Akatsuki Translations

Dragon-Devoured City of Uuga

A new satellite city connected to the City of Sin, Gradol–or so it appeared, but in reality, it was a “decisive battle weapon against Proudia”. A magic formation created using the entire city, the crystallization of the magical power in the atmosphere produced by artificially turning the city into a dungeon and generating monsters, and the transportation and accumulation of those crystals.

Maintaining all of these with an intricate balance and creating a city-scale gigantic familiar was the true nature of Uuga.

It was a fearsome, grand magic, and even if one thought of it, it was a bizarre art that one would laugh at as a “child’s delusion” without putting into practice. Unless one was the【Ruinous Yog】 or one of the Seven Heavens, the【Heavenly Demon】, it probably wouldn’t have been done.

Such an unprecedented grand magic was about to bear fruit.

All preparations were complete, and once the magical power was filled, the 【Sacred Beast】 would be born.

The center of that gigantic magic.

『――――――』

The dragon, no, the 【Pseudo-Dragon】 was silent before the sacred beast.

It had been ordered by its master to guard this place, and it faithfully followed that order.

In fact, that order had already become meaningless. The protection of this grand magic was necessary only until the technique was completed. And “the technique had already been completed”. Even Yog, who devised this magic, could no longer interrupt or modify it halfway through.

If one were to forcibly attempt to do so, a large amount of magical power would lose its destination and cause destruction involving the entire surrounding area.

In other words, even if the 【Pseudo-Dragon】 didn’t try to protect this place, there shouldn’t have been anyone who would interfere here. Because there was nothing to be done; trying to do something would be equivalent to suicide.

That should have been the case.

“Ah, I knew it. The Pseudo-Dragon.” -Ur

“Its wounds seem to have healed too.” -Shizuku

In front of the Pseudo-Dragon, a huge foreign object appeared.

It was clearly larger than humans. Its size was almost indistinguishable from a type of monster, but the wheels rolling on the rough waterway and the wooden and metal armor were man-made. Its body was covered with thick white bones like an exoskeleton. It was truly a foreign object, a mixture of human and monster.

Of course, the Pseudo-Dragon couldn’t understand that it was something with a bizarre name like Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“I’m glad we were able to bring the chariot.” -Ur

『If we had known about this passage earlier, it would have been easier, don’t you think? 』-Rock

“Don’t say it.” -Ur

The route Ur and the others used to invade the dungeon this time was different from the one they had been developing until the other day.

It was a so-called hidden passage or a route that could be called a delivery route.

Since this dungeon was an artificial one, access to the deepest level, which was the center for the 【Creator】, was a problem. It was clearly inefficient to have to sneak through monsters every time, part the cramped “roots of flesh” passages, and reach it without disturbing the sandworms whose role was to collect magic stones.

Even after the dungeonfication progressed, a safe route unaffected by it was essential. That was the route Ur and the others used now.

“To think there was a direct route from the temporary city…” -Ur

“It was quite easy.” -Shizuku

Moreover, fortunately, it was a large passage that allowed them to drive the Rock ‘n’ Roll. Using that, Ur and the others had reached the current deepest level with almost no fatigue.

“So, the one controlling that 【Pseudo-Dragon】 was the traitorous attendant…Kalan, right?” -Ur

Ur was peeking at the Pseudo-Dragon sitting in front of the true magic (for the familiar) through the telescope installed inside. He didn’t have a chance to stare at it closely, but the Pseudo-Dragon with its giant lizard-like appearance with wings looked ominous and frightening.

It was hard to believe that it was a familiar created by human hands.

“Yes, and he was controlling it like his own body, I heard.” -Shizuku

“Is that even possible?” -Ur

“Normally it’s not possible, but it was made possible by the technique of his superior, it seems.” -Shizuku

Diz had grasped almost all the information possessed by Kalan, the heretics’ pawn who was caught along with Kalkara. While busy exchanging information with the White Serpent and giving various instructions to the surrounding Nameless people, Shizuku seemed to have received that information from Diz.

Ignoring the fact that Kalan had basically become an invalid after the interrogation.

