Chapter 455: O Dragon, O Dragon! Part 32

Author's Preface

If my hand slipped, it can't be helped.

◇ 

『Just roll over there for a bit.』

The declaration to Noirlind was surprisingly casual.

『What... gugh!?』

Siegwurm's hand gripped Noirlind's neck, lifting him with a grip strength that could easily crush a mere human.
Sensing the massive energy converging from the golden body into the depths of its maw, Noirlind struggled to escape, but before his massive frame could break free of the restraint...

『Roar in my fiery ruin... "Breath of Bane (Scorching Ruin Breath)"!!』

───A flash.

Without even a scream, Noirlind's massive body was blown away with trivial ease, taking a direct hit to the chest from a crimson breath that could only be described as red-hot gold.

"Noirlind-san!!!!"

Akitsu Akane let out a cry akin to a scream. Sprinting at full speed toward where Noirlind had been blown away—catching a few players in the crossfire—and was now lying limp and groaning, Akitsu Akane couldn't help but choke up at the abnormal amount of damage effects pouring from his chest.

"A-Are you okay!?"

『Kuh... gi, gwoah...』

There was no answer, only groans leaking from a half-open mouth. It wasn't a fatal wound; if the injury had been enough to cause death, his body would have already shattered due to the game's system. That meant Noirlind's HP hadn't hit zero yet.

But even so, he was clearly battered and broken, and upon seeing Noirlind in such a state, voices began to rise among the players.

───Isn't this a chance?

───He's one of the clear conditions.

───We can kill him now.

───Kill Noirlind!

This is bad, Akitsu Akane's mind sounded the alarm. Even she knew that Noirlind had earned the grudge of an unspecified majority of players, and now that very Noirlind was exposing his biggest opening yet.

"W-Wait... um, err, you see..."

The words wouldn't come out. The silver tongue Pencilgon would use to smooth-talk the masses, the explosive rant Sunraku would use to pick a fight with everyone based purely on the vibe—Akitsu Akane was incapable of uttering the kind of powerful words needed to overcome this situation like they could.

"N-Noirlind-san......"

That was when it happened.

"Sorry about this, my fellow players, but it's an event scene."

"We are in the presence of the Saint, lower your weapons!!"

───Gold and pure white stood in the way, separating the players from Noirlind and Akitsu Akane as if shielding the pitch-black dragon.

"I get why you guys want to beat Noirlind, but, well, we've got some things we want to do keeping him alive... Think of it like PvP, just accept it even if you don't understand it."

Armor that lacked any sort of tension, looking like nothing more than protectors strapped over everyday clothes. A majestic cloak boasting the exact opposite solemnity. Holding a bizarre "stick" was one thing, but what drew the eye above all else was the grotesque iron mask.
It wasn't a full-face helmet that covered the whole head, but a creepy mask that looked like a cross between a gas mask and a restraint. The eight-eyed design made it seem less like a mask worn by a human and more like the true face of a monster wearing human skin.

"To repel anything that would hinder the endeavors of our Saint, that is the duty of the Shining Knights of the Holy Shield... Know that in this place, at this moment, no one shall lay a hand on Noirlind."

And the other half of the duo also stood tall, shielding Noirlind with an imposing presence.
Pure white and unyielding, pristine and resolute. The ultimate shield protecting the sole Saint in the church that worships the Tri-Divinity, and one of the few record holders in the game who engaged in roleplay without a shred of shame or compromise.
Known as the "Hardcore" Josette, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the other iron mask (Sunraku), blocking the players' path.

"Sunraku-san..."

"Hey, hey, there's no time to be slumping over, Akitsu Akane. The real show starts here, right? We're gonna need you to work your ass off, including that black one over there."

"Um, uh, but..."

"───May I have a moment?"

"Eh? H-Wah, yes!"

At the sudden voice, Akitsu Akane, who was slumped over beside Noirlind, looked up to find a young girl standing there with a gentle smile, having arrived at some unknown point.

