The group struggles against Claudio, who has reappeared.
Piyo, who Philiana asked to enchant her sword, is the most bewildered. He was likely waiting for an opening from somewhere. He flew over immediately, but he looked like he didn’t know what to do. Still, Philiana raised her sword and waited.
“Come on, quickly.”
“Huh? Piyo’s okay?”
Philiana nodded vigorously and lowered the blade to Piyo’s position. Piyo sandwiched it with his wings and pulled it as if sharpening it. A faint red spark flew. However, the sword itself showed no change. Was this really how it was done?
Still, Philiana assumed her stance with the sword and moved towards Claudio. The black sword, wreathed in flames, danced as it attacked. Philiana evaded it and counterattacked.
“Hey, Brother, is that what enchantments are like?” Karubene, hiding with him, muttered in a small voice.
“N-no, I don’t know. I thought more flames were coming out,” he replied.
“Yeah, Philiana is really asking for too much,” Karubene said.
The two fought with their blades grazing each other at the very edge, like a sword dance. Jet-black flames trailed behind, and red sparks scattered. Perhaps the sword was heated, even if it wasn’t burning fiercely.
Then, Philiana suddenly swung her sword horizontally with all her might. The opponent, with his sword held horizontally, tried to parry the heavy blow and deflect it upwards. She spun her body and leaped backward to create distance.
As the iron swords collided, sparks flew. Using them as a catalyst, countless firework-like explosions erupted around Claudio. The crackling fireworks emitted a flash that obscured his black armor.
At that moment, a black cloud crept up from behind. Veronica’s fist, mixed in with the bursting fireworks, was swung down towards the enemy’s head. This time, a pillar of purple flame rose with the blast. By recoil, Veronica herself was blown backward.
A powerful blow from behind to an undefended back of the head. Even after taking it, the Dragon Knight did not fall. He slowly reached a hand to the spot where his fist had landed.
“…Haaah.”
The heavy armor made a grinding sound.
“Is this all? I expected a little more. Is the magic show over? You didn’t block my sword earlier because you were trying to scatter sparks, right? It doesn’t even amount to a child’s prank.”
Philiana’s plan had been completely seen through. Piyo’s enchantment, unlike Elana’s, caused small explosions rather than wreathed flames. But even that didn’t pack much power against that sturdy armor. Veronica’s follow-up also failed to break his defenses.
Besides, his armor should have had magic resistance. No matter how strong the magic, it wouldn’t affect him. He was truly an invincible warrior, possessing all abilities. However, there was one area, no matter how much he trained, that he had not honed.
I handed Lord Nephilim, whom I was carrying on my back, to Karubene.
“Huh? Brother, where are you going?”
I approached Claudio, making my footsteps heard deliberately. The cold dragon eyes looked down at me.
“It’s been a while, Claudio. Are you still covering your body with that armor? It ruins your cute face.”
“Are you a useless human?”
Claudio’s sword moved with a sway. He probably intended to strike without any stance. I could feel everyone’s hearts trembling with impatience. Honestly, it was incredibly scary; one swing from him would split me in two.
“You’re desperately trying to cover up. No matter how much you try to grow, you could never have matched Philiana if she had truly become a man.”
“…What do you mean?”
See, he took the bait. His complexes are too large, and he’s desperately trying to hide them with that armor. No matter how calmly he pretends, the darkness of his heart overflowing from the gaps cannot be stopped.
“On the way here, we changed gender once. That was when we challenged the Ketsy boss, I believe.”
“Are you trying to toy with me?”
“We were changed into a different gender by strange magic. If you’re curious, ask Philiana.”
The dragon’s head turned towards Philiana. She, looking embarrassed, reluctantly began to speak.
“Y-yes, it’s true. I almost became a man once. Well, I was eventually restored by the Sage’s power.”
“Why?”
“Why? Because I like myself the way I am now. I can still wield my sword and defeat you even if I don’t become a man. Besides…”
The black flames dwelling in Claudio’s sword rippled ominously.
“I have companions, so I can manage,” she said.
She deliberately smiled. The atmosphere in the room changed. She had genuinely angered Claudio.
“Oh, then prove it!”
Clad in the burning black flames of the dragon, he lunged at Philiana.
