Chapter 306 - Chapter Eighteen: The Black Dragon ③
The participants were dispersed into three bowls. The first was Eleanor-sama's bowl, with Henry-sama, Harris-sama, and me. Dune and Mel were also with us. Though, Mel was fluttering around the bowl. The second was operated by the bowl-user of the Quartet, with Roberts-sama, Gladys-sama, the Cait Sith, and Will, plus Wilson-san as the high-speed specialist. The third was operated by the Elf Prince, carrying two people selected from the Eastern Plains Corps medical station, Bonnie, and Alex.
The roles were: I, using Light, would be the decoy, while Mel and Dune would deal with the Black Dragon. Wilson-san's bowl would be the mobile unit in case negotiations broke down, and it was packed with the combat-oriented members. The Elf Prince and Alex were practically dragged out. In short, they were the rescue team; in the event of injuries, the medical staff would treat them and Alex would transport them to the fortress with Teleport. Perhaps because he was terrified, the Elf Prince participated clad in gleaming Silver equipment.
The location was to the west of the mountain where the Black Dragon is said to reside. To allow Dune to fully demonstrate her power, we positioned ourselves directly above the river.
Going south would lead to the plains. If the dragon went on a rampage, we had to prevent it from going south. To ensure no damage to the villages or towns, the corps' fortress was burning bonfires and was in a state of combat readiness to act as a decoy.
The demon swarms should be taking refuge in the northern part of their base to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
The arrangement of the bowls was: us in the middle of the river, Roberts-sama above us, and the rescue team near the riverbank. Roberts-sama's positioning was to ensure that even if the dragon released a shockwave, there would be no damage on the ground. If necessary, he could just have it released toward the sky.
Because the Black Dragon had been flying around the other day, no animal cries could be heard. Only the murmuring of the river was audible.
The moon was also high. The timing was right. I placed one Firefly on top of a water pillar Dune had made, had her carry it as far as I could still control the light, and made it glow with all its might toward the mountain. Mel was directly above the Firefly.
First, the plan was for Mel, who treated the Black Dragon as a subordinate, to talk to it, and if things went well, lead it straight into a meeting.
The black trees protected the forest along with Renata. On the other hand, the magical beasts were doing as they pleased. I wonder which one the Black Dragon is... yeah, it'll probably do as it pleases.
Before long, a flashy sound of flapping wings—flap, flap—approached.
It came, as expected.
When I asked Dune, she said it came in a straight line from the mountain. Does it have no caution, or is it just confident?
"It's far too incautious. Is it a child?"
Even though it's that huge?
It approached the glowing Firefly just like that.
It brought its face close and was staring intently at it. In other words, it's not a magical beast.
"Mel went."
First were the negotiations, but the dragon began to make a fuss, crying "Gyaon, gyaon."
"It seems it's throwing a tantrum."
"What do you mean?"
"Mel told it that if it's interested in this glowing orb, it should listen quietly. Otherwise, she'll make the orb disappear."
Well, even if it listens, it'll disappear eventually.
"It's fine. Even if it disappears, you can bring it out again, right? If you bring it out once in a while, it'll probably grow fond of Jeanne."
"Even if you say 'grow fond,' it's the strongest dragon enhanced by being bathed in dense magical energy, right? Before that happens, won't it choose to fight?"
Dragons are unreasonable. I've heard they bully the weak without any self-awareness and hate and attack humans.
"Maybe. But that's fine too."
I didn't hear that fighting was the premise.
"We just have to win. If we make it submit, it'll become quiet."
Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharp. She was staring down the Black Dragon with those sharp eyes.
She began to slowly move her right hand, which was thrust out from the edge of the bowl. In the moonlight, I could see the river water at our feet slowly moving as if forming a vortex. It seems she's entered a combat stance.
According to Dune, a dragon's way of thinking is basically the same as the demon race: the strong are great. Normally, they are arrogant creatures who believe they are the strongest, using all sorts of sophistry and always trying to be the center of everything. If that sophistry doesn't work, they snap and resort to force. If you crush them there, they'll become quiet, apparently. Though, an ordinary human wouldn't be able to do it.
If it's a battle of sophistry, it's Eleanor-sama. If it's a fight, Mel and Dune might be able to manage somehow.
When I peeked at Eleanor-sama, she was perhaps nervous, as she was gripping Henry-sama's left arm with her right hand while he had his arms crossed.
