We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Day the Sky Falls
A light, like a thin garment, envelops the Wyvern Hunting Ground in a circle. The light garment, rising from the ground, pierces through the miasma clouds and stretches endlessly upward.
An anomaly occurred in the miasma clouds, now divided by the light garment.
Beyond the Wyvern Hunting Ground. The dark, black miasma clouds that had spread outside the circular light began to fade. Then, just as summer clouds tear apart and scatter, the miasma clouds gradually dispersed, eventually disappearing entirely.
A change was also occurring inside the circular light.
“Elnea, the ground is in trouble!”
“Elnea, the sky is in trouble!”
Yufilia points to the ground, and Nina looks up at the sky.
Above us, the same thick clouds of miasma still loomed, and the terrifyingly giant Demon King reigned. The ominous miasma clouds blocked even the sunlight, plunging the world into darkness. In that dark world, on the ground like midnight, a clearly visible shadow appeared.
A shadow blacker than the darkness. Yet, no fear arose. Instead, it felt strangely comfortable, like snuggling into a warm futon with everyone before sleeping and closing your eyes. The shadow, deeper than night, spread throughout the interior of the circular light, covering the earth and repainting the ground in shades of shadow. And then, the unprecedented miracle continued.
From the shadow that filled the ground, black light was emitted.
“Elnea-sama, it’s dark, but it’s not dark?”
“Yeah, it’s strange.”
It was an odd expression. However, there was no other way to describe the phenomenon.
When you turn around while basking in the sunlight, you cast a shadow behind you. Shadows cast darkness where light doesn’t reach, staining the ground black. But even within shadows, you can see objects, and you can confirm the ground, right? Of course, you can’t even do that in pitch blackness, but even with moonlight-level brightness, you can see the darkness in the shadowed areas. Something similar was happening inside the circular light. Gentle shadows filled the world, repainting the darkness born from the thick miasma clouds. With this, we could clearly see the world even without our eyes harboring Dragon Energy. And, we witnessed the immense effect of the Great Magic activated by Ruiseine.
The shadow-colored light spread around the monsters and Yōma that overflowed the ground and sky. Then, the monsters and Yōma significantly slowed their movements. Among the monsters flying in the sky, some had their wing movements sealed, causing them to fall to the ground. However, it seemed to have no effect on the volunteers fighting outside the fortress. Instead, they began to strike down the slowed monsters and Yōma with all their might.
Ruiseine had said, “The Great Magic ‘New Moon Formation’ binds only those evil beings caught in the shadow of the new moon.” Therefore, while the monsters and Yōma were immobilized, our allies could move freely.
However, originally, monsters and Yōma that entered the shadow of this Great Magic should have been completely restrained, unable to even move. But this time, the scale was too immense, and the number of monsters and Yōma was too great. Thus, they couldn’t completely bind them. Nevertheless, just slowing down their movements was enough. Furthermore, the Great Magic ‘New Moon Formation’ not only hindered the movement of monsters and Yōma but also slowed their appearance. Until now, monsters and Yōma had spawned endlessly from the curse, but since the moon shadow’s light filled the world, their appearance began to drastically decrease. Not only that, but small curses were being eroded and purified by the moon shadow.
Now that the Demon King of Yōma had appeared, the Giant Demon Lord’s curse had already achieved its purpose. Therefore, it was more convenient for us if they were purified.
The movements of monsters and Yōma slowed, and their appearance began to decrease. With this, those remaining outside the fortress could fight sufficiently on their own! Or so I thought.
“What? The miasma’s influence is starting to weaken?”
An adventurer peeking out from the fortress emerged in surprise. Other Beast race warriors and Mimicho folk cautiously observed the outside. And they learned of the changes in the world filled with moon shadow.
“It feels strange. The presence of miasma is fading, and instead, I feel some unknown protection.”
That must be Ruiseine’s prayer. And it’s the feelings of the Miko who delivered it with the Great Magic. To purify evil and cherish people. Whether they had faith in the Goddess or not, the Miko treated all beings in the world with equal compassion. Their impartial prayers and thoughts filled the Wyvern Hunting Ground along with the moon shadow’s light. They dispelled the evil miasma and bestowed protection upon the people. A new fire lit within those who had withdrawn, thinking their role was over.
“We can still do it!”
“There’s still something we can do!!”
“Advance!”
“Slay the monsters!”
“Defeat the Yōma!!”
