Chapter 135: Award Ceremony and the Truth Revealed
◆ Spectators ◆
“Now then, the award ceremony for the Dragon Emperor Rite and Dragon Princess Rite will begin!”
As the Mayor stood in the center of the arena stage and raised his voice, the award ceremony began.
Not just me, but everyone else was fidgeting, wanting the Mayor’s long-winded speech to end quickly.
What we came to see is after this award ceremony.
We were convinced.
Something amazing would definitely happen at this tournament’s award ceremony.
A once-in-a-lifetime major incident where the legendary King heard in old tales would resurrect in this country.
“Winners, Contestant Tyran, and Contestant Liliera, step forward!”
Here it comes!
The Mayor’s long speech finally ended, and we turned our faces to the passage where contestants came out for every match.
As if teasing our expectations, footsteps can be heard from the back of the passage.
“Huh?”
However, we tilted our heads at the figure seen there.
“Only Lady Dragon Princess?”
Yes, only Lady Dragon Princess appeared on the stage; His Majesty the Dragon Emperor‘s figure was nowhere to be seen.
We were confused not seeing His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, the main character of the award ceremony.
“Hu-Huh? Where is Contestant Tyran…?”
The Mayor and others also seem shaken by the absence of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.
Wondering what happened to His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, it was at that moment.
Suddenly, the surroundings darkened.
I thought clouds covered us, but it wasn’t that.
Because countless flapping sounds were heard from the sky.
Looking up at the sky, a flock of giant wings was covering the sky.
“Th-That is… !?”
We know. That terrifying figure.
There is no one living in this Dragonia who doesn’t know that figure.
“D-DRAAAAAAGOOOOOOONS!!”
Yes, what covered the sky was a countless flock of dragons.
“Uwaaaaaaa! We’re gonna get eateeeeen!”
“Hii, hieeeee!?”
It’s incomparably worse than when the dragon leading wyverns attacked before.
The entire sky was dragons.
Green, blue, red, black; dragons of so many colors it made eyes flicker.
I’ve seen blue dragons along the highway, but I’ve never heard of black or jewel-colored shining dragons coming to human settlements!
Just one of those could destroy the town 100 times!?
“GROOOOOOOOOON!!”
The dragons roar as if singing.
“Hii!?”
“R-Run!”
“Noooo! Help meee!”
Not just the venue, screams rose from all over the town hearing the dragons’ roars.
But where should we run in this situation?
No matter how desperately we run, if chased by those wings, we’d be caught in an instant.
And who will save us?
The opponent is dragons, you know? Opponents where even the country’s entire Knight Order might defeat one if they challenge all together, you know?
Amidst such a swarm of monsters, we could only cower in fear and collapse.
SIIIILEEEEEEENCE!!
It was at that moment. A muffled voice echoed throughout the town.
Drowning out even the dragons’ roars and the screams in the town.
“OOOOOOON!!”
Then the dragons flying disjointedly until now suddenly changed to orderly movements.
Like a Knight Order marching following a King.
“H-Hey, what is that!?”
When someone pointed at the sky, two lights descended from right above the match venue.
Shining receiving sunlight, they flapped gold and silver wings.
“Th-That is…”
We realize.
The dragons dancing in the sky opened a path to welcome those two pairs of wings.
“Golden Dragon and Silver Dragon…”
“GUOOOOOOOOOON!!”
As if saying the murmur someone leaked was correct, the two dragons roared.
Honestly speaking, I’m terrified and want to run away.
But my body couldn’t move due to excessive fear.
Not just me, everyone here instinctively feared the figures of the legendary dragons.
Even if that is the same existence that saved us before…
And the Golden Dragon and Silver Dragon descended quietly onto the arena stage.
“Hii!? H-Hahi…”
The Mayor, who was late to run, ended up sandwiched exactly between the two dragons.
And someone descends from the dragon’s back.
Seeing that figure, we shudder.
“It’s Tyran…”
“It’s His Majesty the Dragon Emperor…”
Yes, appearing there was the person we had been waiting for, Tyran, aka His Majesty the Dragon Emperor* himself.
“HIS MAJESTY THE DRAGON EMPEROOOOOOOOR!!”
◆
Ah- that was dangerous.
I never thought dragons appearing in town would cause such a huge uproar.
In my previous and the one before that lives, even if a flock of dragons crossed over a town, it was like a flock of migratory birds crossing, like “Ah- they’re flying-“.
Maybe it’s that? Because the Dragon Material Protection Law was enacted, people familiar with dragons decreased.
Anyway, since the town fell into a huge uproar, I hurriedly asked the Golden Dragon to quiet the dragons.
And although a bit earlier than planned, I descended onto the arena stage as Tyran.
To convey future matters as the Dragon Emperor everyone believes in.
When I get off the Golden Dragon, the townspeople’s expressions change to relief.
Yeah, by showing the figure of the Dragon Emperor riding the Golden Dragon, everyone seems to have understood the dragons aren’t enemies.
“HIS MAJESTY THE DRAGON EMPEROOOOOR!!”
I’m not used to this Dragon Emperor call, though.
And from the Silver Dragon, Ryune also descends.