Kwah, the Black Dragon opened its mouth.
A shockwave!
Inside its mouth, an orb of light is forming.
"Dune! That's it! When it released that toward the river, the water was pushed away so much you could see the bottom of the river."
"Hmph. It just gathered air around its mouth. Mel could make something much more powerful than that."
Even though I said it in a panic, she replied casually. Even the Elf Prince was terrified and ran away, but is this what they call a difference in rank?
Using magical energy to compress air is what Wind Barrier does, but apparently, if you put a massive amount of magical energy into compressed air, it vibrates or glows. It's something neither humans nor even Elves can do.
That orb of light grew larger and larger, until it finally filled its entire mouth.
Is it finally going to release it!
I involuntarily gripped my hands tight.
"Wh-What incredible magical energy. Splendid... no, at this point, I feel fear."
Eleanor-sama's voice is trembling. She is halfway clinging to Henry-sama.
Pon!
As I watched to see what it would do, the dragon spat the orb of light out in front of the Firefly.
It just fell downward. As its light gradually weakened, it fell into the river with a splash and vanished. The water surface rippled for a while, then eventually became quiet.
The dragon, which had been watching the fate of the orb it spat out, was shaking its head and waving its arms as if saying "no, no," and crying "Gyaon, gyaon."
Naturally, the Firefly remained lit. Did it compare them?
While I was tilting my head, not really understanding what was what, Mel came back.
"Jeanne. Can you bring out another Firefly over there? The same one is fine."
Huh? What does that mean?
Since she told me to come, I followed Mel and was guided to the tip of the dragon's nose.
It's a face larger than the bowl.
Its eyes are the same size as the Water Dragon's, but they glow a faint yellow. The Water Dragon's scales had a smooth feel, but the Black Dragon's are shiny and lustrous, and rugged like the Lindwurm's. Two pointed, straight horns grow from its head, and fangs peek out from its mouth. It's aggressive in every way.
Just its warm breath made Eleanor-sama's hair flutter.
I bring out two Fireflies in my palm as I was told.
It stared intently, then nodded its head up and down and gave one, then two cries.
"It says it's the real thing."
"The real thing?"
Are there fakes?
"Look, since Jeanne became high-level, the Fireflies have become warm, right? They don't go out, and they're warm. It says that's the real thing."
It's crying "Gyaon, gyaon," seemingly happy that they increased to two.
"Just deactivate the one you made first."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"It's fine, it's fine. The point is just to show it that this is something created."
"I see."
I see. That's true.
When I deactivated the first one I made, the dragon brought its face close to me.
"Hih!"
I accidentally let out a scream. I can hear the sound of Harris-sama swallowing hard.
When Dune said something, it seemed satisfied and returned to its original position.
Then, a discussion involving Mel and Dune began. The two and the creature were talking, but I couldn't understand a thing they were saying.
It was the same with the Water Dragon, but I wonder what language they're using. At the very least, the dragon's side only sounds like "Gyaon, gyaon."
It continued for about half an hour, but it seems a conclusion was reached.
When I placed the Firefly on top of Dune's water pillar as I was told, the dragon stared at the Firefly, gave a single cry, and spread its wings to take some distance.
"Now, the conditions are set. We're going to have a one-shot match."
"Eh? What did you just say?"
"A decisive battle with the Black Dragon. We'll wager Jeanne's Firefly, and it'll be a three-round match between two spirits and one human group."
"Wait a minute! Is it going to be okay?"
"It'll be fine. I'm the first, Dune is the second. If we take two rounds, we win."
I see. So we'll just be watching from a safe distance. I'm relieved.
The content of the discussion was that the Black Dragon claimed the Firefly was its own, while the spirits claimed it couldn't be given because it was made with magic. Both sides' claims apparently continued in parallel.
As a compromise, they reached the conclusion that the winner of a match would be in the right.
Honestly, I don't really get it. If the dragon wins, the truth will be twisted...
"Is the match over in two rounds?"
"It'll be over. For the third round, you can just surrender."
"Surrendering without fighting is no good. We must do what we can."
Eleanor-sama says something far too unnecessary.
"Hey, why isn't it a one-round match?"
Henry-sama also said that once Eleanor-sama starts saying something, she won't listen. I have to somehow swap it out, or I'll end up having to fight the dragon.
"There's wind, there's water, and there's humans. That's why it's three. In short, it's a ranking."
In short, it seems it wants to decide if the others are stronger or weaker than itself.
