Finally leaving Tempest behind, Bell and Laurier stepped into the Great Forest of Jura to investigate the mysterious presence.
Though called a forest, it was more akin to an endless sea of trees. Teeming with ferocious Magical Beasts, an ordinary human would be eaten long before reaching their destination.
But as expected of a first-rate adventurer, Bell carved a path through the relentless waves of attacking beasts, pushing deeper into the woods.
『 Ugh, it's just like the Dungeon. Are there really this many of these Magical Beasts living in this forest? 』
『 No, when I patrolled the forest with Gobta before, we weren't attacked by anywhere near this many, 』 Laurier replied. 『 I bet they're running away from that mysterious presence—the one that's supposedly moving around sucking up Magicules. 』
Bell steadied his breathing as he continuously struck down the approaching monsters. His movements clearly displayed the fruits of his grueling training in Tempest.
─────
"I mean, it's basically just like the Colossal Tree Labyrinth!"
"The author probably drew heavy inspiration from it," Finn agreed. "Though if that were the case, you'd think they would make these 'Magical Beasts' resemble our Dungeon's monsters a bit more..."
As Tiona voiced her thoughts on the scenery of the Great Forest of Jura and the endless hordes of beasts, Finn shared a lingering sense of incongruity.
The vivid realism made it feel as though this forest actually existed in another world. Finn turned the author's intent over in his mind, trying to glean the truth behind the text.
─────
『 Wait! Something's coming towards us!! 』 Bell yelled. 『 No, is that—!? 』
Looking up at the sky, Bell spotted a colossal shadow soaring at cloud level, flying straight toward Tempest in the distance.
『 Crap! They're rushing to evacuate and set up defenses in Tempest, but at this rate, they won't make it in time!? 』
Panicking, Bell immediately tried to turn back, but Laurier grabbed his clothes, holding him in place.
『 N-No... You can't. That thing... Anything but that Black Dragon... 』
Utterly terrified, Laurier refused to let go, desperate to keep Bell from heading to the city. Sensing there was a profound reason behind her abnormal fear, Bell stopped in his tracks.
『 That monster is impossible!! You can never win... 』
Bell gently placed his hands on the trembling elf's shoulders. Laurier flinched, her frame shuddering before she slowly looked up to meet his crimson eyes.
『 I don't know why you're so afraid of that Black Dragon, Laurier, 』 Bell said softly. 『 But I can feel it in my bones. That dragon is overwhelmingly, terrifyingly strong. I understand why you want to stop me. But if I do nothing, that country—and all the people living there—are in danger. So, I'm sorry. I have to go... 』
『 Ah— 』
Breaking free from Laurier's grasp, Bell broke into a full sprint toward Tempest.
─────
"As expected. Even knowing the danger, he would plunge straight in without hesitation if it meant saving someone," Finn observed.
"Hah, it's just a damn story in a book!" Bete scoffed. "Though I suppose that shitty rabbit really would go running off like that."
"You're so annoying, Bete," Tiona pouted, shooting him a glare. "Just be honest and admit that's exactly what Bell would do!"
Bete completely ignored Tiona's complaints, his eyes glued to the pages. The rest of the room paid no mind to their usual bickering, completely engrossed in the tale.
─────
The narrative briefly stepped back in time to right after Bell and Laurier had first entered the Great Forest of Jura.
In Tempest, Geld and his High Orcs were in the midst of constructing a massive defensive network at the forest entrance. Their hands abruptly stopped as an earth-shattering roar echoed from the depths of the woods. Startled, Geld and the others quickly recovered, raising their guard and staring intently in the direction of the noise. That was when they spotted the colossal dragon hurtling toward them at breakneck speed.
『 Hurry and inform Lord Rimuru!! 』
『 No, there's no need for that! 』
Just as Geld barked the order to a nearby High Orc, Rimuru arrived, flanked by Benimaru and the rest of his executives. His expression was grim as he glared at the Black Dragon approaching from the horizon.
『 To think it would get here this fast. At this rate, Bell and the others might have passed right by it in the forest. 』
『 Lord Rimuru. The evacuation of the residents is nearly complete. 』
Souei materialized silently behind Rimuru to deliver his report. Rimuru let out a sigh of relief, but a split second later, a foul wind carrying a sinister aura swept over Tempest, contorting Rimuru's face into a grimace.
『 Ugh!? So this is that power that steals Magicules...!! 』
Rimuru nearly dropped to one knee. All around him, monsters stripped of their Magicules collapsed onto all fours, groaning in agony as they fell one after another.
Just as Rimuru began to regret bringing the bulk of Tempest's fighting force to the front lines, the Black Dragon crashed down from the sky, slamming into the earth like a meteor. The ground rippled from the sheer impact, sending explosive clouds of dust into the air. Unable to withstand the resulting shockwave, the weakened monsters were blown away like helpless insects.
─────
"Whoa!? Isn't this super bad? This is a massive pinch!!"
"Tch, shut up and read, you stupid Amazon!!"
"You're plenty loud yourself!"
The rest of the room completely tuned out the noisy trio. Utterly captivated by the unfolding story, they stared at the pages in silence, so focused that they hardly even dared to breathe.
─────
The Black Dragon that landed on the earth was depicted with a terrifying, apocalyptic design—like the ultimate final boss straight out of a monster-hunting game.
『 GRRRRROOOOAAARRR!!! 』
『 Right, I'd usually say let's test the waters first, but we're going all out from the start—hm? 』
Just as Rimuru, standing face-to-face with the beast, was about to launch a full-scale assault, a figure came soaring in with a boisterous, echoing laugh.
『 WAHAHAHA!!! You impudent fool, daring to attack Tempest! As long as I, Veldora Tempest, draw breath, your—Gwah!!? 』
Striking a Sunday morning superhero pose atop a nearby roof, Veldora proudly delivered his grand entrance speech. But mid-sentence, the Black Dragon let out a low, menacing rumble. With a terrifying growl, it activated its parasitic power, greedily siphoning the Magicules right out of the Storm Dragon.
『 You absolute idiot! We literally just talked about its ability to steal Magicules in the meeting!!! 』 Rimuru screamed. 『 Why the hell are you making a leisurely superhero entrance, you moron!! 』
Rimuru panicked, hurling insults at his sworn friend. But it was already too late. Stripped of his Magicules, Veldora tumbled ungracefully off the roof, plunging headfirst into the dirt like a lawn dart, his legs sticking comically straight up into the air. Yet, Veldora's comical blunder was merely the prelude to the true disaster.
『 GYOOOOOOOARRR!!! 』
Unleashing a roar that shook the very heavens, the Black Dragon rapidly swelled in size, gorging itself on Veldora's immense reserves of Magicules. It grew into a mountainous behemoth, making the surrounding trees and buildings look like mere miniature toys.
『 Dammit! Like hell I'm just going to stand here and watch the enemy power up!!! 』
Thrusting both hands forward, Rimuru instantly deployed a semi-transparent barrier around himself and the upside-down, dirt-eating Veldora.
Thanks to his swift action, the absorption was cut off halfway. The Black Dragon's monstrous growth halted, though it still dwarfed the town. Had Rimuru failed to raise that barrier, the beast would have undoubtedly morphed into an apocalyptic titan capable of piercing the sky itself.
『 Grrrrrrr... 』
Staring down at Rimuru, who was exerting all his remaining strength just to maintain the barrier while fending off the draining effect, the Black Dragon simply growled. It didn't make a single move to attack.
─────
"Huh? The Black Dragon isn't moving?"
"Hmm, it's just a guess, but it probably sees them purely as a food source," Finn reasoned. "If it kills them, it can't harvest their Magicules anymore. That's likely why it's just standing there."
Hearing Finn's deduction in response to Tiona's question, the rest of the group nodded in understanding.
"But still~, what are they going to do now? Just hiding in a barrier won't solve anything, right?"
"Well, since this is a story, this is the classic moment for the hero to rush to the rescue."
With a knowing smile, Finn gestured back to the book.
─────
On the pages beneath his gaze, Rimuru and Veldora were shown desperately holding out within the trembling barrier. And then, a solitary boy appeared before them.
『 Lord Rimuru!! 』
Tearing through the clouds of dust, Bell sprinted onto the battlefield. His face was stripped of any composure, yet his strides held absolutely no hesitation or fear.
Carrying his momentum forward, Bell viciously swung his dagger down onto the Black Dragon's tail. He had hoped to inflict even a shallow wound to draw its attention, but that desperate gamble was instantly shattered as the blade violently ricocheted off its impenetrable scales.
『 Ghk!!? Its scales are too tough!? 』
Sparks flew as the blade was repelled. Bell instantly righted his posture and slashed again. Over and over. He struck with everything he had, even knowing the futility of his actions.
『 Damn it...! If I can just distract it for a second...! 』
His desperate onslaught finally earned a reaction. The Black Dragon swung the massive tip of its tail, sweeping it toward Bell with crushing force.
