We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The royal capital is engulfed in flames.
Slaton didn’t stab Duranel with his dagger again, but glared down at him from astride his mount.
Duranel returned Slaton’s fierce gaze.
“You fools!”
“I don’t care anymore.”
“Slaton, you’ll never become a full-fledged Dragon Knight.”
“Duranel, I don’t know if you’re going through a rebellious phase or what, but if you keep looking down on others, you’ll never become a fine adult dragon.”
“Lily. I’m leaving these fools behind. You can boil them, roast them, or crush them, it’s all up to you.”
“Yes, yes ~”
“What?! Elnea, how could you say such a thing!”
“Grrr. I appreciate the favor of you removing my dagger, but I won’t stand for being called a fool.”
“I don’t care. Now, everyone, let’s go.”
“That’s right, let’s go.”
“Creacio, it’s best to discard that one.”
“Creacio, it’s best to get rid of that one.”
“Y-yes…”
“Now, let’s leave the weaklings and go find worthy opponents. If anything, I’d be happy if Elnea-kun would fight me?”
“Absolutely not! Ruilala, you can stay here too, you know?”
“How cruel! We’re friends, Elnea-kun and I.”
“Friends who attack each other from behind?”
“I won’t attack you by surprise anymore. This time, head-on…”
“Even more so, absolutely not!”
Ignoring Slaton and Duranel, who were glaring at each other, we departed.
Leaving the plaza in front of the ruins behind, we all ran towards the royal capital.
“So, Elnea-kun. Where are we going?”
“Yeah. Ruiseine, take Creacio with you and head to the Great Shrine with Yufi and Nina. The Grand Invocation is about to begin, right?”
“Yes. They should be erecting a barrier around the Great Shrine to protect the evacuated people.”
As if in response to Ruiseine’s words, a pillar of light appeared in one part of the royal capital.
Judging by the direction, it was heading for the Great Shrine.
“It’s the great magic, Full Moon Formation.”
“Ruiseine, please go to the Great Shrine and assist with the Grand Invocation. Yufi and Nina, after escorting Ruiseine, head to the royal castle!”
“Understood. We’ll evacuate everyone from the royal castle.”
“Understood. We’ll evacuate the people of the royal castle.”
“No, no, no! You mustn’t evacuate them!? I want you to protect the King and everyone in the royal castle!”
“But Elnea-kun will destroy the royal castle.”
“But Elnea-kun will make the royal castle disappear.”
“W-what are you talking about!?”
“Because you made the royal castle of the Yorttenitos Kingdom disappear without a trace.”
“Because you completely erased the upper half of the Demon Lord’s Castle and the Necrotic Castle.”
“Elnea-kun, what have you been doing until now?”
“Creacio, don’t look at me like that.”
“Creacio-san, it’s better not to ask…”
“Even Ruiseine, this is too much!”
“Elnea-kun will make this country’s royal castle disappear next. I’m looking forward to it.”
“When that happens, I’ll make you disappear along with Ruilala!”
As we ran towards the royal capital, a Death Spirit Knight appeared from a blind spot, riding a headless horse.
I swung my White Sword in a flash, cutting down both the knight and the horse.
“Creacio, go to the Great Shrine with Ruiseine and rest.”
Creacio was being carried on Ruiseine’s back.
Should I, a man, be carrying her?
No. I have somewhere else to go!
We passed by the crumbling outer wall on the southeast side of the royal capital, a relic of long years, and entered the city.
This area should have been filled with shops, merchant residences, and lodgings. Buildings reduced to rubble, roads blackened and scorched. The corpses of a few people came into view. Seeing the unfamiliar, unwanted reality, I unintentionally stopped in my tracks.
“Everyone… We will definitely protect Armēdo and Yorttenitos from the Demon Race!!”
“Yes!”
Witnessing the devastated state of the royal capital, I renewed my resolve.
Ruiseine responded firmly, and the Twin Princesses nodded quietly.
“Elnea-kun. You’ve become so splendid.”
From on Ruiseine’s back, Creacio was smiling.
“I’ve been working hard so I can proudly tell Listea and the others about the past year.”
“Yeah. Let me hear it too?”
“Of course! And for that purpose, I will stop the Demon Race’s scheme!”
We all nodded at each other and were about to go our separate ways when—
“Hey, wait up!”
“Hmph, don’t ignore us!”
From the direction of the ruins, Slaton and Duranel came running, shaking the ground.
Slaton-kun, why are you running off Slaton’s back and on the ground!?
Perhaps being ignored and left behind was too much for them, as the two of them ran side-by-side.
“Everyone, let’s go!”
However, I valued our time and called out to everyone.
Everyone else also ignored Slaton and Duranel and started running.
“Don’t ignore us!”
“Don’t leave us there!”
Ruiseine, carrying Creacio on her back, headed towards the Great Shrine. The Twin Princesses followed, as if protecting Ruiseine, whose hands were occupied.
Drawing the Ryūhōken she had been carrying!
After seeing the women off, I turned and ran north.
“Hmph. When did you start playing with me like this?”
