Editing Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 10 Prologue (section)

=== Part 2 ===
The Ecbald Tribe were commonly known as the ‘fairies of the forest’. Having grown up amidst an ocean of trees, it would be reasonable to assume that Lucca had become accustomed to activities in the forest, but she had always seemed slow and unreliable.

“…I’m just slowing Kiira down.”

Lucca dejectedly hung her shoulders after returning the bottle to Kiira. Perhaps it was just an illusion, but her ears also appeared to be a little droopy. Even though the people outside the forest all used the term ‘elf ears’ to collectively refer to those of the Ecbald Tribe, the shape of each individual’s ears were naturally different. Among them, Lucca’s ears were especially beautiful. Kiira cared deeply about Lucca, and so she knew this better than anyone else.

“Haha, don’t take it to heart. If you keep your head down in misery like this, you’ll ruin those beautiful ears for nothing.”

After Kiira laughed boldly, she energetically slapped Lucca’s back.

“Ahh.”

With her centre of gravity destabilised, Lucca almost fell off the branch.

“Watch out!”

Kiira quickly reached out and grabbed onto the hem of Lucca’s clothing near her neck.

“Phew, that was close…”

After a struggle, Lucca finally managed to sit down again and breathed a sigh of relief. She then looked across and glared at Kiira.

“Uhh…”

She might’ve thought that she looked rather brave like that, but she actually looked like a nervous little animal and was even cuter.

“Don’t worry, Lucca. Compared to those who live outside the forest, you’re fairly accustomed to this forest environment. You just need to have some more faith in yourself.”

Kiira closed her eyes, focused her mind, and felt the movements of the wind and nature around her. Just a while ago — roughly a hundred children had been simultaneously sent into Albion Forest, much like a flock of animals set free to roam the wild. Many of the children felt helpless amidst the denseness of the forest and lost their will to go on.

“I’m scared!”

“Mummy!”

“I want to go home!”

Such cries made their way into Kiira’s ears. These cowardly and weak children basically stood no chance of entering into a contract with a dragon. With a faint sense of superiority in her heart, Kiira displayed a calm smile.

—<Orphan Ceremony>.

That was the name of this quintessential rite of passage. Its purpose was to obtain a larva from the Mother Dragon who resided deep within the forest. Having just celebrated their seventh birthdays in quick succession not long ago, both Kiira and Lucca had received a notice from the Knight Country’s government. In a letter delivered by the palace courier, a clear order was made for Kiira and Lucca to participate in the ceremony, and it was also stamped with the seal of Paladin Oswald for authenticity. The moment that she saw the seal on the letter, Kiira felt such elation at the thought that she would finally be able to start the journey towards her ‘dream’.

“There’s no time for you to feel depressed right now, Lucca. We still have great dreams waiting to be realised.”

After Kiira tried her best to cheer Lucca up with a buoyant voice, she placed both hands on her shoulders.

“We’re going to become Dragonars and perform the ultimate Dragon Dance — the ‘Twin-Winged Oratorio’! Have you forgotten that we swore an oath at the Shrine of Jylha?”

“Yes, we did swear.”

Lucca solemnly nodded.

“That technique requires the cooperation of two Dragonars. If either of us are missing, that dream will forevermore remain a dream. We need the Mother Dragon to give us larvae no matter what!”

“Yes…I’ll do my best.”

Although low in volume, Lucca’s voice was filled with determination.

“That’s the spirit, Lucca.”

Revealing a satisfied smile, Kiira briskly stood up.

“Alright then, let’s go and give the Mother Dragon a visit!”

At that moment, Kiira was filled with confidence. She was convinced that both of them would be able to form a contract with the dragons.

“Kiira and Lukka ~A.S.D.~1358.10~” is closed.<noinclude>
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