14 - Birthday Day Festival, and Also...

The truth is that it was not customary to hold festivals in Dragon World at that time.

Perhaps, given their long lives, we did not feel like holding grand celebrations.

However, it was a special moment.

The entire Dragon World was in a festive mood.

It was simply expected that the son of Dragon God‑sama, whom everyone adores, and of Lunaria‑sama, whom everyone adores, would finally be born.

Szilard announced that a parade would be held on Dragon's Roar Mountain.

Maxwell traveled throughout Dragon World to collect dragon meat.

Even the continuous training of the dragons with Dora‑sama was conducted with great care every day.

Caos set off fireworks, an invention of the Human World, to liven up the parade.

People from all over Dragon World gathered, waiting to see the son of the Dragon God.

It did not last just one or two days.

It would last ten, twenty years.

The long‑lived Dragon Race also celebrates for a long time.

It is not one or two days.

The festival lasted for decades.

Dragons' lives are long, so the joy lasts for a long time.

It may have lasted nearly a century.

Everyone was ecstatic.

I had never seen Dragon World so happy.

Dragon God‑sama and I were a little late for the festival.

Because we were at the gods' meeting.

Even so, when Dragon God‑sama returned, the thrones greeted us with a cheerful chorus.

Surprised, I really didn't understand what was happening, but Dragon God‑sama seemed to understand immediately.

With a great beating of his wings, he soared toward his home.

Of course, I followed.

When we arrived, the family came to greet us.

"Welcome back, husband, Laplace."

Lunaria‑sama and the servants.

And held by Lunaria‑sama like a precious jewel, the son of the Dragon God.

"Husband, the child is born."

"Indeed."

Dragon God‑sama seemed unexpectedly hesitant regarding his own son.

The expression on his face was neither one of laughter nor of tears.

However, the feeling of happiness still came through.

"Would you hold the child?"

"... Yes."

Dragon God‑sama received his son from Lunaria‑sama.

It was not strange, but his hands trembled slightly.

"How strange. Although I considered everyone in Dragon World as my own, it is a bit special to hold this child."

"Fufufu. Husband, please give the child a name."

Dragon God‑sama looked seriously at Lunaria‑sama when he heard her.

"May I?"

"Yes."

I felt nostalgic upon seeing that.

Yes, when I was adopted, this exchange also took place…

"That's right, um…"

However, Dragon God‑sama held back.

It is unusual for the Dragon God to be at a loss for words and not give an immediate response.

"What is it...?"

"I can't think of any."

"That's not good. Didn't we agree that the husband would give the child a name?"

"I know, but I can't do it now. Give me some time."

"Yes."

The child's name was not determined immediately after birth.

Dragon God‑sama normally did not hesitate.

He had always been a decisive person.

But there was a gulf between naming someone like me and someone who is a part of you.

After that, Dragon God‑sama was worried for a long time.

He even asked for my opinion.

Of course, I couldn't give a good answer.

It was absurd that someone like me had an opinion.

It couldn't be helped?

After all, this was the son of the Dragon God.

If by any chance he were named using my suggestion…

Such a terrifying thought would have turned my hair white.

Putting aside the issue of naming.

After holding the baby for a while, Dragon God‑sama handed him back to Lunaria‑sama.

After receiving her son, Lunaria‑sama looked at me, who was watching from a corner of the room.

"Laplace, come here, why don't you hold the child?"

Looking at the concerned Dragon God, Lunaria‑sama spoke abruptly.

I was shocked.

What a terrifying thought.

"Me..? Are you sure?"

"Of course, he is your younger brother, after all."

I was adopted, so that is technically true.

Even so, I never intended to behave as the son of the Dragon God.

Because I wasn't really the son of the Dragon God.

I no longer considered myself the family pet, but I knew my place.

If I were to forget the grace that had given me so much happiness and begin to behave scandalously, I would kill myself.

However, Lunaria‑sama asked me to hold him.

She said that he was her younger brother.

It would be stubborn and inflexible of me to refuse.

"Yes."

I held the child in my arms.

He is warmer than the average of the Dragon Race. No, is that how babies are?

I held him carefully, concerned that the child might feel uncomfortable.

The baby had the appearance of Dragon God‑sama.

He had the silvery hair of Dragon God‑sama, a fearless face, and even similar scale colors. Although he had fewer scales than normal, probably due to mixed human blood.

There were almost no scales on his face or in other visible areas.

Now that I think about it, I also have fewer scales, probably because of my mixed blood.

No, I should not be so disrespectful to the son of Dragon God‑sama…

When I held that child, I naturally felt a sense of awe.

That person will certainly carry the future of Dragon World on his shoulders.

My role must be to help and protect him.

I felt my duty at that moment.

■

After that, the Five Dragon Generals came one after another.

Szilard, Maxwell, Caos, and Dora‑sama.

They were all impressed with the child.

And they left with a solemn expression.

Perhaps they felt the same as I did.

It wasn't just the Dragon Generals.

The gods from other worlds also came.

Normally, gods do not appear in other worlds.

But this was a special occasion.

Human God, Demon God, God of the Sky, God of the Sea, and Beast God—all came to give their blessings.

It was a truly spectacular moment.

