Dragon Heart (1)
A little while ago.
Azkai approached near the massive ancient tree in the center.
And there, he saw it.
Monsters possessing enormous power locked in a fierce bloodbath with one another.
"Grrrrrr!"
A massive silver-furred wolf with a unicorn-like horn sprouting from its forehead.
It was one of the higher-tier monsters known as the Lunatic Wolf.
"Grrrr..."
Facing it down was a bipedal, dinosaur-like creature covered entirely in stone.
This being was Periglon, the Meteor Beast.
Ziiiiing!
The Lunatic Wolf gathered lunar energy in its horn.
Soon, a powerful beam of destruction erupted, erasing everything it touched with the moon's power.
"Grrrrr!"
Periglon countered without hesitation, opening its maw to unleash a flame cannon.
BOOM! Rumble rumble rumble!
The two forces collided, generating a tremendous shockwave.
Each of these beings was stronger than Vermith's legion commanders.
'They're fighting like mad.'
Azkai clicked his tongue and steered clear of the area.
No need to get dragged into a pointless brawl.
His goal was to avoid unnecessary fights and secure the Celestial Whale's Scale first and foremost.
But things weren't going to go that smoothly.
As he moved away from the spot,
"Grraaaaa!"
A colossal lifeform that looked like a small hill coming to life.
Terracolos, a being of overwhelming mass.
It was battling a massive bird-like creature called the Crown Windraven.
Boom! Rumble rumble rumble! KABOOM!
Groooan... Crunch. THUD!
The fight ahead was even more intense and ferocious than the previous one.
The earth's surface flipped over, whirlwinds raging everywhere.
It was like an earthquake and typhoon striking at once.
Azkai skirted the brutal clash and drew closer to the ancient tree.
There, in the distance, a translucent object came into view.
The crystal-like thing was half-embedded in the ground, forming a faint pillar of light.
'Found it.'
This was the aggregate of energy shed from the Celestial Whale's body.
The Celestial Whale's Scale.
Around it, beings of all kinds eyed each other warily, clashing in combat.
'Can't avoid a fight, looks like.'
Even if he dodged the others, the golden golem standing blankly near the scale was unavoidable.
'Why's a golem here?'
It resembled the ruin guardians awakening from ancient mechanical sites.
From the looks of it, this one had been drawn here by the scale's aggro too.
Wait a bit, and it'd probably clash with another.
'Grrr. Let's wait.'
Like a predator lying in wait for prey.
Azkai's pupils narrowed into vertical slits.
He lowered his stance, watching the surroundings.
Build up power, then charge the scale at the perfect moment.
......That had been the plan, at least.
Whoosh! Splat!
A golden streak tore through the battlefield at incredible speed.
Its power was negligible, so no one paid it much mind—but its speed outpaced anyone here.
In an instant, it reached the Celestial Whale's Scale.
"Chu!"
It clawed at the ground, digging it up.
"...!"
"Grrrrr!"
"Kraaa!"
Too late, every being realized what was happening.
A puny little thing was trying to steal the prize meant for the final victor.
Dragon Flame Slash!!
The golden golem, Oros Machina, which had been stirring slowly, ignited its eyes with golden fire.
『Target detected. Kirik.』
To crush Chuchu, it raised both hands.
Its laser cannon barrels locked on.
One wrong move, and Chuchu's body would be vaporized.
『Targeting complete. Firing...』
Zing!
Just as Oros Machina's cannons were about to fire—
"RAAAAAWR-!!"
A earth-shaking roar.
Simultaneously, an immense imperial aura crushed down on Oros Machina.
The roar's source: Azkai.
Spotting Chuchu, he'd realized this was his chance.
Swoosh!
Three long claws extended from Azkai's knuckles.
Dragon-flame energy hot enough to incinerate the air billowed from them.
He charged Oros Machina and swung.
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
A massive explosion, heat rising.
Crack!
Oros Machina crossed its arms, blocking the Dragon Flame Slash.
Its massive forearms bore three deep gashes, but its golden body gleamed solidly.
Intense light burst from its blazing golden eyes.
『Stronger than anticipated. Raising alert level.』
Golden mana ignited around its body.
It was about to unleash its true power against Azkai.
"Chu!"
Then, Chuchu's voice rang out.
Having dug up the Celestial Whale's Scale, he'd tucked it into his belly pouch.
Success in securing it.
"Well done, Chuchu!!"
Azkai grinned, shouting.
This little guy was an ace through and through.
Quick on the uptake, great instincts.
Low level, but always pulling off big feats—truly capable.
But the situation wasn't over yet.
"Grrrrr!"
"Kaaaa!"
"Krararara!"
The battling creatures all turned on Chuchu at once, charging.
"Chu!!"
Chuchu bolted in panic, dodging them.
"Over here! Chu... "
BOOM!!!!!
Mid-sentence, Azkai took a massive hit.
Unlike before, Oros Machina attacked in perfect combat form.
Its outer armor had shifted to light plating, gripping a long, slender sword.
Like a swordsman.
That previous strike had been a sword slash.
"Tch. Tricky bastard."
