Akatsuki Translations

“A dragon, huh?” -Jain

Jain, of the 【White Serpent】, silently observed the scene unfolding below from atop the city’s defensive wall.

Below, the Nameless were crying out as they fled beyond the walls. Perhaps due to the presence of 【Great Eagle of Dawn】, which had brought in a large crowd, the chaos was immense.

“EVERYONE, DON’T PANIC! THAT CREATURE ISN’T TARGETING US! DON’T RUN!”

However, the members of 【Great Eagle of Dawn】 efficiently quelled the commotion.

For them, part of the reason was likely to prevent their goods from being damaged or stolen amidst the chaos, but still, in such situations, they were reliable. It made sense that many of the aimless Nameless saw the guild itself as a refuge.

Jain didn’t help them.

It wasn’t that he looked down on their actions as foolish. Jain simply knew what he had to protect. He would only protect those he considered family. He disliked diverting his abilities to others, as it would hinder his own objectives.

“Jain-sa~n! You okay?!” -Ravin

Ravin landed beside Jain. Without turning to look at her, Jain snorted.

“Yer late, damn rabbit.” -Jain

“That’s harsh. So, did the negotiation go well?” -Ravin

Asked, Jain tossed a cloth bag towards her. The pleasant sound of coins clinking echoed in Ravin’s hands as she caught it.

“I got what I came for. And, how ‘bout “over there”?’” -Jain

He asked. Ravin shook her head. Her expression was different from her usual optimistic, carefree smile, looking stern instead.

“No good. Those guys are seriously quitting.” -Ravin

“…Well, it’s fine.” -Jain

“Nothing we can do. No point in worrying about it.” -Ravin

“I ain’t worried, damn rabbit.” -Jain

Jain made a light fist to punch Ravin, who gracefully dodged, prompting him to click his tongue.

“So, what now?”  -Ravin

“Continue with the dungeon, keep making money. Or do you prefer playing hero?” -Jain

“Nah, that’s a pain in the ass. I’ll get the others ready too.” -Ravin

“Yeah.” -Jain

Ravin left again. Jain also jumped down from the wall, heading towards Dragon-Devoured Uuga. But at the last moment, he glanced back one more time.

“Shady as hell, but do yer best to figure things out in our stead, rookie.” -Jain

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“It’s… complete…!” -Lynne

Lynne trembled with emotion in front of the White King Formation she had created with Akane. Before her, the White King Formation flickered, exuding a terrifying aura of oppression. It hadn’t yet been activated, but the pressure was already immense. Its quality was in no way inferior to the White King Formations she had previously spent hours to produce.

It was completed in just a few tens of minutes. Moreover, about half of the work was done in the few minutes after Akane lent her help. It was an incredible result.

“Akane-sama! THIS,  IS,  AMAZING! AHAHAHA!!!” -Lynne

《You’re real excited… 》-Akane

“【Open!!! Refined Bullet of the Heavenly Flame・ Voracious Pursuit ・ White King Formation!!!】” -Lynne

The White King Formation Lynne created was ultimate magic of the fire attribute. However, it was clearly on a different level from the basic fireballs Shizuku usually handled. Responding to the light of the formation, and simultaneously, the brilliance of the formation reflected in the sky.

A gigantic magic circle projected in the sky, and from its center, an enormous, truly mighty fireball appeared. The “fragment of a star” summoned from the ends of space, radiating intense heat, targeted the dragon currently chasing Ur and was released.

Faster than an arrow shot from a bow, the hurled star fragment struck with a tremendous impact where the dragon was.

“Per, fect!!” -Lynne

《Is Nii-tan dead!!? 》-Akane

Lynne clenched her fist towards the sky in triumph, while Akane was taken aback by the explosion’s noise.

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“I’m gonna dieEE!!!” -Ur

With a tremendous explosion, Ur was blown away, tumbling across the ground before ending up covered in mud, shouting out loud. Thanks to his fire-consuming armor, he was spared from scrapes, but instead, he was covered in bruises. It was excruciatingly painful.

The origin of the impact was unclear, but it was apparent that it was an attack from Lynne’s White King Formation. Why? Because he saw a huge fireball hit the dragon’s head right in front of him, and right after that, he was blown away.

