Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

Satou here. I've often struggled with language barriers while traveling abroad, but strangely enough, insults and curses seem to get through just fine. The difficulties I faced mediating between my companions and the locals are now fond memories.

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“—O dragon dwelling on the Sacred Peak! If you do not fear the Dragon Horn Spear, show yourself before me!”

A muscular lizardman warrior shouted from the center of the circular arena.

We watched their figures from the edge of the valley.

Many people gathered around to watch, and near the suspension bridge, the chief shrine maiden and the high-rank shrine maidens stood watchful.

“Look! Lord Shippū has shown his face!”

“Lord Gunjou and Lord Unryuu too!”

“As expected of the young lord of the five scale clan!”

The crowd raised cheers as they looked up at the low-rank dragons peeking out from the resting area.

Unlike the warrior we had seen before heading to the Dragon Temple, this time the dragons did not ignore the summons.

“—I do not like this.”

Liza murmured quietly as she looked up at the low-rank dragon.

She was probably referring to the condescending expression in the Dragon's Eye of the low-rank dragon looking down.

“If one is strong—no, precisely because one is strong—their heart must be noble.”

Liza’s serious words floated on the valley wind.

It seemed she was unaware that her feelings were spilling out from her mouth.

“Would it help if I brewed some of Master’s claw residue and made it drink that...”

Liza was clearly influenced by Arisa’s Showa-era spirit.

“Oh! It’s coming!”

“Lord Shippū!”

“Go, young lord!”

At the gallery’s call, I shifted my gaze from Liza back to the arena.

With a thud that shook the earth, the youngest among the low-rank dragons, called Shippū, landed in the arena.

—KWYSHHYEER.

Shippū spread his wings and let out a threatening roar.

The muscular lizardman warrior responded by channeling magic power into his Dragon Horn Spear.

Like Liza’s Heilong spear, strangely, weapons made from actual body parts did not emit any blue light despite the magic flow.

It was odd that the demon spear glowing red looked stronger.

“Now, then—”

Leaving a small cloud of dust, the muscular warrior accelerated.

With instant movement, he leapt to the dragon’s knee and thrust the Dragon Horn Spear at it.

“—An invitation, isn’t it?”

Liza muttered softly.

Just before the spear could reach, the dragon’s form blurred as if with a 3D motion blur effect.

With a movement like an ultra-fast roundhouse kick, Shippū swung his tail in a sweeping attack at the muscular warrior.

—Going forward there.

To avoid the counterattack, the muscular warrior used instant movement not upwards or backwards, but forwards.

Sparks flew where the tail passed over the ground from friction.

Behind the ring-shaped dust cloud raised by the aftershock, the muscular warrior raised his spear again.

Though there was fear in his eyes, there was no sign of dread.

Shippū scowled in frustration, having his attack dodged.

He assumed a threatening posture again and took a deep breath.

—Dragon Breath, huh!

Sensing Shippū’s preparatory move, the muscular warrior took a desperate gamble.

Activating instant movement again, he closed in at the dragon’s feet.

But Shippū did not seem to intend to overlook this easily.

Scattered stones flicked by Shippū’s tail attacked the warrior’s intended path.

Though less powerful than the main attack, if not dodged, the mass difference would knock the warrior away.

With a painful decision, the muscular warrior canceled his instant movement, and Shippū unleashed his Dragon Breath from above him.

“—Tch.”

A lionman warrior in the audience clicked his tongue, voicing the muscular warrior’s frustration.

He seemed to be following the battle’s progress too.

To avoid the breath, the warrior retreated into the air.

Most spectators cheered as the muscular warrior avoided the flaming breath licking the ground, but those skilled in combat knew it was a bad move.