Chapter 117
Chapter 117
After rejoining the main force, Alter looked ahead at the enemy approaching from the front.
Grafden the Deep, consumed by hunger, was digging up and overturning the ground.
Moreover, its slow movements meant the situation remained at a standstill.
"That thing... It seems to be searching for something."
"If that is the case, could it be related to this invasion?"
"... It looks like it is consuming the vital energy of the ley lines."
Alter, having overheard the two conversing, belatedly opened his mouth.
By now, he could clearly explain the enemy's objective.
To persuade his allies, he needed to present fitting circumstances and evidence.
"Vital energy of the ley lines? Are you saying a dragon eats that sort of thing?"
"Don't dragons each have their own attributes? Their appearances differ as well; there must be some differences."
"Hm... I recall the Order mentioning something like that. Dragons can survive without eating, but it was written that they each have different main sources of sustenance. It's plausible."
"So you're saying it's wreaked havoc just to fill its stomach?"
"If it ran out of food and came all the way here, that could be a convincing reason."
"Then why did it bring monsters? Doesn't that mean it's preparing for a fight?"
"It's also consuming an enormous amount of vital energy from the ley lines. Perhaps it can't control itself?"
Alter subtly suggested that something was wrong with Grafden the Deep.
If he declared outright that it was being controlled by another monster, nobody would accept it in this situation.
So he had to cast suspicion from the outset, drawing out a similar conclusion naturally.
"If it's lost its mind, then everything fits."
"Originally, monsters were never found in the southern region. Perhaps the dragon, gripped by madness, has been calling monsters here."
"It might not be able to use its breath or magic properly, but... we have to take the risk. So we should end it in a single blow and then keep the Knight of True Flame in check, shouldn't we?"
Alter knew well how difficult it would be to enact that strategy.
Even if Grafden the Deep was controlled, its body and magic power remained.
Moreover, the monster leading the control was hiding inside the dragon's head.
It was nearly impossible to deal a direct blow.
'I need to prepare for the case where we can't destroy the head.'
Alter couldn't guarantee the plan's success.
The monster's scales and shell already protected its body, and if it added earth attributes, it would be even harder to attack.
If the battle dragged on, allied losses would become unmanageable.
'If I could use breath, could I end it in one go?'
But he still had not mastered the method to manifest the breath.
He only faintly remembered the sensation that breath contained.
Could he draw out the breath relying on just that sense alone?
'If even that doesn't kill it... what am I supposed to do?'
Alter still couldn't forget the moment when Benelrode the Incandescent had fired breath aimed solely at him.
If not for Tiksa the Frostbane's help, he wouldn't be standing here now.
'I cannot let Brillie Illenat be bound to just me. I must be able to protect myself.'
Of course, since he often acted together with Brillie Illenat, they usually supported each other.
But sometimes openings couldn't be avoided, and with unexpected situations, danger arose immediately.
That's why he had to address his own shortcomings so as not to repeat the same mistake.
'In the end, I have no choice but to wish for this to end with the first attack.'
* * *
Grafden the Deep, despite losing many monsters, kept advancing.
They were only ever a tool to be used and would eventually be discarded.
Having weakened the enemy's forces like this, perhaps they had fulfilled their purpose.
'I'm gathering the energy well. Now, I just have to fight the humans.'
The being controlling Grafden the Deep was wary of the humans' onslaught.
It had hoped to secure at least a path to pursue the ley lines, but humans blocked its way after all.
It had even granted some of the monsters dragon magic, just in case, but never expected them to be so easily slaughtered.
'There are definitely strong humans. If they can shatter this body, I must respond.'
Once a weak monster, the being had at some point gained high intelligence.
Initially, it survived by parasitizing others, but ultimately reached the stage of controlling large monsters.
Unsatisfied, it craved more and ended up able to stir even inside a dragon's mind.
'They may attack first. Or they might be waiting for me to come.'
With this body's speed, it could not outrun the humans. It would inevitably encounter them, and they would have to fight.
Though it did not wish to confront the humans, it had to break through since it was directly above the ley line's flow.
'But with this body, even if the humans gather... Ugh!'
It instinctively recognized that its head was being chilled.
The change was sudden and it hadn't even sensed the sign.
Even the scales around its head seemed to freeze, setting it into panic.
'A human is ambushing me? This quickly...'
It tried to expel the cold, but more attacks followed.
A heavy shockwave struck its head, stripping away scales and skin.
In places where the cold had caused freezing, it crumbled easily.
'S-Strong. It's stronger than I expected...'
