Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: Clash (2)
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【...Adren.】
The red dragon Brniharudo opened her mouth. It was incoherent mumbling, as if she were possessed.
Her body was soiled with the bodily fluids and entrails spewed by the monsters of the Outer Universe. The multicolored liquids dripping from the tips of her wings were sticky like the drool of a heatstruck cow.
Yet her red scales still gleamed beautifully. Even covered in filth, they hadn't lost their luster—like a ruby dropped in the mud.
Proof that she carried Navardoje's blood. The elf beside her, Iraniel Remation, tilted his head.
"Adren all of a sudden? Got a case of homesickness?"
【I didn't say I wanted to go. It's just... something feels ominous.】
Brniharudo nodded. She couldn't understand why her homeland— a place she'd only briefly stayed in during her childhood, and one she normally had zero interest in—had suddenly come to mind.
"If it's bothering you that much, why not take some time and visit? We'll hold the line here."
"Don't say things you don't mean. How could I leave looking like this?"
Brniharudo snorted. Her gaze swept over the front lines. A massive, translucent barrier stretched between them and the depths of space—the Star's Armor, shielding them from the Outer Universe's threats.
Inside the Star's Armor, the corpses of countless monsters were piled high. The grotesquely shaped carcasses formed veritable mountains, hindering movement and visibility.
【I have no idea how long we'll have to keep this up. Even if it is at the Fire Dragon's request.】
"It's perfect for burning through our endless lifespans, though. I'm still fine."
"Rorotaru. Pass me a smoke."
The immortals, mostly dragons and elves, were enjoying a brief respite. Their location was Dreemur, the fortress at the boundary between skies. The sole bulwark against the Outer Universe's foes—another relentlessly busy day was unfolding here.
The Star's Armor was growing thinner by the day. Cracks and monster numbers were increasing, now requiring at least two-digit manpower for watch. Even more were deployed when Navardoje was asleep, like now.
'I wonder how that kid's doing.'
Brniharudo suddenly recalled Ronan and chuckled. He was the type who could handle the work of three or four on the front lines with ease—what was he up to now?
Glancing downward, she spotted the twinkling blue orb of a planet. The homeworld of all immortals and mortals alike. What was so great about it that they swarmed there like flies?
She was lost in such idle thoughts when—
"They're coming again!"
【Damn.】
Someone shouted. Clicking her tongue, she looked ahead. Far in the cosmic darkness, a black tidal wave surged toward them. The ceaselessly churning waves were an incalculable horde of monsters.
"That's a huge number... Shouldn't we wake Lady Navardoje?"
【No need. It's her first sleep in a month—let Mother rest a bit.】
Sighs erupted from all around. It was the largest wave they'd seen lately. They could handle it somehow, but it'd be grueling. How many breaths of fire would it take this time? She was sizing up the horde when—
'...What the hell is that?'
Suddenly, Brniharudo's eyes narrowed. Something sparkling was rapidly approaching the black tide.
It trailed a long white tail, reminiscent of a comet. Thinking it merely a celestial phenomenon, she ignored it—until her eyes widened in shock.
"What?"
Even from what seemed like a hundred thousand paces away, she could see it clearly. The monster horde was scattering in panic. Like sheep fleeing a wolf—urgent yet orderly.
'These things that don't even flee from Mother's flames?'
It was unbelievable, even as she watched. She wasn't the only one puzzled; the renowned immortals gathered from across the world were equally captivated by the comet's oddity. A mustachioed man stepped forward.
"Intriguing. I'll go check it out."
"Wait, we don't know what it is—shouldn't we be cautious?"
"I'm Taklamakan, pointy-ears."
Iraniel tried to stop him, but the man spat curtly. Iraniel shrugged and backed off. He was a brave elf, but even he lacked the guts to halt an Earth Dragon who'd once toppled two nations.
Earth Dragon Taklamakan stepped beyond the Star's Armor. Cracks riddled it now, so no need to seek a passage. As he began polymorphed into his true form—
Suddenly, the edge of his vision blazed bright.
"Huh?"
Everyone whipped their heads around. The light from the comet was intensifying. The eerie white devoured all other celestial glows, imposing the concept of "day" on the pitch-black void.
Feeling a chill, Brniharudo opened her mouth to speak—when a shockwave erupted from the comet with a paaaang!! The expanding circular flash resembled ripples on a lake. Monsters swept by the wave of light shredded apart.
【Wha...!】
They didn't even have time to scream. Brniharudo gasped. The propagating shockwave finally reached the armor. Kwaaaang! The intangible force slammed into the Star's Armor like crashing waves.
【Kuhuk!】
"Damn it, what the hell just happened?!"
The world shook. Bewildered cries rang out everywhere. Overwhelmed, no one could call out to their comrade beyond the barrier. As the light faded, an eerie silence descended—like the sound of a moon rotating.
Brniharudo spoke first.
【...Taklamakan.】
People opened their eyes one by one and froze. Taklamakan, who had stepped out in his true form, lay dead. A massive spear of pure light pierced deep into his chest.
"A giant...?"
