“Flame Burst!”
The dragoneuts, who were proud of their huge body, were blown away by the magic that Erna released. We are now deep into the enemy’s territory. The Imperial Army’s headquarters is just within a stone’s throw.
“Ahahahaha! Flame Burst! Flame Burst!”
Ever since the battle began, Erna had been holding back on using high level magic. Well, there are also allies on the battlefield so she can’t use magic carelessly. Although it couldn’t be helped, but it seemed to be stressful for Erna. As proof of that, when our allies disappeared from the surroundings, she began to cast series of spells in a terrifying degree.
“Nooo-! I don’t want to die!”
“They’re here! The long-eared devil has arrived!”
“That elf is really dangerous! What a ***!”
Instead of coming towards us, the Imperial soldiers threw down their weapons and fled. The terrain has now changed since the area was bomb so many times. Of course, the enemy is not just being defeated. In order to counter, their magic squad shoots magic at us repeatedly.
“Shadow field!”
A sphere of darkness covers us. The magic fired by Erna’s dark magic was weakened though. Well, to pinpoint it out, the magic I did acts as a shield to protect us. The Imperial Army was now unable to deal damage to Erna.
“It’s enough right? Anything more than this is a massacre you know.”
“Well, yeah. I now feel refreshed so let’s leave it at that.”
I smiled wryly at Erna who now looks satisfied. There is a myriad of loose ground around us and charred corpses are scattered miserably. It was a sight that makes me realize once again that magic is a terrifying force.
“Hey, that’s the Empire’s headquarters right?”
Erna pointed to a place where countless tents were lined up. The main camp is where the soldiers sleep and where they store a lot of supplies. If it’s as expected, the supreme commander of the Imperial Army should be over there.
“It’s safe to assume that the supreme commander is over there.”
“Then, if we defeat that guy, we’ll win this battle.”
“That’s right. Well, I guess it’s a victory for the time being.”
To end the war, the empire must admit defeat. I don’t know if it’s when one loses their army or the kingdom but war that has been started has to end somewhere. I have that responsibility.
“Shinichi! Someone is coming here.”
I looked up at Erna’s voice. As she said, a man was walking from the main camp. He has short purple hair and manly horns. He has a chiseled and masculine face with thick eyebrows in an inverted figure of “八”. His gaze were like those of a beast. His body is muscular, and the armor he wears has a noble atmosphere with gold decorations on it. He held a sword in each hand, and the white ceramic-like blade caught my eye.
When the man was in front of me, he stopped.
“It’s unexpected that just you two could invade this far. Who the hell are you guys?”
“My name is Shinichi Tanaka. The person next to me is Erna. We are adventurers in the kingdom.”
“Just an adventurer, but how could our army suffer such a blow…. Well, I’m Gaen Dragnil, the first in line to the throne. It’s time for a real battle.”
Gaen raises his sword.
I immediately checked Gaen’s status.
| 【Analysis Result: Gaen Dragnil: The eldest son of the Imperial family of the Estent Empire. He is known as one of the most powerful people in the Empire and many people considers him to be the next Emperor. Rarity: B, Overall Ability: A】 |
| 【Status】 Name: Gaen Dragnil Race: High Dragoneut Age: 38 years old Magic Attribute: Earth Magic: Rock Arrow, Rock Wall, Rock Bullet Skills: Dragon Transformation ▹ Special: Leadership, Danger Detection ▹ Advanced: Fist King Technique, Enemy Search, Super Sensation ▹ Intermediate: Limit Breaktrough, Dual Blade Magnate technique, Fang Strengthening, Dragon Breath ▹ Beginner: Self-recovery Evolution: Does not meet the conditions 【Evolution Condition: Dual Blade Magnate technique (Special Grade), Limit Breakthrough (Begginer Level), Dragon breath (Beginner Level)】 |
In terms of stats alone, he seems to far outperform that Bezel guy. Let’s take a look at his sword too.
| 【Analysis Result: Flying Dragon Twin Sword: Twin sword made by processing the bones of a rare flying dragon. It is treated as a national treasure in the Estent Empire. It is now used as a property of Gaen. Rarity: A, Overall Ability:-】 |
It seems to be the same as the one that Bezel used before. However, the fact that he wields two swords is scary. There is no doubt that it will be a struggle even if I think about it simply.
“Shinichi…”
Erna calls out behind me. She must be wondering if she should join the fight. Her magic came into play against Bezel, but the situation now is so different from that time. Besides, Gaen doesn’t seem to be naïve enough to fool around.
In that case, I decided to ask Erna to be keep an eye on the surrounding.
“Stop the enemy soldiers from coming. I’ll fight him one-on-one.”
“Understood. Be careful.”
“Um.”
Erna disappeared using magic and ran away from the area. With this, the stage was set for the battle between me and Gaen. We pointed swords at each other and then while measuring some distance, we inched closer to each other.
