Episode 333: The Yellow Duke
The monster took the form of a bird with golden wings.
However, it had no substance, being composed solely of Lightning energy. It flapped its wings with a rustle, breaking through the gaps in the clouds and flying at high speed.
Its destination was five aircraft flying in the sky.
Gold Dragons also flew around, fighting against someone. The “Lightning Bird” dove sharply, heading towards the aircraft.
The bird sensed a strong Magical Power and immediately recognized it as an enemy.
Gliding while crackling with electricity, it spotted the opponent engaged in combat with the Gold Dragons. It resembled a black bird, but that was likely not the case.
That was an existence hostile to them. The bird entered attack formation with conviction.
Gathering Lightning Magical Power in its body, it charged towards those it deemed enemies.
But the next moment—a violent explosion occurred right before its eyes. Flames erupted, and black smoke obscured its vision.
The bird flapped its wings and rose above the smoke.
Looking around, it saw two humans there. They floated in the air, observing it.
The bird became wary of the enemy, who emitted terrifying Magical Power.
“Good grief… I knew they existed, but to encounter one here,”
Albert said with a smile. Flames swirled around his body, creating a powerful updraft that provided lift.
“It’s the Yellow Duke. Since it can fly, it must have avoided becoming prey for the Yellow King,”
Mia, standing behind Albert, replied. Beneath Mia’s feet was a thin sheet of ice, and the surrounding moisture was freezing and crackling, connected to the sheet.
“Let’s take it down here. Mia, can I rely on you?”
“Yes, of course.”
Mia raised her right hand. She wore a bracelet with several Magic Gems on her wrist.
As she held her hand forward, the gems began to shine one after another. Then, ice crystals appeared around the “Lightning Bird.”
They sparkled like diamond dust, turning into countless ice chunks.
“Come on, then.”
Mia wore a sneer. The bird flapped its wings and charged towards the two.
It was enveloped in tremendous Lightning, advancing while shattering the ice chunks in the air. However, its momentum was greatly reduced by colliding with the ice.
“That’s enough, Mia. At that speed, I can catch it.”
As Albert raised his hand, flames erupted from around his body, taking the form of a Dragon and opening its large jaws.
Three Flame Dragons appeared, coiling and striking at the bird.
The bird tried to evade, but it crashed into the ice chunks in the air and couldn’t dodge effectively. It was swallowed by the three Dragons and exploded violently.
“…Is it dead?”
Albert shielded his eyes with his hand, looking at the sky where the smoke had spread. Mia, who had been watching quietly behind him, muttered, “No.”
A shining bird emerged from the smoke.
“Oh, as expected of a Unique Monster… quite tough.”
Albert smiled and raised both hands to shoulder height.
The flames swirling around his body intensified even further. After catching the updraft and rising, he dove towards the bird.
The Yellow Duke also flapped its wings and came towards Albert.
At the moment they collided, Albert thrust his right hand forward, making a gesture as if to grab something.
Then, lines of flame ran around the bird.
The lines connected in multiple layers, forming a spherical Cage around the bird. The Cage of Flames completely trapped the bird. The bird was bewildered but rammed into the Cage.
However, the moment it touched the flames—a fierce explosion occurred.
“GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!”
The Yellow Duke shrieked. Seeing this, Albert smiled quietly.
“It’s a Cage of Flames. It’s just right for you, isn’t it?”
The bird inside the Cage could barely stay afloat and couldn’t move freely. It glared at Albert and let out a shrill cry.
“Sorry, but I don’t have time. Let’s finish this.”
Albert clenched his right hand tightly.
The spherical Cage of Flames gradually shrank, cornering the bird. As a last resort, the bird released a large amount of Lightning, but it had no effect on the Cage of Flames.
“Goodbye, beautiful bird.”
As Albert lowered his right hand, the Cage of Flames shrank rapidly, swallowing the Yellow Bird.
There was a flash, and a tremendous explosion occurred.
White smoke covered the sky, obscuring everything. As it gradually cleared, there was nothing there.
“Well, let’s go.”
“However, there’s a possibility that a Magic Gem dropped… what should we do?”
“It’s fine for now. We don’t have time.”
“Understood.”
Albert and Mia advanced through the air, heading towards the aircraft. On the way, they saw the flight squadron fighting the Gold Dragons.
The Dragons had taken damage and were clearly moving sluggishly. Returning to base was only a matter of time. Albert was relieved and returned to the Osprey.
◇◇◇
“It seems to be over. In any case, we can now travel by air with peace of mind,”
Yuma, who was looking out the window, agreed with Akito’s words, saying, “That’s right.” After a while, the rear hatch opened, and Peter and the others who had sortied returned.
They boarded the aircraft one after another from the air.
“Ah~ I’m glad we made it back safely. We defeated all the Gold Dragons.”
Peter took off his sunglasses and gave Yuma a thumbs up.
Yuma and the others said, “Good work,” and praised the five Seekers. Everyone took their seats and fastened their belts again.
“We’ll be arriving soon. Stay sharp. The monsters ahead are nothing like the Gold Dragons.”
Admonished by Peter, Yuma and his two companions became serious. Indeed, the battle with the Yellow King would likely be fierce.
Yuma had such a premonition. And as they approached the airspace above their destination, Salt Lake City, the pilot announced, “We are beginning our descent.”
The Osprey tilted its rotor axes vertically and gradually descended.
◇◇◇
“This is…”
Surrounded by high mountains, in a city rich in nature. Soldiers, Prometheus members, and Yuma and his companions landed in a corner of Salt Lake City, where buildings were also visible, and looked around.
Everyone’s gaze converged on the northwest of the city. Everyone gasped and couldn’t look away.
Because the city that should have been there was cleanly gone.
“Isn’t this the same way New York was destroyed?”
As Yuma grimaced, Albert called out to him.
“It’s the trace of the Yellow King’s appearance. When he comes, the city is destroyed like this. And this destruction is relatively recent.”
“Then…”
To the tense Yuma, Albert replied casually.
“Yes, he’s nearby. The Lightning King.”