#836 The Emperor Dragon Couple Visits – Dragon First Half

After wrapping up our interviews with the demon race, we felt exhausted and decided to head home.

Our destination is the Black Widow Mountain.

That’s where Sis Mary’s dungeon is.

Even though my new Dragon Emperor Castle was ready, it wasn’t getting much use.

“Those were quite the shocking stories we heard...”

Sis Mary’s voice lacked its usual energy, probably due to the impact of what we learned.

Especially the last part about the Demon Kingdom’s Prime Minister. It was so shocking that we barely spoke a word on our way back.

“Mankind really does experience all sorts of love and marriage... But not all of them end up happy. I’m starting to get scared of marriage myself...!”

Sis Mary is having cold feet from the extreme shock.

I can’t let this go on! 

It’s my job to cheer her up!!!

I’ve learned a lot from observing couples in various nations!

One thing is clear: a husband must always treasure his wife!!!

“Don’t overthink it, Sis. Now that we’re back, let’s just relax.”

“Ardheg...”

“There are millions of humans, so naturally, there are many forms of marriage. Only those involved can judge if they are happy or not.”

“Yes, you’re right... but still...”

Sis Mary looks clearly disheartened, and her spirited enthusiasm when we set out is almost gone.

“...You’re right. What kind of dragon would I be if I got discouraged by this? We need to gather more samples and understand the reality of marriage!”

That’s the spirit, Sis!

Shall we rest in our nest before heading to the Human Kingdom?

There’s a married guy named Dalkish who’s friendly with Lord Saint. Let’s pay him a visit!

Or so I thought, but...!

***

“Welcome back, Emperor Dragon and Empress Dragon.”

“You’re...!”

What an unexpected greeting upon our return.

There stood a human-transformed dragon.

And I recognized its aura.

“Crowley Seema?!”

“So, you do remember me. It’s an honor to be remembered by the Emperor Dragon.”

Crowley Seema bows respectfully. Wasn’t he one of the rebellious dragons who recently challenged me?

Among the dragons, some still harbor dissatisfaction with my ascension to the imperial throne. The most significant of these rebellions was led by those known as the Decem Dracones, including this very individual.

However, they were subdued after a fierce battle.

Believing this would crush their spirits and end their resistance, I thought they wouldn’t dare to fight back anymore... But...

“Entering our lair brazenly while we were away and lying in wait - does this mean you still seek to overthrow me and claim the throne? I’m always open to a challenge. Shall we head to the duel arena right now?”

“Oh, please. We have long since acknowledged you as the Emperor Dragon. We have no intention of contesting the majority’s decision now.”

Crowley Seema bows respectfully.

He appears as a slender young man in his human form, impeccably dressed in what humans would call formal attire, exuding an air of a refined gentleman.

Of course, if he wished, he could revert to his immense dragon form at any moment, capable of pulverizing the surrounding area.

“So, you’re not here to fight? There’s hardly anything less fitting for a dragon to say. Then, what brings you here?”

“You, the new Emperor, have radically changed the nature of dragons. I’ve come to make a small report. Unfortunately, I arrived during your absence and had to wait.”

“I see...”

I didn’t say it, but he could have chosen to leave and return.

Pressing the matter too much would likely be in poor taste.

“Very well. What’s this report? Not another rebellion, I hope?”

“Nothing of the sort. After the Decem Dracones were defeated and pledged loyalty, no lesser dragons would dare cause trouble. My news is more celebratory.”

“Celebratory?”

I recall that means something joyous, right?

“Actually, weeeee...!”

“Got marrieeeeeed!”

Whoa, who’s this?!

Suddenly, there’s another human-transformed dragon beside Crowley Seema!

They stand closely together like a harmonious couple!

What’s this unexpected scene?!

“Oh, don’t you recognize me? I’m Grinzel Dragon Tiqila, ranked seventh among the Decem Dracones!”

I see. A pleasure to meet you...!

An imperial dragon prince and princess... a couple in dragon form!

“Wait, what do you mean? Dragons marrying each other?!”

Sis Mary, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“How can you be surprised? It was you, Sis Mary, who introduced the concept of ‘marriage’ to our dragon kind.”

“Guh...! That’s...true, but still...!”

We were the first dragon couple to register our marriage.

Cornered by his point, I reluctantly urged the two before me to continue their story.

“Still, I’m amazed how quickly you went through with it.”

Marriage is, after all, a custom among mankind.

Some dragons look down on mankind as an inferior race, and imitating such customs could be considered disgraceful... Such a mindset could certainly exist.

Yet, here they are, hastily stepping into this mysterious thing called marriage.

Are these guys innovators or what?!

“What are you talking about? It was you who embraced marriage before us. We saw the happiness you shared and thought we’d give it a try.”

“Our bliss is a gift from the Emperor Dragon and his spouse. In gratitude, we pledge our eternal loyalty to them.”

I see.

Nevertheless, how did you decide to get married so quickly?

Was there some kind of mutual attraction?

“Of course, to me, she is the greatest goddess... It’s no lie...! I realized this after drinking her essence!!!”

“Huh?!”

During the battle for the throne of the Emperor Dragon, Crowley Seema’s opponent was Sis Veil.

Having lost to the most eccentric dragon of them all, he was forced to chug a cauldron full of dragon essence as a penalty.

Dragon essence is extracted by steeping a whole dragon in hot water; a truly bizarre concoction.

“After finishing all that essence, I saw her submerged in the pot to extract essence! That the dragon essence I drank came from her! The thought of her essence pouring into my body... It filled me with such a fiery sensation!!!”

...

Gross.

Wait, isn’t this what mankind calls a pervert?

Scary.

“I was overwhelmed by his fervent advances, and finally, I fell for him...!”

“The struggle was breathtaking! The prize I won was love! More precious than proof of strength! No wonder the Emperor Dragon encouraged it!!!”

The two dragons seemed utterly content and affectionate.

But there’s something that bothers me about this whole story.

The reason Crowley Seema fell for his dragoness... just mentioning that it was because he consumed a large amount of dragon extract derived from her sends shivers down my spine...

I’m familiar with the backstory of the dragon essence Sis Veil had. I’ve suffered from it myself. That’s why...

“The dragon essence he drank was derived from Sei...!”

“Shh!”

I was silenced before I could finish speaking.

The hand covering my mouth belonged to Sis Mary.

“That information is unnecessary for them. They look so happy together; how they met doesn’t really matter, does it?”

Sh-She’s right, in a way...

If they found out that the dragon essence came from a different source, it could ruin everything.

What’s important is the present, not the past.

Silence seems to be the best policy.

“With dragons, where strength is everything, it’s strange to see such careful consideration... marriage is indeed a curious thing...”

“Indeed.”

But then, shouldn’t we also make sure the source of the dragon essence stays quiet?

Not just Sis Veil, but also Seidour, the source, should be warned.

What are they up to now, anyway?

I haven’t seen them since we separated in the Mermaid Kingdom...

***

When Seidour and Father Al Gor returned and heard the whole story, they made a shocking announcement.

“Well, what a coincidence. Seidour and I have decided to get married, too.”

“Huh?!”

“If we don’t, we can’t become a mother-in-law and father-in-law duo.”