Celebration

Celebration

 

Apart from caring for their own kind, dragons tended to have strong independent personalities.

Rather than living together, they would build lairs or houses in places they desired.

They would create separate meeting places to gather, he said.

‘So usually they build large meeting places.’

He said they make it so various activities can be done there.

Befitting wealthy dragons, the scale was quite grand.

As I stand there blankly, looking at the luxurious and extravagant interior, Perseus briefly says to me.

“You can think of this place as a senior center, roughly speaking.”

Indifferent blunt words.

I was hesitating, not knowing how to react to such words.

Perseus saw my reaction and smiled slightly before continuing.

“Half is a joke, but half is serious. Since no hatchlings are born, we only have a bunch of old guys around.”

They all look too young to be described as old.

I was thinking there’s a bit of a disconnect, since even Perseus looked to be in his early 20s without needing to look far.

In the distance, I see a large crowd approaching us.

“…?”

Their speed is so fast that it’s a bit scary.

For a moment, I felt fear creeping in and wanted to hide behind something.

But because I had to protect Chae-a, I gritted my teeth and endured, hiding Chae-a behind me while various voices could be heard from the front.

“Kyaaaa! It’s Ha-eun! Ha-eun, look over here!”

“Ha-eun, do you like snacks? Uncle bought some snacks for you!”

“Hey Perseus! How can you monopolize Ha-eun and Chae-a? Move aside now.”

It feels like bringing viewers into reality.

Everyone is speaking in very excited voices, constantly trying to give me something.

I’m feeling dizzy looking at the snacks and candies piling up in front of me, when Chae-a grabs my hand tightly and whispers softly.

“… Chae-a is scared.”

I thought her fear of strangers had diminished a lot since she approached a stranger last time asking for praise.

It seems that was a special situation (discus throwing).

I hold Chae-a’s hand to reassure her and pat her head to show that everything is okay, when.

“Since Ha-eun and Chae-a are scared, everyone please keep your distance.”

Perseus, who assessed our situation, calmed the others and pushed them back.

Everyone quickly backed away with expressions that seemed to say ‘Oh, I see,’ and spoke.

“Oh, what’s this. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a hatchling, I couldn’t help myself…”

“Ha-eun, Chae-a, auntie is sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“But the kids are really cute, aren’t they?”

Despite everything, the dragons seemed to want to protect us, showing their affection by glancing at us occasionally, trying not to overwhelm us.

Seeing this, I felt somewhat apologetic.

I hugged my curled-up tail and slowly stepped forward.

“… Th-thank you for welcoming us. Please take good care of us…”

It’s common sense to express gratitude when you’re welcomed.

I, who thought that doing what needs to be done despite being shy and scared is an adult’s duty.

As I bowed to maintain common sense and courtesy, cheers erupted from nearby.

‘… This is embarrassing.’

Thinking that stepping up like this isn’t really my style, I hid my face behind my tail.

Han A-rin hugged me and started patting my back.

“Ha-eun, you did well.”

“… Yes.”

I’m so embarrassed that I’m not even sure what I’m saying.

As I feel like stars are going back and forth in my head, I’m swaying.

Perseus seemed to decide it wasn’t working, so he snapped his fingers and said to us.

“Then let’s head straight to the conference room.”

I nodded while rubbing my cheeks that were burning red.

* * * * *

The rumor that Ha-eun had gone to meet the Dragon Elders spread faster than expected.

There were several reasons, but the biggest one was due to the strength and influence the Dragon Elders possessed.

‘Those who can turn the world upside down just by showing their faces.’

Even Perseus, who was relatively much younger compared to the Dragon Elders.

Due to his immense talent and experience accumulated over a long time, he had strength ranking 6th.

Since the Elder Dragons were monsters among monsters who had lived several times longer than him, it was said that they possessed strength beyond common sense and outside of normal standards.

‘How strong they are became unknown when they retired.’

It was certain that if they were to appear, tremendous natural disasters would occur.

It was clear that they were beings that should never be messed with.

‘Since Ha-eun went to meet such beings.’

Because it was impossible to guess what would happen.

The community was in a great uproar because of this.

—

[Reasons to pay attention to Ha-eun and Chae-a meeting the Dragon Elders this time Feat – Going crazy.

