Chapter 9 - Reinforcement

[Wolves never hunt alone.]

Rein ran into Sargaroth, towing his white sword in hand. Smirking at the battle cry of the desperate warrior, the dragon swung its tail forward, aiming to once again impale the fool's body. But Rein was able to evade its attack.

" You shall not be healed this time, human! "

Like a giant flaming saber, the dragon thrust, thrust, and thrust. Yet Rein had already gotten used to it, hence he doesn’t have the slightest of intention to make the same mistake for the second time. As they fight, Sargaroth's fiery tail evaporates the water that comes in contact with it, slowly building up steam thick enough to engulf quite a large area due to its enormous size.

Looking at this opportunity, Rein who had coated himself in mud use it as a cover. He sneaks behind the blinding vapor to strike a blow to the dragon. As he was about to jump, suddenly the dragon slams its tail to the ground, making Rein who has been caught off guard to lose his balance.

In that split of a second, the dragon flung its right front leg. Luckily Rein's reflect were able to fend off the claws with his sword and prevent it from hacking him dead. But even so, its immense power immediately sends Rein flying, striking through several trees until they fell down before finally stopped.

" You may hide from these eyes of mine... but not from my nose, even with all the filth that you smear onto your body... Yet, it was a commendable effort. "

Rein coughed blood, even when his body was already physically enhanced. It was at this moment when he realized that it's not necessary for the dragon to directly land its attack to kill him. Even just forcing Rein to block several of its attacks would be enough to gravely wound him.

" Lord Commander...! "

" Rein...! "

All of a sudden, Rein can hear some people shouting from afar. He turned his head around to find out that the one who shouted was his fellow party member. Out of thirty lads, only eleven remains, aside from Eris.

" Ludwig...! Everyone! "

They rush to his aid. Some were quick enough to already stand before him, trying to keep the dragon away in order to give the lord commander a chance to catch his breath and to be healed.

" Where's Ms. Lieutenant? "

" I send her away. "

" Huh...? "

" She's safe, that's all that matters. What we have to think about is how to deal with the dragon. "

Ludwig observes the dragon, only to strengthen his feeling of despair. After all, he had already seen what the dragon is capable of. The thunder, the fireball, the blue flame that creates rainfall. He saw all of this unbelievable power from afar when he was rushing to the last post.

As he was lamenting on the grim circumstances, Rein tapped on his shoulder.

" It's amazing how you all could survive. "

" Ah no, that dragon just somehow flew past us and only let out a single burst of flame... Those who made it out alive were the ones who were in charge of the ballista. Though I'm not sure why it did that. "

Rein is the only one who knew the reason why it went straight for him. Because Sargaroth was attracted to his smell, but of course that is not important for now. They have to quickly find an answer to deal with the mighty dragon, thus Rein devised a plan.

" Listen carefully, this would be our only chance. "

In the meantime, Sargaroth casually observes the meddling of the weaklings before him. Rather than killing them altogether, he waited instead. 'Come to me with your best effort' he thought to himself.

" Just when I started to feel bored of your weakness, now you've got more hands on your side. How exquisite! Let's begin the second round, shall we? "

After a brief moment, they set forth to carry out the plan. Eight of them withdrew, leaving only four of them behind. Sargaroth laughs out loud looking at this pathetic sight, for he thought that they have been betrayed by their own.

" What can the four of you hope to accomplish by your own pathetic selves? Alas, how foolish of me to expect retaliation from you, Laharlal Rein. "

The dragon feels disappointed and insulted. Its temper builds up as vexation starts to fill its heart. Yet this is exactly what Rein wanted.

Sargaroth took a deep breath. The scales on his throat and chest turn bright in white, before releasing a burst of white-purplish light. Due to its long charge, everyone was able to dodge, until suddenly one of the four who stands the closest to the bursting light, even though he seems to have successfully dodged it, were burned alive to death by its invisible-radiating heat.

" Welmont...! "

Rein screamed, but of course, only to change nothing. He then noticed how his leather vambraces are also starting to get burned despite he had jumped far enough, and also on how the blast created a hole through hills and trees.

He regrets underestimating Sargaroth, thinking that he has already seen everything the dragon is capable of.

" Worry not, for all of you shall join him soon. "

Sargaroth let out a roar, giving a sign of his anger. But the warriors did not falter, for they had enough of their share and already overcame their fear. Thus, they proceed to contest the dragon in close range, preventing it from letting out such a destructive burst for the second time. Like they had agreed beforehand, Rein will be the only one who is going for combat, whilst the rest are to support him with heals and empowering magics.

" Why did you do this!? There's not a single soul that was born with a sole purpose to sought destruction! "

" So, what if I am? "

Rein clashed in an even ground with Sargaroth thanks to the buffs which his men have provided. Deflects, rolls, and side steps. Rein must not get caught in a direct hit. Otherwise, he'll be sent flying for the second time like he did earlier. Had that happened, then it might be too late for him to get back on his feet before his friends are slaughtered.

" What is it that you want?! Power?! Glory?! At what cost?! The lives of the innocence?! "

" I wish but one thing...! The death of 'his' descendants and the destruction of all which 'he' cherished! "

Sargaroth swings its tail around, as long as Faelmir didn't hit any part of his body but the tip of his tail. Then no matter how many times it clatters with each other, it would not leave even a scratch. Until Rein finally backed off, trying to catch his breath.

" All those drops of blood were shed for such an absurd reason... Have you no heart, Sargaroth The Crimson? "

Sargaroth turns silent. The legendary black dragon stopped for a moment, and so is everyone. Amidst the time-stopped-like atmosphere, they all bear witness to the dragon's morphological transformation. Crimson flame-shaped veins appeared all over his body from his horn all the way to its tail.

Sargaroth is truly enraged.