Centuries have passed.
At Dragon’s Roar Mountain, the peaceful days continued.
For the human race, a century may seem like a very long time, but not for a long-eared race like Rostelina.
Nevertheless, it was sufficient time for the young girl to blossom into a full-fledged lady.
From a pretty girl to a beauty.
However, on the inside, Rostelina remained the same.
As innocent as she used to be.
It’s only natural, living without contact with anyone but Saleyact and Laplace.
However, her heart was far from peaceful.
Her smile had disappeared, and gloom occupied most of her heart.
It’s only natural...
Those stories... Ever since Laplace told her about his time as a Five Dragon General, Laplace looked more grim and troubled.
On the surface, Laplace was the same, but Rostelina could tell.
It’s not direct like anger or feeling grumpy.
But an accumulation of negative feelings over time.
Moreover, Laplace had been away from home more often these days.
He used to be always home, now he’s back only once a month.
Rostelina knew the reason.
Because Laplace is trying to confirm the rumor of Great Demon Emperor Kishirika Kishirisu’s resurrection.
The Great Demon Emperor was famous enough that even Rostelina was aware of her.
She led the demons to war with the human race thousands of years ago.
It was a war many centuries before Rostelina’s time.
A tremendous war that engulfed the entire world.
The war ended in the Great Demon Emperor’s defeat.
But if she was resurrected, then the flames of war would start anew.
She doesn't know how Laplace would act.
Would he align with the human race or the demon race?
Or watch from the sidelines?
Whatever his decision, no doubt he has been busy preparing for it.
All that effort, even though the rumor had yet to be confirmed.
"Haa..."
Rostelina sighed while bringing in the laundry.
She knows Laplace is busy.
Laplace was always a man on a mission. If there’s a great event happening in the world, it’s only natural for him to be involved.
Only natural that he’s too busy for Rostelina.
But there was a knot in her heart.
What if he is avoiding me?
What if he’s annoyed that I asked about his time as a Dragon General?
Laplace said it first.
This story was a Bad End.
No matter how good things were going, it ends up with a sad ending.
What she heard so far hasn't been so tragic.
A half-dragon, half-demon orphan was found, educated, and gained status.
Rather, it’s a success story.
If the story ends here, it’d be a Happy End.
But the story hasn’t ended.
At the end of the day, Laplace lives out at this remote, barren place, roams the world, writes his books.
Something drastic must have happened.
Something decidedly tragic happened to Laplace... but what?
Maybe Laplace doesn't want to talk about it.
And if I keep asking, he won’t come back anymore.
If so, Rostelina won’t pursue it further.
It’s fine.
Certainly, Rostelina wants to know what came after.
The reason for that pained grimace that Laplace occasionally wears.
She wants to know.
So she can be his support.
But if Laplace has a hard time talking about it, Rostelina doesn’t need to know.
She can support him, even without knowing.
Laundry, cleaning.
After centuries even her cooking has improved considerably.
It’s hard to tell, since Laplace said “it tastes good” to everything, but Saleyakt sang his praises with her cooking.
That was transmitted through Laplace, as Rostelina never learned to speak with Saleyakt.
Anyhow, she tries to help in other ways.
Like organizing the bookshelves.
Recently Laplace would shut himself in his library writing when he returned home.
He would come out after a while, complaining that he couldn’t finish writing everything down.
Outside of these simple exchanges, Rostelina and Laplace rarely spoke.
I want you to count on me more.
I always made that effort.
I’m no longer a child.
"Oh, Master, I wonder if you’ll be back soon..."
The laundry is finished and the house is cleaned.
After lunch, I’ll clean Saleyakt’s bed.
Don’t forget to sprinkle Saleyakt’s scales and droppings around the house.
It wards off other dragons from encroaching on his territory while he’s away.
It’s probably fine either way.
"..."
It will be dinner time soon.
But Rostelina was lost in her sighs.
She had no appetite.
"……Ah!"
Then, Rostelina’s long ears caught a certain sound.
The flapping of a great pair of wings.
A sound more powerful and nostalgic than those of red dragons roaming in the neighborhood.
It's Saleyakt.
Laplace is back!
"Master!"
Without hesitation, Rostelina sprinted out.
As if on cue, Laplace was there on Saleyakt’s back.
Laplace raised a hand upon seeing Rostelina, slowly Saleyakt feathered his wings and landed on the field before the house.