『 Guh, AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! 』
Bell had naturally anticipated the counterattack, immediately aborting his assault to put distance between them. However, the sheer size of the behemoth made the tail sweep's radius absurdly wide, easily eclipsing the range of Bell's evasive maneuver.
The sickening crack of shattering bone vibrated through the air. Bell's body was sent flying like a ragdoll, smashing brutally into a distant house. The structure collapsed instantly, burying the white-haired boy beneath a mountain of rubble.
『 Bell!! 』
Rimuru screamed his name, but no answer came from the ruined debris. Drained of Magicules and pushed to the absolute limit just keeping the barrier active, all Rimuru could do was glare helplessly at the monstrous dragon.
The Black Dragon cast a fleeting glance at Bell's burial site before indifferently shifting its gaze back to Rimuru, entirely losing interest. And then—
『 GYOOOOOOOARRR!! 』
Its roar rocked the entirety of Tempest, a thunderous sound that seemed to declare: Give up. You will all suffer the same fate.
The power overflowing from the dragon's massive frame was no longer that of a mere monster. It was the embodiment of the end. It withered everything it touched, devoured the Magicules of all who approached, and crushed the very will to resist.
Rimuru's barrier groaned under the oppressive weight. Like fractured glass, it threatened to shatter at any second.
Meanwhile, a lone shadow watched the unfolding nightmare in silence from the edge of the forest.
『 Ah, aaaaaah!!! Bell... BELL!!! 』
It was Laurier.
Bell, blasted away by the dragon and buried beneath the rubble. That horrific image burned itself into her mind, refusing to fade.
She wanted to run to him.
She wanted to hold him.
She needed to know he was still alive.
—And yet.
Laurier's legs trembled violently, anchored to the earth as if stitched to the soil. Pure terror dominated her every nerve. Every time the dragon's roar tore through the air, an agonizing phantom pain crushed her heart.
『 Bell... Bell...! 』
Heavy tears spilled down her cheeks as she clung desperately to a nearby tree. Her face was twisted in a chaotic mix of deep self-loathing and overwhelming dread.
—I'm scared.
—But...
—Bell is right there.
Two warring emotions violently clashed in her chest. Her body was paralyzed by a paralyzing fear, even as her heart screamed at her to go save him. A ragged, raspy whisper tore itself from her throat.
『 ...I have to go... I have to go...! Bell is... Bell...! 』
Yet her legs refused to stop shaking. Every time she tried to take a step, her knees threatened to buckle. Her mind and body were completely disjointed. Gritting her teeth in bitter frustration at her own uselessness, she tried again. That was when her sweaty grip on the tree bark slipped.
『 Kya...! 』
Stripped of her support, her balance gave way, and she collapsed hard onto her knees. The cold dirt bit into her skin. She tried to claw at the ground with trembling fingers, but her strength was utterly gone.
『 ...No... no... move...! Please...! 』
She desperately tried to force herself up, but her legs felt like lead. The sheer terror constricted her chest, reducing her breaths to shallow, ragged gasps. The Black Dragon roared again. Just the sound of it sent her heart into overdrive, blurring her vision. And alongside that fear, the image of Bell lying broken beneath the ruins seared itself into her mind, tearing her soul apart.
『 Bell... Bell...! 』
Her tears fell into the dirt, drop by drop.
─────
"Kh... The Black Dragon must be slain after all..."
"Calm down, Ais. I understand your feelings, but reign in that bloodlust while indoors."
Seeing Laurier reduced to a weeping mess by the beast, Ais began radiating a lethal, shadowy aura, prompting Riveria to step in and pacify her. Lefiya quickly moved to Ais's side, gently rubbing the swordswoman's back and encouraging her to take deep breaths.
"A-Ais... A-Are you alright? Um... please, calm down..."
A suffocating tension blanketed the room.
"Argh, enough already! So gloomy!! Anyways, is there gonna be a comeback or what? 'Cause this looks like a total, absolute dead-end pinch to me!!"
Unable to endure the heavy atmosphere a second longer, Loki loudly voiced her complaints. In response to their goddess, the majority of the room smiled, voicing their thoughts one by one.
"Keh, if he was gonna drop dead from something like this, that rabbit bastard would've died a long time ago."
"Yeah, yeah! Bell will definitely find a way out of this pinch!"
"Well, I suppose the Rabbit Foot will be just fine, won't he?"
"I don't like it one bit, but he is my rival. He has to manage somehow..."
"Gahahaha! That lad can weather this storm!!"
"I have no proof... but I truly believe that boy will pull through."
"I'm largely in agreement with everyone else. And you, Ais?"
Bete, Tiona, Tione, Lefiya, Gareth, Riveria, and finally Finn all voiced their unwavering faith in Bell. Finn then turned his gaze to Ais. The stiff shoulders of the girl, who just moments ago had been practically bleeding killing intent, visibly relaxed. Ais offered a small nod, her voice quiet but brimming with conviction.
"Yeah. I believe Bell will be okay, too."
Like a tightly wound string suddenly snapping loose, the bloodlust radiating from Ais vanished, replaced by a soft, warm ambiance. Seeing this, Loki propped her chin on her hand with a feigned look of dissatisfaction, though a delighted smile tugged at her lips.
"Ugh, seeing someone from another Familia get so much trust from the Captain and the executives just rubs me the wrong way..."
"Yeah... I feel the same way."
Watching from the sidelines, Raul and Aki let out a synchronized sigh. With nothing left to say, the two quietly lowered their eyes back to the book in their hands.
─────
『 Ah, that's right. If it's Bell... If it's Bell, he would... 』
Tears streaming down her face as she slumped against the earth, a rush of memories flooded Laurier's mind. It was the complete timeline of her journey with Bell, from the moment they first met all the way to the present.
It was an incredibly tropey lead-up to gaining the courage to stand. However, for everyone aside from Loki—who had long been steeped in manga culture—this narrative device felt remarkably fresh and profoundly moving.
『 I have to stand up... I have to go to him... I have to get to Bell—!! 』
Laurier wiped away her tears roughly with her sleeve, slamming her fists into her trembling thighs to force some life into them. The instant she found her footing, she sprinted desperately toward Bell's location. She tore through the trees, uncaring as stray branches whipped and scratched her cheeks. Bell was trapped in that mountain of debris. With that single, burning thought driving her, Laurier pushed herself to the limit.
The towering avatar of terror was still right there. Yet Laurier's legs did not stop. Because Bell was there. Because she wanted to save him. Because she refused to lose him. Those raw emotions alone propelled her body forward.
Upon reaching the demolished remains of the house where Bell had been buried, Laurier didn't even pause to catch her breath, frantically throwing aside the broken masonry. The rubble varied wildly in size and weight. Just lifting and tossing the shattered debris made her slender arms scream in agony. Still, she didn't stop.
『 Bell... Bell... where are you...! 』
Digging through the wreckage with her bare hands left her fingertips bleeding, her nails cracked and split, and her arms trembling violently. But she continued her desperate excavation. And then, finally, she found him. Sunk beneath the bloodstained debris lay the white-haired boy.
From the sheer force of being swatted by the dragon and smashing through the building, a thick stream of blood coated his head. The instant she saw him, Laurier's heart lurched sickeningly in her chest. A wave of sheer panic hit her like a physical blow, making the world turn blindingly white as she felt the blood reverse in her veins.
『 ...Bell...! 』
Shoving the nausea aside, Laurier frantically cleared the remaining rubble pinning him down. Though her hands shook, her vision blurred with hot tears, and her breathing grew erratic, her single-minded desire to save him pushed her through the pain. Once she finally cleared the stones crushing his upper body, Laurier reached out, gently pressing a trembling hand to Bell's cheek.
『 Bell... Bell... please... 』
Desperate for proof of life, Laurier leaned in, pressing her ear to his bloodied lips.
Was he breathing?
Did he have a pulse?
The world around her went utterly silent. The dragon's apocalyptic roars, the sounds of Tempest crumbling, even the unnatural, howling wind stealing the Magicules—it all faded into nothingness. In that singular moment, the only thing that existed in Laurier's universe was the sound of Bell's breath.
『 Thank the gods, he's alive... 』
With no time to weep or scream, Laurier bit her lip to swallow back her sobs, successfully dragging Bell out from the wreckage. However, his rescued body was in a horrific state. His black armor was torn to shreds, and his limbs were bent at grotesque, unnatural angles from multiple fractures.
『 I have to use this right now!! 』
Laurier pulled out the Full Potion Rimuru had entrusted to her right before they set off for the Great Forest of Jura. Its efficacy was miles beyond any Elixir she had ever known. The second the liquid splashed over Bell's battered form, the crusted blood melted away, his gaping wounds closed, and his mangled, broken limbs forcefully snapped back into their proper alignments. Even his shredded armor magically repaired itself to pristine condition.
