The Battle of the Capital ③

Shun's perspective

Ah—Shun. I’ve been meaning to ask—how did you end up raising a dragon mount like this, all of a sudden?

We are currently flying through the air.

Riding upon the dragon's back.

—Well, this one wasn’t a dragon at all not too long ago, but after forming a contract via the Summoning skill, it evolved somehow, unnoticed.

A colossal white dragon, large enough to carry all four of us with ease.

Originally, a monster resembling a common lizard named Peolart, whom I had subdued using my pre-evolutionary skill of Taming.

The creature, though called a monster, was no larger than could fit in the palm of one's hand and caused little to no harm.

It had, unnoticed, evolved into a lower dragon. When summoned again after becoming a hero, it had become an upper dragon.

Moreover, the rare Light Dragon.

"Hero's bias, perhaps?"

That would be the case.

As Catia and the teacher said, probably my becoming a hero affected the monsters under my command as well.

I have several other contracted creatures. All of them have evolved too.

"Damn cheat."

"Stop speaking Japanese."

I expected that.

"Time to conceal ourselves with stealth and camouflage."

At my words, everyone suppressed their presence.

Then I activated camouflage, dissolving into the night's darkness.

If I eliminate sound, and remain silent, I should be undetectable from the ground unless something extraordinary occurs.

That was my assumption—until, as I caught sight of the royal city's skyline below, I hastily cast a spell and released it.

"Eh? Hya!?!"

A powerful explosion erupted from the collision of two spells at close range.

"Shun!"

"Targeted! The opponent is a highly skilled mage!"

"Impossible!? At this altitude, perfect accuracy with magic!?"

We are flying at approximately one thousand meters above ground.

Ordinary magic would not reach this distance.

I activate千里眼 and search for the caster who just unleashed the spell.

No search is necessary—the old man stands openly atop the city's defensive wall.

I observe the construction of his magic.

The level of refinement is so advanced that I cannot help but utter a breath of awe.

The complexity of the spell construction was extraordinary.

"Second shot incoming."

I issue a warning in advance.

I grip the dragon's reins.

Dodge the rapidly approaching magic by a hair's breadth.

The dragon possesses a skill known as "reverse scale," which reduces magical impact, but overconfidence is unwise.

There is no point in maintaining stealth if discovery is already certain.

"Accelerating! Hold on tight!"

Guiding the reins, they plunged from high altitude toward the ground, as if falling.

Avoiding and intercepting the magic cast by the old man.

[Ah, no good. This isn't going to work.]

[Wait!? Master!?]

[Stop it, stop it. We're retreating.]

Receiving the mental exchange.

For a moment, suspicion flared—was it a trap?—but they truly vanished through teleportation.

To the surprise of all, every human presence within the castle bearing strong magical aura had disappeared.

"Wait, is it over?"

A bewildered mutter escaped.

They stood motionless for a brief moment.

"Attack has ceased, then?"

"Ah, yes. Seems they admitted defeat and withdrew."

"Quite a swift retreat. That suggests a high probability of a trap."

"No, from the tone of the mental transmission, it didn't feel like that at all."

"Either way, proceed with caution."

"Yes."

But after steeling themselves to move carefully, they slipped into the castle with ease.

"Are they truly retreating with full intent?"

"Perhaps."

A brief moment of disbelief.

Returning the Light Dragon, and though it might be too late, they began the stealth operation once more.

[Master, where is Reston-sama now?]

[South tower.]

[Understood.]

Exchanging information via mental link, they advanced with caution.

The interior of the castle was unnaturally silent.

No one was present.

[Strange.]

[Probably a trap.]

Remaining vigilant for traps, they moved carefully.

Yet, without incident, they arrived effortlessly at the tower where Reston-sama was being held.

The issue is that there are two more human presences near Elder Brother.

Activate Clairvoyance to observe the interior.

[Two others besides Elder Brother. Ana and Clevea.]

[How do they appear?]

[They seem vacant. Most likely brainwashed.]

[Understood. Shun said he had a plan, but can we manage if the number increases to three?]

[We'll manage.]

[For now, they might attack. Prepare for combat.]

[True. I'll go in first.]

Tension rises.

Hylins raises a hand in signal and advances.

Following closely.

Hylins freezes, shield still raised.

At the moment of our intrusion, all three attempted suicide simultaneously.

Hylins recovers from paralysis and attempts to intervene.

But it will not be in time.

Without hesitation, she drives the thick needle-like object into her own eye.

The needle sank deeply into the orbital cavity, destroying the brain beyond.

Defensive capacity in this world manifests even in soft areas, such as eyes, regardless of terrestrial standards.

The texture remains unchanged, but the surface becomes less prone to damage.

It should not have been possible, yet the needle entered the eyes of the three without resistance.

The needle appeared to have acquired an附加 effect.

"Damn!?"

Sophia catches the three collapsing bodies with practiced ease, tossing aside sword and shield.

"Shun! Heal!"

He should be aware of it as well, Lady Hyalins.

It is already too late.

But I follow the words of Mr. Hyarins.

The bitter expressions of Katia and the teacher are visible behind.

But there is no need for concern.

I withdraw the needles from the three eyes. I construct a recovery spell.

A specialized recovery spell.

Damaged flesh regenerates.

Simultaneously, the stopped heart resumes beating.

The fading soul returns.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Taboo LV6' upgraded to 'Taboo LV9'.]

Divine words echo.

I know no one else hears them. Still, my heart nearly leaps.

I knew the teacher possessed a Taboo.

Because I, too, hold a Dominant Skill.

The skill of 'Mercy'.

Its effect: resurrection of the dead.

Cost: each resurrection raises the Taboo level.

Thus, I cannot speak of the teacher.

I, too, carry the Taboo.

I signal to the astonished Hyarins with my eyes. I lift the bodies of the resurrected elder brothers.

And we escaped from the castle.

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"Apologies. The real hero was beyond my capacity—I fled."

"No matter. By now, they’re likely standing frozen, witnessing the death of someone precious. Kukuku."

"Ah. That’s why you left the castle so empty."

"Knowing how soft he is, I was certain he’d come. It’s a pity I won’t see him scream. But my true target lies elsewhere."

"Still, returning so soon—using an old man like a servant."

"Got a problem? I can force you to work. The reason I’m not binding you with mind control is simply because you’re strong enough that doing so would be a hassle. It’s difficult—but not impossible."

I understand. So you’re handling your duties properly, aren’t you?

That’s fine. Then let’s march to annihilate the elven settlement. Hehehehe!

(Really. Should I just cut my losses and retire for good?)