Lilia-san and I joined the dragon social gathering, and our first stop was to visit the Gunlock Dragon that had claimed victory in the tournament.
To be honest, I expected the champion to be so surrounded by other dragons that getting a word in would be difficult. However, as Lilia-san and I approached, the gathered dragons parted for us like the Red Sea before Moses.
Through my Sympathy Magic, I could feel the intense tension radiating from the surrounding dragons. The atmosphere was, for lack of a better word, as if a major VIP had just arrived.
Well, according to Alice, Magnawell-san had ordered the dragon species to treat me with the utmost respect. Being an acquaintance of their King, Magnawell-san, certainly made me a VIP in their eyes.
At any rate, while I felt a bit awkward under such an overwhelming gaze, I went up to the Gunlock Dragon and offered my greetings. It was absolutely overjoyed to see us.
Puzzled by a reaction that was slightly different from the other dragons, I listened as it began to speak.
"It is no exaggeration to say that the reason I was able to win today is thanks to you, Miyama Kaito-sama."
"...Huh?"
I thought that was a massive exaggeration. After all, I hadn't spoken to the Gunlock Dragon at all until after the matches were over, nor had I offered it any advice.
"We Gunlock Dragons are generally considered the weaker side when compared to other species. No member of our kind has ever won this Dragon Carnival before. However, during the Six Kings Festival, I received great courage from you, Miyama Kaito-sama."
"Courage? From me?"
"Yes! During your Art Showdown with the War King-sama, you chose us—a species that can hardly be called popular—as your models. Above all, you added an arrangement that expanded our possibilities. I am deeply grateful for that."
"..."
I see. So it had watched that showdown. I see... Well, I’ve decided right now that I’m taking the fact that I was actually trying to make a dog to my grave. That work is a Gunlock Dragon—a winged Gunlock Dragon.
"We are a species that lacks wings and cannot fly... or so we were under the impression! However, upon seeing your work, Kaito-sama, I was poignantly reminded that I had been narrowing my own possibilities. Even if there are no wings upon my back, I realized I could have wings in my heart. Receiving the courage to flap toward unseen possibilities, I retrained myself. Thanks to that, I was able to receive this wonderful honor today!"
"I-I see... Um, well, if I was able to help in some way, I'm glad."
What was this unbearable feeling? It was looking at me with eyes full of absolute reverence, yet when I made that piece, I didn't even know what a Gunlock Dragon was.
Lilia-san was moved by the "beautiful story" unfolding before her, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes, and the surrounding dragons seemed equally touched. Only I, the sole person who knew the truth, was left with an incredibly complicated state of mind.
As I pondered the situation, an idea occurred to me. I pulled the Sad Creature—no, the winged Gunlock Dragon—from my Magic Box.
"Um, if you'd like, as a celebration for your victory... would you like to have this?"
"Is that truly alright!?"
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you very much! I have truly wanted to show this work to my kinsmen as well!!"
It was incredibly happy. Well, I suppose it’s better for this piece to be given to someone who appreciates it rather than having it sleep eternally in my Magic Box.
When I first made it, it was a piece of my Black History, but if one looked at it as a Gunlock Dragon, the quality was actually impressive rather than embarrassing.
As the Gunlock Dragon accepted the work with extreme humility, as if receiving a reward from a King, I offered one last word of encouragement.
"Um... please continue to do your best from now on."
"Yes! With your encouragement in my heart, Kaito-sama, I will devote myself to becoming the first Gunlock Dragon to obtain a Peerage-class title!"
I reflected on the fact that sometimes, there are necessary lies in this world. At the very least, revealing the truth about that sculpture wouldn't make anyone happy; it would only make them miserable.
Therefore, to reiterate: that work is a Gunlock Dragon. No matter what anyone says, it is a Gunlock Dragon.
I wonder why, even though the party has only just begun, I suddenly feel so exhausted.
Regardless, for now... farewell, Sad Creature—or rather, Gunlock Dragon. Do your best in your new home.
The Object of Worship of the Gunlock Dragons:
A work that achieved a staggering Cinderella story of promotion, evolving from: Failed dog work to Sad Creature to Gunlock Dragon? to Winged Gunlock Dragon to, finally, the Object of Worship of the Gunlock Dragons.
It is now worshipped by the Gunlock Dragons as the ideal form they should strive for.
Furthermore, the Gunlock Dragon that received this Object of Worship from Kaito continued its tireless efforts and, as it later declared to Kaito, became the first of its kind to obtain a Peerage-class title.
Beyond that, it eventually "evolved into a Special Individual and actually grew wings." Incredibly, Kaito's work became a reality. Since no Special Individual of the Gunlock Dragon species had ever been confirmed before, the "Gunlock Dragon that Gained Wings at the End of Tireless Effort" came to be recognized as a new Special Individual.
Kaito would end up being praised like a God by the Gunlock Dragons for having created a work depicting a Special Individual that no one had yet seen.
Of course, logically speaking, such a convenient coincidence could not possibly happen without external factors.
As for who could retroactively add an evolution as a Special Individual to a specific race, the answer requires no thought.
It should be noted here that when Kaito visited the Sanctuary later on, a certain Goddess was looking incredibly smug.