**Side: Harut**
“Tch! Don’t get in my way!”
With the sword forged from the super alloy Hihishirokane, a gift from Yamato Tenshaku, I cut down the demons.
As the Grand Dragoner’s Master, I renounced my claim to the Dragon King’s throne and was granted a Duke’s title by my brother, Folias, the current Dragon King.
The surname I adopted at that time, Pendragon, is the name of a famous king from Yamato Tenshaku, and I heard many stories were created about him. Fortunately, Yamato Tenshaku possessed those stories, and I commissioned a Trader to copy them. After they were bound into books, they were published as knightly tales from another world.
Captivated by those stories, I pleaded with my brother to allow me to use the Pendragon surname. My efforts paid off, and I was able to establish the Pendragon Ducal family. Upon hearing this, Yamato Tenshaku brought a sword, said to have been wielded by King Arthur Pendragon, as a congratulatory gift at a reception party.
While it wasn’t the genuine article, Yamato Tenshaku had seen the sword called Excalibur and had it meticulously crafted to be as close as possible, which I was delighted by. Naturally, using the name of the sacred sword itself felt a bit presumptuous, so I named my sword of Hihishirokane “Dragcalibur.” From the day I obtained Dragcalibur, I spent my free time hunting monsters, testing its usability and feel. Of course, my work also suffered, and the frequency of my wife and subordinates scolding me increased considerably.
“Lord Harut, you’re pushing too far forward. You are also a Secondary Dragoner, so you should prioritize command over fighting yourself. You’ll be scolded by Lord Rex if you’re not careful.”
“Ah, my apologies, Themis.”
It seems my joy at being able to swing Dragcalibur freely made me overextend myself. My wife, Themis, a Hydragonian, admonished me. If Lord Rex’s name is mentioned, I have no choice but to retreat. After all, he had a verbal spar with the commander earlier, pretended to take the bait, and then descended to the ground, defeating the soldiers who surrounded him along with themselves. He was ready to fight, but since he had defeated the commander, his role was over, a point I couldn’t help but sympathize with. Of course, that doesn’t mean I intend to participate in such a display.
“However, there are hardly any left. It seems the Beastars and Soldiers fighting will finish them off.”
“It would seem so. Even as elites, High Demons, especially those who can barely use magic, have their limits regardless of the Divine Metal Arms and Armor they use.”
“Simply being a High Demon makes them a formidable enemy, but they are not on the level of Ancient Class. Moreover, in Abaricia, many may not even know of the existence of Inn Magic, let alone use it. So, as you say, Lord Harut, their limits are indeed low, or perhaps they are difficult to strengthen.”
*Difficult to strengthen.* That’s certainly possible. After all, leveling up the Helios Orb involves efficiently using magic to integrate it into one’s body, which increases magic capacity and simultaneously enhances magic power and the degree of enhancement. However, the fundamental magic systems differ between the Philia Continent and the Gradia Continent. My wife, Mako, speculates that this Gradia Continent itself might be home to visitors from another world, or rather, invaders. Not only the magic but also the monsters are different, and if the only race is Human, her speculation might not be entirely wrong. In fact, considering they have fallen into the state of Demon Race, it makes more sense to think that way.
“Lord Harut, over there!”
“Hm?”
One of my subordinates, a Dragoner, seems to have sensed something unusual. I turn my gaze in that direction, and it appears something is approaching us. No, that’s a military force, albeit a small one. So it must be one of the Four Spirit Armies. Considering the direction is North, it would be the Spirit Turtle Army.
“Lord Harut, something is also approaching from the south of the town. It’s likely the Phoenix Army.”
“That one has arrived as well. That means the remaining Ouryu Army must be preparing and heading this way as well.”
The Ouryu Army is responsible for defending the east of Aromancia, placing them in the opposite position from the Kirin Army’s encampment, which guards the west. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume they are delayed. Still, I wouldn’t have expected them to come individually when they could have marched together with the other two armies. Even if all three armies arrived together, we wouldn’t be at a disadvantage, but it would still be a difficult fight. During that time, there’s a possibility that even the Chiyou Army, the Imperial Guard, might appear. If that were to happen, it’s likely we wouldn’t escape unscathed, and our morale would undoubtedly drop. For Abaricia, that would be the best outcome. However, for the Spirit Turtle, Phoenix, and Ouryu Armies not to march in unison and come as individual reinforcements is, by any measure, a terrible move. It’s convenient for us, but it’s almost too convenient, making me hesitant.
“Knights, and Hunters, heed my words! Enemy reinforcements have been confirmed approaching from the North and South! However, they are not marching in unison, and it is likely the Northern Spirit Turtle Army will engage us first! Knights will prioritize defeating the Spirit Turtle Army, and Hunters will prepare for the Southern Phoenix Army!”
