Chapter 386
Chapter 386
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 386
Chapter Title: 2-8 The World of Crimson and White (6)
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#09
"What the hell happened to you, huh?"
Orse didn't look too hot.
Even setting aside the one broken horn.
The scar slanting from his jaw to his left eye was a clear sign that his facial bones had been cleaved and somehow mended.
He must've gone through hell when the world ended.
"You're a total beast now."
The most striking thing was the ferocious killing intent oozing from his shoulders.
It made my skin crawl.
All that radiated from his red-glowing eyes was bottomless hatred.
This guy wasn't just the muscle-headed idiot I remembered.
Rtantie, recognizing him late, let out a parrot-like shriek.
"D-Demon Dragon!"
"So it is you, Rtantie."
"Lord Ronan! This guy's the leader of the resistance fighters! Hurry... Ack!"
Suddenly, a spear from the ground was yanked out violently.
Startled, Rtantie fell flat on her ass.
The black spear returned to Orse along the same trajectory it'd flown.
"Huuuuh..."
I thought he might hurl it again, but no.
Suddenly, Orse's chest began to swell.
The air around us was being sucked into his mouth.
A faint sound like striking flint echoed softly.
"Die, witch."
In an instant, Orse's lips tore up to his ears.
Deep in his jagged-toothed maw, a fireball flickered.
Predicting what came next wasn't hard.
Kwaaaaa!
The flames that once razed the Empire erupted forth.
"Always such a hothead."
My vision turned red.
A torrent of fire poured down like an avalanche.
A glance sideways showed Rtantie calmly chanting her spell.
Seemed like the past few days battling those baldies had sharpened her combat senses a bit.
Five psychokinetic shells were forming around her.
'Why's she only diligent at times like this?'
What a poorly timed woman.
Orse probably wouldn't die from that, but you never know.
I struck the back of her focused neck with my hand blade.
"Gek!"
"Sleep it off."
Rtantie rolled her eyes back and collapsed.
The condensed mana dispersed into the air.
The dragon's fire was nearly upon us now.
I silently gripped my sword hilt.
Crossing slashes in an X carved through the flames.
Skak!
The breath split into four parts lost its form and scattered.
But it wasn't over.
I immediately flattened my sword into a guard stance.
Kang!
No sooner had I braced than a fierce clash rang out.
The spear flying from behind the flames clanged against my blade guard and ricocheted.
Orse, gripping the spear, furrowed his brow.
"Even this..."
"Brutal. It's useful enough, but lacks finesse."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Heh, finally in the mood to talk?"
I swung my sword to fling it off.
Orse spun like a swallow and landed.
I could feel his killing intent subside a little.
I slowly lowered my sword and met his eyes.
"Name's Ronan. I was tracking down the resistance fighting those damn bald legions. Nice to meet you."
"I'm not with the resistance."
"What?"
What nonsense was this?
Rtantie had clearly said Orse was the resistance leader.
I'd just seen him bombing the roots with my own eyes, so why deny it?
The confusion cleared up quick.
"I do whatever the hell I want. Don't lump me in with those bugs bowing to Navardoje. All that 'action captain' crap is just bullshit titles others slapped on me."
"...Ah. Got it."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
His sky-high pride hadn't changed even after the world went to shit.
Part of me thought it was pathetic, but I was thrilled too.
It felt like a piece of the Orse I knew was still there.
Orse pointed his spear at Rtantie.
"You with that witch?"
"Not at all."
"Then why keep her alive? You can't tell me you're traveling without knowing who she is."
"Eh, nothing much. I need her to ride around on. No wings like you guys, y'know. Like a giant flying squirrel good for chatting."
"...You're using the Stellar Church's Archbishop as a mount?"
Orse's eyes twisted in disgust.
Facing something utterly absurd flustered dragons and humans alike.
I nodded casually.
"Something like that. I'll keep her from causing trouble, so cut her some slack? I get wanting to rip her apart, but she's surprisingly useful. Slap a collar on her like a dog and..."
"Even if I kill that woman, I won't take you along. If you're not with the Church, get lost."
"Ha... What's the problem?"
"You're dangerous. No guarantee someone who can match me won't harm those around."
"What a joke. You're not even resistance, but you're worried about others? You sure you're not?"
I burst out laughing genuinely.
Orse's face stiffened for a moment.
About ten seconds of paralysis later, he flushed red.
"...Wanna die?"
"Haha, hilarious. You crash there, eat there too, right? Resistance has a base somewhere. A guy shitting in their toilet pulling this lame lie..."
"Graaaah!"
Orse finally snapped with a roar.
His blurring form shot forward like a gale.
I took stance without wiping the grin off my face.
I'd expected this from the start.
Conversations between macho males are had with the body, not words.
"Let's rebuild our friendship. Then we go see Big-Tits Sis together. Hope she's doing well."
