Comment and thanks to everyone who contributed coupons. Here’s episode 234!
72. Tale of Magical Beasts and Grace #3
“Dear sisters, let’s all take turns touching the tail! There’s never been, nor will there ever be, an opportunity to touch the tail of the Grand Nest’s master!”
Under Seraug’s command, the dragons took to the air, lining up like a well-rehearsed choir. Then, one by one, they shifted into feminine forms and began to pet and caress my tail!
“My, such a soft tail!”
“The dormant magical power is swirling everywhere! It feels like my skin, scales, and tail are becoming sturdier!”
“You don’t need to pair me up, but the White One is totally my type. Perhaps I could have a child…”
“Are you implying you want to give it a try with me right now?”
“Oh no, dear sister! How could that be? Hehe.”
The reactions were as diverse as the types of dragons, and even though they were only here to touch my tail, I was sweating bullets.
Each dragon that got a chance to touch my tail bobbed their heads in gratitude while fluttering their wings.
“Now that I graciously allowed everyone to touch my tail, what’s the plan?”
With the air of a representative among the fertile dragons, the Wind Dragon Seraug calmly looked down at the city beneath their feet.
“First off, since we’re in Cairo, let’s go visit the jewelry and accessory shops we missed last time…”
“Oh, right. That sounds very dragon-like. Let’s go stimulate the local economy!”
I remembered that dragon scales were used as both a good fuel and currency for rebuilding the city. So, I couldn’t be happier to see them staying in the city to spend some coins.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
Flap!
Leading the way, the Wind Dragon Seraug and several other dragons landed on the ground and transformed into beautiful women, entering various shops to shed their tail scales.
“Shopkeeper! I’ll buy all the clothes that fit me!”
“All of them!?!”
“Indeed… Hmmm? Where has the shopkeeper gone? Is it just you, a little boy, running the place?”
“A-Actually, my father is helping with rebuilding the city, so… I’m…”
“Ah, so you’re the shopkeeper’s son! How old are you? Isn’t it tough managing the shop all by yourself?”
“Well, um, everyone’s going through a tough time, so I have to do my part. But more importantly, you wanted clothes, right?”
“Ho ho, such a diligent child! Alright, I’ll buy every piece of clothing here that fits me. First, we need to measure my size, right?”
“Y-Yeah, that’s right.”
“I’m Seraug, the Wind Dragon. There won’t be many chances to measure my body, so please do it carefully. By the way, why is your face getting red? Are you perhaps interested in this body?”
“S-Sorry…”
“No need to apologize! But would you mind helping me try on those clothes in the changing room over there? That one, please.”
“W-What are you dragging me off to… Aaaah…!”
I perked my ears at the sound. Perhaps Cairo’s birth rate might rise smoothly after all.
“Oh, seeing dragons flutter in this city is something unimaginable back in Jupiter’s day.”
At Azidahaka’s brief reflection, I nodded. Just then, I heard Leaf, who was trembling beside me at the sight of the dragons, finally muster the courage to ask.
“So, what’s Jupiter planning to do…?”
Deep inside the rocky Olympus lies a strong prison where escape is impossible for anyone.
Crafted by the finest stone dwarf artisans from Cairo, this prison had no windows, not even a tiny hole, trapping it in complete darkness.
Within those walls are said to be the most heinous criminals who’ve committed great sins in Cairo and the desert; those who approach the prison often find themselves wrinkling their noses from the groans, wails, and curses that echo nearby.
Creeeak.
The heavy iron door opens, and a sliver of light pierces the impenetrable darkness. Two presences enter the subterranean prison.
Is it a new inmate?
Or perhaps a high-ranking official come to inspect?
Whenever the iron door opens like this, the imprisoned criminals would poke their heads from their cells, desperately trying to feel the light, scent, and warmth streaming in through the door. It was one of the few chances to connect with the outside world, the only moment they felt alive.
Click clack, click clack.
The sound of high heels echoed. The criminals instinctively realized that the newcomer was a young female beast.
“Ohoho, the scent of a female! Sniff sniff, delightful!”
“Hey there, beautiful! Isn’t it chilly in here? Come inside! I’ll keep you warm!”
“Touch my hefty hammer for me!”
Various crude remarks filled the air. Just the sound of it made me feel nauseous, and I wanted to flee immediately.
Yet, the intruder stepped deeper into the prison until stopping in front of a particularly thick and sturdy cell, easily more robust than all the others.
Even someone unfamiliar with the justice system could tell that inside was an unspeakably heinous criminal.
As all were losing their minds over the female scent, one malicious figure leaned against the wall with closed eyes, showing no sign of movement.