Slaton, who had caught up, ran alongside me. Then he glared at me.
“No, I’m not playing around in this situation, am I? It’s Slaton and Duranel’s fault for not listening.”
Behind Slaton and me, Duranel was following with a heavy tread.
“This is the Dragon King of the Human Race… more terrifying than Id, the Dragon King of the Dragon Race.”
I wonder what kind of Dragon King Id is?
Since I traveled with Listea and the others, he must be a person of great character.
Will I be able to meet him in this royal capital?
We ran north.
Our destination was the North Fortress. Beyond that, in the Wyvern Hunting Ground, the Great Evil Ogre Yaan should be gathering his forces.
We wanted to get there before the full-scale attack began.
As we ran, Undead appeared from street corners and behind buildings. I unleashed Dragon Arts at the Undead, defeating them.
“Hey, don’t waste your power. The real fight is about to begin. Besides, where are you going?”
“Yeah, it’s okay. I can recover. Also, we’re heading to the North Fortress. After that, we have to go to the West Fortress.”
“…No way. That’s not a distance you can cover easily. And what are you going to do there?”
“Hmm. If Slaton rides on Duranel, we could accelerate a bit more.”
“Huh?”
Slaton looked at me as if I were being ridiculous.
That’s true. We’re already running almost at full speed.
In that state, Slaton, who can still hold a normal conversation without getting out of breath, is amazing.
“Are you in a hurry?”
“Yeah, I’d like to move at full speed if possible.”
I looked back at Duranel behind us.
Duranel, looking reluctant, bit onto the hem of Slaton’s clothes from behind. Then he tossed him and put him on his back.
For Slaton’s honor, I won’t tell Creacio about his pathetic scream at that moment.
Once I confirmed that Slaton had safely moved to Duranel’s back, I returned my gaze forward.
Then, I performed a Spatial Jump.
“Wh-?!”
Feeling Slaton’s stunned presence behind me, I unleashed the power of the Dragon Jewel.
From deep within my body, a wild Dragon Energy surged forth with a throb. The surging Dragon Energy raged within my body like a storm. However, I didn’t dislike the presence of this Dragon Energy.
My Dragon Jewel was likely left behind by a dragon of a wild disposition.
It felt like a burning passion and an indomitable spirit were welling up with the Dragon Energy, stirring me, who was usually quiet.
Feeling the Dragon Energy filling my entire body, I performed consecutive Spatial Jumps.
Even running with surging Dragon Energy couldn’t match the speed of consecutive Spatial Jumps.
After all, I was leaping through space. One moment I was in front of my vision, and the instant my pupils reflected a new landscape, I had already jumped even further ahead.
Behind me, Duranel, the Earth Dragon, made a furious charge. However, even the feet of a dragon couldn’t catch up to me right now.
The royal capital’s landscape changed with each passing moment.
Undead appeared in my field of vision.
After I performed a Spatial Jump. The leaves of the Spirit Tree were left behind, swirling in the place where I had been. And they sliced through the Undead.
Leaving all events behind, I jumped north using Spatial Jump.
In no time, I could see the royal castle in the distance.
However, I had no business with the royal castle. I had entrusted the people of the royal castle to the Twin Princesses.
As I passed the royal castle, in the corner of my eye, crimson flames danced wildly.
I stopped unconsciously.
Magic. No. Dragon Arts. Not that either. Curses don’t usually have such flashy visible effects.
Then, what was it?
My heartbeat, without my realizing it, began to race.
I stopped and stared in the direction the flames were dancing.
The castle wall obstructed my view.
As if drawn by the flames, I turned my feet in that direction.
Duranel’s footsteps, which should have been thundering behind me, the sounding alarm bells and commotion of the royal capital’s sky, all failed to reach my ears.
All I could hear was the hot roar, resonating deeply in my abdomen, as the flames shook the air.
I rounded the corner of the castle wall.
Flames that dyed the sky crimson leaped into my eyes.
And beyond them.
I found the person I had admired and aimed for since I don’t know when.
The figure wielding a crimson sword, dancing with flames, and guiding the approaching Undead to a paradise of fire was beautiful.
Several crimson tornadoes appeared, overwhelming the Undead.
Ghosts ascended to heaven, caught in the vortex of flames. The armor of the Ghost Knights melted, and red iron rain rose into the sky. Undead knights holding large shields tried to approach, but were pushed back by the heatwave.
The person turning a section of the castle wall into a crimson paradise of fire was the Hero, Listea.
“Listea!”
I shouted unconsciously.
Amidst the roaring flames, Listea seemed to have heard my voice and turned around.
Listea gave a powerful smile.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Listea raised the Flame Holy Sword high.
And with a surge of energy, she swung it down.
A phoenix formed of flame appeared, crying out proudly as it scattered crimson feathers.
That wasn’t all.
Flames writhed on the ground, forming intricate patterns. Then, the flame patterns floated into the air, burning as high pillars of fire.
The Undead within the wide range of the patterned area were annihilated by the intense heat.
