episode_0060

So, the next day arrived.

Before they knew it, the long episode was drawing to a close.

We dragged our weary bodies across the desert.

As we walked, not letting our guard down, Regia, who was beside me, suddenly murmured.

“……Today is strange.”

It was unusually quiet.

If it were like the past few days, there would have been three or four attacks by now, but nothing had happened today.

Not even a single small scorpion tail, which we had encountered so sickeningly often, could be found.

“Th-This is the first time the desert has been so quiet.”

“Isn’t it strange? This isn’t a place you can just pass through so easily… It’s like the dawn before a storm.”

“For now, let’s use this chance to conserve our strength.”

“Good idea. We don’t have much further to go to our destination anyway.”

I responded to them, pretending not to know.

This was the pattern for the final wave.

At least, no attacks would occur during the day today.

Instead, once the sun set and night fell, the final wave that would determine the outcome would begin.

Enemies of a completely different scale would probably pour in.

‘If we continue like this, it’ll be tough.’

In truth, the difficulty of this episode was high.

Originally, it was a level that one could only challenge after gaining experience at the academy and securing the position of head assistant.

In our current state, we would likely be thoroughly crushed.

‘I came in for Regia’s growth… but perhaps it was too much after all.’

There was still no news of her summoner abilities.

No signs of awakening were apparent, so it seemed it would be difficult for a while.

Indeed, it wasn’t something to rush.

As I said last time, I trusted Regia.

There would be many more opportunities, even if not this time.

From the start, just taking the items given as rewards would make it worth the effort.

The protagonist had also struggled quite a bit over the past few days, so I intended to resolve this final part myself.

We walked through the quiet desert.

“……”

Time flowed peacefully.

Day quickly passed.

Before long, the high-flying sun sank beyond the horizon, and only dark shadows filled the sky.

Finally, a pitch-black night descended upon the world.

Just as we were sleeping according to the set schedule.

“Y-Young Master!! Wake up quickly…!”

Suddenly, a scream was heard.

It was Regia’s voice, who was on night watch.

As if I had been waiting, I rose from my spot and leisurely looked around.

Only the pitch-black desert stretched around us.

Screech! Chittering-! Crunch, crunch…!

It wasn’t just dark because of the night.

The ground writhed with grotesque sounds.

There were so many scorpions that they covered the entire sandy surface.

The swarming creatures from all directions cut off our retreat completely as they surged forward.

It was truly a desperate sight.

“Young Master! Hurry!!”

The pilot shouted urgently.

“Is this the end…?”

The old man loaded his crossbow with a dejected voice.

Clink-.

In the midst of the chaos, I drew a sword.

I muttered softly so no one could hear.

“It’s finally the end.”

It was finally the finale.

***

Screech-!

The scorpions poured in simultaneously, as if on cue.

It was a wave that offered no glimmer of hope.

The creatures ground everything in their vicinity to dust.

We had to defend our meager remaining position, fighting a desperate battle for our lives.

Sparks flew endlessly in the darkness.

“Gasp…!” Clang! Thud-!

The monsters charged mindlessly. We violently parried their surging poisoned stingers.

A powerful explosive sound erupted with each clash.

I tried to seize the initiative with a graceful flow, but it didn’t seem to make much difference.

The overwhelming numbers were not being resolved at all.

Slice-!

I cleanly bisected a single mob.

Before its corpse could even hit the ground, the next creatures rushed in.

It had been this pattern continuously since before.

Kill one, ten come.

Kill ten, a hundred come.

As I sighed at the maddening sight, a shout suddenly came from behind me.

It was the old man’s voice.

“Duck!!”

Whizz, rustle-!

As soon as I heard the signal, I ducked.

Immediately after, dozens of arrows, spreading like buckshot, flew over my head.

Crash-!

The scorpions’ bodies were mercilessly crushed.

I quickly stepped back and spoke to the old man, who was reloading his magic.

It was a light joke.

“That was a splendid attack, wasn’t it? If you just do it ten thousand more times, we might be done.”

“Unfortunately, what I’m loading now are my last arrows.”

“Oh dear.”

Stab-!

I plunged my sword into a scorpion falling from the air.

Judging by the appearance of winged variants, it seemed even mid-level monsters had all gathered here.

I brushed off the blood on my sleeve.

“I’m going in again.”

“I’ll provide cover.”

“Y-Young Master! They’re coming from behind…!”

We fought with all our might.

The serpent’s blade cut down enemies from all sides, and the old man’s crossbow ceaselessly spat arrows and fire.

The pilot also continued to assist, creating a favorable combat environment.

We seemed to have held out remarkably well.

We had far exceeded the time we initially anticipated.

“Hmph…”

Of course, nothing changed because of that.

The predetermined end was merely postponed.

In the end, we were a mess, surrounded by scorpions.

I quietly surveyed my surroundings.

Both of the other two were slumped on the ground.

The crossbow was now rolling on the ground.

It seemed they had run out of arrows.

The sword blade, which I had sharpened with shadows, was by now completely chipped.

Like this, it wouldn’t even be able to cut a piece of wood.

“Oh dear… Unfortunately, it seems we can’t go on much longer.”

I, too, let go of my sword.

Thud. The fallen shard of pitch-blackness embedded itself in the sand, then soon disintegrated into a handful of dust and scattered.

With this, we had no means of resistance left.

I caught my breath.

‘I wanted to test my limits to the very end.’

Judging by the protagonist’s condition, this seemed to be the limit.

Regia was whimpering, huddled in on herself.

I knelt on one knee. Then, I met her wet, green eyes.

The girl was trembling.

“Regia.”

“Y-Young Master.”

“It’s alright now. It’s all over.”

“I-I’m sorry. If only I had done a little better, because of me, you two…”

“Hush.”

I covered her tearful lips.

I took Regia’s hand.

And then, as if comforting a frightened child, I gently stroked her head.

It was to calm her emotions.

“You did more than enough.”

“B-But…!”

“Do you remember what I said a few days ago? That I always trust you, Regia.”

“……”

I carefully wiped away the tears welling in her eyes.

Her pitifully trembling shoulders.

I smiled faintly.

“That trust remains unchanged.”

“……”

“It has been so until now, and it will continue to be so.”

The girl stared blankly up at me.

She bit her lip as if thinking about something.

I wanted to comfort her a little more, but I couldn’t continue speaking due to the rampaging scorpions.

Grotesque screams filled my ears.

Screech-! Chittering! Roar!!

A pitch-black storm raged.

The monsters, eager for slaughter, bared their fangs and lunged towards the children.

Thousands of scorpions surged like a wave.

Just when it seemed we would be swallowed whole.

A low voice brushed my ear.

“……Efri.”

Immediately after, a flash of light descended from the sky.

“Gasp…?!”

High-pitched whine-!

A ringing sound that dulled the eardrums.

As I blinked my eyes against the sudden dazzling light, I soon spotted something colossal flying in the sky.

It was a pair of wings so vast they could cover the entire vicinity and still have room to spare.

“That’s…?”

I murmured to myself without realizing it.

It was because of its magnificent appearance.

Its graceful wingbeats, colossal body, thorny tail, and flames that blazed with every breath.

It was clearly the appearance of the summoned beast I had seen during the entrance exam.

“……Wyvern.”

Roar-!!

The divine beast roared mightily.

The entire desert vibrated.

It opened its mouth wide and unleashed the contents it had held within without restraint.

It was, in other words, Dragon’s Breath.

Roar-!

Following the overwhelming firepower, the densely packed scorpions were swept away all at once.

The fiercely burning blue flames splendidly painted the area.

Wiping them out without leaving even a handful of ash.

I had only blinked once, but already over 30% of the scorpions were annihilated.

I looked to my side.

“Panting, panting…!”

There was the girl, panting.

Her pink hair was damp with cold sweat.

Regia gripped my hand tightly, shedding tears as she smiled.

Her slender upper body swayed.

“Regia.”

I quickly caught her falling body.

Even while cradled in my arms, the girl’s eyes shone only toward me.

Her pupils were filled with joy and affection.

“F-Finally… it’s done.”

Regia murmured with difficulty.

Her smile sparkled more enchantingly than the Dragon’s Breath.