Chapter 51

#051 In the Empire, the demon beast attacked a person (2)

"......You're angry."

"Well, it's not like I'm in a mood to be calm."

*BOOM!*

Surprised! We quickly looked up at the sky.

The giant jaw of the 'Tyrant Dragon' that had approached unnoticed was mercilessly striking the sanctuary I had set up.

It seemed to be trying to pull out the doll inside a snow globe like a child.

*BOOM! THUD!*

"Prince... As I heard, you are indeed a powerful priest."

Sir Elizabeth sighed in admiration.

I had never been attacked from above before, so I didn't realize that every time the Tyrant Dragon exerted physical force, a golden dome would shimmer above my sanctuary.

The circle not only acted as a shield on the ground but also in the air.

The sanctuary is a circle that blocks all powers against a priest, but it is only absolute against those with weaker divine power than myself.

The Tyrant Dragon, being a demon beast, naturally had weaker divine power than me.

Moreover, my ether was not just full but overflowing.

Truly, it was a stroke of luck.

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*

*ROAR!*

Frustrated by the unshaken sanctuary, the beast opened its mouth wide and roared.

Demi crouched at my feet, and the other three people, except for the prince, instinctively covered their ears.

It felt like our eardrums would burst before the beast could bite or eat us.

*BOOM! BOOM!*

"Is the demon beast weak to water and fire? Does water have no effect at all?"

"I'll give it a try!"

Christel answered, her light gray eyes gleaming strangely. She cautiously moved the tip of her right hand.

Then, the water barrier that had been protecting us like a cocoon slowly rose.

The Tyrant Dragon seemed unaware of her presence as it focused on us.

*BOOM! RUMBLE!*

*SWISH!*

A deluge of water poured onto the Tyrant Dragon's massive head. Then,

*CRACKLE!*

*ROAR!*

Sparks flew, and the Tyrant Dragon roared again.

The water droplets evaporated cleanly, leaving no mark on its hide.

I felt a chill run through my head.

"......The electric attribute is countering the weakness to water."

*BOOM! THUD! THUD!*

Angry at being provoked, the Tyrant Dragon struck the air even faster than before.

My ears rang, and the ground beneath my feet buzzed.

Even if the attribute was the same, the situation would have been different if the opponent had been small and easy to handle.

But the Tyrant Dragon was said to be a legendary demon beast that appeared once every two hundred years.

I didn't know why it appeared so frequently, and even from the first assault...

There was one more thing I needed to confirm. I looked at Prince Sedric.

"We need to see how it reacts to metal."

His orange irises seemed to understand my words and glowed. Soon,

*SWISH!*

The dagger attached to the side of his boot shot up into the sky.

The blade aimed directly at the Tyrant Dragon's eye,

*CRACKLE!*

*ROAR!*

was deflected by sparks and fell blackened.

"Hmm."

So... If I held a sword and stepped outside the sanctuary, it would be like holding a lightning rod and getting struck by lightning.

Water might not deal significant damage, but it could at least draw the beast's attention or provoke it.

We also had MVP God.

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*

"We need to aim for the hind legs. The center of gravity is there!"

At my shout, Sir Elizabeth adjusted her grip on her sword.

Christel offered her opinion, and the prince simply gazed at me calmly.

In the midst of this, I thought of my younger brother.

The little kid who dreamed of being a T-Rex until he was seven.

*

"Demi, can you do it? You're up to bat today."

*SCREECH!*

The lesser panda made a fierce face and waved its front paws.

Its white cheeks and trembling whiskers were full of enthusiasm.

I held Demi and filled it with ether.

Christel checked our situation and gradually increased the size of the water droplets.

*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*

"Hey! Dragon bone!"

Dragon bone... She shouted.

The Tyrant Dragon seemed truly offended by her words, opening its mouth wide and growling.

Christel laughed and poked the beast's head with a thin stream of water from the left.

*ROAR!*

*CRACKLE!*

The beast turned its head to the left and shot sparks.

"Demi, now!"