An elegant landing too refined for red dragons.
Simultaneously with the landing, Laplace jumped from Saleyakt.
Saleyakt yawned, as if he was tired, and went back to the back of the house quietly.
He probably was exhausted from the long flight.
"I’m home, Rostellina. What's wrong? It's rare for you to greet outside the house like this."
"It's not! I always came out to greet you these days!”
"Is that right...? My apologies."
"No, it's fine! So Laplace-sama... Would you like dinner?"
Lostellina asked nervously.
Laplace is often refused when asked.
Laplace doesn't eat much.
"Oh, yeah. I have been flying around without eating for some time, so I’m rather hungry. Please take care of me.”
"Yes!"
But it seems different today.
Rostelina replied cheerfully and rushed to the kitchen.
The fire in the furnace hasn’t been extinguished yet.
Pour water from the water barrel into the pan, and it begins to boil.
"Rostelina."
"Yes! What is it, Master?"
In response to a call from behind, Rostelina was about to rush over.
"Oh no, just listen as you prepare dinner."
But she stopped on Laplace's command.
With her lips tight, she returned to prepping dinner.
“I was able to confirm today that the Great Demon Emperor Kishirika Kishirisu has revived.
No, not quite, she revived at least five hundred years ago, but just now fully formed.
A puppetmaster of warlike Demon Lords.
......Soon, war."
Rostelina’s hand froze for a second.
War will soon begin.
Rostelina doesn’t really understand.
She has never experienced war.
Many people died during the Human-Demon War.
But Rostelina lives a secluded life on Dragon’s Roar Mountain.
No war, no matter how great, would affect it here.
"And it appears that the one pulling the strings behind the war… is him.”
"Him?"
"The one I must pursue and defeat… the enemy.”
Rostelina’s hand froze.
“I do not know his aims.
But I have an obligation to figure it out and stop him.
I’ll find every trap he lays and destroy it.
I will stop him.”
"..."
"So I'll take part in the war. I don't yet know which side I’ll be on.”
In front of Rostelina, the water began to boil.
But Rostelina couldn't help looking back.
Laplace is strong.
But he is alone.
The Five Dragon Generals are no more.
The enemy probably killed them.
He may die.
Laplace could lose.
"Master..."
With an anxious heart Rostelina left the kitchen.
Laplace, as usual, sits in a chair with a neutral expression.
However, a shadow cast over his face.
We may not meet again.
Rostelina had that premonition.
"Oh, don't worry, Lostellina.
It will be a while before the war begins.
Until then, I'll be with you.''
Whether or sensing Rostelina's anxiety, Laplace smiled and said.
"So, how about some food? I've been hungry for some time now."
"Yes……"
Rostelina returned to the kitchen and resumed cooking as requested.
Soup, grilled meat, plus some veggies.
It was completed in no time.
However, no flavor could overcome her anxiety.
"Yeah, it’s delicious today."
Laplace ate the meal and said.
But was it really?
"What's wrong, Rostelina. You’re pretty quiet today."
"Master..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you really have to go to war?"
Hearing that, Laplace troubled for a moment.
However, he soon turned solemn and nodded.
"Yes, I have to go. Especially if he's involved."
"Why..?"
Why?
That word came from somewhere other than Rostelina’s convictions.
I shouldn’t ask.
She thought, yet she did.
"I see... I see. I forgot. Speaking of which, I only told half the story, so you didn't know."
"Eh?"
"Let's talk. I'm sure you will understand if you heard everything.
What happened to the Dragon World… no, what happened to the world,
and my mission, why I must fight him."
Hearing that, Rostelina gingerly asked,
“I thought you… don’t want to talk about that?”
"That's not true.
It's a painful and sad story, but it’s a past that should not be forgotten.
If I don’t talk about it, I may eventually forget it.”
Laplace said, seemingly decided on something.
"Come, sit, Rostelina. Or do you not want to hear it?”
Hearing those words, Rostelina swallowed.
I want to hear.
What happened in Laplace's life?
What happened to Laplace the Dragon General?
I always wanted to know.
I won’t ask if he won’t answer, or if he doesn’t want me to know.
"Please tell me!"
Then Rostelina took her appointed seat.
The seat next to Laplace, her place besides him.
"Okay, let's talk. The final story of the Dragon World."
So Laplace began.
The final story of Laplace of the Five Dragon Generals.
