Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 606

**Side: Meena**

Flam, Ludia, Athena, and I, along with Hunters and Ritters, headed straight for the Abyssal army deployed near the town of Envidia, utilizing Flying and Scaffolding from the skies.

The Abyssal army on the ground consisted of about 3,000 soldiers, and in addition, there appeared to be around 500 Chimeras.

While the Chimeras were still distant, making precise identification difficult, they seemed to be mostly ferocious monsters like Bear Species, Tiger Species, and Wolf Species. It was common amongst them that they couldn’t fly.

“There are more Chimeras than I expected. Their Monster Rank… the highest is M-rank, I guess.”

“No, the Leo Species at the very back is A-rank. It looks like there’s only one, so I suspect that’s their commander’s mount.”

From Ludia’s quick assessment, most of the Chimeras were G-rank, with the mounts for platoon leaders being P-rank or M-rank. However, the one Flam spotted exuded a presence that was clearly on another level. This Leo Species monster appeared to be based on a male lion with three horns. Its body resembled that of a Hippogriff or Battle Horse, and its tail looked like something from the Wyrm family. As if to emphasize its Chimera nature, it had the heads of a Goat-type monster on its right and a Shark-type monster on its left, sprouting from the lion’s head. The Shark-type, being aquatic, made the already bizarre Chimera look even more peculiar.

“I agree, but there are others over there. That group over there, no matter how you look at them, they’re clearly aquatic species.”

“Yeah. But we often encounter them in labyrinths, so whether they’re aquatic or Chimeras, I’m not too fazed.”

“Me too.”

Labyrinths have underwater floors, and fighting Guardians often involves aerial combat, so encountering aquatic Chimeras isn’t that surprising. In fact, the Hunters didn’t seem particularly astonished. However, the Ritters were taken aback by a situation they hadn’t anticipated. It’s understandable, as Ritters don’t venture into labyrinths very often.

“They’re Demon Race and Chimeras. We won’t hold back. Meena, Ludia, Athena, please take the vanguard. Flam, I’ll leave the support to you.”

“Understood.”

“Roger!”

“Leave it to us!”

“Yes!”

Following the instructions of Lucas, who was in charge of the ground forces, we increased our descent speed and headed towards the Abyssal army ahead of the main group. From behind, we received support from Flam’s Arrow Rain Tempest and unique magic from Archers and Mages, which was so effective that I wondered if it could even take down Normal Demons. In fact, it was. The rain of arrows and magic from above was relentless, and the Abyssal forces had no means to defend against it, making it inevitable.

“They’re more fragile than I thought, but many High Demons and Chimeras remain.”

“That’s true. But they aren’t unharmed, and if we miss this opening, we’ll take casualties too, so let’s finish them off quickly!”

“I agree with Ludia. Is that okay, Lucas?”

“That’s the plan. Ritters and Hunters, I’m ordering a full charge to annihilate the Demon Race and Chimeras! Follow me!”

“Understood!”

Responding to his wife Lyra, Lucas raised his Hi-Hishirokane Flare Light Blade and led the charge, beginning his full descent. The Archers’ and Mages’ attacks didn’t falter, but only along our path. Changing the trajectory of fired arrows and unleashed magic is an advanced technique, but it’s also a common one. In fact, it’s taught at the General Academy nowadays. It’s not surprising, then, that high-ranking Ritters and Hunters participating in this battle can do it, making it easy to secure our path while providing support.

“First strike wins! Here we go!”

Lyra, too, unleashed wind and water attribute magic simultaneously, wielding a spear named Flare Light Grave, crafted from Hi-Hishirokane. She skillfully spun it with her talons and leaped towards the demons.

Lyra used to wield a sword, but when Flying, as Harpies have wings instead of arms, she had to hold her sword and shield with her talons. While talons can be used like hands with practice, the difference between arms and legs is significant, and a short-handled one-handed sword would be extremely difficult to master. Therefore, Lyra abandoned the sword and shield and opted for a spear with a short-sword-like blade, resembling a single-edged, curved blade. In fact, Harpies often use polearms like spears and scythes, so it’s not an unusual choice.

“If you only look over there, you’ll be neglecting this side!”

Ludia unleashed her new unique magic, Red Light Blaster, a combination of fire, light, and Dragon Spirit magic Ether Breath, wiping out the demons and Chimeras below one after another. She mentioned that Red Light Blaster, which fires crimson orbs of light, is easy to cast consecutively. Concurrently, Red Light Breath, a similar magic that emits crimson streaks of light, has also been developed. While it’s said that the attack range can be narrowed or widened, it’s still in its early stages and difficult to control. In the current situation, where the town of Envidia could be caught in the crossfire, using Red Light Breath would be too risky. I can’t fall behind either.

