Chapter 75

The dragon flew straight to the destination and soon arrived at the mountaintop. Landing on the rocky ledge where it lived, the dragon bowed its head, and we both jumped down from it.

"Is this the dragon's nest...?"

"Yeah. That rocky hill over there is the dragon's bed. The eggs are there too."

"Huh... Wait, eggs?"

"Sorry. Looks like we don't have time to explain."

At that moment, a creaking sound began to resonate from the forest that spread out beyond the rocky ledge.

Suddenly, several trees from deep within the forest started to be knocked down, heading straight toward us. The last tree, which was right in front of the rocky ledge, was snapped like a twig, and what appeared was a gigantic tiger with a red-black body.

Behind us, the dragon stepped back as if intimidated. The monster approached, radiating a murderous aura. I activated my magic to counter it.

《Earth Phase —— Translucent Barrier》

Several quartz pillars stood in the way, and the red-black tiger collided with them. More pillars emerged from the ground, surrounding the monster and completely enclosing it.

"GOAAAAAAHHH!!"

The Lava Tiger roared and bit into one of the pillars. Just like last time, the quartz pillars didn't budge. However, the surface gradually began to melt from the heat. They wouldn't last long.

But at least, we now had some time to talk. I took a deep breath and raised my voice.

"Hey Zekt! You're here, right? Come out!"

"You've returned at a troublesome time, Mr. Scholar."

Appearing from the forest were a magician wearing a robe with a magic book in hand, and a group of mercenaries with swords. The summoner, the leader of Zekt's mercenary group, curled his lips.

"I was planning to collect the egg and run off with the reward, but it seems I'll have to eliminate a couple of you now."

"Hmm, so you were after the eggs from the start. The prince mentioned that dragon eggs sometimes appear in the market, so I had a feeling."

"Hah, of course. Selling a dragon egg would allow all of us to live comfortably for a year. Haha, what a foolish prince."

Zekt sneered.

"You can't defeat a Great Dragon with such a small group! It's a monster that a whole country would need to mobilize to deal with, yet you believed it after just seeing a Lava Tiger. Though, it was easy to drive them away."

I laughed back at the summoner.

"So, it turned out just as I said, didn't it? Fake expert."

"Wh-what? You don't understand the situation, kid."

Zekt's mouth twisted.

"My Lava Tiger... isn't a monster that can be handled by your puny magic."

A crackling sound.

The Lava Tiger finally broke through the quartz pillars that were melting. The monster, now free from the transparent cage, let out a growl filled with murderous intent.

"Take this, you'll be burnt to a crisp and eaten!"

The red-black legs, covered in lava, bent back to leap.

At that moment.

A massive water column erupted from under the Lava Tiger's feet.

"What!?"

In front of the astonished Zekt, the lava beast was thrown onto the rocky ledge by the water column.

The large amount of water fell to the ground, flowing down the slope and engulfing Zekt and the mercenaries.

I was just as surprised.

A powerful flow of energy.

The one controlling it was a girl with cat-like hair, extending her ring-adorned right hand toward the enemy.

"I won't just stand by and be attacked anymore."

Eifa said quietly. Seeing her, I couldn't help but speak.

"Eifa..."

"Seika-kun, you still..."

"Amazing! You moved so well just now!"

"Eh, really?"

My enthusiastic voice made Eifa's expression falter. She said, looking confused.

"Because... you said it last time, Seika-kun..."

"Normally, it's not something you can do just by being told. Eifa, you have a lot of courage."

"R-really?"

"Bringing you along was definitely the right decision. You've become so skilled with water magic. I'm impressed."

"......Hehehe."

"Damn, what kind of magic is this? Could it be... are you one of those forest people!?"

Zekt, caught on the rocks and drenched, shouted. I tilted my head.

"Forest people...? What's he talking about?"

"Well, Seika-kun..."

"Never mind, let's continue, Eifa. Using a large amount of water was a good choice. You see, a small amount of water can instantly evaporate from the heat of the lava, which can be dangerous. But with a large amount... look."

I pointed, and the Lava Tiger was wobbling as it tried to stand up. It was no wonder it was moving awkwardly; most of its lava armor had turned black and solidified.

