◆ Ruins of Avangarde Arena ◆
“…Lua-chan! Lua-chan!”
“K-Kurinka. Did I… fall asleep?”
Without needing to ask, I realized I had only fainted for a short while after defeating Vandalsia and the others. I had no idea how long it had been. Surrounding me were everyone, including Lord Daigami. The Beastkin, giants, and humans were all bloodied and swaying, on the verge of collapse. Even the Demon Lord and Elmera were desperately trying to protect me from something.
That something was looming over us, its gaping mouth stretching wide as a long, thin tongue dangled down. The angel that had attacked us from above Avangarde Castle was unmistakably the source of our troubles. I understood that without needing anyone to explain.
“Hey, Fox God, what the hell is that? This isn’t a joke. And why was it targeting Lua-chan?”
“You should not know.”
“Do you really think I can accept that after being dragged into this? The damage caused by just one strike is catastrophic!”
Elmera’s claim about the damage was true; the humans had suffered greatly as well. I didn’t know what kind of attack had been unleashed, but many of the Kashiram army and Beastkin lay defeated, all from a single blow. Everyone had been protecting me.
I tried to stand up, but my body ached all over. Kurinka cradled me as I attempted to rise, but I couldn’t afford to lean on her like this.
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault…”
“No, we are the ones who should apologize. Even with the full might of our army, we couldn’t even scratch that thing.”
“Not to mention, I feel like I shouldn’t even attempt to confront it. I’m overwhelmed with the urge to scold myself for thinking I could stand against the Beastkin King.”
“Lord Balbus, shouldn’t we entrust this to Lua?”
Even Nice, who usually supported Balbus in times like this, was concerned for me. The opponent was so formidable that even the Beastkin were losing their composure. It didn’t even flap its six wings; it simply hovered in the air.
“To push everyone to this point… Wait, Tiferia and Eeks…”
“There they are.”
A tight sensation gripped my heart. Those two lay sprawled out, weapons abandoned, in positions that resembled a star or a letter ‘U’. It wasn’t just them; the Dragonfolk weren’t even attempting to rise. I didn’t want to believe they were dead, but the fact remained that they had fallen from just one strike.
“Ku ku ku, I never expected you to move. Oh, God Azuma, if you won’t act, then I shall.”
“Stop… If you intervene, you won’t escape unscathed either… The fact that you can ignore even my Absolute Divine Territory means this is no ordinary matter.”
“Do you think you and I are of equal worth?”
“I’m not speaking in terms of mere strength. It’s a matter of concept.”
“Ridiculous!”
The Dragon God glared at the angel. Despite the immense power standing right next to it, the angel didn’t even acknowledge the Dragon God. Perhaps displeased by this, the Dragon God lunged forward, biting down with the intent to tear off the angel’s arm, throwing it far away from us. With its size, it seemed capable of obliterating mountains. The force of the throw didn’t just kick up dust; it exploded the ground beneath.
“I said stop!”
“Such triviality.”
The Dragon God’s might was immense, but the angel was even greater. It rose effortlessly, turning its vicious face toward the Dragon God.
“Watch out!”
It was pure instinct. I couldn’t imagine facing an opponent that made me envision the Dragon God losing. Just as the angel raised its palm toward the Dragon God, something was unleashed.
“Judgment Ray of the Death Angel Zaniel, heralding the end of an era!”
The speed of that attack was so overwhelming that I wondered if it even had a speed at all. I had no choice but to swing my sword reflexively to intercept it. I didn’t know if I could destroy it with the Power of Destruction, but I had to try.
“…!”
The Sonic Ripper clashed with the angel’s light, canceling each other out, the light vanishing without a sound. In that instant, I felt the angel’s eyes flicker slightly.
“Lord Daigami, you know what that is, don’t you? Why is it targeting us?”
“That angel descends when an era is about to end. It quietly observes the fate of the world… However, there has been only one time it has moved. Just like now.”
“It is its role to crush histories that stray from its intentions! It is watching! From the far heavens!”
“Serafeed Embrace of the Death Angel Zaniel, heralding the end of an era! The Quake Ruler Dragon God has fainted!”
This time, nothing was unleashed. The Dragon God’s body began to convulse violently, and then it toppled over. Elmera managed to catch the humans just before they scattered from the shock, gently lowering the Dragon God’s massive form to the ground.
