“Ama lietus sagias!”

Several flame arrows –or rather since their size are ridiculously big for arrows maybe lance would fit better–, flew through the air and hit their target, venem urm the wyvern that almost annihilated our party before. According to Yusa it is a high level advanced class magic, a higher form of its lower level flame arrows. The spell aria is short since the one who used it was one of a demon race, however she is by no means an enemy to us. Instead, the young lady in question is now a temporary member of our party.

The wyvern’s body is severely wounded just like that. Several places were made into blackened burnt holes but it still tried to retaliate and started charging at us albeit slowly due to the wounds.

“En agis serte gladia ar anvis af ensies laminea. Inimi casectes anvis ar ensis.”

At that timing Yusa also finished her aria of wind blade magic to attack it while Lloyd shot the wyvern’s head with an arrow of his but it got deflected by the hard scales and the wind blades didn’t do much damage either. I secretly laughed bitterly at the power difference between the young lady’s attack and ours. In spite of that I also dashed at the impaired venem urm while holding my sword with both hands at my side, I also confirmed that Randall has moved close to the venem urm at its blindside with a short sword he is not accustomed since a long sword is still too heavy for him to use freely with one hand. Different with me who rely on strength, Randall has good technique and footwork to cover his lack of balance. Our attacks hit its body perfectly but its scales and thick muscles stopped the blades before they could even sink halfway through. The venem urm then thrashed around, flailing its rugged wings and tail wildly. I thought Randall and I would inevitably get injured but then

“Eht rumeris, ecdurare!”

We were shielded by hardened earth wall and used the chance to gain some distance.

“Thanks, lil’ Lissa.”

I quickly thanked the young girl’s perfectly timed magic. Randall also gave her his smile after wiping his forehead from what must be cold sweat.

“Perhaps I shall try to be of help as well?”

While I was thinking on how to kill the venem urm a single out-of-place butler stepped up and using a cheap looking knife started attacking the venem urm. I was shocked when he closed in on the wyvern which was thrashing about while avoiding the wings, claws, and tails with minimum movements then he simply stabbed the wyvern at its head, right into the brain. The cheap looking knife of course broke at the base but the blade that remained in the unmoving wyvern’s head is a definite proof that he just killed it.

“Hmm, it seems even under limitation this lizard is still not much of a threat eh.”

The heck are you saying? Even a rank C party would normally need at least half a bell to defeat it and we didn’t even take a quarter of a bell. Just what kind of people am I being acquainted with lately?

“Mareritter, as I thought it would be better for you to not participate until the 20th floor and above. Liz also should keep with the assisting and no finishing blow stance when we are with Kaldor’s party.”

“As you wish, master.”

“Un.”

And the most outrageous of all is this man, Erik whom although I have never seen him doing much fighting is much scarier than anything else I know of. My instinct tells me not to mess with this man. Although when Yusa constantly nagged him in various ways involving lil’ Lissa he just casually gives some light punishment like a chop to the head or ignores her when the trouble Yusa makes is not too excessive so I don’t think he is such a bad person. Yusa is also amazing to dare doing those things with someone like him. To me, scary things are still scary though. I was unconscious, uh… asleep at the time but I heard from Randall that some high ranked adventurers who tried to mess with him were hospitalized, one with an unrecoverable trauma of a lost future… ouch. I could hear all sort of rumors of him flying around. From him being cowardly and someone who is overworking his sister, a grandson of an outrageous swordsman with outrageous name, to him being adventurer guild’s secret ace, one of the few S rank adventurers.

As for why we are with those amazing people, we were asked to show how a team fight as a training for lil’ Lissa. Today is the third time we explore the tower together. At first lil’ Lissa couldn’t merge and cooperate well with our team and our progress in the tower was slow. However today is different. Her growth is fast for such a young girl. Then there is also Erik who tells lil’ Lissa, and sometimes us the pointers on how to better fight as a team. From what I see, he is actually quite knowledgeable in that field. Was he in a team somewhere in the past? He is also knowledgeable in how to utilize magic for both attacking, assisting, and protecting in a fight as could be heard from his occasional advice for lil’ Lissa. I who would simply charge at enemies while entrusting my back to the others has also learned about timing and positioning from him.