*SCREECH!*

*CRACKLE!*

A giant flytrap hell rapidly grew from the right side of the Tyrant Dragon's ground.

A green vine about 2 meters in diameter shot up toward the sky.

Next to it, a single wound-healing tree was growing.

The Tyrant Dragon, distracted by the unusual noise, turned its head in the opposite direction,

*SWISH!*

*ROAR!*

and two large chunks of water exploded in front of its eyes.

The Tyrant Dragon shook its head violently. Indeed, its eyes seemed more sensitive to stimuli than its hide.

*CRACKLE!*

Seizing the opportunity, the flytrap hell opened its mouth wide.

It seemed large enough to cover the Tyrant Dragon's mouth.

I could feel Demi struggling as it drained my ether. Then,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

the flytrap hell bit down on the Tyrant Dragon's head!

With its mouth and vision blocked, the Tyrant Dragon thrashed and staggered.

Sparks immediately erupted from the leaves, but Demi held on.

*CRACKLE!*

"Where?"

Sparks finally hit the sanctuary, but my circle remained intact.

I didn't build my endurance in front of the Cardinal of Butei to be defeated by a mere demon beast.

The flustered Tyrant Dragon stumbled. It couldn't shake off the flytrap hell with its short front legs.

It was our chance.

*SWISH!*

The prince didn't need my signal.

He instantly moved outside the sanctuary and headed for the Tyrant Dragon's left hind leg.

Sir Elizabeth, who had also rushed out, aimed for the right hind leg.

"Countess!"

"Yes!"

Christel prepared her ultimate technique.

Meanwhile, the prince and Sir Elizabeth slid their swords horizontally and retreated behind trees.

The two sword lights were as cold as frost in June.

*SWISH!*

*BOOM!*

*ROAR!*

Deep, red gashes were carved into the Tyrant Dragon's large hind legs.

The knights quickly dodged the tail and took cover behind trees.

Just as the beast was staggering back in pain,

*CRACKLE!*

real icicles appeared at our feet. It was an unexpected ice patch!

The Tyrant Dragon lost its balance from the sudden slip and staggered heavily.

Its massive body was falling slowly, as if in slow motion.

Christel finally exhaled and smiled.

*BOOM!*

*ROAR!*

The vibration was on par with a mountain echo. The ground shook, and the fallen demon beast roared.

We were almost done.

"Sir Elizabeth!"

"Give it to me!"

Christel, who was relatively close, threw the wound-healing tree branch that Demi had grown.

She grabbed the branch with her left hand and immediately leaped. The sword in her right hand,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

pierced the Tyrant Dragon's tail and buried itself in the ground. The demon beast drooled and snarled.

She quickly released the sword and leaped up.

*SWISH!*

*CRACKLE!*

While Countess Elizabeth was airborne, the demon beast shot a short burst of sparks.

If she had been a bit slower, she would have been electrocuted, but the countess remained calm.

The wound-healing tree branch in her left hand smoothly moved to her right hand,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

and plunged deep into the Tyrant Dragon's eye.

Countess Elizabeth pushed the branch with all her might, her forehead veins bulging.

I held Demi tightly. I swallowed hard, fearing the Tyrant Dragon's final struggle.

And finally,

*ROAR!*

*THUD!*

the beast dropped its head with its final breath.

Countess Elizabeth landed on the gravel, panting. Her forehead was slightly damp.

"Thank you, Sir Elizabeth. You did a great job."

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Her typical response made me laugh and relax.

I released the sanctuary and let Demi down. Countess Elizabeth suddenly asked,

"Prince, how did you think of using the wound-healing tree?"

"The wood used in the renovation of Juliette Palace. It's usually sandalwood or ebony, but he said he brought a stronger wood in case I broke the room again."

In other words, it was the strongest wood I knew.

I was impressed by how well Demi understood the spell.

The wood wouldn't conduct electricity, so it would be a safe weapon, and I was relieved that Countess Elizabeth wasn't hurt.

*BOOM! BOOM!*

"Is the demon beast weak to water and fire? Does water have no effect at all?"

