Chapter 5 : Grandma, Grandpa

Inside the clattering carriage.

My head feels as comfortable as if it were resting on a neck pillow.

Even more so than Simon’s, I’d say.

-Squish.

-Soft.

-Bounce, bounce.

Ever since Mom peeled the eggshell off me, she’s been holding me tightly in her arms.

That much is fine, but something incredibly soft and squishy is cushioning the back of my head like a pillow.

Uh, isn’t this uncomfortable for her?

“Uh, Mom, you’re getting squished.”

“That’s fine~ Mommy doesn’t mind~”

“Y-you might get poked by the horns!”

“Oh my, my daughter is so thoughtful~ What a good girl~”

“Our princess~ Such a good girl~”

What a ridiculously doting pair of parents.

I’m already starting to fear for my future.

Honestly, if it weren’t me and someone else instead, I’m 100% sure these two would have spoiled the child rotten.

What kind of kid turns out fine after being indulged like this? Sure, I’m still a newborn, but even so.

I haven’t even thrown a tantrum, yet Mom and Dad are catering to my every whim.

Is this really okay?

“I can’t see our daughter’s status window. How about you, El?”

“Hm? I can see it just fine.”

“You can?”

A wide grin spread across Dad’s face.

“Interesting.”

What’s with that look?

Why is he staring at me like that?

As I was pondering this, the carriage—or rather, should I call it that?—started moving.

One of the soldiers up front had transformed into a dragon and was pulling it.

Should I call it a dragon carriage then?

In any case, it began to move.

The ride wasn’t bad at all.

And so, our family, accompanied by the royal guard, headed to the dragon capital, Dragon Hive.

Nod, nod.

A newborn dragon hatchling was dozing off on its mother’s lap.

“Hehe, isn’t our daughter just the cutest, Alby?”

“She really is. Just look at her cheeks.”

-Squish.

-Boing.

“Kyaah! Even when I press them, they bounce back! She’s too adorable.”

“But don’t you think she doesn’t look much like El?”

“What makes you think that?”

“Well, she looks so much like me. Even her colors.”

At Alby’s comment, El puffed out her cheeks and stroked Mino’s head.

“You just don’t get it. Look at this beauty! She takes after me.”

“Mother and daughter really are so alike—except for the colors. Both are stunning.”

Alby chuckled teasingly, making El’s face flush red.

“W-what are you saying in front of the baby?”

“She’s fast asleep, though.”

“Oh my, she really is.”

Just as Alby said, Mino had fallen asleep in El’s arms, softly snoring as she drifted into slumber.

Even as her parents playfully argued about who she resembled more, the baby slept soundly with a serene expression.

Seeing her like that, the couple smiled warmly.

“Should we think about a second child?”

“Alby? Do you think your stomach will hurt or mine?”

“…Sorry.”

Alby awkwardly turned his head, making El smile.

“Well… once my body fully recovers…”

Blushing, El trailed off.

The carriage continued to head toward the capital.

Clatter, clatter.

Carriage? Dragon carriage? Whatever it was, the gentle rocking felt strangely comforting.

“…Ugh.”

My body went limp.

A wave of sleepiness overwhelmed me.

Even though my mind is that of an adult, my body really is just a newborn.

After eating, I was hit with an unstoppable wave of drowsiness, and in the end, my eyes closed on their own.

“…M-Mino.”

“…Mino!”

“…Minho!”

?!

A familiar woman’s voice faintly reached my ears.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide.

‘…A dream, huh.’

The warm sunlight streaming into the carriage reassured me that I wasn’t in a cold hospital room.

“Oh my, our princess is awake?”

“Mino, we’ve arrived.”

I heard my mom and dad’s voices in turn.

Inside the carriage, with my very-much-alive mom and dad.

Without realizing it, I tightly grabbed Mom’s hand.

“Oh my, Mino, are you cold? Your hand is trembling.”

“N-no, it’s not that.”

Even though I unconsciously clenched my hand, it was okay because Mom firmly held mine.

“Get off.”

With a wave of his hand, Dad caused the door to open automatically.

Startled, my eyes widened slightly, and Dad, noticing my reaction, smiled smugly and said:

“It’s magic.”

Magic—just the word made my heart race.

As Dad stepped out of the carriage, he turned his gaze toward the staff waiting at the castle.

Mom stood beside him, radiating her majestic presence.

And then, there was me, adorably cradled in Mom’s arms, apparently delivering quite a blow to the hearts of the staff.

Their expressions were melting.

In front of the grand palace, all the staff bowed their heads in unison to welcome the King and Queen.

It was a scene so fantastical, I could hardly believe it was real.

As we approached the staircase, five figures came into view at the top.

What’s this?

Why aren’t those dragons bowing to Mom and Dad?

Are they just rude dragons or something?

Just as I was thinking that:

“Have you been well?”

“We’re back,” Mom and Dad greeted, bowing their heads first.

The reddish one at the front burst out laughing.

“You must’ve worked hard. I know how challenging it is to bring a child into the world.”