The fortress gates opened. With weapons in hand, volunteers rushed out. They overwhelmed the slowed monsters and vanquished the Yōma. The warriors rise up again and again. While retreating when danger approaches is natural, they always turn back and return to the battlefield when an opportunity arises. As if propelled by everyone fighting bravely on the ground, we then shifted our gaze from the ground upward. And we realized that Ruiseine’s Great Magic was reaching the Demon King of Yōma as well.
“AAAAAaaaa… AAAaaaaaahhh!”
The Demon King of Yōma let out an eerie groan. The moon shadow’s light filled the surroundings of the Demon King of Yōma’s upper body, which jutted out from the thick miasma clouds. Bound by the moon shadow’s light, the Demon King of Yōma cried out in agony. It writhed as if to shake off the moon shadow, causing its miasma garment to ripple. However, the shadow of the Great Magic did not allow it to do so easily. The moon shadow’s light seeped into the gaps of its bones and the folds of its miasma garment, as if binding the Demon King of Yōma.
The giant arm, which it had attempted to swing up, creaked like rusted iron and slowed its movements. Nevertheless, the Demon King of Yōma swung its arm without hesitation. The giant scythe it gripped descended, threatening to ravage the ground.
“If this continues, everyone on the ground will be…!”
Even the Earth Dragons were blown away like pebbles before the Demon King of Yōma’s immense mass, despite its slow movement. If this continued, everyone on the ground would be swept away in a single blow!
Just then, Sefina, who had remained on the ground manipulating Minotaur’s Labyrinth Arts, appeared!
“I’ll do it!”
Sefina ran up the bell tower near the fortress and shouted with all her might.
“Earth Dragons, are you intending to be subjugated by the Demon King of Yōma? If you wish to display the pride of the Dragon Race, show us your power!”
Sefina’s shout stirred the Dragon Race.
“A mere girl, saying such things.”
“It’s unbecoming to be told what to do by a human. Very well, know our full strength!”
The Earth Dragons once again wove a barrier. A powerful barrier enveloped the fortress, preparing for the attack of the approaching giant scythe. But this was the same as last time. No matter how powerful the barrier, the Demon King of Yōma’s attack could not be stopped. Even if the Earth Dragons were blown away, they would be protected by their own barrier and not be injured. However, those who leaked from the barrier would be in serious trouble! But this was already considered by the Earth Dragons. This time, they were not trying to receive the attack head-on but were using the barrier in a way that would deflect it. However, anxiety remained. Could they truly deflect the overwhelming attack of the Demon King of Yōma?
As we watched, Sefina smiled coolly and said, “I should add one more touch.” With that, Sefina deeply and quietly sharpened her mind and stretched both arms overhead. The giant scythe approached. The barrier of the Earth Dragons faced it. The giant scythe, with sluggish movement, touched the barrier.
“Haaahh!”
Sefina, timing both movements, swung both arms sideways with a shout!
“Eeeh!?”
“What!?”
Everyone was astonished. Immediately after the giant scythe touched the barrier of the Earth Dragons, the blade of the giant scythe changed trajectory as intended. The blade, which should have swept away everything on the ground, was deflected skyward. But this was not solely the achievement of the Earth Dragons. The Earth Dragons and we felt it clearly.
“I see! It was at the moment the giant scythe and Dragon Energy touched through the Earth Dragons’ barrier that you interfered with the Demon King of Yōma’s power!” How formidable, Sefina! To divert the trajectory of such a massively heavy attack by utilizing even the evil power flowing through the Demon King of Yōma’s entire body.
“Now, leave the matters on the ground to us. Elnea, you go for the Demon King of Yōma’s main body!”
Responding to Sefina’s words, Revalia let out a roar, flapped its wings fiercely, and soared upward. The Demon King of Yōma, approaching from above, was about to open its bull’s skull-like mouth wide to release miasma, as if in retaliation for its giant scythe being deflected. However, the Demon King of Yōma’s mouth, opened to exhale miasma, slowed its movement and remained that way. The effects of the moon shadow had clearly reached the Demon King of Yōma as well. The Demon King of Yōma, its movements being sealed, let out a hateful wail. A grating shockwave echoed across the Wyvern Hunting Ground. But even upon hearing the Demon King of Yōma’s scream, we didn’t feel sick or unpleasant pain in our hearts. Was this also the effect of the Great Magic? Furthermore, the Great Magic demonstrated its power. As shadows permeated the miasma clouds that churned eerily in the sky, the miasma clouds began to slow their churning, as if the sky were freezing over. The sky we looked up at became stagnant. The churning of the dark black miasma froze, and the Demon King of Yōma was bound. Nevertheless, the Demon King of Yōma showed resistance. It repositioned the giant scythe, which had been deflected by Sefina and the Earth Dragons, with sluggish movements.
