Chapter 30

As I was told to bow my head by the Duke, I clung to the dragon's back as if I were one with the saddle. Occasionally, flashes of light and the sound of explosions could be heard from behind. I no longer had the leisure to look back, so I couldn't confirm what was happening, but the knights must be using some kind of magic to try to repel the Bergenions.

"Damn, at this speed, the hit rate—"

"How can they be this persistent?"

"Their behavior is definitely off!"

"Sir, let's land at the nearby fort and intercept them!"

The Duke grunted at Zef and the others' tense voices.

"The fort won't do; if we go, it's all the way to the defensive line!"

However, it seems he has no intention of intercepting. Probably because I'm here, the Duke must want to launch an attack, not just run away. The dragon carries me and my luggage. Instead of being useful, I'm just a burden, and my heart is filled with anxiety.

(That's right, I should have them drop my luggage.)

Lives are more important than luggage. The research is in my head, so I don't need the materials. Besides, the seal on the luggage will explode if someone tries to open it. If I drop it towards the Bergenions, they might attack it. I know nothing about the habits of the magic birds called Bergenions, but if something suddenly falls from above, they might attack it. Although the Duke just told me that talking would make me bite my tongue, I gathered my strength and briefly stated my request.

"Please drop the luggage!"

"That's not possible!"

"The seal, to attack—"

"Seal? But... no, that's not possible."

The Duke's resolve wavered. Maybe one more push would do it.

"If that's not possible, then please drop me somewhere."

"That's not an option; I can't protect you then."

"But if we keep going like this—"

The "Acceleration" spell is powered by the Duke's magic. Even with his vast reserves, it's difficult to maintain it for long. The Duke tightly embraced my body. I turned around and saw his golden eyes through the wind goggles.

"If we keep going to the defensive line, the knights will be waiting. Just a little more, please bear with it."

Even in such a situation, the Duke tried to reassure me with a gentle smile. I wanted to be of help. Sucking out the magic of the Bergenions is difficult because the targets are moving, and I can't affix the magic circle I drew on paper. Even without a cloudy crystal, there are methods to directly suck out magic like my mother, but a magic circle is still necessary.

(I don't know much about offensive magic... maybe something else...)

I rummaged through the bag on my waist, and my fingers touched the cloudy crystal. I had to find a way to suck out the Bergenions' magic. I grabbed it instinctively. However, it was the blue cloudy crystal filled with Zanas' blood and magic.

(Come to think of it, the Duke said...)

When I showed him the magic I sucked out from the Loyamoodler, I said it could only be used to light fires or lamps. The Duke then said:

"That magic, if used properly, could be a weapon capable of destroying a country."

I was shocked by his words, as I had never considered such a use. I stared at the blue cloudy crystal, trying to figure out how it could be a weapon.

(A weapon, a weapon, to throw... it's just like a pebble, and even if it hits, it won't have much impact.)

What about the white flame magic the Duke showed me? If I use Zanas' magic, the Duke can conserve his own. It might be possible to repel the Bergenions without stopping the acceleration. I decided to draw a magic circle on the cloudy crystal as I would to light a fire. I rummaged through my bag again, finally finding the dye I was looking for. In this situation, I couldn't use a brush, so I opened the dye container and dipped my fingers directly.

(Difficult to draw... um, fire and heat? Not just fire, but flames, more intense... raging fire, scorching heat, something explosive...)

I added as many ancient magic words as I could think of, using the dye on my fingertips. I tried to combine them effectively and even included the Duke's name. Then I suddenly realized I didn't remember his full name.

"Duke, please tell me your name!"

"Name?"

"Aristide, the next part!"

"Oh, Aristide Roger de Galbreath. Why do you need my name now?"

The Duke sounded puzzled. I didn't have time to explain, so I asked my question directly.

"When using magic, do you use Aristide Roger?"

"Yes, but Melfi, what are you—"

"I'm done! Now, I need some of your blood, but licking will do. Duke, please lick this!"

I added the Duke's name and turned halfway to show him the hastily drawn magic circle on the cloudy crystal. To activate the magic circle effectively, the user's blood or bodily fluids are needed. Blood would be ideal, but in this emergency, saliva would suffice.

"Melfi, is this... Zanas' magic?"

"Yes, and I drew a magic circle! I added as many words as I could think of, like fire, flames, and explosions. Since I included your name, please throw it to activate it!"

The Duke took the cloudy crystal and looked at the magic circle, surprised. Then he started laughing.

"Fire and flames, fire and heat... flashes, raging fire, scorching heat, storms, explosions, eruptions? Ha, ha, Melfi, you really—"

The Duke read the hastily drawn, messy magic circle accurately. I didn't know how effective it would be, but the Duke laughed (I don't know why, maybe because my writing was shaky) and took off his leather gloves. He then pulled out a small knife from his leather belt and cut the back of his hand.

