kscans

Chapter 45 - Rainbow Dragon Weakness Observation Diary

At the Spirit Peak of Radiant Light, we began a life of hiding out from the summit. Our purpose was singular. To observe the behavioral patterns of the legendary Rainbow Dragon.

A rock cave hidden in the forest. During the day, we would use the mist as cover to scale the rock face, and at night, we would peer at the dragon's form with Bowen.

What Amy's Snake Eye Lens water magic, Bowen, depicted was like a scene from another world. The giant dragon with rainbow scales crossed the sky, drank from lakes, absorbed lightning, and breathed light. It was less a living creature and more like a natural phenomenon moving with intent.

"It flaps its wings three times a day..."

"And at night, it always heads to that lake. To recharge its magic, perhaps."

Amy and I recorded our observations on a magical recording stone. Defray, who had come along as the "rice-cooking observer" with a frying pan in hand, trembled every time the dragon's roar echoed.

And on the morning of the seventh day of our observation.

It suddenly appeared from within the mist.

"Hm... Something's coming." Amy pulled the view of her Bowen back sharply.

A group of heavily armed individuals was climbing the rocky slope in a line.

"Humans...?" Koni-chan whispered.

But their equipment and their movements were clearly not those of ordinary climbers.

They were divided into light soldiers in black attire and heavy infantry, advancing while maintaining a magic barrier and a detection-nullifying field.

"A mercenary band... and not just any mercenaries. They've come to hunt the Rainbow Dragon."

I had never expected another group of hunters to appear on this mountain. But now, it was happening right before my eyes.

We hid ourselves in the rock cave, watching their movements through Bowen.

And then.

The time came.

The clouds parted, and a rainbow-colored light shone through.

As if descending from the heavens, the Rainbow Dragon appeared.

Dozens of meters in total length. Its massive wings made the air tremble, and each of its scales changed color like a rainbow. Its overwhelming presence seemed to command the very terrain just by existing.

But the mercenaries did not flinch.

They formed a formation and began a simultaneous barrage. Magic cannons fired, lightning bolts pierced the sky, and explosions of flame erupted on the dragon's torso.

With a roar, the Rainbow Dragon counterattacked.

A mixed magic of wind and water, pillars of black lightning, scorching heat from the chaotic reflection of light. One after another, it swallowed the mercenaries' attacks, returned them, and overwhelmed them.

The rock face shattered, trees were blown away, and the sky burned.

"...It's too strong..." someone muttered.

After a few minutes, all that remained on the battlefield was scorched earth and the unmoving remains of people.

The mercenary band had been annihilated.

But I... at that moment.

"...Hm?"

Something ran through the Rainbow Dragon's body. A part of its scales seemed to have become slightly "thinner." And what's more, it happened after a certain type of magic was used.

"...Could it be, that was..."

My eyes widened as I jotted down my observations in my notepad with a trembling finger.

I saw something. This dragon has a weakness, an opening...!?

"...!"

But I wasn't certain yet. To tell everyone, I needed to see just a little more. I gripped the water lens tightly, determined not to miss the next change.