Then, the two swords moved. With clashing sounds, the twin swords’ change its stance upwards and downwards in anticipation to my movements. On the other hand, I also moved my sword from a higher to the lower stance in order to get the first move from Gaen. I do simulations in my head many times, but it’s still hard to fight against dual wielding. Even if I dodged the first slash, another one is bound to come.
“You are good in spite of being a human… I can’t see an opening.”
“That should be my line. I didn’t know that dual wielding could be so troublesome.”
Gaen and I had a smile on our lips. Being able to fight a strong enemy brings a strange pleasure. I can feel the real sense of being alive in this life or death exchange. After a few seconds that felt like hours, the moment finally came. Both of us stepped strongly on the ground and accelerated.
Clang!, there was such a high-pitched metallic sound, red sparks scattered between the swords. Once I parried the first blow with my sword, his second blow will be delivered immediately. I parried it again with my sword then the third blow will be followed by a fourth blow. Barrage of blows came next. The pressure of his sword is heavy, and a single blow can numb me to the bone. Even his strength seemed to exceed Bezel.
“That power is unbelievable for a human. If that is the case, you’re the one who killed Bezel!?”
“That’s right! I killed Bezel!”
“I see. Now I understand why Karl is so concerned. You are definitely a threat to the Empire!”
Gaen leapt backwards and took a deep breath. I immediately realized that it is a preliminary move of the skill, dragon breath. I quickly moved to the side. With a roar, a huge flame spewed out from his mouth. Its scale was such that it could swallow two houses. The place where I was just now was charred black, and the temperature around me was rapidly rising. The flames were extinguished in a matter of seconds but I could see that the Dragon Breath skill was a powerful thing.
Just in case, I activated the High Dragoneut race. Now I should be resistant to flames. Gaen was shocked when he saw me.
“You bastard! Weren’t you a human?”
“I can change my races in many ways. Since I would be fighting you, I decided that High Dragoneut would be a better choice.”
“You’re a freak!”
Gaen wields his twin sword again. On the other hand, I dodged his first blow and blocks his second attack with my sword. Finally, I began to see the flow of his dual wielding. He has a habit of moving. After the first and second strikes, there is a gap for the next attack.
In other words, the only way for me to get a chance to win is to exploit that. I dodged the sword as before, then I parried the second blow with my sword. Right after that, I quickly slashed at his feet. He lost his balance and fell to the ground.
It’s the perfect oppurtunity!
“Teryaa!”
“Won’t let you!”
When I tried to thrust my sword into his face, he crossed his sword to block it. As I put more force into it, the twin swords he was blocking with were pushed hard. It looks like I’m almost able to stab him to death.
“Burn!”
Then he exhales dragon’s breathe towards my face. I quickly deflected the attack and Gaen used that chance to roll on the ground and distanced himself from me.
“That was close. As expected of Bezel’s older brother.”
Gaen readied his twin swords and grins, displaying his white teeth.
“I’ve never been this cornered since my father. I think it’s my luck to meet you.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I defeat you, I’ll level up a notch. If that happens, I’m pretty sure I’ll become the emperor. I’m going to achieve further evolution you see.”
Perhaps he’s talking about experience points. Certainly, there is a high possibility that he will gain a huge amount of experience if he defeats me. I’m from a rare race with the rarity of SS after all. Considering my overall ability, I should be a pretty tasty prey.
“It’s a matter of winning against me then.”
“Don’t make me laugh. You don’t seem to understand that I haven’t been serious yet.”
Gaen puts all his strength into his body. Then, dark green scales began to grow on his arms and face. It is dragon transformation. His aura expanded and became a pressure that weighed on me. Such pressure is so huge that Bezel can’t match.
“How is that? Are you in despair? This is something that only high dragoneuts can uh—”
“Haaa!”
I also put out all my strength and the dragon transformation began. My face transforms closer to the dragon and black scales appeared all over my body. In addition, a tail grew out of my buttocks and at the same time, wings appeared from my back when I activated the Vampire race. Even I can use dragon transformation.
“……”
“Well then, let’s resume the fight.”
Gaen was stunned seeing my transformation. His mouth was wide open and he had this look that says that he could not understand the scene in front of him.
It’s not that I don’t understand how he feels. When he was about to brag about his dragon transformation, he found out that his opponent could also use it. With that, you can say that he would want to die of embarrassment.
Gaen blushed a little, shook his head and then he readied his sword.
“Y-You bastard, you could use it too huh. You should have said it sooner.”
“You can’t just speak of something that would reveal your secrets, right? You should be careful of what you say, you know.”
“Shut up! Stop talking!”
Gaen jumps out like a bullet and fires a barrage of blows at me. It was a complete change from before, the speed of the sword had increased tremendously. It was such a strong sword blow that an afterimage could be seen in one flash or two. I parried with my sword as I retreated.
