Chapter 22

11/17 Slightly Revised

The sudden appearance of the creature revealed by the princess's [Concealment Removal] made me catch my breath.

"That... Could it be, the Black Death Dragon...!?"

It resembles a giant black frog, but it is a true 'dragon' with a ferocious nature – the Black Death Dragon. The Black Death Dragon tears its prey with claws harder than iron, crushes rocks with its sturdy fangs, and devours anything that moves, driven by instinct. Most terrifying of all is its breath attack, which spews out a miasma stored in a sac deep in its throat. Any creature hit by this breath attack will be burned and decayed in an instant, turning into a black corpse. Moreover, if the miasma is not properly dealt with, it will remain in the area, continuously burning the earth and turning the surrounding land into a barren wasteland. The secondary damage is also severe – for this reason, it is called the 'Bringer of Black Death' and is counted among the most vicious creatures inhabiting this continent.

Not only is its combat ability high due to being a dragon, but its miasma breath, which can cause widespread damage, makes it classified as a 'Special A-Class' threat, an extremely dangerous species.

However, it is said that they usually only inhabit the depths of toxic swamps and are rarely encountered.

Why here, so close to human settlements?

– Could it be that child.

The distinctive features of his appearance.

Though I have only heard stories, I am almost certain.

"–Why is a 'Demon' here?"

A century ago, the Sacred Misra Kingdom fought a great war, suffered a major defeat, lost their country, and were scattered and despised around the world – the subhuman race known as the 'Demons.'

They look like humans, but there is a decisive difference.

They are born with the special ability to communicate freely with magical beasts.

Born as beings close to monsters.

Records show that they controlled ferocious monsters like limbs, plunging many cities into crisis.

This is common knowledge that anyone who goes to school would know – but very few have actually seen one.

It was my first time seeing a real one.

The Demons are said to have been hunted to near extinction.

However, they are not completely extinct.

It is said that survivors of the Holy Demon War are hiding somewhere, plotting revenge.

Therefore, it is recommended to slay them on sight, and if captured alive and handed over to the Demon-hating Sacred Misra Kingdom, a huge reward is given.

Because of this, there are even adventurers who claim to hunt Demons.

"Could it be – that Black Death Dragon was controlled by that Demon to come here –!?"

That must be it.

The Black Death Dragon was brought here by that Demon child.

If we leave it be, the nearby towns will be destroyed.

But –

There's nothing we can do with this number of people.

If we are hit by the miasma breath, even the strongest human will die instantly.

Approaching without any countermeasures would be like walking to our own death.

Yet, that man –!

"–Teacher!"

"Princess Linneburg, you can't!"

I immediately blocked the princess, who was about to rush out after the man, with a light shield created by [Divine Shield], forcibly stopping her.

I felt a contradiction and conflict in my own actions.

Originally, protecting my companions is my duty –

Moreover, I just said I would protect that man.

But above all, I must protect Princess Linneburg now.

– I have to give up on that man.

I tell myself this.

– The man who rushed out, Noal, is now deflecting the Black Death Dragon's claws with a one-handed sword.

It was an unbelievable sight.

The 'Black Sword' that my teacher, [Shield Saint] – [Undying] Dandalug, once wielded with both hands at full strength –

That man is swinging it effortlessly with one hand.

And with that 'Black Sword,' he is easily deflecting the dragon's claws, which would shatter any weapon that strikes them head-on.

The strength that made Gilbert say it was "joke-like" and the fact that he single-handedly repelled a 'Minotaur' is real.

There's no doubt he's a powerful warrior.

But that alone –

"Is not enough – it's a death sentence."

The true threat of the Black Death Dragon is not its claws or fangs from its massive body.

If you see it, you should immediately turn around and run.

With our current strength, there's nothing we can do.

We should return to the capital to call for reinforcements – no, that's impossible.

All the troops are already deployed.

That's why I was given this mission, wasn't it?

I received a 'secret order' from the prince.

– The capital will soon be in danger.

