Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Fuck...

Ian suppressed a sigh as he stepped on the crunching ground filled with ashes and bones. His legs trembled with each step. It was a primal warning—his instincts telling him not to go any further.

It also was a thought that any human with eyes would naturally have. The giant winged beasts entangled and rampaged in front of him.

Roar— Boom—

Every time the dragons collided, the ground quaked, and shockwaves swept through Ian’s entire body. These weren’t high-level spells or divine powers at work. It was simply the aftermath of the dragons’ immense strength and magic colliding.

I really don’t want to get any closer...

Clicking his tongue, Ian kept walking, though he didn't bother running since it seemed pointless for now. He also hoped the beasts’ fight would calm down a bit in the meantime.

If he charged in right now, he would end up like a shrimp caught between whales.

Roaarr—

Contrary to his wishes, the battle between the dragons was growing more fierce. Tahumrit's claws tore off Archeas' scales, which were a brilliant shade of yellow and reflected light, causing them to scatter in all directions like fallen leaves. Archeas tried to strike at its back with the wings and sink its teeth into the nape.

Tahumrit swatted him away with its skeletal wings. The Corrupt Dragon had nearly shed all of its dried skin, revealing the grotesque, true form of bones and muscles. Between its black bones and muscles, blue magic tinged with purple flickered like blood vessels.

The two dragons let out short roars at each other and charged again.

Another shockwave followed.

Lowering his head to endure it, Ian stifled a chuckle. The closer he got to the battlefield, the clearer the dragons’ size and forms became. He could also sense how strong they were.

It wasn’t just about physical strength. Every blow they exchanged seemed to contain more magic than he had in total.

Swoosh—

Of course, the divine power surrounding his entire body remained strong. It was becoming even thicker. His limbs felt full of strength, and his senses were keen and clear, as if shedding a layer of skin.

The Sword of Judgement fit into his grip like a part of him. The divine power of Tir En grew more intense, making it appear as though he held a sword forged of blue light. However, none of that gave Ian much courage.

I’d probably die instantly if I took a direct hit.

Because his humanity remained unchanged, engaging in a reckless charge toward these living cataclysms would only result in him becoming a mere divine-powered chunk of meat. He couldn’t afford to attack from a distance, either. That would be the most meaningless action. The spells he cast wouldn’t even tickle Tahumrit.

In the end, I need to approach, dodge the attacks, and pierce it with divine power.

It was easier said than done. But he had to do it. Though the battle seemed evenly matched now, if left alone, Archeas would eventually lose. Setting aside the implications of the quest, they were, after all, in the very heart of Tahumrit’s domain.

This territory undoubtedly provided some sort of power to the Corrupt Dragon. Otherwise, the Platinum Dragon wouldn’t have tried to purify the territory first. And most likely, he wanted Tahumrit to target him during that purification process.

But the Corrupt Dragon made the right choice, even in its madness. Instead of attacking the Platinum Dragon, it prioritized protecting its domain. When the corrupted and the purifying forces clashed, the corrupted one always held the upper hand.

That’s why Archeas charged Tahumrit first.

Dragons don’t have infinite magic, after all.

They didn’t reclaim the swirling magic in the sky because doing so would leave them vulnerable afterward.

In a war of attrition, Tahumrit, who already owned a vast territory, would have an overwhelming advantage. The smartest choice here would be a tactical retreat, but Archeas fought.

Whatever the reason, this was fortunate for Ian. If Archeas retreated, he’d be as good as dead. Perhaps the entire North would be as well.

So, is that why it didn’t retreat...?

Archeas needed reinforcements. In the same sense, Ian needed to help him.

Crash.

Tahumrit slammed Archeas into the ground at that moment. Its front paw pinned the Platinum Dragon’s head. Archeas, who had been protecting its nape with the wings, suddenly glanced at the distant ground.

There, he spotted a human cloaked in red and blue divine power.

—Don’t come any closer, noble one...!

