"Even among the wyverns, there are some who are intelligent and others who are not.
Putting his head down close to the ground so that we could talk more easily, the flying dragon said.
''I'm an intelligent one, needless to say. O Aruji-dono.''
We didn't know it, but I heard that the mummy flying dragon Raizika is a legend among the 'intelligent flying dragons', and those who are recognized by it will be the top ones without question.
But ...... 'Aruji-dono'.
It's not that we don't intend to dominate or pander to this flying dragon.
''I'd like to hear your name. I'm Nagi.
"Garfe
Okay. So, Garfe, can we agree to keep each other's secrets?
What I'm about to tell you has some important information in it, so I'd like to 'contract' it if I can.
'Of course. I only need to hear whether or not Raizika has fulfilled her mission in the Valley of the Mist.
The flying dragon Garfe shook his blue head.
''We can't talk about the treasures of the Valley of the Mist, you know.
Unspeakable?
''We flying dragons have sworn to protect the secret treasure. So we've decided to protect the secret by not talking about it and forgetting about it. I don't know what the treasure is and I don't know its value. Therefore, I will not ask and I will not tell.
I see.
The "Heavenly Dragon's Egg" is like a world item.
I was going to use the contract to keep him quiet, but I didn't need it.
''All right. I'll give you the information first. The legendary existence of the Mummy Flying Dragon, Raizika the Mummy Flying Dragon, to the flying dragons, has completed its mission and disappeared.
I told Garfe the flying dragon how I came to go to the Valley of the Mist.
After we fought with Garfe on the street, he heard about the Valley of Mist.
The fact that our amnesiac friend remembered the place.
We set out for Foggy Valley in order to regain our friends' memories.
And after clearing the ordeal in the Valley of Fog, I received the Jewel (Raizika's Eye) from Raizika the Mummy Flying Dragon. I also regained some of my friends' memories. And that I witnessed the sealing of the Valley of the Mist.
I told them briefly about the Ancient Elf and the Celestial Dragon's Egg, but not much else.
''The Mummy Flying Dragon I met was a nice guy.
After all, he did tell us who Rafilia was.
He trusted us and left us with White's egg.
"I will not discuss the things I was entrusted with. But I promise to take good care of it. That's all the information we'll be able to give you.
'Oh! Did your ancestors fulfill their centuries-long mission?" ......
'Does Garfe know about the 'Foggy Valley' facility?
I know. That's a treasure house that was built using a natural magic pool. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. I only had to pass over it.
The flying dragon, Garfe, gurgled and gurgled - it looked like he was crying.
''I've got what I need to get. Then I will answer your question.
I want to know two things. Information on the site of the luminescence phenomenon in the west the other day, and what happened to the fort occupied by the demons.
"Where the magic in the form of a dragon was released.
Do you know what that is?
"Didn't I say 'shall not speak'?
Fei Long's mouth twisted and he seemed to laugh.
''That is just the ruins of a line of stone pillars. Right now, it's just crumbling. When I passed over, I saw about ten people. They were soldiers in silver armor, the kind you would see in castles. There's nothing else to say.''
What about the demon-occupied fort?
''That's right next to the ruins. The low grade demons were swarming around, but they are beginning to disperse. From the looks of it from the air, it looks like it's just a bunch of belligerent goblins.
Saying that, the flying dragon Garfe closed his mouth.
That's about all I can tell from the sky?
In summary, the place where the magic power of the Heavenly Dragon was sealed, the soldiers like the ones in the castle - probably the prince's people - are going to investigate. The fact that the Prince's 'quest to capture the fort' is going to take place from now on means that they might be investigating the demons in the fort as well.
As for the fort, the number of demons is decreasing. Right now it's being occupied by belligerent goblins.
That means that the difficulty of the quest is decreasing. If we get a group of adventurers and soldiers to work together, we should be able to take it. We'll have no chance.
That's why there's no reason to go near the ruins or the fort at the moment.
If you'll allow me one last thing.
"Be my guest. "Aruji-dono.
I've heard that there's an island across the sea where the Tenryu used to live.
This is the story I heard from The Heavenly Dragon's Residual Demonic Power.
That island is the territory of the Heavenly Dragon, and they were going to give it to us.
'Can we go there with your wings? How long would it take by boat?