If we receive news of the capital's destruction, we are to immediately seek asylum in the 'Sacred Misra Kingdom' with Lord Noal.

You must protect the princess's life above all, he strictly ordered.

He also forbade me from explaining the situation to the princess.

If I tell her, she will insist on staying in the country – he said.

There was conflict.

I understand that I am the most suitable to protect the princess, whom I have guarded since childhood.

But I feel ashamed, thinking of those left behind in the capital.

While my colleagues and subordinates are risking their lives in battle, I alone am escaping –

No, this is a mission.

My job is to protect the princess and deliver her to a safe place.

In terms of dedicating my life to the country, I am the same as them.

– That's what I thought as I drove the carriage here.

But the 'Black Death Dragon' appeared on our path.

This was unexpected.

It was likely positioned here by the Demon.

Could the enemy have anticipated the princess's escape route?

No, that's unknown.

But now, this route can't be used for asylum.

We have no choice but to turn back.

I have to give up – on many things.

We are near a mountain city.

If the 'Black Death Dragon' appears near human settlements, we must be prepared for the destruction of at least one or two towns.

– Such a threat.

The enemy has unleashed it.

If we leave that monster alone, it will cause significant damage to the towns.

But we have to give up –

We must escape, knowing that many lives in the nearby towns will be lost.

With this small number of people, we can't properly deal with it.

The only thing we can do now is a full retreat.

Yet –!

"What is that man thinking –!"

Frustration made me blame the man.

By rushing out, he completely missed the chance to retreat.

The man left the carriage, and the princess followed, and although I managed to stop her, he is now away from the carriage.

Even if we try to regroup and escape now, we can't start immediately.

That man must have rushed out without thinking, recklessly.

Probably to save that Demon child –

To help a child who is about to be killed in front of him –

Such a simple thought, or rather, an instant decision without time to think – I can understand that to some extent.

But to risk his life to save the one who caused this threat.

That behavior is contradictory no matter how you look at it.

– If I didn't know, I would have gone to help too.

Jealousy was the next emotion that arose.

To put one's body on the line to protect people – that's the way of us defenders.

I would want to protect a person who is trembling in front of me.

I chose this job and climbed to this position because I admired such a figure.

But there are limits to what a person can do, even in a fairy tale.

Putting oneself in danger to protect someone can sometimes put others in danger.

That's exactly what's happening now – yet.

– How foolish that man is.

I couldn't help but think that.

He probably doesn't know.

That the black dragon was brought here by that boy.

Seeing a child about to be killed, he rushed to help –

Such a simple thought, or rather, an instant decision without time to think – I can understand that to some extent.

But to risk his life to save the one who caused this threat.

That behavior is contradictory no matter how you look at it.

– If I didn't know, I would have gone to help too.

The next emotion that arose was jealousy.

To put one's body on the line to protect people – that's the way of us defenders.

I would want to protect a person who is trembling in front of me.

I chose this job and climbed to this position because I admired such a figure.

But there are limits to what a person can do, even in a fairy tale.

Putting oneself in danger to protect someone can sometimes put others in danger.

That's exactly what's happening now – yet.

– How foolish that man is.

I couldn't help but think that.

He probably doesn't know.

That the black dragon was brought here by that boy.

Seeing a child about to be killed, he rushed to help –

Such a simple thought, or rather, an instant decision without time to think – I can understand that to some extent.

But to risk his life to save the one who caused this threat.

That behavior is contradictory no matter how you look at it.

– If I didn't know, I would have gone to help too.

The next emotion that arose was jealousy.

I have known that man's name for a long time.

Every time my respected teacher, my foster parent [Shield Saint] Dandalug, mentioned that man's name, I felt frustrated.

Even during training and on extermination expeditions – his name came up every time.

"If only that guy, Noal, were here," he would say.

That was his catchphrase, something he only said to me.

Every time I heard it, I thought,

– I'm here. Why do you talk about such a guy?

I realized that I harbored a mix of ugly emotions, including jealousy, towards a man I only knew by name.