“Hmph, it still won’t stop moving even with this!”
Revalia roared with irritation. No matter how much we bound it with the Great Magic, we couldn’t completely seal the Demon King of Yōma’s movements, unlike the many monsters and Yōma that flooded the ground. It seemed that focusing on one or the other was necessary for complete restraint, even with Great Magic. But we couldn’t burden Ruiseine any further. We had to fight in this situation! The Demon King of Yōma raised its scythe. Even if its movements were slow, the heavy attack would not stop. How many times could Sefina and the others endure this attack? We had to defeat the Demon King of Yōma while Sefina and the others held out. And yet…!
“The sky is far away.”
“The Demon King of Yōma’s core is far away.”
It wasn’t just Revalia and us who kept flying while observing the situation. We had tried numerous times to approach the core visible deep in the Demon King of Yōma’s chest. But we couldn’t reach it. As we approached the Demon King of Yōma’s main body, the miasma naturally became thicker. The miasma garment that clothed the Demon King of Yōma obstructed Revalia’s flight. Of course, its movements were slowed by the moon shadow’s light. However, we still couldn’t get close easily. And, while we struggled, the Demon King of Yōma did not stop attacking. The Demon King of Yōma, with a terribly sluggish movement, swung down the raised giant scythe. But the Demon King of Yōma’s arm was never swung down.
“Annoying. Annoying. Attacking with such sluggish movements is not even worthy of a laugh.”
My vision wavered. Something enormous appeared before the Demon King of Yōma’s arm. Space shimmered and stood in front of the Demon King of Yōma’s arm. And, along with the giant scythe, it sealed one of the Demon King of Yōma’s arms.
“Kusharilla, thank you!”
“Hate it. To call a Demon Lord like me by name so casually.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Although I couldn’t see her, I felt her glaring at me. Demon Race beings don’t like their names being called casually. Still, I was so happy that I couldn’t help but say her name. Fairy Demon Lord Kusharilla, who had come to the Wyvern Hunting Ground before but showed no intention of cooperating with us, moved at just the right moment. After all, everyone gathered at the Wyvern Hunting Ground shares one will! My emotion continued. The Demon King of Yōma, its right arm sealed, still held a giant scythe in its left hand. The Demon King of Yōma raised the giant scythe in its left hand, targeting Kusharilla who was obstructing it. At that moment, another Giant appeared. Lightning flashed, tearing through the frozen miasma clouds. Under the dazzling sky, a Giant, tall enough to reach the miasma clouds, held down the Demon King of Yōma’s left arm.
“I won’t allow another such act of insolence above my head.”
“Giant Demon Lord!”
“Hmph. If you had uttered my name then, I would have incinerated you and the Wyvern with lightning.”
“Hiiih!”
As expected of the Giant Demon Lord. Even in this situation, it’s speaking as usual! But only its tone is usual; its presence is serious! Possessing magic power befitting the Oldest Demon Lord, it sealed the Demon King of Yōma’s arm. The right arm was by Fairy Demon Lord Kusharilla. The left arm by the Giant Demon Lord. Both arms of the Demon King of Yōma were completely sealed by the two Demon Lords. Still, it wasn’t enough. Even with the arms sealed, the miasma garment obstructing our path remained, and more importantly, the miasma clinging to the Demon King of Yōma’s main body was still thick. Then, the four Ancient Dragon Species positioned in the four directions of the Wyvern Hunting Ground made their next move.
“To wield darkness and shadow, surpassing this Shadow Dragon, is laughable.” The Shadow Dragon of the north released darkness. A darkness darker than shadow, deeper than night, encroached upon the sky of the Wyvern Hunting Ground. The miasma clouds, subjected to this encroachment, were repainted by darkness and absorbed by the Shadow Dragon.
“Impurity shall be burned away by my flames.” The Red Dragon of the east unleashed purifying flames. Fierce flames blazed and burned the earth. The purifying flames spread throughout the Wyvern Hunting Ground.