"I don't understand.
Garfe, the flying dragon, shook his head.
'Legendary wizards and witches might know this. I've never thought of crossing the ocean.''
There's a demon king on the other side of the sea in the middle of nowhere.
"Well, well. I'm an intelligent flying dragon. I don't want to be associated with anything violent.
I'm intelligent.
"I am intelligent.
How confident are you in your memory and distance?
"I'm intelligent, so that's pretty much it.
Garfe turned his head and laughed.
I see.
Then this is the place to start.
I spread the map I got from the carriage on the ground.
"Can you see this map, Garfe?
"...... too small
Garfe, the flying dragon, shook his head.
This map, it's an A3-sized tapestry.
Is it too small for a flying dragon that is nearly five meters tall?
Rita, Iris, help me with this. I'm going to draw this map on the ground.''
I'm sorry.
"Yes, sir. Brother.
It's just as we discussed.
We each take a stick and draw a map on the soil.
The original map is from the villa where we are staying.
It shows the area from the port city of Ilgafa to the winged city of Sharka and around the resort town of Michelin. But the inland areas are almost entirely blank. There's no place for 'Magical Experimental City', 'Land of Seals' or 'Fort'.
This is a map for maritime trade, so the information is focused on ports and seas.
You can combine it with other maps, but there aren't many proper maps in this world.
The map in the adventurer's guild is also accurate for the area around the town, the streets, and the surrounding area, but the rest of the map is pretty lame. There's no way you can survey the world in which demons appear, so it can't be helped.
As someone who made a game in the original world with a crappy map in mind, I'd like to make a more accurate map for ourselves.
That's why I called up Garfe the Flying Dragon.
''Oh. I can see it! That's a picture of the terrain!'
Garfe, the flying dragon, is shouting in an excited tone.
''I see! So this is how people keep track of things. Interesting.'
'You know this is a map: ....... You're an intelligent flying dragon indeed, Garfe.
"Well, it's embarrassing to hear you say that, Luigi-dono!
Garfe scratched the ground with his hind legs, looking embarrassed.
''Well, well. I am a descendant of the legendary existence, the Mummy Flying Dragon Raizika!''
No, but it's great. It's very reliable. It's not an ordinary monster that can understand a map made by humans at a glance. It's just like the dragons in the myths. It's amazing. I respect that. I'm honored to be called 'Irujidono' by someone like that.
"Oh, oh.
You're an intelligent flying dragon. When you fought us, we just barely won, but it was a paper-thin line. You never know next time, do you?
"No, no. 'No, no, I won't be fighting with any of them again. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. It is for this reason that I have given you the Blood Crystal as a token of my loyalty. I'm back again, and together, we will strive for greatness!
That would be very helpful.
A good one. Garfe the Flying Dragon.
''Well, while we join forces, can you help me make a map?
"...... wow!
The flying dragon Raizika's eyes widened.
A flying dragon's pupils contract when it's surprised? I didn't know that.
''The reward is the meat of a rock lizard in its shell. ''If a flying dragon eats a rock lizard, though.''
"The ...... large lizard type is a normal target for predation, but ...... Aruji-dono and his ilk have a strange way of thinking about it.
The flying dragon, Garfe, looks at us with his fanged mouth open.
I drew a map the size of a blackboard on the ground. Me and Iris both trace the map. Rita's map is a little crooked, but we can get the gist of it, so it's okay.
Don't be so precise.
I looked up at the flying dragon's face and said.
''Could you take a look at this map and tell me the location of all the important places? We'll post it there.
About an hour later...
'Oh, oh, oh, oh! I can see it. I know, whoa, whoa. This is on the ground!'
Garfe, the flying dragon, was impressed with the finished map.
As expected of a creature that actually flies in the sky, the information is accurate.
We are in an abandoned village between a recreational area and a mountainous region. The road will take you from the 'Land of the Seals' to the 'Fort'. The distance is about 2 to 3 days. There are several small villages on the way.
Head north on the road and you'll reach the Valley of the Mist.
The "Magical Experimental City" is further north. There's another mountainous area on the way, so we'll have to make a big detour. I've been told that the experimental magic city is warded and that the flying dragons don't want to get too close to it.
Rita, Iris and I drew a detailed map on the ground.