"My apologies, I have a slight inquiry for him..."

"E-Err, for Noirlind-san...? Go ahead..."

Overwhelmed by the smile of a girl with such a mysterious aura that she somehow couldn't bring herself to go against her—even feeling as though she absolutely shouldn't—Akitsu Akane stepped aside.
And as if the appearance of Saint Iristella had brought even the surrounding players to a halt, an astonishing silence spread across that corner of the battlefield.

"Black Dragon Noirlind, the one who yearns for Siegwurm the Heavenly Sovereign and reaches out to him... May I ask you something?"

『Ga, gugo......』

"No, words are not necessary. Just let your heart speak... that is enough for me to understand."

The dragon's eyes glared at the Saint. However, Iristella did not waver, and with a tranquility that could almost be seen as emotionless, she posed a single question.

"──────?"

『...............』

The only one able to hear that question was Akitsu Akane, who was right next to them.
It was a question that could easily have resulted in being ripped to shreds by the Black Dragon's claws swung in pure rage, yet Noirlind answered in the form of silence and closed eyes... and the girl known as the Saint of Affection simply smiled.

"Is that so. Hearing that, I too have made up my mind..."

Press. Iristella's hand touched Noirlind. Then, with a firm resolve shining in her eyes—as if the fragile aura of someone who might vanish at a touch had never existed in the first place—Iristella spoke.

"Please, I beg you, rise up once more. Unto this battered and fallen body, grant power anew... 【As You Wish (Reality Alteration)】."

Iristella's hand glowed a soft white. A torrent of light, akin to fast-forwarding the process of a seed sprouting and growing, enveloped Noirlind's entire body. When the light subsided, there stood Iristella, letting out a breath as if she had just finished a great task, and Noirlind, rising in perfect condition as if the damage from moments ago had never existed.

『O-Ooooh...!!』

"Your true intentions, I have certainly heard them... I pray for your fortune in battle."

『Hmph... I intended to do just that from the start. I will defeat Siegwurm, and prove that I, Noirlind, am the true Dragon King...!!』

"Noirlind-san! Um, uh, are you all better now!?"

『Why are you just standing there, Akitsu Akane? If you intend to strike down Siegwurm alongside this Noirlind, do not expose such a pathetic sight!』

"Eh, y-yes!"

That was when it happened. A surprised commotion rose from the players fighting a short distance away, and immediately after, a massive weight touched down right next to Noirlind and the others.

『...Oh? You... No, if you live in the present, I shall not ask much. However... you stand before me?』

"Oh great Golden Dragon King, the one who burns the world because he loves humanity... Even someone like me can stand as a mere human."

『...I see. Tonight is a good day; the entirety of my countless years is being fulfilled...』

If that is so, Siegwurm's eyes glared straight at the single human and the Black Dragon behind her.

『If you stand before my "B.o.B(Breath of Bane)", know that everything shall perish!!』

The strike of ruin that had pierced Noirlind's chest mere minutes ago was unleashed once again. As the Black Dragon—having already suffered a direct hit—stiffened his body, and the surrounding players scattered in fear of collateral damage... Iristella smiled.
It wasn't the somewhat otherworldly smile from before; wearing a mischievous grin befitting a girl her age, Iristella let out a "scream" as if she were singing.

"I might just die, you know...?"

"No, Saint-sama. As long as I am here... no ruin shall ever be able to harm you."

The breath of ruin aimed at Iristella, and the single Paladion standing directly in its line of fire. Her presence was exactly like that of a Guardian Deity Statue (Paladion).

"Siegwurm, I'll show you exactly why I'm the 'Defense Holder'."

The highest-tier job derived from the Knight-system Paladin branch: "Paladion".
The player possessing the highest defense stat in Shangri-La Frontier, Josette, flashed a fearless smirk in the face of the breath of ruin... and thrust out her right hand.

"───My blood burns hot."

Author's Afterword
[Sad News] The author couldn't hold back Saint-chan's lore anymore and finally spilled the beans.