782 Bear breaks in - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

As we drew nearer to the location of the ice dragons, a chill began to seep into the air. "Kagari, are you alright?" "I'm fine. It seems they're hostile towards each other." Kagari and I looked down at the ice dragons from a high vantage point. They spewed blizzard-like gusts from their mouths, turning the area into a chaotic scene. I couldn't help but wonder if attacks of the ice attribute would be effective against each other. It was a nightmare for any living creature nearby. The dragons roared with menacing growls, clearly not in a friendly disposition. With that, the option of having two ice dragons cohabiting peacefully at the mountain peak was gone. That didn’t mean the situation had improved. Their battle could cause earthquakes, topple trees, and if it moved towards the town, there’d be damage. "It's clear which ice dragon is which when you see them up close." Kagari muttered while watching the dragons clash. I could tell as well. The dragon from the mountain peak was a beautiful bluish-white. The newcomer was larger and more robust. Despite the similar colors, their differences were evident. "The dragon from the mountaintop is being pushed back." The mountaintop dragon was sluggish, on the defensive. The new dragon twisted its body, swinging its tail to strike the other. The mountaintop dragon retaliated but struggled. "Is it a difference in physique?" "That's part of it, but the main reason is the difference in magical power. The newcomer is in peak condition, whereas the mountaintop dragon has little left." "Little? But it’s emitting such fierce cold, like a snowstorm." This has caused troubles for the town, and even the mine had to engage in snow clearing. "The cold air probably leaked from an egg." An egg? "My guess is, the mountaintop dragon has been channeling its magic into an egg to hatch it. I haven’t touched one, but I'd imagine an ice dragon's body is cold. If that’s the case, it’s different from ordinary birds." I couldn’t argue with that. I don’t know anything about the biology of dragons. Kagari, with her sensitivity to magic, could likely sense the truth. “So, the mountaintop dragon can’t unleash its true power because it's been using its magic to hatch the egg for three years?” "And despite all this, it’s not running from the fight." …Because it’s trying to protect the precious child that’s about to be born. “Earlier you mentioned defeating the ice dragon. What’s your plan? Will you support one side to defeat the other? Or wait until the battle ends and deal with the survivor, capitalizing on their losses?” There’s less risk in waiting for the battle to end and seizing the opportunity afterward. However, observing the battle and hearing Kagari’s words reminded me of the families I've met in this world, and I felt a pull towards the mountaintop dragon. Fina and Tirmina. Noa and Elerora. Morin and Karin. The bear family near the honey tree. Things I was never given. "I'm going to help the mountaintop dragon." "If that’s your decision, I’ll follow." "Aren’t you going to ask why?" "Because it's defending an egg, right? You’re not one to abandon those in need." "N-no, that's not true." It was embarrassing to have it said so directly. "Besides, I made a deal with that ice dragon. It promised it would leave once the baby was born." The new dragon might settle in the area, possibly threatening Liese and others. It's better to help the dragon whose intentions are known. "But don’t forget, that ice dragon once brought harm to the town, freezing it and causing the death of Liese’s family." "I won’t forget." If Liese were here, she’d likely support the newcomer for avenging their family. In a battle of evils, the one that wronged her would be the enemy. My actions might go against Liese’s feelings, but looking forward, helping the mountain dragon offers a better path. I patted the worried Kuma Yuru and Kuma Kyu, reassuring them before sending them away. I watched the dragons fight. The mountaintop dragon spewed a snowstorm, while the newcomer evaded with a flap of its wings, circling behind it. The mountaintop dragon lashed out with its tail but missed. The newcomer dodged, then descended, pinning the mountaintop dragon. It thrashed, biting the neck of its foe. In retaliation, the claws of the new dragon dug into its flesh. Neither would yield. I moved. Closing the gap between me and the dragons, I charged through the frigid air. Leaping towards the newcomer, a massive bear-shaped flame erupted before me. “Bear Flame!” I unleashed the fiery bear at the new dragon. Upon impact, its grip on the mountaintop dragon loosened, setting it free. The new dragon swung its head, meeting my gaze. Its eyes locked with mine, and it let out a roar. The air shook. …Kill. I felt that intent in its eyes and cry. As the mountaintop dragon moved to attack, the new dragon evaded with another wing flap, flying away into the sky before disappearing towards the sea. “Did it flee?” “Seems so.” Kagari and I cautiously approached the mountaintop dragon. “Human child, why did you help?” "Process of elimination. You’re leaving once your child is born, but who knows about the other one." It might try to settle and claim this territory. "It sees you as an enemy. Even if I perish, it may target you." “…I figured.” Its gaze was full of intent to kill. I couldn't define it, but it was there. "We abhor fire." So that’s why it looked at me like that. "It won’t forgive you for obstructing its hunt and using fire." "Who was that dragon?" "It's one seeking my position." "Your position?" "I am the ruler of ice dragons." So, it’s the ice dragon king? Or queen, having laid an egg? "It attacked seeing I was weakened." As Kagari suggested, it had exhausted its magic trying to hatch the egg? "That sounds underhanded." If you aim for the top, you should win it with fair strength. "That's a human perspective. A wounded beast won't receive mercy. Of course, some will protect what's theirs. Even humans protect their loved ones, but when an enemy is sick or injured, isn't it seen as an opportunity?" "I guess so." I understood Kagari's point, yet I found myself wanting to label any attack that targets the weakened as cowardly. "Bushido and fairness are pleasing concepts. However, they are naive. Let me ask you: when you faced the giant serpent, did you consider fighting it honorably? Did you wait for it to fully recover before engaging?" I hadn’t. In fact, I saw its weakened state due to the seal as an opportunity. My emotions and logic were in conflict. "But they’re both ice dragons." "That one is a rogue. It attacks even its kin to prove its strength." "What would happen if you lost?" "I command my kin not to attack humans. But if it takes my place, it would likely lead them against humanity." That sounded quite dangerous. "Is that ice dragon really that strong?" "If I were at full strength, I could win." I had posed the wrong question. Even if she said it was strong, I wouldn’t grasp how strong. Conversely, if weak, I wouldn’t know how weak. "That's why it targeted me when I'm weakened." Even among humans, there are those who prey on the weak. Anyone would target a weakness if they could. In games, you exploit the opponent’s vulnerabilities or weak points. Use fire against ice, water against fire, earth against water, light against darkness, and darkness against light. Targeting weaknesses isn’t cowardly, but attacking someone when they’re ill feels wrong. While it’s okay to use any means against a fully prepared opponent, it feels wrong against the weakened. My thinking might be selfish. "Then I'll defeat that ice dragon." "You will?" "In return, when the baby is born, promise to leave this place. Go somewhere without humans." "I promise." Negotiations settled. To protect humanity, I had to defeat that ice dragon.