I am scared of him… still I can’t help but also feel some sort of admiration.

***

(Lately Erik has been thinking a lot so we haven’t talked much with each other. Erik has also been going somewhere with Azanthys and Mareritter sometimes at night, returning very tired and messy condition in the morning. It’s happening again. Erik is hiding something from me. I know it, I just know. It is irritating but I could only wait until Erik tells me himself. There is no meaning to it if I have to force Erik to tell me.)

That was what Liz thought with a hard expression as she walked to approach Erik.

“Kaldor and the rest, it would be better for you guys to return to the surface after a short rest. You guys should salvage some materials from the corpse first though. Liz, we’ll keep going until the 15th floor then rest there. Is it okay?”

“Un, I’m still good.”

Liz quickly answered. She does not tire so easily anymore and she especially does not want to be seen as weak by Erik. She wants to be able to protect Erik too and not just be protected.

(Protecting each other… Ehehe, that would be nice.)

Realizing that a smile has formed on her lips, Liz quickly shook her head to disperse the urge to smile as she doesn’t want to be seen as a strange girl who smiles to herself.

“Good idea, I was so tense back there. I lost one arm to a venem urm before after all.”

“Agreed, but do you really won’t take any material from it?”

The tower would, in a sense, devour the corpse left behind before another would respawn, the corpse would magically evaporate into the air with time. It has been said that theoretically the tower recycles the mana contained in the corpse to summon or produce similar demon beast although there is no known way to prove it. It is common knowledge that if one dismantle and keep anything salvaged from the demon beasts the salvaged things won’t disappear. The corpse also won’t disappear if it is taken whole outside the tower. The tower has kept its function for who knows how long so the tower’s source of mana might not just be from the recycling.

“I have no need for them so it’s all yours.”

“Uh… thanks.”

“See you again then Lizzy!”

After that conversation Erik’s and Kaldor’s team then parted. Liz quickly trotted following Erik to step into the teleportation circle. Of course she ignored Yusa… she does not hate her but she personally think that she is bad with her, especially because of the excessive cheek to cheek skinship.

After that whenever there is no one else around, Erik would allow Liz to use short chanting and any magic she thought as best fit to the situation as long as it is within advanced class at max. Kaldor’s party is an exception to that rule since they know Liz’s identity as someone from different race.

(By the way… why is Azanthys sticking so close to Erik? It has been like that since we left the inn. Erik is scolding me again for not focusing on the battle several times already but I can’t help it because Erik gave up trying to separate from her. I don’t like it but I don’t want to disappoint Erik by doing badly in battle so I held it in. Still, I couldn’t get it off my mind after all. Let’s try to do better… If I go full power I can go until the 20th floor by myself already so I can’t show any weakness to Erik.)

Was what she thought when she was scolded by Erik for having her attacks miss their target for a number of times.

As they reached the 15th floor Erik quickly chose a relatively safe place to take a rest As he took a seat on the ground, Liz quickly sits… between Erik and Azanthys.

“Mu… what… are you… doing?”

Liz didn’t answer Azanthys. The reason by Azanthys has been hogging Erik to herself. When Liz looked at Erik while ignoring Azanthys, Erik could only show a troubled face.

(What? Do you like Azanthys that much?)

Liz could only puff her cheeks when Azanthys moved to Erik’s other side.

(I can’t take this anymore. I’m going to voice my discontent to Erik here and now.)

“This might not be the best time to say this but… Liz.”

“,F, fue?”

Liz didn’t expect Erik to talk first so she was surprised.

“I might have to leave you in the care of Martlea and Kaldor’s group for a while.”

Liz was confused at Erik’s words as if her mind refused to process them for a second.

(Eh? Does that mean… Erik, is going to leave me?)

“NO!”