─────
"What an incredible effect. If Airmid were to see this, she would likely either demand it for herself or go mad trying to replicate it," Tione noted.
"Yeah. Well, it's a fictional potion, purely a product of imagination, so I doubt she'd covet it... Wait, no, she'd definitely try to make it," Finn agreed with a wry smile.
Witnessing a fatally wounded Bell fully heal just by having the potion poured over him, Tione couldn't help but picture the Saint of the Dian Cecht Familia lusting after the miracle cure. The vivid mental image drew a wry chuckle from the pallum captain, who simultaneously pictured Airmid pulling endless all-nighters trying to synthesize an identical concoction.
─────
Fully restored by the miraculous potion, Bell's eyelids twitched violently. A second later, he shot up, springing into a seated position.
『 ...? Wait, what happened...? 』
『 Bell!! 』
Overcome with emotion at seeing him awake and safe, Laurier tackled him into a crushing embrace. Finally allowing the dams to break, she clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably. Feeling her scalding tears and desperate warmth, Bell rummaged through his chaotic memories, trying to piece together exactly what had just transpired.
『 Ah, right. That Black Dragon hit me... Wait! The dragon?! What about everyone in Tempest!? 』
The instant it clicked, Bell gently pushed Laurier back and whipped his head around. There, standing tall amidst the ruins, was the Black Dragon. It roared at the heavens, crushing entire buildings beneath its massive bulk with every ponderous step. It was the very picture of an apocalyptic monster ripped straight from the ancient legends.
Seeing the city he cared for collapsing, Bell instinctually tried to sprint forward, but Laurier dug her cracked, bleeding nails into his armor. Refusing to let go this time, her agonizing grip forced Bell to halt.
『 No! You absolutely cannot go back there!!! You know it's true, no one can match that thing. Your attacks didn't do a single thing, and it left you looking like that with just one hit!!! 』
Her shout was nearly a shrill scream. Bell felt a sharp pain in his chest. Laurier was gripping his arm so hard her hands were bleeding, her tear-stained eyes swirling with pure terror and desperation. As Bell stood speechless at her frantic state, Laurier continued to plead, her voice shaking violently as she gasped for air through her tears.
『 Please... Bell... don't go... If you face that dragon again... you'll... you really will die...! 』
It was far beyond a simple plea; it was the desperate begging of a broken soul. Seeing her completely shatter like that, Bell couldn't find the words to respond.
『 Let's run away. It doesn't care about us. If we run now, we can definitely survive. We just have to run far away, somewhere it can't see us, somewhere it can't reach us. We could even look for a way back to our world somewhere else! We don't have to stay here, if we just look, we can find a way anywhere— 』
『 ...I'm sorry, Laurier. 』
『 —Wh!? Why... are you... apologizing? 』
No, Laurier already knew exactly why. She was just pretending to be ignorant. Deep down, she was already half-certain that Bell would never turn his back and flee in a situation like this. Yet, she had to keep talking, weaving a fragile web of words just to keep her faint hopes alive. Maybe, just maybe, he'll change his mind. If I just keep begging him, surely— That, too, was nothing more than Laurier's own selfish delusion.
『 I know you're terrified of that dragon, Laurier. And I know I'm no match for it. But... I can't run away from this. 』
『 Wh...y? This is a country of monsters. Sure, they looked after us, but it was only for a few days. 』
Realizing the utter depravity of her own words, Laurier tightly clenched her fists. But even if it meant playing the villain, she absolutely could not let Bell return to that beast. Steeling her resolve, she spoke again.
『 Bell. If you... if you truly love me, then choose me! Choose me over this country!! Let's run away!! Together, just the two of us!!! 』
Cursing herself inwardly as an incredibly cruel and selfish woman, Laurier reached out her hand to Bell. The hand she offered was trembling. From terror. From anxiety. And above all—from an overwhelming, inescapable love that simply refused to let him die. It was a hand she offered while fully acknowledging her own vileness, yet unable to hold back. Bell stared quietly at that trembling hand for a long moment.
『 Laurier. 』
Bell slowly placed his hand over hers. Softly. Gently, as if touching something impossibly fragile. Laurier's eyes wavered.
『 ...Bell...? 』
A faint smile graced Bell's lips. It was weak, but it radiated an undeniable warmth. And then, he gently pushed her hand back. Not gripping it tightly, nor outright rejecting it—merely returning it to her side. Laurier's hand shook violently, as if blindly grasping at empty air. To soothe the panicked elf, Bell spoke in a quiet, measured tone.
『 Laurier. I... I care about you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart. 』
Those words caught in Laurier's throat, choking off her voice. Even so, Bell continued.
『 That's exactly why I can't run away. 』
『 Why?! I don't understand. I don't understand, Bell! You said I'm important to you, right?! You love me, don't you?! Then take my hand and let's run! 』
Laurier screamed, her voice a desperate, pleading prayer. Tears carved fresh tracks down her cheeks. Bell tenderly cupped her face, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. His touch was overflowing with an unconditional, almost maternal affection, like a parent soothing a frightened child.
『 I'm terrified of that dragon, too. It's so strong, so horrific... and fighting in a place like this, where there isn't a single hero like the ones I admire to save us, scares me to death. But... 』
Bell paused, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a tight embrace. Laurier flinched, her body shivering against his chest. This hug wasn't a mere affirmation of love, nor was it an attempt to deflect with empty gestures. It was an embrace meant to convey his unwavering resolve. And Laurier instantly understood it. She didn't want to accept it, yet the truth was impossible to ignore. Burying her face into his chest, a broken sob escaped her lips.
『 ...Bell... no... I don't want this... 』
Bell held her tighter, infusing the quiet embrace with all the warmth he could muster.
『 Laurier. I— 』
His voice didn't waver. Even though he was undoubtedly terrified, there was no hesitation in his tone.
『 Unlike before, I don't just want to be someone's hero anymore. Right now, I want to be your hero. 』
『 Then you should just run away with me... 』
Despite her trembling, tearful plea, Bell gently stroked her hair.
『 If you could truly smile and wish for a future like that... I think I would have run away with you. But if we do that, I know I'd never get to see your real smile again. 』
『 — 』
Laurier couldn't process what he was saying. Slowly lifting her head, she stared at him with dazed, uncomprehending eyes. Bell offered her a sorrowful smile, but his crimson eyes pierced right through her, ablaze with resolute determination. Overwhelmed by his sheer force of will, Laurier could only listen as he continued.
『 You already know, don't you? The ones living in this country... they aren't just monsters. They're people. 』
『 N-No, I, I don't... 』
Laurier desperately tried to deny it, but the words lodged in the back of her throat, refusing to be spoken. She wanted to say it. She had to say it. If she didn't reject his words, Bell really would leave her to fight that monster. —But his eyes were just too honest, too gentle, and far too right. They mercilessly illuminated the truth she had locked deep within her heart, the answer she had tried so hard to feign ignorance of. Keeping his hand on her cheek, Bell spoke again, his voice quiet yet utterly unshakeable.
『 Since that day... the day I saved you, you've always looked at me as your hero. And when I fought that black Minotaur, I swore to myself that I would truly become your hero. 』
Laurier's chest painfully constricted. That vow—her twisted, selfish love—was binding him like a dark curse.
『 Because you believed in me, I could grow stronger. Because you were watching me, I could stand my ground and fight without running away. Because you called me a hero... I was able to stand back up for your sake. 』
His words made Laurier's throat quiver.
『 ...Bell... stop it... that's just... 』
Bell slowly shook his head.
『 That's why, Laurier. Because you called me your hero... I can't turn my back and run away here. 』
Laurier's breath hitched. His words were so agonizingly gentle, yet so devastatingly cruel.
『 So please, cheer for me. Pray for me to win and come back safely. Command me to turn this tragedy into a comedy. 』
『 That sounds... exactly like Argonaut... 』
Hearing her whisper, Bell let out a soft chuckle. It was a faint, fragile sound, but it carried a hint of profound pride.
『 Haha... You're right. If a weak boy like me can still become a hero who overturns despair... who turns a tragedy into a comedy... then I want to be Argonaut. 』
Laurier's heart trembled violently. In that instant, something inside her didn't break—it unwound. If he was willing to become Argonaut, to risk everything just to see someone smile—to see her smile—then she had no choice but to yield. A comedy has no need for tears. With a clumsy, awkward effort, she forced her lips into the brightest, most genuine smile she could currently muster.
『 ...Bell... 』
Her voice was hopelessly shaky. But she refused to shed another tear.
『 ...Promise me you'll come back... my... hero... 』
Finally releasing her desperate grip on his arm, Laurier granted the wish he had asked for, delivering the greatest cheer she could possibly wring from her soul, accompanied by her radiant smile.
『 ...Yeah. I swear, I'll turn this into a comedy and come right back. 』
Laurier's chest burned with a painful heat. Smiling through the pain, she offered him her parting words with a trembling voice.