“Hey, hey—this time, even Lua-chan might be in trouble!”
“Y-Yeah! If what the dragon just said is true, then we’ve made some colossal mistake, haven’t we?”
“Is it the will of some great god… that we have?”
“I didn’t do anything!”
“Neither did I!”
The Kashiram army began to panic. They were talking about gods, but one was right in front of us. Regardless, that angel had indeed knocked the Dragon God out with a single blow, and I had to prepare to counterattack if it came for us again.
“Calm down! Stay calm!”
“But Captain Deck!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Shouldn’t we retreat?!”
I could no longer follow who was saying what amidst the chaos. In the midst of this confusion, I leaped onto the back of the unconscious Dragon God, positioning myself where the angel would easily see me. Its bloodshot eyes turned, locking onto me.
If I stayed here, the Dragon God would be caught in the crossfire. So without hesitation, I charged forward.
“Lua’s attack! Dealt 850201 damage to the Death Angel Zaniel! HP: ?????/?????”
I poured all my strength into it, consciously channeling the Power of Destruction. I wanted to believe it was just my imagination, but my full power only left a deep gash from the angel’s shoulder to its abdomen. It was a blow that could surely fell Lord Daigami, the Dragon God, or even Vandalsia. Yet, to that angel, it was merely a scratch. It was effective, but I was reminded for the first time in a while that this opponent was on an entirely different level.
“…!!”
“What?”
I felt as if it had spoken something. It didn’t articulate clearly, but I knew it wasn’t anything good. After all, the next attack was the skill that had knocked out the Dragon God.
“Serafeed Embrace of the Death Angel Zaniel, heralding the end of an era!”
A wave of drowsiness enveloped me, the air around me becoming soothing. It felt similar to the comfort of receiving a healing spell, which was likely why the Dragon God couldn’t even recognize it as an attack and fainted. In that fleeting moment, if I hadn’t been able to defend with the Power of Destruction, it would have required immense concentration to withstand it. Without destruction, it was a skill I never wanted to experience again.
“…!”
“Are you still going? I don’t know why you’re attacking us, but my precious people are here. So I won’t hold back any longer!”
Whether my voice reached it or not, the angel halted its movements. It seemed to be contemplating something, but it was still unsettling.
As the angel, which had been still, suddenly spread its arms, I braced for an attack. But instead, it stopped again, closing its eyes. Its massive form began to rise slowly, as if being pulled upward into the sky.
“Is it about to start something?”
“No, that’s not it. It seems it intends to cease fighting.”
As Balbus said, the angel was drawn into the sky. At that moment, its devilish face transformed back into its original beautiful visage. What was that about?
“The Death Angel Zaniel, heralding the end of an era, has departed!”
“It fled… No, it seems to have vanished.”
I didn’t want to use the word “fled.” If it had continued fighting, I would have had to unleash my full power to protect everyone. That angel was unfathomable. Normally, after such a battle, I would have a good sense of my opponent’s strength.
“The Detect Ring is showing ‘Unknown’ as well…”
I had taken a shot at it at the last moment, but of course, nothing came up. A monster so powerful that even the Kingdom of Metallica couldn’t comprehend it. Knowing such a being existed, I had no idea when it might return to wreak havoc again.
With a sigh, I felt my strength drain away, and I nearly stumbled but managed to steady myself. If I was this exhausted, I needed to grow stronger. My current goals were to unleash Sonic Impact repeatedly and to be able to use Desalt Spear normally. I couldn’t afford to be tossed around by the Power of Destruction. Vandalsia had mastered Vanishing. Alcist and Nerva, even if they weren’t fully aware, had been using it quite skillfully. It was frustrating, but I still had a long way to go.
“Don’t think too hard about it.”
“W-What’s wrong, Kurinka?”
“Because it’s written on your face. At the very least, the only one who could repel that angel here was Lua-chan. Thanks to Elmera-chan, David-san, and Lord Daigami, no one had to die.”
“Let’s become stronger, the two of us.”
“Ahaha, that’s something I should be saying! How strange.”
“But…”
“Isn’t this a bit serious?”
I didn’t know who said it, but I understood what they meant. Everyone was looking at me with concern after I defeated that angel. Even the strong cavalry and, surprisingly, the aggressive Beastkin. It was probably because they all sensed that the angel was anything but ordinary; this wasn’t just a matter of strength or weakness. Even the people from Kashiram, who had remained calm in the face of the massive Dragon God, seemed awkwardly tense. Perhaps it was thanks to the King and Weiss, but it was clear that they felt uneasy.
