Chapter 19: Mage VI / The Great Dragon Battle V
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Yamada the Holy Knight turned his gaze towards us.
“Alright! We’re about to enter the final phase of the monster subjugation! The preparations are complete!!”
Pul-san had already given instructions for the rear guard. Those capable of casting advanced fire magic effective against the dragon in front of us were to unleash their spells at Pul-san’s signal, while those unable to do so were to prioritize dealing with the Fog.
“This time, we’re definitely going to take that monster down!! Team Paladin’s Dust!! Let’s wish for the success of Operation Blitz—! Eiyai-oh—!!”
He scanned us and raised his fist high. Despite the Three-Headed Dragon in the distance being tormented by Pul-san’s Grave Mine, Yamada the Holy Knight showed no sense of crisis, shouting out a rather lackluster battle cry.
In response, Pul-san let out a small, embarrassed “Oh!” Orphelia crossed her arms and muttered, “Is this really necessary?” Watching Yamada’s expression filled with despair at their reactions made me chuckle softly.
It was just a small moment, but the fire ignited within my heart blazed fiercely, as if kindled by firewood, filling me with the belief that our upcoming operation would succeed. Having finished preparing to cast my spell, I nodded.
“Then! I’ll go first!!”
Pul-san, having already entered the Invoke State, hurled the Demon Sword Nidhogg with all her might. The sword flew upwards, missing the Three-Headed Dragon entirely. Eventually, it reached its peak and began to fall under the force of gravity. The tip pointed downward, right where the dragon’s body lay.
“[Dread Note]”
In accordance with her command, the Demon Sword Nidhogg maintained its form but changed in size. In an instant, it grew to several meters long, continuing to enlarge without pause. By the time it made contact with the Three-Headed Dragon, it was about half the length of the dragon’s body, and naturally, it pierced through the dragon’s liquid form.
“「「「Gugyarururururuuuuuuuuuuuu!!」」」”
The Three-Headed Dragon roared in fury, letting out an even louder bellow. In its rage, it exploded multiple Grave Mines set by Pul-san, thrashing about wildly. Remarkably, it managed to escape the territory of the Grave Mines. Yet, still seething with anger, each of its heads unleashed fierce roars, rampaging uncontrollably.
However, after a while, perhaps due to its anger cooling slightly, the dragon lowered its body like a dog. Magic swirled around it.
“What the hell is that!!”
I heard multiple cries from behind us. The ground around the Three-Headed Dragon buckled, and chunks of earth, equal in volume to the dragon itself, floated into the air—only to quickly transform into multiple compressed, hardened earth cones. If those were to be launched—
But that wouldn’t happen. Because already—
“《Narukami!!!》”
Once again, from the massive cumulonimbus cloud that had formed, lightning struck down. The impact point was the enlarged Demon Sword Nidhogg.
The sword, embedded in the dragon’s body, had its blade thrust deep inside—using it as a conduit for the lightning, bypassing the dragon’s magical resistance and directly inflicting damage to its insides—this was the true nature of our Blitz plan. It was a resounding success, dealing massive damage to the Three-Headed Dragon. But it wasn’t over yet. We couldn’t stop the lightning just yet.
The dragon’s cries were more akin to agony than anger, and perhaps losing focus, the floating earth cones began to tumble down one after another, returning to mere clumps of dirt.
From here on, it was a matter of life or death. If our Mana ran out, we would lose; if we could whittle it down, we would win. It was a once-in-a-lifetime gamble where our lives were on the line.
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The cumulonimbus cloud grew larger, and lightning continued to rain down upon the Liquid Dragon without pause. Sweat trickled down Angelica’s forehead. I had lost track of time—was it five minutes, or ten? I couldn’t tell, but I wished for it to end soon.
I squinted against the blinding light of the incessant lightning—just then, a barrage of advanced fire magic was unleashed from behind, striking the Three-Headed Dragon one after another. I suddenly realized that the Fog, which had been so numerous, had vanished. It was just like the dream I had. The Liquid Dragon first absorbed the surrounding Fog to regenerate.
And if that wasn’t enough—
At that moment, I clearly sensed a change in the flow of Mana. A malevolent energy was gathering from all directions, converging right here. The Three-Headed Dragon was absorbing Fog from the entire Virtuous Front, beginning its regeneration and enhancement.
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Angelica’s ability to develop new spells and advance techniques that had never been imagined before was largely due to her exceptional knowledge and overwhelming skill.
Her ability to manipulate external Mana was certainly one of those skills, and the technique of connecting with others through the Mana Circuit was a unique talent that only she could perform.
For that reason, the Mana Circuit, which was unknown to Angelica, was a bundle of uncertainties.
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How much time had passed? I had lost all sense of time—lightning continued to pour down, and yet, against the Liquid Dragon, which was repeatedly regenerating and collapsing, I could feel my Mana beginning to dwindle.
“Use our Mana!”
Yamada shouted. I didn’t need to ask how he realized my Mana was running low; I could see it in their concerned expressions.
“Don’t hold back. Yamada, Pul-san. Give me your Mana—”
As I directed my Mana manipulation, warmth flowed into me through the Mana Circuit I had established with them.
It was Mana—and their thoughts and memories.