“Eh? Why is a human who isn’t Lady Dragon Princess descending from the Silver Dragon?”
There, the people in the venue tilt their heads at Ryune descending from the Silver Dragon.
“If I recall correctly, that girl is… right, Contestant Ryune who fought Lady Dragon Princess in the finals!”
“Right, it’s Contestant Ryune!”
“But why Contestant Ryune?”
Apparently, everyone thought the one commanding the Silver Dragon was Liliera.
But this is exactly the strategy to have Ryune, who lost in the Dragon Princess Rite final match, recognized as the Dragon Princess successor.
Silence, everyone!
I address everyone in the venue pretending to be the Dragon Emperor.
I have come as I have things to convey to everyone this time.
“His Majesty the Dragon Emperor to us…?”
“What on earth…?”
“I shall speak from here on.”
Saying so, the one who stepped forward was Ryune.
From here on, the Dragon Emperor won’t stand out and will yield the main role to Ryune.
“My name is Ryune Raizel Voa Dragonia… a descendant of the Dragonia royal family.”
“……E-EHHHHHHHHHHH!?”
Hearing the shocking confession, everyone in town is surprised.
Yeah, since I cast the Loudspeaker Magic that echoed voices throughout the town earlier on Ryune too, this conversation is echoing throughout the town.
It saves trouble to explain all at once.
“Co-Contestant Ryune is royalty!? Seriously!?”
“But thinking that way, the reason Contestant Ryune appeared riding the Silver Dragon makes sense.”
“Everyone must be surprised. But this is the truth. I am a descendant of the royalty chased out of the country hundreds of years ago…”
Saying so, Ryune began to tell the townspeople the events that happened to her ancestor, just as she told us before.
“–Thus, my ancestor, whose country was hijacked by the Ministers, went into the wild to become a Dragon Knight and defeat dragons to regain the throne and turn their words against them.”
“……”
The townspeople seem confused about how to react to Ryune‘s shocking confession.
In Dragonia, the story that after the Dragon Emperor died in war, the Ministers declared they would run the country as proxies until the Dragon Emperor returned someday seems to be known to everyone as an old tale, so they must be even more surprised.
“The Ministers did not rebuild the country weakened by losing the Dragon Emperor Knight Order. Even though it was the symbol of the greatest military power Dragonia could show to other countries at that time!”
Yeah, thinking normally, not rebuilding the domestic strongest war potential is unthinkable.
“Rebuilding the Dragon Emperor Knight Order would create a contradictory existence: knights serving the royal family, in other words, a Knight Order serving a perished royal family. However, that alone isn’t a reason to hesitate rebuilding war potential. Because the war potential of Dragon Knights who defeat dragons and dance in the sky with dragons is extremely powerful.”
Even in my previous life, Dragon Knights were useful as existences with powerful combat power, and above all, being able to make the wild threat of dragons allies has the merit of reducing the number of enemies and increasing allies even thinking simply.
So there’s no option not to do it.
“What the Ministers saw as a problem was that we royalty were alive. If the Dragon Emperor Knight Order were rebuilt, one of the Knight Order’s missions would be to search for the surviving royalty they should serve. However, if the Knight Order knew the existence of us surviving royalty there and contacted us, the barbarity the Ministers’ ancestors committed against the surviving royalty in the past would be revealed.”
That’s right, if royalty is found, their rebellion would be exposed, so there’s no way the Ministers could rebuild the Dragon Emperor Knight Order.
Well, it seems that was also a choice they could make because other countries were also exhausted from the war with Demons at that time.
“My god, we were getting carried away that His Majesty the Dragon Emperor returned without knowing such things…”
“Without knowing Contestant Ryune‘s, no Lady Ryune‘s feelings, we…”
It’s impossible to tell everyone who are commoners to know Ryune‘s feelings.
But everyone who watched the matches knows that Ryune fought desperately with that small body.
No one is unmoved by the shocking truth revealed by the beautiful princess robbed of her throne… apparently.
Yeah, this exposure drama was Meguri and the others’ idea.
To get allies by buying everyone’s sympathy.
“But there is no need for everyone to feel guilty. Everything is caused by the barbarity of the anti-Dragon Emperor faction, the Ministers!”
“Lady Ryune…!?”
“Is Lady Ryune saying she forgives us who lived carefree without knowing anything…!?”
“How kind…”
Told not to blame themselves, the townspeople are moved by Ryune‘s kindness.
This part was Norb‘s idea.
Saying forgiving kindness is also important.
“Please rest assured everyone. The Ministers who had already privatized the country have been captured by His Majesty the Dragon Emperor‘s retainers.”
“Th-The Ministers!?”
“Seriously!? Since when!?”
“His Majesty the Dragon Emperor is amazing!”
No, you don’t have to praise me there.
“And I demonstrated power! I subdued the Silver Dragon and formally became a Dragon Knight!”
“GROOOOOOOOON!!”
When Ryune raises her spear, the Silver Dragon waiting behind roars.
This is a performance to convey that the Silver Dragon follows Ryune.
I had trouble getting the Silver Dragon to understand, though.