Because the gods from other worlds, who rarely appeared, all came to bless the birth of a child.

It was absolutely majestic.

Once again, everyone in Dragon World was impressed by the auspiciousness of his birth.

When the festival was almost over.

As the festive atmosphere finally began to settle.

She arrived.

A woman of the Demonic Race with black and purple skin and white hair.

Demon Emperor Kirisis Calisis.

"Lunária. Congratulations"

"Kirisis! I was wondering when you would come."

As I said before, Kirisis had a good relationship with Lunaria‑sama.

When Lunaria‑sama recognized her, a smile blossomed on her face.

I didn't know they were so close.

At that time, I was always away from home.

However, they must be close, for they were happy to see each other.

"I ran as soon as I heard that you were giving birth."

"Then you are a little late!"

"Research was going well at the moment. I was going to come earlier, but things were going so well that I wanted to see how far I could go."

"How was it?"

"These researchers from Demon World are excellent at investigating details. They are difficult at first, but quick to understand. They are very refreshing to work with."

"Doesn't Demon World also have excellent researchers?"

"Hahahahahaha! You are certainly great at telling jokes! Demons are a bunch of rude idiots! There is no way to refine these brutes into true researchers!"

Kirisis was a woman with a boisterous laugh.

No, not only Kirisis, but other demons as well; practically all the members of the Demon Lords burst out laughing.

Kirisis laughed and turned to Lunaria‑sama's son.

"Are you going to show me the baby? I want to see that brilliant child between the great Dragon God and my best friend Lunaria!"

"Ufufu, certainly, please."

"Ah, amazing! What a beautiful child! As expected of the prince of the Dragon Race. I can see him becoming an intelligent and wise man in the future!"

It may seem silly, but that's how Kirisis speaks.

Even though she was the most intelligent and kind among all the demons, Kirisis was not good with words.

"Will this be an intelligent child?"

"Oh, my eyes cannot deceive me. All my children are idiots. They seemed like idiots, but this child is different!"

"Ufufu, is that right?"

Huh?

Is it all right to suppress your own children like that? Especially as the wife of the Demon God?

Wasn't that blasphemy?

No matter how close their relationship is, it seems sacrilegious to speak ill of a god's son.

The truth is, it is not terrible for a demon to be called "dumb and on point."

A simpleton will not betray you.

As the saying goes.

Of course, being intelligent is not a bad thing either.

For Demon World, there are both good and bad types of intelligence.

That is why Kirisis meant no harm.

The son of Dragon God‑sama will become an excellent person, in a way different from mine.

It is a difference in values.

"Well, Lunaria! I'll be right back! I don't know how long I'll stay here, but while I'm here, I'm looking forward to the child's growth!"

"Yes, please come back!"

"Of course I will! Until then, goodbye! Faahahahahaha!"

Kirisis left with another boisterous laugh.

That's how she is.

■

That was the birth of the child.

He was blessed by everyone.

Loved by everyone.

That is why I...

No, I'll leave that for later.

If I explained it out of order, you'll be confused.

Anyway, it was a happy time in Dragon World.

The relationship with Demon World was constantly improving.

There was also no sign of conflict among the other worlds.

Thanks to Kirisis Calisis, the research on monster appearances and sudden teleportations advanced dramatically.

It was a time of peace.

Until that day.

Yes, one day the peaceful era suddenly came to an end.

Yes, on that day.

Like a nightmare.

I remember it clearly.

On that day, I was with Dragon God‑sama in Demon World.

We attended the meetings as usual, then I discussed future plans with Necross Lacross.

The agenda was about future personnel exchanges using the recently completed teleportation circles.

As soon as the teleportation circle is completed, the cause of the teleportation incidents will be known...

At the very least, it would create an easy method for people caught in the teleportation incidents to travel back to their original world.

That would give us a solution, if not fundamentally solving the problem.

The path forward was brilliant.

When I reported this to Dragon God‑sama, a person who doesn't smile often, he warmly praised me.

"Very well, Laplace. Without you, it would have taken longer. You are truly my son."

I felt as though I had ascended to the heavens right then.

I was full of confidence and arrogance at that time.

Proudly puffing out my chest and spreading my wings, I boasted about being worthy of the Five Dragon Generals.

But....

Happiness collapsed.

I returned to Dragon World with Dragon God‑sama.

I went home to report to Lunaria‑sama.

My nostalgic home.

Haha, I had expected to be warmly welcomed back.

That I had finally become a member of the family.

I finally managed to say: "I'm home!"

Ah, but...

Oh....

It was a scene that I could never have dreamed of.

I still wish it were anything but a dream.

After I said: "I'm home..."

No one answered.

I heard only one voice.

A baby crying.

Lamenting.

In other times, I wouldn't have thought much of it.

Babies cry, that's what they do.

I even cried when I was a child.

However, I felt something was wrong then.

It seemed different from the usual cry.

I hurried to Lunaria‑sama's room... and I saw.

The damned room.

The mutilated remained.

A tragic scene.

At the back of the room, what I feared the most.

Lunaria‑sama.

In a pool of her own blood in the middle of the room.

Her body in a fetal position.

Still holding on to protect the crying child.