As she began to understand the meaning of those words a part by a part she managed to let out a shout. She also grabbed Erik’s arm and hugged it as strong as she could.

“Wait, wait, calm down Liz.”

“Erik promised! Erik would never leave me alone! Don’t say something like that even as a joke!”

Looking troubled Erik then grabbed Liz’s shoulder with his other hand as he tried to calm her down.

“Like I said, calm down first, Liz. I don’t intend to break that promise. I just said ‘for a while’ didn’t I?”

“But! But!”

“I don’t know for how long but I don’t think it will take more than a month. I’m going to conquer this tower.”

“Eh?”

“I haven’t told you this but I explored this tower before. I failed once but there is something I need to do at the very top of this tower.”

“Th, then just take me along!”

“Sorry, Liz… it’s too dangerous. This tower also has 100 floors. From the 51st floor onward things get a high jump on difficulty and it seems it isn’t the real thing yet considering I have never seen the 76th floor and above. It will take too long to have you become strong enough for it.”

Liz gritted her teeth as tears started to form in her eyes.

“How about that enemy Erik said as being weak to fire? There is no reason not to take me if Erik wants to defeat it. Erik also planned to have me help right!?”

“That was before, but I have Azanthys and Mareritter now. I don’t want to expose you to a danger where I don’t even know whether I will be able to protect you or not.”

Having her comeback rebutted easily like that Liz was only able to bite her lips as her expression distorts more and tears trailing down her cheeks.

Liz herself understood everything Erik had said, that it is also for her own well-being. However, understanding and accepting are two different things altogether. She also doesn’t really know why she is so opposed to it. Perhaps she was unwilling to experience the same feeling of being left behind. Perhaps it was just simply a form of refusal from separating specifically with Erik. Nonetheless she is not going to agree with it. Liz herself might not notice it but this is the first time she is being stubborn against Erik.

“I… I… I won’t talk with Erik again until Erik decides to take me along!”

Saying so in the spur of the moment, Liz ran toward the teleportation circle to go down.

“Liz! … Azanthys, follow Liz and don’t let anything happen to her.”

Without showing a reluctant face Azanthys immediately followed her master’s order and ran to the same direction as Liz.

“I was rushing things and told her too early eh…? I should have waited a bit more, what a failure…”

“Master, I believe it is not a matter of timing.”

“…. By the way, I got a question...”

Ignoring Mareritter’s remark, Erik then threw a question at him and began to walk toward the same direction as Liz and Azanthys, followed by the listening Mareritter.

***

In front of gate to Orum Arx’s first floor, on the roadside leading to Arx Norr branch adventurer’s guild.

“So, what happened?”

“…”

Liz who is pouting kept her silence.

Martlea put a hand on her temple and let out a weak sigh. She met Liz right when she just finished with half of her guild work for today and chose to take a short walk outside for a breather. She found Liz who ran out of the tower’s entrance alerting the guards who then judged that it was nothing after peeking into the tower. The worried Martlea decided to, for now, forget about a certain pressing matter which she needs to take care of and chose to talk with Liz instead.

“Did something happen between you and that man… Erik?”

“…”

Another silence, Martlea however noticed that Liz’s shoulder showed a brief and slight response so she took that as a “yes”. Martlea also noticed that someone is watching them from the top of a nearby building. She took a glance at that someone to find Azanthys, the mysterious girl who is also a companion of Erik. Martlea couldn’t help but remember the moment where she couldn’t react to her speed and the cold sensation of a sword made of ice on the skin of her neck. Azanthys should have noticed her glance but didn’t show any reaction. She must have been sent by Erik to look after Liz, Martlea thought. Thus after concluding that Azanthys won’t do anything Martlea returned her attention to Liz.

“Why don’t we move to somewhere with a roof for now? The sun’s blazing hot after all.”

