"Rodra—rumor has it he's the Undead Monarch's favored consort, and his power is close to that of a demigod." Yulusi spoke as she led the way, explaining the situation to Kurose Akira.
"Close to a demigod…?"
Hearing that from her, Akira fell into thought.
The Elf Queen had only sent Yulusi and Elina to deal with him—wasn't that underestimating the enemy?
After all, Elina was only level 76, and Yulusi just 64. Facing an existence nearly at the level of a demigod… wasn't that pushing it?
With those doubts in mind, Akira glanced at Elina—and suddenly realized something.
Was that why she was wearing armor?
At that moment, as if sensing his confusion, Elina spoke up.
"Originally, I planned to unseal my power and deal with Rodra myself. But now that you've joined us… I have another method."
"Another method?"
Akira's confusion only deepened. He had no idea how Rodra was supposed to be defeated, nor what Elina's new plan entailed.
"It's simple~" Elina smiled sweetly, her tone playful. "You and your guild can take care of Rodra."
"…Are you joking?"
Yulusi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Rodra's strength is practically at demigod level! How could Akira and his people possibly fight him?"
"Yulusi, why are you reacting so strongly?" Elina rolled her eyes. "It's not like I'm asking you to fight him solo."
"I'm just stating the facts!" Yulusi stomped her foot, clearly angry. "Guildmaster Akira is only here as support—as a witness to this mission! How can you ask them to fight for your objective? If you don't want to use that drop of the Queen's Blood, then give it to me!"
"Alright, alright! I don't need you telling me how to do things." Elina waved her off impatiently. "I'll follow the original plan. It's just one drop of Queen's Blood—I don't care. It's just…"
She hesitated, as if something weighed on her mind—but before she could say it, she abruptly fell silent.
Akira frowned.
He knew exactly why. Whatever she wasn't saying—it had something to do with him. Elina was an extreme egoist; everything she did ultimately served her own interests.
"That's more like it! You're the heir to the throne—I don't want to serve a useless queen!" Yulusi jabbed a finger against Elina's armor, her dissatisfaction clear.
Elina, however, replied lazily, "Say whatever you like. I'm still the heir. That's a fact. I am the queen—and you… are the loser."
"Damn it!"
"Enough, both of you!"
Akira cut them off quickly, then pointed ahead. "What's that? Why is green liquid spraying out of the ground?"
Everyone turned to look.
Up ahead, a small mound of earth was spewing out green fluid like a spring, spreading outward like a flowing stream.
Yet strangely, the liquid didn't seem to go anywhere. The moment it touched the ground, it vanished—like it evaporated into nothing.
"…Looks like we've arrived. Rodra is in this area." Elina stepped forward, her silver-gray eyes—hidden beneath her helmet—fixed on the mound.
"Where?" Yulusi scanned the surroundings, alert.
"Idiot." Elina rolled her eyes again, then turned to Akira. "Get ready. I'll hold Rodra in place. Your job is to work with Yulusi and the others to intercept any undead reinforcements. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Then let's begin."
As her words fell, two silver longswords materialized in her hands, as though forged from meteoric ore, gleaming with starlight.
[Sword of Eulogy (Mythical): ???]
"Mythical-grade weapons…?"
Akira's eyes widened slightly.
And you still claim you're not a warrior?
Shaking off the thought, he turned to his companions. "Stay alert."
"Yes, Guildmaster."
The elf sisters tightened their grip on their staffs, scanning the surroundings warily.
Meanwhile, under Yulusi's command, tens of thousands of elves formed a defensive formation, prepared for any undead assault.
Elina, however, didn't attack immediately. Instead, she placed a finger lightly against her chest.
In the next instant—
Brilliant, multicolored light burst from her body. A powerful force surged from deep within her.
Akira kept his eyes on her status panel.
Her level skyrocketed—rising in an instant to 89.
Still far from a demigod… but something about her aura felt strange. Unfathomable.
"Ha…"
After gaining the power of the Queen's Blood, Elina exhaled a breath of shimmering, rainbow-tinted energy.
Then she raised her twin blades and slashed toward the mound.
Two arcs of silver light tore through the air and struck.
BOOM!
The hill shook violently as it was engulfed in the impact.
Yet—it remained intact.
Then, the mound began to tremble.
Four massive, pillar-like legs rose up, lifting the enormous body beneath.
A grotesque head emerged from where the green liquid had been spewing, glaring at Elina.
"Who dares disturb our slumber…?" it growled.
"…That's disgusting."
Akira shuddered.
