779 Bear, aiming for the top of the mountain - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

To meet the Ice Dragon, Kagari-san and I are riding Kumayuru and Kumakyu, making our way toward the mountain summit. "I thought this during the Great Serpent incident too, but risking your life for others—you must be quite the do-gooder," Kagari-san remarked. "You're one to talk, Kagari-san, having protected the Wa Kingdom for hundreds of years. You're not much different," I replied. Spending such a long portion of one’s life for the sake of others is a significant commitment. Even when those around her passed away, Kagari-san continued to guard the Great Serpent's seal alone. To me, it’s an unfathomable stretch of time. It wouldn't be odd for a part of her to want to give up. Yet, Kagari-san has persevered all this time. "It was due to a promise," she mentioned. I heard that it was a promise made with a boy she met in the Wa Kingdom. To keep that promise, she’s watched over the Wa Kingdom all these years. But even then, staying true to a promise for centuries makes Kagari-san quite the altruist herself. "But thanks to you, that duty is now complete. From now on, I plan to live freely." Could it be that she decided to come along on this journey for the same reason? "Still, being around you tends to drag me into troublesome matters," she said. I couldn't argue with that. Even during the slime incident, I had caused trouble. But it’s not like I deliberately bring trouble wherever I go. It's just that trouble seems to pop up wherever I arrive. Honestly, I'm more like the one getting dragged into these problems. You could almost call me a victim. After spending so much time cooped up at home, I wonder if I'm just naturally prone to attracting trouble. Or maybe, there's a curse on this bear outfit drawing in problems? That's certainly a possibility. "Sorry." "It's not like I'm complaining. I rather enjoy myself in my own way, so don’t worry about it." Indeed, when I first met Kagari-san, she had an expression of someone who had given up on everything. But now, she seems genuinely happy. From my perspective, having Kagari-san with me is reassuring, not just due to her combat skills but also because of her wealth of knowledge. "Also, I don't know if you realize, but the magic density is increasing. More magic creatures might appear, so be cautious from here on." Magic density? That’s something I can’t tell. Yet, as we head to the top, the presence of magical creatures becomes more frequent. Could this also be due to the Ice Dragon taking residence here? "Kagari-san, who do you think is stronger, the Great Serpent or the Ice Dragon?" "I've never fought the Ice Dragon, so I can’t say. However, you defeated the Great Serpent, didn’t you?" "The one I fought was weakened, having just emerged from the seal—it wasn’t in its complete form." Only Kagari-san, who faced the fully formed Great Serpent, would truly understand. "Having never faced the Ice Dragon, I can’t say for certain. But I'm sure neither are foes easily defeated by any human." Typically, if someone is to face a dragon, it would be a hero’s job, not a bear’s. Bears are far from being heroes. "One thing's for certain—I have no desire to fight either." I agree with that sentiment. "Since we can communicate, I think things will work out." "You’re quite optimistic, aren't you?” Perhaps it’s the bear gear that gives me comfort. It provides a sense of security. Plus, with Kumayuru, Kumakyu, and now Kagari-san with me, I feel assured. If push comes to shove, I can always use the bear’s teleportation gate to escape, which is why I might appear optimistic. For now, whether I’ll be able to negotiate with the Ice Dragon or if it will lead to a fight won’t be clear without trying to talk first. Kumayuru and Kumakyu navigate areas with fewer magical creatures, and thanks to their detection skills, we proceed without being ambushed. As we approach the summit, the detection skill labels the area as "Ice Dragon" instead of "no data." Is it registered now? The surroundings are covered in snow, and the trees are encased in ice. As the distance between us and the Ice Dragon shortens, its presence begins to move. Kumayuru and Kumakyu make a loud "kuu~n" sound and come to a stop, noticing the Ice Dragon’s motion. “What’s wrong?" "It seems the Ice Dragon is heading our way." "What?" The Ice Dragon is moving towards us. Kagari-san and I look up. "There it is!" In the sky, we can see the Ice Dragon flying. It circles above us and then lands right in front of us. The ground shakes, dislodging snow from the trees. "Human, why have you come?" It spoke to us. Kagari-san gives me a look as if to