“Uwoooo!”
His sword gains even more speed. It seems that with just one blow of the sword, it can take my whole body away. But that doesn’t mean I can’t win. In fact, unlike before, I feel more relaxed. This is because my physical abilities have increased dramatically due to dragon transformation. In addition, by activating Skill Awakening, my ability increased even more.
Gaen’s movements appear to be in a slow motion. Even his next attack can be easily predicted. As the body releases its limiter, it can performs above its limits. Awakening is such skill that frees the mind.
I dodged Gaen’s attack then I slid my blade as he passed by.
“Gaha-!?”
Gaen, who was cut in the side, fell to one knee on the ground. Blood gushed out of him, and a small amount of internal organs were exposed.
“If you surrender, I won’t kill you. Here’s a friendly advice, just admit defeat.”
“I… I’m the firstborn of the Dragnil Imperial Family… I can’t do something like that.”
Gaen stands up with his sword as a cane. I am secretly impressed by his noble appearance.
“Are you going to fight with that wound? I won’t hold back either, you know?”
“That’s better!”
Gaen and I start running, then our swords crossed each other. The blows he swung were even heavier. It’s such a sword attack that looks as if it cuts a life. However, with the current me, it felt too slow.
“………… Agaa-.”
My sword cuts Gaen in half. I wanted to fight against him a little longer. But, since it’s a fight with my life at stake, there’s no need for mercy. Gaen fell to the ground with a thud. It’s a very unfortunate ending.
“Hey Gaen, I’ll accept that skill.”
I then acquired his skills by using the skill, Skill Picking. What I got is the dragon breath and the dual blade magnet technique.
| 【Status】 Name: Shinichi Tanaka Age: 17 years old (56 years old) Race: Homeless (King) <High Dragoneut | Vampire> Occupation: Adventurer Magic Attribute: No Attribute Magic: Restoration Space, Isolation Space Skills: Shadow Field, Familiar Creation, Familiar Summoning, Dragon Transformation, Skill Picking, Race Picking, King’s Vessel ▹Special: Stealth, Danger Detection, Sense of Touch Enhancement, Taste Enhancement, Eyesight Enhancement, Hearing Enhancement, Smell Enhancement, Digestion Enhancement, Super Sensation, Shock Absorption, Hardening, Plant manipulation, Leadership, Indomitable Spirit, Small Dragon Breath, Separation, Intimidation, Division, Sand Walking, Enemy Search, Digestion Strengthening, Flight, Familiar Strengthening ▹Advanced: Theft, Stealth, , Paralyzing Eye, Life or Death Technique,Limit Breakthrough,Dragon Beheading Slash, Sand Walking, Flight, Hardening, Plant Manipulation, Analysis(↑),Dragon Breath (New) ▹Intermediate: Master of War, Limit Breakthrough, Underwater Adaptation, Fist King Technique, Metal Manipulation, Nerve Strengthening, Danger Prediction, Self-recovery, Universal Thread, Dual Blade Magnate Technique(New) ▹Beginner: Self-recovery, Dictatorship, Virtuous Spirit, Awakening, Impact Nullification |
It seems that the only thing that has improved in my skills is the Analysis skill.
At that moment, texts appears in the field of vision.
| 【Report: The Skill, Dual Blade Magnate Technique has been absorbed by the Master of War】 |
Now I can use dual wielding.
I want to try it right away but there are no enemies around. I had no choice so I decided to collect the Flying Dragon Twin sword.
“Shinichi!”
The voice faded so I turned around and saw Erna emerging from thin air. Looks like she was hiding well.
“You didn’t get caught up in the attack, right?”
“Yeah, I’m good. No need to worry. More importantly, now that you’ve defeated their supreme commander, the battle is over, right?”
“I think so…”
But even though the supreme commander is dead, there is no sign that the Imperial army is backing down.
Hmm, does that mean that Gaen wasn’t their supreme commander?
Just as I was thinking about this, a loud trumpet sounded from the Imperial Headquarters. Hearing the sound, the empire soldiers begin to retreat at once.
“It looks like it’s a victory for the Allied forces. Enemies will be rushing in here soon.”
I picked Erna up, spread my wings and soared into the sky.
◇◇◇
“It’s over huh…”
“It seems so.”
Two people with their hoods pulled over their heads appeared from thin air. Behind them, sound of footsteps could be heard, wave of Imperial soldiers seemed to be near.
“It’s going to be a hassle when they all come here. Let’s end it right away.”
“Yes.”
One of them drew his sword and swiftly beheaded Gaen who was lying on the ground. The other took out a leather bag and put Gaen’s head in it.
“With this, you instantly become the hero.”
“Let’s run away as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
The duo held hands and disappeared from the scene. Only the headless body of Gaen was left behind.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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