256. Clash (7)
#256
Grumble…! The sewer was shaking. It was an earthquake caused by the bombing of Duaru, but Ajidahaka, who had lost his senses, did not notice it.
They were chatting about old times. Alibrihe’s face stiffened for a moment when he realized the situation. Ajidahaka, who noticed that the conversation had stopped, asked a question.
【Alibrihe?】
“iced coffee. I’m sorry. “I took a moment to think about it.”
Alibrihe let out an awkward laugh. He stroked his beard a few times and continued speaking.
“I can still vividly remember the day you were crowned king. It was a time of great confusion because Navarre abdicated the throne without leaving any word about his successor. “It was already hundreds of years ago.”
【Has it already happened like that?】
“Time passes quickly when you look back.”
Ajidahaka, who was reflecting on the memory, smiled. It feels like it was just yesterday, but if you think about it properly, it was a long time ago.
Adren, whose throne was empty, was in confusion. It was difficult to run a human city properly, but managing a community where arrogant dragons and their servants lived was not easy.
A capable leader was essential. After a long discussion, the dragons decided to elect a monarch in a traditional yet simple way: the strongest would become the monarch. Ajdahaka said.
【They were all weak guys. In the first place, I had no qualifications except for luggage.】
“Hahaha…maybe it was so.”
The dragons, who were said to need some strength, fought a bloody fight to rule as the dragon of dragons. Ajidahaka was also one of them, and achieved victory to be proud of. Alibrihe chuckled.
“Well, in the end, it was the right decision. Not only was he strong, but he was definitely good at his job because he had two heads. “To the point where I wonder if I needed three of them.”
【···Shut up.】
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Anyway, after that…”
An old story continued. The two ancient dragons chatted about their memories, forgetting about their hopeless situation. We had been traveling the world together for decades, so we had a lot to talk about. Alibrihe said.
“The birth of a multi-headed dragon is often considered a very good omen. This is much rarer than having multiple wings. “I tell you now, when I was a child, I felt honored that you hung out with me.”
【Because you were different from other idiots.】
Ajdahaka affirmed. In fact, Ali Bryghe was one of the few people he thought was on his level. To begin with, he was the greatest genius in his clan.
“Thank you for saying that. Do you remember when the two of you visited Navardose during a time when you were both wandering? “I went there to inquire, not to kill him like I am now, but to find out what I should do with my life in the future.”
【It seems like something like that happened…】
“Do you remember what he said to you then?”
Ajidahaka closed his mouth at the sudden question. It was so long ago that her memories were sparse. She obviously patted her head and said something.
【no.】
“I remember clearly. He was said to be a great king who would save and lead countless compatriots, or an evil demon dragon who would make the world tremble. “I think the way you look now is closer to the latter.”
【···What do you want to say?】
“I’m just curious. “How did you, who were so noble, end up in this situation?”
Alibrihe asked. Silence fell. The gradually heavier eyelids signaled approaching death.
It was the last time anyway, so I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just talk cool and die. Azida Haka, who had been silent, opened her mouth.
【···I hated the second one.】
“Hmm?”
【Jim turned Adren into a golden city. We restored order and established an environment where our compatriots and their servants could live comfortably. I swear that I have never once neglected the destiny given to me to rule.】
“No one can deny that. “It is to your credit that the Dragon City has achieved prosperity.”
Alibrihe hesitated. In fact, it was the achievements of the second Dragon King, Ajidahaka, that made the existence of dragons truly influence the world and become an object of respect and fear.
【Nevertheless, the subjects and people respected the Mother of Fire more than Jim. I didn’t like that. So, she tried to get rid of it.】
“…Honestly, this is a bit difficult to understand. “Don’t you know that respect for Navardose is unavoidable?”
Alibrihe frowned. The reason was much more personal than he expected. I never would have thought that this is why I joined hands with Nebula Clazier.
