Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Chapter 11 - Astra #2
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A pillar of light struck the ground.
Startled by the blue flash and thunderous roar that tore through the night veil, everyone looked up at the night sky, and they could see it.
Astra was falling.
Directly engulfed by the pillar of light, she couldn't even flap her wings and plummeted from dozens of meters high like a meteor, crashing into the earth.
-Kwaang!
The garden was crushed, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
The shock that shook the ground halted the battles raging throughout the mansion for a moment, and the Antagoras hovering in the sky fixed their gaze on the ground.
And Integra let out a wail.
[Master! You're too heavy!]
"It's not like it takes any effort anyway!"
[Still!]
Luther's right arm.
The drone that had merged with the nanosuit to form a cannon barrel had separated and returned to its independent drone form.
A combat drone enhanced in both size and output by merging with the backpack.
Luther gripped the drone's main body with his right hand, and the drone was slowing his fall with precarious—no, desperate flight.
[Master's total weight, including the nanosuit, exceeds 100kg.]
[In other words, it's too much for small and fragile me.]
[If Master lands on me, this delicate little thing will get squished flat!]
It was a story full of points to argue, but the ground was already close.
Releasing his grip on the drone, Luther landed steadily on the ground with a proper falling technique.
[Astra's vital signs are extremely weak.]
[It's not just from the Buster Cannon; the fall damage seems significant too.]
Luther agreed.
From the start, the flying dragonkin Astra had lower durability compared to the earth dragonkin Valboa.
A light body was essential for flying through the sky, after all.
But Luther didn't let his guard down.
She was on the verge of death, but her opponent was a dragonkin—and one from the Hecatoncheires at that.
Even as she lay dying, the murderous intent in Astra's eyes as she glared at him was intense.
Astra.
The boss of Chapter 2.
The being who ambushed Anne Rose after she defeated Valboa, inflicting a mortal wound and massacring her comrades.
But not anymore.
Luther drew the sword he had sheathed at his waist.
Astra jerked her head up in a last desperate struggle, but Luther's movement was a fraction faster.
The sword blade spun through the air, tearing into Astra's neck.
"Grraa—"
Unable to even scream properly as blood gushed from the gaping wound, Astra collapsed back down.
The murderous glint in her eyes vanished along with her focus.
[Acquired a large amount of combat data.]
[Astra's vital signs have disappeared.]
[Master's victory!]
The mini Integra that appeared on the drone made a V-sign with her hand.
Luther lightly patted the drone as if stroking her, then looked up at the night sky.
"Kiaaa!"
"Kia!"
The Antagoras, who had been chattering among themselves, fled into the sky over Venus City just like that.
With their leader Astra dead, there was no reason to continue the fight.
'They don't exactly have strong loyalties to uphold anyway.'
Dragonkin had the authority to command the lesser dragons that inherited dragon factors.
From the perspective of the Antagoras conscripted by Astra, there was no reason to fight Luther to the death.
[The alpha specimen is leading the pack.]
[The ground-based lesser dragons should be manageable with just the city guard and Anne Rose.]
Luther nodded as he watched the dark red alpha specimen leading the Antagoras into the sky.
And in truth, even if he wanted to join the fight, Luther had no energy left.
[The Buster Cannon consumed 94% of Master's total energy.]
[Master's second core—Valboa's Dragon Heart—is switching to dormant mode to prevent excessive heat and overload.]
The Buster Cannon, used through fusion with Integra—no, with the drone.
It was a technique that consumed an enormous amount of energy to match its outrageous power.
'A true super ultimate move.'
A bit childish, but the word still brought a smile to his face.
As a grin spread across Luther's lips, the mini Integra smiled back and said,
[You seem to like it, huh?]
"You bet."
[Hehe, I get it. It's the dream of every man, right?]
Luther burst out laughing at Integra's words.
[Master?]
"Nah, just... you're cute."