"You think trash like you can face Navardoje?!"
Orse leaped.
His back split open, unfurling two pairs of black wings.
Against the white sky, it was like a beautiful ink wash painting of black flowers.
Just as a spiral spear wreathed in flames was about to hurl at me.
Kwaaaaa-!!!
A brutal explosion rocked from the distant root.
"Shit, what now?"
"...!"
The flames around the spear extinguished.
Orse and I whipped our heads around simultaneously.
A massive magic circle floated in the sky right above the root.
Three giants descended beneath the writhing, living patterns.
Duaru proclaims. Who dares commit such blasphemy?
A majestic voice boomed soon after.
Reflexive rage overtook me.
My muscles swelled, senses sharpened.
From what they were yapping, they weren't here for me—they were pissed about the root being attacked.
Fwoosh!
The gale from their wingbeats scattered the smoke and fire.
The root revealed itself again.
"Ah."
Orse sighed.
The root was intact.
Charred overall, but seemed functional.
Only the smallest pinky transmission tower flickered faintly, signaling distress.
Pfshaaa!
Suddenly, a hole in the palm spewed white gas.
Pale mist spread everywhere.
Unlike sea roots spewing powder, land ones vomited this.
A vile mix of shit dust blanketing the world white.
Orse ground his teeth.
"...Failure, huh."
His clenched teeth ground audibly.
I was already out of his mind.
His arrogant face was shrouded in despair.
The giants scanned around, hunting the one who damaged the root.
Orse turned to me.
"The duel... we'll postpone it."
"What?"
"I'll come find you. Keep your life intact till then."
His voice lacked strength.
I doubted my ears.
Orse bailing mid-fight? Unthinkable.
Of course, I knew it was unavoidable.
He couldn't beat them.
Better tactical retreat than dog death.
His balled fist radiated fury and helplessness.
I muttered unwittingly.
"This sucks."
I couldn't stand this situation.
Not for nothing had I twisted myself to snap Naviroje out of her slump back then.
A strong one's pride must be upheld.
Only my lifelong goal, the Mother of Fire, could dampen my friend's spirits—not some hemorrhoid giants dropping from the sky.
"Hey. Hold up."
"Hm?"
Orse turned.
His four wings halted abruptly.
I kept my eyes on the giants and continued.
"I'll clear them out, so if you're going, take me with you."
"What?"
"I'll kill those bald bastards for you. So drop me at your place."
"What bullshit are you spouting?"
Orse growled.
His subsided killing intent boiled up again.
Fair enough.
Even generously, it sounded like crap.
Not just wrecking the root, but killing the giants themselves.
But I wasn't bluffing.
Instead of replying, I kicked off the ground and leaped.
The sky rushed at me.
Orse, eyes meeting mine, flinched reflexively.
"What...!"
"Lending your back."
No need for explanations.
I stepped on Orse's shoulder and leaped again.
Unable to withstand the force, Orse staggered like he might fall.
"Kugh...!"
That much power.
I soared toward the giants in a near-straight parabola.
Distance closed in seconds.
Two unknowns, one familiar face.
Hundreds of feathers shedding from their wings transformed into giants of light.
The bastard who'd nearly wiped out Dragon City Adren.
I called his name.
"Hey. Duaru."
Hm?
Duaru turned.
At the same time, my body flashed past him.
Skak!
A blue line slashed across his thick neck.
His head, sliding along the cut, spun and soared.
Come to think of it, back in the old world, I'd killed him with Orse too.
Good times.
Duaru?
You don't mean...
The other two finally noticed me and recoiled in shock.
Not worth responding.
I silently flicked the blood from my sword.
Dozens of blue lines appeared on the two giants' bodies.
I kicked one elbow to change direction.
Landing on the root's palm at that instant.
Plop plop plop!
The lines on their bodies split open in unison.
For a moment, blue streaked the blank canvas sky.
The crimson-and-white world grew a touch more beautiful.
Lin muttered in a playful tone.
"Such a rough guy."
I didn't reply.
Not done yet.
Turning to the fingers, I swung my sword wide.
A vast crimson crescent shot forth.
The sharpest blade in the world severed the four intact fingers in one go.
Kwaaaang!
The toppled fingers crashed onto the wasteland.
Hail of severed flesh chunks began pelting down from the sky.
Squelching meat sounds replaced the rain.
Took about ten seconds, maybe.
"What, when'd you get here?"
Then a familiar presence loomed overhead.
Looking up, I saw Orse, utterly dumbfounded.
Judging by time, he'd followed right after I took off on my own.
What a solid guy.
After staring forever, Orse muttered like he was entranced.
"You... exactly..."
"We'll get to know each other step by step. We can be friends."
Thick blue rain soaked his face.
Hot and fishy, but too much hassle to wipe.
I swept back my wet bangs and told him.
"Take me there. To your place."