"I'll give it a try!"

Christel answered, her light gray eyes gleaming strangely. She cautiously moved the tip of her right hand.

Then, the water barrier that had been protecting us like a cocoon slowly rose.

The Tyrant Dragon, distracted by the unusual noise, turned its head in the opposite direction,

*SWISH!*

*ROAR!*

and two large chunks of water exploded in front of its eyes.

The Tyrant Dragon shook its head violently. Indeed, its eyes seemed more sensitive to stimuli than its hide.

*CRACKLE!*

Seizing the opportunity, the flytrap hell opened its mouth wide.

It seemed large enough to cover the Tyrant Dragon's mouth.

I could feel Demi struggling as it drained my ether. Then,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

the flytrap hell bit down on the Tyrant Dragon's head!

With its mouth and vision blocked, the Tyrant Dragon thrashed and staggered.

Sparks immediately erupted from the leaves, but Demi held on.

*CRACKLE!*

"Where?"

Sparks finally hit the sanctuary, but my circle remained intact.

I didn't build my endurance in front of the Cardinal of Butei to be defeated by a mere demon beast.

The flustered Tyrant Dragon stumbled. It couldn't shake off the flytrap hell with its short front legs.

It was our chance.

*SWISH!*

The prince didn't need my signal.

He instantly moved outside the sanctuary and headed for the Tyrant Dragon's left hind leg.

Sir Elizabeth, who had also rushed out, aimed for the right hind leg.

"Countess!"

"Yes!"

Christel prepared her ultimate technique.

Meanwhile, the prince and Sir Elizabeth slid their swords horizontally and retreated behind trees.

The two sword lights were as cold as frost in June.

*SWISH!*

*BOOM!*

*ROAR!*

Deep, red gashes were carved into the Tyrant Dragon's large hind legs.

The knights quickly dodged the tail and took cover behind trees.

Just as the beast was staggering back in pain,

*CRACKLE!*

real icicles appeared at our feet. It was an unexpected ice patch!

The Tyrant Dragon lost its balance from the sudden slip and staggered heavily.

Its massive body was falling slowly, as if in slow motion.

Christel finally exhaled and smiled.

*BOOM!*

*ROAR!*

The vibration was on par with a mountain echo. The ground shook, and the fallen demon beast roared.

We were almost done.

"Sir Elizabeth!"

"Give it to me!"

Christel, who was relatively close, threw the wound-healing tree branch that Demi had grown.

She grabbed the branch with her left hand and immediately leaped. The sword in her right hand,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

pierced the Tyrant Dragon's tail and buried itself in the ground. The demon beast drooled and snarled.

She quickly released the sword and leaped up.

*SWISH!*

*CRACKLE!*

While Countess Elizabeth was airborne, the demon beast shot a short burst of sparks.

If she had been a bit slower, she would have been electrocuted, but the countess remained calm.

The wound-healing tree branch in her left hand smoothly moved to her right hand,

*CRACK!*

*ROAR!*

and plunged deep into the Tyrant Dragon's eye.

Countess Elizabeth pushed the branch with all her might, her forehead veins bulging.

I held Demi tightly. I swallowed hard, fearing the Tyrant Dragon's final struggle.

And finally,

*ROAR!*

*THUD!*

the beast dropped its head with its final breath.

Countess Elizabeth landed on the gravel, panting. Her forehead was slightly damp.

"Thank you, Sir Elizabeth. You did a great job."

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Her typical response made me laugh and relax.

I released the sanctuary and let Demi down. Countess Elizabeth suddenly asked,

"Prince, how did you think of using the wound-healing tree?"

"The wood used in the renovation of Juliette Palace. It's usually sandalwood or ebony, but he said he brought a stronger wood in case I broke the room again."

In other words, it was the strongest wood I knew.

I was impressed by how well Demi understood the spell.

The wood wouldn't conduct electricity, so it would be a safe weapon, and I was relieved that Countess Elizabeth wasn't hurt.

"Such a strange feeling. When I was a kid, my dream was to become a Tyrant Dragon."

