Chapter 97

Ancient white flames enveloped the Lagradragon.

The intention was to burn the dragon, which was resistant to heat. A chill ran through me as if my magic was being drained, and my fingertips grew cold. The sensation of my core freezing was a disturbing reminder of death.

(What a ridiculous way to die from fire magic and freeze to death.)

Of course, this was not a situation where one could die easily.

The maddened Lagradragon was formidable. Even a moment's lapse in attention could mean death. I quickly scanned the area to see if any knights had been caught in the magic.

(That rooster comb, is that Captain Bayleu? Indeed, it stands out well.)

The defensive magic embedded in the smoky quartz seemed to have worked, and the kingdom's knights appeared to be unharmed. The decorative plumes on the heads of Captain Bayleu and the other kingdom knights were fluttering in various places.

Meanwhile, our Galbreath knights were retreating while looking for an opportunity to counterattack. As the dragon, which was emitting agonized cries, tried to take off, Ambry and others threw new chains to stop it.

"Ambry, I told you to retreat! Zeph, you too!"

"Well, we're used to it, a bit."

"Even we, almost burned to death, though."

Ambry and Zeph, who specialized in defense and guarded the rear of the drake cavalry, exchanged their usual banter. But they were truly feeling the heat. They anchored the ends of the chains to the ground with their battle axes and spears, then retreated without a second glance. This was a feat only the well-trained Galbreath knights could perform. With their support, I focused even more on weaving the magic.

The snow and ice around us had already melted, steaming. The Lagradragon, whose tail had been cut off, writhed and thrashed its massive body, still trying to reach the sky despite its wing membranes being burned away.

*Guhuhuhuhu, guhuhuhuhu, guhuhuhuhuhu*

How much time had passed? The Lagradragon, which had been resisting with magic, raised its head and let out a loud cry, straining with its last bit of strength. Its throat was burned, so the sound was more of a dubious roar.

*Guhuhu... gu... gu...*

The magical resistance suddenly vanished, and the Lagradragon's body sank into the white flames, its head still raised to the sky. The smell of burning flesh and fat quickly filled the air, and I finally relaxed my cold fingertips.

"Now, release them!"

The moment the magical flames disappeared, the knights, at Chaos' signal, threw their spears to finish the job. The blades that had failed to penetrate before now pierced the hard scales with a dull sound. The giant body, having lost its magical defense, no longer moved.

"... Winged creatures, do they long for the sky?"

I looked up at the sky the Lagradragon had gazed at until the end. If it hadn't gone mad, it would have returned to the southern volcanic region with its companions by now.

My body, having released a large amount of magic for the first time in a while, felt sluggish, and I almost sat down. However, I couldn't relax my vigilance yet, so I put the dragon whistle to my lips again to bring down the Grissheldragons I had called.

The sky, now dark, was pierced by shadows. On the black-iron Grissheldragon, which glinted dully in the moonlight, was Mullan, who had been ordered to pursue the Lagradragon if it tried to escape into the sky.

"It seems we won't be needed, Mullan—"

I raised my hand to call out to Mullan, but stopped mid-sentence.

"What is it, sir?"

I saw an unusual color among the shadows of the dragons.

"Mullan, head for the sky!"

"The sky?"

Above Mullan and my Grissheldragon, a red warning light that cut through the darkness and a strangely glowing sky-blue color were staring at us. A chill ran down my spine.

"There's another one!"

"Ha!? Another Lagradragon!?"

It wasn't just one. Was it even a maddened individual? Panic spread among the kingdom knights at my voice. The Galbreath knights immediately adjusted their positions and began to move to slay the new Lagradragon that had appeared in the sky.

"Chaos, I leave this to you! I'll go with Mullan and chase that one!"

"At least take two more with you, sir!"

Such a sloppy investigation. No, that doesn't matter now. We must eliminate it before it causes harm.

The Lagradragon, which Mullan was chasing, turned its head skillfully and breathed a blast of air. I took the reins of the drake that had descended, ascended, and cast a spell to accelerate.

◇ ◇ ◇

The night in the winter capital was colder than a Martial Raid.

I knew it was because of my fever, but I felt very lonely and shivered even under the thick blankets.

(The healer...?)

When I woke up, it was still night, and the healer with the familiar purple eyes was not by my side. Perhaps Captain Blanche, Natalie, or Lillian were waiting in the next room, but I couldn't call out to them just because I didn't want to be alone.