Integra blushed and huffed as usual at Luther's words, and Luther chuckled softly before composing his expression.
"Anyway, this isn't the time to be laughing and chatting."
[You're right.]
Battles were still raging throughout the count's estate even now.
Just over there at the main gate, Anne Rose was swinging her sword at the Cateradons.
[Then let's get to work.]
[First, I'll send the drone to check Count Gleston's survival and the status of the Spirit Jewel.]
"Yeah."
It was a good choice.
As the drone flew toward the damaged mansion, the mini Integra moved from atop the drone to Luther's shoulder and continued.
[Master has no energy left for combat right now.]
[So how about securing the Dragon Heart first?]
Astra the dragonkin's Dragon Heart.
Luther glanced toward the main gate for a moment before nodding.
Since he couldn't join the fight anyway, claiming the spoils first was the rational choice.
'And honestly, I'm a bit excited.'
What new functions could he develop with Astra's Dragon Heart in hand?
The Buster Cannon, used through fusion with Integra, was a new technique she had developed—it didn't exist in the original Star Savior.
Not a game, but reality.
Thus, freer growth.
[Master's heart rate per minute is rising.]
[Excited about the growth?]
Instead of answering the smiling Integra, Luther flashed a grin and stepped toward Astra's corpse.
* * *
[Energy absorption will take 5 hours, 12 minutes, and 59 seconds.]
Compared to the fight with Valboa, he still had some reserves left, so Luther sliced open Astra's chest and extracted the Dragon Heart.
The Dragon Heart, about the size of two fists combined, emitted a vivid red glow in Luther's palm.
[Master, we've confirmed Count Gleston's survival.]
[Circumstances suggest the Spirit Jewel is also safe.]
"Yeah."
The original goal was to protect the Spirit Jewel, but right now, Luther's attention was more drawn to the Dragon Heart than the jewel.
Integra seemed the same, as she immediately returned to talking about the Dragon Heart.
[We don't have enough energy to activate the third core.]
[But since it's on par with Valboa's energy source, Master's output will rise significantly.]
Worried Luther might be disappointed, Integra spoke in an upbeat tone.
Luther nodded with a smile at her encouragement.
'I expected as much to some extent.'
Both Valboa and Astra were the lowest-grade dragonkin.
They were equals from the start, and even their Dragon Hearts were the lowest grade, so Luther hadn't expected capturing Astra alone to unlock the third core right away.
'But it's still a Dragon Heart.'
And one on par with Valboa's at that.
Luther gazed quietly at the Dragon Heart as it began absorbing into the suit, then spoke.
"Integra."
[Yes, Master.]
"Could we invest this Dragon Heart into the drone?"
[The drone?]
"Yeah, I was thinking of directing it toward the backpack. It merges with the drone for combat support anyway, right?"
[So, you're saying we should equip the drone with a powerful energy source?]
"Exactly. If the drone's output increases, it could provide better combat support than now, don't you think?"
Not just body slams or electric shocks, but a drone firing energy guns or flamethrowers.
Integra pondered for a moment at Luther's words, then smiled brightly and replied.
[That sounds like a great idea.]
[If we install it in the backpack instead of the drone main body, it can serve as the nanosuit's energy source normally.]
[Combined with Valboa's Dragon Heart for a 'Twin Drive,' the Buster Cannon's power will increase even further.]
"And the drone's output goes up too."
[Yes, and it might even be able to carry Master?]
Integra smiled first, and Luther smiled back.
As expected, he preferred this Integra over the stiff one from the original game.
[Then, along with the 'Twin Drive,' we'll proceed with data collection via the Dragon Heart.]
[There's a chance we could acquire new tech like a medium flamethrower.]
[Astra's scales, claws, and teeth might be useful too, so please collect samples.]
"Yeah."
Luther nodded, released his visor, and turned toward the main gate.
The city guard's battle, led by Anne Rose, was winding down.
