◇Claude Percival's POV◇
――Fire!!
At the order of the commander…
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hundreds of cannons were fired.
Over a hundred battleships continued to bombard a single black 'island'.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
The black island trembled and roared.
The Darkness Dragon, Glasya Labolas.
It seemed even larger than when I last saw it, probably because I was more terrified of this monster.
SWOOSH!!
The Darkness Dragon swung its long tail.
PANG!! PANG!! PANG!!
Several battleships shattered with a thunderous noise.
Several lights flickered and vanished from the wrecked battleships.
"It seems the teleportation magic for evacuation worked. But those directly hit by the Darkness Dragon's attack…"
"It can't be helped. Everyone was prepared for this when fighting the Darkness Dragon."
I overheard this conversation.
It's the command staff of the Blue Waters Federation.
I am currently aboard a Flying Ship led by the Golden Kingdom, waiting alongside the Dragon Riders.
"Claude-sama, your turn isn't until later. You should rest…" (Tifania)
"Princess Tifania. I can't stay idle while everyone is risking their lives." (Claude)
I replied shortly.
"On the contrary, are you sure it was wise for you to come to such a battlefield?" (Claude)
"Of course! I can't just wait for the return of my future husband…" (Tifania)
"However, this Flying Ship may not remain safe forever. It might be better to evacuate at some point." (Claude)
"…Yes." (Tifania)
I said this despite thinking I was being a bit cold.
Princess Tifania left with a sorrowful expression.
(In this battle, I'm probably going to…) (Claude)
I stared at the cursed demonic spear, the Dragon God Spear, in my hand.
For now, its power was being suppressed by a sealing cloth.
If I remove the seal, the Darkness Dragon will likely notice.
This demonic spear once crushed one of the Darkness Dragon's hearts.
It's the trump card in case all of the Federation's plans fail.
(A demonic spear that drains the life of its user…) (Claude)
I continued watching the battle unfold from the Flying Ship.
◇◇
――Hours later.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
The Darkness Dragon roared.
The battleships were already half destroyed.
(Despite all those shells…) (Claude)
The Darkness Dragon showed no visible external injuries.
If anything, it seemed even more energetic.
(As expected, ordinary shells won't work.) (Claude)
At that moment, amidst the roar of the Great Demonic Beast and the sound of ships breaking apart, I heard the sound of cutting wind, different from that of the familiar Dragon Riders.
It's the Wyvern Squadron from the Dragon Kingdom.
All familiar faces, of course.
"Hey! Claude!"
"Don't look so gloomy when you are the Hero of the Dragon Knights!"
I could see my classmates from the Legendary Hero Department, Soran and Leonhart.
"So you guys are moving on to the 'next plan', huh?" (Claude)
The plan to transition if the initial attack by the battleships had no effect.
"We're going to drop the expensive Human Dolls rented from the Empire right into the Darkness Dragon's mouth!"
"We'll make sure you don't need to step in!"
The Dragon Riders flew off after saying that.
I waved them off.
It seems the Dragon Knights with mobile wyverns will be the ones dropping the bombs.
I heard Soran and Leonhart, who are riding together, are acting as distractions to draw the Darkness Dragon's attention.
Either way, they have a dangerous role that requires them to get very close to the Darkness Dragon.
I could see the operation beginning from the Flying Ship I'm on which has a good amount of distance.
The Darkness Dragon opened its massive jaws, devouring the Human Dolls dropped from above.
But compared to the size of the Darkness Dragon, they were like ants to a dragon.
It seemed far from satisfied, but…
BOOM!!!!
A deep sound rumbled through the air.
(The Human Dolls exploded.) (Claude)
These Empire-made war weapons were said to be capable of annihilating a hundred Black Mermaids each.
The plan was to feed it dozens of these bombs to destroy it from the inside.
The Destiny Oracle-sama had informed us that the Darkness Dragon is a poor eater that would eat anything, even islands.
So, there was high hope for this strategy, but…
(Are you kidding me? It eats bombs too?) (Claude)
I heard the satisfied growl of the Darkness Dragon.
The half-ruined Federation Navy, as well as Flying Ships from the Empire and the Holy Nation, continued their bombardment.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
The Darkness Dragon roared towards the sky.
Its mouth began to glow red.
――FWOOSH!!!!
A pillar of fire shot up, piercing the sky.
(It can even do that?!) (Claude)
I saw several Flying Ships burning and crashing due to the fire pillar spewed by the Darkness Dragon.
"I can't stay here any longer…" (Claude)
I headed to where my partner, the wyvern I had stationed on the Flying Ship's deck, was and leaped onto its back.
"Alright! Let's go, partner!" (Claude)
"Kurururu!"
It is the cry it does when it is full of energy.
We gently lifted into the air with a tap on its neck.
Then, we rapidly ascended.
Staying too low could make us suffer from the Flying Ship's artillery.
And I didn't want the Darkness Dragon to notice the Dragon God Spear I was holding.
I hovered far above the Darkness Dragon with the sun at my back, waiting for the right moment.
From this height, I could see the Federation Navy's remaining half bombarding the Darkness Dragon from the corner of my vision.
The joint Flying Ship fleet of the Federation, Empire, and Holy Nation were also launching attacks.
The Dragon Squadron was dropping bombs.
And all the Federation's mages were adding their attacks as well.
Yet, there were no visible signs of damage.
I slowly circled high above the Darkness Dragon.
It shouldn't have noticed me.
From this position, I could launch a surprise attack.
I gripped the Dragon God Spear tightly with my right hand. Then, I tore off the sealing cloth.
"Kuh…!"
My arm went numb from the miasma emitted by the demonic spear.
But it wasn't as painful as before.
(The barrier magic that Eugene taught me is working.) (Claude)
He's a strange swordsman who's good at barrier and healing magic, despite being a swordsman.
In the end, I never managed to get more wins than him in our spars.
I wish I could have had one more duel with Eugene.
—The demonic spear began to absorb my mana.
The spear glowed red, ominously.
This isn't like at the martial arts tournament during the school festival.
This is the true power of the God Spear with no seals.
If I unleash this attack, I will… probably…
(I learned so much about the Black Mermaid Vepar from the Angel-san, but it'll be in vain.) (Claude)
I never asked about how to defeat the Darkness Dragon.
Well, I doubt she would have known anyway.
Surprisingly, it wasn't my homeland of the Dragon Country that came to mind, but the Lykeion Magic Academy.
It was just endless training every day in the Dragon Country.
Compared to that, life at the academy was fun.
I was popular with the girls as part of the Legendary Hero Department.
(…Leona, Teresia; I wish I could have seen you both one last time.) (Claude)
They were too good for me.
And…
(…Princess Tifania.) (Claude)
I first met her at the school festival, but she turned out to be much nicer than the rumors suggested.
I'm sorry that the fiance your country chose for you is going to die first.
(Well… it's about time to go.) (Claude)
If I take too long, the Darkness Dragon might notice me.
The Darkness Dragon was still tearing through battleships and unleashing fire breathes on Flying Ships.
At that moment…
Amidst the battlefield filled with cannon fire and screams, I heard a different sound, not from a Dragon Rider but from a familiar wind.
Is it a griffon?
But why would a griffon appear in the middle of the ocean?
"Claude, need a hand?"
(Huh?)
I quickly turned towards the voice.
"Hey, Eugene! What are you doing here?!" (Claude)
To my surprise, the one there was my friend from the Legendary Hero Department, who had somehow come all the way here, riding a griffon with a summoner from the Federation.