Iraniel murmured. A purely white giant, from head to toe, stood atop the colossal corpse. The two pairs of wings on his back were beautifully sculpted. The same white light as the comet's emanated from his body.
"Wh-what is that?!"
"Defend the barrier!"
Chaos soon spread like wildfire. It had pulverized the Outer Universe monsters, but it sure didn't look friendly.
The immortals swiftly assumed combat stances. The unidentified giant silently stared at them. Iraniel, who'd been quiet, finally spoke.
"...Brniharudo."
【Yeah.】
Brniharudo nodded. No need to voice it—they knew what had to be done. The hesitant immortals began charging at the giant one by one.
【Call Mother. Now.】
She said. The giant's body slowly rose into the air. Particles of light gathered in his open palm, forming a long spear.
【You think I'll let you?!】
Orse roared. His bellow made Adren tremble. With all four wings fully spread, he resembled a flower blooming in the sky.
"H-he's above the tower!"
"How did he get up there?!"
The dragons patrolling the tower snapped their gazes upward. Never imagining an assault from inside. They hurriedly turned toward the Sky Tower, but Orse had no intention of being interrupted.
【I'll kill you!】
Twisting in midair, Orse began a vertical dive. Like a raptor hunting prey.
Ronan and the others gritted their teeth and crouched low. Kwaaaa! Fierce winds tore at their skin. One corner of his mouth twisted up.
"Kill him...!"
"Hiyaaaaaah!"
The situation was boring as hell, yet laughter bubbled up inexplicably. Asel's desperate scream vanished into the wind.
The distance to the tower's summit closed rapidly. Seeing this, the Dragon King bellowed in fury.
【Crawl on the ground—】
【Insolent wretch!】
All three heads of the Dragon King opened wide simultaneously. Three suns ignited anew in their gaping maws.
【Vanish.】
The third head intoned like a death sentence. The suns shattered, firing three beams of light at Orse.
But this time, without surprise, they had room to evade. Each time Orse shifted direction, the beams grazed him and his passengers.
The whipping rays lit up the night sky. Against Azidahaka's breath, empowered by stellar might, Asel's ice armor was mere cotton candy.
【Rat—】
【You have nowhere to go!】
Yet no matter how powerful, misses were misses. Orse dodged every beam by a hair's breadth.
Frustrated, the Dragon King changed tactics. The three heads focused, merging their beams. Paaaaang!! The intensified light torrent, several times stronger, flooded their vision.
"...Dangerous."
Schlieffen clenched his teeth. It was the same technique that nearly hit earlier. Asel's screams intensified, but Orse didn't stop. He accelerated straight into the beams.
"Gyaack! We're dead!"
"You mad bastard, what are you doing?!"
Even Ronan couldn't hold back his curses. No time to break through at this rate.
As he lamented riding this lunatic—Paak! Black energy suddenly enveloped Orse, and the scenery shifted.
"Wh-what?!"
"This is...!"
Ronan's eyes widened. The breath vanished; the Dragon King's massive necks and body now dominated their view. His stomach twitched queasily—side effect of spatial magic.
"B-blink...!"
Asel realized it soon enough, aghast. Orse had blinked them all right up close. The light deluge roared past overhead.
【Dirty tricks...!】
The third head frantically looked down. But Orse was already beneath its jaw.
As Asel stammered an incantation, a thick barrier enveloped the riders. Kwaaaang! Orse finally collided with the Dragon King at full dive speed.
【Kuhuk!!】
The Dragon King's colossal body lurched. All three heads spewed blood. Despite the size gap—like man versus elephant—Orse's brute strength ignored it.
"Kuaaaah!"
The world flipped for the onlookers. Thanks to gritted teeth, no bitten tongues. Three of five barrier layers shattered on impact. Ronan yelled.
"Schlieffen, jump!"
Schlieffen did so wordlessly. Ronan followed suit. About ten meters to the ground—not a problem.
"Asel, you're up!"
"Ugh... Y-yeah!"
Asel nodded quickly. Unlike the others, he stayed mounted, fusing his shoes to Orse's neck with ice for better hold.
Pre-planned before the clash. Orse was strong, but the Dragon King was a tough foe. With Asel's support, they had a shot.
【Kraaaah!!】
【Kuh... To dare make me bleed—】
【Like this!】
Six wings and four heads tangled like vines. Orse, still in his ramming pose, tore into the right-grown neck. The initially staggered Dragon King had regained balance and was fighting back.
The duel of colossal dragons was beyond mere swordsmen's meddling. Tadak! Ronan and Schlieffen landed almost simultaneously. White-robed Nebula Klazie cultists surrounded them.
"These blasphemers finally...!"
"You write your wills before coming?"
Their faces flushed with rage. They'd completed the ritual, but the interruption itself enraged them.
Ronan and Schlieffen naturally stood back-to-back. Ronan said,
"Don't lag behind this time."
"That's my line."
Schlieffen replied calmly. Wind swirled around his already-drawn sword. Ronan smirked and gripped his hilt.
Swordsmen had their own work to do.