The Fire Phoenix danced gracefully around the pillars of fire, evaporating any Undead that tried to escape with heatwaves.
I was simply mesmerized by the spectacular sight created by the flames.
“Hey, Elnea!”
Perhaps he had finally caught up, or perhaps he had been behind me for a long time. Slaton shouted from on top of Duranel.
I snapped back to reality.
A headless knight, having avoided the purifying flames of the earth, approached me, swinging a rusty sword.
The phoenix’s shrill cry echoed.
With white, shining eyes, it stared at the headless knight and, spreading its wings, approached. The knight, embraced by the wings of flame, evaporated without a dying scream.
Even after defeating the headless knight, the Flame Phoenix continued to flap its wings in place, showing no signs of disappearing.
And, as if with intent, it turned its gaze towards me.
“…Listea.”
I shifted my gaze from the phoenix to Listea.
With a smirk, Listea grinned proudly.
“Yo, Dragon King Elnea.”
“It’s been a while!”
Confirming that the surrounding Undead had been annihilated, I ran towards where Listea was.
The pillars of flame had disappeared, but the phoenix followed me, not vanishing.
Seeing Listea’s heroic figure, something surged from my chest.
Ah, Listea is truly amazing.
She always surpasses my imagination.
I ran up and we shook hands.
Listea’s hand was very hot, but it wasn’t an aggressive heat that would harm me.
“I’ve heard all sorts of rumors about you, passed down through Id.”
“Really?”
I blushed at Listea’s words, stammering. The emotion welling up from my chest threatened to overflow from my eyes.
Why am I getting teary-eyed?
I tried to smile to hide these feelings, but Listea ruffled my hair and patted me.
It seemed she could see right through me.
I was a little embarrassed, but I didn’t dislike being petted by Listea.
“You worked hard.”
“Yeah.”
“Hmph. Why is the treatment different between you and me, Elnea?”
“Because Slaton keeps doing foolish things.”
“Oh, Slaton. Duranel is being so calm even though you’re riding him.”
“Hmph.”
Listea gave a wry smile at Slaton, who had turned away.
“Did something happen?”
“I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Ah, please do.”
“Elnea, if you say anything strange, I won’t forgive you!”
“What do you mean by ‘strange’?”
“I see, so there *are* strange things. Then I have to hear about it.”
“Yeah, yeah. I can’t refuse Listea’s request.”
“You guys…”
Slaton gritted his teeth in frustration.
“Um…”
At that moment, a clear, bell-like female voice made me jump.
“I apologize for interrupting your lively conversation, but…”
I looked for the source of the voice.
Behind the rubble in front of the castle wall, a woman had collapsed.
“Serise-sama!”
We rushed over in a panic.
“It can’t be helped that Elnea-kun and Slaton didn’t notice. But Listea?”
“N-no. I was concerned about you too. It’s just that I was so happy to be reunited with Elnea.”
“Does that mean Elnea-kun is more important to you than the weakened me?”
“Nghut… What are you talking about, Serise?”
Listea quickly embraced Serise.
Hmm. Has Listea started to be bossed around a little in the short time I haven’t seen her?
I couldn’t help but laugh at Listea’s attempt to appease Serise.
“Elnea-kun. Did you just laugh?”
“No, I didn’t laugh!”
I quickly erased my smile and knelt beside Serise.
Then I refined my Dragon Energy.
With a sound that seemed to be “pon,” a Chicken Dragon formed of Dragon Energy appeared between Serise and me.
Our Chicken Dragon Art, after much trial and error, has reached a new stage of growth!
Now, for us, the Chicken Dragon has become more familiar than a chicken. So, we tried to make its appearance more like a Chicken Dragon.
That said, the body is still a green mist, and only the part that would be a comb has turned into horns.
I cradled the Chicken Dragon made of Dragon Energy and offered it to Serise.
“Serise-sama, this is a souvenir. Please accept it.”
Although I created a green Chicken Dragon right in front of them, Serise and Listea weren’t particularly surprised.
Perhaps they thought it was the same principle as the phoenix standing behind us.
“Fufu. It’s a souvenir, even though you created it right in front of me.”
Saying this with a smile, Serise took the Chicken Dragon from me and held it. The Chicken Dragon then dissolved into mist and melted into Serise’s body.
“What is this? It’s amazing. My lost Dragon Power has returned.”
“Yes. For those with Dragon Power, this is like a restorative Dragon Art.”
“That’s incredible. Can’t we use it too?”
“Yeah. If used on someone without Dragon Power, it would actually weaken them.”
“What an interesting technique.”
Listea put her hand on her chin and nodded in admiration.
“More importantly, we need to take action.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
“Thanks to Elnea-kun, I feel energized. Come on, let’s go!”
With her Dragon Power restored and appearing unharmed, Serise was full of energy.
“Now, let’s annihilate the Demon Race gathered at the Wyvern Hunting Ground!”
“Whoaaa, that’s ridiculous!?”
Serise, you’ve recovered too much!
Even with us, we can’t annihilate the entire Demon Race army!
The men smiled wryly at Serise, who had raised her fist high.
