Chapter 259

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 259: Clash (10)

【Don’t retreat!】

In the sky over the Adren, where doomed was approaching, the two forces clashed. The battle between the dragons and the giants of light had devolved into a chaotic melee, too brutal to watch.

Whenever the dragons’ teeth clamped down or their claws swiped, the giants’ bodies were torn apart.

【Eliminate as many as you can! Pour out your breath!】

“Goooork!”

Various spells and the dragons’ signature breath attacks were unleashed without reserve. The elemental storms pouring from their gaping maws displayed the destructive power befitting the mightiest race.

Yet, the army of giants of light charged on undeterred. Although the dragons had the upper hand in individual strength, the giants’ sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Boom! A wave of flame from Mahakadia’s mouth swept through the giants. Those engulfed by the fire vanished like melting snow.

“Goooork! Gooork!”

【Wretches, I’ll burn you all to ash!】

Mahakadia shouted. With her moon-white scales, she was one of the vanguard leaders in this battle. She was doing her part by tearing through the swarming giants like a tornado.

Thanks to her incredible speed, Mahakadia maneuvered through the enemy ranks as if it were her domain. Thrust! She speared five giants at once with her horn, muttering to herself.

【Naransonia, this time, I’ve won.】

She smirked, thinking of her rival who was in the support team. As the second fastest dragon in Adren, Mahakadia had always envied Naransonia, the fastest.

But this morning, her wish to be the fastest dragon had unexpectedly come true. She gritted her teeth, recalling Naransonia’s severed left wing.

‘Stupid girl. Of all things, why did you have to lose a wing?’

Naransonia could no longer fly, thanks to an injury inflicted by the very Dragon King she served.

While Mahakadia would now hold the title of the fastest dragon, the victory didn’t feel sweet. A sudden, inexplicable rage welled up inside her. As she prepared to vent her frustration by breathing fire again, a sharp pain engulfed her.

【Aaargh...!】

Something sharp pierced between her scales. She whipped her head around to see a giant clinging to her back.

“Gooh.”

Its faceless visage conveyed no emotion. The giant twisted a luminous dagger into her back with mechanical precision, causing blood to spurt out.

Gritting her teeth until they threatened to break, Mahakadia roared.

【Grr... how dare you!】

Crunch! She bit off the giant’s head, its body dissipating into light, but the wound remained.

【Hah...hah...!】

Mahakadia staggered. The amount of blood gushing out was alarming. Nearby giants swarmed like sharks. Slowed and deep in enemy territory, she was quickly surrounded without much resistance.

【...!】

Dozens of giants latched onto her. Looking like bread covered in mold, Mahakadia could not bear the weight and plummeted to the ground. As consciousness faded, she wondered who the third fastest dragon might be.

Even as she fell, the giants continued to slash at her, causing her to spray blood like a fountain until she hit the ground. Thud. The giants peeled off her body and flew back into the air.

【Damn them!】

A green dragon poured acid over the giants clinging to her corpse. Sizzling sounds filled the air as the giants dissolved, screaming in agony.

Mahakadia’s body was irreparably damaged, but no one had time to care. Similar scenes were playing out all over. Each dragon’s death signified the end of an era, but there was no time to mourn.

“Yes!”

The dragons, shedding their polymorphed forms, swelled in size. They took off, dispersing in coordinated movements following Naransonia’s commands.

She resumed her pace immediately. As they hurried along, Naransonia spoke up.

“Isn’t it ironic?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Us dragons. We boast so much, yet we can’t even save the servants who pledged loyalty to us.”

Naransonia smiled bitterly. Aselle, hesitating, glanced in the direction of Duaru and said,

“I think... it’s the same for any race. Against such a being...”

The battle raged on above them. Unfathomable roars echoed across the island. The dragons and giants of light were entwined in a hellish conflict.

Duaru was a force of nature, an unstoppable calamity. Hearing Aselle’s words, Naransonia slowly nodded.

“You’re right. In the face of an unprecedented disaster beyond our control, even we become no different from mortals. I wonder if we had managed to scrape away our inherent arrogance, would things have been better? Now... I’m not so sure.”

“Naransonia...”

“My musings have gone on too long. Don’t worry, I’ll get you and your friends out safely. I swear it on my pride.”

Naransonia forced a weary smile. That marked the end of their conversation.

As they walked in an awkward silence, a metallic clang sounded beneath them. Aselle, noticing the change in the ground’s texture, looked down.

“This is...?”

Aselle raised his eyebrows. The grass and soil had disappeared, replaced by a metallic surface. It took him a moment to realize they were standing on a huge disc.

The disc felt distinctly out of place. It was about half the size of Philleon’s grand plaza, without a single scratch on it. Naransonia spoke up.

“This must be the rock from the top of the Sky Tower. It flew all the way here.”

“The rock? Oh...!”

Aselle exclaimed softly. He recognized it now—the platform the Dragon King had stood on during rituals. He couldn’t believe this massive piece had broken off.

The surface of the disc was marked with an intricate and complex magic array, likely used for the Dragon King’s rituals. Aselle’s eyes widened as he scanned the array.

“Wait a minute...”

An idea flashed through his mind. It was risky and reckless, but worth a try. Suddenly, Aselle rushed forward, tracing the magic array with his hands.

“...What are you doing?”

“Just a moment. This could...”

Naransonia questioned him, but Aselle didn’t answer. His intense focus blocked out all surrounding noise. In his narrowed vision, only the massive magic array and its intricate patterns and structures remained vividly clear.

“It’s possible... if I can channel the flow... and use this as a catalyst...”

“Mage, what are you trying to—”

Naransonia was about to urge him again when Aselle stood up and grabbed her sleeve.

“Help me.”

“What?”

He didn’t stammer. Naransonia frowned, watching Aselle mutter quickly to himself before speaking clearly.

“...We might be able to stop it. The fall.

[Translator – Peptobismol]