Chapter 24: Sin and Punishment / The Battle Against the Supreme Dragon VI
From the body of the Three-Headed Dragon, a dozen bubbles burst forth. After a few moments of stretching and contracting, they suddenly took shape. It was the form of Dragonkin, possessing a physique equal to that of the Three-Headed Dragon. With a rustling sound, they kicked up the earth and began to stride toward us.
Since the day of the banquet, the boy had fewer opportunities to see them. He had been thoroughly avoiding them. Yet, there were still times he would catch a glimpse of them in the Town, and when challenging the newly constructed Ultimate Labyrinth, he had to confirm whether they would accompany the Hero’s Party. When they showed their intent to join, he had no choice but to face them.
Every time the boy met the Hero’s Party, he felt a chilling sensation creeping into his heart.
That day, he ventured into the Town in the afternoon. The flow of people was leisurely, typical for that time of day. He had deliberately avoided the lunch hour. Yet, by some twist of fate, his gaze fell upon the three heroes. They were unaware of him. Even if they had noticed, it would have made no difference.
Why was it always like this───
At that moment, the emotions he felt toward them were a mix of slight envy, loneliness, anger, sadness───and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.
On another day, he happened to see the three of them again. The color of resignation had already begun to seep into his feelings.
His resignation gradually grew stronger.
With each sighting and sound of the three, something within the boy grew while something else wore away. Then one day, when he unintentionally caught sight of them, the emotion directed at the three was pure resignation.
He had given up on them.
And now, I───
I no longer wanted to see that look in his eyes.
It was none other than me who had caused him to wear such an expression.
There was no turning back.
I had no idea what I should do.
Fifteen Liquid Dragonkin charged toward us. Ten of them headed for Orphelia, while the remaining five lunged at the three of us.
“Can we maintain the Mana Circuit even if we’re a bit apart?” Ichiro asked. I couldn’t say it was difficult─── instead, I answered quietly, “I can do it. Leave it to me.” How selfish of me, wanting to show him something cool at this point.
“Pul-san, maintain the Demon Sword, and Angelica, keep the Narukami active. I’ll handle those guys.”
He told us this and drew his sword. However, by the time he dashed toward the Liquid Dragonkin, his Mana Capacity had already dipped below ten percent.
I already knew that at this pace, it would be impossible to whittle down the Three-Headed Dragon with the Narukami.
I must be an incredibly selfish person.
Even as I recalled everything, I still wanted to atone to him. I understood that this was a self-centered emotion.
Yet, even so, I wanted to repay him. For that, I wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice my own life.
So, for that───
A sudden surge of Mana erupted behind me.
The movement of that Mana resembled the final moments of Pul-san in my dreams.