“We have them here too!”

I imbued my Flare Light Sword with the unique magic Mace Quake and, with the Fire Feather on my wings and Accelerating Magic, I accelerated explosively, mowing down several demons. With that momentum, Mace Quake dug a large crater into the ground. At that moment, large cracks spread in all directions, forming a barrier with the crater’s peak as its origin. From these cracks, I expelled molten earth resembling lava, and by creating water from the air, I generated a massive explosion. This is my new unique magic, Lava Splash Gazier. Lava Splash Gazier, which I conceived while pregnant with my daughter Asahi, combines my favored earth and fire attribute magic with the elementary water and wind attribute magic, fused through the Fusion Magic granted to me upon evolving into an Element Human, and then manipulates the expelled lava with Telekinetic Magic using the thought acceleration of Accelerating Magic. Many demons were swallowed by the lava erupting from the fissures, their bodies incinerated. However, since it was only recently completed, controlling the lava proved quite difficult. Thanks to the incorporated Accelerating Magic, I managed, but even so, I was exposing a significant opening. However, the demons seemed too preoccupied to notice, scrambling desperately within the barrier.

“I felt this during the testing phase, but it’s still incredibly powerful, isn’t it?”

“Thanks to the video Mr. Yamato showed me, I was able to form a clear image.”

Daito’s engraving tool contained several entertainment works called movies, which I had seen a few times. In one of them, there were scenes of martial arts and action, where attacks powerful enough to collapse the earth were unleashed casually. My Lava Splash Gazier, and Ludia’s Red Light Breath and Red Light Blaster, were inspired by that work. However, engraving tools apparently become unusable after about ten years at most. I hear that Yamato, Mako, and Sayuri are currently collaborating to copy the documents and preserve the videos within the engraving tools.

“But, we can talk about that later, right?”

“There are still demons left, including their commander. But if we take too long, Yamato might get impatient and come out, so let’s go all out from here!”

“Agreed!”

In order to fight the Divine Emperor in full strength, Yamato is currently refraining from battle. If we were to take too long here, it would give the Divine Emperor time to prepare, and if we were defeated, it would be a complete failure. More than that, if we were to struggle, Yamato would likely intervene. Therefore, we must quickly defeat the demons and Chimeras with the same momentum we have now.

“Then, can I have the Chimera at the very back?”

“Athena? Are you really going to do it?”

“If we’re going all out, shouldn’t I too?”

Indeed, that’s true. In that case, let’s leave that Leo Species-based Chimera, along with the demon commander on its back, to Athena.

“Okay. Meena, Ludia, shall we guard Athena while she transforms?”

“Of course.”

It takes a few seconds for a Dragonian to fully transform, and during that time, they are defenseless, which is fatal in the middle of a battlefield. Therefore, Ludia and I must protect Athena well.

“I’m sorry to ask, but please do. Then, I’m going!”

As Ludia and I stepped in front of Athena and readied our weapons, Athena began her full transformation.

Athena, a light attribute Dragonian, was born as an Earthlight Dragonian, evolved into a Hydragonian and became a Silver Dragonian, and upon evolving into an Ancient Dragonian, became a Crystal Dragonian. Now, evolving into the first Element Dragonian, Athena became even larger than her Crystal Dragonian form, spread her two pairs of four wings, and with a divine aura, completed her full transformation, surveying the demons on the ground below.

“Thank you, Meena, Ludia. I’m done.”

“You’re welcome, but honestly, they were so terrified of Athena that they couldn’t do anything. It was easy for us.”

As Ludia said, many demons changed their expressions as they watched Athena transform and grow larger. It’s understandable, I suppose. It’s said that even a Normal Dragonian, when fully transformed, can defeat a P-rank monster alone. However, since Athena is an Element Dragonian, it’s natural she can defeat even stronger monsters alone. In fact, we ourselves can now defeat monsters up to M-rank individually. Athena, now a Shining Crystal Dragonian, might be able to defeat not only A-rank but even O-rank monsters alone. In fact, the magic power Athena is currently radiating is comparable to that of an O-rank monster.

“Ah… ah… ah…”

“Monsters…”

Many of the demons directly exposed to Athena’s magic collapsed, their knees giving way. Some still held their weapons, but their stances were clearly wavering.

“To us, the demons are far more monstrous.”

With those words, Athena mercilessly unleashed her unique magic, Magma Light Breath, towards the demons. Those before her, unable to do anything, were consumed by it, disappearing with despair.