The others behind him laughed in turn.

“A precious little granddaughter has arrived~”

“A baby in this day and age… so adorable.”

“Kyaa~ Hello there! What’s your name?”

“Hey, don’t scare the child.”

“Hey, you noisy old-timers, quiet down. I’m the one standing in the middle, so I should do the greeting.”

“Have some manners, will you? Watch your words in front of the child.”

“You dare call me old, you hag?”

…What?

What the heck is going on?

Who are these people?

I feel like I need to check their status windows right now.

Did the Dragon Lord bow his head first?

That doesn’t make any sense.

The Dragon Lord I know is supposed to be so powerful that even dragons skilled in dragon-language magic wouldn’t dare stand in his presence.

‘Show me their status windows!’

[Due to the vast difference in stats, not all information is available.]

‘Seriously?’

[Title: Child of the Sovereign bypasses system limitations.]

[All information about the target can now be accessed.]

[Displaying the status windows of the five before you!]

‘…?’

I feel like some unbelievable hack is being provided here.

What kind of title is this? It’s ridiculously convenient.

I feel like a cheater…

[Entity Name: Lavender Icicle.]

[Race: Glacial Dragon.]

[Level: MAX]

[Strength: MAX]

[Magic Power: ???]

[Intelligence: 976]

[Stamina: MAX]

[Titles: Last Descendant, plus 2 others.]

This was the status window of the graceful, sky-blue woman they called noble.

[Entity Name: Surt Igrid.]

[Race: Volcano Dragon.]

[Level: MAX]

[Strength: MAX]

[Magic Power: MAX]

[Intelligence: 876]

[Stamina: MAX]

[Titles: Last Descendant, plus 3 others.]

This was the rude, red dragon I first noticed.

[Entity Name: Anuket Mizumi.]

[Race: Lake Dragon.]

[Level: MAX]

[Strength: 732]

[Magic Power: ???]

[Intelligence: ???]

[Stamina: MAX]

[Titles: Survivor, Last Descendant, plus 12 others.]

This was the status window of the green-and-blue-haired woman standing next to the red one.

[Entity Name: Baal Breeze.]

[Race: Wind Dragon.]

[Level: MAX]

[Strength: MAX]

[Magic Power: MAX]

[Intelligence: 961]

[Stamina: MAX]

[Titles: Last Descendant.]

This was the status window of the light-green-haired woman.

[Entity Name: ???]

[Race: Mineral Dragon.]

[Level: MAX]

[Strength: ???]

[Magic Power: MAX]

[Intelligence: MAX]

[Stamina: MAX]

[Titles: Last Descendant, Armor, plus 3 others.]

This was the status window of the shimmering male dragon.

I checked the status windows of all the dragons.

Now this—this is what dragons are supposed to be.

Distinct races, baseline stats maxed out, and even their “low” stats don’t drop below triple digits.

‘Status window, what’s with the “???” in some parts? Didn’t it say I could access everything?’

[Errors occur when values exceed the system’s maximum limits.]

What the… This is insane. Have I stumbled upon a race of overpowered beings?

It feels like I’m looking at them with newfound respect.

Did they notice my gaze?

“Y-you’re too cute! I can’t handle it!”

The Lake Dragon whispered this before retreating in a flustered manner.

Mom and Dad, seeing this, chuckled softly before setting me down on the ground.

“May I introduce them to you?”

At Mom’s words, the remaining four dragons exchanged glances before Lavender spoke up.

“Please do. It seems these old grandparents are too shy to face their granddaughter.”

“I understand.”

Placing her hand gently on her chest, Mom smiled warmly and looked at me.

“Princess, these are the members of the Elder Council. Greet them.”

The Elder Council? Dragons have something like that?

It’s making me question if the fantasy world I’ve read about is anything like this one.

But, well, what’s done is done.

“Hello!”

I quickly clasped my hands together and bowed my head, finishing my greeting properly.

And then—

“Oh my!”

“You damn hag, stop hitting me!”

“Both of you, stop fighting.”

“Well, well, isn’t our granddaughter just the cutest thing? Aren’t you ashamed to act like this in front of her?”

They murmured amongst themselves.

As I tilted my head in confusion, the Glacial Dragon crouched down to meet my gaze and spoke with a warm smile.

“Have you already succeeded in polymorphing, Your Highness? This old one is truly moved.”

Her demeanor was entirely different from when she was bickering with the red one.

Old one? She doesn’t look old at all.

“Would you like to tour the Elder Council, by any chance?”

The Glacial Dragon asked me, her voice gentle.

Could I? My curiosity is hard to suppress.

-Sneak.

I turned to glance at Mom and Dad, who enthusiastically nodded and gave me a thumbs-up.

Looks like it’s okay!

“I w-want to go look around!”

Ah, crap. My pronunciation slipped. How embarrassing.

I covered my face in shame.

“Too cute…”

“Granny, I’m going ahead. Make sure my funeral’s well-attended.”

“I feel like I’m about to follow after you.”

“The Princess is just too precious!”

Groans and swoons echoed around me.