Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: With the Dragon (4)
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“Pfft, heh heh... Deliver this to Lady Iril.”
“...You'd better shut that mouth of yours.”
Schlieffen clenched his fist. His pale face had turned red as a ripe tomato.
Ronan was tearing strips from his own clothes to bandage Schlieffen's thigh. Throughout the whole process, he'd been mimicking Schlieffen and cackling.
“Keh heh heh, it's got blood on it, so wipe it off... and flop right down. Clean your own ass, man.”
“You bastard!”
Unable to take it anymore, Schlieffen grabbed his sword hilt. Ronan reacted swiftly, forcing him back into the chair. Ronan had always been stronger anyway, and with the injury, resistance was impossible.
“Grrgh...”
“Stay put, Empire's Rising Star. If you get up now, the wound'll reopen.”
Schlieffen groaned. He hadn't imagined his solemn last words would become fodder for mockery. The humiliation was so intense he thought dying in battle might've been preferable.
Soon, Ronan finished bandaging and stood. The mischief on his face had vanished. He clapped Schlieffen on the shoulder.
“You were badass back there. For real.”
“...Hmph.”
Schlieffen averted his gaze. Ronan grinned at the sight. The situation had been too hilarious not to tease, but he was genuinely impressed by Schlieffen's actions.
Ronan knew better than anyone the nobility of sacrifice. And despite all the hype about Empire's Rising Star, Schlieffen was still just a young punk.
He had plenty of life ahead, tons of things he wanted to do—yet he'd thrown himself for a comrade. It deserved respect. Silence hung between them for a moment. Ronan broke it first.
“How's the leg?”
“Much better.”
“Can you fight? No need to push.”
“I know I have to.”
Schlieffen replied calmly, as always, like the question was absurd.
Fair enough—they'd scavenged recovery potions from the lair and smeared them on. The wound wasn't deep, so as long as he didn't overdo it, he'd be fine.
“Alright, let's go then.”
“Mm.”
Their eyes met, and they chuckled. They were about to head downstairs, where the fight was still raging.
Boom! The remaining gate door shattered, revealing a familiar man. Ronan waved at the welcome face.
“Oh, Orse.”
【You're here, brat.】
Orse growled. Covered head to toe in blood, he looked less like a dragon and more like a demon crawled fresh from hell. His soaked, plastered hair evoked seaweed from ocean depths.
The pair of horns sprouting from his head made his already fierce face even more savage. Asel dangled limply from his grip on the nape.
“Eek! L-let me go!”
Orse ignored Asel's pleas. How this absurd scene had unfolded was anyone's guess—probably Orse carrying the legless Asel.
In Orse's other hand was a massive horn. Ronan instantly recognized it as the red dragon woman's from downstairs.
Damn, he didn't break it—he yanked the whole thing out. Orse spoke.
【Say it again. 'Clear it out'?】
Suddenly, veins bulged on his left hand. Crack! Cracks spiderwebbed over the horn, shattering it to pieces.
“Aw, what a waste.”
Ronan sighed involuntarily. A dragon horn—every craftsman's dream material. Asel's face, clutched in Orse's right hand, went ghost-white.
“Hyaak! S-save me!”
Asel's thrashing intensified. Orse silently released his grip.
“Ack!”
Thud! Asel fell flat on his ass. He crawled over, hiding behind the two. Ronan asked.
“All done down there?”
“H-hell... It was hell. They were all torn to shreds...!”
Asel trembled like he'd been dunked in ice water. Orse must've handled cleanup spectacularly.
Ronan skipped details—too nauseating. His gaze returned to Orse, seething with rage, ready to breathe fire.
“Calm down. It was urgent, that's why I said it.”
【Your friend's skill saved you. No third mercy.】
Orse murmured lowly. 'Friend' meant Asel, surely. How'd that punk catch the demonic dragon's eye? Ronan nodded.
“Got it. Grateful for the mercy.”
【...Hoooh.】
No need to provoke a legendary demonic dragon. Orse closed his eyes, deep-breathing. Ronan's compliance seemed to cool his fury somewhat. He was suppressing rage that hard—must still need Ronan alive.
Sure enough, Orse opened his eyes and asked directly.
【Explain those white bastards. Why my attacks didn't work.】
“Yeah. They're called Nebula Klazie, total assholes...”
The expected question. Ronan summarized Nebula Klazie: their insane goals, alliance with the Dragon Lord, so-called 'Authorities'—star blessings ignoring natural order.
Orse scowled skeptically.
【So only you can pierce that shield?】
“For now. It fades if you wait, but they'll kill you first.”
【Disgusting.】
Orse punched the wall irritably. Crunch! A light tap caved it in—terrifying power. Ronan said.
“So, like it or not, we go to the top together. I need your strength too.”
【Damn it.】
Orse neither affirmed nor denied, just muttering crestfallen curses—ego bruised. Schlieffen stared, mesmerized. Ronan noticed.
“Oh, you two haven't met. That's the demonic dragon Orse.”
“Figured from the talk. Nothing surprises me now.”
Schlieffen shook his head wearily. Fair—he'd seen the two-headed Dragon Lord and his ritual. Anything popping out was par for the course. Giants aside. Schlieffen added.
“If destroying the top's magic circle is the goal, we should hurry.”
“Huh? What're you on about?”
“Overheard while separated. They're deploying more forces to the summit.”
Mid-fight, Schlieffen had caught Nebula Klazie officers chatting. Despite knowing Orse ravaged Adren, they focused solely on summit security.
