『𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞』 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
“『Fist of Flame』!”
ㅤ
Dragburn wreathes his fist in flame and swings at Stella.
Stella parries the attack with her sword held diagonally and steps forward, landing a passing slash on Dragburn’s flank once again.
It’s a highly polished move that combines the parrying technique she learned from watching me, and the attack strength of a hero.
Hitting the same spot precisely is also a correct strategy when fighting an enemy with high defense.
ㅤ
Yet, the damage dealt to Dragburn was merely a scratch.
ㅤ
“Ha ha ha! Good moves!”
ㅤ
Praising Stella, Dragburn turns around and raises his fist enveloped in flame again.
However, since Stella has passed by Dragburn twice, that means she has come back to where I originally was.
I step forward to replace Stella.
In a split second, Dragburn changes his target to me who has leapt out, and I catch his fist with my sword, Kurotenmaru.
I then rotate my body to the right, diverting the momentum of his punch.
I transform the enemy’s attack energy into my rotational force, and then transfer that force to my blade, turning it into a sharp counterattack.
It’s my basic technique.
ㅤ
“First Strike—『Flowing Blade』!”
“What?!”
ㅤ
I aim for the same spot that Stella had slashed.
The wound on the left flank.
My aim is perfect.
However, my blade couldn’t even cut through Dragburn’s flesh.
ㅤ
“What?!”
ㅤ
Too tough?!
Even after Stella’s attack shattered the scales, I couldn’t even cut through the flesh underneath.
I can’t believe my Flowing Blade had no effect!
Both his attack and defense are overwhelming.
So this is one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
I see, he’s a monster.
ㅤ
“Hmm?! Even without divine protection, you’re a mere foot soldier yet you’ve parried my attack and even counterattacked?!”
ㅤ
It seems I’m not the only one surprised. Dragburn too opens his eyes wide at my unexpected moves.
ㅤ
“How bizarre! But I acknowledge you, strange swordsman! You indeed are a formidable enemy!”
ㅤ
However, he neither looks down upon me nor lets his guard down.
Stella releases a light-based follow-up attack.
Dragburn crosses his arms to block it and starts gathering energy.
Recognizing that he is preparing for something, a massive amount of heat instantly generates within Dragburn.
Facing this, Stella and I make eye contact.
Of course, Dragburn, without caring for such details, releases the stored heat energy in all directions.
ㅤ
“『Explosive Flame Release』!”
ㅤ
Centered on Dragburn, flames expand as if a massive explosion occurred.
In response, Stella moves backward and I step forward.
I become Stella’s shield, blocking the attack.
ㅤ
“Third Strike—『Slashing Sweep』!”
ㅤ
I then unleash Slashing Sweep, a technique that disperses wide-area attacks by widening the tear in the flames, protecting Stella from the inferno aimed to incinerate us.
ㅤ
“Thanks!”
“Don’t mention it!”
ㅤ
Alright, the cooperation is going well.
My swordsmanship is surprisingly suited for cooperation.
I’ve honed my skills in anticipation and absolute defense precisely because even a single blow can be lethal.
Until now, I’ve only used that power to protect myself and as a link to counterattacks.
ㅤ
But the true worth of this swordsmanship is not just that.
The true value of my sword comes into play when I am with my comrades.
ㅤ
“Ha ha!”
ㅤ
Somehow, Dragburn has moved to the sky.
The previous flames were a smokescreen.
Apparently, his real plan is this.
ㅤ
“『Flame Star Mega Blast Fist』!”
ㅤ
Flapping his wings, Dragburn descends at high speed with his fist readied.
It’s a strike that adds his enormous strength to the speed of a fall accelerated by his own weight and wings.
The destructive power is akin to a meteorite.
A direct hit could probably even kill Stella.
But!
ㅤ
“『Sky Rebellion』!”
“What?!”
ㅤ
I boldly faced it head-on.
Strong attacks produce strong impacts.
If that’s the case, it’s fodder for Sky Rebellion.
The larger the generated shock, the more powerful Sky Rebellion becomes.