『 ...Go, Bell. My... Argonaut... 』
Carrying those words on his back, Bell broke into a sprint.
Through a blur of hot tears, Laurier stood alone, watching his retreating figure. A comedy had no place for crying. But just for this moment, she couldn't stop the tears from overflowing.
─────
"Sniff...! I'm not supposed to cry, so why is this so... ugh, hic...!"
Tiona aggressively sniffled, hugging the book to her chest, her face a crumpled mess of tears. Tione let out an exasperated sigh, though her own eyes were noticeably red and puffy.
"...You're not the only one crying, Tiona..."
Lefiya had completely broken down into a sobbing mess. Ais was glitching out like a broken doll, muttering fragmented phrases like, "A hero. Just as I thought, Bell is—. But, he isn't mine..." Even Bete, though he managed to hold back his tears, gave a sharp sniff, his usual aggressive demeanor nowhere to be found.
"Honestly, if they were capable of writing a story like this, they should write like this all the time, the absolute fools," Riveria grumbled, dabbing the corners of her eyes.
Watching her from the corner of their eyes, Finn and Gareth silently thought, Whatever happened to the stoic spirit of the High Elves? Though, knowing the hassle it would cause if they voiced it aloud, they kept the retort firmly to themselves.
─────
『 I'll give you the absolute greatest support I can— 』
Staring at Bell as he charged toward the Black Dragon, Laurier clasped her hands together in prayer and began to chant. It was her new magic—the spell that had manifested in her Falna just before their wedding.
『 This is a seriously powerful spell. While it isn't quite as versatile as Hestia's Haruhime, when it comes to raw, specialized potency, you've got her beat by several magnitudes. So be incredibly careful about when and where you use it, or you'll have the other Familias gunning for you, 』 Hermes had warned her.
Back then, Laurier had pressed a hand to her chest and offered a small nod.
『 ...But if it's for Bell's sake, I don't care. 』
Hearing her unwavering reply, Hermes had simply shrugged. 『 Good grief, 』 he sighed, though he looked somewhat pleased.
『 Well, I figured you'd say that. That's exactly why—only use it when it's absolutely necessary. Magic meant to prop up a hero isn't something to be thrown around lightly. 』
Following that brief flashback of Hermes's advice, Laurier began her song.
< —I love you. >
< Part the path for my beloved hero. >
< May he surmount despair, transcend tragedy, and may his every step lead to the light. >
A brilliant light overflowed from Laurier's clasped hands, streaking across the battlefield to sink deep into Bell's back. The very instant it connected, Bell's steps became impossibly light. His frantic breathing stabilized, his vision crystallized, and his spirit surged with unyielding fortitude. Laurier's chant continued.
< —Be strong. >
< O' conqueror of countless trials. >
< May his soul never bend, may his spirit never break. >
< Let him march ever forward, straight into the radiant dawn. >
Several pale gold magic circles bloomed in the air around her. That light was a blessing, divine protection—it was the physical manifestation of Laurier's love itself.
Laurier's magic was a downright cheat, arguably even more broken than Haruhime's level boost. It was a spell designed solely to propel a hero's legend. Just as Hermes had stated, it lacked Haruhime's universal application. But in terms of sheer, concentrated breakthrough power, it completely eclipsed the renard's sorcery. Because Laurier's magic unleashed its absolute maximum potential only when cast upon a single, specific hero: Bell Cranel.
In short, it was an enchantment spell that temporarily doubled the entirety of Bell Cranel's accumulated Excelia. The blood, sweat, and tears; the grueling battles; the overwhelming terror; the profound growth—every single ounce of effort he had ever poured into his Falna was exponentially amplified and injected straight into his status in this very moment.
Bell's body began to emit a searing heat. His muscles fully awakened, and his senses were honed to an absolute razor's edge. Even the Black Dragon's cataclysmic roar no longer instilled fear, but merely registered as a "challenge." And with that, Laurier quietly invoked the name of her magic.
『 —< Philia Storyteller: The one who weaves the tale of her beloved, guiding him to become a hero. > 』
A brilliant, blinding luminescence erupted from Bell's back. Laurier's heartfelt prayer violently propelled his legend forward.
『 Now, just win... and come back to me... 』
The recoil from such an absurdly broken ability immediately bottomed out Laurier's Mind, plunging her rapidly into unconsciousness. Stricken by the overwhelming exhaustion of Mind Zero, her knees buckled. Collapsing sideways into the dirt, she watched Bell's retreating back as he charged headlong toward the Black Dragon, smiling softly before the darkness finally claimed her.
─────
"No, no, no! What the heck is this magic!? It can't be real, right? Surely this is just some overpowered delusion for the story!?" Loki screamed in sheer panic.
"Calm down, Loki," Finn said, trying to soothe his frantic goddess. "If magic like this truly existed, the Hermes Familia definitely would have utilized it during the War Game against the Freya Familia. Or rather, if they were trying to hide it, there's absolutely no way they'd publish it in a widely circulated book like this. Though, given the existence of that renard's magic, I can certainly understand why you'd suspect it might be real."
Finn logically dismissed the panicked deity's fears. If such a spell actually existed, Bell Cranel would possess the foulest exploit imaginable—literally doubling all the Excelia he had accumulated on his path to Level 5. If that were the case, the title of Orario's strongest faction would undoubtedly fall to the Hestia Familia. While the Loki Familia vastly outnumbered them, the current Age of Gods prioritized quality over quantity. The Familia harboring the absolute strongest adventurer would reign supreme.
"Even for a delusional fanfic, this magic is just way too broken," Tione muttered.
"But hey, if you're going up against the Black Dragon, you'd need magic that broken just to stand a chance, wouldn't you?"
Tione crossed her arms, a hint of genuine envy bleeding into her exasperated sigh. Tiona, on the other hand, reacted in stark contrast to her sister, praising Laurier's magic with eyes sparkling with pure, unadulterated awe.
─────
Bathed in Laurier's love-fueled Excelia-doubling enchantment, a mechanical, unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed directly into Bell's mind.
[Notice. The Existence Value of Bell Cranel has exceeded the designated threshold. Will you initiate evolution?]
『 Ghk, what is this voice? Evolution? Is it like a Rank Up? 』
Bell was bewildered by the abrupt mental intrusion. The voice belonged to the 'Voice of the World.' A brief narration box appeared on the next page, graciously explaining this sudden, jarring system mechanic to the confused readers. Completely ignorant to the true nature of the voice, Bell gave his answer.
『 I don't really get it, but if evolving gives me the power to do something about that Black Dragon, then do it! I want to evolve! 』
[Acknowledged. Initiating Bell Cranel's evolution into a True Saint. ...Evolution successful. All physical attributes have been drastically enhanced. ——]
As the emotionless voice continued to list off his successful evolution and his newly acquired, drastically enhanced skills, Bell felt a torrential geyser of power erupting from the very core of his being. He could clearly, undeniably feel that he had ascended to a dimension of strength vastly superior to his previous self.
『 With this...!! 』
Channeling every ounce of his newfound power into his dagger, he lunged, carving a vicious slash across the Black Dragon's unprotected back. He was certain this blow would rend flesh. Yet, a shower of sparks erupted as his blade was violently repelled by the impenetrable scales once more.
『 Dammit, its scales are still too tough!? 』
『 —GHRRRRRRRR!!! 』
Having felt the impact of Bell's attack—empowered by Laurier's magic and his subsequent evolution—the Black Dragon no longer viewed him as a mere nuisance. It officially designated him as a legitimate enemy, a threat that needed to be eradicated. Flapping its colossal wings with catastrophic force, it aimed to swat the boy out of the sky. Bell attempted to parry the oncoming wing with his dagger, but completely overwhelmed by the sheer, devastating wind pressure, he was effortlessly blown away.
『 I'm losing my footing! —But! 』
Twisting mid-air, Bell used a thick tree trunk as a springboard, launching himself right back at the monster like a fired bullet. He aimed his dagger straight for the dragon's massive eyeball. However, the Black Dragon easily shielded its face with a leathery wing, violently deflecting Bell's trajectory.
『 It's just too big! It can block everything with a single movement!! 』
Tumbling across the dirt, Bell seamlessly recovered his footing, immediately shifting into his next offensive. He was no amateur; the core tactics for subjugating giant monsters were burned into his very instincts. Thus, he never once lost his composure. But this Black Dragon was overwhelmingly, absurdly stronger than anything he had ever faced in his entire life.
Every single casual swing from its titanic frame packed enough kinetic force to be a guaranteed fatal blow. Even if he barely survived a direct hit, he would undoubtedly be incapacitated. Fortunately, Bell's current speed allowed him to narrowly evade the onslaught. Furthermore, the doubled Excelia coursing through his veins had drastically accelerated his cognitive processing speed, sharpening his mind to a razor's edge.
