Chapter 306
Chapter 306
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 306
Chapter Title: Final Battle (13)
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"Dragon King...!"
Ronan exclaimed. It had been a long time since he'd seen that face. It was Azidahaka, the Dragon King and ruler of Adren, who had been entrusted with defending Drimuir after his redemption.
Even covered in scars, the golden behemoth's brilliance hadn't faded. The Dragon King's two heads met Ronan's gaze and spoke in unison.
【"Long time no see-"】
【"It's the kid who saved the City of Dragons."】
His peculiar speech habit was unchanged. The left head would start, and the right would finish. Ronan, who had been momentarily stunned, chuckled.
"...You got here quick. And you look healthy, too."
Honestly, he'd thought the giants had killed him long ago. They were too late, and no matter how flexibly he'd been told to adapt, there were just too many giants. The left head curled its lip.
【"Sorry we're late-"】
【"We had to clean up the aftermath first."】
The Dragon King explained that he'd been delayed gathering resistance forces and rescuing Navardoje. Come to think of it, Adeshan still hadn't located Navardoje—how had he found her? Ronan shook his head.
"Just showing up is something to be grateful for. But how'd you find Lady Navardoje?"
【"Pure luck. Someone you know well..."】
The Dragon King was about to answer when—BOOM! A thunderous crash echoed from where Navardoje and the Giant King had fallen, like mountains colliding. Looking down, Ronan saw the savage brawl unfolding between the king and Navardoje.
【"Begone at last, you monster!"】
『"How dare a pathetic immortal of an inferior race...!"』
It was an overwhelming sight. Navardoje's fangs gleamed as the king, having lost his greatsword, swung his fists, splattering red and blue blood with each strike. The giants attacking the alliance began turning one by one to aid their king.
【"...Looks like-"】
【"we need to deal with that first."】
"Agreed."
Ronan nodded at the Dragon King's words. Explanations could wait. A resounding roar shook the night sky.
【"Hear me! All who come from Drimuir, obey my command!"】
【"Slaughter these filthy invaders and avert the end of the world!"】
Golden wings spanning a thousand meters unfurled like an explosion. Whoosh! A ferocious gale tore through the clouds. From behind the white sea that had blanketed the sky, hundreds of dragons revealed themselves.
【"Kraaararara-!"】
【"Kuhahaha, what a fitting place to end our long lives!"】
Roars echoed. It seemed they had all come. Led by the Dragon King, the dragons began descending en masse.
It was as if the heavens were collapsing. Panicked giants hurled spears of light, but these dragons, tempered by battle with Duaru, weren't felled as easily as before.
『"That movement..."』
【"You thought we'd just take it lying down-"】
【"you monsters?!"】
Disbelief etched the giants' faces. The alliance on the ground and the dragon legion from the sky acted as hammer and anvil, smashing the giants apart. Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind Ronan.
【"Ronan. I owe you from before."】
"You're..."
Ronan turned. A pure white dragon gazed down at him, its metallic silver scales gleaming. It was Naransonia, the Steel Dragon and the Dragon King's closest aide.
【"I just heard about your sister. No wonder most of them tasted off. We'll send reinforcements too."】
"Thanks. The Grand General must've told you. But your wings..."
Ronan narrowed his eyes at Naransonia's wings. The ones torn off in the fight with Giant Duaru had regrown.
Come to think of it, the Dragon King's left hind leg looked fine too. Even for dragons, was such regeneration possible? As Ronan pondered, a young man poked his head from atop Naransonia.
"How about it? Perfect, right? Even I'm impressed with my work."
"Damn it, you scared me."
Startled by the sudden appearance, Ronan cursed. What the hell was this guy doing up there? The young man, eyeing Ronan, burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Scaredy-cat. Who knew a punk like you had a cute side."
"Who the hell are you?"
"No way you forgot me? That's hurtful."
The young man smirked incredulously. His irritating face seemed oddly familiar. The Savior, watching from below, widened his eyes.
"Alivrihe?"
"...Savior."
The young man averted his gaze upon meeting the Savior's eyes, his expression laced with guilt. Hearing the name Alivrihe, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
The master prosthetist and elder of Nebula Klazie whom he'd met and parted with in Adren. The black dragon.
Come to think of it, in the Savior's memories, Alivrihe had this youthful form. He'd only polymorphed into an old man as a disguise—this was his true appearance. The Savior, staring at him, spoke.
"Good to see you, friend."
"...Don't call me that. What right do I have to be called your friend?"
Alivrihe twisted his lips. Unlike Elsia, he'd cooperated with Nebula Klazie for so long, and guilt weighed on him. The Savior continued unperturbed.
"We all make mistakes. Did you free Lady Navardoje?"
"...Yeah. The sealing stone Abel used—I designed and made it originally."
Alivrihe nodded. A genius inventor, he'd once created a magic tool capable of sealing any being, no matter how powerful, on Abel's orders.
"Irreplaceable materials went into it. My life's masterpiece... who knew it'd seal the Mother of Fire."
