Chapter 41: The Exiled Marquise-sama and the Demon Realm 4
Forest Dragons are called Forest Dragons because they live in forests.
That is a common misconception.
The reason Forest Dragons are called Forest Dragons is much simpler.
It’s because their body surface looks like wood.
Branch-like thorns protrude from their entire body, and at the tips are green organs resembling leaves.
Just like a small, moving forest.
That’s why they are called Forest Dragons.
The cardinal rule of Monster Subjugation.
When you can take the initiative, always take the initiative.
Following that rule, I leaped above the head of the Forest Dragon, which was still lying down.
The moment I kicked off the ground with all my might, perhaps losing sight of me, the Forest Dragon finally showed signs of agitation upon seeing me appear above its head.
No, no, that’s slow.
Way too slow.
As if flustered, the Forest Dragon raised its head to bite me while I was in mid-air.
Right then, I swung my Sword down.
A dull impact sound, hardly believable to have come from striking a living creature with a sword, echoed around us.
Its mouth, opened wide to bite, was forced shut as the Forest Dragon’s head slammed into the ground and bounced.
As I landed on the ground, I was impressed by the feel of the Sword.
What’s great is that its sharpness can be adjusted. That’s fantastic.
Moreover, I don’t have to worry about it breaking at all.
Even when striking the Forest Dragon’s tough hide with all my strength, I didn’t even feel the slightest worry that it might break.
Checking behind me, Erica and Shara had just gotten into position.
Approximately twenty paces, the distance decided upon to ensure Shara’s maximum firepower magic would hit its mark.
For us, lacking a shield bearer, it’s arguably too close when facing a Forest Dragon.
But Erica is standing in front of Shara, who needs protecting, so there’s no need to worry.
“Whoa.”
I took a light backstep.
A foreleg, about as tall as I am, swept past right in front of me.
The Forest Dragon glared at me with eyes full of hatred.
Its breathing was heavy; it seemed quite enraged.
“Good, keep focusing on me just like that.”
Hearing Shara’s chanting begin behind me, I slowly moved sideways.
As if lured, the Forest Dragon’s head turned towards me.
Ah, perfect.
I once again kicked off the ground with all my might.
As expected, I have no intention of fighting it head-on.
I moved right to the Forest Dragon’s side and slammed my Sword into its flank, which hardly seemed like it belonged to a living creature.
Perhaps losing sight of me again, the Forest Dragon let out a roar like a scream in response to the sudden attack on its side and began attacking wildly, thrashing its entire body around.
I parried the attacks from its massive incoming tail and forelegs with my Sword, keeping my body moving.
Its colossal body was about the size of a small house; just rampaging randomly was more than intimidating enough.
Just in case we needed to escape, I increased the Sword’s sharpness to slash at the Forest Dragon’s hind legs, while striking other parts with the Sword as a blunt weapon. I continued attacking carefully, ensuring it couldn’t pinpoint me as a target and keeping its attention fixed on me.
After all, the opponent is a Dragon.
A long battle is inevitable.
Watching the wounds I’d just inflicted on its hind leg close up rapidly, I renewed my resolve, confirming that I was undoubtedly facing a Dragonkin.
Most Dragonkin possess incredible regenerative abilities fueled by their abundant Magicka.
Inevitably, for an ordinary adventurer like me, a quick decisive battle is impossible, leading to a prolonged fight.
In that case, the most crucial thing is to avoid taking a direct hit from the opponent’s attacks.
No matter how confident I am in the strength of my Physical Enhancement, taking hits repeatedly will accumulate damage, slowing my movements—a situation that must be avoided at all costs when fighting Dragonkin.
After all, Dragonkin have…
“Right, if it can’t catch me, it’ll do that.”
I looked up at the Forest Dragon, which knowingly exposed an opening as it reared up its massive body, gathering an immense amount of Magicka in its fang-lined maw, and muttered.
Dragon Breath, the very synonym of destruction possessed by Dragonkin.