Akatsuki Translations

Inside the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga

“A sandworm is coming from the right.” -Shizuku

“Again, fuck!” -Ur

『It’s too big, stabbing or slashing won’t reach its vitals!! Use poison, poison!! 』

“I’m doing it now!!” -Ur

The interior was in a state of great chaos.

From the resonance of the core, the deepest layer where Ur and the others were located was experiencing tremendous vibrations. It was only natural, as the city’s transformation into a monster, an earth-shattering event, was currently taking place.

Amidst all that, Ur’s group continued to intercept the monsters attacking from all directions. There was only one reason for them to stand their ground in a situation where they should have escaped immediately.

“——————!!” -Lynne

“O Spirit of Stone.” -Kalkara

It was to protect Lynne, who was engraving magical formulas around the central core emitting an ominous light as if dancing, and to protect her White King Formation.

Kalkara’s blessing from the Stone Spirit instantly reinforced the ground that was collapsing due to the tremendous shaking and vibrations.

“Hii…! Hii…!!”

“Oh! Oh!! O Spirits! O noble ones!! Please help us!!”

And to maintain the power of Kalkara’s spirit blessing, the attendants continued to offer prayers. The assistance of the low-ranking priest with weak power was essential. The tremors, the attacks of the monsters, all of the pressing issues stirred up the attendants’ sense of crisis, resulting in the total amount of prayers being far greater than what they usually offered.

“I will protect your lives. Please, everyone, concentrate.”

Shizuku protected them with a barrier. She spoke to each attendant, encouraging those who were trying to run away or about to abandon their prayers while holding their heads.

“Hii!! Hiii!! I can’t take it anymore! I! I’m going to die here!!” -Griffin

“Now, now, Griffin-sama.” -Shizuku

Griffin’s obese body trembled as he collapsed to the ground. This was already the third time he had done this. Shizuku approached him with a gentle smile.

“Griffin-sama. You are the third-ranked Gran. You are the highest-ranking among the attendants.” -Shizuku

“T-that’s right! So protect me properly!” -Griffin

“If Griffin-sama, a Gran, doesn’t offer prayers, we will all die.” -Shizuku

Griffin turned his pale, ashen face towards Shizuku. Without breaking her beautiful smile, Shizuku said it once more.

“We will die.” -Shizuku

“…O-o-o Spirits——!!” -Griffin

In that way, she skillfully kept them in line.

Everyone present worked with all their might. Amidst the shaking that made it impossible to tell what was ground anymore, everyone, regardless of their birth, affiliation, or even purpose, came together with a single mind. It was teamwork that could be called a miracle.

And the fruits of their labor were about to bear.

“…!! It’s done!” -Lynne

“RETREAT!!!” -Ur

Lynne shouted the completion. As soon as he heard that, Ur immediately gave the order to retreat.

They couldn’t stay for even a second longer. Not only was the raging interior of Uuga dangerous, but the mental state of the attendants had been pushed to the very limit. No matter how much Shizuku encouraged them, it was already a miracle that these people, who had never set foot in a dungeon until today, had endured this extreme situation. They couldn’t take it anymore.

They had to get out of here before the tension snapped and panic ensued.

“Rock!” -Ur

『【Bone Core Transformation】! Alright, get on board! 』-Rock

The shape of the Rock ‘n’ Roll changed, transforming into a wide cargo vehicle. The attendants were pushed into it one after another, followed by Lynne, Kalkara, Ur, and Shizuku.

“Go!” -Ur

『HAHAHA! Don’t talk! You’ll bite off your tongue!! 』-Rock

With those words, Rock started running.

As warned, the shaking of the vehicle, which had been forcibly transformed into a cargo shape, on top of the already trembling ground, was hell itself. Even during the overnight express run by Dāru and Sūru, it probably wasn’t this bad. Even Ur and the others could barely cling on. The attendants were completely tied to the cargo area by Shizuku’s magic.

Distorted and crumbling. They raced through the emergency passageway. And soon, the light of the exit came into view—

“—Wait a moment, Rock!! Stop!!” -Ur

『Huh!? 』-Rock

There was no time to react to Ur, who had been “future-gazing a little ahead,” and the Rock ‘n’ Roll shot out into the light.

As a result, the Rock ‘n’ Roll was thrown into the air.

