The Great Empire of a Distant Land (19)

About seven years had passed since I began telling my story to the True Dragon, the Golden Dragon.

No, honestly, I'm amazed that even I have been able to recount the span of my life in such detail.

For some reason, Byakubyo Rokun and Ryusui Teikun took a liking to Saia and doted on him, even bringing in horses from goodness knows where to be his mates.

Their foals were born, and before I knew it, an exercise yard and even a pasture had been built for Saia and the others in one corner of the castle. ...Honestly, I've been wondering whether I should take Saia with me on the rest of my journey.

There's no doubt that Saia is still most attached to me, and his offspring are incredibly attached to me as well, but this is clearly the place where they can live the most comfortable lives.

From the beginning, I had been prepared to give Saia up if circumstances required it during my journey.

Of course, I intended to be selective about whom I gave him to, but there was no way I would find anyone better than the immortals from here on.

In that case, entrusting Saia to them was probably the best path.

Except for the fact that I couldn't help feeling lonely.

The story I had been telling the Golden Dragon had finally reached the Yellow Ancient Empire.

It wouldn't be much longer before I ran out of things to tell him.

The time for my departure was drawing near.

Well, I was used to farewells by now, so I would choose the best path.

Come to think of it, even after seven years, I had only become moderately proficient at handling the greatsword, but Ouki Genjo had praised me for my swordsmanship.

"It's a style of swordsmanship tailored to Eisa. ...No, I suppose your master really did tailor it for Eisa. It's a real shame she's no longer alive. I would have liked to meet her at least once."

That was the sort of thing she said.

No, but it felt as though she had praised not me, but the swordsmanship I wielded—and perhaps Kaeha herself.

It made me happier to hear my master Kaeha praised than to be praised myself, so I had no complaints at all.

By learning to handle the greatsword and other long weapons, I felt that my own swordsmanship had taken another step forward.

My understanding of distance, in particular, had deepened considerably.

Little by little, one step at a time, I continued moving forward and building upon what I had learned.

Unlike Kaeha, I could not reach that pinnacle in a mere few decades, but even if it took hundreds of years, I would surely reach the height she had shown me at the end of her life.

That goal had come clearly into focus over these seven years.

Though I was still in the middle of my journey, when I stopped and looked back, it had truly been a journey in which I had gained a great deal.

Of course, a long weapon as large as that would be cumbersome on a lengthy journey, so I did not carry one around, and I was unlikely to have many opportunities to wield one anyway.

"And so, after once again confirming that the day of my departure is drawing near, I came to see you again today. ...Yes, Golden Dragon, the story I've been telling you has now caught up with this very moment. So, that's the end of my story."

I told the True Dragon, the Golden Dragon, that, and pulled my forehead away from his scales.

Then the Golden Dragon narrowed his large eyes,

"Ah, my friend. I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed the time you spent. Anger, sorrow, joy, love... All that remains now is wistfulness and satisfaction. My friend, your world is wonderful."

With those terribly grandiose words, he shook his body.

When the unexpected movement startled me, several large scales came clattering down and rolled to a stop beside me.

"My friend, I apologize that it is such a trifling thing, but take it as a token of my gratitude. It may prove useful to you for something. It is nowhere near enough to repay the time you devoted to showing me your world, but I ask you to forgive me."

When I picked one up, it was very light and thin... but was still enormous.

It was about the size of a small shield.

What was I supposed to do with these...?

If he considered me a friend, he really didn't need to worry about thanking me.

As I wondered what to do with the scales, the Golden Dragon seemed to smile faintly.

"There is no need for me to burn down a wonderful world. I shall sleep for a while again. If you visit this place again someday and tell me more stories, I would be pleased."

Saying that, he closed his eyes.

Ah, that might be nice.

If someday I had accumulated plenty of stories to tell him, it would surely be fun to have the Golden Dragon listen to them.

"Good night, my old friend. Well then, let's talk again someday."

I said that and turned away from him.

My role in the Yellow Ancient Empire came to an end that way.

The only thing left to worry about was what to do with these scales.

No, seriously, what should I do?

They weren't something I could just carry around, nor were they something I could easily give to someone else.

From the way the Golden Dragon had put it, he wanted me to process them, but... was that even possible?

If I could break them into small pieces, I could join those pieces into armor or put them inside the lining of a cloak.

If they could be melted with heat, I could even try mixing them into metal.

But these were, after all, scales from a True Dragon.

I couldn't imagine being able to crush them so easily, much less melt them.

Well, I would consult the immortals once I returned to the surface.

This was simply beyond what I could handle alone.

The departure I had expected was likely to be delayed a little, thanks to the Golden Dragon's gift—or perhaps his prank.

But I didn't feel bad about it at all.

On the contrary, I was positively thrilled.

If I ever came back here and had another chance to talk with the Golden Dragon, my first topic would probably be what I had done with his scales.

In any case, the world would continue on for a long, long time yet.