Akatsuki Translations

5 days ago, Dragon-Devoured Uuga

“And, up to this point, it’s the usual battle strategy every time. Any questions?” Diz asked.

In the center of the conference room was a giant map, a miniature of the City of Sin, Proudia and the Dungeon of Sin, Proudia floating above it. Ur and the others fell silent, digesting Diz’s explanation of the typical developments during the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】.

“…We intercept the monsters inside the barrier, correct? Can’t we prevent them from entering the barrier in the first place?” Lynne voiced the opinion that everyone in the room had been thinking.

The idea of allowing Proudia to fall and then the subsequent invasion within the barrier seemed terrifying. After all, there were many unsuspecting citizens within the city, in the human habitation zone.

“We’ve tried before. The strategy was to forcefully destroy the large number of underling dragons trying to create holes. However, it hasn’t been very successful,” Diz explained.

“Hmm…” Lynne frowned.

“The minions rewriting the Solar Aegis are probably concentrating all their power on defense. Even the Seven Heavens find it difficult to defeat a dragon in full defensive mode. Moreover, trying to suppress monsters outside the barrier puts too much strain on the King.”

If they tried to forcibly destroy the underling dragons but failed to stop them, and monsters overflowed through the holes while their defense was compromised, it would be counterproductive. The defensive side’s goal was ultimately to protect the Wise Heavenly King. They couldn’t lose sight of that.

As a result, they largely ignore the underling dragons’ interference with the barrier and wait in full preparedness for the monster attack, thus distributing the burden on the King. This is the current basic strategy of the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】.

“Won’t the monsters target areas other than Babel, like residential districts?” Ur asked.

“Double and triple barriers are laid out with Babel as the center, so they’re stopped there, and the Knight Order is heavily deployed on the ground just in case… However,” Diz trailed off.

“However?” Ur prompted.

“There have never been cases of citizens being attacked during the 【Sun-Devouring Ceremony】.”

Hearing this, Ur furrowed his brow. “From what I hear, a terrifying number of monsters appear, right? Not even once?”

“Never. Basically, all monsters target only the 【Wise Heavenly King】 and 【Babel】. Even monsters that temporarily stray from the horde quickly try to return to the Wise Heavenly King.”

“That’s quite something…” Ur muttered.

“Indeed. There’s also the fact that once they enter the barrier, they have no time to look elswhere…”

Ur felt a sense of obsession in their determination to target the Wise Heavenly King no matter what. Considering whose obsession this might be, he thought it must be the will of the Dragon of Sin, Proudia.

“They really want to stop the Wise Heavenly King, don’t they?” Shizuku observed.

“If they defeat the Wise Heavenly King during the fall, there will be no one left to hold back the dungeon’s descent. If Proudia falls onto Babel, then…” Diz explained.

“…Then?” Ur asked.

“All the 【Barriers of the Sun】 around the world will disappear.”

At Diz’s words, everyone fell silent.

Babel was the key connecting all the temples in all cities, and the Wise Heavenly King lent the Barrier of the Sun to the priests of each temple from Babel. If Babel were damaged, the result would be the complete collapse of the human habitation zones.

Realizing anew the magnitude of the situation, Ur shuddered. The battle he had been chosen for as a means to gain achievements through Black’s machinations was undoubtedly a battle for the world’s survival.

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【Babel Sky Garden】 Outer Perimeter

“…!!!”

The sight that awaited Ur and the others as they leapt out beyond the barrier was quite hellish. The radiance of the Sky Garden split the night, providing visibility even at this late hour. However, what awaited in that clear view was “pitch black.”

『AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA——GIIIIIIIIIII–』

An army of monsters covered the sky and filled their vision.

The horde of monsters completely enveloped the inside of the Solar Aegis. It was madness. Indeed, if the citizens had witnessed this, they would surely have screamed and fled. But that wasn’t the only terrifying aspect.

“They’re crumbling…” Ur muttered.