Centuries have passed.
At Dragon’s Roar Mountain, the peaceful days continued.
For the human race, a century may seem like a very long time, but not for a long-eared race like Rostelina.
Nevertheless, it was sufficient time for the young girl to blossom into a full-fledged lady.
From a pretty girl to a beauty.
However, on the inside, Rostelina remained the same.
As innocent as she used to be.
It’s only natural, living without contact with anyone but Saleyact and Laplace.
However, her heart was far from peaceful.
Her smile had disappeared, and gloom occupied most of her heart.
It’s only natural...
Those stories... Ever since Laplace told her about his time as a Five Dragon General, Laplace looked more grim and troubled.
On the surface, Laplace was the same, but Rostelina could tell.
It’s not direct like anger or feeling grumpy.
But an accumulation of negative feelings over time.
Moreover, Laplace had been away from home more often these days.
He used to be always home, now he’s back only once a month.
Rostelina knew the reason.
Because Laplace is trying to confirm the rumor of Great Demon Emperor Kishirika Kishirisu’s resurrection.
The Great Demon Emperor was famous enough that even Rostelina was aware of her.
She led the demons to war with the human race thousands of years ago.
It was a war many centuries before Rostelina’s time.
A tremendous war that engulfed the entire world.
The war ended in the Great Demon Emperor’s defeat.
But if she was resurrected, then the flames of war would start anew.
She doesn't know how Laplace would act.
Would he align with the human race or the demon race?
Or watch from the sidelines?
Whatever his decision, no doubt he has been busy preparing for it.
All that effort, even though the rumor had yet to be confirmed.
"Haa..."
Rostelina sighed while bringing in the laundry.
She knows Laplace is busy.
Laplace was always a man on a mission. If there’s a great event happening in the world, it’s only natural for him to be involved.
Only natural that he’s too busy for Rostelina.
But there was a knot in her heart.
What if he is avoiding me?
What if he’s annoyed that I asked about his time as a Dragon General?
Laplace said it first.
This story was a Bad End.
No matter how good things were going, it ends up with a sad ending.
What she heard so far hasn't been so tragic.
A half-dragon, half-demon orphan was found, educated, and gained status.
Rather, it’s a success story.
If the story ends here, it’d be a Happy End.
But the story hasn’t ended.
At the end of the day, Laplace lives out at this remote, barren place, roams the world, writes his books.
Something drastic must have happened.
Something decidedly tragic happened to Laplace... but what?
Maybe Laplace doesn't want to talk about it.
And if I keep asking, he won’t come back anymore.
If so, Rostelina won’t pursue it further.
It’s fine.
Certainly, Rostelina wants to know what came after.
The reason for that pained grimace that Laplace occasionally wears.
She wants to know.
So she can be his support.
But if Laplace has a hard time talking about it, Rostelina doesn’t need to know.
She can support him, even without knowing.
Laundry, cleaning.
After centuries even her cooking has improved considerably.
It’s hard to tell, since Laplace said “it tastes good” to everything, but Saleyakt sang his praises with her cooking.
That was transmitted through Laplace, as Rostelina never learned to speak with Saleyakt.
Anyhow, she tries to help in other ways.
Like organizing the bookshelves.
Recently Laplace would shut himself in his library writing when he returned home.
He would come out after a while, complaining that he couldn’t finish writing everything down.
Outside of these simple exchanges, Rostelina and Laplace rarely spoke.
I want you to count on me more.
I always made that effort.
I’m no longer a child.
"Oh, Master, I wonder if you’ll be back soon..."
The laundry is finished and the house is cleaned.
After lunch, I’ll clean Saleyakt’s bed.
Don’t forget to sprinkle Saleyakt’s scales and droppings around the house.
It wards off other dragons from encroaching on his territory while he’s away.
It’s probably fine either way.
"..."
It will be dinner time soon.
But Rostelina was lost in her sighs.
She had no appetite.
"……Ah!"
Then, Rostelina’s long ears caught a certain sound.
The flapping of a great pair of wings.
A sound more powerful and nostalgic than those of red dragons roaming in the neighborhood.
It's Saleyakt.
Laplace is back!
"Master!"
Without hesitation, Rostelina sprinted out.
As if on cue, Laplace was there on Saleyakt’s back.
Laplace raised a hand upon seeing Rostelina, slowly Saleyakt feathered his wings and landed on the field before the house.
