Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 3===

The dragon carriage presented before Kamito's group was a form of transportation much bigger than a horse-drawn carriage, sufficient for everyone to ride. It was pulled by a wingless dragon subspecies&mdash;a gigantic kin of the ground dragon.

After Kamito and company boarded the carriage, it slowly made its way forward.

It looked like a dragon with a massive body and strength but conversely low speed.

The dragon carriage left the military port and advanced along a main road towards the dragon capital, Grand Dracunia. Apart from dragons circling in the sky, the scenery was not too different from that of the imperial capital. However, compared to Ostdakia, the architectural designs seemed more sturdy.

Probably curious about what the streets looked like, sitting next to Kamito, Restia kept looking out the window, asking Kamito about this and that. Kamito was suddenly reminded of how things were like between him and Restia when walking in the streets, except with their roles reversed.

"After reaching the castle, we will first pay respects to the Dragon King."

Sitting opposite to Kamito, Leonora said.

"That makes me feel nervous..."

"Please do not breach etiquette in His Majesty's presence. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee the safety of your life."

Hearing Leonora's warning, Kamito and company exchanged looks.

...On further thought, Kamito realized he knew virtually nothing about the Dragon King.

"Uh, how long ago did the Dragon King begin his reign here?"

"Several hundred years ago."

"That's relatively recent. What was he doing a thousand years ago, during the Demon King War?"

Interested, Claire began to ask questions.

"During the Demon King War, because His Majesty had yet to rule directly, hence he did not intervene in human conflicts. By the way, do any of you know why this nation is called a 'duchy'?"

"...? Oh, now that you mention it&mdash;"

Prompted by Leonora's question, Kamito realized it was a bit unusual for a country ruled by the Dragon King to be called a duchy. Normally, one would probably call it a kingdom.

"Far back in history, this used to be a duchy. The current name is a relic from those times."

In the past, the rulers of this Kelbreth Mountain Range was Duke Marfelion, the Dragon Duke, and his descendants. Although the Dragon King was already present in these lands, His Majesty did not actively make contact with humans. Like other high-ranked spirits, the Dragon King was enshrined in a temple as an object of worship.

However, as time went by, the Dragon Dukedom's rule began to enter a gradual state of decline. Foolish rulers who treated the populace as disposable property appeared one after another. Thus, the people gradually came to petition the Dragon King frequently for divine intervention. Finally, in accordance with the people's wishes, Bahamut began to rule these lands.

This happened 475 years ago&mdash;Leonora concluded.

"It was said that initially, the idea of a spirit ruling the human realm did elicit opposition. But now that Dracunia's prosperity can be witnessed by all today, I suppose no one will raise any objections again."

While they chatted, the dragon carriage passed through the city and entered a narrow and treacherous mountain path.

A place with sheer cliffs. Worried that the dragon carriage might fall down, Kamito remained apprehensive the whole time.

"How unusual for the main castle to be outside the city."

Rinslet remarked. Indeed, Nefescal Palace was situated in the town center of the imperial capital. Most palaces in other countries were the same.

"Because it was originally not a castle but a temple for worshiping His Majesty the Dragon King. If you think of it as a palace like in Ordesia, perhaps there is a sense of dissonance."

Saying that, Leonora pointed to the pinnacle of the mountain range, visible outside the window.

"Over there is the famous Dragon's Peak."

"Dragon's Peak?"

Kamito asked and looked out the window. The summit was shrouded by thick mist, obstructing a clear view. However, he could see many dragons circling there.

"I've heard that it's home to the only Demon King Dragon on the continent."

"It used to be the lair inhabited by the great dark dragon, Vritra. According to legend, Vritra engaged in widespread destruction and plunder after descending upon the human realm, but a thousand years ago, he was defeated by Sacred Maiden Areishia who had come here, and was thus sealed in a temple on the peak."

"Eh... Hey Est, do you still remember about that time?"

Kamito asked the sword beside him.

"No, it is not in my memories."

Est replied indifferently.

After moving along the meandering mountain path for a while, the dragon carriage reached a great canyon.

A stone bridge had been built across the valley, whose depths were too deep to see. A gigantic structure could be seen on the opposite side, carved out from a cliff.

"Over there is Dracunia's main castle, the Dragon Rock Fortress&mdash;commonly known as the Stronghold."