Chapter 62

On the early morning of the day the nine-headed dragon would awaken—

I was walking along the shore of the lake where the nine-headed dragon slept.

"Magic Arrow"

A white arrow appeared before my right hand.

But, that was all it did.

The Magic Arrow remained motionless, frozen in place.

"Every time I see it, it's amazing... I didn't know Magic Arrows could stop like that..."

Lola, standing next to me, stared intently at my Magic Arrow.

Her gaze slowly shifted to the rear—toward the direction we had come from.

There, hundreds of Magic Arrows floated in mid-air as if time had stopped.

"My Magic Arrows can have their speed adjusted... I set the speed to 'zero.'"

"Really!?"

"Yeah."

I had somehow become capable of doing this.

"These Magic Arrows will all move at normal speed when I say the keyword I've decided on."

In other words, the plan is this:

The moment the nine-headed dragon awakens, I will unleash all the Magic Arrows here—probably around ten thousand in total.

"We might win!"

"Maybe."

While continuously producing Magic Arrows, I answered Lola.

"These Magic Arrows can be maintained for about a day. But maintaining their form seems to be quite draining—firstly, their range is only a few hundred meters."

According to legend, the nine-headed dragon is as large as this lake.

So, by deploying them around the lake, we can avoid this drawback.

"The bigger problem is that they don't have the same power as my usual Magic Arrows."

Of course, firing ten thousand of them will likely generate far more firepower than my usual Magic Arrows.

But it's not as simple as just ten thousand of my usual Magic Arrows.

"I hope this will be enough to take it down."

It's hard to predict how the nine-headed dragon will appear.

To account for any misses, I spread the Magic Arrows at various angles from horizontal to diagonal.

Lola continued her questions.

"What if we can't defeat it?"

"We'll go to the place we visited yesterday."

I looked at one of the mountain ridges surrounding the lake.

"The distance from that place to the lake is about 13 kilometers. I'll fire the Magic Arrows at the nine-headed dragon from there with all my might."

It's just a matter of brute force.

The nine-headed dragon will likely notice me and come at me with full force.

According to the village chief, the nine-headed dragon's poison can contaminate a one-kilometer radius. So, the 12-kilometer line is my final defense line.

If it crosses that, I lose.

"What about flying with Magic Arrow flight and fighting from the air? Shooting Magic Arrows from above?"

"Actually, I can't fire powerful Magic Arrows while flying."

"Huh, really!?"

"Flying is difficult to control. Not fighting and just escaping to gain distance isn't a bad idea, but it depends on the opponent's speed..."

It's a dragon as massive as a mountain. How fast will it be?

Altitude, speed—while I can increase the Magic Arrows' power, as a human, I can't exceed the limits of the human body.

"...It's a gamble..."

"There's no choice! We don't know what we're up against! Mr. Alberto, I might not be much help, but let's do our best together!"

Lola was determined to come with me.

However—

I shook my head.

"Lola, I want you to stay in the village."

"Eh!?"

Lola was surprised. But this was a decision I had made.

This enemy is likely not going to be easy. It might come down to a close fight. If the nine-headed dragon gets close to the 12-kilometer absolute defense line—

I can brace myself and fight to the end alone.

But if Lola is there—

Will I be able to stay calm until the very end?

"Lola, pray for my victory in the village. I'll definitely come back victorious."

Lola fell silent.

She looked sad, but then she said,

"...I understand! It's okay!"

But, I noticed a slight change in her tone of voice.

There was something like resolve in it.

I was a bit concerned, but given the situation, I thought Lola was probably just nervous.

I smiled at her.

"There's no need to worry so much. We'll definitely meet again."

After that, I walked around the lake until midday—though I didn't count exactly, I probably deployed about ten thousand Magic Arrows.

...Alright. Everything is ready.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

That night—

I was in the shade of a tree on the mountainside. It was a pitch-black night. No wonder, it was a new moon, so there was no moonlight.

After preparing the ten thousand Magic Arrows, I parted ways with Lola and moved here, where I had just been sleeping.

Thanks to that, my magic power was fully restored.

I was ready for the nine-headed dragon to appear at any time.

I looked toward the lake.

Thanks to the lighting magic Lola had cast, the area around the lake was brightly lit.

The lake was calm.

It was so still, as if there was no life at all.

It was deathly still.

How much time had passed?

Thud.

The air and the ground shook simultaneously.

The vibration grew stronger, and I lost my balance, putting my hand on the ground.

...Finally.

It seems the time has come.

Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble!

A deafening noise echoed around. The lake was in turmoil. The surface was churning as if a storm had hit.

Eventually—

Nine bulges appeared on the turbulent surface. The water swelled to the size of small hills, and a black shadow emerged.

And finally, it awoke.

Roar!

With a massive roar—

The ancient nightmare, the nine-headed giant dragon, emerged from the lake.

The nine-headed dragon.

"...Finally."

The vibration had subsided.

I stood up smoothly.

"Sorry, but—this is where it ends."

A white spark flickered in my right hand.

I raised that right hand high above my head.

"Magic Arrow—"

And as I brought my right hand down, I continued.

"Fire all cannons."

With those words—

The ten thousand Magic Arrows surrounding the lake attacked the ancient dragon.

The shadow, like a mountain standing in the darkness, was scorched by a blinding white light.

Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar, roar,