An elegant landing too refined for red dragons.
Simultaneously with the landing, Laplace jumped from Saleyakt.
Saleyakt yawned, as if he was tired, and went back to the back of the house quietly.
He probably was exhausted from the long flight.
"I’m home, Rostellina. What's wrong? It's rare for you to greet outside the house like this."
"It's not! I always came out to greet you these days!”
"Is that right...? My apologies."
"No, it's fine! So Laplace-sama... Would you like dinner?"
Lostellina asked nervously.
Laplace is often refused when asked.
Laplace doesn't eat much.
"Oh, yeah. I have been flying around without eating for some time, so I’m rather hungry. Please take care of me.”
"Yes!"
But it seems different today.
Rostelina replied cheerfully and rushed to the kitchen.
The fire in the furnace hasn’t been extinguished yet.
Pour water from the water barrel into the pan, and it begins to boil.
"Rostelina."
"Yes! What is it, Master?"
In response to a call from behind, Rostelina was about to rush over.
"Oh no, just listen as you prepare dinner."
But she stopped on Laplace's command.
With her lips tight, she returned to prepping dinner.
“I was able to confirm today that the Great Demon Emperor Kishirika Kishirisu has revived.
No, not quite, she revived at least five hundred years ago, but just now fully formed.
A puppetmaster of warlike Demon Lords.
......Soon, war."
Rostelina’s hand froze for a second.
War will soon begin.
Rostelina doesn’t really understand.
She has never experienced war.
Many people died during the Human-Demon War.
But Rostelina lives a secluded life on Dragon’s Roar Mountain.
No war, no matter how great, would affect it here.
"And it appears that the one pulling the strings behind the war… is him.”
"Him?"
"The one I must pursue and defeat… the enemy.”
Rostelina’s hand froze.
“I do not know his aims.
But I have an obligation to figure it out and stop him.
I’ll find every trap he lays and destroy it.
I will stop him.”
"..."
"So I'll take part in the war. I don't yet know which side I’ll be on.”
In front of Rostelina, the water began to boil.
But Rostelina couldn't help looking back.
Laplace is strong.
But he is alone.
The Five Dragon Generals are no more.
The enemy probably killed them.
He may die.
Laplace could lose.
"Master..."
With an anxious heart Rostelina left the kitchen.
Laplace, as usual, sits in a chair with a neutral expression.
However, a shadow cast over his face.
We may not meet again.
Rostelina had that premonition.
"Oh, don't worry, Lostellina.
It will be a while before the war begins.
Until then, I'll be with you.''
Whether or sensing Rostelina's anxiety, Laplace smiled and said.
"So, how about some food? I've been hungry for some time now."
"Yes……"
Rostelina returned to the kitchen and resumed cooking as requested.
Soup, grilled meat, plus some veggies.
It was completed in no time.
However, no flavor could overcome her anxiety.
"Yeah, it’s delicious today."
Laplace ate the meal and said.
But was it really?
"What's wrong, Rostelina. You’re pretty quiet today."
"Master..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you really have to go to war?"
Hearing that, Laplace troubled for a moment.
However, he soon turned solemn and nodded.
"Yes, I have to go. Especially if he's involved."
"Why..?"
Why?
That word came from somewhere other than Rostelina’s convictions.
I shouldn’t ask.
She thought, yet she did.
"I see... I see. I forgot. Speaking of which, I only told half the story, so you didn't know."
"Eh?"
"Let's talk. I'm sure you will understand if you heard everything.
What happened to the Dragon World… no, what happened to the world,
and my mission, why I must fight him."
Hearing that, Rostelina gingerly asked,
“I thought you… don’t want to talk about that?”
"That's not true.
It's a painful and sad story, but it’s a past that should not be forgotten.
If I don’t talk about it, I may eventually forget it.”
Laplace said, seemingly decided on something.
"Come, sit, Rostelina. Or do you not want to hear it?”
Hearing those words, Rostelina swallowed.
I want to hear.
What happened in Laplace's life?
What happened to Laplace the Dragon General?
I always wanted to know.
I won’t ask if he won’t answer, or if he doesn’t want me to know.
"Please tell me!"
Then Rostelina took her appointed seat.
The seat next to Laplace, her place besides him.
"Okay, let's talk. The final story of the Dragon World."
So Laplace began.
The final story of Laplace of the Five Dragon Generals.