“And the majority of your countrymen and people respected you. And that too deep in my heart. “It may be a little strange, but you were a very good king.”
【Know. I knew it, but…】
Ajidahaka spoke with difficulty. My vision, which had been blurred, had long since been covered in darkness. Now, in a world where even sound is disappearing, he opened his mouth.
【I didn’t want to lose to that ‘inevitable’…】
“Huh.”
Ajidahaka, who had been dragging his tail, lowered his head. Alibrihe sighed softly. Her head hung limp while her lips were still licking.
How long has it been like that?
Ajidahaka, who was stretched out as if dead, opened his eyes and vomited blood.
【Wow!!!】
“this. “You buried it.”
Alibrihe clicked his tongue. She quickly dodged, but ended up covered in a bucket of blood. Ajidahaka stuttered in embarrassment.
【Keuuuuuuuuuu! Suddenly, what is this…!】
Suddenly, the sense that had been stagnant returned and pain began to spread from my side. The sound of water, which had become small, was getting louder. The vision became increasingly clearer, reflecting the shabby scenery of the sewer again. thud! thud! A vibration erupted from somewhere, shaking the air.
The pain, which was gradually getting worse, was soon turning into an unbearable pain. The sound of my teeth breaking as I clenched them so hard resounded.
The sight of Ajidahaka, twisting its neck this way and that, was like an earthworm crawling out of the dirt on a rainy day. Alibrihe, who was watching the scene, burst out laughing.
“It looks like they are treating you from above.”
【Hehe… Treatment?】
“But something new. You were a good king. “It seems I’m not the only one who thinks that.”
Ajidahaka’s eyes widened. Then she felt her torso moving. Something like a vine was gently wrapping around her neck and pulling her towards it.
Alibrihe’s figure was slowly moving away. There were a lot of things she wanted to ask her friend she hadn’t seen in a while, but she was so sick that she couldn’t bring herself to ask them.
“Goodbye. “Please think carefully about why you were born with two heads.”
【Ali…Brihe…!】
“At least I don’t think it’s to double down on hatred and jealousy.”
Alibrihe waved his hand. Ajidahaka, who had barely regained his composure, was about to say something. Quaaaang! As the pulling force became stronger, the scenery in front of me changed. His three necks were pulled out from the ground by a strong pull.
【Huh!】
Ajidahaka sighed. Cool air swept through my lungs. A huge vine plant tightly tying up my upper body caught my eye. A familiar voice echoed from behind.
“Peha! oh my god···!”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Ajidahaka turned his head. The first thing she saw was Sonia, the steel dragon. She and the dozen other dragons that made up her entourage were there.
【what···!】
One by one, they were biting or holding the stems of the vines connected to their upper bodies. It seemed like they were the ones who pulled him out of the sewer and treated him.
Ajidahaka, who understood the situation, lowered his gaze. There was a terrible scar on his side. It seemed like a sign that the area where the giant had hit had been healed in a hurry. Naransonia said.
“your majesty. We tried everything, but the injury was so severe that a complete cure was impossible. Please turn into a human or a small creature and escape from Adren.”
【···escape?】
“yes. It looks like the giant from before is planning to bring Adren down entirely. “We are focusing our attacks on the floating stone in the center of the island.”
As Naransonia said, her left wing was cut off cleanly. It was a wound inflicted by her own rays. She asked, by the way, Ajda Haka, Dani, who crashed Adren, could not hide her embarrassment.
【What does that mean? You…】
“We must go to protect our servants. We’ll buy you some time, so escape quickly. Fortunately, it doesn’t pay much attention to us.”
After hearing those words, Ajidahaka raised his head. The figure of Duaru, floating in the distance and throwing a spear toward the ground, caught my eye.
On the ground, giants, no matter how small, were roaming around and committing massacres. The dragons that still had energy left were fighting against them, but because they were secretly strong and there were so many of them, they were having a hard time.