Azkai gritted his teeth.
Clear this thing wouldn't go down easy.
Any delay, and Chuchu'd get caught.
"Just hold on a bit!"
Azkai roared, powering up.
Or trying to.
KWAAAAAAAAA!!!
Suddenly, a transcendent aura spread from atop the ancient tree.
Ooooooh—aaaaah!
A majestic cry blanketing sky and earth.
It carried a transcendent dignity.
"Gr... grrr..."
"Grrr..."
"Kaaaa!"
Then, something astonishing happened.
The frenzied monsters chasing Chuchu began backing away, then fleeing tails tucked.
『You. I'll remember. If you survive... we'll settle this later.』
BOOM!!
Oros Machina too.
Despite its bold words, it bolted faster than anyone.
The reason everyone fled:
Ooooooh—aaaaah!
The Celestial Whale faintly revealed its silhouette beneath the clouds.
Its emerald body scattered iridescent light, unveiling its form.
Gulp.
Even Azkai swallowed hard at the tension-inducing power.
A being even dragons needed worm-rank minimum to face.
No wonder they all ran.
Flash!
Then, blinding light poured from the Celestial Whale's body.
As it faded,
A single ray of dawn light streamed from the clouds.
Rumble rumble rumble.
A figure descended within that beam.
Long emerald hair.
A mysterious woman with a chilling aura.
"Hm..."
Her voice rolled like jade beads.
She, the Celestial Whale, hovered in the air, gazing down at Azkai and Chuchu like specimens.
'Chuchu. If things go south, run. I'll buy time.'
'Chu...'
Azkai and Chuchu exchanged tense glances.
In the worst case,
At least send Chuchu back alive.
That way, they could deliver the Celestial Whale's Scale to Master.
Azkai steeled himself to die here if needed.
Groooowl.
As volcanic energy began seeping from Azkai's body,
The Celestial Whale's lips parted.
"I sense the aura of a great being from you two."
She'd noticed they were dragon guardians.
Her face grew even chillier as she looked down at Azkai.
"Lava Great Tiger. If you don't want a pointless death, stay put. That's as far as I tolerate."
Chill—
Locking eyes with the Celestial Whale jolted Azkai's mind.
If she willed it, he could die with a gesture.
Azkai immediately suppressed his energy and flattened himself.
Not submission to power.
He sensed no intent to harm from her words.
"Hm."
Seeing Azkai back down, the Celestial Whale crossed her arms again, overlooking them.
"I see. So the Dragon Womb Forest stirs at last. This should be entertaining for a while."
She murmured cryptically.
Then, for the first time, she bared pearly whites in a smile.
"Go."
Snap.
She flicked a pale finger.
FLASH!!
Azkai and Chuchu were engulfed in radiant light.
Eastern Forest
In the vast forest's heart, where ancient trees pierced the sky, countless insectoids and giant bugs stood in perfect order.
Before them loomed the 1st Legion Commander, Karmarks.
He raised one hand high, bellowing.
"Fall in!"
At his command, the insectoids and bugs aligned in unison with flawless precision.
Their movements flowed smoothly, like a colossal organism alive.
At the center sat Vermith.
Seated on a throne of massive roots and silk-like material, he surveyed the entire army.
A subtle green glow emanated from his body, tiny bugs swarming around him.
Karmarks stepped forward, kneeling on one knee respectfully, and called out.
"Your Majesty Vermith! Your loyal army awaits orders. Today's march will embody your will!"
The insectoids and bugs erupted in a massive cry of reverence to Vermith, filling the forest, resonating like quaking earth.
Vermith slowly nodded, replying with resolute voice.
"Find those who bared fangs at us. A dragon's lair surely lies behind them. Move out. I'll follow soon—prepare a victory report."
In that moment, even the forest wind seemed to shift in obedience to his will.
The army realigned, ready for departure.
Their sole target: the Dragon's Lair.
"Azkai! Chuchu!"
I lit up seeing Azkai and Chuchu return to the lair.
"Where'd you two run off to without a word?"
"Well..."
Azkai scratched his head, recounting their ordeal.
Entering the backspace dimension to fetch the Celestial Whale's Scale for me.
The clashes with beings there, culminating in facing the actual Celestial Whale.
At the end, her finger snap sending them back to their entry point.
"Whoa!"
They'd crammed a ton of action into a short time.
Sounded like they'd nearly died too.
"Haa. You guys..."
Mixed emotions surged: gratitude for their effort on my behalf, worry they'd risked so much.
"No more dangerous spots without my say-so."
"Yes, Master."
"Chuchu!"
Sensing my concern, Azkai and Chuchu bowed low in reply.
"Alright, then. Let me see it—that Celestial Whale's Scale."
They said it'd greatly aid completing the Dragon Heart.
I was dying to know.
What could it be?
"Chu!!"
Chuchu reached into his belly pouch and pulled out an object.
Flash!!
An iridescent emerald crystal.
The Celestial Whale's Scale.
"Ah..."
And.
The moment I saw it, my eyes widened.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump—
My heart went wild, reacting to the Celestial Whale's Scale.