"Duke, what are you doing!"

"If I cut my palm or fingertips, I won't be able to hold a weapon."

"Licking would have been enough."

"Don't worry, Melfi. It's just a thin layer of skin. I'll use this cloudy crystal gratefully."

The Duke applied the blood from the back of his hand to the cloudy crystal. The magic circle, reacting to the Duke's blood and magic, began to glow golden. The blue magic from Zanas mixed with the golden light, creating a beautiful glow in the Duke's hand.

"Did you just think of this?"

"I remembered what you said about it being a weapon..."

"Was it a bad idea?"

The Duke touched me, then pulled his hand back. Despite saying it was just a thin layer of skin, a fair amount of blood was flowing from the back of his hand.

"This... my hand slipped."

"...Duke, please let me treat you later."

"Alright. I'll take care of it soon."

The Duke, gripping the cloudy crystal, tightened his expression and gave orders to everyone.

"Head upwards, all at once! Ambry in the lead, Zef on the left wing, Henri on the right! The rest, form a tight formation and double the acceleration! On the signal, rise from the head, understood?"

"Understood!"

"Aah, Mullan, you'll be a decoy with me."

"Understood!"

The formation quickly changed, and everyone's dragons overtook ours. Mullan, appointed as a decoy, lined up next to us.

"Sir, what are you—"

"Just burn those birds. You'll dive through them at full speed."

"Of course, I'm prepared!"

"Fool. What good will it do if you die? Stay alive and dive through."

"Yes, sir! But—"

"I'll use this when the group is distracted. After you dive through, immediately break away and ascend from a distance."

The Duke showed the cloudy crystal to Mullan, who tensed up, and I followed suit, swallowing hard.

"Everyone, ascend and accelerate!"

Ambry, at the lead, directed his dragon's head upwards and started to ascend rapidly. The Bergenion flock, driven by the predatory instinct to chase fleeing prey, followed suit. As the Duke's magic waned and the other knights began to double the acceleration, the Duke and Mullan moved to the back of the formation and broke away.

"Now, it's time to counterattack. How dare you tire our drakes and frighten my beloved fiancée, you birds!"

The Duke shouted, his anger evident. I heard "beloved," but it must have been a mistake. The Duke was just riled up.

When the main group had ascended sufficiently, the Duke and Mullan turned their dragons around. Below, the flock of Bergenions, now seemingly insane, opened their large mouths and approached. The distance was less than 500 furlongs.

"Go, Mullan!"

At the last moment, Mullan, with full acceleration, dove vertically with his dragon. The leading Bergenions, surprised by the sudden approach of their prey, spread out horizontally. The wings of the ascending Bergenions collided, causing the flock to become disorganized. Mullan's figure was obscured by the black shadows of the magic birds.

"Good job, Mullan!"

The Duke immediately threw the cloudy crystal. It glowed blue and gold, landing precisely in the center of the Bergenion flock. The Duke's golden eyes shone intensely, and I shivered at the surge of his powerful magic. His anger seemed to be directly reflected in his magic.

"Vosielmo Ya Kise Ya Hose O Dona Valkassa Ba Foa Valkindo Rue Litt"

A large Bergenion, mistaking the cloudy crystal for food, swallowed it whole.

(Ah...!)

Thinking it was a failure, I leaned forward, but the Duke finished his final incantation in my ear.

"Bona de Aristide Roger Ies la Volkenyud!"

Before my eyes, a blue and golden glow spread and then converged. In the next instant, a blinding white flame erupted from the center of the Bergenion flock, and the Duke hurriedly ascended the dragon. Without the wind goggles, it might have been dangerous. The intense light was followed by a wave of heat.

"What is this magic?!"

"It's fine, no problem. It's just the activation of everything you drew in the magic circle."

"No, that can't be... please tell me it's not true!"

"Ha, ha, Melfi, you're impressive! As expected of my fiancée. Rejoice, you'll do well in Galbreath!"

"I just drew the magic circle!"

"Normally, no one can construct a magic circle in such a situation. Melfi, this is our secret, okay?"

I was stunned by the Duke's delighted expression. Everything in the magic circle I drew is activating? What a massive scale! Being able to do this so easily is not normal. It's not fine, it's a huge problem! The image of Chaos shouting "There are so many problems!" flashed in my mind.

"It seems they've lost their leader. They won't pursue us anymore."

Below, the unfortunate Bergenions were being roasted one by one. Finally, there was a massive explosion. Ah... the heat was too much, so they must be completely charred. Far below, I could see Mullan and his dragon, safe and sound. I felt a wave of relief and slumped, drained of energy.