Chapter 116

Chapter 116

A thick, dark cloud flashed brilliantly, scattering thunder and lightning. Amidst the dragon's roar, a deafening sound echoed, as if the world were collapsing.

However, no one on the fortress walls could scream or flee at the scene before them. Even the strong barbarian warriors dropped their weapons and collapsed at the sound of the dragon’s roar.

Everyone on the walls stood in stunned silence, staring blankly at the flashing dark clouds and the colossal shape that appeared between them. Ian couldn't escape this feeling either. The best he could do was remain standing, barely able to hold his ground.

The roar of the dragon, which caused the highest levels of Immobilization and Fear in the game, also affected his body. However, he didn't fall into a state of terror.

It had the opposite effect.

It seemed like it had woken from a comatose state. Could that be the reason why no one felt its presence? Or was it simply hiding it on purpose? Maybe keeping its body dormant was more convenient for maintaining this domain. Or it could conserve its power. If that’s the case, there might be a limit to how long it can move—

His mind was swirling with thoughts. Endless speculation and musings circled in his head. It was a natural response to comprehend and understand the situation quickly.

After all, what he believed was impossible was unfolding right before his eyes. But ultimately, the important fact was that the dragon had appeared.

And soon, there was a high probability that he would have to fight it.

And with a similar probability, I'll die.

Even as he quickly drew this conclusion, Ian didn't lose his composure. It wasn't just because of his strong Mental Fortitude.

...If that's a fully functional dragon.

As mentioned before, it was too early for a dragon to appear. If one appeared regardless, there would be something appropriate to match. Whatever that was, surviving to the end would depend on his ability.

Fuck...

As Ian silently sighed, the dragon, having finished its roar, flapped its wings wide.

So far, it had been floating in the air without a single wingbeat. Given that it brought black clouds wherever it went and scattered thunder and lightning with a roar, it wasn't a surprising sight.

The dragon soared between the clouds. The dark clouds, whipped up by its wingbeats, crackled and scattered belatedly with a roar. In the next moment, the dragon descended, gliding into a position where the fortress was clearly visible. The high walls built to block giants were clearly of no use against the dragon. Its shape, sharply defined, defied perspective even from a considerable distance.

It's the size of a small apartment building...

Even as he thought this, Ian carefully examined the dragon's entire body. Compared to the dragons he remembered, this one looked somewhat emaciated.

While others might be completely overwhelmed and not notice at all, this dragon's appearance was gaunt, as if it had only dried skin over bones. It appeared almost mummified, as if it had been extracting magic for a long time from the ice or snow.

The dragon folded its wings, and scales fell off its joints like dust. Of course, that didn't change the fact that it was still a dragon. Judging by the state of the Giant Queen in the past, it might have accumulated void magic.

“------!” The dragon, lifting its head skyward, roared again.

The ear-splitting roar wasn't the only thing. An invisible shockwave swept through the valley and fortress like before. The dark clouds rolled away in a circle from the dragon, scattering lightning in all directions.

Another roar...?

While Ian furrowed his brow,

“Argk....”

“....”

Several soldiers who were already crouched collapsed to the ground. The soldiers near Ian were no different. Whether they were dead was unknown. He could only hope they were merely unconscious.

Volber, who was crouched nearby, was still alive, but his unfocused pupils had lost all signs of life. Drool dripped down his trembling jaw, and the divine power he wielded had vanished entirely.

“Phew...”

But Ian endured once more. This time, too, he had the power of chaos to thank. He remembered how the fragments of chaos resonated.

Though the fragments didn't respond well, only a small amount of chaotic energy swirled within him. That alone was enough to prevent the dizziness and helplessness he felt earlier. Of course, his entire body tingled, as if it had received an electric shock, making it difficult to move, let alone regain his strength.

Grrrrr....

The dragon, having finished its roar, looked toward the fortress. With lightning crackling around the valley, its bright blue eyes focused on the wall.

“...!” Ian gasped as he felt the dragon glaring directly at him.

It wasn't a mistake.

—■■ Pay the ■■ price...