Different with the empire to the north which has four seasons. Arx Norr only has two, dry-hot and wet-rainy season. It still rains albeit rarely in the hot season and the rainy season doesn’t mean that it rains all the time either. It is the hot season now and today is especially hot. Even though a part of Arx Norr will be under the gigantic tower’s shade depending on the time, it is noon right now and the sun is right above accompanied by a cloudless sky with the exception of the clouds covering the tower high above. As a side note, nobody has ever seen the shadow of the tower’s top since surrounding light will make the tower’s shadow fades gradually outwards. Some even said that even though the shadow will extend until it far surpasses the town’s premise at sunrise or sunset, it would not even be half the length of the tower. No one knows for sure but that is the topic that people here talk about from time to time.

To avoid the sun and since she had the intention even before she met Liz, Martlea brought Liz to a nearby café which is famous between female adventurers for its cakes which uses the rare imported white sugar from Valis Republic of Merchant. Granted, the cakes are fairly expensive for low ranked adventurers but not a problem for Martlea with her steady income as guild secretary.

One’s mood will easily be affected by one’s stomach, with that in thought Martlea ordered two of the shop’s famed cakes. For herself an egg cake the size of her palm made mainly of avian demon beast Ostra’s eggs adorned with cocos bites and ar berries, if Erik were here he would call them chocolate chips and strawberries instead. Then for Liz who stayed silent all the time she ordered a white lapald fruit cake. The sweet lapald fruit could only be found around the elven great forest and the white variation is a rare one with additional slight sour taste. The need to use magic cooler box in its distribution only contributes to its expensive price. Martlea smiled when she found that even the sulky Liz showed an interest to the cake and a cup of tea with sweet fragrance served before her.

“Don’t hesitate, it’s yours.”

Martlea started eating her cake while watching Liz who slowly but with an increasing pace eating her share of fruit cake. Seeing that Martlea then ordered another set of cakes.

After they finished eating their second serving, Martlea sipped her tea before trying to talk again with Liz.

“I won’t force you to talk if you don’t want to, but maybe I can help you if I know the problem.”

“… Erik is going to leave me…”

“What?!”

Martlea coulnd’t believe what she just heard. That man who spoils Liz even without the intention to, a man who will even torture, strips, and hang people upside down in the tower because those people said some rude things at Liz and stalked them in the tower. Yes, that man. He is leaving Liz?

“That bastard, I will have a few words with him. Where is he?”

Liz shuddered at Martlea’s sinister smile and realized her mistake. Liz quickly added a follow up.

“N, no. I mean it is just for a while but Erik will focus on conquering the tower. Without taking me along…”

“Eh?”

Conquering the tower? Something that has been unachievable even to the infamous S rank adventurers who could barely advances in the 30th or so floor suddenly doesn’t sound so impossible if it is that man. Martlea knows about how that man massacred a great number of imperial knights, thus unwilling as she may be she has come to terms with Erik surpassing the strongest human that she knew –the guild master in strength.

“Why?”

“Fue?”

Martlea couldn’t help but wonder. That man barely acts as an adventurer. He never took any request, doesn’t try to recruit more members or join another party, it doesn’t even look like he is becoming an adventurer for a living, for the money. He does sell high quality demon beasts materials from time to time but never in high quantity as if he brought them back on his whim. Now that man aims to conquer the tower? For now she dismissed the thought since she noticed Liz’s still sulky look.

“If he does leave you then what will you do?”

Oops, Martlea put a hand on her mouth because Liz’s eyes became teary as soon as she finished saying that. However, Liz then gave her an answer.

“E, Erik said to leave me in your or and Mr. Kaldor’s care.”

Martlea almost responded with a “That’s good then, it will be better than staying under that man’s care.” but Martlea knows that saying so will anger Liz instead so Martlea changes her wording.

“Actually, I would have to agree to that. The unknown part of the tower is too dangerous. I don’t know about that man but the 30th floor and above is already hellish even for high ranking adventurers.”

“I, I already went to the 50th floor with Erik and I think it is really hard but not impossible even for me if I’m with Erik!”

The agitated Liz raised her voice and Martlea immediately put a hand on Liz’s mouth to stop her when she heard about a specific part. It was too late but fortunately nobody around paid much attention and it is not like people will easily believe such an absurd thing either.

