Using Richard’s Wyvern, we head straight for our destination. By the way, regarding him—

Ruon and the others will probably settle things in about a day, no matter how far they lead, right? So, I’ll wait in the nearest town.

Are you sure?

Even if Nefmeiza reverses time, there’s information they know and information they don’t. They probably won’t scrutinize me that much, so I’ll be fine if I stay hidden.

…Well, Richard is probably right here.

Just in case, I’ll keep a Familiar nearby so we can contact each other. If anything happens, let me know.

Alright.

Be careful.

Sofia says. As Richard replied, “Of course,” we finally approached our destination.

Ruon, where should I drop you off?

Near the foot of the mountain is fine. Also, according to the Marquis’s information, there’s no talk of Knights moving to the Mountain Range yet, so there’s no need to be wary of enemies.

There are no anomalies when searching the surroundings with Familiars, so this place should be fine. The remaining problem is the rampaging Dragonkin.

Even if only a weapon containing a Dragon Demon Stone is effective, we have that now. Furthermore, Sofia can even use her Trump Card. No matter how strong they are, they probably aren’t Demon King or Vassal class—

“Hmm, the magic power is stirring,”

Garuku said. It seems their destination is near.

Soon, the Wyvern landed. I dismounted, looking around. It was the border between the forest and the mountains, and the ground was gravel.

“Mr. Ruon, what about the pick-up?”

“The nearest town isn’t far. Once we get the Dragon Demon Stone, we’ll head there.”

“Understood. I wish you good fortune.”

The Wyvern flew away. After watching it go, I said to Sofia,

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

With a strong reply, we started walking towards the mountains. Immediately after, I manifested Resveil. I tried to use magic analysis to find the berserk Dragonkin, but

“I… I feel the magic power.”

“Yes.”

Before Resveil could even begin its investigation, I had already detected the magic power… or rather, it’s more accurate to say I sensed the Dragonkin’s presence from the foothills.

This probably means the opponent has no intention of hiding their presence. In addition, by emitting magic power, they might be trying to keep people away… something like that.

“It’s good that I can finish off the opponent with one merciless blow once I find them, but…”

I recalled the information Exon had given me. I had a rough idea of where the Dragon Demon Stone was, but it wasn’t confirmed.

This means there’s a possibility that if we carelessly defeat the Dragonkin, we might not know where the Dragon Demon Stone is.

“The enemy side’s knight who is heading this way, though…”

Sofia suddenly began to speak.

“Do they have a chance of winning?”

“You fought an Angel at the ancient ruins before, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“The knight who was there was instantly killed, unable to withstand the Angel’s attack… I think this berserk Dragonkin is probably weaker than an Angel, and since it’s spreading this much magic power, we can also investigate it. So, they must have some counter-strategy.”

…Well, this is assuming the Knights are seriously intending to fight the Dragonkin. Even if a Knight is moving this time, there’s little sign that Nefmeiza is seriously trying to obtain the Dragon Demon Stone from the Dragonkin. This place also has troublesome obstacles, so perhaps leaving it alone was the correct choice. Or perhaps—

“Besides, there’s also the possibility of getting it without a fight.”

“I see, just snatching the Dragon Demon Stone.”

“In any case, we absolutely want to avoid it being taken by the Imperial Side, but—”

Just as I was about to say that, I heard a sound—or rather, something like a sound. I say “like” because, to be honest, it was difficult to describe it as a voice. It was like a crow’s cry, but at a much higher pitch.

“If we encounter them and have to fight, what will we do?”

“Based on the Marquis’s story, the problematic Dragonkin is using the power of the Dragon Magic Stone. If it had been absorbing power for twenty years, even the Dragon Demon Stone would be gone without a trace, so in this case, it’s probably that its body is activated by the influence of the Dragon Demon Stone, or something similar. Anyway, if it gets injured, it should return to gain that power.”

“First, we’ll injure it, then.”

As I nodded, there was another sound. Closer than before.

“It seems we’ll be in a fight sooner than I thought.”

Since we were approaching, the opponent seemed to be responding and moving. If we advanced any further, the opponent would surely come towards us.

For a moment, only the sound of crunching sand echoed around. I had my sword ready for whenever it might come, but as the presence gradually drew closer, my grip on the sword tightened.

How to face it, how to respond… Considering my abilities, one might conclude that there’s no need to think deeply, but the sticky presence emanating from the mountain… this somehow makes me uneasy.

At that moment, something strange entered my vision. A person… no, a little different—

“Is that it?”

Sofia said. What entered our sight was undoubtedly human-shaped.

However, its appearance was clearly not human. Its entire body was covered in disturbingly green scales, a monstrous sight that brought to mind a bad horror movie.

What covered its entire body was tattered armor… although, I didn’t think it could possibly function. It held nothing in its hands, but the claws extending from its fingers were as long as a finger and sharp enough to pierce a heart.

An unusual Wind body. In addition, the Magic Power felt is also unusual.

“Since I’ve fought the Demon King, I’m used to seeing beings called Monstrosities, but…”

I spoke to the Dragonkin in front of me.

“Even so, its presence is strange.”

A roar rose. It was clear that reason was gone, and it was moving purely on instinct. If such a being occupied a mountain, the only option would be to stay away.

“What should we do?”

Sofia asked. I regripped my sword and said,

“I’ll go first. Sofia, please use Magic to wound it.”

“Understood.”

“Are you alright with the Magic Convergence method when using Magic?”

“I’ve tested it somewhat along the way, so there’s no problem.”

“Then, I’m counting on you.”

At the same time as my words, the Dragonkin moved. Its action appeared to be a single step forward.

In an instant, I put strength into both arms. The next moment, the Dragonkin moved as if disappearing and appeared right in front of me.

“Did its physical abilities improve drastically?”

Its claws were raised. Was it aiming for my chest?

Sword and claws clashed. I heard a sound like metal striking, and realized the claws’ hardness was considerable.

I wanted to avoid Sofia, who was behind me, being targeted. I needed to be vigilant, so I focused all my attention on the enemy in front of me.

It’s coming—immediately after I made that judgment, the Dragonkin moved again. A sweeping attack with its right hand. I instantly deflected it with my sword, and then deflected the left claw that followed.

For a brief moment, sword and claws danced wildly, making a deafening roar. An exchange of blows at a speed that even Imperial Side Knights might find difficult to perceive. But I could respond. And Sofia, behind me, could grasp it—!

“Oh, great lightning!”

Immediately after, Sofia’s Magic activated. The moment I felt the Magic Power, I tilted my body.

Based on the incantation, she used Lightning, an Intermediate Magic of the lightning attribute. A flash shot from behind me and struck the Dragonkin squarely.

Immediately, a scream-like sound burst from the Dragonkin’s mouth. The volume made me want to cover my ears, but I endured and stepped forward to pursue.

However, the Dragonkin moved first. It retreated quickly, creating distance. Perhaps the Magic had more effect than expected, or it was wary of us.

Then, it disappeared from sight. Simply put, it was a retreat due to injury, but if it had enough reason left to act, it could be a trap.

Still, letting it escape here would be bad.

“Let’s pursue it.”

“Yes.”

Along with Sofia’s reply, we began to chase the Dragonkin.