『 Calm down... I can see it. I can read its movements...! 』
Every shift of the beast's colossal weight sent tremors through the earth. Its every twitch, every lumbering step was flawlessly analyzed and broken down in Bell's mind in extreme slow motion. Moving with a blinding speed that far surpassed a fleeting rabbit, he executed a soaring, sky-bound leap, perfectly dodging a massive area-of-effect sweep that would have instantly pulverized him just moments ago. Catching the very surface of the atmosphere beneath his boots, Bell Cranel kicked off the empty air.
『 I can dodge its attacks now. But— 』
The painful reality remained. Just as Bell could evade the dragon's strikes, his own strikes were utterly ineffective against its monstrous defenses.
『 If I can't find a way through those scales, I have zero chance of winning!!! 』
With the duration of Laurier's enchantment rapidly ticking down, Bell's breathing grew increasingly ragged from endlessly dodging the beast's city-leveling sweeps. He desperately searched for a single, miraculous opening to turn the tides. Just then, the Voice of the World echoed in his mind once again.
[Notice. Will you initiate the evolution of the magic, Firebolt, possessed by Bell Cranel?]
『 Magic evolution?! Is that even—No, please do it!! 』
[Confirmed. Initiating the evolution of Firebolt. ...Evolution successful. Firebolt has evolved into Keraunos.]
─────
"Huh? Say what? Are you serious!?" Loki gasped.
"What is it, Loki? To be so surprised... Does the word 'Keraunos' hold some special significance?" Finn asked.
Loki pressed a hand to her forehead, letting out a long, heavy sigh.
"It's way beyond special. No, maybe it's just a crazy coincidence... But up in the Celestial World, Keraunos is an ancient word for lightning. Not only that, it's the exact name of the weapon wielded by that old geezer, Zeus..."
"Does that mean Bell Cranel is connected to Zeus? Or perhaps... the author of this book has some ties to him?"
A magic spell bearing the namesake of the ultimate weapon wielded by the former apex deity of Orario—Finn muttered to himself, thoroughly intrigued. Regardless, the quickest way to find out was to simply ask the parties involved. Depending on their answer, the cunning captain was already considering the possibility of poaching one—or both—of them into the Loki Familia.
─────
The magic that had been his constant companion since the beginning had just mutated into something entirely different. Bell's mind struggled to process the sheer absurdity of the situation. Despite the apocalyptic crisis right in front of him, the unprecedented phenomenon of 'magic evolution' caused him to vividly recall the very first day he had acquired his spell.
『 Keraunos...? What is this... my chest feels incredibly hot... This is completely different from Firebolt...! 』
The sensation wasn't born of fear; rather, it was an exhilarating pulse of thunder that viciously spurred him into action. The Black Dragon roared, vibrating the atmosphere itself. Stepping firmly into his stance, Bell surrendered entirely to the raw impulse boiling deep within his chest, violently thrusting his right hand toward the towering behemoth.
『 —PIERCE, KERAUNOS!!!! 』
The instant the incantation left his lips, a catastrophic blast of lightning exploded from his palm. The air tore apart, and for a fraction of a second, the entire world was dyed blindingly white. An eardrum-shattering boom chased closely behind. The hyper-condensed bolt of lightning streaked forward in a perfect, unerring line, striking the Black Dragon with enough force to crater its massive body.
『 GYAAAH!? 』
That cry was neither fury nor a threat—it was an expression of pure, unadulterated pain. The dragon's gargantuan frame staggered slightly backward, the nauseating stench of charred flesh carried quickly on the wind.
The Black Dragon was the living embodiment of the End. The magic of a mere mortal, no matter how potent, should have been utterly nullified by its impenetrable scales. Yet—Bell's lightning had utterly obliterated that absolute law. It pierced the indestructible scales, roasted the flesh beneath, and successfully carved a genuine wound into the beast.
However, it was lightyears away from a fatal blow. Relative to the dragon's absurd mass, it was little more than a prick from a needle.
Even so, for the first time, the Black Dragon had tasted true pain. Its massive, slitted eyes slowly swiveled to lock onto Bell. It was the exact moment the apocalyptic beast's evil eye officially recognized a solitary human boy as a genuine threat.
『 I can do this! With this magic, I can actually reach it!!! 』
Having finally stepped onto an even playing field, Bell roared at the top of his lungs, desperately firing himself up to suppress the paralyzing dread induced by the dragon's suffocating glare.
─────
"O-Ooh...!!"
"Hey, use your words."
The moment Bell's new spell pierced the invincible scales, Tiona was so utterly moved she lost her voice entirely, her shoulders trembling with sheer hype.
"My, oh my... What an excellent narrative sequence to showcase the overwhelming might of the Black Dragon juxtaposed with Bell Cranel's profound evolution," Finn stated.
The captain offered his highest praises with a glowing smile. Vigorously nodding in agreement, Tiona cheered excitedly, "Right?! Right?!"
─────
From that point onward, it was a pure, unadulterated deathmatch. Thrashing its colossal bulk around like a raging tempest, the Black Dragon unleashed an endless barrage of devastation, forcing Bell to evade by mere millimeters. The earth shattered, buildings crumbled to dust, and the beautiful cityscape of Tempest was systematically leveled simply from the catastrophic shockwaves of their battle.
Witnessing the destruction of the city filled Bell's face with deep agony. Still, he gritted his teeth, relentlessly firing off bolts of lightning, sprinting, vaulting, and clinging desperately to life. However, that split-second display of empathy was his fatal mistake.
The Black Dragon was no mindless beast. Its wicked eyes meticulously observed the anguish contorting its enemy's face, instantly calculating the most optimal, cruelest path to victory.
『 —!! 』
『 Ghk!? No way!!! 』
Leaping back to create a massive gap between them, the Black Dragon lowered its jaw, aiming directly at Bell. It was a stance Bell recognized instantly. It was the exact preparatory motion the Infant Dragons—rare monster spawns in the upper floors—used right before unleashing a breath attack. Furthermore, the beast wasn't merely aiming at Bell. The massive backward retreat was a deliberate tactical repositioning designed to maximize the breath's destructive radius over Tempest.
It fully understood that the kind-hearted boy would never allow the city to be eradicated. It was a vile, cowardly, yet absolutely guaranteed maneuver to corner and slaughter him. Bell realized it then. The Black Dragon was weaponizing his own compassion against him.
A dense, swirling mass of black light began to pool deep within the dragon's throat, vibrating the very air as it rapidly expanded. It wasn't fire. It wasn't light. It was an apocalyptic wave of darkness—a pure force of annihilation that would swallow everything and reduce it to absolute nothingness.
『 I just have to... do it! 』
If there was enough time for him to turn and run, then conversely, there was enough time for him to stand his ground and charge his power.
As the vortex of black annihilation swelled within the beast's maw, distorting the atmosphere with its sheer density, Bell felt a primal chill race down his spine. Yet, simultaneously, an inferno erupted from the deepest depths of his soul. BONG. BOOONG. The grand, resounding chimes of a massive bell tower echoed ethereally throughout the ruins of Tempest.
The trigger for Bell Cranel's unique skill, Argonaut. The idolized figure he envisioned in his mind's eye was none other than Albert Waldstein—the legendary Mercenary King who had once repelled this very dragon. Bell traced the legacy of the universally revered, peerless grand hero. His absolute admiration and his highest ideals were violently compacted and loaded into the heroic strike he was about to unleash.
Readied in his stance, Bell chanted his magic, completely enshrouding his dagger's blade in crackling lightning. Determined to intercept the apocalyptic breath with his ultimate strike, he stared death directly in the face. A second later, the concentrated darkness reached critical mass.
『 ████████!!! 』
The light of ruin was unleashed. A catastrophic torrent of black death surged forward, aiming to vaporize Tempest, Bell, and everything else in its path. —Bell screamed.
『 —ARGO JUPITER!!!! 』
A blinding sunburst of lightning detonated. The white flash violently impaled the rushing black torrent, causing space itself to warp and shriek in agony. Lightning and darkness furiously clashed, tearing the very fabric of the world into a chaotic storm of black and white. Bell's boots dug deep trenches into the earth, his skin splitting open as blood sprayed from his arms, his entire body convulsing from the catastrophic recoil. Even so—
『 LIKE HELL I'LL LOSE!!! 』
The two ultimate attacks locked in a dead heat. And then—an apocalyptic explosion consumed the battlefield. Black and white fused, violently rupturing outward in a colossal sphere of blinding light. A devastating shockwave swept across the entirety of Tempest, blowing both Bell and the Black Dragon clean away.
Through the thick haze of smoke and dust, Bell, flat on his back, gritted his teeth and forced his broken body upright. He locked his blurry gaze onto the Black Dragon in the distance. It seemed neither attack possessed the absolute power needed to completely obliterate the other.