"They say he became like this due to a blessing from the Goddess of Death," Elina said calmly, her radiant wings fluttering behind her. "Remember—his shell is immune to magic."
With that, she soared upward.
"Elves! You all deserve to die!"
"I will devour your flesh!"
"Your proud kingdom will fall!"
Rodra roared, his massive body shifting as green energy condensed into arrows, aiming at Elina in the air.
Elina simply raised her swords.
As magic flowed into them, the blades—originally just over a meter long—expanded into massive spectral extensions, stretching dozens of meters.
"Silence."
With a cold snort, she brought them down.
The silver blades struck Rodra's shell, leaving visible cracks.
At the same time, a rain of green arrows fell.
But none could pierce her armor. A faint silver glow surrounded her, repelling every attack.
"Immune to magic…"
Akira muttered, activating his half-dragon transformation.
He scanned the area—no undead reinforcements yet.
And the elves couldn't assist either. Rodra's shell nullified all magic. As long as he hid inside it, he was practically invincible.
His offense didn't seem overwhelming—just those green arrows, which couldn't even harm Elina.
Akira opened Rodra's panel.
[Rodra (Legendary)]Level: 93 (? / 93000)Race: UnknownStrength: ? / Agility: ? / Magic: ? / Constitution: ?Growth: 12
Trait: [Super Crystal Turtle] (Defeating this unit grants this ultra-rare additional trait!)
"…Huh?"
Akira frowned.
Who could even use that trait?
Still… ultra-rare.
Doesn't matter. Get it first—figure it out later.
But defeating Rodra…
Even with Elina's mythical blades, she had only managed to crack the shell slightly.
To win, they'd need to strike his core—the part inside the shell…
"Marle Rhine!"
Akira immediately turned to her, extending his hand.
She understood instantly.
"Understood, human. My power is yours to command."
Her small hand touched his palm.
In an instant, her body dissolved into crimson light, enveloping him completely.
A new set of scarlet dragon armor formed seamlessly over his body.
"Ha…"
White vapor hissed from between the scales.
His body had grown—now nearly five meters tall. His wings stretched just as wide, though still immature, capable only of brief flight.
The transformation stunned the surrounding elves.
"What is that?"
"A dragon?"
"A half-dragon?"
"A half-dragon in armor? That's incredible!"
"Wait—is that Lord Akira!?"
"He can turn into a dragon!?"
"…That's way too cool!"
Admiring gazes poured in.
After all, he had been personally recognized by their queen—he was practically one of them.
Meanwhile—
Ivsha clasped her cheeks, smiling dreamily. "Sir Akira got bigger again~"
"…?" Yulusi glanced at her, somehow instantly understanding what she meant.
"Lucia, Ivsha—buff me."
Akira spoke calmly.
This was a battle against a near-demigod. He would use every advantage.
"Understood."
Lucia raised her hand, chanting.
Golden patterns spread across his armor, boosting all attributes.
Ivsha followed, amplifying his combat power further.
Then—
Akira turned to Canlutia.
His gaze made her frown. "Brat, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because—"
Before he finished, he grabbed her.
She dangled in his grip like a doll.
"Put me down! What are you doing!?" she shouted.
"I need your blood."
"…My blood?"
She blinked.
Oh, how the tables had turned.
"But your mouth is sealed by your armor—how will you drink it?"
"Just let it drip onto my hand."
"…Fine." She sighed. "Seems you still can't resist my power~ I'll lend it to you—just this once."
She bit her finger, letting blood drip onto his armor.
The armor absorbed it instantly.
A crimson glow erupted around him. Blood mist coiled around his body.
Then he tossed her aside.
"Hey! Be gentle—!"
Before she could finish, he vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared atop Rodra's shell.
"Akira?"
Elina's brows furrowed. She couldn't understand what he was doing.
His guild was strong—but that didn't mean he himself was a frontline fighter.
Yet—
He raised his fist.
And struck.
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion rang out.
The shell caved in—a massive dent forming.
Green light leaked from within—like escaping energy.
"He… shattered it with one punch?"
Elina's eyes trembled.
Even with her blades, she hadn't achieved that.
One punch…?
Akira himself was surprised.
But then—
From within the shell, Rodra screamed in terror:
"You! Why do you possess divine life energy!? You are a threat to the Monarch! You must die!"
"…Divine life energy?"
Akira narrowed his eyes.
Then—
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Hehe~ Are you satisfied with my power, child?" It was Mira Orei.
"…How are you—?"
"The seal cracked a little when you bullied my cute little butt that day!" she huffed. "But thanks to that, I gained some insight~ I reinforced the seal—and improved my control over the Life Authority!"