Chapter 24

For some reason, the breath attack was far less powerful compared to the first time.

This was something only I, who had raised the earth wall, could understand.

It looked no different from the first time.

The flashy breath attack seemed to be reflected by the earth wall and burn its own body.

So Raidock didn't hesitate and gave the order to attack.

The moment various spells and explosive arrows were released, the breath attack stopped abruptly, and the dragon roared.

It was a clear, willful cry, different from the previous anger.

The dragon's branched horns, resembling withered trees, emitted a strong light.

I thought it might be some kind of attack and braced myself, but nothing happened.

"...Huh?"

The rangers Sollar and Jitaro blinked their eyes.

They weren't the only ones who were confused.

It was too quiet.

"...Where's the explosion?"

The massive earth wall in front of us prevented us from seeing the dragon, but the explosions that had echoed at the same timing so many times before were completely absent.

Not only that, magic attacks had also been allowed this time. There was no way it could end so quietly.

"It's gone! The magic is gone!!"

"The explosive arrows just burned without exploding!"

The cries of the attack teams on either side finally made the situation clear.

"What!?"

Raidock's shout and the dragon's front leg shattering the earth wall happened simultaneously.

"Was that roar just now!? Is there some kind of defensive magic effect!?"

"The possibility is high! What do we do, Raidock!?"

"It's too unpredictable! Temporary retreat..."

At that moment, the dragon suddenly changed direction.

Until then, it had been slowly advancing, seemingly trying to crush us.

However, this wasn't a change in angle.

It turned 90 degrees on the spot, an incredibly fast movement that was hard to believe given its previous sluggishness.

"What!?"

"Trouble!"

The dragon, with its right wing facing forward, spun around and braced its limbs.

A vicious, bluish-white flame leaked from between its fangs. As it took a deep breath, a breath attack that would burn everything in its path was about to hit our allies.

"Damn it!!! Reach it!!! 'Ten Thousand Mile Earth Wall'!!!"

I ran at full speed toward the right wing while thrusting my staff.

I barely managed to block the breath attack with the earth wall, but a small part of it had already reached the right wing. Just that much was enough to burn most of the front-line fighters. Those who were unharmed poured healing potions on the injured, who quickly got up, but their faces were filled with fear.

The dragon growled and turned its gaze toward me.

"Craft!"

Warriors skilled in defense from the first team and the right wing team rushed out to protect me.

However, the dragon's actions were even more advanced.

It quickly changed direction on the spot, this time toward the left wing.

"!! Bepp! Give me acceleration support!"

"Huh? Y-Yes! 'Speed Boost'!"

I increased my speed with magic and ran full speed toward the left wing, passing by Raidock, who was running toward me.

"Give me orders!"

"Damn! There are too many injured! If we retreat now..."

"Then we have no choice but to fight!"

Raidock, who had braked suddenly, ran alongside me.

The dragon was bracing its limbs.

The distance!

"Damn it!"

We won't make it?

No way! I absolutely... absolutely have to save them!

During training, they told me they were counting on me.

I have to respond, even if it means dying!

"Raidock! Push me with a charge skill!"

"What!?"

"We don't have time!"

"Damn it! 'Body Slam'!"

"Ugh!?"

Raidock, using his body as a bullet, rammed into my back from the shoulder.

The impact was far greater than I imagined, and I almost lost consciousness for a moment.

But...

"...! 'Ten Thousand Mile Earth Wall'!"

I was thrown and spun around, but as soon as I got up, I cast the earth wall spell.

I couldn't encase the dragon's head, but I could only manage to place a straight earth wall on the spot.

However, the dragon's breath attack didn't directly hit the left wing.

But, just like the right wing, the slight heat wave that reached it caused more damage.

"Right wing! Don't waver! Start the attack!"

"You damn lizard!"

"I'll kill you!"

The right wing's attack formation, which had been reorganized, fired explosive arrows with clenched teeth.

Even without the left wing's participation, if we could stop its movement, there was a chance to win!

At that moment, the dragon let out another willful roar.

Its cursed tree-like horns glowed in response.

This time, I saw it.

The explosive arrows burned and disappeared before reaching the dragon's body.

The attack spells were also nullified.

"Th-This is ridiculous!!"

I couldn't help but shout.

It was too unreasonable!

"Craft! What is that!?"

"Probably! It's a magic nullification! Magic bombs are a type of magic attack that makes magic stones go berserk!"

"Magic nullification!?"

Frankly, it's too unfair.

The dragon's name wasn't just for show.

However, if we retreat now, someone will have to sacrifice themselves. Even if we stick to the original plan, one of the sides might fall before the other can hold them off.

"Craft! Is there any weakness!?"

"Persia!? Probably... if we can knock off those horns, the magic nullification won't work..."

That's just a hunch from my experience as an adventurer.

When a monster's special ability activates, the organ that is the source of that ability often glows.

But...

"It's not certain, and magic doesn't work! What do you suggest!?"

"Hah! If magic doesn't work, we can cut it off!"

"Don't say it so easily!"

"I, Persia Formalhaut, will show you!"

"You'll show...?"

"Craft! Knock its head to the ground!"

"What!?"

Indeed, I have a few spells that can knock its head to the ground.

But those spells would be nullified!

At that moment, I saw Jitaro's mithril arrow pierce the dragon's torso.

If physical attacks... can reach it?

"If that's possible... but, it's..."

"Craft! If there's a way, say it! We're running out of time!"

This time, Raidock shouted.

There is a way. But...

"We knew from the start that sacrifices would be necessary! If we can defeat it, it's worth it!"

"Damn...! Just one breath attack! Just one! Hold it out!"

"Understood!"

"Everyone, listen! We're taking a gamble! Just one hit! Hold out against the breath attack with all your strength!"

"「「「「Roar!」」」」

I chugged mana and healing potions, gathering my magic power.

The dragon, in response, turned its body toward me.

"Damn it! You damn lizard! Turn toward me!"

"Anything! Just provoke it!"

They must have understood that I was about to do something. The teams on either side tried to draw the dragon's attention by firing all their skills and arrows and shouting insults. Some even threw rocks.

However, the dragon faced the center, where I was, and opened its jaw wide.

I... decided to trust my allies and just gather my magic power.

You thought it would end with one magic attack because I'm a cheat, right? (´ι _｀)

It's not that easy a world (＾ν＾)