Jupiter quietly inquired, without even opening his eyes, “Is this the time of my execution? Minerva, would you at least allow me a final feast?”
There was no hint of regret or anger in Jupiter’s voice, only an overwhelming emptiness that had taken over him.
“So the proud prince of the sky has withered so much in just a few days.”
The wise pigeon, Minerva, could only shake her head at the sight of the frail Jupiter behind the bars.
His once chiseled body was now obscured, replaced by a wrinkled face resembling that of an old lady, with his once-proud platinum hair now thinning and turning white.
“If anyone could escape this place, it would be you, even if your hands and feet are tied.”
“….”
Instead of responding to Minerva, Jupiter chose to lie flat against the cold floor, the icy surface scraping painfully against his skin, but for a griffon of his caliber, it was just the right amount of chill.
“Why ask? Just k*ll me.”
After losing everything, Jupiter had no attachment left to life.
In fact, this underground prison, where he had been trapped for days, gave him a chance to sit alone in the darkness without a single glimmer of light and reflect inwardly.
After shedding all desires and restraints, the true meaning of giving up everything made him feel a rare sense of peace.
“Seems like you’re channeling a wise sage. Aren’t you the greedy one? Perhaps I should consider upping the sentences for the prisoners, adviser.”
“Yes, White One. I’ll propose it to the council.”
“…!”
Jupiter’s brow furrowed at the annoying voice of a male beside Minerva.
Even after renouncing all attachments to life, his hatred for the enemy that cast his life into the gutter would not easily fade.
“White One…!”
Bang!
Jupiter sprang up and slammed his head against the iron bars. On the other side, the white beast grinned widely enough to showcase all his teeth.
“Now we’re starting to see some entertainment. You brought storms upon countless needy people, yet here you sit, enjoying your solitude in this cell. How wonderfully merciful of me.”
“Shut your mouth!”
Bang!
Creaaak.
Jupiter slammed his head again. The thick iron bars creaked ominously, threatening to buckle under the impact.
“….”
After a couple of headbutts, whether out of exhaustion or the dawning realization that it was all futile, Jupiter stepped back to calm his fury.
“Are you here to mock me? Well, go ahead and jeer at me. That’s the privilege of the victor. Just remember that there’s no such thing as a permanent winner.”
Jupiter had also once laughed at prisoners through those bars, thinking he would never encounter this underground prison, picturing himself the eternal victor.
But what he once thought would last forever—the wealth and power—crumbled at the hands of the white calamity brought by Chino, the daughter he so cherished.
“Thanks for the advice, I suppose. It’s wise to heed the counsel of seniors. But I intend to win forever.”
“….”
The arrogance of youthful pride sparkled in the eyes of the white beast.
Jupiter saw his younger self in that white beast, one not resembling him at all. He knew that time would naturally lead the beast to its eventual downfall.
‘That one will turn into someone like me sooner or later.’
For that reason, Jupiter felt no need to wish for anything more, resigning to lean casually against the prison wall, so he wouldn’t bother reacting to whatever the white beast might say.
And then, just as he thought that—
“Your daughter, Chino, is getting married today. Quite a grand affair, with all the residents of Cairo and travelers from the desert gathering in a large plaza to celebrate.”
Swish.
Jupiter cracked open one eye. Perhaps sensing the spike in tension, the white beast continued with a calm expression.
“A wedding, huh? Probably not my style, but it seems quite the political event. They say marrying the daughter of a former ruler could help incorporate the conservatives who’ve hardened their power. The advisers were mumbling about it, but I barely understand.”
“Let me clarify, White One. This wedding symbolizes not just the union of a male and female but the birth of a new generation in the desert, soon to be the great plains, and the end of all the wars we’ve witnessed…”
“Ah, sounds complicated. Anyway, it must be a good thing. After all, I’ll gain the right to have a beautiful, young woman at my disposal, so there’s no reason to refuse it.”
“White One, that’s not quite what marriage is about…”
“That’s just how it sounds to me. I can’t say a word in front of you. I get why Mars feels that way. If you try to correct every little misstep, you’re just widening the gap between you and him, Minerva.”
Ahem.
“Anyway, I found the sight of the wedding preparations fresh and lovely. Like the Goddess of Youth herself. Everyone was mentioning that she resembles your wife, Juno.”
As Jupiter contemplated the insult of the male who had ruined everything and now seemed poised to mock him further by stealing his daughter, he felt anger welling up. Yet it seemed the white beast had different intentions.
As Jupiter concentrated on deciphering the true purpose of the white beast’s appearance, the heavy iron door creaked open.
