It seemed like the pitch black dragon was surprised by Lyle's sudden appearance as the breathe momentarily stopped.

Taking this as an opportunity, Lyle dove out from under the flames and circled around the black dragon's back.

Since the black dragon couldn't see Lyle's figure clearly because of its breath and it was still rather surprised of his appearance, it hadn't noticed his movements.

As a result, the black dragon was showing Lyle its completely defenseless back.

“Taaaaakeeeee thiiiiiis!!”

And without slowing down his speed that was pushed to its limits, he charged straight at the back of its head. And with a full power roundhouse kick, he hit its massive serpentine head and sent it flying.

“ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!”

In that moment, the pitch black dragon screamed in pain. Its voice was so loud it was as if the entire world shook.

“Did you do it, Master!?”

"Unfortunately ... no. I only managed to hit him because I managed to caught him by surprise ... "

As Lyle looked on, the pitch black dragon was drawn in by gravity and fell towards the ground, breaking some trees and plants in the process.

"... However, it seems like I couldn't hit him hard enough, instead ... "

While saying so, Lyle looked at his own leg. Because of his skill [ Sword Release ] he couldn't see his leg but he knows it was already in a very bad state. Blood was dripping in the ground.

During that attack, although he managed to hit the black dragon, he was still the one who was hurt the most. The black dragon's black scale was way too hard.

Things have turned quite troublesome...

He was actually confident of his herculean strength and sturdy body that seemed like it was harder than steel.

However, even with this kind of body, he was still unable to give a fatal blow to that black dragon and was instead the one who got the end of the stick.

I can't keep up like this! I have to come up with something quickly!

--------------------

Just a minute ago ...

While Misuzu and the others was distracted by the black dragon, Lyle had immediately prepared himself despite his aching body without them noticing it.

And then in the blink of an eye, when the black dragon release its breathe attack to wipe them out, suddenly at their side, an enormous amount of mana appeared causing several people to throw out in the ground, even some had almost fainted.

And then, without warning, Lyle appeared in front of the breathe and stop it. He even managed to sent the black dragon flying.

Seeing this scene, Misuzu was utterly stunned.

Teacher Mirin and the rest that were watching were also a little stunned, since they have no idea what just happened.

"L, Lyle!" Misuzu cried out.

Lyle was standing in front of them like a barrier, cutting out a safe region for them.

His appearance didn’t look an ounce cool or chic. His black hair is scattered. His whole body is soaked in blood amidst the cloak like flames. His right leg is hanging weakly, like it has been broken.

--- This scene caused Misuzu's heart to feel pain.

Lyle didn’t look back. With his back to them in a tired and hoarse voice which still is calm he slowly ordered: “Teacher Mirin ... lead the others and escape."

"Prince Lyle!!" Hearing his words, Teacher Mirin who was on the ground was immediately stunned. Her voice resounded silly.

She felt her eyes redden, at this dangerous moment, Lyle did not think about his own escape, but decided to cover their backs. She was deeply touched by his action in her heart.

However, she couldn't accept it.

It's not like she didn't understand what Lyle was saying ... but, she was also a teacher, couldn't he tell them to stay and fight with him ?

Why ?

Misuzu wasn't that better. She completely understand what Lyle meant with his words. But she can't accept it! She just don't want to forever be protected!

She also want to fight with him!

"Lyle ... I'll fight with y--!"

"No! " But she was cut off by Lyle.

"Please bring the others with you ... leave this place immediately!"

"What about you?!"

"I will do something about that monster."

“That's impossible! That thing is incredibly dangerous!”

Misuzu shook her head frantically, her slightly long hair swung left and right.

Even though Lyle was strong; incredibly strong, but she still wouldn't believe that he could defeat it.

In fact, she wasn't certain that anything could be done, even if help did arrive.

The monster held such great power within it that Misuzu couldn't help but feel that way.

“Doing it, even if it's impossible, is what a man does. Besides, there's nothing else I can do, but to stall it for you and the others to escape.”

There was no longer anywhere to escape to.

Even if it was impossible, Lyle had to do it. No! He need to do it!

“B-But! You know–!”

Despite that, Misuzu still tried to stop him, but she couldn't come up with a good way to put it. In truth, she already understood that there was nothing else he could do.

Lyle held his swords. The flames covering his body was raging intensely. He didn’t look back and said: “I will hold it for a while ... after that. I will leave the others to you."

What about you……

Misuzu didn’t need to ask these words; she can already guess his mind. He made up his mind to fight to death.

---But with this death, all of them had a chance to survive and escape.

But was that really okay ?

Of course not!!!

But what could she do ?

"Teacher Mirin ... please ... as the prince of the Dragonfang kingdom, I request you to lead the students away ... right now!"

Lyle had finally issued his decree.

Although as a teacher of the [ Red Rose Academy ], no matter which prince of which kingdom he was, he would never be able to order her much less show his authority.

However, at this moment, Teacher Mirin didn't say anything else.

“Uu, Understood!”

Responding to his determined voice, she could only grit her teeth in helplessness.

Despite her age and appearance, she was a veteran warrior who had survived a lot of battles especially a war. Her experience told her that no matter how many they are, they would never be able to defeat that dragon.

That is why, reading the meaning of Lyle's voice, and the accompanying confused thoughts, came easy to her.

At the instant before Teacher Mirin turned around and drag Misuzu away, she gave a bow to him:

“—Wishing you a triumphant fight, oh my honorable prince.”

“……aah. I will leave them to you. This dragon…… I will be the one to delay it……!!!”

That choice of words and that sort of figure that faced away from her.

Was a scene that left a deep impression not just Misuzu and Teacher Mirin but also to the other people.

They couldn't help but feel ashamed for their previous thoughts towards him. They were even students crying and wailing while running away.

“No… ... No, Ah … … don’t… …!”

Misuzu knew it clearly in her heart. She knew the sort of determination that was symbolized by that back view and understood what the result of that determination would be.

Misuzu leaned out from the back of Teacher Mirin as she desperately reached her hand towards Lyle's back.

Seeing her actions, Lyle forced out a smile with a pained expression as he gave a light shake of his head.

“Thank you for worrying.”

“Ah...”

Lyle was smiling, but his eyes were filled with determination.

Sensing that, Misuzu realized that she could never stop him nor change his mind.

“—Sorry. But can you protect Feme for me … … tell her. I'm sorry for everything ...”

Lyle looked at little pale. He turned and looked at her once.

Misuzu saw Lyle's strong will in his eyes. Catching that somewhere deep inside her, Misuzu could only turned her face down.

She felt that his gaze was a little different from usual. But she can’t say where it’s different.

However, from her face, several drops of water had spilled into the ground, forming a spotted pattern.

What should I do ? Her heart cried as if in pain.

While she was immersed in this kind of feeling, Lyle gave her a smile.

“In the future… … please tell her to marry someone else. Someone who deserve her bett---.”

"No! " At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.