Chapter 9

Rokugan Dragon.

This is the race of the Earth Demon General. They inhabit mines where minerals can be extracted and are one of the dragon species that serve under the Demon King.

Their skin, covered in rock, is incredibly hard, and even ordinary magic cannot inflict a scratch. They master earth magic and attack by firing rock projectiles from their mouths. They are troublesome creatures that cause significant damage to their surroundings simply by moving.

"You will be crushed here, for sure."

The Earth Demon General slammed its massive arm into the ground. As the room shook from the impact, magic flowed into the ground, and all the passages leading to other rooms were sealed shut.

"You can't escape now, insects."

Elphis Zark had already retreated to the back of the room. For a while, I would have to fight this dragon alone.

"――!"

Before the Earth Demon General could move, I had already started running. As I ran, I enhanced my physical abilities to the limit with magic stones. Fortunately, this room was spacious, and there were plenty of places to hide.

"‘Destruction Magic’!"

I immediately threw multiple magic stones at the Earth Demon General from a distance. The magic stones that hit the Earth Demon General exploded with great force.

"Hmph, clever."

"No effect."

Even with my strongest attack, I couldn't penetrate the Earth Demon General's armor. If this didn't work, no other magic would likely damage it.

"Do you fear, human?"

The Earth Demon General laughed mockingly.

This was all part of the plan. I had anticipated being cut off and that my attacks would be ineffective.

The Rokugan Dragon is a powerful creature, but it's not without weaknesses. The parts of its body not covered in rock, and its tail, which has the thinnest armor, are vulnerable to my current abilities. I can't jump inside its body, so I'll aim for the tail.

The Rokugan Dragon moves on two legs on land, and its tail helps maintain balance. Cutting it off will disrupt its balance and create a significant opening. The base of the tail has thinner rock armor than other parts, and I should be able to sever it with my treasure sword.

"Never thought it would be from here, Earth Demon General."

"Hmm?"

Many powerful demons and monsters look down on other races. This Earth Demon General is a typical example. I'll exploit this weakness.

"――!"

I ran at the Earth Demon General with all my might. To cut off the tail, I first needed to reach it.

"A mere human is annoying."

The Earth Demon General opened its mouth, and rock projectiles were fired in rapid succession. They rained down like bullets.

"――!"

Using my enhanced physical abilities, I zigzagged to dodge the projectiles. Even when hit by the shockwaves, I gritted my teeth and continued forward.

Seeing the Earth Demon General raise its arm, I activated additional magic stones to cast a spell. I used lightning, aiming for the Earth Demon General's vision. The low-power, wide-range lightning spell attacked the Earth Demon General.

"Gr... Again!"

The lightning was easily dispersed by the arm slamming down, but it created a momentary opening. I jumped and rolled under the Earth Demon General's feet. So far, everything was going smoothly. All I had to do now was cut off the tail.

"――It's useless!"

"Damn!"

The Earth Demon General's tail fell from above. I jumped to the side, but the tail, which was probably twice the size of a human torso, struck the ground like a whip, shattering it and sending debris flying.

"Ugh...!"

I deflected the debris with my sword but lost my balance and fell to the ground. The Earth Demon General's tail fell again.

"Aiming for the tail, huh? Aim well."

The Earth Demon General mocked me as I tried to dodge.

Using body enhancement, I jumped up and narrowly avoided the tail's trajectory. Just as I was about to start my attack,

"Too slow!"

Another strike from the Earth Demon General's tail hit me. The impact caused more damage, and I was left gasping for breath on the ground.

"Pathetic, human. You're not as good as you talk. Humans are only this much."

The Earth Demon General's mocking laughter filled the air. It was already celebrating its victory.

Ah, just as planned.

As the Earth Demon General, still laughing, tried to lift its tail again, it finally noticed something was wrong.

"What is this!?"

The Earth Demon General's tail was firmly stuck to the ground. A sticky, white liquid had spread around the tail.

"K... This is the...!"

The liquid that had stuck the Earth Demon General's tail to the ground came from the cocoon balls of the Earth Spider. As I dodged, I had placed all the cocoon balls at the tail's landing point.

The strong adhesive properties of the cocoon balls would only last a few seconds, but that was enough.

"Aiming well, huh? I'll take you up on that."

"You...!"

The Earth Demon General tried to pull its tail free, but it was too late. I closed the distance and, with a powerful swing enhanced by body strengthening, struck the base of the tail.

This treasure sword, imbued with magic, always maintains a sharp edge. It can cut through a dragon's tail if the armor is thin enough.

"Haah!"

Aiming for the thinnest part of the tail, I swung the sword. The treasure sword cut through the Earth Demon General's tail at the base.

"Guuuuuu!!"

The roar echoed through the room, and the Earth Demon General, losing its support, fell to the ground with great force. I moved away to avoid being caught in the impact, and the sound of the giant body hitting the ground reverberated.

"Damn youuuu!!"

"......!"

Furiously, the Earth Demon General, still off-balance, tried to lift its body.

The Rokugan Dragon I fought before couldn't move properly after losing its tail. That this one was still trying to move was a testament to the Earth Demon General's strength.

Just as it was about to crush me with its massive body,

"――Well done, Aizawa."

Elphis Zark's voice echoed through the room.

◆

We had planned the battle beforehand. My role was to buy time. The real power was in Elphis Zark's magic.

"Leave the rest to me!"

I realized Elphis Zark, who had been waiting in the back, was now standing next to me.

"Guuuu, Elphis Zark!!"

The Earth Demon General, still on all fours, charged with a momentum that would turn us into mere flesh if it hit.

"――Taste this, Earth Demon General."

Facing the Earth Demon General's imposing figure, Elphis Zark remained calm. She slowly turned her eyes towards the Earth Demon General, enveloped in a magic aura that shook the room.

I saw her golden eyes turn to a blood-red glow.

"――‘Demon Eye: Ash Blast’"

In the next instant.

A blinding light filled the room, and the Earth Demon General exploded. A heat wave swept through the room, and the entire space shook with a deafening roar. The scale and power of the blast far exceeded that of Destruction Magic, and the Earth Demon General's massive body was blown away.

One of Elphis Zark's powers—the ‘Demon Eye’—is a magic-infused eye that can cast a unique spell with a mere glance.

"Even with reduced power, this much...?"

If I were hit by such a spell, I wouldn't stand a chance. If it were at full power, it might have blown away the entire room and caused a collapse, not just the Earth Demon General.

Seeing my stunned expression, Elphis Zark wore a proud smile.

"F, surprised? It's no wonder. I once misjudged the power and almost blew away my own allies!"

That's not good.

Elphis Zark's eyes had returned to their golden color, and the immense magic power she had shown was now gone.

The Rokugan Dragon's armor is so hard that ordinary magic is completely ineffective. Elphis Zark's single strike had blown away the Earth Demon General's body along with its armor. Such a powerful blow would kill even a Rokugan Dragon instantly.

—If it were an ordinary Rokugan Dragon.

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