Looking at the firmly shut cell door swinging open, Jupiter grimaced.
“What’s going on?”
“Your daughter’s one-time-only wedding. I certainly don’t think you would ruin a festival that everyone should enjoy, especially your daughter’s happiness.”
“….”
Jupiter glared at the white beast standing in front of the cell for a long time. An awkward and heavy silence lingered in the prison briefly.
Woooom.
Jupiter’s body suddenly began to glow brightly, and with a thunderous boom, he burst forth as a flash of light from the prison.
“White One, you’ll surely regret letting him out like that.”
At Minerva’s warning, the white beast shrugged.
“Let’s wait and see. The event symbolizes the end of war and a resolution of revenge. Isn’t it the ultimate symbol of reconciliation?”
“That’s true, but…”
“That guy is me. He’s a version of me from many years ago. He must also be feeling that somehow.”
“Eh?”
The griffon Minerva adjusted her glasses in disbelief. The white beast gazed quietly into the empty prison before speaking again.
“But that’s no longer the case.”
“…?”
Although the clever Minerva grasped many things, she could not comprehend what the white beast was trying to express. The white beast flicked its tail, then turned to walk outside the prison.
“Alright, we’re done here. Our business here is finished.”
“Well then, I’ll excuse myself as I have much to do preparing for the festival!”
“Fine.”
Click clack, click clack.
As the griffon Minerva dashed out of the prison, the white beast cast one last glance back at the empty cell, a slight wrinkle forming on its brow.
“That was quite the lightning-fast disappearance.”
A woman in a red dress leaning against the prison’s outer wall spoke up. The Fire Dragon Azidahaka, addressing the white beast, continued with a few more words.
“I didn’t expect you to let Jupiter out. Quite unexpected.”
“Are you going to scold me for my foolish actions too? Spare me; my advisers do enough nagging. You should comfort me with your soft embrace instead.”
“I was just a little surprised, that’s all. You’ve changed quite a lot since the first time we met. Just a few months ago, you’d have devoured anyone who got in your way. But now, you’re rather reluctant to eat wild beasts unless necessary.”
“I just thought it was somewhat pitiful for a father not to attend his daughter’s wedding. To be more precise, I felt sympathy for my daughter who wouldn’t have her father at her wedding.”
“The boldness that invites catastrophe and mercy always wears the same mask. You too could crumble like Jupiter in an instant.”
“No, you’re mistaken, Azidahaka. I’m different from him. He had not a single ally, but I have you all.”
“Hmm….”
Before the evasive Fire Dragon could sift through that statement, the white beast gathered its resolve and said.
“You’re there for me, right? You wouldn’t let me fall that far, would you?”
“Hmph, that’s entirely up to you. You lose all composure the moment a female shows up. I don’t know what makes you think I should come to your rescue…”
“Let’s not attach reasons to it. I won’t attach any reasons to you either.”
“Huh?”
In that moment, the Fire Dragon thought that perhaps the white beast had grown significantly larger. Furthermore, it almost seemed to transform into a handsome man surrounded by bright light.
Doubting her own eyes, Azidahaka took off her tiara and rubbed her eyes. When she opened them again, there was the same small, cute white beast shaking and shivering in front of her—Eeuugh!
“What does that even mean?”
“Ugh, I’m just not cut out for this! Whatever, let’s head up! We must enjoy the festival too!”
“No, what are you talking about! Repeat what you just said!”
The white beast and Azidahaka playfully chased each other with their long tails, darting off somewhere. The heavy iron door of the underground prison slowly creaked shut with a final thunderous bang.
For the time being, that door might not open again.
Though, much later, villains of the great plains will reopen this door seeking the treasures left by the legendary magical beast, but that’s a tale for another far-off day.
A tale for another distant day.
The Tale of Magical Beasts and Grace (Finished)
[Postscript]* The desert part is now only a coda away. We’ve spent about 100 episodes in the ancient forest and another 100 in the desert.
Originally, the plan was to wrap everything up within a total of 250 episodes when the legendary magical beasts would appear, but the White One’s adventures out of the ancient nest turned out to be a longer journey than expected. Still, I hope it provided some entertaining distractions and snacks along the way.
Just like the legendary beast White One, who grows over time, I too am slowly growing as a writer! And thanks to the kind readers who never hesitate to cheer me on, this has been a very enjoyable part to write.
The next chapter will be about the grand epilogue in the desert. After that, I’ll strive to write even more exciting stories, so I hope you’ll continue to join the White One on this lighthearted and joyful adventure!
