Sand Dragon’s magical rocks sliced through the darkness. The castle walls near Koatotemites’ North Gate were on the verge of collapse.
We raced towards the Sand Dragon, drawn by its light. We had to close the distance before its magical rocks could fly any further.
There were no Orc guards or Trolls around. Once we got close, their massive bodies would likely obstruct the Sand Dragon, preventing it from firing its magical stones.
By the time the fourth magical rock was unleashed after we exited the Castle Gate, we had closed in to a distance where the Sand Dragon’s sheer size became apparent.
“Ten mounted knights, aim for its left front leg. The rest of you, with me on the right flank. Christine, when I dismount, you take command of the overall operation. Let’s go!”
I shouted, trying to steel myself. Magical stones formed where the light illuminated, and they were launched as massive boulders. The Sand Dragon was colossal, towering over us. Could we even wound such a creature?
I leaped from my horse, closing the distance with Godspeed, and swung my Halberd with all my might towards the Sand Dragon. Don’t underestimate humans, you lizard! Full power of Super Vibration!
*Bangggggg……*
The Halberd struck, but the impact sent me reeling, my hands numb. My prosthetic left hand ached so much I almost dropped the Halberd from the pain.
“Damn it!”
I didn’t know if it would work, but its hide was incredibly tough. The ten knights who followed me dismounted ten individuals armed with Ballista arrows.
“Five of you attack from the outside, five from the inside. The rest, target the rear right leg!”
The Sand Dragon was so large that we could get almost as far in as the inside of its legs, beneath its belly. If I swung my Halberd from an upper stance, it could reach its abdomen. Remembering the Black Flame Dragon, I charged alone beneath its belly.
Elite warriors were clinging to all its legs, firing spears, swinging maces, and pounding with War Hammers. Fragments of its stone-like skin, cracked and broken, scattered around.
Between its front legs, where the Black Flame Dragon might have shown soft pinkish skin, the Sand Dragon’s belly was a dull brown. I scraped my Halberd against the ground and, using Godspeed, thrust it into its belly.
*Gwaaaannnn!*
This part too! It’s hard! My hands are numb. It’s not a weak spot like the Black Flame Dragon’s. It’s true, there’s no pink, but even so, the belly should be a weak point.
Even if I tried to slash the same spot, the Sand Dragon would take a step, and the area I had been striking would be far away. Yet, the running battle was going surprisingly well. Bit by bit, its legs and belly were chipped away.
When the Sand Dragon was encased in light for what felt like the hundredth time, magical rocks rained down directly beneath it, and all around the Sand Dragon itself. Those attacking from the outside of both its legs were caught in the barrage.
An utter annihilation. The Adventurers’ corpses, likely unaware they had died, were beyond recognition. I should have kept in mind that it could drop them directly underneath.
Those of us on the inside of its legs, including myself, were caught by its bodyslam as it collapsed its massive body. It was just sinking its belly to the ground, but for us inside, it was unbearable.
“Run!”
That was all I could manage to shout. I had used Godspeed just to escape. I wondered if even half of those who heard me could react. Adventurers were crushed to death by the Sand Dragon’s immense body.
Is this it? It can even fight up close, how unfair! Despair flooded my mind. The overwhelming, visible presence of the Sand Dragon. It didn’t even look at us, as if it considered itself an absolute power. I felt a surge of anger.
“You guys, fall back.”
I roared, channeling my rage, unleashing Super Vibration at full power. This time, I directed it into my prosthetic left hand as well. It hurt. The vibration traveled to my supporting right hand, sending jolts of pain. I had to endure it, because I’m a boy. With Godspeed fueled by anger and a double dose of Super Vibration, I slammed it into the Sand Dragon’s right leg.
*Clang!*
My Halberd was repelled, but it inflicted more damage than the first time. Damn it! Do I have to chip away at it until it’s mortally wounded? To dodge the magical rocks, one needs Godspeed like me. This means I might have to kill it alone…
As I struck for the third time, the area around the Sand Dragon began to glow with magic, generating magical rocks. I couldn’t afford to be picky, so I dragged my Halberd and fled, narrowly avoiding the close-range attack of a magical rock.
I might be able to do this. The space where it generates magical rocks always glows. If it glows, I’ll run, a hit-and-run strategy. It might take time, but I could defeat it… But the problem is, I don’t have that time.
The longer this takes, the more damage Koatotemites will suffer. Near this great forest, home to so many Monsters, if the castle walls are destroyed, people won’t be able to live in peace.
The Castle Gate and the nearby Castle Walls are devastated. If the Sand Dragon continues to spew magical rocks, destroying the city… Even if we repel it, what if Trolls and Orcs attack then? Koatotemites might be finished. If I can defeat just this one, perhaps we can rebuild. If Monsters don’t attack, that is.
If I had the time, I could defeat the Sand Dragon. But even so, I feel like I’m sacrificing a whole city. I’m not suited to be a Hero.
“Sorry I’m late~”
Orietta! I turned and saw Orietta in her armor, followed by Adventurers who couldn’t ride horses.
The grandeur of her armor was something any boy would dream of wearing. And Orietta was wearing a white boy-short swimsuit. Yesterday was fun. I wish we could have more time… But like I said, I don’t have time!
“Orietta, those people are…”
“They’re Adventurers~ They chose to fight their way out rather than wait in Koatotemites~”
If there’s someone to lead them, people will be inspired to follow. In this case, it should be me, right? Not Orietta.
“It fires magical rocks directly downwards too. When it glows, either get directly under the Sand Dragon or flee far out. Even if you get under, be careful, it will try to crush you by flattening itself! Orietta, you take its right front leg. The rest of you, spread out and target the legs.”
I quickly instructed Orietta on the timing of her attack and sent her towards its right front leg, then directed the latecomers to the various legs.
A thunderous explosion, like rocks being crushed, erupted from the Sand Dragon as it tried to stand up. Orietta’s full power struck its leg.
Even from a distance, I could see cracks forming on the Sand Dragon’s outer shell. Orietta can do this. With the home-run power she unleashes from that armor, she could send the Sand Dragon flying out of the ballpark.
As if unaffected by Orietta’s attack, the Sand Dragon slowly moved its colossal body and began to walk again.
Orietta was waiting for the moment its right front leg landed. Her first massive Hammer strike had cracked its outer shell. Orietta should be able to do it.
Orietta, who normally swings a Hammer powerful enough to match a motorcycle, swings a Hammer comparable to a small car when wearing her armor. When I dodged it, just barely above my head, a shockwave that made me think I’d go bald assailed my scalp.
*BOOOOM!*
Orietta struck the back of the Sand Dragon’s ankle with her Hammer just before its right front leg landed. Its intended landing was disrupted, causing it to lose balance. As its right front leg stretched out forward, unable to support its immense weight, the Sand Dragon slowly began to fall.
“Woooah!” “It fell!” “We did it!” “Run!”
Cheers erupted, intermingled with screams. For those directly in the path of its fall, it was a disaster. Being crushed by that colossal body meant death. And it wasn’t over just because it fell.
I immediately hammered my Halberd, at full Super Vibration, into the thinnest part of its neck, at the base of its head.
“Hah! Hah! Hah! HAAAAH!”
Blood spurted from my aching right hand. After repeated blows, the tough outer hide finally gave way to flesh with that last “Hah!”
“Orietta! Keep hitting it!”
Orietta instantly understood what needed to be done and, using the embedded Halberd as a fulcrum, swung her massive Hammer.
“I’m a home run hitter~”