Christel's words made Sir Elizabeth laugh out loud as she approached us.

Her face suddenly stiffened. Then,

*ROAR!*

"Elizabeth!"

The Tyrant Dragon's roar and the prince's voice erupted simultaneously.

*CRACKLE!*

*BOOM!*

From the fallen demon beast's jaw, a large chunk of sparks shot out.

Sir Elizabeth was thrown back by the shockwave.

"Kee!"

"Sir Elizabeth!"

Christel and I quickly ran to the crumpled form of Sir Elizabeth. She was completely dazed.

"Sir Elizabeth, are you okay!?"

"I'm... fine..."

Christel gently turned her over. Fortunately, there was no bleeding.

She hadn't been hit directly by the Tyrant Dragon's breath but had been caught in the shockwave.

I finally exhaled. A few scratches on the countess's cheek were visible.

She slowly raised her upper body, bracing her waist.

"Your Highness..."

"Descend safely. It's an order."

The prince, who had approached, spoke in a low voice. His sword was drenched in the demon beast's blood.

Looking behind, I saw the Tyrant Dragon's corpse, killed by the prince.

"What are you talking about? I'm fine."

"Can you hold a sword with a broken arm?"

"......"

Sir Elizabeth bit her lip.

Christel and I were shocked and checked her right arm.

We hadn't noticed it until the prince mentioned it.

Seeing the limp wound, my heart sank.

I had memorized a few more healing circles for today, but none could heal a fracture of this severity.

I gritted my teeth.

"I'm sorry, Sir Elizabeth. I'm still not good enough as a healing priest."

"No, Prince Yeseo. It was my mistake for letting my guard down."

The countess smiled. Cold sweat formed on her forehead for a different reason.

"Call the duke. I don't want to hear your fiancé's complaints."

The prince said. At his second sentence, Sir Elizabeth finally nodded.

She rummaged through her coat with her left hand and pulled out a transparent orb.

It was a one-time-use magical tool given to all participants in the 'Demon Beast Great Purge.'

The yellow diamond ring on her left hand glowed as she gripped the orb tightly.

*CRACK!*

The orb shattered, and a red mana beam shot into the sky.

Following the straight line of light, I saw identical red lines appearing in various directions in the clear sky.

It meant that a significant number of participants were withdrawing.

"Good heavens, Elizabeth!"

A familiar voice echoed from the valley.

Duke François Dueim, who had appeared instantly using his special skill 'Instant Teleport,' was approaching us with a worried look.

He was the organizer of the event and the only emergency responder.

As his brother, the Dueim guard captain, had said, he had been preparing his magic for today to rescue people and help them descend.

"Your arm is in such a state? Goodness, you three caught the Tyrant Dragon!"

The duke's light pink eyes trembled.

He seemed confused about whether to be more surprised by the Tyrant Dragon's corpse or the unexpected patient.

Sir Elizabeth frowned.

"Uncle, let's just go down..."

"Yes, we need to hurry to avoid getting scolded by Lord Kallamar. Catching the Tyrant Dragon... "

The duke examined each of our faces and placed his hand on Sir Elizabeth's forehead.

It seemed that such a touch was enough for a companion teleport.

Christel gently held the countess's left hand and whispered that she would see her later.

Then the prince spoke.

"Duke."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"What's going on?"

The prince shook his sword and pointed it at the duke's chin.

His eyes flickered like the surface of the sun.

"Prince."

"Silence."

I tried to intervene, but he silenced me as well.

I was curious about what was happening, but I thought he was being quite ruthless considering Sir Elizabeth was injured.

"The legendary demon beast that was the prize two years ago appeared in the first assault. Is this common?"

"Please understand. This is the first time it has happened."

"Then what about your hypothesis?"

The deep, clear voice only asked precise questions. The duke slowly opened and closed his trembling eyelids.

He was the most passionate person in the Empire about demon beast and magical tool research.

He must have had some thoughts.

"......It's because the divine objects here are not just one."

The explanation that flowed from his lips was something no one had expected.