“For Yōma to paint the world with impurity is a thousand years too early.” The Rainbow Dragon of the west spread its wings. Each time it flapped, impurity was purged from the world, and the space was instead painted in polychromatic hues. The earth was dyed red by the purifying flames, and the sky was dominated by darkness. And the space between the earth and the sky was filled with polychromatic colors.
“I shall not be stained by any color; the world shall be dyed by my color.” And then, the Rainbow Dragon of the south moved. We felt the presence of the invisible Rainbow Dragon ascending into the sky. Then, the flames, darkness, and polychromatic colors stirred by the Rainbow Dragon mixed, purifying the ominous presence spreading through the Wyvern Hunting Ground. Having completed their support for Ruiseine, who had been preparing for the Great Magic, the four Ancient Dragon Species, now free, unleashed their power. The Wyvern Hunting Ground began to gradually thin its miasma from the outside. If the miasma clouds continued to thin, the Demon King of Yōma should also lose power. As if to confirm my conjecture, a change occurred in the sky.
“Elnea-sama, the Demon King of Yōma is…!” Lyra trembled, covering her lips with her hand. From on Revalia’s back, we look up at the sky with wide eyes. The sky, the miasma clouds, were getting closer.
“Revalia, aren’t you going too high!?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not because I raised my altitude.”
” …Which means!” The thick miasma clouds that had spread across the sky of the Wyvern Hunting Ground were gradually thinning from the outside due to the Dragon Arts of the Ancient Dragon Species. Was it because the miasma clouds could no longer dominate the sky? Or was it because the excessively giant Demon King of Yōma was too heavy? It was surely both! With the miasma clouds, which could be considered the lower body of the Demon King of Yōma, thinning, the excessively giant upper body lost its buoyancy! The sky slowly descended towards us who looked up.
“If this continues, the miasma clouds will fall to the ground.”
“If this continues, the Demon King of Yōma will crash to the ground.”
“If that happens, even those who cannot fly can attack the Demon King of Yōma!” Until now, those without wings could only spectate. But if the Demon King of Yōma fell within range of attack, we could participate. Moreover, thanks to the Great Magic and the Ancient Dragon Species, the miasma’s ominous presence had thinned. With this, we had forces for feint, defense, and attack!
“But the speed of its fall is too slow. Too slow, and I’m worried about the burden on Ruiseine.”
“R-right!” If we endured the Demon King of Yōma’s attacks and the fierce onslaught of monsters and Yōma, an opportunity would eventually arise. However, before that, Ruiseine and the other Miko’s magic power might run out. The Demon King of Yōma also wouldn’t stand by and be defeated. So, we had to do something to accelerate the Demon King of Yōma’s descent. “Very well. I suppose it’s time for me to move as well.” Old Man Sleigsta, reading my thoughts, spread his enormous wings. Then, gracefully flapping his wings, he soared into the sky. Following Old Man Sleigsta, Asher also took flight. Rayarin (Respect) followed. The Demon King of Yōma immediately reacted to this new threat. It opened its bull’s mouth with sluggish movement and began to converge dark black, turbid miasma.
“How sluggish!” Asher roared. The next moment, the Demon King of Yōma’s lower jaw turned to white ash and disappeared. Perhaps because the downward pressure was gone, the converging mass of miasma scattered. Then, Rayarin approached, swimming through the air. It wrapped its long body around the Demon King of Yōma’s skeletal neck. The Demon King of Yōma shook its bull’s skull trying to break free from Rayarin, but with its sluggish movements, it couldn’t shake off Rayarin wrapped around its neck. The Demon King of Yōma snarled hatefully with its upper jaw. This time, it thrashed its miasma garment, attacking Rayarin.
“Foolish!” The fierce roar came from Uls, who had ascended late. At the Snow Dragon’s roar, the miasma garment approaching Rayarin turned to white ash and scattered. Rayarin wrapped around the Demon King of Yōma and pulled it down to the ground. But the excessively giant Demon King of Yōma did not increase its falling speed just by Rayarin pulling it. Then, at the opportune moment, Old Man Sleigsta unleashed the Great Dragon Arts! Old Man Sleigsta, changing its entire body from jet black to pure white, deployed a golden, shining 3D magic circle around its massive body. With a divine roar, it unleashed black and white breaths. The black and white breaths intertwined spirally and directly struck the Demon King of Yōma’s skull! A super-explosion occurred, on a scale exceeding the Dragon Race’s combined attack. Revalia was swept away by the multi-layered shockwaves. “Tch.” Revalia flapped its four wings of various sizes fiercely, trying to maintain its posture. However, the super-explosion caused by Old Man Sleigsta and the accompanying multi-layered shockwaves blew away those flying in the sky. From on Revalia’s back, being carried away by the shockwave, we looked up at the sky to confirm the situation. And we were astonished.