“I hereby declare that I will succeed the throne, rebuild the strongest Dragon Emperor Knight Order, and revive the true Dragonia!”
“U-UOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
Voices of excitement rise from all over the town at Ryune‘s declaration of succession to the throne.
Ryune, a descendant of the legendary Dragon Emperor, subdued the Silver Dragon, ascends the throne, and the Dragon Emperor Knight Order resurrects.
Everyone is extremely excited at the scene as if a legend became reality.
“His Majesty the Dragon Emperor!”
“Lady Ryune! Uoooh! Lady Dragon Princess really existed!”
“Lady Dragon Princess!”
“This country’s legend was real!”
Everyone raises voices praising the Dragon Emperor and Ryune variously while excited.
“Huh? But if Lady Ryune succeeds the throne, what happens to His Majesty the Dragon Emperor?”
There, someone suddenly muttered such a thing while tilting their head.
“Ah, now that you mention it…”
That question transmitted to everyone, and they turned their gazes to me wondering what I’d do.
Yes, this is our strategy.
I have a mission I must accomplish. Therefore, I leave politics to the Dragon Princess!
“His Majesty the Dragon Emperor‘s mission!?”
“What kind of mission is it that His Majesty the Dragon Emperor leaves the throne!?”
Everyone stares at me wondering what mission is enough to abandon the throne.
…Well, there is no such mission though!
By saying this, I create a reason why I, who am not the real Dragon Emperor, don’t have to take the throne, and a double advantage of creating backing for Ryune to take the throne with the Dragon Emperor‘s endorsement.
Furthermore, by the Dragon Emperor recognizing Ryune as the Dragon Princess, Liliera‘s Dragon Princess suspicion is also resolved!
I have conveyed what should be conveyed. It is time for me to go!
If I stay here any longer, I might say something unnecessary, so I decide to disappear quickly.
When I jump largely into the sky, the Golden Dragon flies up and puts me on its back.
So dutiful even though I didn’t instruct that much.
Farewell!
Saying so, we flew towards Dragon Peak.
Phew, with this, all troublesome matters are over.
…Hmm-, feel like I’m forgetting something though.
◆ Meguri ◆
“Hi-His Majesty the Dragon Emperor flew away…”
The spectators were dumbfoundedly seeing off Rex flying away with the Golden Dragon.
“H-Hey, what happens now? His Majesty the Dragon Emperor flew away, and Lady Dragon Princess wasn’t the Dragon Princess…”
“H-How should I know… but, really what will they do?”
It wasn’t just the spectators who were confused, but also the Mayor and management proceeding with the closing ceremony.
“Umm… since the winner, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, flew away… umm, what shall we do, Lady Dragon Princess?”
The utterly perplexed Mayor clings to Ryune asking what to do.
Or rather, I think management throwing it all is questionable.
“Right. Then for the Dragon Princess Rite, please award the Drag… no, Contestant Liliera.”
“Eh? Is that alright?”
The Mayor is confused whether it’s okay to award Liliera even though Ryune, the Dragon Princess, is here.
“I don’t mind. It is strictly a ritual, after all.”
“Th-Thank you, Lady Dragon Princess. Th-Then, we will perform the commendation for the winner, Contestant Liliera. Contestant Liliera, forward!”
Thus, Liliera‘s commendation ended, and consultation resumed on what to do with the Dragon Emperor Rite commendation.
“What shall we do, Lady Dragon Princess?”
“Let me see… That’s it! How about moving up the runner-up Contestant Norb and awarding him?”
“Ooh, that is a good idea!”
“!!”
Sensing danger to himself, Norb ran outside at full speed.
Quite a good reaction. As expected of Norb being trained by Rex.
“Ah, Norb ran away.”
“Using even Body Enhancement Magic, he really hates it.”
“Contestant Nooob? Contestant Norb, are you theeere?”
In the end, since the escaped Norb wasn’t found, it was decided Ryune would be awarded as proxy.
“Then, I will award Lady Dragon Princess as proxy for His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.”
“Yes, I am honored to be His Majesty the Dragon Emperor‘s proxy.”
“UOOOOOOOO! Lady Dragon Princess!”
“Long live His Majesty the Dragon Emperor!”
Somehow the award ceremony ended safely, and everyone in the venue cheered.
The long matches are finally over with this…
“Umm, by the way, there is one more problem.”
“Eh?”
Just when I thought it was all over, the Mayor muttered.
“Eh? Was there something?”
“Who knows?”
Townspeople also tilt their heads wondering if there was something.
“I think everything is over, what problem is there?”
When Ryune asks tilting her head, the Mayor answers apologetically.
“Umm well, the Dragon Princess Rite was originally a tournament to choose the Lady Dragon Princess role for the ritual held in town. And the Dragon Emperor Rite was also held for the same reason… but, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor flew away just now. The Lady Dragon Princess role is fine since Contestant Liliera is here, but what shall we do about the His Majesty the Dragon Emperor role?”
“……Ah.”
At that moment, everyone in the venue remembered.
The true reason for holding this tournament.
Yeah, honestly I was absorbed in the matches and forgot.
…Bring Norb here this time for sure?