【The luggage…】
Ajidahaka’s mouth opened quietly. The conversation she had had with Ali Brie in the sewers was floating through her mind. Did they say he would become a great king or an evil demon dragon? At first, I couldn’t tell if it was really real. He was about to say something.
Suddenly, the third head that had passed out opened its eyes.
【···What, did you faint?】
【You guy.】
Ajidahaka, the middle head, glared at him. The third head started looking around without saying a word. He grasped the situation in an instant and spoke in an emotionless voice.
【Hmm… I guess this won’t work.】
【What do you mean it can’t be done?】
Suddenly, two wings slowly unfolded. Fortunately, his wings were not damaged and his senses remained intact. The third head, who had been pausing, opened his mouth.
【There is no chance of winning. I will step aside for now and plan for later.】
【You must have heard that Adren is falling. And in this situation, if Jim runs away, who will protect the remaining people?】
【That’s up to the rest to take care of themselves. You know very well that you can’t win that one.】
The face of the head in the middle became stiff. The dragons, including Naransonia, said nothing. The third head continued.
【And you never know. I wonder if Navardose will kill that guy. If that’s her personality, she’ll definitely try to intervene. When you defeat that monster and become weakened, it is the right time to attack.】
【···Are you sincere?】
【of course. Don’t ask twice.】
The third wing spoke firmly. He said, looking down at Naransonia.
【You guys, buy yourself some time. Still, you seem to have a bit of a headache.】
“···yes. your majesty.”
Naransonia nodded. There was no disagreement with her at all, because that was exactly what she had said in the first place. Then, while she was silent, her head called out to him.
【hey.】
【what?】
It seemed like he knew what he had to do. That was the moment when the third head turned her head in an annoyed manner. Wow! The head suddenly lunged at him and bit his neck.
【Khaaaaaaa! W-what are you doing!】
A third head roared. Instead of answering, the middle head tightened his jaw. Kwasik! The sharp teeth dug into the scales and blood spurted out.
【Keuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!】
The middle head let out a groan of pain. Although her personality was different, because she shared the same body, her pain was conveyed intact. He spoke without loosening his jaw.
【Jim was foolish. No matter how much I wanted to defeat Navarre, I shouldn’t have let you in. Get out of here!】
【Ugh…Oh, it was destined to end up like this. It saved me a lot of trouble…!】
The third head suddenly twisted its body and bit the nape of the middle head. Next, two hands came up and grabbed his horns and face at the same time. It was such an incredible force that it seemed as if the skull would be destroyed.
【Wow!】
【That’s stupid. Don’t you know that this body is now mine!】
The third head burst into laughter. As expected, the one with body control had a much better advantage.
All the middle head can do is endure the pain. And all I could do was do my best not to fall by sinking my teeth deeper and deeper.
It’s been a long time since I gave up my reputation as a king. His men were watching their master fighting against them, not knowing what to do.
The balance that had been maintained tightly was in the process of tilting towards the third head. An indescribable sensation touched every nerve in my first head.
‘This···!’
It was a painfully familiar feeling that had been with me since I hatched from an egg. The corners of her mouth rose slightly.
【···You’re the one who’s stupid.】
【what?】
The third head narrowed his brows. Deciding that this was a futile attempt to buy time, he tightened his grip. The first head, which was moaning, opened its mouth again.
【Even your own head count-】
【I can’t figure it out.】
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out from behind. The scales on her third head stood up. It was the car that made him hurriedly turn his head. Kwasik! The right side of her head came at her from a blind spot and bit down hard on the pale nape of her neck.
【Kyaaaaa!】
Blood flew into the sky. A desperate scream rang out. The third head unconsciously relaxed its jaw and hands. The middle head did not miss the golden opportunity. When he regained his freedom, he bit the third head just below the chin.