“The Demon King of Yōma’s head…!” Perhaps from the aftereffects of the super-explosion, the sky appeared to waver like heat haze. Beyond that. The bull’s skull that should have been at the front of the Demon King of Yōma’s excessively giant upper body. The Great Dragon Arts unleashed by Old Man Sleigsta had blown away the Demon King of Yōma’s skull, root and all.
“The Forest Guardian Dragon, who has transformed into its Sun form, is merciless.”
“Rayarin!” Rayarin, wrapped around the Demon King of Yōma’s neck, had taken the full force of the super-explosion. But Old Man Sleigsta does not act indiscriminately. It calculated properly so that Rayarin would not be harmed… Right!?
“Of course.” Old Man Sleigsta, its body entirely white, its pupils shining golden, began to gather Dragon Energy on an immeasurable scale, preparing to unleash the next Great Dragon Arts. Lightning struck Old Man Sleigsta!
“Grrr…” Old Man Sleigsta hastily took evasive action. Who attacked Old Man Sleigsta!?
“You have some nerve, striking me and involving me.” The one who fired lightning at Old Man Sleigsta was the Giant Demon Lord!
“Hmph, in this situation, I wouldn’t show consideration for old women. In fact, you and the Fairy Demon Lord are unharmed!” Although farther away than Rayarin, it was true that the Giant Demon Lord and Kusharilla, who had been holding down the Demon King of Yōma’s arms, should have been affected by the super-explosion. However, the Giant Demon Lord could withstand it, and physical attacks had no effect on the Fairy Demon Lord. Still, they wanted to retaliate as Demon Lords! In any case, this was no time for infighting. We were in a hurry. The Demon King of Yōma’s bull’s head, which should have been blown away by Old Man Sleigsta’s Great Dragon Arts, was gradually regenerating from its neck.
“As expected, when it comes to the main body, it’s not that simple.” If this continued, the Demon King of Yōma’s head would be revived. Furthermore, the longer it took, the more disadvantageous the situation would become for us. Then, the two Demon Lords moved.
“Hmph, to still exist above my head at this juncture is an eyesore!”
“Hate it. For a mere Yōma to cause such insolence before me any longer.” The Giant Demon Lord roared with thunder and pulled the Demon King of Yōma’s left arm. Kusharilla also entwined its invisible arms around the Demon King of Yōma’s right arm and forcefully pulled it towards the ground. Slowly, but definitely faster than before, the Demon King of Yōma’s upper body descended in altitude.
“Alright, if it continues like this, just a little longer!” We rejoiced at the actions of the two Demon Lords and Old Man Sleigsta. But those on the ground couldn’t just rejoice. Because the Demon King of Yōma’s main body was reigning directly above the fortress!
“W-wait! If this continues, we’ll be crushed along with the fortress!” Sefina panicked on top of the bell tower. Then, she began to gather Dragon Energy. Lyra also rushed to ask the Dragon Race for help. “Dragon Race, please form a barrier with all your might!” Lyra’s eyes of dominion shone blue. Responding to Lyra’s plea, not only the Earth Dragons but also the Wyverns, Winged Dragons, and even the accidentally controlled Uls deployed their barriers with full force.
“Haaahh!” Sefina manipulated the barrier stretched to cover the fortress with all her might. The Demon King of Yōma, falling to the ground, slid over the Dragon Race’s barrier. And, with a violent tremor, the Demon King of Yōma finally crashed down beside the fortress! Furthermore, the miasma clouds also lowered their altitude to the ground, becoming a deep, evil mist. But there was no longer any need to fear miasma. The Wyvern Hunting Ground, filled with the moon shadow’s light from the Great Magic ‘New Moon Formation,’ flowed with clean air, free from the curse’s influence and the miasma’s malevolence.
“This is the final critical moment! Everyone, full attack!” At my command, the volunteers gathered at the Wyvern Hunting Ground raised their weapons and charged! You can convey your support easily by clicking the heart. (Login required) Support Login if you have an account Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
