LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 52
Chapter 52: Roar of the Dawn
‘――This is a top-secret operation.’
My direct superior, Cardinal Miralda, who was once an instructor at the Academy, declared.
In a room of an underground bunker beneath the cathedral of the Holy Kingdom’s mainland, the flickering lamp cast shadows on Miralda’s wrinkled face, making her look more severe than usual.
‘The White Dragons have rebelled against the Demon Lord. With their cooperation and the elites of each race and the Holy Church, we will launch an aerial assault on the Demon Lord’s Castle. We will attempt to defeat the Demon Lord.’
‘――Are you out of your mind?’
My true feelings slipped out before I could stop them. I thought Miralda might be telling another one of her awful jokes.
But she didn’t smile. A new wrinkle deepened on her forehead.
‘At this rate, the alliance will be gradually drained. The large-scale counter-offensive operation is dwindling, having merely pushed the front lines a little, only to be pushed back again. The allied nations are bickering among themselves at this crucial time. If we don’t deal with the Demon Lord—there’s no future for humanity.’
I understood. I felt the pain of that realization deeply, but…
‘With this operation, regardless of the success rate, those sent will not return alive.’
‘…………’
‘…A suicide squad, is it?’
Miralda gripped her hands tightly on the table.
‘If I were 20… no, 15 years younger, I would volunteer. But in this old body, I can’t endure high-altitude flight… I’d only be a burden…’
Back in my days at the Academy, Miralda was said to have a terrifying demeanor that could kill even demons with just a glare—but now she looked nothing but sorrowful.
‘And so, me?’
‘Under no circumstances can we allow any information to leak… If it even comes to not being able to say goodbye to your family…’
‘So, it’s suitable to send someone without family from the start. Is that it?’
Miralda bit her lip tightly and nodded silently.
‘Then, shall we go?’
I responded as though I were casually going out for a stroll.
Continuing to fight like this would only result in being crushed on the front lines someday.
If that’s the case, it would be better to take a gamble.
That way—there’d actually be some worth in burning my life away.
‘Ah, but having only me as a participant would be a huge bummer, you know?’
‘…A few others have already accepted.’
‘That’s reassuring. So there are others besides me who want to take a shot at the Demon Lord before they die.’
‘…I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t make that face! I’ll punch the Demon Lord right in the face, and give him something to think about!’
‘…I’m sorry… Alex…’
‘Come on, you don’t want the title of a terrifying old hag from the Academy to go to waste. It’s too early for a funeral!’
I gently patted Miralda’s trembling shoulders, which had shrunk considerably.
‘…By the way, why did the White Dragons turn against us all of a sudden?’
To change the subject, I casually asked the question that had crossed my mind.
‘According to the leader of the White Dragons, Faravgi of the “Dawn,”‘
Miralda sniffed before answering.
‘—It is a funeral battle, they say.’
†††
—For a moment, I lost consciousness.
And then, I regained it with a burning pain coursing through my body.
‘…Ugh!’
I didn’t let out a voice. The pain was excruciating, but I swallowed any groans. If I wasn’t already finished off, it was better not to move carelessly. Drawing attention could change the enemy’s focus.
I squinted as I lay on the ground and checked my surroundings.
Viene, Sophia, and Virosa were in front of me, charred and emitting smoke, collapsed.
But they all seemed to be barely alive. Sophia hadn’t exploded yet, and Viene was still gasping intermittently. White Dragons are deadly foes to Night Elves. It’s a scorching ray of heat that can hardly be evaded, and the light attribute only makes it burn hotter.
…Sophia aside, Viene didn’t look like she’d last a few more minutes.
And the human-shaped Virosa—was unusually still and soundless.
‘—Hahaha! You dark folks, how fitting! Well burnt!’
In the distance, a silver dragon laughed. I could totally relate to the desire to laugh at the dark foes being shredded, but it was still unsettling.
—Antedeixis, what happened to the folks behind me?
‘The three in front are not as bad as you, but still significantly charred. However—’
Hoof-like footsteps were approaching my side.
‘Woof! Woof!’
A tongue began licking me, and the pain throughout my body quickly faded.
‘—That one alone is unharmed.’
When I glanced sideways, Liliana was looking down at me with a near-tearful face. Not a single scratch marred her body.
She’s a High Elf, blessed by the gods of light. A light breath is like a lukewarm shower.
‘—Hey! That’s not a High Elf over there, is it?!’
And then the white dragon also noticed.
‘I am Faravgi! The leader of the White Dragons—was, anyway…!’
Heavy footsteps approached.
‘What a fine light magic! I can tell you’re a high-ranking High Elf! If it’s you, maybe you can heal my wings!?’
If I looked closely, the wings of the white dragon—Faravgi, were twisted, as if wilted.
‘I’ve been cursed by the accursed dark dragon’s【Wing Wilt】! After a long time, I have managed to heal this far, but my magic is still lacking! However, with a High Elf’s purification, perhaps…!’
‘Wooof…’
Liliana stepped back, seeming scared. Then Faravgi, realizing something wasn’t right, halted abruptly.
‘You… are you under mental control?’
A low grinding noise echoed, like a stone mill turning.
Faravgi was smiling.
‘How convenient… good, then overwrite me…! Now, behold the light of my eyes…!’
As he slowly approached, his voice gentle like one soothing a baby.
‘I’ll put you in a dream-like state… Now… become my puppet…!!’
A charm magic. A rainbow-colored eerie light showered down on Liliana—
‘Whoa!’
A magical interference was bounced back. Even if she thought of herself as a dog, a High Elf is still a High Elf. Her magic resistance is proven, and she hardly accepts any interference other than from me, who has opened my heart.