50th floor? Martlea couldn’t even imagine how strong the demon beasts lurking there. If it is only about some entities even rank S adventurers in a team would find hard to subjugate then she would mention the dragons and ancient dragons around the continent. It is difficult but a team comprised of at least 2 S rank adventurers plus some more in A rank with various expertise will be able to kill a dragon, then it would take at least three of such teams to subjugate a relatively strong ancient dragon. Some will become the dragon’s victim in the process however. Those S ranks in small team could barely advances in the 30th floor and now Liz is saying she reached the 50th floor with just two person? Martlea had a hard time processing it and became speechless for a few seconds. Liz took the chance to take Martlea’s hand off her mouth.

“You’re with Martlea, that’s good.”

Both Liz and Martlea turned their heads to the voice to find Erik entering the café followed by Azanthys and Mareritter. A waiter approached him but he sent the waiter off by saying “Sorry, I’m just here to have a brief talk with those two.” then he walked approaching Liz and Martlea.

Looking at Erik who is in full gear with a filled backpack on his back Liz’s expression became sour. When Erik only took a glance at her and looked at Martlea instead Liz felt even more upset. In fact, it was a worried and hesitant gaze directed at her but Liz failed to notice it due to her current emotional state.

“I’ll get straight to the point. It seems I will have to leave Liz in your care for a while since I’m going on a bit of a trip.”

Liz hit the table with both hands and stood immediately at the sentence. It looked like she was about to say something but she stopped right after she opened her mouth.

“Eh?” was Martlea’s sole response to it.

“Aah, Liz said that she won’t talk to me until I agree to bring her along to the tower.”

Liz looked away, blushing at Erik’s explanation. Martlea thought that it was cute but kept it to herself.

“By the look of it I guess you already heard from Liz so I’ll be quick. Please take care of Liz for a while. I also talked to Kaldor and his team about it.”

“Well, I’m perfectly fine with it but… Liz is totally against it so...”

Martlea couldn’t think of anything to convince Liz and she knows how much Liz is attached to Erik from what she saw all the time.

Erik just sighed and approached Liz.

Erik is looking at Liz while Liz is looking away from him.

“Liz, I told you about my goal before right?”

Liz kept her silence.

“As I am now it is still impossible to reach it. There are many things to be done before I could make it true. And I believe going to the tower might be able to get me closer.”

Liz kept her silence.

“I promise I will return, to you.”

Liz kept her silence looking downward before she opened her mouth.

“Father also promised that he will always be there for me. But… that is a lie now. Erik also promised that Erik would never leave me alone… Is that also a lie?”

Erik unusually made a grim expression at Liz’s words but only Azanthys, Mareritter, and Martlea noticed it. Erik just thought of how it would be if the truth of her father is exposed then.

“No, I… trust me Liz. It’s not a lie but for now…”

“I don’t want Erik to leave me! I trust Erik! I do! I know Erik won’t just leave me but I don’t understand why but… it is painful to even just think that I won’t see Erik tomorrow, I’m scared that Erik might not come back. I know that Erik is strong… but… I can’t help but worry! Erik also said about failing once so… so…”

Erik stroked the teary eyed Liz’s head gently and crouched to look at her eyes directly.

“Don’t worry. I’m stronger than I was back then. I also got Mareritter and Azanthys now.”

“Liz only shook her head.

“Uh… how about this? I promise to do anything you want me to after I return from the tower.”

Liz kept her silence but her eyes showed a hint of interest… however she once again shook her head.

“No!”

“Hnnnggg. Then, three! I’ll give you three wishes! I’ll do anything you want as long as it is within my capabilities for three times.

“That’s dirty and it ruined the atmosphere…”

Martlea shoved her comment in. Erik just smiled wryly at it.

However it might be effective. Liz is shyly looking at Erik.

“Alright… but promise that Erik will definitely return…safely…”

“Yeah, I will definitely return so wait for me, okay?”