Lord Rex’s instructions have arrived. It seems the best course of action is for the Knights to defeat the Spirit Turtle Army first, and then for the Hunters to coordinate with them against the Phoenix Army. Since the Kirin Army was defeated primarily by the Knights, and the Spirit Turtle Army will also be handled by the Knights, leaving the Phoenix Army to the Hunters seems reasonable. However, the Ouryu Army and Chiyou Army are still waiting. Many were intimidated by the Chimera’s shapeshifting, so it seems they want the Knights to gain credit first. Whether such consideration is necessary for the Knights is questionable, and I personally don’t think it is. However, as each Knight represents their nation here, a minimum of accomplishment is necessary. This is likely a measure of consideration for that reason, but it’s truly troublesome that political matters intertwine with such important battles that will decide the future of the Helios Orb. Normally, I wouldn’t even consider it, but this decision is likely made because there is still room for such considerations.
“That’s my prediction, and I don’t think it’s far off.”
“Even in a situation like this, these are truly troublesome matters. After all, weren’t the nobles of our country the ones who started this?”
“…I can’t deny that.”
Our nation, Valentia, has survived a crisis that nearly led to its division into East and West, but it’s not exactly smooth sailing. The corrupt individuals who had spread throughout the East have all been dealt with, but most remain in the West. While the Western nobles are mostly fine, those with territories close to the East exhibit behavior influenced by the fools in the East. In fact, they chimed in about national prestige for the current expedition to the Gradia Continent, despite not being involved themselves. Troublingly, some Western nobles have begun to echo these sentiments, making it impossible for even the Dragon King to ignore them. The result is the current situation, which is unbearable for those on the front lines. Whether it’s fortunate or not, similar issues are arising in Alegria and the Three Duchies, so at least Valentia’s blunder isn’t being seen as isolated. No, ultimately, most of the Knights influenced by such individuals were intimidated by the Chimera’s shapeshifting. Therefore, it’s not impossible to blame them after the battle on that grounds. Frankly, it gives me a headache.
“There’s no point in dwelling on it now. Dragoners, once our Order makes the first strike, we will launch a full-scale attack on the demons. Don’t fall behind the other Knights, understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Alright… Now! Fire!”
Under my command, the Dragoners unleash their magic in unison. It seems we were able to attack the demons that appeared from the north, likely the Spirit Turtle Army, before the other Knights. The magic impacts have kicked up dust, making it difficult to see the Spirit Turtle Army’s condition, but since some were hit directly by the magic with little defense, we must have inflicted considerable damage.
“Did we get them?”
“The dust is obscuring our view.”
Themis seemed to have the same thought and used wind magic to clear the smoke. Beyond the dissipating dust stood the demons, half-destroyed but attempting to regain their composure. The results are satisfactory.
“Good. Themis, let’s finish this in one go.”
“Understood. Here we go.”
Not letting this opportunity slip away, I urged Themis to fully dragonize. I intend to finish this with Dragon Resonance Magic.
“We’re ready, Lord Harut.”
“Right, let’s go!”
After fully dragonizing and becoming a Green Dragoner, I rode on Themis’s back. I conjured several rings imbued with lightning before Themis’s eyes. Themis then unleashed her Unique Magic, Blast Heat Breath, directly into the center of the rings. Each time the Blast Heat Breath passed through a ring, it became imbued with lightning and narrowed. Using my Innately Granted Magic, Telekinetic Magic, I manipulated the narrowed breath like a whip. This is our Dragon Resonance Magic, Lightning Whip Detonator. Lightning Whip Detonator mowed down multiple demons with a single strike, defeating them one after another. Some demons tried to dodge, but my subordinate Dragoners were there to attack them, ensuring they were also taken down. The Spirit Turtle Army has already been reduced to a point where complete annihilation can be judged, rather than just half-destroyed, and their will to fight seems completely broken.
However, even so, their movements show no sign of withdrawal. Perhaps if they tried to flee now, their lives would be taken by the Divine Emperor. But even if they charge towards us, they cannot escape death. Normally, we would take opponents who have lost their will to fight as prisoners. But since they are demons, that option does not exist. Therefore, we will not let up on our attack, and we cannot accept their surrender. They likely sense that atmosphere, don’t they? That’s probably why they are despairing, unable to move, yet the option of retreating is impossible. I pity them, but their very existence as demons is taboo and would lead to the destruction of the Helios Orb.
However, I have no intention of prolonging their suffering. Towards them, I unleashed thunder fire from Lightning Whip Detonator. The lightning fire, like arrows, pierced and ended the lives of one immobile demon after another. My conscience aches, but becoming demons was their own choice. I only hope that they may rest peacefully in the underworld.
