256. Clash (7)
#256
Grumbling…! The sewer was shaking. It was an earthquake caused by the bombing of Duaru but Ajidahaka who had lost his senses did not notice it.
They were chatting about old times. Alibrihe’s face stiffened for a moment when he realized the situation. Ajidahaka who noticed that the conversation had stopped asked a question.
【Alibrihe?】
“iced coffee. I’m sorry. “I took a moment to think about it.”
Alibrihe let out an awkward laugh. He stroked his beard a few times and continued speaking.
“I can still vividly remember the day you were crowned king. It was a time of great confusion because Navarre abdicated the throne without leaving any word about his successor. “It’s already been hundreds of years.”
【Has it already happened like that?】
“Time passes quickly when you look back.”
Azida Haka smiled as he reflected on his memories. It feels like it was just yesterday but if you think about it properly it was a long time ago.
Adren whose throne was empty was in confusion. It was difficult to run a human city properly but managing a community where arrogant dragons and their servants lived was not easy.
A capable leader was essential. After a long discussion the dragons decided to elect a monarch in the traditional but simple way in which the strongest person becomes the monarch. Ajdahaka said.
【They were all weak guys. In the first place I had no qualifications except for luggage.】
“Hahaha…maybe it was.”
The dragons who were said to need some strength fought a bloody fight to rule as the dragon of dragons. Ajidahaka was also one of them and achieved victory to be proud of. Alibrihe chuckled.
“Well in the end it was the right decision. Not only was he strong but he was definitely good at his job because he had two heads. “To the point where I wonder if I needed three of them.”
【…Shut up.】
“Okay okay. I’m sorry. Anyway after that you…”
An old story continued. The two ancient dragons chatted about their memories forgetting about their hopeless situation. We had been traveling the world together for decades so we had a lot to talk about. Alibrihe said.
“The birth of a multi-headed dragon is often considered a very good omen. This is much rarer than having multiple wings. “I can tell you now when I was a child I felt honored that you hung out with me.”
【Because you were different from other idiots.】
Ajdahaka affirmed. In fact Alibrihe was one of the few people who thought he was on the same level. To begin with he was the greatest genius in his clan.
“Thank you for saying that. Do you remember when the two of you went to visit Navardose during a time when you were both wandering? “I went to ask questions not to kill them like I am now but to find out what I should do with my life in the future.”
【It seems like something like that happened…】
“Do you remember what he said to you then?”
Ajida Haka closed her mouth at the sudden question. It was so long ago that her memories were sparse. He must have patted his head and said something.
【no.】
“I remember clearly. It was said that he would become a great king who would save and lead countless compatriots or an evil demon dragon who would tremble the world. “I think your current appearance is closer to the latter.”
【…What do you want to say?】
“I’m just curious. “How did you who were so noble end up in this situation?”
Alibrihe asked. Silence fell. The gradually heavier eyelids signaled approaching death.
It was the last time anyway so I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just say it coolly and die. Azida Haka who had been silent opened his mouth.
【…I hated the second one.】
“Hmm?”
【Jim turned Adren into a golden city. We established order and created an environment where our compatriots and their servants could live comfortably. I swear that I have never once neglected the destiny given to me to rule.】
“No one can deny that. “It is to your credit that the Dragon City has achieved prosperity.”
Alibrihe hesitated. In fact it was the achievements of the second Dragon King Ajidahaka that made the existence of dragons truly influence the world and become an object of respect and fear.
【Nevertheless the subjects and people respected the Mother of Fire more than Jim. I didn’t like that. So I tried to get rid of it.】
“…Honestly this is a bit difficult to understand. “Don’t you know that respect for Navardose is unavoidable?”
Alibrihe frowned. The reason was much more personal than he expected. I never would have thought that this is why I joined hands with Nebula Clazier.
“And the majority of your countrymen and people respected you. That too deep in my heart. “It may be a little strange but you were a very good king.”
【I know. I knew it but…】
Ajidahaka spoke with difficulty. My vision which had been blurred had long since been covered in darkness. Now in a world where even sound is disappearing he opened his mouth.
【I didn’t want to lose to that ‘inevitable’…】
“Huh.”
Azida Haka who had been following him lowered his head. Alibrihe sighed softly. While he was barely able to move his lips his head went limp.
How long has it been like that?
Azida Haka stretched out as if dead opened his eyes coughing up blood.
【Wow!!!】
“this. “You buried it.”
Alibrihe clicked his tongue. He quickly dodged but ended up covered in a bucket of blood. Ajidahaka stuttered in embarrassment.
【Keuuuuuuu! What is this all of a sudden…!】
Suddenly the sense that had been stagnant returned and pain began to spread from his side. The sound of water which had become small was getting louder. The vision became increasingly clearer reflecting the shabby scenery of the sewer again. thud! thud! A vibration erupted from somewhere shaking the air.
The pain which was gradually getting worse was soon turning into an unbearable pain. The sound of my teeth breaking as I clenched them so hard resounded.