Liz nodded although her eyes are still moist with tears. Erik then stood after patting Liz’s head once and faced Martlea.

“It seems you’ve reached an agreement.”

“Now that I think back on it, I can only hope that Liz won’t make any absurd request. Oh and about my trip to the tower…”

“Don’t worry, I understand. Nobody would believe me if I say someone is going to conquer the tower alone and when they do they would just think that the one doing it as a crazy man or a peerless idiot. I do think you’re a crazy one though.”

“I’m not exactly alone… these two will be with me. Well, I’m glad you understand but the last part was unnecessary.”

“You sure? There are so many absurd things about you in case you don’t realize.”

“Yeah…yeah…”

Erik looked back again at Liz who looked back at him with a restrained expression.

“I left some money in our room so just check it later. Also… this isn’t a goodbye so I’ll just say ‘see you later’. I’ll return as soon as possible.”

Erik then walked toward the exit but Liz grabbed the hem of his clothes and as he turned around Liz hugged him.

“Liz?”

“… Let me stay like this for a bit…”

The café turned silent at that moment as other customers who previously cared little started to be charmed by the scene sending warm gazes at the two. Erik, obviously embarrassed by it could only scratch his cheek before he stroked Liz’s hair gently. The only one voicing dissatisfaction with a “Muuu.” was Azanthys.

***

It has only been less than 5 hours after my parting with Liz, but here I am.

The sky is dark but I could see a faint orange tint in the distance, the sun has just set. The chilling wind is as strong as the last time I was here but strangely I don’t even feel bothered by the cold. I know that it is cold but it is as if I can’t feel it. Is it because of how high strung I am right now?

I made a quick run from the first floor, defeating monster and bosses only when they hinder the teleportation gate. The me now could even kill the huge wyvern boss of 67th floor in tens of seconds. How will I fare against that other one then?

As I thought so, I heard the loud flapping sound identical to the one in my memory so I readied my wyvern fang daggers.

“Yo, so we meet again eh? I was just thinking about you.”

“Master, it is just a lesser dragon so speech would be useless.”

“… I know Mareritter, I’m just riding on the mood, okay?”

Right, this time I’m not alone. I had fully released Azanthys’ and Mareritter’s limiter.

“So… this… the one… hurt master… before?!”

Azanthys’ surrounding is now full of mist with icy dusts floating around. Even though the wind is strong her chilly aura is being generated endlessly. She’s angry.

The ult**man sized dragon landed in front of us, folding its wings while seemingly oblivious to our hostility. But soon it opened its gigantic jaw.

This time as well, our battle started with its deafening roar.

Expecting the roar I already prepared earplugs for each of us and we wore it right before it roared but the roar is still hurting my ears though not as bad as before. We can communicate with telepathy anyway so it won’t hinder our cooperation and thus we also started attacking.

We scrambled in three directions to prevent it from focusing too much on one of us. As planned Azanthys is taking it right from the front, preparing huge ice boulders from a distance while Mareritter and I flank it from both sides. Mareritter uses his black electricity covered punch which to my surprise could make the dragon roars in annoyance as it lifts the limb away from Mareritter who just punched it. As for me, I used the flaming slash since it should be weak to fire however its scales looked to be just fine or so I thought. When I hit it again directly the thick scales crumbled showing its weaker skin. I don’t know if it because I am stronger or it was simply because the flame just wasn’t hot enough to make a visible damage. However I am sure of one thing now, defeating this dragon is no longer impossible and thus I repeated the same pattern of attack.

The dragon flailed to be rid of me and Mareritter but Azanthys took that timing to shoot her ice boulders. Each one of it is almost as big as the dragon’s head given the long preparation time and the dragon is too gigantic to be able to move quick enough to dodge so they will surely hit. However as Mareritter and I jumped backwards avoiding its claws the dragon used its wings to cover its front. The wind created from its wings movement also blew both of us away easily since we were still midair. The ice boulders broke into pieces as they hit the dragon’s wings but its wings were damaged as well albeit just at the level of grazing wound. It seems Praesia’s advice on using flames to weaken its scales was right after all.