When that man appeared in front of me, I became even more jealous.

The man who casually called Princess Linneburg by her first name, "Leen" – the man who should have been by her side, a role I had for years.

When I realized it was that "Noal," I felt like I had lost everything.

Saying I would protect that man, who didn't need protection in the carriage, was probably due to such feelings.

When that man rushed out – those ugly feelings might have shown on my face.

That's why I hesitated for a moment.

If I had immediately created a shield in front of him, I could have stopped him.

I didn't do it –

If that man went out alone and died, etc.

– Was I thinking that?

No – that's not it.

It's the opposite.

I thought,

Maybe, that man – the one recognized by the king, the princess, Gilbert, my foster father Dandalug, and all the [Six Saints] –

Maybe he could handle that disaster – the Black Death Dragon.

I hesitated for a moment, hoping he could.

I harbored a selfish dream, mixed with jealousy and admiration.

I approved of that man's actions at that moment.

Indeed, that man is foolish.

He rushed into a deathtrap without knowing.

But if I call that man foolish.

– I am even more foolish.

I knew it, yet I let that man go to his death.

I could see the Black Death Dragon's mouth open wide.

In its throat, a vortex of pitch-black miasma.

The most feared thing – it was about to be released right here.

"Princess Linneburg, the miasma is coming. Prepare yourself."

"Teacher –!"

"Give up! That man can't be saved –"

The pitch-black miasma breath released by the Black Death Dragon hit the man and exploded into mist.

The area was quickly covered in black fog.

"It's coming – Princess Linneburg, behind me. [Divine Shield] –!"

I immediately activated [Divine Shield] and created as many light shields as possible between us and the Black Death Dragon.

The light shields overlapped, forming a wall of light.

But it wasn't enough to completely block the miasma.

The princess used the [Cleric] skill [Purification] to neutralize the miasma that seeped through.

That's how we managed to protect ourselves and the horses pulling the carriage.

But – that's all we could do.

"Teacher…!"

"Give up – he can't be saved."

"But –"

"No! Think only of your survival –!"

I scolded the princess, clenching my teeth.

I had predicted this.

The moment that man rushed out alone.

That's why I felt angry.

At that man who rushed out without thinking.

And at myself for not stopping him immediately.

As a result, the princess's life is in danger.

In the end, I couldn't protect anyone.

– I am a failure as a guard.

The miasma became even denser.

That man is already beyond saving.

The Black Death Dragon's miasma is fatal with a single breath.

Even a high-level [Cleric] would find it nearly impossible to heal.

In such a concentrated miasma, he couldn't survive for more than a few seconds.

"Teacher…!"

The princess is deeply concerned about the man.

But he can't be saved.

Moreover, we are in danger too.

Now, I must focus on protecting the princess.

– Suddenly, a sound came from the black fog.

Probably the sound of that man fighting the Black Death Dragon – no.

He is using his last strength to resist.

The sound doesn't stop.

Occasionally, there is a sound like something bursting and breaking.

"What's that sound…?"

I felt curious about the unfamiliar sound.

Suddenly, a wind blew across the plain.

The dense miasma cleared for a moment.

I could see the Black Death Dragon swinging its claws in the black fog.

And the man deflecting them with his one-handed sword.

Unbelievably, the man was still standing in front of the Black Death Dragon.

– Bleeding profusely from all over his body.

He is beyond saving. It's clear at a glance how severe his injuries are.

Yet, he stands there, quietly staring at the dragon –

Standing there as the miasma gradually clears –

Protecting the Demon child sitting behind him, he stands and continues to deflect the dragon's claws with his sword.

The princess and I were speechless at the sight.

And we understood.

The strange sound – it was the sound of the Black Death Dragon's claws breaking one by one.

– I could no longer call that man foolish.

Because he embodied the figure I had always admired and pursued –

Putting himself at risk, diving into danger, and protecting someone at the cost of his life –

– The ideal figure of a defender that I had always envisioned was right there.