"It wasn't meant for that originally?"
"Not sure on the details, but probably. Abel never saw Lady Navardoje as a variable... Is Abel dead?"
"Probably. Honestly, not sure."
The Savior furrowed his brow. Alivrihe tilted his head at the vague answer. Dead is dead—what's with the 'probably'?
"We'll find out soon enough. That said... Cain."
"What?"
"...I'm sorry. Truly."
Alivrihe bowed his head, his words heavy with remorse. The Savior smiled lightly and waved it off.
Ronan deliberately stayed silent. Monster who'd drunk giant blood or dragon, males' pride was all the same. Soon, Alivrihe lifted his head and chuckled.
"Haha... Anyway, this chaos is a first in my life."
Horror and clamor everywhere, no place to rest the eyes. Never seen anything like it since hatching. Despite the briefing, he couldn't hide his shock.
Fires blazed across the invincible main stronghold. An unidentified storm roared around the spire's peak.
Nebula Klazie's ruin was at hand. He'd thought no chance against Abel, no hope—but people had done it.
'They really held it.'
As awestruck Alivrihe clenched his fist, Ronan, glancing between him and the Savior, spoke.
"Weren't you gonna sit this out?"
"...No time to get emotional, huh? I was gonna, but... changed my mind."
"Why the sudden change?"
"Seeing you and your friends gave me hope. Sentimental, I know, but I keep thinking maybe we can pull it off."
Alivrihe tsked. He'd crafted prosthetic limbs not just for the Dragon King's leg and Naransonia's wings, but for all maimed dragons.
"Good timing."
Ronan grinned. The situation had improved vastly.
Navardoje and the Dragon King's legion were the mightiest force on this star. Ronan took a deep breath and continued.
"Alright. Let's end this."
Alivrihe smiled in reply. Activating his aura, Ronan mounted Naransonia.
The flapping wings folded tight against its body. Whoosh! Adren's fastest dragon dove toward the Giant King.
【"Kuhahaha! I am the strongest!"】
【"Kehehe, kehehehe!"】
Boom! Crash! Dragons lost in blissful dreams plummeted one by one. Even with shattered bones, the giggling wyrms were the force dispatched to capture Iril. Her power scrambled even the minds of the world's mightiest race.
"Ahahaha... yeah, let's play there?"
Iril roamed the battlefield with an innocent laugh. Her unnaturally swift steps made capture difficult. Dragon squadrons pursued from the sky, while Adeshan's alliance chased on the ground.
[Don't get careless—maintain distance!]
Adeshan telepathically shouted. She'd momentarily shifted from the king to focus on Iril.
Whoosh! Dragons recklessly chasing Iril soared upward. Cursing at their idiot kin in real-time,
【"Damn it, what the hell is that power?! Smartass Ulfrancita's turned into a total moron!"】
【"Annoying—can't we just burn her?"】
"I'm serious: never say that again."
Adeshan warned sternly. Thankfully, mentioning Ronan's name subdued the dragons without complaint. They knew who slew Duaru and saved Adren.
【"Got it. Fine! We'll do as told!"】
Then, one pursuer activated magic. His horns flashed, and massive rock walls erupted around Iril. Rumble! Ten-meter barriers sealed her escape.
[Now—encircle her!]
Adeshan seized the moment. Soldiers nearby rushed in.
Mind-controlled, they grinned idiotically yet performed dutifully. Seeing them breach the walls, Adeshan asked the Savior,
"This will definitely cure her?"
She held a small glass vial of swirling red liquid—blood drawn from near the Savior's heart.
"Yes. Probably. No clue what my foolish brother did, but it's likely a curse."
"Understood. Good that the fix is simple."
Adeshan sighed in relief. She'd feared needing to knock her out or imprison her—glad it wouldn't come to that.
As she pondered administering it to the thrashing girl—BOOM! An explosion rocked inside the rock enclosure.
"What?!"
Adeshan and the Savior whipped around. The walls crumbled, spewing dust. Seeing the clean cuts, Adeshan bit her lip.
"...Harder than expected."
All deployed personnel lay unconscious. A woman emerged atop the fallen. Iril, scanning around, muttered shakily,
"Wh-why are you... doing this to us?"
"Damn."
Adeshan sighed. Iril's eyes still closed, a longsword gripped in her right hand. In the world behind her eyelids, she desperately resisted enemies threatening her brother and children.
"...Hallucinating. And she didn't kill anyone."
The Savior murmured. Some soldiers bore cuts or stabs, but none were dead.
'Have to go rough after all.'
Adeshan gritted her teeth. More aggressive forces would be needed. Sorry, Ronan—she might get hurt a bit.
She wanted alternatives, but no time. Even for her, juggling anti-giant and pursuit forces was no easy task.
As Adeshan prepared to telepath— a voice came from nearby.
"I'll... do it."
"What?"
The familiar voice had echoed through four lifetimes. Adeshan turned, eyes widening.
Schlieffen Sinivan de Grancia. The genius who ascended to continental greatest sword amid any variable stood there, bloodied.