◆ In Front of Noibranz Royal Capital – Defense Line ◆
A massive elephant loomed over the fallen soldiers of Noibranz, as if declaring itself the embodiment of the nation’s power. No, this monster had never been subservient to Noibranz. The kingdom had merely formed where this creature happened to be. It had not crushed anyone by chance, nor had it shown any hostility.
“Oh… Great King…”
The Noibranz army, which should have been nearly defeated, stirred with a murmur. One by one, they rose, gazing up at the elephant with desperate expressions.
“Great King! Please save us!”
“Glory to Noibranz!”
“Exorcise the spawn of the monster that harms our nation!”
“Great King! Great King!”
“Great King! Great King! Great King! Great King!”
Only those who could stand were calling out, but there were still many of them. The cacophony of voices was so loud it felt like a festival, resembling some kind of ritual. I had seen this before. Yes, it was when I fought against the resurrected Vandalsia. A figure of overwhelming presence that everyone turned to for salvation. Back then, that figure had been me. Everyone had shouted my name. I had felt truly happy to be relied upon for the first time, but looking back, it might not have mattered who it was. It could have been the Dragon God or Lord Daigami. It didn’t have to be me; anyone strong enough would do, just like the Great King for the Noibranz soldiers.
“Kurinka. If I hadn’t had my current strength, I wouldn’t have been needed by anyone, right?”
“What’s with you all of a sudden? Especially at a time like this…”
“Never mind.”
Even if I said such things, Kurinka would insist that I was needed. Worrying about it further was pointless. I had to focus on the fact that I had grown stronger; it wasn’t the time to feel good about being needed. If I were strong, even that monster would be needed. Strength was ultimately just that superficial.
“Well… as long as Kurinka still likes me, that’s all that matters.”
“W-What’s gotten into you? That elephant is going to attack!”
It was impossible for me to be liked by everyone. Just having Kurinka by my side was enough to make me happy, regardless of the soldiers calling me a monster over there. Those guys could keep shouting for the Great King all they wanted. I had struggled when I first met Amane and her Leopardess Guild, but I was finally starting to understand what made me happy. I just needed to do what I wanted to do now.
【The Great King Ganeija, who tramples calamity, raised his massive trunk to the heavens and drew in the storm clouds!】
“He’s the Great King to those people, but I already know the true nature of this country. I can’t just leave it be.”
Even if I said that, the elephant monster wouldn’t understand. Even if it did, it wouldn’t stop its attack. After all, unlike me, it was just a mindless beast. I was different; even if they called me a monster, I had a heart. A heart that could love someone.
Despite my feelings, Kurinka’s profile looked anxious. What would the Great King, that elephant with its trunk held high, do next? It was too far to strike, and yet it wasn’t aiming at us.
“What is that monster doing…?”
If that massive creature were to be defeated in one blow, it would likely cause damage to the royal capital as well. As I pondered this, clouds were being drawn into the Great King’s trunk. Rather than challenging the heavens, it seemed to view them merely as food. The next action of that audacious Great King was about to unfold.
【The Great King Ganeija, who tramples calamity, unleashed the storm of thunder and rain!】
“Oh, I knew it.”
A torrent of rain and lightning was unleashed from its trunk, aimed directly at us. This itself was a form of energy; the elephant had claimed the calamity it had just inhaled as its own. By drawing in storm clouds and thunderclouds, it could convert them into attack energy. In other words, it was like a Sonic Spear, a straight-line attack coming at high speed.
【Rua unleashed the Sonic Spear!】
The piercing spear swallowed the calamity unleashed by the elephant, maintaining its momentum without faltering. It took less than a second from being fired to striking the elephant’s head and consuming it. From a distance, it would appear as if the elephant’s head had been obliterated, leaving only its massive body behind.
【Dealt 8,594,310 damage to the Great King Ganeija!
Defeated the Great King Ganeija! HP 0/294,700】
“Great King! Great King! Great King! Grea…!”
