Final Battle ⑮

Ariel's perspective

How had Dustin arrived here?

How?

The answer was the old mage standing beside Dustin.

Lonaut, the human whose name is renowned as the strongest spatial mage.

Used teleportation to bring Dustin this far?

But for what purpose?

Lornant avoided confrontation with Lars-kun as well.

That was because if the one who could use Transference, Ronant, were to be defeated under any circumstances, there would be no path forward.

The same could be said of Dustin.

Yamada-kun, Oshima-kun, and my little sister also possess Dominance Skills, but Dustin was thought to be in a safe zone as insurance in case they were all eradicated.

If Dustin appears, it will be after he has defeated us and secured safety.

And yet, why now?

No need to think about it.

He too, cannot afford to concern himself with appearances.

Harmony, was it called?

The skill that negated the breath of two Queens.

Likely a special skill.

One of two skills obtained upon acquiring a Dominator Skill title—the second skill granted by that title.

In my case, the skill is Transcendence.

Dustin’s Harmony probably falls into the same category.

The precise effects of a skill named Harmony remain unclear.

Only one outcome is certain: the damage from the breath of two Queens was entirely nullified.

Thus, Harmony’s effect must be capable of at least blocking two Queens’ breath.

Though it does not appear to be usable at will.

Dustin was bleeding from every pore.

Recoil from using Harmony.

Some skills carry drawbacks upon use, but special skills have particularly severe penalties.

I cannot employ Transcendence lightly either.

Not that I’ve ever used it.

The drawbacks are severe enough that I wouldn’t consider using it.

The cost of Harmony is evident—Dustin nearly died.

Yet Dustin, who possesses almost no combat power, neutralized the breath attacks of two Queens. The efficiency is unparalleled.

Still, that’s precisely why it’s unacceptable.

Issue commands through skills.

Continue having the Queens and Puppet Tаратects engage the ancient dragons.

Orders for the other Arks, Greater Ones, and miscellaneous units.

Target: Dustin.

A non-combatant on the brink of death—failing to target him would be illogical.

“Danger! The Pope is under attack!”

“Focus on the enemy before you—do not concern yourself with me!”

Gwen notices the Taratects’ movements and begins to shift toward protecting Dustin, but halts the motion—Dustin himself stops him.

He has come to win, even if it means sacrificing his own life.

He has severed his retreat path, ensuring he cannot withdraw.

In truth, should the ancient dragons fall here, Dustin and the others would have no recourse.

Then the black god’s faction would only be able to pray for Guriel’s victory.

That is why he has come rushing here.

He expected to observe from the safety zone, smug in his assumption—yet his prediction has been overturned.

But no further interference will be allowed.

“Don’t you dare!”

Yet the Taratects advancing toward Dustin are cut down by flames.

Lunant’s fire magic.

Tch!

The name of the human race’s strongest mage is no idle boast.

With that single strike, all Taratects are annihilated.

Even the Greater Taratect bears deep wounds.

Is the Arc Taratect finally equal?

Strong for a human, aren’t you?

Of course, still weak compared to the ancient dragons.

Yet they function as a combat force to an extent that cannot be ignored.

No—this applies not only to Ronant.

Even Oshima-kun, maintaining the barrier, and Yamada-kun, who intermittently defeats the Taratects, are effective.

Yamada-kun appears capable of defeating Greater-class entities alone.

I underestimated the human faction slightly.

As this unfolds, the Puppet Taratects begin to retreat.

Indeed, Puppet Taratects are too weak to contend with the ancient dragons.

I issue orders for the Queen to reinforce, but one of the Queens moves its massive frame directly before me, ignoring the directive.

My line of sight is blocked by the Queen’s bulk.

I instinctively activate Ten Thousand Li Vision, piercing through the Queen’s body to assess the situation.

There, I see Reise, poised with one hand extended toward me.

… I was about to be attacked.

Likely struck by magic.

The Queen intercepted it with her body.

The Queen’s judgment was correct.

Correct—but this has been exposed.

That I am weakened.

From their perspective, I should be the greatest threat.

Even if the ancient dragons attacked in force, I could have defeated them at full strength.

Their hesitation suggests doubt.

Now, having been shielded by the Queen, that doubt has solidified into certainty.

At full strength, I would not have needed shielding.

The fact that the Queen shielded me means it was necessary.

Reise deflects and repels two puppet Talatectors attacking simultaneously.

Seizes the opening.

Moves toward me.

Her gaze is fixed directly on me.

This is a direct targeting of me.

I cannot fault Reise for this response—she has targeted me, just as I targeted Yamada-kun and Dustin.

Two Queens moved to intercept Reise.

Both Queens unleashed breath attacks toward Reise.

Evading was impossible—timing did not permit it.

Even weakened, their power remained equivalent to that of an ancient dragon.

A direct hit from both Queens would have been fatal even for Reise, an ancient dragon.

"Harmony!"

But that was only if the hit connected.

Dustin’s special skill activated again.

The Queens’ breath struck Reise directly—but Reise passed through the attack unharmed.

That so-called Harmony skill—was it not just increasing defense? It was not. It was complete damage nullification.

The two Queens panicked, swinging their legs downward at Reise—but the attack had no effect, likely due to the Harmony skill.

Reise advanced without stopping, straight toward me.

Her piercing hand swung directly at my chest.