The streets, rivers and the terrain around them. Mountains are triangles pointing upward. Valleys are triangles pointing downward. A forest is an arrow pointing upwards.
For now, I have completed the "Resort Area Map of Mishurira". It's not as accurate as the original world map app, but it's good enough to use in this world.
Now I finally have a local map.
Even in games, there's a big difference in strategy between having a map and not having one. With this, I can know the exact time it will take to move around, and from there I can calculate the food and water I'll need.
Let's update this map with dangerous places, locations of demons, and important points. That would give us an unparalleled advantage in our adventures and in our business.
''That's great big brother! This is something any merchant would want!
Really?
'Of course! If there's anything this extensive and accurate at ......, it's the treasury of the royal palace: ......
'Eventually, I'm going to update this with the location of the demon's appearance.
...... This is going to be copied on board or cloth, right?
Yes.
Will you let Iris take care of it for me when it's done?
Iris clutches the hem of her pants and is kind of excited.
'Let's help your brother 'live a life that doesn't require you to work'.
Like when I was making games in the original world, maps are something you can't stop looking at or making once you're hooked.
'Thanks for the garfe too. You're an intelligent flying dragon indeed.
It's not my fault! But it's quite tiring: ......
Garfe, the flying dragon, is wobbling his head. I guess I let her use her head too much.
"Thanks, Garfe. Lastly, do you mind if we ride on your back?
Well, since we made it, let's keep track of it.
You want me to fly on ......?
'I won't go that far. I just want to see the whole map from above and keep track of it.
I've made this with the help of the flying dragon.
I'll make a record of it, and later I'll copy it onto a big board and then transfer it to a cloth or something.
Rita. Can you carry me on your back and up to this flying dragon's shoulder?
I said to Rita, who was looking all around.
"I want you to be able to see the map from above. I'll make a note of it there.
"...... ugh. Wow, okay. Master.
Rita turned bright red, but she bent over in front of me.
'Are you okay? Isn't it heavy?
Mmm-hmm. You can't underestimate the animal's reflexes, you know. They can handle a kid of Nagi's weight. In fact, it's a treat!
Rita said, and I put my hand on her thin shoulder.
I put my body on my back and put my weight on it.
Rita stood up, holding my legs and sobbing.
No wobble at all. It's perfectly stable.
It's great. Rita. You have the coordination of a beast...
Huh!
different
Crushed.
Fluffy ......
Rita's puffing and puffing, breathing hot.
'Rita, are you okay? Was it still too heavy?
...... breath. Ears. Tickle. ......
The beast ears are flapping in front of my eyes.
...... I get all fluffy when you do that behind my ears.
...... Oh.
Sorry.
Rita's beast ears are at her head.
When I say something while she's being held, she's dressed to blow directly on me?
"Sender: Nagi.
Recipient: Rita.
TEXT: One more time, please. I'll make sure your breath doesn't get out.'
This time, I send a message with 'Consciousness Sharing (Mind Linkage), Revised'. It's a good thing that we haven't broken the connection between Rita and Rafilia yet.
Rita was freaked out for a moment, but...
I see. Master.
He took a deep breath and then nodded.
I put my hand over my mouth to keep my breath from escaping.
'I'm going. Teyaaahhhh.
Rita kicked the ground.
I run up along my spine, trying not to put too much pressure on the flying dragon.
I cling to Rita's back. It doesn't shake at all. It's no different than running on the flat ground. Is this the sense of balance of a beast? It's as if I'm watching the world through Rita's eyes. There are still a lot of things we don't know about each other.
Rita reaches the flying dragon's shoulder in a few seconds.
The flying dragon, Garfe, has his head down and is talking to Iris on the ground.
Iris is supposed to be asking him not to move.
The flying dragon's shoulder is about 3 meters from the ground.
Good. From here, I can see the entire map I've drawn on the ground.
I keep my eyes on the ground. The entire map should be in my field of vision. And then I invoke the special effect of "Consciousness Sharing and Reform".
The soul-contracting skill "Consciousness Sharing/Improvement" with Aine is not only able to send messages, but also images. I can take a snapshot of what I'm looking at and attach it to the message.
After I send the message, I can keep a log of it, so the picture will be recorded for a few days. It should last until I return to the villa and draw a map on the board.
