I was Otat.
Otat of the Flame Dragon Race, and the wife of Gurubel from the Earth Dragon Race.
The Flame Dragon Race and Earth Dragon Race were often grouped together and called the Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race. Well, from the caller's perspective, I supposed the distinction between a Flame Dragon and an Earth Dragon was a trivial detail. Even for those of us being addressed, it was a minor point, so we didn't let it bother us.
The Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race stood as one of the pinnacles of living creatures on the surface. We were incredibly strong. While there were stories of our kind losing to humans or the Devil Race, those were cases where the humans had gathered in the thousands. In a one-on-one fight, we would never lose to a human. If it were the members of the Devil Race who lived in ancient times, they might have put up a decent fight... but they weren't foolish enough to pick a quarrel with the Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race.
If one of us were to lose, it would most likely be against another of our own kind. That was how powerful the Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race was.
However, the world was heartless. There was always someone stronger.
The Spirit King, the Primal Devil Race, the Collapsing Shadow, the King of Ten Thousand Seas, the Vampire Progenitor... I decided to stop counting. It only made me feel pathetic.
But among those at the very top, the ones who absolutely could not be ignored were the Age of Gods Dragon Race. They were dragons who resided halfway within the realm of the gods. Even though we were both of the Dragon Race, our standing as species was entirely different. Honestly, even suggesting we were the same would be considered irreverent, and I would likely be scolded for my arrogance. They were opponents I wouldn't even dream of challenging.
The role of the Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race was to serve the Age of Gods Dragon Race. Fortunately, they didn't demand unreasonable things. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say they didn't really interact with us at all. They gave us a few specific duties and mostly left us to our own devices. While I sometimes felt a flicker of resentment at being ignored, it was also something to be grateful for. The Age of Gods Dragon Race was something to be worshipped from a distance. You weren't supposed to get close to them. That was the secret to living a peaceful life.
Then came a certain day.
I met my younger sister and my old friends for the first time in ages. My sister was Owamea. My friends were Hyfryniars, Lactoroy, and Dandaji.
The five of us were quite rowdy in our youth. Man, we were wild back then. I still reflected on it with regret, thinking about how much trouble we caused the adults. Eventually, we all settled down. Owamea, Hyfryniars, Lactoroy, and I all got married. As for Dandaji, she had gone to work under Lady Raimeiren of the Age of Gods Dragon Race.
Wait. Why was Dandaji here? Was it really alright for her to be away from Lady Raimeiren's side?
I asked her, but she ignored me. "Don't ignore me, give me an answer! We're friends, aren't we? Look, we traded blows so many times! Even though I never won once..."
Man, Dandaji was strong. Ahahaha.
Wait, what was it, sister? You told me to stop escaping reality because it would be dangerous if I didn't look straight ahead?
Well, even if you said that... I had a feeling this was something I shouldn't be looking at. You still wanted me to look? Fine, if I must.
I stole a glance.
...
......
Lady Hakuren and Lady Graffaloon of the Age of Gods Dragon Race were fighting. In their dragon forms.
The vibrations were incredible. I was certain I would die if I got caught in that.
Wait. Actually, I was pretty sure I had already died once.
I tried to recall the situation. A little while ago, Lady Hakuren and Gienel were fighting. Naturally, they were in their dragon forms. Gienel was one-sidedly pummeled, and the moment he collapsed after running out of strength, the men—Dandaji, Gurubel, and the others—intervened to stop Lady Hakuren. Of course, they were also in their dragon forms.
But Lady Hakuren didn't stop. She swept away the men, including Dandaji and Gurubel, all at once with her tail. Before witnessing that sight, the women, myself included, had also moved to attack Lady Hakuren in our dragon forms, but we were hit by a counterattack...
I thought I had died, but I was alive. There wasn't a single trace of an injury. My appearance was exactly the same as when I had first arrived in this land. The same went for the others. Even Gurubel and Gienel had been healed.
Had the human child healed us? But how? If human magic was used for healing, it would take many people working together...
A World Tree Leaf? Don't be ridiculous. The World Tree had rotted away; it was gone. Even if someone had managed to gather all the remaining World Tree leaves in existence, there shouldn't have been enough to heal everyone here... and yet, if the proof was right in front of me, I had no choice but to believe it.
"Um... thank you. You saved us."
So, why were Lady Hakuren and the other lady fighting now? Both of them seemed to be enjoying the battle. At the very least, I could tell Lady Graffaloon wasn't actually trying to stop Lady Hakuren. Were they just going all out because it had been so long since they had the chance? And because of that, the surrounding terrain was...
They said it was fine because it also served as land leveling. I see.
The human child was certainly broad-minded. And as I expected, one truly must not get close to the Age of Gods Dragon Race. A proper sense of distance was vital. Also, even though Gurubel was the one who moved first, I was surprised I had actually managed to launch an attack against a being like that. I wanted to praise myself for that much, at least.
Regardless of the reason, I had attacked Lady Hakuren, so as atonement, I helped with leveling the land and renovating the castle. I felt some resistance to taking orders from the Angel Race girl and the human child, but since these were Lady Hakuren's instructions, I accepted them.
However, when it came to assisting Gienel, I refused. Gurubel and I had a duty entrusted to us by Lord Marksbergark. We couldn't just abandon that. Of course, if Lord Marksbergark gave his permission, I would be more than willing to cooperate. If the permission was there, that is. Fufufu.
Challenging the mountain where Lord Marksbergark lived would be difficult for a mere human. Even for an Angel Race girl. As for the vampire child... I wondered. Well, they were welcome to try. If things went well, he might actually listen to what they had to say.
...
"You say things will work out if you go to your house? There's no way that's true. You might be acquaintances with Lady Hakuren, but do not underestimate Lord Marksbergark. He is a terrifying person."
"Eh? A good dragon who cherishes his wife? Lord Marksbergark is?"
...Ah, I see! Lord Marksbergark's wife was Lady Hakuren's younger sister. Because of the connection to Lady Hakuren, they were already acquaintances!
No, wait—you were more than just acquaintances? Hahaha.
Oops, today's task was the expansion of that river over there, wasn't it? I'll do my best. As for assisting Gienel, I will gladly undertake it once I receive direct instructions from Lord Marksbergark.