The tremendous shock generated by the collision between Dragburn’s own power and Kurotenmaru pierced through the tough scales, infiltrating the body and shattering the most fragile part of the bone.
However, I could feel it.
This is just a scratch, a mere crack in the bone.
ㅤ
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
The momentum of the attack is unstoppable.
Sky Rebellion has a secondary effect of shock destruction, where the impact that has penetrated the enemy will collide with the momentum of the attack and cancel each other out.
Normally, that would stop the attack.
However, I could only momentarily weaken and stop this monster’s attack at best.
ㅤ
In that split second, I transitioned from Sky Rebellion to Distortion and deflected Dragburn’s punch.
Despite reducing its power, Dragburn’s fist plunged deep into the earth, creating a massive crater.
The shockwave from blowing away the ground and the flames that burst and spread from the fist ravaged the area.
I chained another move, retreating while using a Slashing Sweep, and somehow managed to make it out alive.
It was impromptu, so the distortion and slash weren’t perfect, and I certainly wasn’t unscathed.
ㅤ
Nevertheless, the impact and flames I failed to scatter were mostly blocked by Sword Saint Shizuka’s robe and armor.
I only hurt my arm due to the failed distortion and suffered burns on my exposed face, all while being pummeled over the robe and armor.
Healing Magic can cure it instantly.
ㅤ
“『Heal』!”
ㅤ
Before I could do anything, the wounds healed themselves.
That was Stella’s no-chant Healing Magic.
It’s inferior compared to Rin, who specializes in this, but it’s handy in situations like this.
ㅤ
“Thanks!”
“You’re welcome!”
ㅤ
Exchanging such words, Stella and I switched positions.
Now it’s Stella’s turn to go forward.
ㅤ
“O Light Spirit, guardian of a corner of magic’s reason. Power of the sacred light, a fragment of divine strength. Combine lights and transform into an aurora, reside in my sword. ━━『Holy Sword』!”
ㅤ
And then, with a complete chant, she unleashed a true light slash, slamming it into Dragburn who was stunned right after a major move.
It was not a slash, but a torrent of light shot from the sword.
The light engulfs Dragburn.
The holy light eradicates the demon.
ㅤ
“Nooooooooo!!!”
ㅤ
Screaming, Dragburn crossed his arms again, trying to resist the torrent of light head-on.
While being scorched by the aurora that would obliterate any average demon in less than a second, Dragburn endured. He kept enduring.
And. . . . . .he endured it all.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Heh heh heh.”
ㅤ
Dragburn sneers.
However, he is definitely not unscathed.
His crimson scales are either melted by the light or shattered by the impact, and the damage should have reached his insides as well.
We can do it.
We can defeat him.
He is by no means invincible.
It doesn’t matter if Flowing Blade doesn’t work.
It doesn’t matter if Sky Rebellion only scratches him.
That is no reason for us to lose.
ㅤ
Sure, I would have been at a disadvantage if it were just me.
However, the true value of my sword is realized when I’m with my comrades.
It’s something I realized while reconnecting with Stella and exploring how to fight as the Hero’s Party.
ㅤ
First Strike can be fatal, so I’ve honed the art of foresight and perfect defense with my sword.
Up until now, I’ve used it solely for my own protection, as a link to counterattacks.
However, that’s not the most effective use of this swordsmanship.
Foresight is for reading the flow of the entire battlefield and coordinating with my allies.
Perfect defense is to become a shield and protect my allies.
If someone other than myself has the power to defeat the enemy, there’s no need to go for a counterattack unnecessarily.
So far, it’s been my only reliable form of attack, but from now on, it can be just one card in my hand.
ㅤ
Originally, it was a sword technique that I, in a dream, created solely for the purpose of vengeance in solitude.
The Ultimate Killing Sword that killed the Demon King all by myself.
Oh, the irony that its true power is unleashed when I am with my comrades, and the childhood friend I was supposed to protect.
Now, that technique has been passed down to me, and it truly shines under the promise to fight together.