『 ...Guuh. 』
Having absorbed the brunt of the explosive backlash from their clashing strikes, one of the massive horns atop the Black Dragon's head had been cleanly snapped in half. Yet, it was still far from a lethal wound. Conversely, Bell was rapidly bleeding out from every pore in his body. The sheer, devastating exhaustion of utilizing his ultimate heroic strike had completely robbed him of his ability to even stand.
『 ...Ghk... I can't... move... 』
It was total checkmate. If the Black Dragon landed even a single glancing blow, Bell would be instantly vaporized. The beast seemed to understand this perfectly. Still maintaining a sliver of caution, it slowly lumbered toward the paralyzed boy. However, its heavy footsteps abruptly halted. As if sensing an anomaly, the dragon craned its massive neck to the sky.
『 We won't let you do that!! 』
Riding on Ranga's back, Gobta plummeted from the heavens, viciously swinging his sword down to sever the beast's remaining horn before it could execute Bell. However, the very instant they entered striking range, Ranga's strength seemingly evaporated. The star wolf violently stalled mid-air, launching Gobta cleanly off his back.
『 Huh? 』
Before the Black Dragon could unhinge its jaws and devour the bewildered hobgoblin whole, a razor-thin thread securely wrapped around Gobta's torso, violently yanking him backward. By a hair's breadth, Gobta narrowly escaped the monster's crushing fangs.
『 Are you alright? 』
『 Y-Yes, sir. You saved me. 』
Holding the end of the lifeline was Souei. Gobta immediately offered his earnest thanks as the shadow ninja cleanly reeled him in, pulling him far out of the dragon's lethal range.
『 Gobta?! Souei?! 』
『 Hehe, we aren't the only ones who came rushing over, you know. 』
True to his words, Gobta and Souei weren't alone. Heavy, synchronized footsteps pierced through the lingering dust clouds.
『 Apologies for the delay, Sir Bell. 』
Stepping forth with quiet, practiced steps was the swordmaster, Hakurou. Flanking him were Shion, radiating a lethal, purple bloodlust; Benimaru, wreathed in flickering crimson flames; and an entire, disciplined army of fully armed monsters lined up behind them. Tempest's main vanguard had finally arrived on the battlefield.
『 ...Everyone... 』
Bell desperately tried to force his paralyzed body up, but his arms merely trembled, dripping fresh blood onto the scorched earth. Seeing the boy in such a mangled state, Benimaru quickly approached, dousing him in another Full Potion to heal his wounds.
『 You did exceptionally well. Thanks to you, we can finally fight. 』
『 Um, but how? 』
『 It's all thanks to you snapping that dragon's horn, Bell! 』
Gobta cheerfully answered Bell's lingering confusion over how the heavily drained vanguard had miraculously recovered. It turned out the primary organ generating the parasitic field was the dragon's horn. By snapping half of it off, Bell had successfully disrupted the wide-range Magicule-draining effect, allowing the monster army to quickly recover and storm the battlefield.
『 Then, what about Lord Rimuru? 』
『 No, Lord Rimuru and Lord Veldora are still immobilized. It seems the beast is using its remaining horn to intensely siphon off their Magicules exclusively. 』
『 Hence, to save them both, we must snap that remaining horn at all costs, but... 』
Benimaru and Hakurou explained the grim reality while glaring daggers at the beast's remaining appendage. Gobta, having just caught his breath, scurried over to join the huddle.
『 That's why I tried to fly in and slice it off, but the second I got close, my Magicules were instantly sucked dry. 』
『 As Gobta said, my Magicules were violently drained the moment I neared that horn, 』 Ranga growled, popping his massive head out from Gobta's shadow.
Bell gulped nervously. If a Tempest Star Wolf harboring as massive a Magicule capacity as Ranga was instantly drained upon approach, it was absolute proof that the Black Dragon's horn was still a catastrophic threat.
『 If that holds true, then despite its range being weakened, the moment we approach that horn, we'll be stripped of our Magicules and rendered completely incapable of fighting, 』 Souei deduced coolly, having materialized beside them.
『 In that case, the only one capable of severing that horn is... 』 Hakurou muttered.
The elderly swordsman's gaze naturally gravitated toward the only combatant in their ranks who possessed zero Magicules to steal: the human boy, Bell Cranel.
『 It has to be me... 』
Forcing his trembling, aching body to its feet, Bell answered quietly. There wasn't a single shred of hesitation in his voice. However, Benimaru stared intensely at the boy, his eyes narrowing slightly.
『 It's true that we need your power to cut down that last horn. But... are you physically capable of doing it? 』
It wasn't a question meant to look down on him. Benimaru was genuinely concerned for the boy who, barely a few minutes ago, had been lying at death's door.
『 If that is the case, then allow me! Leave it to me! Even if my Magicules are drained, I shall snap that repulsive horn through sheer willpower alone!! 』
『 No, if you just get absorbed and inadvertently power the enemy up even further, we'll be the ones to suffer for it. Stop acting so selfishly, Shion. 』
Benimaru immediately shot down her ridiculous proposal. His tone was dead serious, yet laced with profound exasperation.
『 Eeh!? Why not!? I can do it! Through sheer willpower, I can— 』
『 I said no. It's not a problem you can solve with 'willpower,' and I'm being absolutely serious when I say we cannot afford to let that dragon get any stronger. Stop trying to blindly charge in without thinking. 』
『 Muu...! 』
Shion puffed out her cheeks in fierce dissatisfaction, but she ultimately lacked the logic to argue back. Having successfully leashed their resident problem child, Benimaru turned back to Bell, making no effort to hide his exhausted expression.
『 Well, she might be like that, but she's undoubtedly reliable in a fight. That's why there's no need for you to push yourself— 』
『 No, I'll do it. Please, let me do it!! 』
It wasn't born from a lack of trust in his comrades, nor was it out of some crushing sense of duty. No one was ordering him, and no one was forcing him to bear the burden. Bell Cranel simply wished to do it himself.
『 I see— 』
Benimaru seemed to sense the absolute resolve in the boy's voice. For a fleeting second, his eyes widened in surprise before softening into a profoundly proud gaze.
『 ...Then I won't say another word. 』
The General of Flames exhaled quietly, stepping firmly in front of Bell. His broad, unyielding back was the very picture of a vanguard ready to carve open a path.
『 Bell. I've clearly received your resolve. In that case—we will carve open the path for you to reach that horn. 』
His words weren't an order or a command. They were the ultimate proof of his trust as a fellow warrior.
『 Now then, are you capable of firing off that ultimate strike one more time? 』
『 No. Overpowering the Black Dragon's breath completely warped the blade of my dagger... 』
As Bell dropped his gaze apologetically, Hakurou nodded sagely, as if to say, Just as I suspected.
『 Hmm... As expected, a strike of that caliber places an immense, corresponding burden on the wielder's weapon. 』
Hakurou's tone held no blame; rather, it was the calm, analytical assessment of a seasoned veteran fully acknowledging Bell's heroic struggle.
『 However, even if that single, ultimate strike is impossible... if it's a combo attack— 』
Sheathing his ruined dagger, Bell drew the twin swords Kurobe had expertly reforged for him. Seeing the dual blades, Hakurou nodded in understanding, taking his place beside Benimaru.
『 Very well, Sir Bell. The Young Master and I shall break down the dragon's defenses. When we create an opening, you must strike that horn— 』
『 Right!! 』
Bell's reply was instantaneous—a clear, resounding voice devoid of hesitation or fear. A faint smile graced the elderly swordsman's lips.
『 A splendid answer. 』
『 Let's go, Hakurou!! 』
At Benimaru's battle cry, Hakurou nodded firmly. The two warriors instantly burst into a sprint, charging headlong toward the Black Dragon. Hoisting her massive odachi onto her shoulder, Shion closely trailed behind them.
『 It's not fair if just the two of you get all the glory! I'm coming too!! 』
Screaming wildly, she barreled toward the beast. Benimaru sighed at her usual antics, though a fiercely confident smirk played on his lips.
『 Then charge it head-on and draw its attention! And absolutely do not get near that horn!! 』
『 Understood!! 』
Shion hoisted her enormous blade high, violently lunging directly into the Black Dragon's field of vision. Drawn by her aggressively unrefined movements, the dragon shifted its massive gaze ever so slightly. Benimaru flawlessly seized that split-second opening. Drawing his katana and shrouding it in roaring black flames, he shot a rapid glance at Hakurou.
『 < I'll assault from the right. You take the left. > 』
『 < Understood. And our target is— > 』
The two swordsmen locked their sights simultaneously onto the scattered patches of charred, brittle scales—the residual damage left behind by Bell's divine lightning magic. In the blink of an eye, Benimaru and Hakurou kicked off the earth, unleashing a blindingly fast, pincer-strike slash from both flanks.
『 Black Flame Slash!! 』
『 Mist Slash!! 』
Black hellfire and a gleaming white edge violently crossed paths, slamming ruthlessly into the compromised scales.