『Nu. 』-Rock

“Oh my.” -Shizuku

“Eek.” -Lynne

“—We’re gonna die!!” -Ur

Ur assessed the situation and shouted. There was no room to ponder the question of why they were suddenly thrown into the sky from the underground space. At this rate, they would really die.

『Bone Core Transformation! 』-Rock

“【O Wind, O Earth, Sing and Play with Me! 】” -Shizuku

Along with Rock’s words, the outer skeleton of the vehicle spread out like a membrane, and at the same time, Shizuku’s chant enveloped Ur and the others who had been thrown out. Simultaneously, Ur and the others crashed to the ground.

　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Near the “leg” of the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga.

Its feet, thicker than large trees and appearing like a giant wall up close, pierced the ground, the earth subsiding. In a slightly distant place from that terrifying existence that changed the terrain just by existing.

Caught between the trees that were slightly tilted, pulled by the weight of Uuga, a white, round mass was rolling. That thing, which looked like processed stone, faintly glowed after a while and changed shape.

From within it, Ur and the others, the attendants, and the combat vehicle appeared—in an upside-down state.

“…You guys alive?” -Ur

“…Somehow.” -Lynne

Lynne was the first to respond to Ur’s wobbling voice while still upside down. She, who was probably the biggest contributor this time, was lying on the ground, seemingly lacking the energy to stand up.

“…The attendants and Kalkara-sama also seem to be safe.” -Shizuku

『HAHAHA, that startled me… 』 -Rock

Shizuku, who had saved them with magic, and Rock, who had protected them with his own body, couldn’t hide their fatigue either. Everyone slowly sat up, but they were exhausted. The attendants were either in a daze, sobbing, or had fainted.

At least they weren’t angrily complaining. Honestly, Ur thought they had worked pretty hard.

“Why did we fall? We were underground, right…?” -Ur

“It is most likely a result of Uuga’s completion and rising, the underground space became exposed to the surface. Consequently, the passageway leading outside the city was severed, and we were thrown out.” -Shizuku

Ur turned back towards Uuga and saw the “torso” of the gigantic Uuga, which looked almost like a wall, just like its feet. Upon closer inspection, it had a surface that seemed to be made of stone materials, with several artificial objects forming a pattern. That was probably the deepest layer of Uuga’s underground level where Ur and the others had been.

What should have been underground had been completely exposed to the outside. It was a terrifying truth.

” ―――― The technique is not yet complete.” -Kalkara

Amidst all that, Kalkara raised her voice in a hurried manner.

“The transfer of control rights hasn’t been completed yet. Did the technique fail?” -Ur

“The technique itself is complete. I guarantee that.” -Lynne

Lynne declared firmly. If she said so, then it must be true. In other words, there was another cause.

“Echelle-sama hasn’t seized the 【control formula】 yet.” -Shizuku

“An accident occurred, or there was a time difference in the operation.” -Ur

The completion of Uuga was the signal for the “Uuga Usurpatation Operation.” However, as expected, it was a simultaneous operation being carried out at a completely different location with almost no communication of information. It was only natural for there to be a time lag. Of course, there was also the possibility of other unforeseen circumstances. In other words, they had to confirm it.

Kalkara impatiently pounded on the overturned Rock.

“Bones, please take me to her.” -Kalkara

『Well, bones I may be, but is it okay, Ur? 』-Rock

Ur slowly stood up and nodded. There was no choice in this situation.

“…We have no choice but to go. But before that, let’s drop off the attendants at a safe place.” -Ur

Hearing that, Kalkara frowned in dissatisfaction.

“They can still be used as prayer tanks.” -Shizuku

“They’ve reached their limit.” -Ur

Ur pointed his chin towards where the attendants were sitting huddled together.

“…”

“…Hah… hah…”

“…I can’t… take it anymore…”

They were completely exhausted.

In this state, they wouldn’t be able to offer proper “prayers.”

“…Won’t they get up if we slap them?” -Shizuku

“Use that energy for something else. Rock, can you go?” -Ur

『My vehicle body is rattling quite a bit, but if I move my body a little, it should be possible. 』-Rock

“Then let’s depart. Hurry.” -Ur

Thus, without a moment’s rest, Ur and the others started running again.

The tale surrounding the Dragon-Devoured City, Uuga was heading towards its climax.