Let’s be grateful for this cause and effect for now.
Thanks to it, I can fully protect Stella.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
ㅤ
Dragburn lets out a laugh.
Even after sustaining such injuries, the monster that seems far from fatal is laughing.
ㅤ
“How remarkable, to have injured me so! Excellent! Looks like this will be an enjoyable fight! It was worth defying the Demon King’s orders and coming out here!”
ㅤ
Ecstasy.
That’s the word suitable for the menacing expression on Dragburn’s face.
It’s hard to read the expression on a dragon’s face, but right now, he’s pretty easy to understand.
ㅤ
“You really enjoy fighting, don’t you?”
“What an obvious statement!”
ㅤ
I opened my mouth to buy some time, and Dragburn dutifully replied.
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“Fight as I please! Smash! Crush! Achieve my goals! Obtain what I desire! That’s what demons do! That’s the way of demons!”
ㅤ
As if stating common knowledge, Dragburn continues.
ㅤ
“And I love fighting! So I fight! Crushing weaklings is boring! So I seek strong enemies! That’s it! No other reason needed!”
ㅤ
I see, a very demon-like reason indeed.
Without another word, Dragburn prepares for another attack.
He opens his mouth full of sharp fangs, and a compressed ball of fire forms within.
A breath attack.
ㅤ
But, the time-buying is complete.
ㅤ
“『Destructive Sword』!”
“What?!”
ㅤ
From behind Dragburn, the towering 『Sword Saint』 Blade attacks, injuring the arm Dragburn used for defense.
The arm he had particularly damaged when blocking Stella’s attack now seems vulnerable to even his attack.
Still, it doesn’t look like it reached the bone.
ㅤ
“Hard?!”
“『Fire Dragon Cannon』!”
“Whoa?!”
ㅤ
Dragburn counterattacks by breathing fire, attempting to burn Blade to ashes.
However, a single barrier appears before Blade, blocking the breath for a brief moment, and he kicks the barrier to get out of the breath’s range.
At the same time, the ground beneath Dragburn turns into a swamp.
ㅤ
“What?!”
“『Lightning Strike』!”
“Gruaah?!”
ㅤ
Magic lightning rains down on Dragburn, who is stuck in the swamp.
Looking in the direction from which the magic came, I see Auntie Elle and Rin with wands ready.
Finally, they’ve arrived.
ㅤ
“You’re late!”
“Sorry, the remaining dragons made a suicide attack. But, we’ve taken care of that now.”
ㅤ
As Auntie Elle says, all the remaining dragons have been annihilated while we were holding back Dragburn.
Now he’s alone.
At least in this place, there’s no one left to help Dragburn.
Well, considering his personality, that’s probably just what he wants.
ㅤ
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
ㅤ
As expected, Dragburn laughed joyfully again.
ㅤ
“This strength! You all must be Holy Warriors! Not just heroes and strange swordsmen, but also three Holy Warriors! Truly exhilarating! Uplifting! It sets me aflame!”
ㅤ
While still excited, Dragburn emitted flames from his entire body, evaporating the swamp at his feet.
. . . . . .What is this feeling?
His firepower has increased from before.
Has the sense of intimidation coming from Dragburn gotten stronger?
ㅤ
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
The moment that thought crossed their minds, visible changes occurred in Dragburn’s body.
His wounds were healing.
It wasn’t at a fast pace, but the cuts on his arm from Blade, the burns from Auntie Elle’s thunder strike, and the significant damage from Stella’s ultimate move were visibly recovering.
ㅤ
“Hmm! Finally, it seems the remnants of that strange tree have weakened! Now I can show a bit of my true power!”
“What. . . . . .is this?!”
ㅤ
You’ve got to be kidding…
Was he weakened even in that state?!
As if to prove that his words were true, Dragburn started to move.
At a pace even faster than before.
ㅤ
“Well then, let’s go!”
ㅤ
One of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon King’s Army, the Fire Four Heavenly Kings Dragburn.
His true depths are still unseen. . . . . .!
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