Only a few seconds later did the soldiers finally notice the anomaly. It took them a few more seconds to realize that their hope had perished as they beheld the headless form of their Great King.
“Great King…?”
“What’s happening? What’s going on…?”
Just the body falling would cause a catastrophe, so of course, I had to erase the rest. Given its size, it would take about two Sonic Rippers to finish the job. I could have done it in one blow, but if the power was too overwhelming, it would cause collateral damage. Repeatedly firing smaller bursts was just right.
With each swing, the Great King’s body was carved away, leaving behind traces of the slashes. I seemed to have grown this strong without even using the Power of Destruction. If it had been me right after exiting the Abyss Cave, I would have struggled considerably. In terms of raw power, I was probably stronger than even Vandalsia or Giga Atlas.
“The Great King… has… vanished?”
Imagining the panic that would erupt next made my chest ache a little. Even in a terrible country, it was sad to see something pitiful. I had braced myself for it, but the silence lingered.
“Lua-chan, should we go now…?”
From Kurinka’s small voice, almost a whisper, I could sense her frustration. I knew it was selfish of me to feel this way after what I had done. But I still had one last major task to complete. I needed to figure out how far this wasteland extended, whether there were any nearby villages or towns. I had to assess it from the sky and find a potential invasion route into the Kingdom of Avangarde.
“With this scale of damage to their forces… they won’t be able to wage war for a while. Most of their Servants have been defeated, and it’ll take years to rebuild.”
“Plus, they have to reorganize their troops and procure weapons. There’s a mountain of things to do. If they want to attack, they’ll need food, and right now, their supplies are insufficient. The Noibranz army is practically finished. The costs will fall on the citizens.”
Shiny’s pragmatic words filled me with an unavoidable sense of anxiety. I had said I wanted to help, yet I had saved nothing. It really was just that superficial, and it seemed Kurinka sensed my resignation, tightening her grip on my hand.
“Let’s focus on helping Platiu-chan for now.”
“Right… let’s finish this last big job.”
As I took to the skies, looking down from Kurinka’s back, the landscape of Noibranz resembled a wasteland. Soldiers stood in shock, while others lay fallen. I didn’t know much about war, nor did I understand where victories and defeats lay. But at least, from what I could see, the Noibranz army had lost. Surrender meant defeat, and losing the will to fight also meant defeat. Perhaps it wasn’t so different from a regular battle.
“That area looks good. There’s a road right there.”
“Are you ready? How big of a strike are you planning?”
I flew around a bit, but there were no signs of habitation anywhere. In fact, as I observed, I realized how eerily vast it was, yet devoid of any human presence, making it feel desolate. The land taken during the Demon Continent War was not being utilized; it was lifeless. I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of regret, thinking that there must have been a nation here before Noibranz invaded.
“It’s so wide that you can’t cross it without flying. Only the Dragon Riders could manage it.”
【Rua unleashed the Sonic Ripper!】
I focused my strength and unleashed a slashing attack from Kurinka Dragon’s back, carving into the earth below. It sank in without any shock, as if it were simply absorbed. If I used the Power of Destruction, I could obliterate soil and rock, creating a chasm in the shape of my attack.
A crescent-shaped gorge now blocked the road leading from the royal capital. I couldn’t gauge its depth, but anyone who fell in would surely not survive. The depths of the gorge created by the slash were quite dark.
“One strike won’t be enough; they could just take a detour. I’ll fire a few more.”
“Got it, I’ll move a bit.”
I expanded the gorge in the same manner, ultimately creating a significant barrier from the royal capital towards Negesta, effectively isolating the capital. To cross it, they would have to take a long detour.
“If they want to bypass this, it’ll take at least a few days. That alone would be a significant loss.”
“Kurinka, how many soldiers were in the royal capital?”
“I don’t know, but there were probably tens of thousands. If you combine the troops from various regions, it might exceed a hundred thousand…”
In any case, the main forces were nearly annihilated, and that was enough for me. I didn’t want to do anything more.