I’m not going to regret not bringing Liz along. That much I have decided but this battle might take longer than I thought. I hope the rucksack carrying my supplies which I left near the edge of this floor won’t be gone by the time this battle ends. I had Azanthys cover it on all sides with her ice though.

As I landed a bit away from the dragon I saw its mouth emitting burst of flames.

“Breath attack!”

I shouted while also using telepathy to inform the other two but it might not have been necessary as I saw Mareritter is doing the same thing as I am, running towards the dragon’s back. Azanthys is making a very thick and huge ice wall in front of her as planned. This ability of hers is why I decided to make her be the one to face the dragon head on.

The dragon then made a sweep from left to right with its breath. Mareritter and I were already behind it safe from the flame but the heat is still being transmitted to my skin despite the distance.

(Azanthys, are you okay over there?)

(… No… problem…)

Azanthys replied to me right away so I breathed a sigh of relief.

As the dragon stopped its breath I could see azanthys’ ice wall prevailed with less than a third of its original size and volume. Hers is not normal ice that won’t melt even if left under direct sunlight for hours and I’m sure she made it at least 3 meters thick though… what a frightening flame that was.

(I’ll hit it on various places with fire then Azanthys will use her ice boulders to attack the same spot. Mareritter, you distract the dragon!)

((Firmnates, nostrael ar domineum!))

The two answered in ancient language I couldn’t really grasp but I think it is an expression of affirmation. With his speed Mareritter attacks the dragon mainly on its arms. The dragon is responding by raising one arm then the other in annoyance. I take the chance to unleash a bigger flame slash on it. Even when I say it is a big one, it is pale in comparison to the dragon but I managed to hit a relatively huge portion of its body on the left side.

Not missing even one second Azanthys immediately followed by shooting just one but highly customized ice boulder or maybe I should call it giant sword of ice since this time it was made in shape of one albeit roughly. And the ice sword stabbed right at the place I just attacked and into the dragon’s flesh at a fifth of its length. Dark red blood spurted out of the wound and the dragon roared in pain, probably the first real pain it had ever felt.

We can do this. I continued my assault immediately as the thought flashed in my mind.

***

I don’t know how long the fight has been going on. The sky is completely dark but my eyes have adjusted to the illumination from the stars and faint bluish light from the crystal floor which I just noticed. Perhaps it was a glow in the dark or its light was simply unnoticeable under the sun, I don’t know, but it is a soothing kind of light if not for the ongoing battle.

The dragon’s body has more than 5 of Azanthys’ boulder size ice swords stabbed into its flesh. However, far from weakening, I could feel that it is growing more ferocious. Its bloodshot red eyes suddenly focused on me instead of Mareritter who is currently attacking, I was startled but following my instinct I quickly jumped away with all my strength.

Without any prior sign it opened its jaw and at that instant a surge of focused flame… scratch that, it’s a beam, a freaking huge one, hit the place where I was just a second ago. The crystal floor which I thought was indestructible is now shining bright orange as its surface melted due to the extreme heat.

“The hell was that?!”

(I believe it is a super condensed version of its breath, Master.)

(I can guess that much, I’m just surprised.)

I replied back to Mareritter’s calm sounded explanation. I’m not really one to say this but how could you be calm after seeing that oyyy?

However in contrast someone else is losing her calm.

“You… YOU… ALMOST… HURT MASTER!”

Forget being hurt, it would be instant death if I didn’t react on time but I looked at Azanthys who screamed and summoned 5 boulder size ice swords almost in an instant. She shot them one by one focusing on one spot, its chest. Although the first three was deflected easily by its scales, the fourth made a crack and the last opened a hole exposing its flesh. Her destructive power is higher than mine.

She repeated the same pattern again and again but the dragon moved around to protect its chest and to avoid being hit on the same place.

(Not good.)

(Mareritter?)