『 GYOOOOOAAAAAARRR!!!? 』
Stripped of their absolute invulnerability, the weakened scales were effortlessly sundered by the peerless swordsmen, carving deep, vicious gashes directly into the dragon's flesh. The behemoth staggered heavily backward, its agonizing roar rocking the entire battlefield.
『 Just as I hypothesized. Unlike the rest of its hide, the structural integrity of those charred scales has been significantly compromised, 』 Hakurou deduced coolly, readjusting his stance.
His calm, steady tone carried the absolute certainty that Bell's magic had, undeniably, shifted the tides of this war.
『 Honestly. To think he'd leave us such a lavish parting gift on top of taking out that horn. It'd be a disgrace to our lineage if we failed to fulfill our role after all this. 』
Resting his black-flame-wreathed blade casually on his shoulder, an audacious smirk crossed Benimaru's lips. His calculating eyes were already mapping out the trajectory for his next lethal strike.
Howling in a mix of pure rage and agonizing pain, the Black Dragon violently thrashed its gargantuan body, shifting its absolute focus entirely onto Benimaru and Hakurou pressing in from its flanks.
『 I'll be quite upset if you forget about me!!! 』
Driven by absurd, monstrous physical strength, Shion's strike fundamentally differed from the surgical precision of Benimaru and Hakurou. Swinging her massive blade with pure, unadulterated violence, she brutally smashed through the charred scales, mercilessly crushing the dragon's raw flesh beneath them.
『 —!!! 』
A silent, breathless scream tore from the depths of the beast's throat. Deprived even of the strength to voice its agony, the massive dragon reeled violently backward. And then—
FWOOSH!!
Unfurling its colossal wings, the Black Dragon desperately took to the sky. It was the ultimate, humiliating retreat chosen by a creature that was supposed to be the absolute apex predator. Yet, as if perfectly predicting that exact cowardly maneuver, a solitary figure lay in wait in the airspace directly above it.
『 Did you truly think I would let you escape? —Manipulating Thread: Myriad Demon Slash. 』
Souei's frigid voice echoed through the clouds. A split second later, a massive, invisible web of infinitely sharp steel threads surrounding the beast burst into a lethal, glowing luminescence—
SHRRRRRK!!
With terrifying, pinpoint accuracy, the glowing wire mesh violently shredded through every single patch of scales previously compromised by Bell's lightning. The catastrophic lacerations sent the Black Dragon into violent, mid-air convulsions, crippling its wings and throwing its massive body into a sheer, unbalanced nosedive.
『 GY... OOOOOAARR!? 』
The charred armor was peeled away layer by layer, exposing the hideous, raw muscle underneath. Shimmering like a phantom on the wind, Souei touched down silently upon the plummeting dragon's back, muttering a cold truth.
『 Just so you know, I am far crueler than those three down there. 』
A torrential rain of kunai violently embedded themselves into the beast's exposed flesh. Flowing seamlessly into his next strike, the shadow ninja ruthlessly drove his blades deep into those fresh wounds, mercilessly carving out massive chunks of meat.
『 —GYAAAAAAHHH!!? 』
Overcome by the agonizing torture, the Black Dragon completely lost all aerodynamic stability, rapidly plummeting toward the earth.
Waiting on the ground far below, that grand, ethereal chime echoed once again. BONG. BOOONG. Wreathed in a blinding white aura, Bell stared up at the rapidly falling beast.
It's just like Argonaut... The tale of a foolish boy who desperately wished to become a hero, setting off to rescue a kidnapped princess from the clutches of a Minotaur within a labyrinth.
Though this time, I wasn't saved by my sworn friend, but by my trusted comrades. And the power granting me this miracle wasn't bestowed by a Spirit, but by my wife.
Gripping his twin blades tightly, Bell crossed them firmly over his chest.
『 Are you ready? 』
『 Yeah, the charge is complete. 』
Bell swung himself onto Ranga's back, seating himself firmly behind Gobta. Their singular destination: the head of the rapidly descending Black Dragon.
Desperate to survive this lethal onslaught, the beast's remaining horn violently pulsed a sickening black. In a final, frenzied struggle, it desperately intensified its parasitic drain, hungrily attempting to suck Rimuru and Veldora dry.
Clinging to the wolf's thick fur, Gobta screamed. 『 Ranga!! Charge at absolute full speed!! 』
『 Understood!! 』
Power surged through Ranga's four limbs, shattering the bedrock as he accelerated to terminal velocity. Slicing fiercely through the wind, Bell locked his unwavering gaze dead center onto the dragon's descending horn.
『 ...Here I go. I will—end this!! 』
Closing the gap to the absolute millimeter before the lethal draining field could take effect, Ranga violently halted mid-air. Using that massive deceleration, Bell kicked off the wolf's back, launching himself high above the dragon's monstrous skull.
『 UOOOOOOOOOOH!!! 』
The freefalling beast's head was entirely unprotected, presenting the single greatest opportunity to sever its parasitic tether. Combining his gravitational momentum with his twin blades, Bell brutally slammed them against the black horn. CLANG!! An ear-splitting, metallic shriek rang out, and the violent recoil nearly threw Bell backward.
As I thought, this horn is just as indestructible as its scales!? Should I fire off my magic? No, it won't break in time during this fall. Do I fall back and wait for another opening? NO!! Laurier's magic could run out at any second!?
Torn by the impenetrable black horn, a vivid memory flashed through Bell's mind. His fierce battle against his greatest rival, and the ultimate, peerless technique he had used to finally overcome him.
『 It's not about whether I can or can't do it!! I'm going to do it! Right here, right now!!! 』
The blinding, pure-white energy fully charged by Argonaut violently illuminated the twin blades in Bell's grasp. Surpassing even the legendary feat he had achieved that day, Bell unleashed a blinding flurry of strikes, his body tracing a radiant orbit of light as his dual swords hammered relentlessly against the horn.
One strike. Two strikes. Three. Four. Spidery cracks fractured the invincible horn.
『 NOT YET!!! 』
Bell's roar tore the sky asunder.
Five strikes. Six. Seven. Eight. The black horn shrieked in agony, threatening to shatter. The Black Dragon unleashed a horrific, agonizing roar.
『 GYOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRR!!!? 』
Wringing out the very last drop of his strength, Bell crossed his dual blades for the final strike.
『 This is... THE END!!! 』
Perfectly transmuting his terminal velocity into raw acceleration, he violently twisted his body mid-air, unleashing an absurd, blinding volley of nineteen consecutive slashes in a fraction of a second. A brilliant white comet-tail trailed his movements as the sword flashes scattered like shattering stars, ripping the very atmosphere to shreds. It was a peerless, ultimate combo attack consisting of twenty-seven consecutive hits—a devastating barrage that completely eclipsed even the fabled Starburst Stream.
『 —!! 』
The Black Dragon's horn vibrated violently with a deathly shriek. At that exact moment, the beast's colossal frame smashed brutally into the earth.
The bedrock shattered, the resulting shockwave obliterating everything in the immediate vicinity as a massive dust plume erupted into the sky. Standing directly atop the dragon's skull, Bell was violently launched into the air by the catastrophic impact.
『 I've got you!! 』
Snapping his massive jaws around Bell's collar as he flew through the air, Ranga flawlessly snatched him from the sky, executing a perfect mid-air rescue.
『 Th-Thank you... 』
Gently deposited onto the ground, Bell felt every last ounce of strength rapidly bleeding from his body. Exhausted to his absolute limits, he swayed on his feet as his comrades rushed over to support him.
『 You did amazing!! 』
『 Hmph. A magnificent strike—no, combo. 』
『 A truly wondrous technique, worthy of being dubbed divine. 』
『 It deeply frustrates me to admit, but you are undeniably the MVP of this battle!! 』
『 A splendid display of martial prowess. Allow me to offer my honest gratitude. You saved us— 』
As his comrades showered him with glowing praise, Bell sheepishly scratched his cheek. However, that heartwarming atmosphere was violently shattered an instant later. Piercing through the dense dust cloud lingering over the crash site, an unfathomably sharp, hateful glare locked directly onto them. The sheer pressure of that gaze instantly paralyzed everyone on the field.
『 ████████!! 』
The atmosphere trembled. A crushing pressure so thick it caused their ears to violently ring surged forth from the dust.
Something was wrong. This was an entirely different, vastly more malevolent aura than what the beast had emitted before. The ambient Magicule density skyrocketed to lethal levels. As the smoke finally cleared, it revealed the dragon—its entire massive frame now dyed a horrific, bloody crimson.
Terror and despair. It might sound like a cheap cliché, but the abomination standing before them was the absolute embodiment of the End.
『 No way... this is... 』
The very notion of victory, or even the faint hope that they could still fight, was instantly vaporized the second they laid eyes on its newly evolved form. Torrents of cold sweat drenched Bell's body, his knees knocking uncontrollably from sheer terror. His eyes vividly reflected his own inevitable, gruesome death.
The Crimson Dragon's bloody gaze locked dead onto Bell.