"The red parts have solidified into round, bumpy shapes. After the surface cools, the internal lava flows and forms such shapes. It's the same when lava from a volcano flows into the sea."

"Is that so..."

"GOAAAAAAHHH!!"

At that moment, the Lava Tiger roared. The surface of the solidified armor cracked, and new lava began to flow out.

"Don't think this is the end! My Lava Tiger isn't affected by such weak magic!!"

Zekt shouted as he stood up.

Eifa's expression turned serious. I gently grabbed her raised right hand and lowered it.

"Huh...?"

"It's okay. I'll take care of the rest."

《Earth Phase —— Fireproof Net》

A white net covered the Lava Tiger. The lava beast, enraged by being restrained, thrashed violently. Even the asbestos, which can withstand the heat that melts quartz, began to fray in places.

Zekt laughed, curling his lips.

"Hah, fool! You think a net can catch a Lava Tiger!?"

"No, I didn't intend to catch it."

I whispered quietly and aimed a human-shaped figure that appeared in mid-air at the thrashing lava beast.

"I just wanted it to be still for a moment."

《Sun Fire Phase —— Blazing Flame》

A blinding white flame spewed from the human-shaped figure, engulfing the Lava Tiger in one breath.

Soon, after the flame disappeared, nothing was left.

"Huh...?"

Zekt let out a dazed voice.

The only thing that remained of the Lava Tiger was the high-melting-point mineral rocks that were attached to its armor. The body, the lava, and the asbestos net were completely gone. The ground itself had melted and boiled, and the cooled areas had turned glassy.

I chuckled and whispered.

"I said I'd turn it into charcoal... but there's not even any charcoal left."

The white flame, which raised the combustion temperature with the power of the sun, could melt even tungsten, a mineral that can withstand temperatures over 3,400°C. Evaporating a lava monster was no big deal.

"What... what are you...?"

Zekt, eyes wide open, whispered in fear. I smiled and answered.

"The world's strongest magician."

"Don't kid around...! Get them! Form a wall! Earn your pay!!"

The mercenaries, who had been washed away by the water and caught on rocks and trees, staggered to their feet. At that moment,

"GRUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

The dragon behind me roared. Panic spread instantly, and the mercenaries began to flee in a panic.

"Damn, this is ridiculous!"

"Can't deal with something like that!"

The mercenaries, cursing, turned to run. Zekt, eyes wide, shouted at them.

"Wait! Don't run!!"

"Right, no running."

I said, and began to bind the scattered mercenaries with 《Vine Bind》. Then, I smiled at the standing Zekt.

"So, it's just you left."

"......You're not capturing me like them... because you're underestimating me...?"

"Yeah. You look weak, so I thought you might put on your own handcuffs. It's too much trouble otherwise."

"Is that so... then... I'll make you regret it!!"

Zekt's magic book began to glow intensely. A sinister smile appeared under his hood.

"I'll show you! This is my true trump card, beyond my control!! You and your city... you'll see what happens, hot...!"

With a foolish cry, Zekt suddenly dropped his magic book.

"What!? My magic book!?"

Zekt's magic book was burning. Despite being wet, it was enveloped in orange flames and turning to ash.

"That's the replacement for the staff."

Eifa, with a serious look, stared at Zekt and said.

"Is this the end?"

I hope so. Burning you would be... a bit more difficult."

Zekt slumped in the cage of human souls. He was completely broken.

"...Hey, Seika-kun, was this okay?"

Eifa looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"Ah, yeah. Good job, Eifa. We almost had to deal with some unknown monster."

I patted her head, and Eifa smiled happily.

But I felt a little disappointed.

...I wanted to see that trump card.

※Blazing Flame

A spell that releases a 5,000°C flame, raised by the power of the sun. Tungsten, the element with the highest melting point, melts at over 3,400°C. Even modern technology can only produce a maximum of 4,200°C with tantalum hafnium carbide. A temperature of 5,000°C is enough to melt and vaporize almost all substances in this world. The flame glows white due to its color temperature (about 5,000 Kelvin, similar to a daylight fluorescent lamp). To protect the caster and others from the intense radiant heat, the protagonist used a human-shaped figure with a Yin phase spell to absorb the excess heat.