“Shall we head back… I need to do something about Platiu.”
In the vast nation of Noibranz, a country that has stained the continent with blood through the repeated invasions of the Demon Continent War. I can’t claim to have dealt the final blow, but I believe I’ve received my fair share of retribution. What will those soldiers do from now on? What about the people of the Royal Capital? For now, I decided to push those thoughts aside.
“Kurinka, you know… strength isn’t really that strong, is it?”
“That’s not true. There are many things we can’t save, but there are also many we can. I’ve been saved countless times myself.”
It was thanks to Kurinka’s words that I made it this far. Just a single phrase can provide so much solace. The cold wind that blew as I left seemed to symbolize the future of Noibranz.
◆ ？？？ ◆
“You defeated a lot of monsters today, didn’t you? That’s plus ten compared to yesterday, and plus sixteen compared to the day before. Well done, Platiu.”
The landlady, who was frightening at first, now gently pats my head. Brother Genia is smiling too, and I wonder if today’s meal will be a delicious feast.
“Let’s have a special hamburger today, Platiu. When was the last time I saw Colin so happy…? You truly are an amazing child.”
“Are you happy?”
“Of course! As the one who recommended you, I couldn’t be prouder.”
A beautiful room, a lovely bed, a warm blanket. I can eat delicious food, and I don’t want to go outside anymore. I don’t want to face harsh training again. This place is warm and comforting.
“Platiu, actually… Colin has praised your achievements, and from now on, you won’t have to train anymore.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, you can stay here forever. Everything you need is here, so you won’t have any inconveniences.”
I was overwhelmed with joy, but I didn’t know how to express it. What should I do in a moment like this? Should I just nod my head? Ah, I’m so glad. She patted my head again.
“Good girl, good girl. You understand, Platiu, that you mustn’t go outside on your own. There are many bad people and unpleasant things out there. It’s safe here.”
I don’t want to be hit like during training, so I want to stay here forever. If I listen to her, she praises me. When I said “yes,” she hugged me tightly. It felt warm and comforting.
“Platiu is a good girl, so let’s stay here forever.”
Even though I haven’t eaten yet, I’m starting to feel sleepy. My eyes are getting heavy, and I’m so drowsy.
“Well then, since there’s still time until dinner, how about a little nap? This way, please.”
As I stumbled and jumped onto the bed, Brother Genia covered me with the blanket. This time, he held my hand tightly.
“Good night, Platiu. Let’s stay here forever, forever… Hehe.”
Forever, forever, forever. I want to sleep for a long time. This place is wonderful; it feels so good. Brother Genia smiled widely, looking so happy.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Finally, the country has been crushed.
It’s a good trend that the sweetness has faded, but when faced with it directly, it’s quite shocking.
Noibranz is too pitiful, and it’s hard to watch.
At this point, there’s no way the challengers and organizations will just leave it be.
Rua has been receiving a flood of invitation letters from various places.
If this rumor spreads, it won’t be long before we have bonfires made just from letters.
There are even some eager ones who have sent actual messengers.
When I got angry at one who was too persistent, they got scared and ran away.
Ah, it’s going to get noisy again.
However, I can’t believe that the Great King would simply admit defeat.
And I wonder why Aboro, who is there, isn’t showing up.
That’s what I’m concerned about.
Monster Compendium
【The Great King Ganeija, who tramples Natural Calamities, HP 294700】
The largest monster in the world, said to have existed since ancient times.
There is a theory that it is a messenger of the Earth God, one of the five divine beings.
Thus, classifying it as a monster could spark controversy in various fields; it is that significant.
Records of this monster rampaging have not been found. However, there is a record of it calming a raging storm and sending it to the heavens. The name is believed to have originated from that event.
Nonetheless, it is also recognized as a symbol of Noibranz, serving the royal family for generations.
It remains a complete mystery whether it existed since the founding of Noibranz or how it was tamed.