– As the saying goes, “Are you out of your mind for buying an elf?”

All living beings have their physical strength reduced as their lifespan increases, but in exchange, their mana quantity and purity greatly increase.

But what makes dragons an overpowered race is that their physical strength doesn’t decrease even as they age, so as they get older, only their mana quantity and purity density increase.

And among such dragons, those who have lived exceptionally long (over about 10,000 years) are respected as elders.

It’s impossible to even guess how strong they are.

I heard that the central government begged them to retire, so they just created something like a meeting hall (senior center) where they hang out among themselves.

Anyway, these elder dragons who have everything and no worries had only one concern.

That was the problem of no hatchlings being born for an extremely long time.

Most dragons were extremely sad or worried all day because of this.

Then one day, suddenly a granddaughter so precious you wouldn’t feel pain even if you put her in your eye fell from the sky?

This alone would make their eyes roll back.

And then they heard the news that this granddaughter was experimented on and tortured by some unidentified group and contracted a fatal disease.

So.

]

– No, so what? Don’t leave us hanging

– There are two ways to make people angry.

– I’m curious. I heard the dragon elders have been through too many wars and their hearts have been worn out. I wonder if Ha-eun’s cuteness will work on them.

– Ha-eun and Chae-a’s cuteness is invincible, so it’s fine

—

A small and cute granddaughter who suddenly appeared before these overwhelmingly powerful beings.

Perhaps only they would know what actions they would take.

While everyone’s attention was focused on what conclusion would be reached,

Someone raised a question.

[But what happens if the elder dragons get really pissed off after hearing Ha-eun’s story and decide to take action?]

To that one sentence, everyone said in unison.

[It means it’s literally over]

[Someone: What happens to us if a nuclear bomb is coming?]

[A whole country might disappear.]

That’s what they said.

* * * * *

When we arrived at the conference room, a golem wearing a suit greeted us.

It looked almost indistinguishable from a human, which I found fascinating.

The golem handed me a children’s drink with a bright smile.

“Please rest for a moment, and I’ll come back to guide you.”

“… Yes! Thank you very much.”

It’s definitely less stressful to deal with one person than with many.

I was thinking I had improved and was giggling when Chae-a, who was next to me, hugged me and said,

“Ha-eun is so brave…! Stronger and cooler than squirrels…!”

For Chae-a, squirrels seem to be strong and cool creatures.

I was so happy to be praised by Chae-a that I was wagging my tail vigorously.

The golem butler quickly returned and guided us.

“The elders are all prepared. Please come in, everyone.”

At those words, I felt a little nervous and swallowed hard.

Perseus, who was in front of me, patted my head and said,

“There’s nothing to worry about. If there’s an elder who dislikes you… well, I don’t think there will be any, but even if there were, I’ll definitely protect you.”

Feeling incredibly reassured, I nodded.

Perseus poked my cheek, looking satisfied, and then proceeded down the hallway.

‘…This is incredible.’

The hallway is filled with such antique decorations that I wonder if someone like me should even be allowed to enter.

 

Usually, my thoughts would end at “it’s amazing,” but

Here, I’m so scared I feel I can’t walk, and as I’m shrinking back, I hear familiar celebratory music from far away.

 

‘Huh?’

Contrary to the antique atmosphere where you’d expect to hear classical music, it’s trot music that you’d typically hear at a 70th birthday party.

 

Of course, I don’t dislike this kind of music, but because of the stark contrast, I wondered if I had heard wrong.

Perseus, holding his head, says to me,

 

“… The old folks are at it again.”

Perseus, who has now stopped calling them elders,

 

Lets out a long sigh and throws open the elegantly carved door.

What we see as the door opens is

 

[(Congratulations) On Ha-eun and Chae-a’s Arrival (Celebration)]

A large banner.

 

As I stand there dumbfounded at the sight, going “hueh,”

Han A-rin, standing behind, starts to snicker, unable to hold back her laughter.

 

“Dragons aren’t much different from humans, are they?”

“Be quiet.”

 

“Why should I be quiet? Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed by the elders?”

“……”

 

Perseus, seemingly at a loss for words, closes his mouth and turns his head away.

 

I didn’t know what to say, so I just blinked my eyes.