【Jim’s mistake is-】
【Correction here.】
【Wait! Don’t you want to defeat Navardose?! It is possible with our strength! If we just get rid of that strange guy, there will be no one to stand in our way!】
The third head, unable to move, cried out desperately. It was a shabby appearance that had no resemblance to his previous appearance. The middle head rumbled coldly.
【No more such things-】
【Not required.】
【for a moment···!】
The second head spoke. The third head was about to say something. The two heads biting the neck from opposite sides pulled back at the same time. Sigh! The pale scales were torn from top to bottom. A third head was torn from the neck.
“Your Majesty…!”
The eyes of the dragons watching opened wide. A huge amount of blood soaked the ground. The middle head, now the left head, shook its head. bang! The third head, messily torn off, was rolling around on the floor.
【Whoops!】
【Umm…!】
The body, which had been discolored white, was regaining its beautiful golden color. It was so painful that I felt like I was going to faint, but there was no time to relax.
Paang! Ajidahaka spread his wings as if to explode and soared into the sky. A loud cry rang out over Adren.
【I say it! Everyone who lives in the Dragon City must obey my orders!】
【Kill the intruders and stop Adren from falling!】
****
“Go away!”
【Step back!】
Asher screamed and waved his arms. An invisible force repelled the giants of light. However, they were not strong enough to kill, so they quickly got up.
“Goooot!”
A huge black tail fell on the heads of the giants who were once again adjusting their posture. Quaaaang! Where the tail was lifted again, only a fog-like remnant of light remained floating.
“Gye, keep coming! What should I do…!”
Asher said, crying. Soon after Duaru spread his feathers, they were surrounded by dozens of giants. I was desperately resisting using what little remaining mana I had and Orsay’s protruding tail, but I was slowly approaching my limit.
【I guess that’s it for now.】
This time, there really was no answer. The giants, who could kill each other endlessly, were gradually narrowing their siege. Orsay, who was busy swinging his tail, spoke in a resigned tone.
【It’s a shame, wizard. If you had abandoned me, you would have survived.】
“How could I…!”
【Is there any reason why you can’t do it?】
“Well, we fought together… I can never abandon my comrades.”
under! Orsay snorted. How dare humans try to match dragons. It was a very unpleasant and arrogant sound, but it didn’t make me feel bad.
【Colleagues.】
Orsay twisted the corner of his mouth. If I had known before, he would have been able to do a lot of more interesting things, but it was just a pity.
The giants were now right in front of us. At first glance, it seemed like he could collapse a stone wall with just one punch, but it seemed like he didn’t want to die gracefully. Adren was going to fall a little later anyway, so a terrible death was inevitable.
“I-I-IK!”
【Kaaaa-!!】
It was a car where a dragon and a human prepared to die cried out their last will in life. Sigh! Suddenly, dozens of red lines were drawn over the giants’ bodies.
“···Go?”
“uh?”
The giants’ movements stopped for an instant. Asher and Orsay’s eyes widened. The giants, realizing something was wrong, were about to turn around. Paaang! The line drawn on their bodies expanded in an instant, and their bodies collapsed as if exploding.
【This.】
“Gooooo…!”
The giants’ shapes turned into light and disappeared. It was a dreamlike sight, as if a mirage had disappeared. Soon, a young man walked out from where the light had subsided. Asher’s eyes widened.
“Ro, Ronan!”
“Were you here?”
It was a nostalgic face. Asher’s eyes filled with moisture. Ronan’s face, covered in her blood, looked more solemn than ever.
Instead of answering, he swung his sword. Suddenly! The slash, imbued with the color of the polar light, neatly cut through the combination of matter and magic. The prison that imprisoned him and Orsay was torn to pieces.
“Ugh!”
【You guy…!】
thud! After being released, Orsay was sprawled on the floor. Asher, who was riding on top, chewed her tongue. It was because there wasn’t enough strength. Ronan took her sword around and opened her mouth.
“What are you two doing here? “It’s unsightly.”