“The humans can all feel it. They must not defy a being from another dimension…”
“Lord Daigami, are you saying that angel is such a being?”
“Someone let their tongue slip. You all should be aware of this. However, there is concern; once you humans learn of this, you will surely…”
“Hey, what’s that over there?”
Elmera pointed curiously at something that looked like a speck. At first, I thought it was a bird, but there were countless of them, and people were riding on them. Those clad in black armor and helmets atop the winged reptiles looked familiar. They were the Dragon Cavalry of Noibranz that we had encountered before.
“Your Majesty, could that be the Dragon Cavalry of the Noibranz Army?”
“Indeed. If we are to divide power between heaven and earth, then on the ground, we have the cavalry of Kashiram, and in the sky, the Dragon Cavalry of Noibranz, as they say. Are they coming here?”
“Let’s believe they come in peace.”
“With giants and Beastkin mixed in, surely they wouldn’t be foolish enough to attack us.”
“That may be true, but… wait! You! How rude! Upon closer inspection, I see the Phantom’s…”
“Hello, hello! Ahahaha!”
The Dragon Cavalry halted mid-air and gracefully descended to the ground. They lined up neatly, dragon and rider paired together, and at the front was a large winged dragon with a horned man in a helmet. I could only see his face, but he was definitely an uncle.
“What’s this? Are you ready to fight?”
“Let’s observe the situation first, Lord Balbus.”
The uncle removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm as he approached us. The Beastkin bared their fangs and claws, ready for battle, and the giants took their stances.
“From what I can see, you are the Kashiram Army, yes? I am Rudrett, the captain of the Dragon Cavalry of Noibranz. I have come to request an audience with the King of Avangarde…”
“How brazen! To bring an army into another nation’s territory—were you planning to start a war?”
“Isn’t that the same for you?”
“I have no obligation to explain in detail, but we are in an alliance with this nation, and in such circumstances, we are expected to come to their aid.”
“That is true.”
Rudrett didn’t seem to mock us; he appeared to understand, his expression serious. The King of Kashiram was speaking on behalf of us, but both Lord Balbus, the Beastkin king, and Aslat, the chief of the Giant Race, were present. Their faces were enough to show their displeasure. I hoped nothing would happen.
“This is not the time for an audience. It’s clear to see.”
“Let me be direct. I request assistance for my army.”
“Assistance…?”
“My army is currently in dire straits due to an unprecedented monster. Three of our Ten Destroyers have already perished… and more than half of our battalion has been decimated…”
His fists trembled, and his voice quaked, as if he was about to explode. Even the King seemed taken aback, stroking his chin as he listened to Rudrett’s account.
“That monster single-handedly took down my army… It called itself the Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurud! That creature will lead not only my army but the entire world to ruin! I am convinced of its existence after witnessing it firsthand!”
“I understand the situation. However, it was you who instigated this invasion, was it not? I am not here to speak on behalf of the King of Avangarde, but isn’t that a bit too convenient?”
“I am aware of my selfishness…! This is a direct request from His Majesty, and he desires the utmost cooperation! I, a mere soldier, cannot say more! Please, I beg you to listen!”
“The Eternal Spirit Emperor Lurud…? Vandalsia has left quite the parting gift.”
Aslat twisted his large head, a bitter expression on his face. None of us could respond to Rudrett, who was pleading with both hands and knees on the ground. Seeing the many soldiers behind him in the same position made it impossible to say anything.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Glorious, that figure of yours, I must see once more
Do not defy the Divine Being
The Divine Being is the mother of all beings
To oppose is to insult the Divine
No, no, no
I almost got swallowed up
If what the Dragon God said is true
Then that angel will come to invade at every opportunity
This time, Lua’s existence may not be enough
The opponent is not just some petty destroyer
But a truly absolute being
We must revere the Divine
No, something feels off lately
I seem to be writing something ominous
This is not me; someone is manipulating my thoughts
I will convince myself of that and now rest to recover
Noibranz cannot be trusted
This is beyond mere convenience
They will meet their end; this Lurud can be dealt with later
Lua will resolve this
Now, now, I must rest and recover.