The Central Sea Region
“Yes, yes! Give me everything about you, please! Now, let’s begin the ravaging…♪”
The dice have been cast. Our battle, arguably the culmination of our efforts, takes place in the middle of the sea, where there are few hindrances to showing our skills. Is it a harbinger of world collapse? The sea occasionally rages, the sky is stained with the color of the Underworld, or tornadoes form by whipping up seawater. While these are minor events compared to Kuromel, this is what happens in a short period. If it drags on, there’s a risk of developing into even more extreme weather than before. We cannot afford to underestimate it. Well, I did think it was somewhat fitting as a stage for our battle, but still.
Facing Kuromel are Kelvin and Sera, who are flying, and Gerard, mounted on Boga. In addition, Mudoph, who has moved away from the front lines with Efil to focus on sniping.
“Whoa! Just in time! Did we make it just in time!? Brother Kelvin, I’ve come to help! There’s no way I wouldn’t participate in this grand festival!”
Replacing Mudoph and Efil, Dahak arrives, rushing at tremendous speed. And Dahak is to join as well. You’re cutting it close, you delinquent. But, I’m feeling great right now, so I’ll let it slide.
“Dahak, Boga. I hate to ask right away, but can you give the signal to start? Don’t hold back, Kuromel can take anything, so go all out.”
“Oh, really!? My current breath knows no bounds!”
“Hey, Dahak! Just hurry up and do it already! Just because your power is surging, don’t get carried away! I know you. Guys like you always end up getting hurt!”
“Shut up, Boga! When I’m feeling good, riding that wave is the best way to enjoy a dragon’s life!”
“What did you say!? Then try to show me breath stronger than mine! The breath of a great eruption!”
“Did you hear that, you punk!? My breath is definitely superior! It’s seriously amazing! The breath of corrosion and decay!”
They say that fighting is a sign of affection, but in this case, they’re too affectionate. There’s no need to get competitive at a time like this, especially when emotions are supposed to be suppressed. In a sense, I’m impressed.
However, the power of Dahak and Boga’s breath was real. The green and red beams released by Melfina’s status could erase the earth without a trace. As fitting for the signal to start the battle, the users themselves seemed quite surprised. Still, being able to exert their power suggests that Mel’s blessing is functioning well.
“Symbol of Demise – Dragon’s Roar”
Despite their size, the two Dragon Kings were flustered by the sheer power. Unlike Dahak and the others, Kuromel, though excited, was calm. Tentacles that had parasitized the Machine Dragon instantly formed the shape of two dragon heads, and lo and behold, they breathed out a pitch-black breath from their massive mouths. Their target was, of course, the attacks from Dahak and Boga, which were approaching Kuromel. The colorful breaths collided head-on, scattering a tremendous shockwave in all directions.
“Gooooh…!”
“Damn you…!”
Despite being a two-on-one exchange, there was a clear difference in the remaining power of both sides. Dahak and Boga’s breath, which should have been incomparable to before, was barely holding its ground, or rather, seemed to be losing. I don’t know what it feels like to breathe out, due to my body structure, but I can fully understand that Dahak and Boga are straining themselves from the depths of their bodies. All the more so, Kuromel’s composure, as if casually finishing it without so much as breaking a sweat, stood out.
“Hold on a little longer, Boga!”
“You too, Dahak!”
However, it wasn’t just the breath of Dahak and Boga that was approaching Kuromel. Sera flew with a speed that was almost indistinguishable from the overwhelming speed shown within the Ark, and Gerard was on the guided fireball that Boga had secretly launched, the Pursuit Fire. Of course, I was also approaching.
Before, it would have been impossible to get close to Kuromel due to the impact of the breath, but now such recklessness is permissible. The closer I got to Kuromel, the stronger the shockwaves became, but I even found it pleasant. Everything I could feel and see here was on a different dimension from the world I had perceived until now. Even my suppressed heart felt a slight thrill of excitement. Naturally, this is also unavoidable, so I’ll let it slide. Well, it was something that could be understood without explanation.
“This is just a greeting! Combined Sky Jaw!”
Gerard leaped from the Pursuit Fire and moved to the follow-up Pursuit Fire. As he jumped, he unleashed Sky Jaw forward. The slash, combined with Boga’s flame, became wreathed in fire and went straight for Kuromel.
“A combined technique stimulates my curiosity! However—!”
Kuromel swung her great spear, unleashing a slash just as Gerard had done. Like the breath, this too was nullified.
“Gerard, I thank you for supporting the person I loved most since ancient times! This is, at the very least, my gratitude!”
The Machine Dragon’s body, the part corresponding to its abdomen, suddenly bulged. I thought she was going to do something with her tentacles again, but it seemed different. Among the tentacles, there was something like a sphere. Inside a large crystal, a black shadow resembling a person was wriggling. Could that be the Core?
“An invitation directly from the black princess, how interesting! King!”
“Ah, I know. That’s the original Zildra inside, isn’t it? Leave the Core to Gerard. But either way, it’s a race against time. Finish it while Dahak and Boga’s attacks, which are somewhat distracting Kuromel, continue. We’ll handle the rest!”
“Understood!”
“Don’t get careless just because its weakness is exposed! It’s an obvious trap!”
“Gahahaha! I appreciate your concern!”
Upon hearing my conversation with Gerard, Boga changed the target of his fire missiles to the Core. Gerard, putting away his shield and armed only with his Demonic Sword, charged towards the Core that had sprung from the Machine Dragon’s abdomen.
“Kelvin, what should I do?”
“Sera, find the Core of the Divine Machine. Honestly, I have no idea where it is. Your intuition is all I have to rely on.”
“Heh heh, I’m a reliable woman, aren’t I! Leave it to me, I’ll crush it with a pop!”
Stating that she would ascertain the situation once, Sera flapped her wings and ascended into the sky. Though time is short, Sera’s boundless confidence remains unchanged. She is truly reliable.
“All that remains is the Mandala and Kuromel’s main body… Even in this state, I can offer advice. I will assist you, however meagerly.”
“Haha, the situation reminds me of when we first met. You’re the best support I could ask for.”
Kuromel responded appropriately to our attacks, but her gaze was fixed on me. It felt as if she was beckoning me to come closer. In fact, that was probably her intention. But—
“—Don’t worry! I’m the one who’s going to deal with you!”
My weapon and Kuromel’s crossed, with both of us smirking.