* * *
"Kyak!"
The Rumblelon with its tongue severed screamed with its bloodied maw wide open, but it was mere thrashing.
Far from flinching, Anne Rose thrust her lance into its gaping mouth, piercing its throat.
Then, ignition.
As its innards burned from the flames erupting from the lance tip, the writhing Rumblelon prompted Anne Rose to release the lance and draw a mechanical crossbow from her back.
Using a massive divine bow like her master's, suited for giants, was impossible, but a mechanical crossbow changed things.
She fired arrows in rapid succession into the pale belly of the flailing Rumblelon, waited briefly, and only lowered the crossbow with a sigh of relief once the last lesser dragon went limp.
"Huu...."
She had fought lesser dragons several times before, but this was her first without her master.
The sense of accomplishment from succeeding and relief at surviving made her heart race.
And then cheers erupted one after another.
"Wooo!"
"We won!"
"We did it!"
The city guards who had joined the fight began roaring in joy.
Startled by the sudden shouts and flinching, Anne Rose soon broke into a bright smile.
And people approached her.
"Thanks to you, we survived."
"Impressive skills. Are you a lesser dragon hunter?"
"Who cares? She saved us. And what a beauty."
They were city guard members whose lives Anne Rose had saved.
Flustered, Anne Rose could only blush without responding quickly, drawing the guards closer and making her even more embarrassed.
The guards heaped more praise on her.
"Your swordsmanship is extraordinary."
"Lance skills too? And using multiple weapons at once."
"But she's a real beauty, isn't she?"
"So young and already this amazing."
"She's adorable."
"Hans over there is totally lost."
A girl in a short white skirt and partial plate armor like heavy mail.
And beautiful like something out of a fairy tale from her childhood books—so it was natural for the young guards to be entranced.
But fortunately—or unfortunately—they were city guards, not mercenaries or adventurers.
When the captain bellowed to cut the chatter and do a headcount, they quickly dispersed and formed ranks.
"Sorry about that. If you tell us your name, we'll express the city guard's gratitude once things calm down."
The injured captain spoke in a grave tone, and though Anne Rose flustered again, she straightened up and replied.
"Anne Rose Tantallot."
"Anne Rose Tantallot. Understood. Thank you again for your aid."
The captain thumped his chest in salute and moved inward with the guards toward Count Gleston's estate.
To secure the safety of Count Gleston and the servants.
Snapping to attention, Anne Rose retrieved the lance embedded deep in the Rumblelon's throat and turned toward the mansion.
Circumstances suggested Count Gleston was unharmed, but she couldn't relax until confirmed.
But just as she was about to step forward.
"Count Gleston is safe. He was startled, but doesn't seem injured."
At the unfamiliar male voice, Anne Rose turned her gaze.
And unwittingly widened her eyes.
He was a man she'd seen for the first time today, but one who had left a deep impression.
The man who had been fighting before she arrived.
The master of powerful magic who felled the dark red flying dragon that seemed leader of the lesser dragons in one strike.
Anne Rose swallowed dryly without realizing it and looked at the man's face with slightly tense eyes.
Black hair and purple eyes.
And a handsome face.
Up close, he was tall with an incredibly fit build.
Who is he?
What kind of person is this?
As curiosity flickered in Anne Rose's red eyes, a strange hostility emanated from the small metal lump hovering beside the man.
Startled and blinking, that was when.
"I'm Luther Lightseeker."
The man, who had approached with large strides, extended his hand as if for a handshake.
Hostility still came from the small metal lump, but the handsome man's face was full of goodwill.
And his large hand.
After a brief hesitation, Anne Rose grasped his big hand and looked up.
Meeting his face directly, she replied in a slightly trembling voice.
"I'm Anne Rose Tantallot."
The protagonist of Dragon Hunter Origin's Western Arc.
One of the future Seven Great Heroes.
Luther smiled back in response to Anne Rose's greeting.