The dragon's growling thoughts bored into Ian’s mind as a bluish light began to gather in the creature’s maw. The magic was crystallizing. What it signified was clear: a dragon’s breath.

Ian’s grip on the sword hilt tightened at last.

***

ROAAAAR—

The breath unleashed by Archeas swept over Tahumrit, scorching the army of the dead behind him. Bright yellow flames erupted like an explosion.

KYAAAAA—

Tahumrit roared from the midst of it. Hovering in midair with a powerful flap of his wings, Archeas howled back. The magical waves that collided in midair shattered, ripping the atmosphere apart. Dust and debris rose in the valley, covered in bones and ashes.

In the next moment, Tahumrit soared upward. In the next moment, Archeas' breath swept Tahumrit's hide, charring it and exposing his endoskeleton. Between his dried muscles and bones, bright blue magic flickered like blood vessels.

Clang—

The two dragons clashed in mid-air. Golden energy flashed around Archeas, but the same was true for Tahumrit. A veil of blue magic burst like lightning, shattering the golden force field.

Boom.

White lightning struck through Archeas. The Platinum Dragon threw his head back. The golden magic erupting from his maw streaked into the center of the dark clouds. Golden magical circuits spread through the clouds. The swirling dark clouds faltered and rolled back.

Crunch—

Tahumrit sank his teeth into Archeas’ nape at that moment. Though no blood was spilled or torn, Tahumrit's bite was enough to send the dragon plummeting.

Thud.

The two entangled giants rolled across the valley floor. Tahumrit was thrown off, howling as he looked back to the sky. The unsteady clouds darkened again, swallowing up the golden magical circuits.

The same happened with Archeas. Golden haze rose from his entire body, casting a faint light between the clouds.

Both dragons were consuming their magic endlessly, fighting in ways incomprehensible to humans. One was trying to engulf the area in darkness, while the other was pushing back that darkness.

“Lu... Solar...” General Gelud, who had collapsed on the watchtower gate and was staring blankly at the scene, finally let out an inaudible sigh.

Even though he had somewhat kept his sanity, his condition was relatively better. The mage Mendes, who had fainted earlier, hadn't stirred. All the guards wore blank expressions.

But ?there was nothing Gelud could do. He could only watch the two dragons staring each other down and pray to the God of Light.

A pillar of magic erupted from Archeas’ entire body at that moment.

—■■■... ■■... ■■■■...!

A majestic thought reverberated through his mind. It was an unintelligible ancient language. Gelud could only assume that the Platinum Dragon was communicating something to the Corrupt Dragon.

—■■■■... ■■■- ■■■■-!

“Argk...”

As the thought resonated in his mind, Gelud clutched his head. He couldn't understand this either, but the corrupted dragon grew enraged. To prove that, bright blue magic erupted from Tahumrit’s entire body. Not a vivid blue, but an ominous hue tinged with faint purple. The magic released by the two dragons covered the dark clouds, swirling and intertwining like paint.

Roar—

The Platinum Dragon charged at the Corrupt Dragon. Archeas, jaws wide open, attempted to bite down on Tahumrit’s emaciated neck. Tahumrit swiped at Archeas with his front paw, and the two tangled together in a primal struggle.

It was a raw, bestial brawl.

Gelud couldn't have known that both Archeas and Tahumrit were pouring all their magic into canceling each other's spells. And that to end the stalemate before their magic ran dry, they had resorted to a physical confrontation.

All Gelud could do was hope and pray that the Platinum Dragon, Archeas, the legendary creature he had only heard of, would emerge victorious.

After all, no mere mortal could interfere in this battle of these divine creatures.

“....?” Gelud’s brow furrowed at that moment.

In the middle of the valley, someone’s back came into view. Tiny compared to the dragons, but cloaked in blazing red divine power and holding a sword glowing with blue light.

“....!” When Gelud realized who it was, his eyes widened to the point of tearing.

It was the crusader of Tir En and the Great Warrior of the North, who had saved countless soldiers from crisis throughout the battle.

“Ian... Hope...!”

He was walking alone, toward the dragons.