Ch.132Chapter 132: The Fierce Battle at Year’s End (7)

It’s been a while since Fafnir started speaking in my head.

But there’s something I only realized today.

This dragon, despite the descriptions in records and the dignity and playfulness I’ve experienced when facing him, is surprisingly…

[Damn that bastard…]

…sensitive to minor slights.

Unlike my sister who only showed hostility when she saw my Crimson Dragon Armor.

I understand why Fafnir feels this way, having been subjected to Excel’s verbal violence when he immediately unleashed every possible criticism upon seeing the armor.

Actually, Fafnir’s reaction is relatively mild.

From my memories before regression, he was known more for overwhelming his opponents by destroying their reason with his sharp tongue than for incinerating monsters with Keraunos’ lightning.

“Take off that ugly armor. People will likely greet you with weapons drawn the moment they see it.”

[GRAAAARGH!!]

Ah, he’s really angry now.

His way of irritating others with a flat, nonchalant tone was truly remarkable.

I should have tried to soothe Fafnir’s indescribable anger with gentle words, but…

[…I don’t have time to discipline that impudent youngster.]

Fafnir’s sudden shift from openly displaying anger about criticism of his armor to something else entirely…

…reminded me of the current situation before I could even attempt to calm him down.

“GAAAAHH!!”

The moment an agonized scream erupted from Adorator, who had been writhing in pain behind me…

BOOM-!!

A deafening explosion like a cannon blast rang out.

When I turned toward the sound,

I saw the source of the explosion, smoke rising naturally from their body as the flames extinguished.

“Huu… huu… huuuu…”

Though not insane, they were clearly pushed to their physical limits, barely supporting themselves on two legs while emitting painful groans.

It would have been better if they were just standing, but with burn marks scattered across their body, it was truly a pitiful sight.

The cruel and arrogant semi-deity I had been entangled with before my regression was nowhere to be seen in Adorator’s current state.

A pathetic aura surrounded them, making it hard to believe this was the same person who had shown such overwhelming pressure when trying to “execute” Shizu earlier.

[…They weren’t such a weakling before.]

The one who had reduced the opponent to this state expressed both confusion and disappointment at Adorator, who had barely managed to shake off the flames.

But knowing exactly why they were in this condition, I said:

‘I think it’s impressive they can still stand after being engulfed in flames like that.’

I tried to alleviate his disappointment with a calm voice that didn’t reveal my knowledge.

[Even so. In the old days, they could shake off my flames toughly while still putting up a fight. I never thought they’d become such a weakling.]

Fafnir’s dismissal of my comment and reference to past experiences left me speechless.

…What exactly did this dragon do a thousand years ago to consider a semi-deity of the demon realm, whose name alone inspires fear, as someone he merely toyed with?

As I felt a shiver at Fafnir’s unfathomable power…

Gulp

As I tried to swallow dryly…

“Huu… huu… HAAAH!!”

A battle cry burst from Adorator’s lips as they trembled on unsteady legs.

At that moment…

Swish…

A pitch-black energy that sent chills down one’s spine rose around her body.

Adorator’s battered body, which had been ravaged by Fafnir’s crimson flames, recovered as if nothing had happened.

“Hehe… I’ve kept my guest waiting too long.”

…If not for the stammering speech revealing that her strength hadn’t fully recovered despite healing her wounds,

I would certainly have been more wary of Adorator’s instant recovery.

#

As Adorator, who had been thrown into panic after being engulfed by Fafnir’s crimson flames, showed signs of rapid recovery,

I worried that the three of us—myself, my sister, and Excel—might end up directly confronting Adorator.

Fortunately, however…

“I’d like to play with you a bit, but my condition isn’t good, so please understand.”

After barely recovering from the flame-induced injuries and steadying her breath, Adorator said these words as she gradually moved away from our sight.

The concern I had briefly held didn’t materialize.

Even though she was weakened by the unexpected attack,

I knew all too well how dangerous it would be to face a semi-deity with divine power.