(Activate the special effect of "Consciousness Sharing, Revised")
As I thought about it, a 'shoot' button appeared in the window.
I put my finger on it, and the view remained in line with the map.
Snap.
I heard a sound. I guess that means I could shoot this.
Now all we need to do is attach this to the message.
I don't want to provoke Rita, so I'll send this to Raphilia.
"Sent by: Nagi.
Recipient: Raphilia.
Text: The negotiation with Fei Long went well. We worked together to make a map, so take a look at it just in case.
Attachment: Nagi Image 01 (something that looks like a map)
Transmission complete.
Ta-da!
Rita kicked the flying dragon in the shoulder. It went straight down her spine to the ground.
'...... huff.'
When she got off her back, Rita let out a kind of hot breath.
'I'll have a treat for everyone when I get back. Good luck until we get back to the villa.
A reward?
I've arranged it with Mr. Dolgor. We'll see when we get back.
Even though I'm helping people, I've put in some work while you're on vacation, so I should at least do that.
I've booked the "Rock Lizard" carapace wholesale to the merchant Dolgor, and I've booked what will be a slave benefit for the price.
'Reward ...... Nagi will give us, reward ...... ehehe.'
Rita is puffing her tail and swooning.
I'm glad she's happy.
Iris seems to have hit it off with Garfe, the flying dragon.
Iris raises one arm and Garfe raises one wing, tilts his head and grins.
''Big brother. Please send this figure to your master as a memento!''
Iris said as she posed coolly with the flying dragon.
...... It's just my imagination that Garfe the flying dragon seems to be happy, isn't it?
Please! Iris will serve you later!
"GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
You can go to .......
You're going to use your magic power to send it, so be moderate.
For now, it's a low-resolution (about 5 flaming arrows' worth) and a crunch. Yes, send.
I sent the second image to Raphilia.
After a while, I received a reply from Rafilia.
'Sender: Rafilia.
Recipient: I learned how to use it, master?
Body:I see. I see that "Consciousness Sharing Kai" can also send images. Hmmmm. I'm sorry.
Attachment: Rafilia Image 01 (approved by me)
...... tucked away. I've gained wisdom on Raphilia.
And there's an insanely high-resolution picture attached.
In the picture are Cecil and Aine. They are looking at the camera - or more accurately, smiling at Rafilia.
It's a composition of two people watching a bonfire, with Rafilia looking down on them from above.
You can see her collarbone from ...... the collar of her clothing. Aine's also has her ...... cleavage.
What to do with this .........................
.............................. ........................ logs are... You're still here. Yup.
...... I'll tell Raphilia not to waste her magic.
"Sender: Rafilia.
Recipient: Speaking of which, Master.
Text: I've seen the map just now. It's amazing. The three towns in this region and the location of the land filled with magic are the same as the magic circle of the ancient elves.
............ Huh?
...... ancient elven magicians?
A town and a place in the land that is full of magic?
There's more to the text. Let's see.
To be precise, it's an emblem used by the ancient elves to increase their magic power. It's a way to improve the flow of magic power by arranging gems like constellations. If you ask about it, I heard that Cecil's clan had something similar. They're the same. They're close friends.
But what's strange is that only one of the constellations is missing. It is the position of the keystone. It is the most important place.
I looked again at the map I had drawn on the ground.
The big towns were 'City of Wings', 'Recreation Area' and 'Magical Experimental City'.
The magic power pools are the 'Valley of the Mist' and the 'Land of the Heavenly Dragon Seal'.
So that arrangement, like the constellations, is something that has meaning to the demon race and the ancient elves.
''Sender: Nagi.
Recipient: Raphilia.
Body: Check with Cecil and Aine. Is there any other legends besides the Tenryu in this region?
If the layout of the town is not a coincidence, then there might be ruins where the constellation is missing.
The land where the Heavenly Dragon has fallen.
The land of the seal.
The Valley of the Mist.
A sanctuary for the nobility.
Ancient elves and demons - old blood.
The secrets related to them may still exist in this land.
"Sender: Rafilia.
Recipient: I understand, Master.
Body:Aine says she knows about the legend of the "Purifying Saint" who is associated with this place. She was a legendary wizard and a priestess in the era after the death of the Heavenly Dragon. Maybe she has something to do with this magic circle.