『 ████████████!!! 』
A wave of pure, distilled rage violently seized Bell Cranel's heart.
His lungs froze solid. His breathing completely stopped. An agonizing, crushing pressure gripped his chest, as if a physical hand were squeezing his heart until it burst.
『 ...Ghk...! 』
Bell clutched his chest, nearly collapsing to his knees.
『 Relax, Bell. That dragon is already finished. 』
『 Huh? 』
Looking around, Bell realized that not a single one of his comrades wore an expression of despair.
『 Yes, exactly. After all, that foolish beast has officially provoked those two, 』 Benimaru stated calmly.
Shion nodded deeply in agreement. Utterly lost as to what they were implying, Bell merely blinked in confusion. Meanwhile, the Black Dragon—now reborn as the Crimson Dragon—unleashed a cataclysmic roar at the heavens.
『 Ah, aaaaah...!? UWAAAAAAAAAH!!! 』
As if summoned directly by that apocalyptic howl, a colossal meteor large enough to eradicate the entire city plummeted from the distant sky.
I'm going to die. There's no escaping this. Bell's brain processed the horrifying truth, his entire body freezing solid.
...It's over...
The enraged Crimson Dragon. The apocalyptic meteor falling from the heavens. His completely paralyzed body. No matter how he struggled, there was absolutely zero chance of evading this absolute destruction. Just as Bell fully surrendered to his fate, a single figure smoothly stepped in front of him.
『 We really owe you one, Bell. 』
『 Eh...? 』
Sporting a pair of massive, bat-like wings, Rimuru glanced over his shoulder, flashing the boy a bright smile. It was his usual soft, incredibly reassuring smile. For a split second, Bell was so captivated by it that he entirely forgot their grim situation. But reality quickly snapped him back as the city-destroying meteor loomed ever closer in his peripheral vision.
—This is the end. Just as Bell braced himself, Rimuru made a grand, booming declaration.
『 Everything is going to be fine now. Leave the rest to us. Right, Veldora? 』
『 FUHAHAHAHA!!! AT LONG LAST, I AM RESURRECTED!!! Whoops, no time to strike a pose— 』
He wasn't in the humanoid form Bell had seen around town. Veldora had materialized in his true, overwhelming form as the Storm Dragon.
『 Hmm... I shall deal with that minor nuisance! 』
Rimuru lightly raised a hand.
『 Yeah, yeah, just don't go too crazy, alright? It'll be a massive headache if you blow up the rest of the city with it. 』
『 Understood!! Hmph, a meteor of that caliber... is but mere dust before my absolute might!! 』
A cataclysmic tempest violently erupted from Veldora's towering frame. The atmosphere shrieked, and the bedrock violently convulsed. Dust formed massive tornadoes, wild lightning danced across the heavens, and the very fabric of the world groaned just from his mere presence. And then, opening his massive jaws, he aimed directly at the apocalyptic meteor plummeting from the sky.
The Storm Dragon's overwhelming aura was so absurdly immense that it completely and utterly eclipsed the soul-crushing despair induced by the Crimson Dragon's roar just moments prior.
Bell couldn't help but gasp in sheer awe.
...So this... is the true power of the guardian dragon that protects Tempest...!?
The meteor was already incinerating the atmosphere, rapidly descending with enough sheer mass to effortlessly flatten the entire city. No matter who looked at it, it was an absolute, unavoidable, unblockable, and insurmountable doom.
—Or so it should have been.
As if merely swatting away a pesky fly, Veldora took a light, casual breath.
『 HMPH!! Tremble before my roar!! —Tempest Break!!! 』
A split second later, the sky was violently torn asunder. A catastrophic blast of hyper-condensed lightning and raging storms pierced the heavens. The exact instant it made contact, the city-destroying meteor vanished without a single sound. There was no explosion, no shockwave, not even a speck of dust left behind. It was simply erased from the world, as if it had never existed to begin with.
Bell muttered in absolute disbelief.
『 ...Amazing... 』
Rimuru patted Bell's shoulder, flashing him his usual, gentle smile.
『 See? Told you. Everything's fine now. 』
Beside him, Veldora puffed out his chest proudly.
『 FUHAHAHAHA!! So long as my Magicules aren't being unfairly siphoned, such a trifling feat is mere child's play!! 』
Infuriated by Veldora's arrogant gloating, the Crimson Dragon unleashed a furious, blood-curdling roar.
『 ██████████████!!! 』
However, that horrifying sound no longer shook the heart of a single person present.
Tempest's absolute strongest pillars stood side-by-side. The Demon Lord, Rimuru Tempest, and the Storm Dragon, Veldora Tempest.
Pinned down by the overwhelming glares of those two absolute deities, the Crimson Dragon—whether out of sheer, paralyzing terror or its primal survival instincts screaming at it—began to charge the absolute maximum, highest-output breath attack it could physically generate.
A blinding mass of hyper-condensed crimson Magicules pooled rapidly in the back of its throat. The atmosphere violently warped, and the very bedrock beneath it began to scorch and melt. Bell stared at the sight, instinctively gulping.
...That's...!! It's leagues stronger... than that black breath from earlier...!?
Every alarm bell in his head was screaming danger, but paradoxically, the broad, unwavering backs of Rimuru and Veldora standing before him radiated an absolute, impenetrable sense of security.
『 Honestly, what a stubborn bastard... 』
『 Very well! Then let us engage in a glorious clash of ultimate techniques!! 』
The Crimson Dragon's apocalyptic breath finally erupted from its maw. The atmosphere instantly incinerated, the earth violently convulsed, and the entire world was dyed a blinding, lethal red.
『 Those were originally our Magicules to begin with. I'll be taking them back now—Beelzebuth, Lord of Gluttony. 』
Faced with that world-ending strike, Rimuru simply raised a single hand and quietly invoked his ultimate skill. The very instant he did, the apocalyptic crimson breath was flawlessly and entirely sucked into his palm, vanishing without a single trace.
『 Ah—! Hey, what are you doing, Rimuru!? That was my cue to coolly and decisively blast it right back! 』
『 Did you seriously already forget that's exactly how you ended up in that massive pinch earlier!? 』
『 Mugh...! Th-That was merely... um... I simply let my guard down for a brief moment...! 』
『 Yeah, yeah, save the excuses. Need I remind you that Bell and the entire city were in critical danger? 』
『 Grrr...! But I need an opportunity to show off too...! 』
Bell stared blankly at their casual bickering. That apocalyptic Crimson Dragon was no longer a threat. Leaving it to these two was absolutely the safest bet. Their overwhelming power inspired an absolute, undeniable certainty in their victory.
『 ██████— 』
The Crimson Dragon desperately attempted to charge another breath attack, but it held absolutely none of its former catastrophic threat. It merely looked like a petulant child throwing a desperate tantrum. Watching its pathetic struggle, Rimuru let out a thoroughly exhausted sigh.
『 I told you, you're already finished. I absolutely will not permit you to cause any further damage to my city! 』
His voice was laced with the absolute, unyielding authority of a True Demon Lord. The Crimson Dragon's massive frame violently flinched in primal terror. Veldora crossed his arms, nodding in profound satisfaction.
『 Indeed. The moment Rimuru became genuinely angered, your pathetic defeat was already set in stone!! 』
For the very first time, genuine, unadulterated terror swam in the Crimson Dragon's bloody eyes.
『 See ya. I'll at least grant you the mercy of a quick, painless death. 』
Complex, highly advanced geometric patterns rapidly blossomed in the air around Rimuru, stacking into a massively layered, three-dimensional magic circle. The ultimate targeted Holy Magic, Disintegration, shot forth, cleanly piercing the Crimson Dragon's torso and instantly breaking down its very existence on a molecular level.
Bell stared blankly at the surreal spectacle. Rimuru's serious strike had landed perfectly, effortlessly erasing the gargantuan beast from reality in a single flash of light before it could even utter a dying scream.
『 — 』
That apocalyptic beast—the very embodiment of the End that had previously slaughtered the strongest heroes in history—was swatted away with such casual ease. Bell's jaw practically unhinged in sheer disbelief.
『 Hm? V for Victory!! 』
Instantly reverting to his usual, laid-back self, Rimuru flashed a bright, sunny grin and threw up a V-sign. Seeing that infectious smile, Bell finally snapped out of his daze. Screaming, "Lord Rimuruuu!!" he lunged forward, tackling the slime head-on into a tight hug. Rimuru blinked in wide-eyed surprise for a second before his expression softened, gently catching the boy in his arms.
『 W-Whoa... Bell? What's wrong, all of a sudden? 』
Spurred by that heartwarming embrace, the rest of the vanguard, who had been quietly watching the aftermath unfold, immediately swarmed Rimuru from all sides, dog-piling their beloved chancellor.
The brutal battle was finally over. The apocalyptic End had been safely repelled. And at long last, the battered hero was finally able to smile in absolute relief.
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