“I’m glad it was outside…” -Ur

If that explosion had occurred inside the temporary city, there would have been casualties. However, anything less than that firepower would have been insufficient to harm the dragon.

“Ur-sama, are you okay?” -Shizuku

“What was that power?! The outer barrier just got blown away!” -Ur

Shizuku and Echelle approached from behind. Shizuku quickly applied healing magic to Ur, mending his injuries. Ur expressed his thanks in a low voice, but his eyes remained fixed on the rising dust cloud in front of him.

If that had killed the dragon, it would have been ideal, but he couldn’t afford such optimistic expectations.

《――――ＧＹＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！》

Suddenly, a gigantic roar sounded. Unlike the previous roar filled with rage and hostility, this one seemed to express agony and struggle. Immediately after, a huge black mass burst through the dust cloud into the sky.

“…!” -Ur

Ur readied his spear in response, but the dragon didn’t head their way. Instead, it turned around at an incredible speed and flew off. It was undoubtedly heading for 【Uuga】. The dragon dove into the black barrier like it was fleeing and disappeared.

“…I wonder if it running is a good thing?” -Shizuku

“…I wonder if this count as ‘defeating the dragon’ for our promotion to gold rank.” -Ur

“If so, we need to finish it off.” -Shizuku

Ur sighed deeply. Well, being alive was a victory in of itself.

“the dragon, why did it… what about the temporary city… everyone…” -Echelle

Behind him, Echelle was muttering. She was focused on supporting Ur during the fight, so she didn’t have time to think deeply, but now that everything was over, confusion seemed to hit her all at once.

“Ow, ow, it hurts..!”

“Mommy, where’s mommyyy!?”

He could understand her feelings. The situation was grim. The city had maintained its appearance as such only because the Nameless had gathered there. But now, even that facade was crumbling. As time passed, more people would leave, fearing the dragon. If that happened, this planned city site would truly be finished.

“Echelle-sama, calm down.” -Ur

“I, I know. B-but, after that… what do we do now?” -Echelle

Echelle’s reply to Ur’s call was clearly flustered. She looked at Ur as if clinging to him for help. She was begging for his assistance but couldn’t put it into words.

Ur took a deep breath and let it out. He would turn to someone for answers if there was anyone who could give them. But unfortunately, it seemed there was no such person. He had to decide for himself. Ur steeled himself.

“Look at the traces. There’s blood. It probably took damage. Enough damage to interrupt its attack and flee. It won’t come back here until it’s healed.” -Ur

He didn’t voice his doubts about whether his assumptions were correct. There was no point in saying it.

But indeed, at the site of the gigantic crater, the remnants of the White King Formation, there were large amounts of a black liquid, blood, spilled. It was more than just a little – a substantial amount. The ecology of that mysterious dragon was still unclear, but it was likely not a minor injury. There’s a high probability that his guess was correct.

“And if it fled to 【Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga】, then that thing is probably part of the reason for the city’s dungeon-like transformation, if not the cause itself.” -Ur

In other words, the situation had become clearer than just “releasing the city of the dungeon.” Their task was simple: defeat the “Owner,” the “Dragon.”

“C-can we, can we defeat it?” -Echelle

“We have to. Is there any point in debating whether it’s possible or impossible?” -Ur

Echelle fell silent.

She must have realized it too. Discussing whether something is feasible or not is a privilege of those who have the luxury to do so. It’s the right of those who have a place to retreat to. Ur and his party don’t have that luxury. And probably, neither does Echelle. So, there’s no point in thinking about it.

The conclusion was reached.

“Shizuku, how’s your magical energy?” -Ur

“I can recover it if I rest for a day.” -Shizuku

“Then, today and tomorrow, after Rock’s restoration is complete, focus on recovery. I’ll buy up all the food, consumables, and equipment from 【Great Eagle of Dawn】 based on the information from Jain. Echelle-sama, I’ll need your financial support.” -Ur

“I, I understand.” -Echelle

“Once preparations are complete, we’ll start exploring the dungeon in earnest. Got it?” -Ur

At Ur’s statement, Shizuku and Echelle nodded.

Quest: Liberate 【Dragon-Devoured City・ Uuga】

　　 New: Subjugate the 【Mysterious Dragon】