Chapter 18: Martina and the Dragonmancer 8

This old man is thrown by Barvel and nearly faceplants into the courtyard of the royal castle.

“Ki-Bullet!”

To slow his fall, he hits downwards in quick succession.

Finally, he lands by thrusting his two-handed sword into the ground.

“Whew… You should show some respect for this old man.”

Barvel is probably older, but this old man is clearly older as a human. He just happens to look like a 10-year-old boy now.

“But, thank God! Now we must hurry to Tina!”

This old man walked in, putting the “Greatsword of Black Dragon Scales” in the item box.

Barvel hasn’t seen it yet. But the increased status and allure of the “Dragon Strike” are enticing.

For this old man, weapons are for [storage], and he only needs the bare minimum to use them in combat.

Upon entering the building through the courtyard,

It is quite spacious inside, as one would expect from a country’s royal castle.

There are no dragons or dragonewts roaming around.

Are they all outside?

The beautiful and spacious castle is shrouded in eerie silence.

You’d be lost in the dark, but this old man has brought a map of the castle with him.

His Majesty Elfin gave it to this old man before the raid.

The goal is Tina’s own room, where she was recovering at the time of the outbreak.

Climb the stairs to the top floor and find yourself at the end of a hallway lined with gleaming black heavy armor.

The door, carved with a flowing pattern, is pushed open with great force.

Bang!

“Tina! This old man’s Ash! I’ve come to get you!”

But there is no response.

The large room was deserted, and this old man’s words rang hollowly.

Bang!

Behind me, I could hear the sound of a door closing.

“?!”

When I turned around, there they were, the ornamental heavy armors lined up in the corridor.

They move independently and in groups, blocking the room’s exits.

Each is armed with a spiked ball, a chained flail, and a large shield.

“Huh…?! Is this a trap?!”

Some kind of guardian.

I’m not sure if they’re original or created by Dragonmancer Dormina.

I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ve fallen for it.

The heavily armored Guardians surrounded this old man.

“I don’t have a lot of time… but I don’t have a choice…!”

I need to get this over with and find Tina.

This old man draws the steel sword at his waist.

―But, the blade of the steel sword turns red and begins to melt.

“Noooo?! T-That’s right!”

The “Dragon’s Flame” effect has been [stored], and the weapon in this old man’s hand now contains the power of the flame.

It’s too strong…!

The molten steel landed on the ground, creating a sizzling, burnt odor and smoke.

The effect is strong, but there is a problem. It means that if you use a low-grade weapon, it will melt.

The steel sword was still okay because it’s inexpensive, but any other weapon with a special skill melting would be a problem.

The Guardians don’t miss this old man’s fuss about his sword melting.

They all raise their flails of chain-iron balls and hurl them at this old man at the same time.

But it’s a long way off. It’s too far to reach.

“?!”

It’s an odd move, but I immediately understand why they’re doing it.

The flail’s chain makes a jingling sound and stretches out like a whip?!

“Huh?! The chains are getting longer…?!”

Some of the chain balls strike their own bodies, and others wrap the chains around this old man’s body.

Not much, but some discomfort. The chain is then tightened with great force.

This old man first grabs the chain around his neck.

Information floods his mind as his hand touches it.

[Mutant Mithril Battle Flail]

Storage Status Bonus:

Arm Strength+80(Upper Limit:450)

When stored, the special skill “Armor Transformation” can be used.

“Oh…! So, then!”

This old man releases the chain and pulls the “Greatsword of Black Dragon Scales” from the item box.

As he swings the bright red blade, the chains melt and break easily.

“That will do!”

I’ll pick it up locally. I’m intrigued by the “transforming armor” aspect.

This old man slashes the chains that bind him and reaches for the ball of chain steel on the floor.

But…

[Mithril Remnants]

Storage Status Bonus:

Arm Strength+5 (Upper Limit:350)

“What?!”

This is already a shambles, and its performance has suffered greatly.

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