Chapter 214: The Blue-Violet Great Benefactor
The three of them proceeded to question every dragon they could find.
Fortunately, the total dragon population of the Dragon Floating Island didn’t even reach three digits.
In other words, despite how tedious the task sounded, it didn’t actually take very long.
And yet—
“It seems there wasn’t a single dragon who resembled Munechika.”
“Indeed. At this rate, we can’t even properly express our gratitude. Could it be that she’s currently flying somewhere across the skies?”
Ryu and Ryoma were beginning to run out of ideas.
Just then—
Fifth Flame folded his arms and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“I have lived on this island for over ten thousand years, but aside from the two of you, the total amount of magical energy present here hasn’t changed from its usual levels.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“And… there’s one eccentric dragon who doesn’t live in the city.”
He paused.
“To be honest, if it isn’t that person, then you’ll have to give up.”
The two spoke simultaneously.
““An eccentric?”””
Dragons were already far from ordinary creatures.
One could even argue that their very evolution from humans into dragons was proof that they had always been extraordinary individuals.
And yet, among a gathering of such unusual beings, there existed someone regarded as strange even by dragon standards.
That alone made the person worth investigating.
“She’s a relatively young dragon,” Fifth Flame explained.
“But she only lived in the city for around a hundred years.”
“A hundred years is considered brief?”
“Among dragons, yes.”
Fifth Flame continued.
“She once said that while she felt a sense of kinship toward other dragons, she never quite got along with them.”
“Sounds familiar already,” Ryu muttered.
“After spending enough time in the city to gather knowledge, she left and never returned permanently. She built a small house at the edge of the island and now lives a leisurely life there.”
He shrugged.
“I probably know her better than anyone else on the island.”
Then he added:
“And even I have only interacted with her this much.”
That was likely why Fifth Flame had saved her for last.
There simply wasn’t much information to go on.
“Not to disrespect all the effort you’ve put in,” Ryu said, “but I have a feeling this lonely dragon is exactly the kind of person Munechika would become.”
“Indeed.”
Ryoma nodded.
“There’s no question that Munechika was extraordinary.”
Unlike the other dragons, Munechika hadn’t reached draconic evolution through combat prowess.
Nor through magical talent.
She had arrived there through knowledge alone.
Pure intellect.
An existence so obsessed with understanding and creation that she had transcended humanity itself.
Naturally, it would be difficult for her to bond with dragons whose primary interests revolved around battle.
Even the research-oriented dragons they had met earlier would likely struggle to connect with her.
The gap was one of intellect itself—
The level of their thinking was simply too different.
They simply couldn’t understand one another.
“Well, whatever the case, take us to this lonely dragon.”
“Very well.”
Fifth Flame sighed.
“But if she isn’t the right person, you’re leaving immediately.”
“No chance.”
Ryu grinned.
“Ryoma and I are stubborn. We’ll keep searching until we find her.”
“I said you’ll leave!”
“You really are a busy man.”
Ryu laughed.
“One minute you’re telling us to settle down on the island. The next you’re telling us to leave.”
He pointed at Fifth Flame.
“You’re free anyway. Just keep helping.”
“You infuriating little…!”
And so the three set off toward the island’s farthest reaches in search of the mysterious recluse.
◇ ◇ ◇
Dragon Floating Island, ruled by the Dragon King, was immense.
Its total size was roughly one-tenth that of Hinomaru.
If an ordinary person attempted to walk from the city to the far edge of the island, night would likely fall before they arrived.
But these were dragons.
For them, such a distance was trivial.
“WHY ARE YOU RIDING ON MY BACK?!”
A thunderous roar echoed through the sky.
“I AM FIFTH FLAME OF THE FIVE HEAVENLY DRAGONS! THE LEADER OF THE FIVE! THE DRAGON KING’S GREATEST FRIEND! A DRAGON FAR SENIOR TO BOTH OF YOU IN AGE AND EXPERIENCE!”
For some reason, neither Ryu nor Ryoma had chosen to fly themselves.
Instead, they were comfortably seated atop Fifth Flame’s enormous dragon form.
His furious protests seemed to have absolutely no effect.
“Yeah, yeah. We hear you.”
“Indeed.”
Ryoma patted one of the scales beneath him.
“As expected of a Flame Dragon. Your scales carry a pleasant warmth. Flying at high altitude is remarkably comfortable this way.”
“We’ve got time.”
Ryu reached into his belongings.
“Want to play cards?”
“Oh?”
Ryoma’s eyes lit up.
“Concentration is one of my specialties.”
Playing-card games had been introduced to the continent a thousand years ago by the Hero.
Since then, it had become one of the most popular forms of entertainment among the people.
Especially among the citizens of Hinomaru, whose bloodlines retained strong traces of Japanese heritage.
“YOU TWO…!”
Fifth Flame fumed with rage.
Yet despite his irritation, he flew carefully.
Very carefully.
Making sure neither passenger accidentally fell from his back.
Several minutes later—
“We’re almost there!”
Fifth Flame barked.
“Put away those cards already!”
“Aw, come on.”
Ryu looked disappointed.
“It was just getting interesting.”
“Stop complaining!”
Fifth Flame snapped.
“I’m literally flying you here myself!”
The two finally looked ahead.
In the distance stood a small, simple house.
Nothing extravagant.
Nothing grand.
Merely the perfect size for a single resident.
A modest field surrounded it.
Several fruit trees grew nearby.
The entire place radiated tranquility.
It was unmistakably the home of someone enjoying a slow and peaceful life.
“By the way,” Ryu asked, “what’s this eccentric dragon’s name?”
