Published: January 12, 2026
As I ran toward the village’s defensive wall, the low rumbling roar from behind and the thunderous footsteps of the dragon pounding the ground echoed in my ears.
Not far behind, I spotted Espada and Kamushin.
I thought about telling Espada to use magic, but there was no way we’d make it in time. It would be better to lure the dragon close and fire the ballista at the last moment.
But the distance was tricky. If the dragon dodged like it did at the castle wall, it would take time to reload the ballista for a second shot.
We could delay it, but then everything would depend on Panamera’s magic.
So, should we stick to the plan and have Panamera use magic to hold it off, then fire the ballista?
No, that distance was complicated too. If we were too far, there would definitely be lag.
“If only Espada and the others could buy us some time to escape...!”
The moment I said that aloud, something flew past me at incredible speed.
“Leave it to me!”
It was Dee, wielding the greatsword I had made. Fully equipped now in armor, carrying the greatsword with both hands, he sprinted even faster than I was running at full speed.
“Leave it to me!”
“Deputy commander, you’re too fast!”
Arb and Row came running up behind, both armed with large shields and longswords.
“Are the three of you okay!?”
I shouted in surprise, but Dee had already dashed past Espada.
“Seiyaaaah!”
With a shout of spirit, he swung his sword down from above.
The dragon tried to slash Dee with its claws, not paying him any mind. Their speeds were evenly matched. Dee’s sword met the dragon’s claws perfectly, clashing with a heavy thud.
Dee’s sword struck the ground with a deep boom.
Then, two of the dragon’s claws were severed and tumbled onto the ground.
The dragon let out a piercing scream and shook its head violently. Then, it spun its body halfway around with force.
“N-nooo!”
“Doryaaaah!”
Arb and Row charged in alongside Dee, shields raised, but they were blown away by the dragon’s tail.
Arb and Row blocked with their shields but were knocked back, taking Dee along in the blast as they rolled away like balls.
Espada stopped and cast a spell as he watched the three roll aside.
A wall of earth appeared, shielding Dee and the others, but the dragon smashed it with a swing of its arm.
“Run! Everyone!”
I shouted, and Espada and Kamushin started running toward us. Those two should be fine now.
Dee and the others were in a pinch, but maybe because they were superhuman, they recovered quickly despite being blown away like that.
“Retreat!”
“Yes!”
At Dee’s call, the three of them ran back toward the village.
Dee, the oldest, was the fastest. Behind Arb and Row came the furious dragon.
“Hyaaah!”
Arb screamed, nearly in tears as he closed in, and I judged that we had lured the dragon close enough.
“Panamera!”
“Ready!”
When I called her name, Panamera responded eagerly, thrusting one hand forward.
“Fire Javelin!”
She activated her magic, and a spear of flames surged toward the dragon’s face, aiming straight at Arb.
The dragon slowed its speed and wrapped itself with its wings to shield its body. The fiery spear struck directly, causing a pillar of flames to erupt.
“Ballista! Fire all at once on the west half of the village!”
I gave the command instinctively, feeling a bad premonition.
Immediately, the dragon spread its wings within the flames, snuffing out the fire in an instant.
Then, arrows rained down from the village’s defensive wall.
The dragon twisted its body, dodging most of the arrows. Only a few struck its shoulder, hind legs, and tail tip.
Still, the arrows definitely caused damage. The dragon collapsed to the ground, leaning to one side.
Seeing this, I gave another order.
“Ballista! Fire all remaining shots!”
The ballista fired all at once.
Although the dragon writhed as it fell, it barely managed to avoid a direct hit to its head.
Van-marked iron arrows pierced its body multiple times, going through the base of its wings and legs.
A clear fatal blow.