Only then did it begin to cloak its head with earth attributes.
But before the rocks could form completely, another magical manifestation struck.
This time, two forms came flying, instinctively provoking its fear.
'If this goes on, my existence will be exposed...'
"Uwoooah!"
Grafden the Deep, struck directly by two sword energies in an instant, let out a tremendous roar.
One slashed diagonally from snout to left eye; the other impaled its forehead.
The creature hiding in its head was injured by the penetrating sword energy and, inadvertently, revealed its own form.
"What is that?"
"... Isn't it a slime?"
Megarexor and Ronit immediately recognized what it was.
The snout was dangling, the left eye was completely ruptured, leaking blood.
Even the skull was crushed by the sword blows, and inside, slime made of viscous fluid was flowing out.
'... All that's left is to deal with that.'
Alter focused freezing energy on the slime.
This slime was the monster controlling Grafden the Deep and the mastermind behind this incident.
If he froze it as it was, it could be completely neutralized.
"Hm... Should I use it one more time?"
"It won't work this time. It's already formed a barrier."
Ronit glanced at Alter and answered calmly.
Mounds of earth quickly surged up around Grafden the Deep.
Rocks formed, sealing the wound around the head and even suppressing bleeding.
At this point, it would be best to leave things to the next great mage and discuss follow-up measures.
'It's reacting quickly. If I could just freeze a bit more...'
Even as Alter attacked the slime, he was uncertain.
Only about half the viscous fluid was frozen, and the creature was still resisting fiercely.
Should it split and drill back into the dragon's head, even the freezing would be blocked.
'If I miss this opportunity, our side will suffer huge losses...'
Summoning all his strength, Alter's expression twisted.
Had he just dug a bit deeper, but the slime simply abandoned its frozen portion and burrowed back inside the head, sealing the wound with stone.
"..."
Brillie Illenat quietly watched Alter, understanding what had happened.
Despite having inflicted significant damage to Grafden the Deep, her fiancé was overwhelmed by defeat.
How could she comfort such a delicate nobleman?
"How dare a primitive thing mock a dragon!"
Suddenly, a resounding voice swept over the earth.
At the same time, Radiant light poured down, and Megarexor and Ronit immediately unleashed their magic.
Standing beside Brillie Illenat, Alter looked up at the sky.
"That is..."
"It's a dragon. Probably... Ru the Luminescent."
Alter muttered absentmindedly as he took in the sight.
Its snow-white wings stretched resolutely, and the horns atop its head were strikingly elegant.
Golden eyes sparkled with a perfect hue, and even the scales gleamed faintly.
Why had Ru the Luminescent, who had always valued neutrality, appeared here?
"Another dragon? This is driving me mad."
"No one expected there would be two dragons. We should consider retreating..."
"I have never interfered with the choices of dragons. That's why I've stood by until now... But this time, I will make an exception."
Among the seven dragons of Hazlodein, Ru the Luminescent glared, eyes wide with fury.
Having committed no wrong, Ru could remain in Hazlodein's world as long as desired.
But since someone had to monitor the other six dragons, Ru had come here by choice.
Though intervention in dragon affairs was to be avoided, a violation of order demanded action.
"Grafden the Deep. Your consciousness has already been erased. It is fair to deem you extinguished."
Ru the Luminescent ignored the humans, gazing only at Grafden the Deep.
Humans were always on the defensive and fought against dragons for survival.
Thus, while not helping humans outright, Ru also never hindered them.
But for this matter, Ru had no choice but to exclude the humans.
"How dare you disgrace my kin... I shall bring about your end!"
Ru the Luminescent dyed the surroundings white, quickly manifesting a distinct shape.
White spears materialized and then rained down to the earth.
Grafden the Deep, buried under the bombardment, began twisting its massive body.
"What is that? Why would a dragon attack another dragon?"
"...?"
Megarexor and Ronit could only watch in deep confusion.
Brillie Illenat seemed to ponder for a moment, then finally spoke up.
"Why do you think that is?"
"... I think I understand. Ru the Luminescent must believe that the very concept of 'dragon' has been sullied."
Alter instinctively grasped the reason. Ru the Luminescent did not interfere with this world or its creatures, and even among dragons, considered interference taboo.
However, Ru made a strict distinction when it came to the pride of dragons, upholding order.
"What does that mean?"
"Ru the Luminescent doesn't care what other dragons do, but it's different with Grafden the Deep. When a monster entered its mind and disturbed its consciousness, it led to this outcome. So, Ru considers it a violation of dragon will."