The urgent thought shot through Ian’s mind. This time, it was in the Imperial common tongue.

—Your will is noble and pure, but in the end, only death awaits...!

A single hexagonal shield, clearly drawing magic from those runes, floated a short distance above his forearm like a large shield.

“Is this the real knight buff...?”

And this is just the blessing of Tir En?

Looking down at the Sword of Judgement shimmering with divine energy, Ian let out a soft chuckle.

A golden magical shield and a holy sword?

Boom.

Meanwhile, Tahumrit, with its nape bitten by Archeas, crashed to the ground. Archeas didn’t let go of its neck, determined not to miss the opportunity.

Tahumrit didn't go down without a fight either. Tahumrit slashed and whipped at Archeas’ body with its claws and wings. The scattered platinum scales flew in all directions.

“... Ha.” Ian readjusted his grip on his sword and started running again. It was just a small leap for the dragons, but not for him.

I’ve been running non-stop since the fortress.

But this time, he wasn’t just running. From afar, countless blue eyes were charging toward him. The undead, who had been watching since being swept up by Archeas’ breath, were all rushing at Ian.

It must have been Tahumrit’s command. To keep this fly-like enemy pinned down while he fought Archeas. The undead were being blown to bits in the dragons’ fight, but they didn’t care. Ian didn’t slow down either. The Blessing of Battle boiled within Ian.

“Aaargh—”

Damn it.

With a roar that was beyond his control, Ian raised his shield and charged into the oncoming undead.

Crash.

He didn’t even need to swing his sword. Ian shoved aside the group of undead with his shield, then swung his left arm, smashing a couple of them to pieces.

Only then did the Sword of Judgement carve a graceful arc.

Swoosh, crunch!

Blue light painted the darkness relentlessly. Each time, the undead caught in the arc exploded into pieces. The recoil of his sword swings translated into shield bashes. Though his vision was now filled with the undead army, Ian moved without care. Cut, swing, bash, and strike—a ceaseless cycle.

“Grraaaah...!”

The crescent of blue light bisected a giant warrior about to bring down its battle ax. Azure curves and golden flashes swirled like a dance—a path of bones formed steadily behind Ian.

Crash.

Suddenly, his view cleared. He could see the dragons intertwined like a small hill. He had broken through the encirclement, although could still see rushing blue eyes glowing from beyond.

How many have I dragged down here?

As he thought this, Ian ducked.

Whoomph—

The shockwave from Archeas’ wings brushed past him. The gust from Archeas' wings caught the undead following closely behind and shattered them into pieces. Despite shaking off the jaws biting its nape, Tahumrit remained pinned down. Tahumrit’s movements were now desperate, unlike before.

Ian's intervention completely shifted the course of the battle. It was also thanks to the vengeful dragon, not forgetting its purpose to the very end. Archeas dodged Tahumrit's swinging claws with a tilt of its head, and its golden eyes suddenly paused as he noticed Ian charging alongside him. Their gazes met. This time, it didn’t tell Ian to back off.

So, you think I’m useful now, huh?

Ian muttered to himself as he adjusted his direction toward Tahumrit’s head.

They did not exchange words, but ?their thoughts aligned. Instead of blocking or dodging the Corrupt Dragon’s incoming wing, Archeas offered its shoulder and extended its forepaw. The giant claw pinned Tahumrit's head to the ground.

Thud.

Ian raised the shield to block the shockwave that followed the deafening crash and met the Corrupt Dragon’s blue glare. Tahumrit had also noticed Ian. Its blue eyes burned with fury. While being pinned down by Archeas, Tahumrit gathered magic in its maw, which Ian could feel.

Quite the determination you’ve got. But I’m pretty stubborn too.

With a grin, Ian pushed his legs even harder. The Wind Blades propelled him forward like a seizure, closing the distance between him and the massive head in an instant. Stretching out his arm toward the common weak spot of all creatures he’d ever faced, Ian unleashed the Strike of Judgment.

A blazing flash pierced through the massive blue eyes.