Chapter 20: Martina and the Dragonmancer 10

This old man follows the map and goes underground.

The corridors were lined with a series of large stone statues of warriors.

This is the Guardians, despite the watery silence.

This old man who has learned “Presence Detection” can see right through them.

They are clearly visible as enemy dots in my mental spherical diagram.

“I’m sorry, but I see right through you!”

This old man’s thrusts have re-extended the blade, and the stone guardians in a straight line have been smashed through in one fell swoop!

Rattle! Rumble, rattle, rattle!

The other Guardians begin to move in unison, possibly in fear at the sight of this.

―But it’s too late!

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accommodate your time!”

Put them all together and mow them down!

The stone Guardians are destroyed by a single blow from this old man.

“Umm…! You’ve proven your worth, you!”

It emits high heat and slashes like butter at the dragon’s scales, and it can also transform into an extendable and retractable form.

It’s so convenient to use in hand that you won’t want to give it up.

I encountered no more guardians after that and was able to descend into the basement.

But―

“Huh…?! The signs are located further down… However, there is nothing further down the map.”

Hidden passageways, hidden rooms?

However, there is no additional information. And there is no time.

In that case―.

“It’s going to be difficult, but I’m going to force a breakthrough!”

This old man launches a “Barrage Thrusting” on the ground, directly over the signs!

“Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Zugagagagagagagagagagagaga!

Dogagagagagagagagagagagaga!

Gogogogogoggogogogogogogo!

The high-speed vibrations of the shocks scraping across the floor shake the castle like an earthquake.

A circular, deep groove was carved into the ground moments later.

“All right, let’s get this over with…! “

“Daybreak!”

This old man raises his massive sword high and wide.

A golden aura, similar to that of a Ki-Bullet, clings to the blade and shines brightly.

“Daybreak” is a technique that boosts Ki and unleashes a powerful attack.

It’s a straightforward, powerful blow, but the increase in power is astounding.

It’s best to be simple and strong.

But there’s a catch. Perhaps you can only fire one shot per day because it is too powerful.

It’s a tricky technique, but it’s useful in situations like this.

BOOOOOOOM!

The “Daybreak” fires at the floor, causing a gouge and opening a massive hole in the floor.

I had a feeling there was something down there!

This old man descends by thrusting his sword into the bottom of the hole.

“… A magical circle? A big one at that…”

The hidden room was far too large to be considered a room.

The floor was covered in strange patterns of magical circles.

It glowed softly, as if pulsing, and you could feel the power flowing to the center.

And when you follow the current and look toward the magic circle’s center.

An elderly woman is kneeling on the ground, reciting an incantation.

It sounds like a ritual, but it doesn’t matter.

What was important was who was doing it.

She’s gotten older, and her face is riddled with wrinkles.

Nonetheless, this old man recognizes her. I mean, how could I not?!

As this old man ages, so does Tina. It’s natural.

But, Tina is still beautiful in this old man’s eyes.

“Tina! Tina! Tina! This old man’s name is Ash! I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long…! I’ve come to keep the promise we made!”

This old man rushes over to Tina and calls out to her.

But Tina is deafeningly silent.

Her eyes are closed, and she continues to chant an incantation, her body engulfed in the same color as the magic circle.

“Can’t you hear what I’m saying…?! Answer me, Tina!”

This old man yells right next to her, but she pretends not to hear him. This is not normal.

“Argh! Tina!”

This old man reaches for Tina’s shoulders, but―

Bashooooooooooo!

The light shining on her body tears the sleeves of my clothes, injuring my arms and causing pain.

“Huh?! No, not yet!”

I couldn’t care less!

This old man reached out even further, grabbing Tina’s shoulders and shaking her.

---