Stalling for Time

Every time one my Big Metal Dragon's get destroyed, I feel a slight pain inside. Not because it actually hurts, but all my effort is just going down the drain. Between my own inspection skill and Lia's confirmation, the two taking down my Big Metal Dragon's are Legendary Masters. We didn't originally think they were a problem, but being this far in we can only adapt accordingly.

As expected, it doesn't take long for the two to destroy the final Big Metal Dragon. And now it's time for my grand entrance. Both the Legendary Masters and the main army has focused their attention on the fortress, and no one is watching the nearby cliffside. Stepping back a bit, I take a running start and jump from the cliff. While in air, I return to my true form and dive down, aiming for the land between the enemy forces and the fortress.

With a heavy slam, the ground trembles as I land. Much like the initial surprise they had when they first arrived, the soldiers look dumbfounded and confused over my arrival. The two who I quickly identify as Legendary Masters are just as quick to break the confusion amongst the army, bringing a semblance of order back.

Not wasting any time, I release my Freezing Flame Breath across the plains in front of me. I managed to sweep up several hundred with it as the battlefield is now covered in human statues of ice, but both the Legendary Masters remain unscathed.

"Where did this thing come from!" Flavius yells.

"It doesn't matter, but it's clearly assisting the enemy, regardless, this thing might be a little troublesome, I can't clearly see its status," says Nonus.

"Well I know that it's not a Tier 10 or legendary monster, so take this!"

With a loud shout, Flavius waves his hand as several swords composed of fire are left in its wake. And just a few seconds later, they come flying towards me at such a high speed that I can't react properly. But as they're swords composed entirely of fire I don't even need to react as I absorb them.

"What! Just what is this thing!?" Flavius shouts in surprise as he sees how useful his attack was.

"It's an Elemental Spirit Dragon, a Tier 8 monster, can't you read properly?" Nonus says mockingly.

"Screw off, of course, I can! You know that wasn't what I meant!"

Taking advantage of their argument I throw another Freezing Flame Breath towards them. Although I disrupt their little argument, I am still unable to hit them as they effortlessly dodge and quickly continue on with their argument. So in their eyes, I'm not really such a problem that they can afford to keep arguing with each other, then it's time turn it up a bit.

Just like when I fought the Liger, in addition to releasing an attack from my mouth, I send to more attacks out from my eyes, launching three waves of my Freezing Flame Breath towards them. In addition to catching the regular soldiers who have really done much, I manage to hit Flavius's leg. He tries to break the ice with his other leg, but instead, the flames spread causing both of Flavius's legs to freeze.

Seeing the chance, I aim three of my Shrapnel Breaths all aimed towards him. But Nonus intervenes as he brings a strong punch down on the ground, causing a slab from the earth to tilt up and block a good portion of my attack. Not making the same mistake as Flavius, Nonus pulls him free from the ice without touching the flames.

"Why haven't you gone up and attack yet? You really just gonna stand and watch?" Flavius asks.

"Pay close attention, if you look closely you can see that the ground beneath that Dragon shows signs of light corrosion. It's likely got a toxic touch so I can't recklessly hit it unless I want to get hit myself."

"Ever the cautious one, aren't you?"

"It's what kept me alive for so long so I don't intend to stop now. Can't you use anything other than fire?"

"No, stop being such a wuss and do something."

"Damn one tricks, I don't have enough information yet to act, so why don't you keep playing with the overgrown snake and let me learn from your mistakes."

Between their arguments, Flavius's inability to actually damage me, and Nonus's unwillingness to fight, I find that keeping them busy for a while was actually a lot easier than I initially thought. Soon enough thunder clouds begin to roll in as the earth trembles rhythmically. Seems like the cavalry has arrived.