‘You insolent fool! An herbivorous creature that lost itself to the forest dares to defy me! A loser should act like a loser and obey!!’
Faravgi scolded thunderously, forcing his way to interfere as he inched closer—
At that moment, Virosa sprang up.
Of course, she was gripping a fine sword in her hand.
‘—【Transposition】’
I instinctively reached out with a hand of magic and took on Virosa’s wounds.
Damn it, that really hurts after preparing it!
‘—!’
Virosa, momentarily surprised, redirected her focus towards me and slashed at the neck of the white dragon.
‘Gyaaah!’
The silver scales were slashed, a line of red streaming down the thick neck. Faravgi swiftly evaded, demonstrating agility unthinkable of his massive size. She wasn’t able to bring him down in one hit!
‘Zilbagias! I’ll hold him off! You run away!!’
While continuing her assault, Virosa shouted as if she were the higher authority. It was clear what would happen if I call her “Your Highness” in this chaotic situation—understanding it was the way to go.
Liliana was licking me. I wanted to hurry and heal my wounds so I could escape from here—
‘Are we going to oppose this lizard?’
There’s no way to cooperate in this situation.
Even if I killed everyone here, there would still be mercenaries outside, as well as my protective warriors waiting.
If I silenced all of them, my chance of dying alongside them would be quite high. There’s not enough time to persuade them, and even if I did, there’s no guarantee they’d comply. Furthermore, even if I got them to cooperate—
I looked around at everyone lying around.
—I didn’t think the sacrifice and effort would be worth it. The piece that is the White Dragon is too difficult to handle.
Meeting like this in such a form was just unfortunate for both sides.
Damn, I really need to be able to move soon! How did Virosa manage to stand up with those wounds? The front of her body looked partially charred! Even Liliana was having trouble healing her—
And at that moment, the newly rejuvenated Virosa deftly dodged Faravgi’s talons, countered, and sliced into his arm, landing precise hits.
However.
‘Don’t underestimate me, you little insect!!’
Faravgi shouted, his eyes shining ominously.
‘【Don’t Move】!’
A tremendous magic surged forth, causing Virosa’s body to twitch violently.
Oh no.
Seizing that fleeting moment, Faravgi’s tail, like a whip, came crashing down.
THWUNK! With a heavy squelch, Virosa was sent flying. She smashed against the stone wall, and blood splattered out.
‘I… apologize…’
She collapsed helplessly, dragging a trail of blood—the “Sword Saint”—her body flickering, returning to the form of a pale, night elf.
‘What?! A transformation technique!? And even while being an elf, she wields a sword!?’
Faravgi, momentarily forgetting his anger, looked stunned. And rightly so!
Finally, I could move my legs! Now’s my chance to get out of here—
‘Kid. You’ve made things unnecessarily complicated for me…!!’
Once more, golden eyes ignited with fury directed at me.
Well, that was expected… I knew it…
‘—Your Highness! Are you safe?!’
‘What is that!? A dragon!??’
‘Protect the Prince!!’
Voices came from behind.
The mercenaries stationed outside rushed to our aid.
Whoosh! Arrows were launched, knives and throwing daggers glittered through the air, while fire magic and dark curses bombarded Faravgi.
But the shimmering silver scales deflected them all.
‘—Gah!’
The breath retaliated with a wave, sweeping the mercenaries aside. After a split second of screams, there were only the sounds of sizzling and faint groans.
‘…That’s the Prince, isn’t it?’
Faravgi’s gaze ran over me greedily.
‘Should I say it’s a pleasure to meet you? I am Faravgi, the leader of the White Dragons.’
I stood up and met his gaze.
‘If you have something to say, make it quick. I’m a busy man.’
‘…They referred to you as the Prince? What are you?!’
Every word he uttered seemed to be weighed heavily.
‘—【My name is Zilbagias. I am the son of the Demon Lord, Prince Zilbagias】.’
As I picked up a spear, I declared.
‘…Hahaha, how delightful! A masterpiece! That detestable Demon Lord’s kid has shown his face!!’
His golden eyes gleamed ominously.
‘Faravgi, what are you so angry about? Why do you hate the Demon Lord?’
‘—How trivial! He teamed up with the dark dragons, abducted my daughter, and killed my wife!’
Blood gushed from his wounds as he raged.
‘Furthermore, he persecuted my clan and harmed and tormented the young dragons! I can’t let this grudge go unavenged…!!’
His furious rage descended upon me, scorching like a blaze.
The anger of losing his family, huh.
‘I completely understand your feelings.’
‘Shut up! You pampered prince, what could you possibly say about that! No greater humiliation could exist than a lowly insect looking down on me!’
Every muscle in Faravgi bulged as he advanced.
‘I’ll make sure to flay you alive! And once I heal my wings with that High Elf, your blood and flesh will be scattered throughout the Demon Lord’s Castle!!’
‘…At this late stage, you intend to go to the Demon Lord’s Castle?’
‘Of course! Unless I scorch the Demon Lord’s Castle or rip off the dark dragons’ heads, my anger won’t subside!’
‘I see. But unfortunately—’
I raised my spear.
‘My life isn’t cheap enough to give away for your petty revenge.’
Burn the Demon Lord’s Castle, and that’s it? That’s not going to end the story. Even if the castle burns down, the Demon Lord will survive.
I understand your feelings, but I can’t cooperate. Not for that level…
At this level, we can’t form an alliance!
‘You arrogant Demonkin! Die screaming in agony!’
The leader of the white dragon, stripped of his wings, brandished his claws.