**Chapter Twenty-Eight: Strange Strategy**
The human body is frail. No matter how one attempts to wield Blessing, the inherent disparity in physicality cannot be bridged. It is undeniable that the opponent is an exceptional warrior. Their unwavering spirit in the face of despair, along with their capabilities, places them among the top tier of humans that Rainer has encountered thus far.
However, even so, when compared to Rainer, the Lion Dragon born to be a conqueror, their strength is somewhat lacking, especially if the opponent is merely a magical beast.
Del’s attacks were utterly ineffective against Rainer’s impenetrable fur. Sharp slashes and surging Light energy could not leave a scratch on Rainer’s body.
So this is what it means to be human…
“You’re weak, far too weak. If only you had brought a dragon-slaying sword, it might have been a bit more entertaining…”
Del did not respond to Rainer’s words. Instead, they desperately clung to Rainer’s onslaught. They deflected a blow powerful enough to shatter weapons and swiftly maneuvered into Rainer’s blind spot. Enduring the roar, Del boldly aimed for Rainer’s eyes.
While their movements showed no signs of fatigue, the brilliant Light that filled their body was beginning to dim.
The power wielded by the End-BaロN/A Knight—Blessing—is said to be finite. There would surely be a difference in stamina; if the battle continued like this, it was only a matter of time before Del would fall. However, such a battle was not what Rainer desired. It only held meaning if he could defeat a warrior at their peak.
After several exchanges, Rainer finally took a step back. Del, wielding a sword that was now riddled with chips and dull as a butter knife, glared at him with fierce eyes.
“End-BaロN/A Knight, your attacks lack—murderous intent. Why do you not come at me?”
“Hah, hah…”
Del is a remarkable warrior. Their skill, strength, and courage are indeed rare for a human. Yet, it is boring. There is not enough intent to kill in Del’s attacks. That is why they do not press forward against Rainer, even with the intention behind it; it is simply too dull.
The attacks from that End-BaロN/A held a will to kill Rainer at all costs. There was a near-cursed passion to kill, even if it meant being killed in return. The challenge posed by that being, who dared to confront Rainer despite the weakness of holy silver, is something to be admired, even if they have yet to reach Rainer’s level. And that will remained unchanged even just before escaping through the hole in the wall.
Race matters not. That is what a monster is; to kill a monster, one must become a monster.
The warrior before him was far too precious to waste time on.
Rainer gathered his strength. A fierce heat surged within him. Taking a deep breath, his golden mane bristled.
“Prepare yourself, warrior of humanity. Feel my power—”
Perhaps sensing the shift in the air, Del’s expression twisted. The power of Light flowing through them converged entirely at the tip of their sword. A stance focused on attack, different from just a moment ago. Indeed, it seemed that the swordsman before him had traversed many battlefields, Rainer thought with a smile.
Rainer is a hybrid of a lion beast and dragon blood. The dragon blood coursing through him granted not only a robust physique but also concentrated energy. A burning pain surged in his throat. His fur shimmered with golden light.
**Dragon’s Breath (DoroラゴN/A-Breath)**.
This is the ultimate technique of the DoroラゴN/A, one of the reasons it is called the Strongest.
It had been a long time since he unleashed it. Until now, most battles had concluded without needing to resort to it. Since being called the Demon King, he may not have used it even once.
Though Rainer is not a pure dragon, the power of the Breath released from his honed body surpasses that of an average dragon.
No signal was needed. Despite their diminutive stature, the End-BaロN/A Knight intended to receive the ‘Breath.’
A steel sword should hold no meaning against a dragon’s Breath, yet the Knight showed no fear. A quiet light swirled around the sword’s body. Fatigue was irrelevant. Now, the power of the End-BaロN/A Knight was at its peak.
And this is the final act.
Rainer took a deep breath and roared. In response, Del returned the roar.
Then, a golden light was unleashed.
—
It was indeed a power befitting the title of Strongest. There was no shock. Sound faded, and sensations vanished. The overwhelming wave of power temporarily numbed his five senses.
There was no escaping it. Turning his back would mean instant incineration. To overcome it required a concentration of strength.
“Uoooooohhhhhhhhhh!”
With all his soul, he roared, gathering every ounce of power. He concentrated all Blessing into his sword, and he could see cracks forming in the steel blade from the negative pressure. The spiraling force swirling around the sword seemed utterly powerless against the vast energy before him.
Yet, Del felt no fear. The End-BaロN/A Knight had fought against all manner of beings for a long time. Among them, of course, were dragons, one of the entities called the Strongest in this world.
**Piercing Dragon Flash (フォトN/A-ブレイク)**.
That is what the technique was called.
The End-BaロN/A Knight was an offensive Knight. Their skills had, of course, been honed in that direction. A technique to defend against a dragon’s breath was far beyond the capabilities of a third-tier Knight.
Then, he would cleave through it. Breaking the fate of death from the front.
The swirling light surged forth, piercing through the energy of destruction. The air burned, and he felt a strong heat against his skin. Sensation faded completely, and he controlled his power solely by will.
It was an incredible energy that could not be believed to be from a non-pure dragon. However, the **Dragon’s Breath** could not be unleashed continuously.
“———”
He no longer knew what he was shouting. The tip of the thick steel sword shattered, cracks corroding toward the base. A dull shock reverberated through his arm.
**Piercing Dragon Flash (フォトN/A-ブレイク)** was not a technique to extinguish **Dragon’s Breath**. It was a technique to deflect it. Disrupting the flow of power with his energy, he redirected it left and right. The force he unleashed certainly pierced through the center of the vastly overwhelming power.
But—.
In that fleeting moment, within the stretched thoughts, Del—GodoロN/A realized his defeat.
No good, the Breath is far too strong!
The finely honed power concentrated in one point was being completely overwhelmed. It could not be diverted. And merely receiving the aftershock would spell death for Del. That power was undoubtedly at full strength. The Breath continued. It was a long Breath. Rainer himself must have considerable negative pressure as well.
In facing Del, who would have likely been defeated soon enough, the Demon King unleashed all his might.
Due to the nature of the technique, evasion to the sides was impossible. He leaned forward, bracing himself. The heat scorched his exposed skin and face.
The golden power that approached to end his world was fearsome yet incredibly beautiful.
He recalled the figure of the Vampire that had fled.
Damn it… I let him use the Breath. The aftermath, I leave to you…
It was a strange thing indeed that the End-BaロN/A Knight, in his final moments, would remember the figure of the Vampire he had continued to kill.
In that instant of thought, the pressure suddenly vanished.
When he realized it, Del was sprawled on the floor. He had no sensation in his body. Yet, what lay before his eyes was undoubtedly the ceiling of the castle where they had been fighting just a moment ago. His strength was completely drained. In his current state, Del would be helpless against even the weakest magical beast.
Yet—he was alive.
He had not fully taken the dragon’s breath. It had been halted midway. Using all his strength, he tilted his head slightly. Only then did sound begin to return.
He did not understand what was happening. Next, his heart trembled. Rainer was no longer focused on Del.
Rainer’s gaze was directed toward that Vampire.
But that body was enveloped in a sinister black flame.
With limbs, head, and even the transformed blade engulfed in the black fire, End-BaロN/A spoke.
“I made it in time. If it only produces sparks, then it should come after being burned. This way, this way, I can kill it. I can kill you… Demon King Rainer.”