say, “Don’t provoke it.” I understand. "I came to speak with you." "Speak?" A response. I feel somewhat relieved at the possibility of conversation. "Could you leave this place? Your presence is turning the area into a frozen land, uninhabitable for people. The few remaining struggle to survive. If possible, I'd like you to move to an area where no one lives." Even if it moves elsewhere, if there are people, they too will suffer. I hope it can relocate to a place void of inhabitants. "I cannot." "Why? You can fly anywhere you wish." "I cannot answer that. If staying here is unpleasant, humans should leave." If only it were that simple. Abandoning one's birthplace is difficult, especially when loved ones rest there. Leaving is not an easy choice. "May I confirm something? Do you have a reason to be here?" Kagari-san questions the Ice Dragon, having remained silent until now. "...I have no intention of answering." There was a slight pause as if it were in contemplation. Does it have a reason or a purpose for staying here? At that moment, something happened toward the mountain’s peak. Something was flowing down from the summit. Magic power. Even I could sense it. Magic was cascading down from the mountaintop. However, the detection skill did not show any magical creatures or display "no data." "Humans, leave now." The Ice Dragon unfurled its wings and flew away. "It seems something occurred at the summit. What will you do? I don't recommend going there." Though it spoke with us, it wasn’t friendly. Ignoring the Ice Dragon’s warning and heading to the summit might lead to hostilities. However, visiting the peak might unveil the reason the Ice Dragon remains in this place. "I know what you're thinking. You hope to learn why the Ice Dragon is here by reaching the summit." "Can you read minds, Kagari-san?" "I merely thought the same. But learning the reason doesn’t mean we can do anything about it." "But there might be something we can do," I insisted. "The risk is high. Approaching the summit could invoke the Ice Dragon’s wrath." "That may be, but…" Turning back now would solve nothing. Things would remain as they are. Do I back down out of fear of worsening the situation, or do I take the risk and move forward to find a new path? I recall Liese’s words. “I place my trust in you both.” “We’re entrusting our lives to you, lass.” “It’s in your hands now, lass.” I can’t return without doing anything. “Kagari-san, let’s head to the summit.” “If that is your decision, I’ll accompany you.” We make our way toward the Ice Dragon's summit. Yet, as if to reject our advance, cold air flows down from the peak. The chilling winds turn into a blizzard, trying to block our path. Still, Kumayuru and Kumakyu, carrying Kagari-san and me, press forward. “Kagari-san, are you alright?” “No problem. This little one is shielding us from the blizzard.” "Kuu~n," they both reassured. Kumayuru and Kumakyu envelop us in a protective layer of magic, ensuring Kagari-san and I remain safe on their backs. Despite sensing our approach, the Ice Dragon does not move. Soon, we find ourselves arriving at the summit where the Ice Dragon awaits, seemingly expecting us. Kagari-san and I dismount from Kumayuru and Kumakyu and stand before the Ice Dragon once again. “Why have you come? I told you to turn back.” Cold air bursts forth from the Ice Dragon's body. I erect a wind barrier to shield everyone. “Without understanding why, I can't simply turn away.” For the sake of Liese and the others, and for myself, I can't just leave because I'm told to. “If you want us to leave, then I want a reason that makes sense. Please, explain why you cannot leave this place. Maybe there's a compromise we can reach.” If there's a reason why it can’t leave, I’d like to know. If, for example, it's injured and can't fly far, I can use healing magic. If it's waiting for someone, that might be challenging, but if it plans to leave someday, I can relay that to Liese and the others. “Do you wish to die?” “I don't want to die. But I don't intend to die for nothing either.” Worst-case scenario, I'll fight. And if I can't win, I can escape through the bear's teleportation gate. “Are you perhaps guarding an egg?” Kagari-san murmurs. “An egg?” “Besides the Ice Dragon, I sense magic power enveloping something.” Enveloping? Could that mean an egg? At Kagari-san’s words, the Ice Dragon reacts, releasing a surge of cold air. I counter with wind magic. Sometimes emotions convey more truth than words. The dragon's anger implies Kagari-san's guess is correct. However, nothing displays in my detection skill. “So, you're here to protect the egg?” Is that why the Ice Dragon cannot leave this place?