“Hmm?”

The Exon Dragon reacted. It stared at me and asked,

“You’re still here? Shouldn’t you run away quickly?”

“Since I’ve witnessed this situation, I can’t really run away.”

At my words, the Dragon looked at me with interest.

“You’re an interesting Human. And you don’t fear me.”

“Your Dragon Magic Stone Power is a threat, and because of that power, I can’t defeat you right now.”

After stating that, I scratched my head.

“So, you’re troublesome… but there’s a reason I’m not afraid.”

“What is it?”

The atmosphere was as if it would listen to my last words before I died. To such an opponent, I said,

“–Because I’m stronger than you.”

Light Magic “Durandal” — activated.

The Light Sword, formed in an instant, powerfully slashed the Dragon’s torso. Even Exon was taken aback and couldn’t defend at all.

“Gaah–!?”

Simultaneously with its groan, I swung with immense power due to Body Enhancement. My physical strength lifted the Dragon’s massive body and blew it away in the opposite direction from the Town.

With a grand sound, as if a cannonball had landed, the Dragon fell onto the Highway. It can regenerate endlessly, but being blown away like that will surely require time to recover.

“W-who are you?”

Abel said. He seemed surprised by the act of slashing its torso and blowing it away.

“–About that attack just now.”

But instead of answering, I asked a question in return.

“Can you imbue it with enough power to defeat that Dragon… one more time?”

Abel didn’t answer. He seemed taken aback by the sudden question.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should urge him for a reply… but eventually, he opened his mouth.

“…It will take time, but I think it’s possible. If I do it more carefully than before–“

“Then prepare for that. I’ll buy us time.”

“Time…?”

“We don’t possess a Weapon Vessel containing a Dragon Demon Stone, so we can’t defeat it. We can’t borrow one due to Magical Compatibility, so there’s nothing we can do about that. However, I have enough skill to buy time by blowing it away like I just did.”

Abel had an expression of disbelief–but perhaps remembering how I had calmly blown it away with a Light Sword earlier, he eventually nodded.

“…What’s your name?”

“Ruon Madin. Ruon is fine.”

“Mr. Ruon, I’m Abel Fontias… please.”

“Yeah.”

Simultaneously with my reply, the Dragon, having regained its posture, let out a threatening roar. In response, I spoke with a cold demeanor.

“Just so you know, I deliberately lowered the power to blow it away. If I got serious, I would have bisected its torso.”

“…You’re quite confident, aren’t you?”

Exon said–with a chilling voice.

“That last blow, it seems you’re no ordinary person–“

“Explaining the situation is a hassle, so I’ll pass.”

“Hmph… well, fine. Either way, you’re an obstacle I must defeat, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

As I nodded, the Dragon gave me a scrutinizing look. A moment ago, it had been considerably angry, but suddenly the atmosphere relaxed.

“Nevertheless, that power is appealing. Why don’t you use it for the Empire?”

“Are you trying to recruit me? Sorry, but I’d rather not work for an entity that oppresses its people.”

At my words, the Dragon suddenly burst out laughing.

“You are interesting Humans.”

“Oh really?”

“At least, I’ve never seen Humans act like that in front of me before.”

“More like, it’s your first time meeting someone who can blow themselves up, right?”

In response to my question, Exon stared at me.

“Indeed… You mentioned earlier that you don’t have a Dragon Magic Stone Weapon. So you didn’t intend to win from the start, did you?”

“Those behind me will do their best.”

“Do you think I’ll let them?”

“Do you think you can get past me?”

I raised my Light Sword. The Dragon then let out an even louder roar.

At the same time, it closed the distance to me in one step. A tackle launched to wreak havoc. A terrifying attack that could easily blow away a Town — however,

I swung my Light Sword. That single blow once again struck the Dragon’s abdomen, pushing it back in an instant.

“Ugh—!!”

Exon groaned. However, it didn’t result in a clumsy fall. It braced itself with its feet, regained its posture, and tried to counterattack.

I pressed the attack. I temporarily deactivated “Durandal,” and the “Holy Lance” I unleashed immediately afterward struck its abdomen again.

Gooah—Immediately after a heavy sound entered my ears, the gigantic body was easily sent flying. The Dragon retreated significantly and once again collapsed.

“…Amazing.”

Someone’s voice came from behind. I ignored it and muttered to myself.

“Even Intermediate Magic is enough to deal with it… The Marquis is certainly strong, but not on the same level as the Demon King in terms of power, huh?”

It doesn’t have that much strength… Eventually, the Dragon got up. The Marquis hasn’t even been able to attack yet, but—

“Excellent.”

Still confident. I mentioned earlier that it wouldn’t change its expression even when in a desperate situation; perhaps it’s putting that into practice.

However, it’s entirely possible for it to bypass me and target Abel and the others behind me. I need to stay vigilant.

“…Then, next—”

The moment I made my plan, the Dragon moved. Another charge—is this a sign that it won’t use Indirect Tactics in this case?

Its front right paw, or rather, the part that could be called its right arm, was raised. At its tip were sharp claws… housing a faint light.

“—This is the end.”

A full-power blow. It was a very simple attack, with Magic Power condensed to its limit.

It swung down. The claws were so sharp that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them blades. If those in the back were to take a direct hit, even Abel wouldn’t escape unharmed. It could even be instant death.

But for me, it’s not much of a problem.

To counter, I drew the sword at my waist. The blade, enhanced by Magic Power, closed in on the Dragon,

It happened in an instant. I easily deflected the deadly claw and, with a single flash,

I severed the Dragon’s right arm from the elbow down.

“—Aaaargh!?”

Simultaneously with its cry, a follow-up attack. I unleashed a slash that scooped up from the ground, and from the tip of my sword, I conjured a Wind Blade.

It struck the Dragon head-on, and a bursting sound echoed, causing it to flinch greatly.

“…Can it withstand this?”

In an instant, I unleashed my Magic Power. A power no less inferior to the overwhelming and dense presence constructed by Abel and the others emanated from me.

Even Exon, who had shown confidence against Abel and the others, seemed astonished by my Magic.

“Why do you possess such power?”

The words the Dragon uttered were simply a question as to why mere Humans possessed such immense power. Well, I can understand why the questions would pile up. First of all, they had enthusiastically joined the fight to crush the Rebel Organization, only to find an incredible opponent awaiting them. It was natural for them to be confused.

However, I had no intention of explaining, nor did I have any intention of showing mercy.

Magic Power gradually converged, and then a bursting sound was heard. A golden, shining Lightning Flash appeared before my eyes.

This is the lightning attribute Supreme Magic, “Thor’s Hammer.” It’s a magic that strikes the opponent with a golden Lightning Strike.

I unleashed the magic at the Dragon without mercy. The moment Exon, unable to dodge, was hit by the Lightning Strike, a deafening roar was heard simultaneously with a bursting sound.

For a moment, my vision was stained by the Lightning Flash. Furthermore, what could be called a pillar of light appeared, extending skyward from the center of where the Dragon stood. It was a sight that could even evoke emotion, like a ray of light from the heavens illuminating a world plunged into despair.

And then the magic began to fade… I focused on the spot where the Dragon had been standing.

What I eventually saw was a tattered Dragon with a missing arm and a scorched body.

“What… is that power?”

He spoke. I gave a small shrug.

“Sorry, but I can’t answer that.”

Immediately after those words, Magic Power erupted from the Dragon. Finally, the power of the “Dragon Life Stone” activated, and regeneration began.