“Levenbau’s squad is building a defensive formation on the front lines!”
Knights wearing golden armor were running around in a hurry.
“Grolsch and Hogaarden units are in the rear! If you see any signs of collapse in your formation, replace them immediately!”
They are the Golden Knights of the Perel Kingdom.
The Golden Knights are responsible for the defense of the royal capital.
The Golden Knights were led by deputy commander Kilkenny.
This is because the leader is with the royal guard and is not here.
“Keep the rescue team on standby! Those who are injured should come down immediately! Minimize the risk of losing lives!”
Kilkenny was also shouting.
I have a long relationship with this guy.
However, this is the first time I’ve seen him, who is usually easy-going, wear such a stern expression.
“Move quickly! It’s coming soon!”
The situation was dire.
News received from the fortified city on the front lines of the Demon Kingdom gave us early warning about the dragon.
A Dragon Knight rushed towards me out of breath and reported this.
“The black dragon of destruction appeared. The fortified city has been breached. The damage is severe.”
The bad news shook the royal capital.
The black dragon that suddenly appeared appears to be heading towards the royal capital.
Currently, the main force of the Holy Silver Knights is not in the capital.
Unfortunately, they were on the way to take over for the Iron knights, who had been defeated by the army of former Margrave Shahrion.
The Holy Silver Knights of the fortified city cannot be relied on either.
After the black dragon passed, a large army from the demon country began to invade.
It is said that the holy knights of the city have their hands full dealing with it.
“…The timing is too close.”
The Rise of Shahrion.
Appearance of the black dragon.
The march of the demon country.
It feels like something artificial, but I can only think about it after the impending crisis has passed.
“Captain Shimei! All members of the Royal Dragon Knights have been deployed!”
I nod solemnly at the subordinate who gave me the report.
“I understand. From now on, you will wait until I give my command.”
“Yes!”
The Royal Dragon Knights and the Golden Knights are working together to build a defense line on this plain in front of the royal capital.
Golden Knights, 5,000.
Royal Dragon Knights, 800.
A mixed force of 5,800 knights, cavalry dragons, and infantry was waiting to block the dragon.
This is the last line of defense.
If they break through, there will be no shield left to protect the capital…
“Hello, Shimei. Something terrible has happened…”
“……ah”
Kilkenny walked up to me.
“I never thought the ‘Black Dragon of Calamity’ would really appear.”
“…Is this the dragon tradition of the Holy Church?”
“Yes, that’s it. …If it was something like this, I should have listened more seriously to what the missionary had to say.”
However, just because you’ve heard the legend, it doesn’t mean that things will turn out that way.
Is he trying to relieve the tension with some light talk?
However, despite his light tone, sweat was rolling down Kilkenny’s cheeks.
“…But, Shimei.”
“what?”
“If the “Black Dragon of Calamity” really appeared. Won’t the “White Dragon of Salvation” also appear?”
White dragon….
The first thing that comes to mind is her.
Her carefree and dazzling smile touches my heart.
“…But we can’t rely on legends. We will protect the capital with our own hands.”
This guy probably also has something he wants to protect.
“…That’s right.”
What is Asahi doing now?
I can never lose my life in a place like this.
Someday again…….
That’s what I promised her.
–……hate. I hate the kingdom…! —
What’s that voice just now?
The surrounding knights were also in a commotion.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one who heard it.
“Hey, it’s the black dragon! The black dragon has appeared!!”
The black dragon appeared calmly.
It flies slowly, scattering destruction around it.
Tension runs through the knights.
The jet black dragon was clothed in darkness and light at the same time.
Stormy winds, cracks in the ground, scorching heat, freezing…
They come together harmoniously and cause the entire area to collapse.
“Defense line! Contact will be made soon!”
I keeps an eye on the dragon knights under my command.
Everyone in the group looked back at me with determined faces.
“…The Royal Dragon Knights are here! Brave dragon knights! Follow me!!”
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!”
Letting out a roar that shook the air, I led everyone and started charging towards the black dragon.
I launch an attack on the black dragon while dodging the huge hail flying around and tearing apart the oncoming raging fire with my sword.
But the blade I wielded was blocked by the thick black dragon scales, making it impossible for the impact to pass through its body.
The darkness that surrounds it protects it, and the dazzling light blinds the eyes.
“Damn…! You monster…!”
The height of the black dragon is about ten times that of a human.
The Golden Knights are also struggling on the ground, but they are forced to struggle against it’s overwhelming mass.
–Destruction…! Destruction to the kingdom…! —
The black dragon sent hellfire toward the flying dragon knights.
Although the dragon knights barely managed to avoid it, some of the target riders had their wings burned and crashed down.
“Archers! Magicians! All at once… let’s go!”
With Kilkenny’s command, arrows and magic were fired from the ground.
Although most of the magic was blocked by the storm before it could reach the black dragon, some of the magic landed on the black dragon, and the arrows stick out.
“Guruoooooooooooooo!!”
The dragon roars.
I don’t think they are dealing any effective damage, but thanks to the bravery of the knights, they are at least able to stop the dragon’s invasion.
“…Go! Keep pushing back like this!”
Raise your spirits and attack.
However, at that time, a change occurred in the black dragon.
It’s throat started to get red hot.
Something is coming!
“Evacuate! All members, evacuate!”
The knights on the ground also realized that something was wrong and began taking evasive action.
But it’s too late.
“Gruaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
A breath was released.
It lands on the ground.
There was a roaring sound, and the ground shook as if a major earthquake had occurred.
The cloud of dust that had risen was already clearing up.
“……what……?”
I look down from the sky.
From the point where the breath hit, the ground was cracked as if it had been gouged out.
The area that was directly hit has a large cave-in that looks like a crater.
The Golden Knights on the surface of the earth…was half destroyed.
“…What should I do…?”
A monster like this.
The petty human nature is no longer something that can be resisted.
“Wah….Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”
“Run! Run away!?”
Several soldiers suddenly turned their backs on the black dragon and started running.
Desperation is contagious.
A number of soldiers began to flee from the uncoordinated infantry and mercenary groups.
Next, the Golden Knights begin fleeing from the enemy.
The defensive line began to crumble.
“Wait! Wait! Stop!”
“Can you listen to such an order! It’s a life-threatening thing!”
Kilkenny is desperately trying to hold back the fleeing soldiers.
However, the avalanche of fugitives fleeing is unstoppable.
“Get out of the way! How can we fight against such a monster!”
The fugitives push others away and run away as fast as they can.
The collapse is unstoppable.
“…Guru…”
The black dragon started moving forward again.
There is nothing we can do about it, so we see it off.
But at that time…
–Someday. …Someday, again…
A clear voice, different from the Black Dragon’s voice I first heard, echoed in my chest.
I wonder what will happen when Asahi shows up.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