The sight of Azida Haka jumping around twisting his neck this way and that was like an earthworm crawling out of the dirt on a rainy day. Alibrihe who was watching the scene burst into laughter.
“It looks like they are treating you from above.”
【Hehe…treatment?】
“But something new. You were a good king. “It seems I’m not the only one who thinks that.”
Ajidahaka’s eyes widened. Then I felt his torso moving. Something like a vine was gently wrapping around his neck and pulling him.
Alibrihe’s figure was slowly moving away. There were a lot of things she wanted to ask her friend she hadn’t seen in a while but she was so sick that she couldn’t bring herself to ask them.
“Goodbye. “Please think carefully about why you were born with two heads.”
【Ali…Brihe…!】
“At least I don’t think it’s to double down on hatred and jealousy.”
Ali Bryhe waved his hand. Ajidahaka who had barely regained his composure was about to say something. Quaaaang! As the pulling force became stronger the scenery before his eyes changed. His three necks were pulled out onto the ground by a strong pull.
【Huh!】
Ajidahaka sighed. Cool air swept through his lungs. A huge vine plant tightly tying up my upper body caught my eye. A familiar voice echoed from behind.
“Peha! oh my god…!”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Ajda Haka turned his head. The first thing she saw was the steel dragon Sonia. She and the dozen other dragons that made up her entourage were there.
【what…!】
One by one they were biting or holding the stems of the vines connected to their upper bodies. It seemed like they were the ones who pulled her out of the sewer and treated her.
Ajidahaka who understood the situation lowered his gaze. There was a terrible scar on his side. It seemed like a sign that the area where the giant had hit had been healed in a hurry. Naransonia said.
“your majesty. We tried everything but the injury was so serious that a complete cure was impossible. Please turn into a human or a small creature and escape from Adren.”
【…escape?】
“yes. It looks like the giant from before is planning to bring Adren down entirely. “We are focusing our attacks on the floating stone in the center of the island.”
As Naransonia said her left wing was cut off cleanly. It was a wound inflicted by her own rays. Anyway Ajidahaka asked unable to hide his embarrassment at the thought of letting Adren fall.
【What does that mean? You…】
“We must go to protect our servants. We’ll buy you a little time so escape quickly. Fortunately it doesn’t pay much attention to us.”
After hearing those words Azida Haka raised her head. The sight of Duaru floating in the distance and throwing a spear toward the ground caught my eye.
On the ground giants no matter how small were roaming around and committing massacres. The dragons that still had energy left against them but they were relatively strong and there were so many of them that they were having a hard time.
【The luggage…】
Ajidahaka’s mouth opened quietly. The conversation she had had with Ali Brie in the sewers was floating through her mind. Did they say he would become a great king or an evil demon dragon? At first I couldn’t tell if it was really real. He was about to say something.
Suddenly his third head which had been unconscious opened its eyes.
【…Why did you faint?】
【You guy.】
Azida Haka his middle head glared at him. His third head began to look around without saying a word. He grasped the situation in an instant and spoke in an emotionless voice.
【Hmm… I guess this won’t work.】
【What do you mean it can’t be done?】
Suddenly two wings slowly unfolded. Fortunately his wings were not damaged and his senses remained intact. The third head who had been pausing opened his mouth.
【There is no chance of winning. Let’s step aside for now and plan for later.】
【You must have heard that Adren is falling. And in this situation if Jim runs away who will protect the remaining people?】
【That’s up to the rest to take care of themselves. You know very well that you can’t win that one.】
The face of his middle head hardened. The dragons including Naransonia said nothing. The third head continued.
【And you never know. I wonder if Navardose will kill that guy. If that’s her personality she’ll definitely try to intervene. When you defeat that monster and become weakened it is the right time to attack.】
【…Are you sincere?】
【of course. Don’t ask twice.】
The third wing spoke firmly. He said looking down at Naransonia.
【You guys buy yourself some time. Still you seem to have a bit of a headache.】
“…yes. your majesty.”
Sonia nodded her head. There was no disagreement with her at all since that was exactly what she had said in the first place. She then called out to him as her middle head was silent.
【hey.】
【what?】
She seemed to know what she had to do. It was the moment when the third head turned his head in an annoyed manner. Wow! The head suddenly lunged at him and bit his neck.
【Khaaaaaaa! What are you doing!】
A third head roared. Instead of answering the middle head tightened his jaw. Kwasik! His sharp teeth dug into the scales and blood spurted out.
【Keuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu its its…!】
The head in the middle let out a groan of pain. Although their personalities were different they shared the same body so the pain was conveyed to them. He spoke without loosening his jaw.
【Jim was foolish. No matter how much I wanted to defeat Navarre I shouldn’t have let you in. Get out of here!】
【Hehehe…Oh it was destined to end up like this. It saved me a lot of trouble…!】
The third head suddenly twisted its body and bit the nape of the middle head. Next two hands came up and grabbed his horns and face at the same time. It was such an incredible force that it seemed as if the skull would be destroyed.
【Wow!】
【That’s stupid. Don’t you know that this body is now mine!】
The third head burst into laughter. As expected the one with body control had a much better advantage.
