The Death Mage that doesn't want a fourth time

160 A path that continues in a dream

"Welcome to the Drakonid nation. It has been some time, Emperor Vandalieu-dono. So... why are you in a fighting pose?" asked the female Drakonid warrior who had come to welcome Vandalieu... the female swordsman Rowen who had been sent as a representative to the Noble Orc kingdom.

"I thought that there would be a battle to start off with," said Vandalieu.

"... Ah, so that is how it was at the Kijin nation. I'm sorry to say that it is impossible for us to do what they do," Rowen said with a bitter smile.

Perhaps it was a little lonely for a guest to the nation to be greeted by only one person, but in the land within the Boundary Mountain Range, everything outside the gates of the nations was a Devil's Nest where monsters prowled.

If large numbers of people came out for a grand welcoming, there was the risk of monsters flooding in towards this abnormal event. Thus, it had become custom for only a few skilled individuals to welcome guests, like Kidoumaru who had waited alone at the Kijin nation.

"Us Drakonids are a race that thrives on battle, serving the role of managing the Dungeons that appeared on the eastern side of the mountain range as a counterpart to the Kijin nation to the west. But we teach that one should not take part in needless struggles," said Rowen. "And one of our Elder Dragon guardians, the crystal-horned dragon god Lioen, has sent a Divine Message telling us explicitly to not fight you."

It seemed that Lioen had become very nervous after his experience of meeting Vandalieu in Mububujenge's Divine Realm.

To Vandalieu, it had been nothing more than a slight irritation that he had already forgotten about, however.

"Then what about a dance competition or acrobatic flying? If it's a drinking competition, I'd have to have Borkus represent me, though," said Vandalieu.

"No, we will not have any competitions of that sort. Drinking competitions are strictly forbidden," Rowen said.

It seemed that many Drakonids loved alcohol, unable to stop themselves from drinking until they were in a stupor after the first sip... Even with resistance Skills, they would continue drinking until the limits of those Skills were overcome.

Thus, ways of drinking that encouraged others to drink more were forbidden in this nation.

"So, there won't be any challenges..." Vandalieu muttered in disappointment, as he had been looking forward to it a little.

But as his voice was flat-toned as usual, Rowen took no notice of that.

"That is why the four Drakonid Elders are hoping that this time will be spent on discussions and a meal together," she said.

The four Drakonid Elders were the spokesmen of the four Elder Dragon guardians that protected the Drakonid nation; they were the politicians that managed the nation in a parliamentary system.

Vandalieu realized that he had to respond to these politicians' wishes.

"... The four Drakonid Elders are particularly interested in discussing the importation of curry powder," said Rowen.

"Come to think of it, I gave the remaining curry powder to this nation as a gift after the victory feast in the Noble Orc kingdom, didn't I?" said Vandalieu.

It seemed that curry had charmed the tongues of the Drakonid nation's politicians.

"Vandalieu, you can conduct diplomacy involving things other than muscles, too. I'm proud of you!" said Darcia.

"Gourmet diplomacy, I suppose," said Vandalieu. "Well, I don't think it was just the power of curry powder."

And so, Vandalieu was given a warm, peaceful welcome into the Drakonid nation.