...What the hell?
Ronan furrowed his brow. Ominous vibes. Extra outer guards, no Dragon Lord sightings—something fishy brewing.
But hurry how? Even with Schlieffen, enemies outnumbered. Charging up would take ages; outside meant interception by dozens of dragons.
What to do? As Ronan pondered, a thunderbolt idea struck.
“Hey, how about this?”
“Hm?”
Ronan pitched his plan. Absurdly bold—the other three's eyes widened. Asel stammered.
“Th-that's impossible...!”
“You saw it happen. Forgot already?”
Sounded ridiculous at first. But factoring Orse's power, Asel's magic, Schlieffen's wind-handling aura? Totally feasible.
If magic interfered, Ronan would slash it. Schlieffen nodded thoughtfully.
“Surprisingly viable. Worth trying.”
“Sch-Schlieffen too...”
Asel gasped, then grudgingly nodded.
All eyes turned to the last—key player. Orse scowled.
【Don't be ridiculous. Why should I?】
“C'mon, just once. Please?”
【Mercy given minutes ago, and no learning? Means you want death now?】
“That Naransonia chick did it—scared you can't?”
Ronan went all-in. Please have average-or-better draconic pride in your species and power.
Orse furrowed instead of answering. After long silence, he growled.
【Even arrogance has limits.】
Voice laced with emotions. Air grew heavy. Orse's body began to swell.
“Ugh... uuuugh...”
Naransonia opened her eyes. Her head spun like after deep sleep.
She lay amid a massive bed fit for five. Glancing around minimally, she murmured.
“...My lair?”
Definitely her lair on Sky Tower's 31st floor. Five or six maids bustled. Air mingled food, medicine, blood.
What happened? As she rose—
“Kgh...!”
Blazing pain hit. Gaze down: bandages wrapped her torso. Reddish stains from left collarbone to navel-right.
She realized belatedly: slashed by a blade. A waiting maid flinched.
“Ah, you're awake...!”
“...Yes.”
“I-it must hurt, but rest. Wound was deep.”
Maid stammered, fidgeting, gauging reaction. Memories flooded; Naransonia spoke.
“Yes... I lost.”
“W-well...”
“It's fine. Proceed as usual. My weakness caused this.”
She gestured dismissal. Far from fine, but no venting on innocents. Hesitant maid bowed.
“Y-yes... Food coming. Lie back.”
“Alright.”
Maid bowed politely and left. Naransonia sat against headboard instead. Recalling the veil, she clutched chest.
“...Damn.”
Blade-piercing feel lingered vividly. Unbelievable still. Godlike swordsmanship.
Was that really human?
Name: Ronan. Sliced hundreds of steel thorns, sank her too.
Pain paled to helplessness of not sensing the moves. Lost in thought, she hugged knees, burying face.
How long? Door opened; sudden silence. No more maid footsteps.
“Hm...?”
Naransonia lifted head at odd quiet. Froze. All dead. Six maids: headless corpses strewn.
Splattered blood like mad painter's rampage. Foot sensation: gaze down. Six heads staring up.
“What...!”
She gasped. Maids' faces serene, unaware of death. Then, nearby voice.
“Naransonia, right?”
Youthful tone. Naransonia yanked steel from hand, turned. White-haired boy stood there.
Eyes widened. Definitely Nebula Klazie envoy seeking Dragon Lord. Massive greatsword bloodied on shoulder. Composing, she spoke.
【You did this?】
“Guess so.”
Boy vanished from sight. Sensing threat, she rolled sideways reflexively. Crunch! Horizontal greatsword smashed bed-head spot.
“Oho.”
【Kgh!】
Falling off bed, she stood ready. Boy leisurely yanked sword from wall. Admiring mutter.
“Quick reflexes. Deserves elimination.”
【...Why suddenly? Aren't you allied with His Majesty?】
“Were. But in hours, all moot. My task: remove risks.”
Boy grinned. Nonsensical, but irrelevant now.
Seizing gap, Naransonia flicked fingers. Shwaa! Ceiling steel thorns plunged at boy's crown.
Perfect cast, timing—yet missed. Crash! Shattered midair.
【What...!】
“Whew, close.”
Boy sighed relief. Naransonia scowled. Weirdly rippling veil enveloped him.
That blocked it. Fingers moved again. Crash! Three-way thorns collided with shield, shattered. Boy giggled.
“Don't waste strength. Not pierced by brute force.”
【Impossible.】
Despair dawned late. Boy regripped greatsword.
“Dying here's mercy anyway. World ends soon.”
Advanced like predator. Naransonia backed. No clue how to counter.
“Time to die.”
Chilling smile. As form blurred—KABOOOM-!!! Floor exploded; massive thing burst. Boy hurled with veil through ceiling.
【Wh-what?!】
Naransonia yelled. Dust choked lair.
Nearly collapsed. Before eyes: black-scaled neck. Thickness of five tree trunks—huge dragon neck.
Above: white, hard ice-armor. Situation incomprehensible. Then, from emergence hole below, familiar voices.
“Yah, don't stop suddenly! Ow... my head.”
“I-I'm losing it... gonna lose my mind...”
Naransonia froze. Intruders she'd fought. Now ceiling: voice.
【Hit something.】
“Hit what?”
Rustling. Seconds later, human youth emerged from lower hole.
Climbed dark neck like tree, landed. Naransonia's eyes bulged. Met Ronan's; he raised brow.
“What, you're alive?”