“Unfortunately, it seems the order cannot be changed. Just before being caught, he apparently made it so that even he couldn’t change the order.” -Shizuku

“No matter what happens to him, huh? How admirable and troublesome.” -Ur

『If it’s troublesome, you should have had Diz defeat it. 』-Rock

Rock, who had become the Rock ‘n’ Roll, chimed in. Of course, Ur would have done so if possible. There was no doubt that the Pseudo-Dragon was a very powerful familiar, but it was unlikely to be a match for Diz. However,

“She has her own troubles, I can’t put any more burden on her.” -Ur

『Well, I prefer it this way, it’s more fun, HAHA! 』-Rock

Rock laughed.

Ur was amazed at his carefree attitude but laughed a little. This lightheartedness was appreciated. After all, they were about to take an unprecedented “gamble”.

“Geez, this is bad for the heart and stomach…” -Ur

“But isn’t gambling something we always do?” -Shizuku

“I’m tempted to nod, but stop it. I don’t want to get used to such critical situations.” -Ur

It was quite a carefree conversation considering they had infiltrated the center of a city that had been turned into a dungeon and was about to become a super-massive familiar.

『But the Pseudo-Dragon is looking this way, yet it’s not moving. 』-Rock

“It probably doesn’t even understand what we are in the first place. It’d be easier for us if it stays confused. It buys time for Lynne.” -Ur

Ur turns his attention to Lynne behind him, who has been concentrating on using his back as a canvas. She hasn’t participated in the conversation at all since earlier. With her extreme focus, she doesn’t even glance this way. She was preparing the 【White King Formation】.

This direct passage was able to gain them quite an advantage. Even in the latter half of the writing process when magical power consumption becomes severe, they can work in a safe place. The White King Formation had already dealt great damage to the Pseudo-Dragon before. There was no doubt it was an effective attack.

The problem was whether the enemy would leisurely wait for its completion, but…

『Lynne’s preparations are steadily progressing, but what about your equipment? You lost everything in the previous battle, right? 』-Rock

“It’s not bad. I procured it express from the【Great Eagle of Dawn】, so I couldn’t make minor adjustments though.” -Ur

Ur checks his own equipment. The fire-consuming armor was crushed, and the newly purchased thin blue armor is made of mithril. Its performance is very simple: strong, light, and sturdy. That’s all there is to it. It has no special effects. It’s just strong.

Mithril is popular among many adventurers. It is said that once you become an adventurer, you are finally considered a full-fledged one when you obtain this. Ur doesn’t think he has become a full-fledged adventurer at all, but this was provided to him as the best he could equip himself with.

『Did they really sell it to you? Or rather, didn’t they run away? 』-Rock

“It seems the advance party was able to escape before the encirclement, but the main force didn’t make it in time.” -Shizuku

Despite being late to escape, Susan had a very relaxed attitude, and it was doubtful whether they really intended to run away. Moreover, while saying they would cooperate with Ur and the others, they extorted a lot of money from them, so it seemed they had no intention of dying here at all.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they had secured a means to escape by themselves if push came to shove.

“Well, thanks to that, we were able to fully resupply, so we’re grateful for that… How’s it going, Rock?” -Ur

『Hmm, I’m starting to sense a dangerous air. Ur, it’s coming from you. 』-Rock

“Time’s up, huh…” -Ur

Rock reports the rise of the strange power emanating as the completion of the White King Formation approaches. If Rock, who is close to being a monster, can sense it, it means the Pseudo-Dragon can also sense it.

“Then, shall we do it before the other side moves?” -Ur

“This time, we don’t have Echelle-sama’s protection. Be careful.” -Shizuku

“She has her own ‘role’ to play, so it can’t be helped. Let’s go!” -Ur

He sets the dragonfang spear, which will be the main gun, into the muzzle. He points the tip towards the Pseudo-Dragon, which is opening its jaw, directing its suspicion and vigilance towards them, and looks like it’s about to move at any moment.

“This is my thanks for the other day. Make sure to receive it.” -Ur

Ur, who had nearly died from a surprise roar the other day, says that and sets off the 【Roar】 of the dragonfang spear.

The Pseudo-Dragon, which had been keeping its distance and on guard in front of the huge object of unknown identity, was hit by the heat ray fired from the suddenly appearing muzzle and let out a surprised scream.

『ＧＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯ！？！？』

“Battle start.” -Ur

The Pseudo-Dragon becomes enraged and soars through the air, approaching them.

The third and final decisive battle with the Pseudo-Dragon had begun.