He glanced at Fifth Flame.
“Even if dragons don’t care much about names, someone notorious enough to be talked about should at least have a nickname.”
“She’s known as ‘The Blue-Violet One.’”
“The Blue-Violet One, huh?”
“She doesn’t live in the city,” Fifth Flame continued, “but she occasionally visits.”
“Well.”
Ryu smiled.
“No matter how independent someone is, loneliness eventually catches up with them.”
“Indeed.”
Fifth Flame nodded solemnly.
“Loneliness once tormented even the Dragon King himself.”
His expression softened.
“It’s the greatest enemy dragonkind has ever faced.”
Ryu glanced at him.
“You know… when he calls you his greatest friend, he probably means it.”
“O-Of course he does!”
Fifth Flame immediately puffed out his chest.
“I’m the second Ancient Dragon ever born and the retainer who has served His Majesty longer than anyone!”
Despite his prideful declaration, the slight stammer in his voice revealed how pleased he was.
Ryoma smiled knowingly.
“Serving a master is difficult.”
He looked toward the horizon.
“But a loyal retainer gains far more than he gives.”
“Well said, Wind.”
Fifth Flame nodded approvingly.
“I have a master as well.”
“Who?”
“Itagaki.”
“…”
Fifth Flame snorted.
“Your true master is the Dragon King. Never forget that.”
A few moments later, Fifth Flame descended and landed near the house.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Blue-Violet One sat quietly in a chair.
A basket of fruit rested beside her.
She reached into it and picked up an apple.
It was still slightly green.
Normally, it would have needed more time before harvest.
This particular apple had fallen earlier when the island unexpectedly tilted.
The culprit behind that incident, needless to say, was Ryu.
She took a bite.
Crunch.
Sweetness spread across her tongue.
Followed by a refreshing flavor.
“Mmm.”
She smiled.
“Delicious.”
Examining the apple thoughtfully, she took another bite.
“This variety is surprisingly good even before it’s fully ripe.”
Her eyes brightened.
“A new discovery.”
She was happily enjoying the fruit when—
The house shook again.
“Hm?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Again?”
After a moment, she shook her head.
“No… this feels different from earlier.”
The vibration rolled through the ground.
Heavy.
Measured.
Powerful.
“It feels more like something enormous just landed nearby.”
Curious, she rose from her chair and stepped outside.
And then—
“Oh my.”
A smile appeared on her face.
“This is unusual.”
Standing before her was Fifth Flame.
“It’s been a while, Blue-Violet One.”
“Fifth Flame-sama visiting a remote place like this?”
She chuckled softly.
“Now that’s surprising.”
Her eyes drifted briefly toward the sky.
“Does this have something to do with that shaking from earlier?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
Her attention shifted.
Behind Fifth Flame stood two unfamiliar dragons.
“And who might they be?”
She tilted her head.
“I’ve never seen them before.”
A teasing smile appeared.
“New arrivals?”
“They aren’t newcomers.”
Fifth Flame shook his head.
“These two are a rare breed indeed.”
He gestured toward them.
“Dragons who live upon the surface world.”
“And they wished to meet me?”
“Quite insistently.”
“So that’s why you’ve brought them here.”
The Blue-Violet One laughed.
“What is it?”
She folded her arms.
“Did they hear rumors about me in the city and become curious?”
She understood perfectly how others viewed her.
She always had.
For someone to seek me out…
There are only two possibilities.
Either they’re here to mock me…
Or they’re somehow connected to my human life.
Her smile grew slightly.
Though realistically, it’s probably the first one.
The instant Ryu and Ryoma saw her—
They knew.
Without a doubt.
Without hesitation.
She was Sanjo Kokaji Munechika.
The woman they had been searching for.
The woman who had changed their lives.
Their greatest benefactor.
For a brief moment, both Kurikara and Futsunomitama seemed to stir with joy within their hearts.
As though the legendary blades themselves recognized their creator.
Ryu stepped forward.
“So you’re the famous Blue-Violet One.”
“That’s right.”
She smiled casually.
“Can I help you with something?”
Her voice carried no expectations.
No anticipation.
No hope.
Just the tone of someone accustomed to quiet days and unexpected visitors.
But she was about to be very wrong.
Because Ryu—
The same Ryu who had mocked Fifth Flame all day.
The same Ryu who showed little respect even to the Dragon King—
Bent at the waist.
Ninety degrees.
Perfectly.
Deeply.
And lowered his head.
“You saved me.”
His voice was sincere.
Steady.
Without even the slightest trace of joking.
“I owe you a debt so great that I can never repay it.”
A pause.
“Thank you.”
Beside him, Ryoma lowered his head as well.
“I feel the same.”
His voice softened.
“No amount of gratitude could ever be enough.”
“…!”
The Blue-Violet One’s eyes widened.
For the first time in a very long while—
Something unexpected had happened.
A genuine change.
A break in the quiet rhythm of her daily life.
Meanwhile—
Fifth Flame was equally stunned.
The man who spoke to the Dragon King like that…
The man who treated His Majesty with such irreverence…
Actually bowed his head?!
Impossible…!
The Blue-Violet One visibly panicked.
Her composure crumbled instantly.
“U-Um…”
She pointed awkwardly at herself.
“W-Well… I don’t really understand what’s happening, but…”
A nervous laugh escaped her lips.
“You’re welcome…?”
And just like that—
The small emptiness that had lingered within the hearts of Ryu and Ryoma for years was finally filled.
The gratitude they had carried all this time.
The thanks they had never been able to express.
The debt that had remained unresolved.
After years of waiting—
At last—
They had finally delivered it.