Chapter 89: Event Battle
Whether it was congested inside or if some problem had occurred, the evacuation to the underground shelter was progressing very slowly. Cornelia and I watched the battle between the Headmaster and the others against the dragon from inside the school building.
The battle was terribly one-sided.
The teachers’ attacks didn’t seem to be getting through to the dragon, and even a glancing blow from the dragon was a fatal wound.
Already, many teachers had been rendered unable to fight. I never imagined the difference in strength would be this great.
“Zwei Magia!”
Amidst all that, the only one putting up a good fight was the Headmaster. The Headmaster’s fire and lightning magic was destroying the dragon’s jet-black scales. The dragon, too, was glaring at the Headmaster with annoyance.
However, that good fight wouldn’t last long. The defensive line formed by the teachers was torn apart like paper, and finally, there was no one left to protect the Headmaster. Even so, the Headmaster had managed to dodge the dragon’s attacks several times and continue fighting, but…
“Is this… as far as I go…!”
A casually swung foreleg of the dragon grazed him, and the Headmaster’s left leg was blown away. It was all over.
Well, I guess the battle’s over now. All that’s left is to pray the dragon doesn’t come this way.
“Onii-sama…!”
“Hm?”
“I…! I…!”
“What’s wrong?”
I thought Cornelia was frightened, but something about her seemed off. Cornelia looked up at me with eyes holding a hidden resolve.
“I want to save the Headmaster and the others!”
“Hmm…?”
“I want to save them!”
Go help them in this desperate situation? Cornelia?
Seriously…? No, Cornelia’s straightforward and well-raised heart is beautiful, but surely, the odds are against us this time…
No, wait a minute?
The dragon attacking the academy appears as a mid-game boss in the game. If I recall its parameters from back then… It’s not an unbeatable opponent.
But…
“Onii!”
“Eh?”
Poof. The sensation of something clinging to my back. When I turned and looked down, I saw distinctive red hair. It was Lily.
“Lily? Why are you here!?”
“Saw dragon.”
“Could it be that you came because you were worried about us?”
“Mm.”
Lily nodded as if to say, “That’s right.” Should I be happy about this, or should I be angry at Lily…?
“Lily-ojousama! Ah, honestly! So quick! Wait, Danna-sama and Ojou-sama!?”
“Bach…!”
He must have been Lily’s guardian. Even Bach showed up.
Letting Lily come to such a dangerous place… I’ll have to give Bach a stern talking-to later.
But, thanks to this, our fighting strength is now assembled.
“Ria, are you really going to save the Headmaster and the others? That means fighting that dragon, you know? Are you prepared for that? It’s possible someone among us, like Bach for example, might die, you know?”
“Don’t say such ominous things! Wait, eh!? We’re going to fight that dragon!? Are you serious!? Are you out of your mind!?”
“I’m fine! Onii-sama, I just don’t want to have any regrets! If I abandon the Headmaster and the others, I’ll surely regret it. I can’t live bearing such guilt!”
“I see. You’re serious, then?”
“Yes!”
Cornelia is serious. She has that look in her eyes.
The possibility that the Evil God is observing the dragon’s movements. That’s nothing more than an uncertainty born from my own cowardly imagination.
More important to me than such uncertainties is Cornelia’s heart.
A wish from Cornelia, who usually doesn’t ask for much. If I didn’t grant it, I’d be a failure as an older brother, wouldn’t I?
I will fulfill my role as Onii-sama!
“That’s the spirit! Now, it’s time for some dragon slaying! Lily, Bach, lend me your strength!”
“Mm!”
“Aargh, fine! Damn it! I get it!”
Bach shouted, sounding somewhat desperate. He seemed reluctant, but there was no fear in him. Being able to instantly choose to risk his life might be proof that Bach has become a full-fledged warrior.
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Yes!”
“Mm.”
“Understood!”
◇
I, Cornelia, dashed out of the school building and ran with all my might.
Headmaster-sensei looked like he was about to be crushed by the dragon at any moment. There was no time left.
Please! Let me make it in time!
I gradually drew closer to the dragon. Seen up close, the dragon was enormous.
Scary.
The thought of fighting that dragon now made me tremble with fear.
But!
I smoothly drew the sword from my hip. The sword Onii-sama gave me as a birthday present, boasting terrifying sharpness. Feeling my bond with Onii-sama, my heart lightened just a little.
I felt like the dragon looked at me, or more precisely, at the sword I held.
I stopped and readied my sword at my left hip.
I’ll sever the dragon’s head in a single strike!
“Ann Teikaaaaaaaaah!”
From bottom-left to top-right. An incredibly thick pillar of light shot out diagonally. A full-power strike aimed at the dragon’s neck.
Onii-sama said that if it was me, I could do it. That’s why I have to be the one to do it!