So is it that? If the winner's claim is right, then whatever the loser says is wrong?
"That's right. Those guys aren't stupid, but they're stubborn fools."
Might makes right...
Is its brain made of rock?
"We can't afford to lose."
"Exactly."
"Alright, Jeanne. As a priest, fight and win for the peace of humanity."
Oh no, I forgot there was someone of the same kind here...
Dune made a board out of river water. It's transparent and its defense is perfect.
After Eleanor-sama poked it with her fingertip, she tapped it as if knocking, and it made a dry kan-kan sound.
"Ice? No, it's different."
Ripples spread from where she tapped. That said, the surface isn't undulating. It remains flat.
"What kind of thing is this?"
"Water."
Even if Eleanor-sama asks, she won't tell her the answer. Surely, even if she heard it, she wouldn't understand.
"It's started."
The match with the first contestant, Mel, began.
Both are facing each other while floating in the air.
The dragon is illuminated by the half-moon, and Mel is glowing a pale green.
The dragon shook its head and gave a loud neigh.
The vibration of the air is transmitted with a biri-biri.
A duel between a dragon and one of the Four Great Spirits!
Or so I thought, but the dragon sent up a pillar of water and fell into the river with a dobon.
It's just struggling there, crying "Gyaon, gyaon." It might be drowning.
Um...
"Mel acted on the wind around the dragon so it couldn't catch the wind with its wings. No matter how powerful it's become, there's no way a Wyvern that uses the power of the wind can beat Mel, who is the wind itself."
I was convinced after hearing Dune's explanation.
Come to think of it, she did say it was like a subordinate.
In the end, after several shockwaves it released while struggling were easily deactivated in mid-air by Mel, its heart seemed to break. It became limp and just flowed away on its back.
It gave a small cry toward Mel, who had landed on its belly.
"It seems it learned to float, even if it can't swim."
Dune giggled, and the first battle ended.
The second battle is with the Water Spirit, Dune. Unlike Mel, she cannot interfere with the wind. The dragon also regained its motivation. If it loses here, its defeat is decided. However, if it wins here, the opponent for the third battle is a human. This must be its stand.
Dune, glowing water-blue, stands on a new water pillar she made from the bowl.
The dragon also knew what to do and soared into the sky all at once. Eleanor-sama operates the bowl and chases after it. Looking down, we're not directly above the river; the forest is spread out beneath our feet. In short, it just needs to stay away from the river water. It really is smart.
Dune doesn't move. She seems to stay in her position.
Just as I thought it would be a standoff between the sky and the river, the dragon suddenly twisted its body and cried out as if groaning.
Dune's attack had begun.
Water masses about the size of a bowl began to fly around the dragon in circles. From those masses, two water pillars extended and were dealing attacks to the dragon, like a human throwing punches. Because the movement of the main water masses is fast, it seems it can't even release shockwaves. It's desperately fighting back to deal damage to the main body while dodging the flying water fists, blocking them with its arms, and occasionally taking a hit. It's like a fistfight between humans. Matilda would surely be excited if she saw this.
"It's clever."
It's Henry-sama.
I thought for sure Eleanor-sama would be excited and say something, but she's unexpectedly calm.
"Mel. To my eyes, it looks like the altitude is gradually dropping and it's being slowly guided over the river, but what do you think?"
"That's right. Dune is just playing right now. She's not being serious at all."
"It seems so. The water masses flying around the dragon have almost no effective hits, perhaps because they're aimed at making the opponent get serious and lose consideration for its surroundings."
"Yes, they're just feints."
They can really see well.
"Even if we look like this, both of us have good eyes."
She puffed out her chest quite a bit. This must be payback for before.
About half an hour passed.
As Henry-sama had seen through, by now it has come completely directly above the river. The dragon is continuing its fistfight with the water while crying out. Is it my imagination that it looks somewhat happy?
And the moment of decision came.
A massive amount of water rose from the river surface in a circle as if to surround the dragon, and swallowed it up as if trapping it in a hemispherical barrier. I don't know what's happening inside.
The water barrier gradually became lower and narrower, and finally returned to the original river surface.
The dragon floated up with a puka. After spitting out water with a pyu, it just flowed away on its back.
The water pillar Dune stands on moves toward the dragon. She landed on its belly, and it gave a small cry toward her.
"The match is decided. You were played with, so you should say thank you."
Mel giggled, and the second battle ended.