(Sister is using too much mana. We have pre-stored mana and we are constantly receiving mana from master but like this the amount being replenished is far lower than her expenditure. There is almost no pause in her attacks as well, at this rate she will run out of mana soon.)

(Azanthys! Calm down. I’m fine so don’t get too agitated!)

I immediately called out to Azanthys after hearing what Mareritter just told me.

Azanthys who stopped her attack is crouching and breathing roughly with a hand still being raised towards the dragon. As I noticed the dragon’s movement I dashed at Azanthys.

Barely made it. The dragon sent a laser breath, as I decided to call it such, at where Azanthys was. Azanthys is now looking apologetic in my arms.

“I am… sorry… master… Azanthys… careless…”

I hit her head gently after letting her down.

“It should be a ‘thank you’, not an apology. ”

I said so because it was how I truly felt and as not to lower her morale.

(Master, requesting permission to receive a higher amount of mana and to release winged form.)

Mareritter who is distracting the dragon sent me his request which I immediately accepted.

(Granted. Do as you wish!)

I felt my power, my mana forced out of my body in huge amount, perhaps more than half my maximum capacity from how I’m starting to feel a bit light-headed from minor mana exhaustion. The next moment, with a shout Mareritter is now already attacking the dragon while being airborne. His black plasma-like wings and tail are bursting with energy.

His method of attack has also changed. He is now capable to shoot out black lightning from his fists. The dragon’s scales hit by the lightning are showing sign of corrosion little by little as they turned gray in color however the corrosion is minuscule in retrospect to the dragon’s size, my guess is that each one would barely be at 30 centimeters in diameter.

“For a mere lesser dragon to be able to resist my ability to that extent… then how about this?”

Right after Mareritter said that sentence unnatural dark clouds started to gather above us. Black lightning sparks are flying here and there decorating the clouds. Wait, a wide area annihilation magic?

I was right, in less than a second after I thought so a huge beam of black lightning with countless smaller ones rained on the dragon. Rather than a deafening thunder, I felt like the world had turned completely silent until the rampaging rain of destruction finally ended.

Mareritter landed on his knees while breathing roughly, his wings and tail then dissipated into the air. On the other hand, the dragon collapsed onto the floor with a loud sound. Its whole body scales had turned ash grey, crumbling into dust.

Did he do it? I, followed closely by Azanthys approached the dragon while being cautious. The dust from its crumbling scales were blown this way by the wind so I put a hand before my eyes. Usually this would be when the worst case scenario would happen as I just raised the flag for it but it was silence for a few seconds so I let out a long relieved sigh.

A loud roar resounded as if to betray my expectation at the very last moment. The dragon raised its body amidst its crumbling scales. After spinning while doing a tail sweep on us as a surprise attack it then flew, I who dodged the sweep with Azanthys was already away from where the dragon was but it left wind pressure strong enough to make me fell on my butt even after I tried to crouch forward. I looked at the sky to find the flying dragon looking down on us, its eye filled with anger. My danger perception kicked in and after grabbing Azanthys who was next to me I jumped away immediately. The dragon is using its laser breath but fortunately it is doing it by sweeping vertically so I could predict where it will land and dodged in time. However it left a huge scar on the floor. More than ten meters wide and starting from one floor edge to end at the opposite edge, the indestructible crystal floor had turned into magma.

“Crap, it’s really angry… “

That thing is probably preparing another breath attack. Although it can discharge the beam almost in the instant it opens its mouth, it can’t fire rapidly in succession. I don’t like the dragon’s eyes looking down on us as if ridiculing. Yeah… I can’t even touch it now that it is so high up there.

“Master… let’s do… that…”

Azanthys’ suggested a viable solution to this situation. My remaining mana is less than half so the risk of not finishing it in time is high but the dragon is also weakened right now…

Before I could think of what to do next it started again. This time the dragon started sweeping from left to right. Azanthys who could move again dodged with me but when I saw that in the distance Mareritter is still crouching down right in the path of the beam I immediately shouted the magic words.

“Azanthys, Mareritter, Un Num Cordias!”

It’s just do or die now.