Chapter 96

After a short break, we continued deeper into the forest.

"Sir, the presence of the dragon is becoming more intense."

The reconnaissance unit that had been leading the way returned and reported this to me. We advanced about fifty furlongs further. Chaos, who was walking beside me, kicked the snow-covered ground and clicked his tongue.

"Did you find any droppings?"

"No, not droppings, but parts of a mangled beast's corpse."

After confirming the clumps of what seemed to be the flesh of a furry beast, I signaled the kingdom knights behind me.

"Captain Bayliew, from here on, the dragon could attack at any moment, so be prepared."

"Surely, Duke Galbreath, you're going to lead the charge?"

Through the resonance stone, Captain Bayliew's slightly shaken response came back.

"Who else but me? They don't treat humans like us."

"If it's truly a Lagradragon, we should observe first."

"While observing, it might escape into the sky. Especially if it's in a berserk state, striking first is the only way to ensure a sure kill."

"But—"

"Enough. This is the Galbreath way. If you can't follow, you're just a hindrance. I'll leave you behind."

I tried to be as polite as possible since Captain Bayliew is the commander of the royal knights directly under the king, but I couldn't afford to have the unit split over a disagreement now. I ended the conversation with Captain Bayliew and readied my Zarian battle axe. Seeing this, the Galbreath knights also readied their weapons and lowered their visors. There was no time to be leisurely when dealing with beasts that don't care about human intentions. Dragons are adept at sensing the presence of others. We could be attacked at any moment.

The number of trees that seemed to have been felled by the Lagradragon increased, and along with them, the bodies of beasts that had been eviscerated and left to rot. The blood and flesh of the Yacur beast, whose head had been crushed, had dried, but due to the low temperature of the winter forest, there were few insects and the decay was not advanced. It seemed that the Lagradragon was slaughtering its prey not for food but out of impulse.

I estimated the time until sunset using the sand timer on my belt after examining several of the corpses.

"Muran, do you think we can finish before sunset?"

"About five hours... It depends on how much they've been worn down, but since it's in a berserk state..."

"It will keep attacking until it's finished."

"Even if all your spells hit, it might be a long battle due to the poor compatibility."

"If its heat resistance is higher than my firepower..."

To keep it in place, I would need to break or cut off its legs, which would allow me to burn it. As I was thinking this, Chaos interjected.

"Whether magic works or not. Lagradragons apparently spend half the year in active volcanoes in the south, so they might have defensive magic as natural as breathing."

Chaos's prediction was mostly accurate. Dragons are a different class from ordinary beasts. They use unique magic, but the type of magic varies. If my fire or lightning magic is ineffective, I would need to rely on physical attacks.

"Physical attacks are fine. If it's defensive magic, we have this."

I tapped the leather bag. The leather bag attached to my belt contained a cloud crystal made by Melfiela. The magic array I use is in ancient magic language, but the one I gave to the other knights is a modern magic defensive barrier array drawn by Odilon. When I tested it, the magic in the cloud crystal sustained the barrier for a while, so it was intended for use in emergencies.

"It's a miracle it hasn't been misused until now."

"That's probably because your shrewd father-in-law kept it hidden. I must learn from him—"

I cut off my words, raised my visor, and focused on my nose. The smell of iron and the unique, raw scent of dragons carried on the wind.

"Sir."

"Yes, it smells. It's the dragon's breath."

We quickly reformed our formation to avoid being downwind and moved as quietly as possible. Dragons track their prey by sound and vibrations, so they probably already knew our movements.

On the other side of the trees that still had leaves in winter, something huge was stirring.

"It's big."

"About fifteen furlongs long, maybe."

"...It's looking at us."

"It's looking at us, alright."

"...Its mouth is so big. And its teeth are sharp."

The knights muttered to themselves. The Lagradragon, with its muddied yellow eyes, was looking at us, holding its prey. The Lagradragon, known as a migratory winged dragon, had a vibrant sky-blue color. Its wings were more impressive than those of the Grissheldragon, and they emitted a magical light, possibly to protect the membrane.

Having decided we were its next prey, the Lagradragon tossed the beast it was holding and stomped its front legs, beating the ground with its long tail.

(Not good, we're completely within its range.)

Should I be grateful that it still has some intelligence to observe us? But the fact that it's drooling and has bloodshot, muddied eyes indicates it's definitely in a berserk state.

Unable to move, the Lagradragon made the first move. The Lagradragon, with its sky-blue scales, tilted its neck and made a low, rumbling sound.

(Breath, huh?)

A dragon's roar is not just for intimidation; it can also be a magical breath. The Lagradragon, whose forehead had turned a vivid crimson, puffed out its throat and braced its front legs.

"Fall back, the dragon's breath is coming!"

The Galbreath knights gathered in one spot, raised their shields, and cast defensive magic. The combined magic increased in power. However, the kingdom knights, who were not used to this, scattered to put distance between themselves and the Lagradragon.

"Wait, scattering makes you a target!"

Turning your back on a dragon is like inviting death. If you're separated from the group, you're bound to be targeted.

Sure enough, the Lagradragon, which had been watching the fleeing kingdom knights, aimed its puffed-out throat and glowed.

"Damn!"

I quickly took out the cloud crystal from my bag and threw it to the knight, then immediately began chanting the ancient magic to activate the barrier.

"Va So Siermo Fabo O Dona Ies La Prokst!"

The magic array in the cloud crystal, which reacted to my spell, emitted a blinding light. It was a simple incantation, but the array was constructed by Melfiela. A magnificent triple barrier, glowing with the blue blood of the Yglosh centipede crab, spread out with the cloud crystal at its center, which had fallen on the fresh snow. At that moment, the Lagradragon's fiery red breath exploded with a roar.

(You are indeed a rare genius, Melfi!)

The kingdom knights inside the barrier stood in shock. Some had even fainted, but they probably didn't realize that the barrier was so strong that it neutralized the dragon's breath. Annoyed by the interference, the Lagradragon persistently tried to break through the barrier with its fiery breath, but the blue magical light remained unshaken.

However, we couldn't attack from inside the barrier.

"Go for the tail first! The next team, prepare the chains!"

Without waiting for my orders, the Galbreath knights seized the opportunity and attacked the Lagradragon's tail with their battle axes.

"GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG