Chapter 208
「…What?!」
Even the mighty Agil is taken aback by the sight before him.
The dense mist barrier covering the surrounding area.
The swirling vortex of magic power so thick it could be felt on the skin.
And the indescribable discomfort he must be feeling, as if swallowed up in an enemy’s stomach.
「’Great Invasion’…impossible, he’s dead…how can this be?」
The “Great Invasion.”
It was once the ultimate technique of Agil, Jibru, and the mist monster who lived in the Stellar Vein, meant to annihilate everything that threatened them.
A God King-class spell that enveloped the entire continent in mist.
Why is it being activated now?
You don’t know, do you Agil?
About the young girl who is my follower.
The one called the Pathless, who has evolved into a being on par with the source of the monster—the “Dream Mist.”
『Surprised, aren’t you? You didn’t expect this trump card, did you?』
Enveloped in lightning, I speak to Agil.
「Yes, I’m shocked. To think you had a trump card like this hidden away…」
Agil straightforwardly expresses his surprise.
The composure is gone from his face.
『I’m glad I manage to surprise you. Now then—I go!』
In an instant, the girl’s voice echoes through the fog.
『―――Alteration! 35th floor’s Illusory Space, summon!』
『Dungeon Alteration』。
Appearing at the same time are ten golems, each about half Agil’s size.
「Tch.」
Agil immediately goes on the attack.
The seven dragon heads simultaneously breathe their elemental breaths.
But they pass through the golems without destroying them.
「An illusion?!」
『Correct』
I am already approaching one of Agil’s necks.
Even climbing through the air.
「What?!」
As a earth dragon (me), I have no wings.
Unless I’m an exception like Jibru, I can’t move through the air.
But in this situation, it’s different.
The mist.
I transform the black mist into stair-like footholds.
The same principle as when Joker creates the black altars in the imperial capital.
This allows even me, without flight, to move freely through the sky.
『Haa…』
I take a breath.
Bachichichichichi!
My body unleashes even fiercer lightning.
I gather magic power and release Cadias’ strength.
『GAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!』
From my mouth comes a breath of lightning spears.
「Tch!」
Agil’s defensive magic circles are too slow.
A direct hit.
My breath blows away half of the great eagle’s neck.
『Even with everything I’ve got, only half huh…It makes me want to cry seeing the massive scale…』
But with this, I’ve crushed one of the necks.
Six left.
「You’ve got some skills!」
Using the recoil from my breath attack in the air, I try to take some distance.
But of course Agil won’t let me get away so easily.
The other heads move to pursue me.
The lion’s head, the deer’s head, the snake’s head close in.
But―――
『―――’Alteration’, 88th floor, 92nd floor, 108th floor, 120th floor multi-magic barrier, summon!』
Countless semi-transparent barriers appear before me.
The overlapping walls unfold new barriers one after another from the destroyed sections, preventing Agil’s approach.
Furthermore―――
『―――’Alteration’, Flawed Abyssal Hell Pitfall Trap, summon!』
A magic circle floats at Agil’s feet.
The “Normies Killer” trap devised by Elibel.
The supreme version.
Too powerful to be used in a dungeon, a defective product.
But on the surface, it’s a flawless destructive weapon.
Hellfire envelops Agil’s feet.
And also,
『―――’Alteration’, Flawed Bottomless Pit Trap, summon!』
An enormous pitfall appears at Agil’s other foot.
Another trap too large and deep to place in the middle floors.
「Tch!」
These two traps make Agil’s massive body stumble.
I can’t miss this chance!
『Now! All-out barrage!』
Next, spears, swords, bombs, shells, breaths one after another mercilessly rain down on Agil.
BOOOOOOM!!
The deafening explosions and tremors create a hellish scene.
「Nn…you little…!」
Even amidst the bombardment, Agil still tries to attack.
『Now! Deploy golem troops!』
At my shout, teleportation magic circles unfold above Agil’s head.
Dropping down from them are countless drawing mannequin-type golems.
The drawing mannequins immediately land on Agil’s body and begin attacking wherever they can.
Of course, they’re just drawing mannequins.
Even armed, the injuries they can inflict on the colossal Agil are negligible.
But being swarmed by thousands or tens of thousands must be extremely irritating.
「Guuhh…you damned…little…!」
Shaking his body violently, Agil tries to shake off the drawing mannequins.
The drawing mannequins link hands, desperately holding on.
Taking advantage of the distraction, I target one of the heads.
『GAAAAaaaaaaaaaa!!!』
I unleash my breath.
「Ngh…!」
Distracted by the drawing mannequins, Agil’s reaction is a moment too late.
A direct hit.
The wolf’s head is half destroyed.
Good, that’s two heads crushed so far,
Leaving the lion, snake, horse, deer, and dragon.
Even the mighty Agil will die if I take them all off.
With him so huge, I have no choice but to keep targeting the heads.
The aerial ‘Normies Killer Abyssal Hell’ activates.
BOOOOOOM!!
Explosions engulf Agil.
『Haa…』
Using the mist steps as footholds, Earth gazes ahead.
Agil’s magic power hasn’t disappeared yet.
How much damage have I managed to inflict so far?
「Wow, amazing…I can’t believe you had a trump card like this prepared.」
Then, a voice calls out from the side.
Léna-Lloyd with a large sword approaches, body tattered.
Her clothes are shredded, blood seeping from various wounds.
She must have had a tough fight against Agil.
『Oh, you’re still alive after all.』
「Sorry for worrying you. I’m alive… though just facing one head took everything I had.」
Come to think of it, she was keeping the dragon head busy, isn’t it?
Looking closely, large cracks run along the dragon sword Ascalon.
She must have used a considerable amount of Yamu’s power.
『Léna, how many more times can you invoke the Celestial Dragon’s power?』
「Probably…two more times. Any more than that, and Yamu’s seal will break.」
Two more times.
Not much…or should I consider it a lot that she has two uses left?
『―――Elibel, what’s the status of the dungeon’s traps and stored magic power?』
I send a thought transmission to the dungeon.
With the “Great Invasion” activated, communication with the dungeon is restored.
As expected, the reply comes quickly.
『―――About sixty percent of traps remain. Magic power reserves are around seventy percent.』
『I see…』
In other words, we’ve used up about a third in this battle so far.
Honestly, the situation is quite dire.
Although the “Great Invasion” enables using the dungeon’s traps and golems above ground, their numbers are limited.
But I can’t hold anything back.
I know well this is no enemy I can beat by conserving forces.
『On my end, I’m optimizing computations to maximize trap effectiveness. I’m also minimizing energy consumption to maintain the “Great Invasion.” But even so—the usage rate is far exceeding projections.』
『How much longer can you keep it up?』
『Around one hour at most. Beyond that, Tsumugi’s body won’t hold out.』
One hour left.
That’s the time limit for this fight.
I have to defeat Agil within that.
「…Done with your strategy meeting?」
―――From within the blazing flames, Agil’s figure emerges.
His body bears some wounds.
『Hey now, even after eating all those traps and shells, that’s the extent of the damage?』
The “Great Invasion” is activated.
I’ve crushed two heads.
But his magic power doesn’t feel diminished at all.
「If anything, you should be proud you’ve managed to injure me this much. However—」
I get a very unpleasant premonition.
The jewel embedded in Agil’s dragon head glows.
「Oh no, this is bad!」
Léna-Lloyd looks flustered.
She immediately tries to unleash magic.
But—it’s too late.
Light shoots from the dragon head into the two disabled heads.
In that instant, an astonishing scene unfolds.
『What the…?!』
Somehow, the two heads I destroyed have regenerated!
「Have you forgotten who I was fighting before you all?」
『―――The healing power of the Holy Dragon Harshalude…!』
He’s absorbed it then… Harsha’s power.
Can Agil do something like my “Gluttony” as well?
No but…
「That’s right. No matter the wound, it’s no major blow to me. The Holy Dragon’s recovery ability is truly formidable. If he hadn’t exhausted his power maintaining the Holy Barrier, I might not have been able to beat him.」
…Isn’t this cheating?
On top of Agil’s already enormous magic power and attack strength, he now has Harsha’s unbelievable recovery ability.
It’s the worst possible combination I can think of.
Right now, Agil’s power alone probably exceeds Ouronus.
This is bad…
Even with all this, I’ve barely managed to turn the tide against him.
It really drives home the massive scale of Emperor Beast Agil.
「Now, it’s my turn!」
Agil’s heads move.
The lion’s head roars, the snake’s head spews flames, the deer’s antlers fire beams, the dragon’s breath destroys all it touches.
Léna-Lloyd and I desperately dodge.
「Man, we’re in trouble, huh.」
『Is that something to say so lightly? What should we do? At this rate things look bad.』
「You’re right. So, I have a strategy in mind.」
『You do?』
「Well, it relies heavily on luck. I’ll be asking a lot from you too.」
『…Just what I was hoping for.』
「Great! Then let me explain,」
Dodging Ajil’s attacks, Léna-Lloyd and I run side by side on the mist road.
「First, understand that Agil now has power exceeding his prime. The Stellar Vein’s power, and Harsha’s purification. These two combined have multiplied his strength many times over. Just think of each head as having Evil God-class abilities.」
『…Makes sense.』
Even my full-power breath does nothing but half-destroy a head with a direct hit.
He’s too huge and tough.
That we’ve held out this long is already a miracle.
「But conversely, if we remove those two powers, Agil will be greatly weakened.」
Easy for her to say.
But,
『Then I take it you have a way to do that?』
「Of course. I’ll use “this”,」
Saying that, she points to the greatsword in her hand.
The dragon sword Ascalon.
『Yamu’s power?』
「No. Well, that too, but more important is the “other power” it has.」
『Other…?』
Ascalon is imbued with the artificial dragon-slaying power modeled after the earth dragons’ “Gluttony.”
What other power could it…oh.
It hits me when she mentions it.
That’s right, one more technique was incorporated into the dragon sword Ascalon.
「You realized?」
Léna-Lloyd smiles slyly.
「That’s right—the “Dungeon Destruction” technique. I’ll use this to destroy the “Stellar Vein’s power” inside Agil.」
『I see…!』
The immense magic power Agil has absorbed from the Stellar Vein.
It’s practically a part of the Stellar Vein Dungeon itself.
Elibel’s crafted “Dungeon Destruction” technique can destroy parts of a dungeon however the user wishes.
Then it should also be effective against the Stellar Vein’s power inside Agil, even if it’s only a portion.
…It’s certainly worth trying.
「But we literally get just one shot at this.」
『I know.』
After the “Dungeon Destruction” technique is used once, it requires a hundred year interval before it can be charged again.
If I devour the weapon it’s imbued in, I can reset it to use again, but that would break Ascalon’s seal and release Yamu.
「The issue is how and where to land that one decisive blow…」
『If we’re aiming, it should be the dragon head that absorbed Harsha’s power. It’s clearly channeling his abilities.』
「Right.」
Our target is decided.
Next is how to actually land the technique, but―――
『Elibel, can you do it?』
I send a thought transmission.
Immediately,
『Obviously. Who do you think I am?』
The reliable response comes:
『But in exchange, we’ll have to use up almost all the magic power stored in the dungeon. Please, make sure you hit… old hag.』
Hearing that, Léna-Lloyd reacts with a start.
「Fu-fufu…Getting called that by Eli, I have no choice but to go all out!」
High morale.
As expected of Elibel.
She knows how to handle this loner witch well.
『Roger that. Just focus everything on getting attacks through to the head.』
「You got it!」
Alright, let’s go!
Léna-Lloyd and I quickly about-face and charge at Agil.
「Oh, not running away anymore?」
Three of Agil’s heads come at us.
The lion’s, the deer’s, and the snake’s.
Then, Elibel and Tsumugi’s voices ring out.
『―――Now, Tsumugin!』
『Yes! ―――Alteration, terrain manipulation, golem creation!』
Sand rises at Agil’s feet, morphing into a massive golem.
Unlike the illusions from before, this is a real golem with mass.
Seven colossal sand golems in total assault Agil simultaneously.
「Tch!」
Agil breathes attacks at them, but the sand golems pay it no mind, continuing to entangle him.
Then, the sand golems join together, becoming restraints of sand.
「Guuhh…you…!」
Agil resists, but has trouble moving freely.
Of course.
Those sand golems consumed nearly all the remaining magic power in our dungeon.
We can’t have him shaking them off so easily.
Still, one head managed to break free of the restraints.
『You’re mine!』
I attack the escaped snake head, sealing its movement.
Now then―――
『Léna-Lloyd!』
「Commencing attack!」
Running along the mist road, Léna-Lloyd approaches the dragon head.
She readies the Ascalon in her hands.
Then, as if unleashing the Dungeon Destruction technique, the blade begins shining radiantly.
Sensing the grave atmosphere, Agil desperately tries escaping the restraints.
「Hrrrraaaaaaah!! No…way…!」
In an instant, the dragon head breaks free of the sand bindings.
This is bad! Léna-Lloyd is already in attacking position.
If he gets a counter hit in now―――
「―――I’d appreciate if you didn’t forget about me.」
But in that moment, a woman’s voice is heard.
「Bufooooooo!!!」
An enormous ox charges into the dragon head at tremendous speed!
The deafening impact resounds!
『Kshathra!!』
I unconsciously cry out.
Kshathra the Intimidating Ox.
She was knocked out for some reason when she arrived, but it seems she’s awake now.
Not only that, she concealed her presence and acted at just the right moment.
「My apologies, Lord Earth. I was…briefly unconscious…」
It’s fine. No need to apologize.
You did an amazing job, Kshathra!
「Guuh…!」
The dragon head struck by Kshathra seems concussed, swaying unsteadily.
Now then―――
「Eat thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!!」
Léna-Lloyd shouts.
「Stooooooooooop!!」
Agil screams.
Ascalon’s blade tip pierces the jewel on his forehead.
In that moment, the “Dungeon Destruction” technique activates.
Crackcrackcrackcrack! Fissures spread through Agil’s body.
「Gwaaaaah…aaaaAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!」
Light leaks from the cracks.
The disrupted Stellar Vein’s magic power rampages inside Agil.
Then—it reaches its limit and detonates!
Agil howls.
Light bisects Agil’s massive frame.
Chunks of flesh rain to the earth.
Rumbling.
The ground shakes.
I feel an illusion like the earth itself is quaking.
『Is it…over?』
「Hah…hah… Yeah, it’s over.」
Léna-Lloyd replies, catching her breath on her shoulder.
She must have used up a considerable amount of power.
But with this, it’s finally finished.
At last…
I quickly send Elibel a thought transmission.
『Good work, Elibel.』
『―――』
But there’s no reply from Elibel.
What’s going on?
『Hey, Elibel? What’s wrong?』
『―――impossible. 』
『What？』
『―――Why? No….how can this be?』
Her voice trembled.
『Hey, what’s wrong? Elib—』
The moment I start to say that—Thump.
I hear a pulsing sound behind me.
A chill runs through me.
An oppressive feeling, like my chest is gripped by claws.
This is—
『Agil’s magic reaction…hasn’t disappeared.』
And I see something unbelievable.
The flesh chunks.
Agil’s flesh that should have been blasted apart, floating upward.
Gradually gathering in one place, taking shape.
『Why…is this…?』
The Dungeon Destruction should have activated.
Agil’s body should have burst from the rampaging Stellar Vein’s magic power inside him.
So why—?!
「This is a joke…right?」
Léna-Lloyd beside me is also shocked.
In the span of seconds.
There before us is the uninjured Emperor Beast Agil.
His overwhelming mass looking down on us.
The dragon head opens its mouth.
「It was a magnificent attack. But—too naive.」
『―――』
I’m at a loss for words.
Agil’s voice just echoes in my ears.
「I never told you either, Léna, about my true power. The name of my inherent technique.」
「Huh…?」
「My inherent technique—is “Immortality”.」
『What did you…?』
「I cannot die. No matter how grave the wounds, I will not die. Not even Jibru and the other Stellar Vein followers know about this ability.」
Hearing Agil’s explanation, we’re dumbfounded.
Immortal.
Such an inherent technique exists…?
『Then why did you need Harsha’s power?!』
With that ability, he shouldn’t need recovery.
「Being undying and the ability to heal are different things. While I may live on even torn apart, Harsha’s power was necessary to restore me from that state.」
『That’s…』
Zun!! Agil shakes the earth.
Just that motion makes me feel fear.
What should I do?
How can I—win against this guy?
Léna-Lloyd and even Kshathra are stunned.
「Well, will you continue fighting? If you insist on defying me even knowing my power—I’ll oblige.」
Silence.
Despair wells up.
Is it impossible?
Do I have no choice but…to give up?
―――。
But in that space dominated by despair, a certain “sound” is heard.
「Eh？」
Who uttered that?
Because it was likely the most inappropriate sound for this situation.
I thought I misheard it.
But the sound came again.
―――Gurglegurglegurgle…
To put it simply, it was a stomach growl.
And then,
『Haa~…I’m starving…』
At the edge of my vision is my carefree partner, awake.
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