All the middle head can do is endure the pain. And all I could do was do my best not to fall by sinking my teeth deeper and deeper.
It’s been a long time since I gave up my reputation as a king. His men were watching their master fighting against them not knowing what to do.
The balance that had been maintained was in the midst of tilting towards the third head. An indescribable sensation touched every nerve in my first head.
‘This is…!’
It was a painfully familiar feeling that had been with me since I hatched from an egg. The corner of the middle head’s mouth slowly rose.
【…You’re the one who’s stupid.】
【What?】
The third head narrowed his brows. Deciding that this was a futile attempt to buy time he tightened his grip. The first head which was moaning opened its mouth again.
【Even your own head count-】
【I can’t figure it out.】
Suddenly a woman’s voice rang out from behind. The scales on the third head stood up. It was the car that made him hurriedly turn his head. Kwasik! The head on the right side lunged from a blind spot and bit down hard on the pale nape of the neck.
【Kyaaaaa!】
Blood flew into the sky. A desperate scream rang out. The third head unconsciously relaxed its jaw and hands. The middle head did not miss the golden opportunity. When he regained his freedom he bit the third head just below the chin.
【Jim’s mistake is-】
【Correction here.】
【Wait a minute! Don’t you want to defeat Navardose?! It is possible with our strength! If we just get rid of that strange guy there will be no one to stand in our way!】
The third head unable to move cried out desperately. It was a shabby appearance that had no resemblance to his previous appearance. The middle head rumbled coldly.
【No more such things-】
【No need.】
【for a moment…!】
The second head spoke. The third head was about to say something. The two heads biting the neck from opposite sides pulled back at the same time. Sigh! The pale scales were torn from top to bottom. A third head was torn from the neck.
“Your Majesty…!”
The eyes of the dragons watching opened wide. A huge amount of blood soaked the ground. The middle head now the left head shook its head. bang! The third head messily torn off was rolling around on the floor.
【Whoops!】
【Umm…!】
The body which had been discolored white was regaining its beautiful golden color. It was so painful that I felt like I was going to faint but there was no time to relax.
Paang! Ajidahaka spread his wings as if to explode and soared into the sky. A loud cry rang out over Adren.
【I say it! Everyone who lives in the dragon city must obey my orders!】
【Kill the intruder and stop Adren from falling!】
****
“Go away!”
【Step back!】
Asher screamed and flailing her arms. An invisible force repelled the giants of light. However they were not strong enough to kill so they quickly got up.
“Goooot!”
A huge black tail fell on the heads of the giants who were once again adjusting their posture. Quaaaang! Where the tail was lifted again only a fog-like remnant of light remained floating.
“Keep coming! What should I do…!”
Asher said crying. Soon after Duaru spread his feathers they were surrounded by dozens of giants. I was desperately resisting using the remaining mana and Orsay’s protruding tail but I was slowly approaching my limit.
【I guess that’s it for now.】
This time there was truly no answer. The giants who could kill each other endlessly were gradually narrowing their siege. Orsay who was busy swinging his tail spoke in a resigned tone.
【What a shame wizard. If you had abandoned me you would have survived.】
“How can I be like that…!”
【Is there any reason why you can’t do it?】
“Well we fought together… I can never abandon my comrades.”
under! Orsay snorted. How dare humans try to match dragons. It was a very unpleasant and arrogant sound but it didn’t make me feel bad.
【Colleagues.】
Orsay twisted the corner of his mouth. If I had known before he would have been able to do a lot of more interesting things but it was just a pity.
The giants were now right in front of us. At first glance it seemed like he could collapse a stone wall with just one punch but it seemed like he didn’t want to die gracefully. Adren was going to fall a little later anyway so a terrible death was inevitable.
“I-I-IK…!”
【Kaaaa-!!】
It was a car where a dragon and a human prepared to die shouted out their last will in life. Sigh! Suddenly dozens of red lines were drawn over the giants’ bodies.
“…Go?”
“uh?”
The giants’ movements stopped for an instant. Asher and Orsay’s eyes widened. The giants realizing something was wrong were about to turn around. Paaang! The line drawn on their bodies expanded in an instant and their bodies collapsed as if exploding.
【This is.】
“Gooooo…!”
The giants’ shapes turned into light and disappeared. It was a dreamlike sight as if a mirage had disappeared. Soon a young man walked out from where the light had subsided. Asher’s eyes widened.
“Ro Ronan!”
“Were you here?”
It was a nostalgic face. Asher’s eyes filled with moisture. Ronan’s face covered in her blood looked more solemn than ever.
Instead of answering he swung his sword. Suddenly! The slash imbued with the color of the polar light neatly cut through the combination of matter and magic. The prison that imprisoned him and Orsay was torn to pieces.
“Ugh!”
【You guy…!】
thud! After being released Orsay was sprawled on the floor. Asher who was riding on top chewed his tongue. It was because there wasn’t enough strength. Ronan turned his sword around and opened his mouth.
“What are you two doing here? “It’s unsightly.”