I simply watched as Adorator, clearly intent on fleeing, retreated.

Silently cursing her to get lost quickly where no one could hear.

However, seeing her flee immediately when the situation turned unfavorable after breaking into the fortress as she pleased,

While I was glad about the situation,

My sister and Excel apparently had no intention of letting Adorator go.

“You may have come in as you pleased…”

“But leaving isn’t up to you, you arrogant demon!”

The two of them expressed their appropriate level of anger toward Adorator, who had caused them such trouble, and quickly approached to catch her as she tried to escape.

Fortunately… or unfortunately, their pursuit ended in failure.

Or rather, it was bound to fail.

Because not far from where Adorator had retreated…

THUD-! THUD-! THUD-! THUD-!

Extremely loud and disorderly footsteps coming from quite a distance prevented the two from advancing further.

Excel, still lacking in practical experience, looked puzzled, not recognizing what these footsteps meant.

“…Tch.”

My sister, with her extensive experience as the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights and the fortress’s chief defense officer, immediately understood what these footsteps signified, frowned, and clicked her tongue.

WOOONG-!!

She began to build up the blue energy around her formless sword, which had momentarily subsided.

Seeing Excel’s continued confusion as he failed to grasp the situation, I was about to warn him to be careful, but then…

-GROOOOOAR-!!

As soon as we heard the roar filled with bloodlust that would make ordinary people stop breathing just from hearing it, coming from near the collapsed wall where only the retreating Adorator was visible…

“Whatever it is, we should be careful.”

CRACKLE-!!

Excel increased the lightning surrounding Keraunos.

There was no need for me to say anything more.

This roar following the footsteps… it’s ominous.

Though it hadn’t yet appeared,

Judging by the roar and the thunderous footsteps, this was undoubtedly…

“…Behemoth.”

Before I could make my judgment, Shizu’s quiet voice near my ear confirmed it.

Even though she had just regained consciousness and her senses might not have been functioning normally,

She accurately identified the source of the roar that was harshly echoing in everyone’s ears.

Squeeze-!!

…She tightened her arms around my neck.

“Hehe. Warm…”

She spoke in a soft voice that warmed a corner of my heart just by hearing it.

Though she had regained consciousness and recovered considerable strength, as I could feel from the strength in her arms around my neck,

For some reason, she showed no sign of wanting to let go of me.

…Could there be some discomfort I hadn’t detected that made her cling to me like this?

“Shizu…?”

I called her name carefully, with curiosity and concern.

“Hehe…”

Rather than responding to my call, Shizu tightened her arms around my neck even more, further closing the already small distance between us.

A few days ago, I had carried her on my back when she collapsed drunk, so

I didn’t dislike this closeness—rather, I welcomed it.

But as she herself had just mentioned,

Given the current situation where a massive monster like a Behemoth was clearly heading toward the fortress,

Now that I had confirmed she had recovered reasonably well, I thought I should separate her from me, but…

“Fufu…”

Whether she knew my thoughts or not, Shizu smiled broadly and pressed her body closer to mine, her soft breath directed toward my cheek, covered by my helmet.

I was grateful that my face was hidden by the helmet.

It was certain that my face had turned bright red from her breath just now, even without looking in a mirror.

THUD-! BOOM-!

The distracting thoughts in my head due to Shizu were finally calmed by the thunderous noise.

The source of the footsteps still hadn’t revealed itself—Adorator had clearly used her powers to conceal its appearance.

But unless one was exceptionally oblivious,

Anyone would know what kind of being could make such footsteps.

Behemoth.

A monster known as the King of the Earth.

Despite lacking intelligence,

It was said to be capable of fighting on equal terms with dragons, the apex predators of the ecosystem.

As Adorator continued to back away, increasing the distance between us,

THUD-! THUD-! THUD-!

The footsteps of what was presumed to be a Behemoth grew louder and louder.