Volume 5 Chapter 25 [Ratis SIDE] Whether Or Not I Can Become An Appetizer
Ratis's team challenging the Ferl, Jeweled Ice Sea Domain.
Ratis is the leader, and his vice-captain is an officer who shares his opinions.
The team has ten soldiers: five on each side to row the boat and three skilled archers for long-range attacks.
In total, there are 15 people. Their goal is to clear the dungeon.
All dungeons in this world have a hundred-layer structure, so the journey is long.
Supplies and personnel must be of high quality and in large quantities.
Despite what the HR department thought, Ratis was chosen as the leader. The team was formed to cross the sea, defeat the last boss before Horace, and obtain fragments.
"Hmmm... there's almost no gap in your stance. Well, since you're dealing with a dragon, you can't compromise. Your weapons are also top-quality, crafted over many years."
Zethar nods, convinced, as he looks at the 15 people. Their weapons were each crafted over more than ten years.
Ratis's 'magic sword' is an exception since it was found, not made by a blacksmith. But the vice-captain's weapon was crafted over half a century.
Some blacksmiths dedicated their lives to creating it.
Zethar recognizes their conviction.
"Yes! That's right! If you're a dragon, we won't lose!"
"...A thousand years ago, I was sealed by the Order of the Sealed Dragon. No mistake. But... I wasn't as weak as someone like you."
Zethar didn't say 'like you guys.'
"What do you mean weak! Listen, I'm recognized by the upper echelons of the Order of the Sealed Dragon──"
"Do you think you can win just because the old folks like you?"
"Ugh! Shut up!"
"Don't yell just because of this level of provocation. Speak with your sword, not your mouth. I am a monster."
Zethar steps forward.
Ratis takes a step back.
The vice-captain sighs upon seeing that.
"Haa... Really, it's tiresome."
He, the vice-captain, draws his sword and steps forward.
"...Hmm, are you going to do it?"
"Whether someone does it or not doesn't matter. I want to know your intentions."
"Ha! Haven't you heard anything from Hysteribaba? What's your name?"
"...A soldier of the Order of the Sealed Dragon, Rix."
"I see. Rix... Your yellow-green hair. Someone with similar hair existed a thousand years ago. Have you heard about that?"
"A thousand years ago, my ancestor's name was Zulane."
"Ah... That's right. I'm starting to remember. Something like 'the hidden sword of the Glasha family'... Is that your destiny even now, as a vice-captain?"
"Regardless of destiny, as a soldier of the Order of the Sealed Dragon, fleeing is unthinkable."
"Regardless of destiny... that glasses kid said the same thing. Ugh!"
In the next moment, Rix quickly approaches Zethar and swings his sword down.
Zethar evades to the side with minimal movement.
Rix, ignoring that he was avoided, continues to swing his sword.
Zethar wraps his arms with magic power and intercepts the swords one after another.
Each clash echoes, but neither Rix nor Zethar pays attention.
"Nice swordsmanship."
"I'm not happy even if it's praised."
"I suppose. But if you want me to get anxious, try your best."
Zethar launches a straight punch at Rix.
Rix parries with his sword but is blown backward by the shock.
"Guh, Oh..."
While flying back, Rix snaps his left-hand fingers.
"Hmm?"
Zethar tilts his head... Ten swordsmen suddenly attack simultaneously.
"What? ...Oh, I see."
While handling the coordinated attack, Zethar crushes a lump of magic power with the sealing spell of one swordsman approaching from behind.
"No way..."
"Rest assured. If it hits, it's a valid strike. If it hits, that is."
Zethar grins slyly.
Rix's swordsmanship guards with magic power wrapped around his arm. The only effective attack against Zethar is likely the 'Dragon Seal Technique' refined by the Order of the Sealed Dragon.
No matter how many gather around, there's a rank difference that allows him to withstand them all.
In a 'cooperative attack,' it's natural to embed the sealing technique. Zethar only needs to pay attention to that, which isn't a problem.
"But it was good. I didn't know who was planning to use the sealing technique until it was used. About a thousand years ago, I almost knew from the beginning. Things have become more vivid."
Zethar smiles happily.
Rix and the others keep launching coordinated attacks.
For now, Zethar's fighting style is solely physical, with no special traits.
In other words, if he gets hit even once, it could be fatal.
They emphasize mixing effective sealing techniques into attacks to force a response and prevent Zethar from taking turns.
"Nice, nice. Against the 'Four Source Maidens' Keystone Dragon' itself..."
Zethar chuckles.
"Because that means you've grown enough to become an opponent for play."
In the next moment, Zethar releases all his magic power at once.
It turns into blast waves that blow away the surrounding warriors.
They roll over and groan. Some humans are hit badly.
"Ugh, my magic power isn't stable. Ah, with such sloppy attacks..."
"Unfortunately, just by doing this, your magic power gets greatly disturbed. Humans trying to match dragons by body strengthening with magic power is one thing, but dragons only need to scatter 'chaotic magic power.'"
"Th-this kind of thing..."
"Well, if you don't understand what magic power is or what body strengthening is, then it's a tactic you can't use. There's a shortage of personnel, but at least you've got the minimum, so I'm satisfied."
Though the Order of the Sealed Dragon acted as enemies using sealing techniques, Zethar didn't have any particular feelings towards them.
Right now, the man crossing the sea on a pirate ship concerned him.
"Well then... Ratis, I'll be taking that sword."
"Wha..."
Zethar points to the 'magic sword Duran' that the Order of the Sealed Dragon had possessed for a thousand years, leaving Ratis speechless.
"To put it simply, you can't master it."
"I-I am the strongest swordsman of the Order of the Sealed Dragon! I will never hand it over!"
"Ah, that's unfortunate..."
In the next moment, Zethar closes in on Ratis and strikes him with a punch.
"Gah..."
While Ratis writhes in pain, Zethar swiftly retrieves the magic sword.
"Gah, g-give it back..."
Ratis, collapsed on the ground, howls while holding his head. Zethar has already lost interest in him.
"If you want it back, try taking it. Well, if a little magic power can make you crawl on the ground, you're not even worth fighting."
After collecting the sheath and sheathing the sword, Zethar looks toward the sea.
"...Huh? Little Natsume has already gone home. I left her out of the loop too much... Oh well."
Originally, Natsume, who was number 2 in the Luster Report workshop team, had interfered during their dispute. But after leaving her too long, she had already gone home.
"Hmm... Oh well. For now, I suppose I should go deliver this sword."
As he muttered, magic power enveloped Zethar's body. When it covered him entirely, making him invisible, the magic power grew...
"Well then, let's go."
Transforming into Hoardspirit Dragon Zeth Halcon, his body flew through the sky.
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