Thirsty, I poured water from the pitcher into a wooden cup and drank it all at once. There was also a cooled medicinal broth, so I endured the bitter taste and sipped it little by little. Still feeling a bit cold, I couldn't settle down. I got out of bed, put on a thick overcoat, and approached the window.

From this house, which was a bit higher up, I could see the town clearly.

Even though it was night, the street lamps were bright, and it seemed that some shops were still open. In Galbreath, where the snow never buried the town, shops never closed in winter, especially taverns, which stayed open late into the night. The capital seemed to be the same. There were fewer people, but I could see the occasional patrolling knights.

(Lord Alistair... has the hunt ended?)

The deep part of Parivain Forest Park was said to be covered in snow. It wasn't certain that they would encounter the target immediately, and it might take up to ten days. Parivain Forest Park was about two hours away by carriage from here. If they traveled by air, it would be a short trip. Moreover, the target this time was the Lagradragon, a drake specialized in flying, according to the encyclopedia.

(I hope the smoky quartz is useful! No, I hope it doesn't have to be used!)

I prayed to the crescent moon like a child. I've always been the type to do nothing but pray when it matters. I went on the expedition to slay the Yglosh centipede and saw up close how the Galbreath knights hunted monsters. I didn't want them to get hurt, so I drew many magic circles on the smoky quartz infused with the centipede's magic. It was a defensive barrier magic circle, which Chaos had mockingly called an "ancient magic weapon used in the battle against the Dragon King." Odilon, the head magician, had replaced it with a modern magic that was easier to use, making it accessible even to those not well-versed in magic.

(I wanted to go with them)

Even though I could never become a female knight like the ones in Galbreath, I had my own expertise in magic. I sighed and returned to the bed to rest. I needed to be in good shape before everyone returned. Lord Alistair was considerate, and if he found out I had a cold, he would blame himself.

My thoughts grew hazy as the fever rose again. If I slept until morning, I might feel a bit better. Just as I was dozing off, someone suddenly burst into the room.

"Excuse me, princess! We need to leave here immediately. Please, grab onto me."

It was Captain Blanche, with a tense expression. Lillian and Natalie also entered, all armed.

"Captain Blanche, what's—"

"His Highness is going to drop a dragon here! Hurry!"

"Wait, Lord Alistair? Hold on—"

Before I could process what was happening, Captain Blanche picked me up in a thick overcoat. Lord Alistair should be in Parivain Forest Park. "Dropping a dragon" must be a code phrase used among the Galbreath knights.

Confused, I was led out of the room and out through a back door on the first floor. The cold wind made me shiver, and Natalie draped a fur coat over me and put on winter fur boots.

"Captain Blanche, it's coming! Up there!"

We looked up at Lillian's anxious voice. A black-iron dragon and a sky-blue dragon were fiercely colliding, trying to bite each other's necks. Even though the grounds of this mansion were spacious, it was a bit too small for a dragon battle.

*Gyaaah*

*Ggyaaah*

Lillian, who was clenching her fists and watching intently, shouted, "Captain Mullan, go for it!"

Upon closer inspection, a knight in a black overcoat was riding the black-iron dragon, and it seemed to be Mullan. Therefore, the sky-blue dragon must be the maddened Lagradragon.

The sky-blue scales of the Lagradragon, which were both eerie and beautiful, deflected Mullan's spear. The scales that fell off glittered in the air, and the enraged Lagradragon roared, trying to knock its opponent down with its tail.

(Lord Alistair, where is Lord Alistair?)

Captain Blanche had said, "His Highness is going to drop a dragon here." If that was the case, Lord Alistair must be somewhere. As I looked around the sky, Captain Blanche started running to a place where the damage wouldn't reach.

"Wait, Lord Alistair—"

"Princess, please escape with Lillian! I will go to the king—"

Captain Blanche's voice was drowned out by a dull thud. The Lagradragon, which had shaken off Mullan, was now being pressed against the wall by another Grissheldragon that had come from the side. The wind from the dragons' flapping wings scattered dirt, pebbles, and branches, and we took cover behind the trees. The avoidance magic circle was useless and collapsed. The two massive bodies emerged from the rubble of the collapsed wall.

The sky-blue Lagradragon, illuminated by the street lamps, had muddied yellow eyes and red-glowing horns, dripping blood-tinged saliva. On the back of the majestic Grissheldragon was a tall knight in a black overcoat, with the crimson 'Zero' in the Rangdias language dyed on it.