TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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Screams assaulted Ian's ears.
In the middle of the burning battlefield, Ian looked around.
'Total chaos.'
There wasn't a single place without a skirmish.
The noble army had a very high proportion of knights.
Thinking they were just dealing the final blow to a wounded dragon, they had drastically reduced the number of hunters and mercenaries.
And more than half of the knights had disappeared, following the Margrave of Haltramm into battle.
Currently, the remaining knights were falling one by one to the orcs.
'We're outnumbered.'
Ian didn't know what had happened to the margrave's army.
But he could tell without investigating the scene.
The margrave's army must have suffered near-annihilation, even in the best-case scenario.
All because of that massive dragon's flames...!
"Damn it! You're just orcs!"
"Wuoooooh!"
The young knights struggled desperately against the orcs.
But they were overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
When the orcs launched a reckless charge, even well-armed knights had no choice but to be pushed back.
"R-Run away!"
The hunters and low-ranking mercenaries were the first to desert the battlefield.
"Don't panic! They're waiting for us to scatter!"
Sir Salvador shouted until his throat was raw.
But the tide of battle had already turned in favor of the dragon & orc alliance.
[How dare you...! You worthless pebble! Laying hands on me!]
Predius, having been struck by the golem, was undoubtedly furious.
Predius used its massive body to crush the golem, pushing it back.
Such powerful strength that even the golem made of clay and rock was helplessly pushed back!
'Where's Bunchi?'
Ian looked for the earth wizard but couldn't see him.
He must have fled early on.
"Protect the lords!"
Thinking this was their chance while the breath attack wasn't coming...
The nobles each attempted to escape the battlefield.
Duke Araz and Count Edward turned their backs, escorted by knights.
Ian gritted his teeth.
The situation was rapidly deteriorating to the worst possible outcome.
"[Spear of Flame!]"
Ian used a skill magic once again.
Maybe he could damage Predius now!
Whoosh!
But the flame spear scattered harmlessly over the dragon's scales.
It did even less damage than the lightning spear.
[Run away! wizard!]
The golem shouted while being pummeled by the black dragon.
However, Ian found it hard to turn his back.
If he ran away now, what about the fallen knights?
The missing margrave?
"[Darkness!]"
Ian summoned darkness once more.
He thought it might help the battle somehow.
But Predius easily thwarted Ian's attempt.
[You like struggling like the insect you are!]
Predius breathed fire towards Ian.
Whoosh!
A blinding, intense light flashed.
The darkness Ian had summoned vanished without a trace before the dragon's breath.
As the flames rushed towards him.
Ian barely avoided the flames with the help of the mystery of fire.
'... It's strong.'
He didn't want to admit it, but it was true.
The dragon's - Predius's power was beyond imagination.
Even Ian's strongest magic couldn't penetrate the dragon's scales and hide.
If he had ample time to properly communicate with the mysteries in a calm situation, he might be able to cast magic to subdue the dragon.
Orcs were classic man-eating monsters.
Just like being served traditional(?) dishes when visiting an unfamiliar tribe.
The summoner who went to make a contract with the orcs very likely ate human flesh dishes.
But the black wizard probably didn't mind at all.
Thinking, "Isn't it a total win if I can control orcs by eating some human flesh?"
"So, Ian my boy. What are you going to do now?"
Though he asked that, Salvador was just as confused.
Originally, he had planned to form a proper expedition with Duke Araz's help.
But the Margrave of Haltramm had beaten them to it, hastily putting together a shoddy expedition that got wiped out...
Even if they were the Knights of Santiago, they couldn't hunt a dragon on their own.
"We need to prepare our defenses."
This was the result of Ian's deep contemplation.
Duke Araz's expedition had failed to hunt the dragon.
So where would the dragon head next?
The answer was obvious.
It would start raiding territories again.
And the Barony of Talian was one of the territories that hadn't been hit by the dragon yet.
Ian was certain.
Predius... would soon fly to Talian.
'Still, we can put up a defensive battle.'
Talian had Ian's companions and troops, as well as the anti-dragon weapons the blacksmith was crafting.
If Ian drew magic circles and prepared, they might be able to repel the dragon.
... If they were lucky, that is.
"Talian is the only land the dragon is likely to target."
"Hmm... Indeed."
After discussion, Salvador and the Knights of Santiago decided to return to Talian.
"Then let's hurry back to..."
"No."
"...?"
Salvador, who had naturally assumed Ian would return with them, turned his head in slight confusion.
Why wasn't he going back to Talian? Had he gotten scared?
Belenka also looked at Ian in surprise.
"You're not going back?"
"That's right. I have somewhere to stop by."
Salvador asked worriedly.
"Ian, my boy. If you don't want to fight the dragon..."
"That's not it."
To be honest, he didn't want to fight.
Dragons were monsters without question.
It's not like killing one would unlock some hidden quest (though it would progress the Anor-lsil quest).
Who in their right mind would risk their life hunting a monster that could deflect flames and lightning with its bare body?
But Ian wasn't running away.
Talian had Ian's companions and Lucy's domain residents.
It might sound a bit grand, but they were beings Ian had to protect.
Even though he had been reincarnated.
At some point, Ian had grown attached to this crappy medieval fantasy world.
He liked the medieval people.
He liked the peaceful land of Talian.
Ian absolutely did not want to see Talian burning and his companions and people being slaughtered.
'I'm lacking.'
He had felt it deep in his bones during this battle.
Ian was a genius wizard, but he wasn't invincible.
The level of single-handedly defeating a dragon was almost godlike.
A realm only possible after mastering level 8~9 magic at least!
At Ian's current level of handling 4~5 level magic, it was impossible to face a dragon alone.
However, Ian could fill his lack of proficiency with the power of connections.
From the battle between the dragon and golem, Ian had gained some inspiration.
"Belenka. I'll need you to escort me."
"Understood."
In the end, Ian parted ways with the Knights of Santiago.
It was to find a way to surely deal with Predius.
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