The monsters’ bodies were disintegrating.

It hadn’t been visible from inside the barrier, but parts of the monsters’ bodies were breaking off, crumbling, or smoking as they charged towards the knights’ barrier. All to reach the 【Wise Heavenly King】 beyond.

— The inside of the 【Solar Aegis】 is the Wise Heavenly King’s domain. Even if they’re allowed to enter, the King won’t let the monsters leave unscathed.

Ur recalled Diz’s explanation as he headed towards their target monsters.

Naturally, many monsters aimed for Ur and the adventurer squad as they plunged into the horde, but some of these crumbled before they could even attack.

“There they are! 【Hundred-Fang Lions】!! Four of them ahead!!” someone shouted.

Bizarre quadrupeds with multiple claw-like fangs protruding like a crown on their heads. Four massive 【Hundred-Fang Lions】, each about five meters tall, stood there. They were slowly approaching the Proudia Knight Order’s barrier from the outer perimeter.

Unlike the Solar Aegis, the Knight Order’s barrier wasn’t maintained by the blessing of the One True God. It was purely human effort. Naturally, if pressed with overwhelming force, the burden would be great, and the shield might crumble in some cases.

Therefore, they had to eliminate these threats directly before that happened.

“【Black Panthers】 and 【White Sea】, take the flanks! I’ll handle the inner right!! 【Walkers】, you’re on inner left!!” Ikaza commanded.

“Roger!!”

“Let’s go!!!”

With these instructions, the 【Black Panther’s Claw】 and 【White Sea’s Ripple】 parties that had come with Ur split to the left and right. Both were groups led by silver-rank adventurers, and they began combat with practiced movements.

Ur’s group also prepared to engage. But before that, Ikaza lightly tapped Ur on the head.

“I don’t think you’re so inexperienced as to misjudge when to retreat, but I’ll say it anyway. If you think it’s impossible, withdraw immediately. Even if you lose as a result, you can make up for it as long as you don’t die,” she advised.

“I appreciate the advice,” Ur nodded. As she said, if things truly became unmanageable, the option to retreat was certainly there. Supporting everyone from inside the barrier wouldn’t be a bad contribution either.

However, that was far from achieving 【Accomplishments】. Even considering 【Uuga】 as another combat force, if they couldn’t demonstrate their own power, they likely wouldn’t qualify as “worthy of being administrators.”

Ur had a desire. A desire to gain control over the existence called Uuga. He understood that the peace, benefits, and friendships obtained there would all be significant nourishment for the future. No matter how reckless it might seem, there was value worth betting on there.

He thought it might be extremely inappropriate to bare such selfish desires in the face of a world crisis.

But could one survive in mortal danger without baring their desires?

Therefore–

“I’ll do my utmost to resist,” Ur declared.

Seeing the forcefully determined expression that suppressed his fear, Ikaza smiled briefly, then sharply struck Ur’s armor with a fierce expression.

“Very well. Then I’ll say nothing more. Fight to win what you desire.”

Simultaneously, she too leapt towards the fang-lions.

The remaining 【Hundred-Fang Lion】 became Ur and his team’s opponent.

“The Hundred-Fang Lion is sixth-rank. Depending on its size, it could be an even greater threat,” Shizuku warned.

『HAHAHA!! This is good! A higher rank, a higher rank!! I never get bored with you, Ur!!』 Rock cackled.

“There’s nothing good about this!” Ur retorted.

Ur pulled out two 【Pills of Stalwartness】 and swallowed them down. His body creaked, but he endured it. He had also bought a large number of disposable anti-impact amulets. It didn’t matter if it was reckless or ungainly. They just had to survive this one night—!

『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!』

“Shut up!!” Ur shouted.

The 【Hundred-Fang Lion】, heading towards the barrier, roared at Ur and his team who were obstructing its path. It was to slightly alleviate their fear.

『Ur! How are we attacking!?』 Rock asked.

“There’s only one thing to do against a higher-ranked opponent!!”

