Chapter 97

After Kent went to buy materials in Bloom, I decided to level up my skills while Tarte was busy with <Pharmaceuticals>.

...I feel bad for leaving it all to Tarte...

The hunting ground we chose is <Dragon's Bed>, where we can get the materials for <Roar Potion>. Kent is in the front, and I, Titia, Roi, and Cocoa are participating. Blitz and Mimosa are not here this time as they are in charge of communication with the other <Cathedral Knights>.

Since we have already experienced hunting, Kent and the others seem to have gotten used to it.

"<Provoke>! Followed by <Tornado Whirlwind>!!"

"I'm going! <The eyes that fell from the sky sharpen and strike the enemy♪>"

When Kent lures the dragon and Cocoa uses her skill by singing, the water gathered above forms a sword and pierces the dragon. With a staff in his right hand and a magic book in his left, his fighting stance is very cool. And his strength is incomparable to when he was a <Word Spirit User>. I can't fall behind!

"Great! <Guard of the Goddess> <Apostle of the Goddess>!"

"---<Blessing of the Fallen Goddess> <Hammer of the Goddess>!!"

I provide support, and then Roi uses an attack skill. Since I can handle the support alone, Roi can focus on attacking.

After hunting for a while, we decided to take a break.

"By the way, the <Black Dragon> we defeated before... doesn't it respawn?"

Kent, who was drinking water, asked me with a question.

While there are some differences depending on the boss, in the game, they usually respawn every one to three hours. The respawn time for the <Black Dragon> is one hour.

"I think bosses in dungeons take longer to respawn than other monsters, but I believe they do respawn. In the case of the <Black Dragon>... I haven't confirmed it myself, so I can't say for sure, but it might respawn in about an hour...?"

"One hour...!? That's... amazing..."

It seems the respawn time was unexpectedly fast, and Kent was speechless.

"Want to fight it again?"

"No, no, no, no, that battle now!? That's too much! Without Tarte, Blitz, and Mimosa!!"

I asked just in case, but it seems he had no intention of doing so.

"Hehe... Hey, Kent's egg is glowing!"

"Whoa!?"

The dragon egg that Kent had tied around his waist started to glow faintly. It must be time for it to hatch.

"A dragon is going to be born!?"

"Is it okay for it to hatch here!?"

"Well, I don't know... Ah, there's a crack in the egg!"

While Titia, Cocoa, and Kent were panicking, the cracked egg split open, and a baby dragon emerged.

"Kyu!"

The dragon that was born as Kent's partner was a sturdy, black dragon with a focus on defense. It had sky-blue eyes and scales like steel. It was cute and endearing, but it would become more majestic as it grew.

The dragon that becomes a <Dragon Knight>'s partner is randomly born from three types: a black dragon with a focus on defense, a red dragon with a focus on attack, and a blue dragon with a focus on support. For Kent, who also acts as a shield in the front, it was a good match. By the way, my brother's partner is a red dragon.

"Wow, my partner...!!"

"Great, Kent! Congratulations! Now you're a full-fledged <Dragon Knight>!"

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations!"

When Cocoa, I, Tia, and Roi congratulated him, Kent said, "Ah!" and smiled.

"I need to give it a name! Hmm... Okay! Since it has beautiful sky-blue eyes, from today on, you're Sora! Let's fly through the sky and go on adventures together! Nice to meet you!!"

"Kyu kyu~!"

Naming it Sora after the sky color seemed very Kent-like, and it made me feel warm.

"Nice to meet you, Sora."

"Kyu!"

It responded happily to my greeting, and I couldn't help but think how cool it was to become a <Dragon Knight> in reality...

***

"Did you bring the potions? If you need anything, let me know right away!"

"Tarte worked hard to make them, so we're all set!"

Tarte distributed the consumables and confirmed how to use them. This time, we were able to make <Water Feather Cloak Potion> with the <Water Mushroom> that Cocoa bought as a souvenir. This potion increases defense, so we want to use it as much as possible during battles.

Kent especially praised it. The increase in defense is very helpful for him as a front-liner. Tarte also gave him more to ensure he always has it available.

"Still, we have <Roar Potion> too... <Alchemists> are amazing. The skill to use <Fire Bottles> is also strong, and I respect them!"

"Hehe, it's fun, but it requires tools and gathering materials is tough."

Seeing us prepare, the angel shrugged and said, "Humans are so busy."

"Angel..."

"The Grand Cathedral is very important to Lady Florencia, so please do your best."

"A, yes."

When I nodded reflexively, the angel smiled adorably.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the crystal cathedral in front of me. Rodney and <Luluye> are here now. And another person to watch out for is the <Dark Knight> at the monastery.

...I want to think our level is higher, but we shouldn't be complacent.

I turned around, and my companions were lined up.

Tarte, Titia, Roi, Kent, Cocoa, Blitz, Mimosa—and about twenty <Paladins> and <Cathedral Knights> who were in contact with us. I never thought I would have so many companions when I first left the country, especially as a villainous lady.

"Alright, the time has come! Let's defeat Rodney!!"

When I declared it loudly, everyone gripped their weapons firmly. Their expressions were serious, and the tension in the air conveyed the importance of this battle. The only one who seemed relaxed was the angel watching us.

The goal this time is to capture Rodney and defeat <Luluye>. The <Dark Knight> can be captured or defeated, and the <Cathedral Knights> are supposed to be captured and put in prison.

The <Cathedral Knights> were the first to enter the crystal cathedral, followed by us. Roi, Blitz, and Mimosa protected Titia, while Tarte and I supported them and moved flexibly. We mainly dealt with the <Dark Knight>, and Titia and the others were to corner Rodney.

When I entered the crystal cathedral, the battle had already begun. However, the <Cathedral Knights> on Rodney's side seemed a bit confused. This was probably because Blitz, who was commanding our <Cathedral Knights>, was mowing down the enemies with incredible strength.

...Everyone is over level 100!

We left the battle to Blitz and the others and ran to Rodney. Our destination was Titia's room.

"Just a little more—!"

The moment Kent shouted, he was attacked by a skill. He managed to block it with his greatsword, and there stood the <Dark Knight> I had seen at the monastery.

...I knew it, he's here.

I cast all the support I could and looked at the closed door. The <Dark Knight> was standing in front of Titia's room, probably guarding it.

"Kent, keep him distracted! —<I, scorched by the earth, pray for the sprouting of life♪>"

Cocoa sang a skill that was a play on the theme song of "Re:Zero," causing plants to grow from the floor and bind the <Dark Knight>.

"Ugh, what is this magic...!!"

The <Dark Knight> struggled to break free, but to no avail. Heh, <Song Mages> are formidable.

"...How anticlimactic."

Roi sighed, and the <Dark Knight> shouted, "This is a joke!!" He tried to tear the plants, but it was futile.

If this goes well, we might be able to capture Rodney smoothly. As I was thinking this, the door to Titia's room opened.

"---!?"

The commotion must have reached inside the room, but it wasn't Rodney who came out.

It was <Luluye> who emerged from the door.