Farming Life in Another World

I am a nameless wyvern.

This stretch of sky is my territory.

Where exactly, you ask?

Anywhere within my line of sight.

Oh, but beyond that mountain doesn’t count.

Neither does the other side of that ridge.

Don’t say it’s smaller than you expected.

The sky is vast, after all.

-0-

In this region, I hold the position of chief among the wyverns.

But that doesn’t mean I’m the strongest in the group.

If I had to rank myself, I’d say I’m about third or fourth in strength.

So why am I the chief? Because I’m the sacrifice.

Long ago, the wyverns of this area were utterly subjugated by Hakuren-sama, an ancient dragon.

Ever since then, whenever Hakuren-sama appears, we must immediately go and pay our respects.

If we fail to do so, we’ll be wiped out.

Unfortunately, even if we do greet her properly, there’s no guarantee of survival if she’s in a bad mood.

To minimize losses, our flock decided that only the one who greets her should bear the risk.

But if the strongest among us kept dying, we’d be in serious trouble.

That’s where the sacrifice comes in.

Naturally, no one would volunteer for a role meant for dying.

So I stepped up.

I’ve lived longer than most wyverns in this region.

I felt it was my duty to protect the young ones.

That’s how I became chief.

For the most part, the others follow my commands.

If they don’t, they risk hearing the dreaded words: ‘Then you be the chief.’

In these parts, being chief is not a position anyone covets.

-0-

Something changed.

Hakuren-sama arrived, so I steeled myself and went to greet her.

But then—she told me there was no need to come and greet her anymore.

Not only that, she even apologized.

I couldn’t believe it.

I thought it had to be some kind of trap.

But then, even though she was in human form, Hakuren-sama lowered her head.

To someone like me.

It was more than I could fathom.

And yet, I couldn’t deny the relief I felt.

I no longer had to live in fear of Hakuren-sama.

I immediately relayed the news to the others in the flock.

Looking back, I may have been too hasty.

But I simply wanted them to live in peace.

-0-

A few days later, Hakuren-sama left this land.

During that time, there were no reports of her rampaging anywhere.

And with that, the battle for the position of chief began.

Now that a sacrifice was no longer needed, this was the natural course of events.

The strongest would become the chief.

Things had simply been wrong until now, and they were returning to the way they should be.

A fierce struggle erupted within the flock.

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—I had yet to be challenged.

If the position of chief changed hands too frequently, it would make us appear weak to outsiders.

So for now, I was being left alone.

But in the end, I would have to fight.

Yes, in the end, I would be defeated, and the victor would take my place.

I had prepared myself to be a sacrifice, but I hadn’t braced myself for something like this.

Of course, I had no intention of going down without a fight.

I would resist with everything I had.

As I mulled over my strategy, the contenders for my opponent had been narrowed down to two.

They were the two wyverns in the flock considered stronger than me.

That much, I could accept.

I also understood that I had no real chance of winning.

But it couldn’t be either of them.

Both were too short-sighted and completely unsuited to being chief.

They wouldn’t be able to lead the flock.

Perhaps a few of the females would follow them, but the rest would be cast out.

No, they might even be killed.

Grrrr.

If only they could injure each other badly enough in their fight, I might stand a chance…

But I couldn’t interfere.

All I could do was watch as their battle began.

Then, the moment a winner emerged, I would challenge them immediately.

Yes, banking on their exhaustion.

It was a pathetic strategy, but it was the only one I had.

So, you two—

Make this fight as drawn-out and messy as possible!

Give me the ugliest, most grueling brawl you can!

-0-

The battle between the two had begun.

A relentless exchange of devastating attacks.

Incredible.

The shockwaves from their blows toppled trees in the forest and gouged deep scars into the earth.

There was no way I could unleash attacks of that magnitude.

Ah—regret.

Telling them they no longer needed to fear Hakuren-sama had been reckless and foolish.

I reflect on that mistake once more.

And I can’t help but feel anger toward these two—toward the fact that they had remained docile until Hakuren-sama left.

I want to land at least one solid hit on them.

Just one, a real bam.

Yes, something that makes the very air tremble like this…

Hnn?

The air is trembling?

So much that the two have momentarily halted their fight.

I search for the source of the disturbance—it’s in the sky.

Far above.

I see something shrouded in red flames.

Meteorite?

Did someone summon one with magic?

N-No, that doesn’t make sense. Even if a meteorite had already landed, it wouldn’t have shaken the air like this before impact.

Then what is that?

The red flames vanish, revealing a figure bathed in blue light.

T-This pressure!

Hakuren-sama!

There’s no mistake!

Hakuren-sama has returned!

So soon!

W-Where is she headed?

At that angle, at that speed….

N-no way…

She’s going to land at the lake where those two are fighting?!

-0-

Hakuren-sama had descended.

She carried luggage on her back and was clad in armor, but I’m certain it is her.

I-I-I must treat her with the utmost respect—yet the two who had been fighting grumbled about being interrupted.

…….

Hakuren-sama was looking at me.

T-they have nothing to do with me.

I don’t know these Wyverns.

That’s what I wanted to say, but lying would only make things worse.

I’m terribly sorry.

They’re from my flock.

Please, I beg your forgiveness.

Also, you two.

That dragon before you is Hakuren-sama.

Show some respect.

Hnn?

A proud ancient dragon like Hakuren-sama wouldn’t lower herself to carrying luggage?

And why would she be armed?

She must be an imposter?

Are you out of your minds?! Even if she were an imposter, any dragon that radiates this kind of pressure is beyond your ability to defeat!

A-A-Anyway, Hakuren-sama.

P-Please, remain calm.

P-Please don’t take their words seriously.

They’re nothing more than the mindless squawking of lesser lizards….

「I am calm. I’m not angry.」

O-Oh, I see…

Ehto…

T-Then why is the person who was riding you now standing by the lake… preparing to fight those two?

「I’m not angry, but village chief is. Those two made fun of me after all.」

Eh? A-ano? W-will he be okay?

B-B-But those two—shameful as it is to admit—they’re stronger than me…

「It’s alright. Village chief is stronger than me.」

…

Hakuren-sama has no reason to lie.

Which means… she must be telling the truth.

Unbelievable.

But it must be true.

I-It’s just… f-for reference… has village chief ever fought a Wyvern before?

「Hmm, I haven’t seen it myself, but I heard he took down that Wyvern from the Iron Forest.」

……………………………………

W-Wait… could it be… is village chief… from that village… the one in the heart of the Forest of Death…?

「That’s right. He’s the village chief there.」

GYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

NO, NO, NO!

HE CAN’T FIGHT THEM!

The Wyvern elders have strictly warned us never to provoke him!

If we lay a hand on him, we’ll make enemies of every Wyvern in the world!

The entire flock will be caught up in this!

UOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Village Chief!

I deeply apologize!

I’ll personally deal with these fools—please, just give me a moment!

-0-

I had no chance of winning against those two.

And yet—I won.

Was it the difference in our resolve?

No, perhaps it was sheer desperation.

Whatever the case, I’m just glad I won.

And village chief said he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it.

Thank goodness.

Truly—thank goodness.

-0-

With my victory over those two, I remained the chief of the flock.

It should have been a cause for celebration, but after everything that happened, I was utterly drained.

I’ve had enough.

I want to step down.

It would be ideal if we could settle this through discussion…

But the moment I hint at it, the other Wyverns scatter like frightened hatchlings.

Unbelievable.

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