Ur reached into his external bag pocket and pulled out a tool.

“Kill it before it can counterattack!!”

He threw a magic-sealed orb filled with near-caustic spices, poison, paralytic agents, and various other substances at the lion’s head.

『GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!???』

“Spices are effective even against sixth-rank biological types…!” Ur observed.

“But if it rampages, it’ll be far more dangerous than a Great Boar!” Shizuku warned.

“I know!! Let’s go, Rock!!”

『HAHAHAHA!!!』

Ur and Rock sprang forward. The fang-lion, momentarily stunned by the sudden assault of caustic substances, saw a giant spear flying straight towards its eyes with its bloodshot gaze. However—

『GIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!』

“What the—!?”

The lion’s mane of fangs covered its head like a flower returning to a bud. The spear was deflected, and Ur was astonished. The deflecting sensation was undoubtedly from hard fangs as he had seen, but it was completely incomprehensible how they could transform so softly.

『Out of the way, Ur!!』

Rock rushed in from behind. He was wielding that black sword. Brandishing the ominous weapon, Rock thrust forward with a roar.

『【Pass through!!】』

Instantly, the sword passed right through the mane of fangs, impaling the fang-lion’s head inside.

『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!?』

『【Spectral Blade】, not bad at all, HAHAHA!!』

Gripping the rare magic sword of uncertain nature, Rock laughed. Impaled and gouged by the sword within its fangs, the fang-lion screamed and involuntarily loosened its fangs.

In that moment, Ur aimed his dragon fang spear at the exposed target.

“【Roar——”

However, they failed to notice something hard approaching from above their heads. Hidden by the bizarrely shaped head of the Hundred-Fang Lion was its true fang—an extremely long, sharp, and sturdy tail poised quietly like a snake before its prey.

It was about to strike.

“【Sing, O Earth, O Invisible Hand】” Shizuku chanted from the rear, providing cover.

The “famous sword” inherited from the previous generation’s Hero of the Seven Heavens, whose origins were now unknown to all, revealed itself. The single-edged blade danced in the air without a wielder.

“【【【Ice-Splitting Enchantment】】】【【【Strengthening Enchantment】】】【【【Rotation】】】” Shizuku continued her incantation.

Through multiple layers of enchantments applied by 【Reverberation】, the sword glowed darkly. This single strike, now far sharper and overwhelmingly powerful, crossed paths with the fang-lion’s descending tail, producing a violent sound.

『GYAA!?』 the fang-lion roared in pain.

“–hh!!?” Ur gasped.

For a moment, Ur’s eyes widened as he realized from the collision sound that death, which had been approaching unnoticed, had been avoided by a hair’s breadth. But naturally, he couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity due to surprise and confusion.

“Gh!! 【Roar – Rapid Fire!!】” Ur shouted.

He fired consecutive 【Roars】 from the 【Dragonfang Spear】 at point-blank range. Tremendous explosive sounds occurred in rapid succession at the fang-lion’s head. This roar, which had even shattered the core of a crystal golem, had absorbed many magic fragments along with Ur as it defeated numerous giant monsters throughout their journey.

Its power was incomparable to what it once was. Especially when taken at such close range–

“–How… about that?” Ur panted.

While stepping back from the recoil of the roar, Ur confirmed the result. The smell of burnt blood and flesh. Several fangs were also shattered. The 【Hundred-Fang Lion】, its head completely crushed, swayed its massive body, and then–

『———————————————-!!!!!!!』 it let out a roar even without a head, and regained its posture.

“…It’s not dying. You’ve got to be kidding,” Ur said in disbelief.

『Even without a head, eh?』 Rock commented.

“What should we do?” Shizuku asked.

“…There’s nothing else to do,” Ur replied.

Ur took a deep breath to steady himself, then prepared to fight again.

“We kill it until it dies!” he declared.

The deadly battle continued. But even this fight was just the beginning of a long night.