CH 15

When I heard Anna’s story, I felt a bit relieved. The inside of my chest calmed.

Soon enough, I began to feel drowsy, and yawned loudly.

“Fuaaah~”

“Ah! What a cute yawn!”

“H, how embarrassing.”

“Eh~ Liliana seems to be quite sleepy, already~! Not good, I still don’t feel a tinge of drowsiness~!”

Anna slumped down on the table.

As she had known everyone longer me, she must had been more worried about them.

I on the other hand had just arrived yesterday. I doubted anything I said would change anything.

“If you’re sleepy, why don’t you just go to sleep, Liliana?”

“No, let me stay here a little longer.”

“Is it alright?”

“Yes, I hope I don’t get in your way.”

“No, you’re not! I’d be happy to have someone to talk to!”

As she held and shook my hand, Anna looked a bit gleeful.

Even though we had just met yesterday, I found out that not only was Anna serious and brave, she was also very straightforward.

She made me look back at myself.

What should I do from now on?

Teresia told me to ponder about that, hard.

What do I want to do?

—I’ll think about it over the next few days while Grave and the others aren’t here.

While chatting with Anna, I decided on that.

***

Approximately two days after the guild’s departure.

Grave and the others rushed into the camp within the valley.

The carriages with their belongings and food were set aside before entering the valley. To keep them from getting caught up in the battle, a simple barrier was placed around them.

The place should remain safe for about a day.

“There are deep marks here and there.”

“There’s also something like a dragon’s claw mark! Be careful, you guys!”

In response to Rigard, the boss, the members shouted.

“Understood!”

“Keep it down. What if other monsters attack us before we can fight the dragon?”

“S, sorry…”

Teresia scolded them.

As usual, it was unclear whether there was any tension in the air or not. Their movements would become stiff if they were overly tense.

However, neglect meant death. Therefore, they were trying to be wary, but not overly tense.

Rigard sometimes inspired his companions—although it was unclear as to whether or not it was intentional.

The party proceeded through the valley, passing through steep cliffs that led to an open space.

The rock surface had been scraped off. The same happened to part of the cliff.

“This guy is still new.”

“Be careful, he might be nearby.”

Teresia raised their vigilance.

The wind blew quietly.

One person suddenly looked up at the sky, wondering if the sun had hidden behind the clouds.

“A, above!”

Due to the scream, everyone looked up.

What blocked the sunlight was, in fact, not the clouds.

Huge wings, covered with black scales, were spread. Piercing red eyes glared at them.

—The black dragon.

“Spread out!”

Rigard shouted instructions.

The dragon plunged from the sky, descending upon them.

The guild members braced themselves for the gust that would be created by the impact.

Even strong warriors were made to tremble before a dragon.

Different types of dragons existed.

Their most apparent distinguishments came in the color of their scales. There were several types, such as red and blue dragons.

Among them, the black dragon boasted exceptional strength. In the past, there was a case where a dragon of the same size destroyed the royal capital by itself.

There were few people who didn’t fear such enemies.

Some of those few stood before said dragon.

“Do your best, Grave!”

“Alright!”

…Why?

I don’t feel scared at all.

The dragon’s jaw opened wide.

A powerful vortex of energy began to gather in its maw, one that then birthed an explosion—

—the dragon’s roar—‘—Dragon Breath.’

It was really strange.

Grave drew his sword.

In a blink of an eye, he made a sharp slash.

“Now, I feel like I can cut through anything.”

The dragon’s roar was cut short while Grave stood amidst the smoke.

Not a scratch could be seen on his person—he was even smiling.

Regard and Teresia laughed amidst everyone’s astonishment.

“Did he just cut the dragon’s roar?”

“That’s quite the fine sword—isn’t it, Grave?”

Grave kicked off the ground.

Compared to the dragon, they were but the size of insects.

Therefore, escaping dragon’s eyes and attacks weren’t difficult.

However, even if they could retaliate, it was meaningless if they couldn’t cut through its scales.Their hardness was generally said to be several thousand times that of steel.

The scales of a dragon couldn’t be scathed unless it was by the holy sword.

That was right.

In other words—

“—For now—”

If his sword had reached the level of the holy sword, he’d be able to easily tore those scales apart.

“Zettou Ichirin.”

The fastest iai.

He slashed at a speed unseeable. A flash overcame the scales of the dragon and went straight into its flesh.

A bursting fountain of blood spread as if a flower had bloomed.

“Now!!”

“Good job!! Now, to finish it off!!”

The men readied their weapons and approached the dragon.

No one felt overwhelmed anymore.

Upon witnessing Grave’s blow, everyone’s fear had disappeared.

***T/N: It seems that Grave’s new swordz unboxing and showcaze managed to reach the audiences.