunder, I will offer my head and heart for atonement」

「Zephaltos, even if we offer our heads, it’s not necessarily true that Lord Dragon will be appeased.

From what I have heard, Lord Dragon has a very gentle temperament.

For better or worse, he might see all of us on this earth as just children. Instead, Lady Fuka, you might get better results if you challenge him by behaving indulgently and letting him dote on you.」

「So it’s easier to just go for that, than waste time worrying? It would be good if I could, but Lady Ryoukichi was acting as she always does, so maybe I am worrying too much…」

If Conquester, Ryoukichi, or the subject of her concern, Dragon a.k.a. Dran himself was there to hear Fuka’s mumble, then they would definitely agree with all their might.