Hmph!
The glacial wall shattered after blocking the flame breath for but a moment. On one hand, Frieren hadn't used much magic;
on the other, red lightning had struck the glacier, causing it to collapse with startling speed.
"Does the lightning of Jagged Peak react to large-scale magic?"
She glanced toward the summit. A faint, almost imperceptible psychic force emanated from it, yet it could not escape her keen senses.
It was Bayle the Dread's welcoming ceremony.
A cage? No, this mountain had long been forged into submission by power. A single thought could summon rolling thunder,
without it even needing to act personally. The environment itself responded to its will. While directly harming a Demigod-level powerhouse would be difficult, causing
trouble was easy.
Melina and the Mimic Tear, having noticed this as well, flanked her protectively, ready to intercept any long-range attack at a moment's notice.
"Control your output and conserve your magic. There's an Ancient Dragon up there."
At this range, Frieren could now sense it:
Senessax.
—The same traitor Florisaxx had spoken of, who betrayed the Ancient Dragons to side with Bayle the Dread. It was observing the battlefield,
waiting for the two drakes to wear down their opponent as much as possible. To face a full-strength enemy outnumbered would be far too arrogant.
The Ancient Dragon's low, angry roar brought the drakes back to their senses. The two sides, which had been fighting fiercely, turned to face their new target.
The trio stood on high alert.
The terrain was not to their advantage. They had expected to find a wide, open area, but the two massive creatures crowded the
limited space, forcing them to consider the risk of falling even as they fought.
"Hahahaha, yes, this is how it should be! Let the battle begin! The dragon hunt starts now!"
Igon, utterly heedless of the danger, gave the others an inviting glance before charging forward. Even his weary body
could not shake his imposing spirit.
"ROAR!"
The two drakes answered him with the full force of their breath.
It was an attack that included everyone present. The flames erupted in the narrow area, instantly achieving full coverage as scorching heat washed over them.
The more agile Mimic Tear and Melina dodged with a flash of movement, but Frieren, the main attacker, would not evade. She immediately met the assault with an even larger
Zamor Ice Storm. Lightning and fire-based attributes were easily disrupted by the enemy's home-field advantage on Jagged Peak, so she simply
switched to another element. She had plenty of magic.
A clash of ice and fire.
On one side was extreme heat and pressure capable of melting rock; on the other, the arctic conditions of a polar ice field.
The two elements, meeting at point-blank range, turned to steam, billowing upwards and drawing lightning strikes that left the ground charred
and crystallized.
The greatest difference was that the drakes' breath was a burst attack, whereas the ice storm would only
grow stronger with Frieren's continuous infusion. Gradually, the frigid torrent overwhelmed the inferno, reshaping the environment along with it:
Grass and trees froze over, their sparse leaves withering, and the earth was cloaked in a layer of bluish-white.
The crystalline ice, translucent and gleaming, reflected the light of the thunderbolts. It stood firm against the fierce winds and high temperatures, causing both drakes to
shudder and retreat a few steps.
Why?
Their enemy was somehow overpowering their home-field advantage, suppressing the environmental damage along with their own.
Just how much magic was she using?
In truth, even Igon was clicking his tongue in wonder. Such a spectacle was enough to capture the full attention of one immersed in the art of dragon hunting.
When had he arrived in the northern snowfields? It was a vast expanse of white. To amass pure elemental power to such a degree
represented an immense output, which, in other words, was also the perfect setup for an attack—
The Mimic Tear's Shard Spiral struck the two behemoths.
As expected, they cried out in pain and retreated, blood splattering and freezing into red icicles upon the ground. The Matriarch was
right; large targets should be dealt with using multi-hit magic like this. The drakes, having taken the full brunt, naturally staggered.
At the same time, golden flames and the ice storm spread in unison.
This time, Melina and Frieren coordinated their elemental assault. The extreme temperature difference struck the two
drakes hard, and the one in front stumbled and nearly collapsed.
The drake behind it, seeing the dire situation, immediately beat its wings to take flight, but it could not escape Igon's arrow!
A streak of light!
An arrow capable of piercing dragon scales shot from his hand, tracing a beautiful parabola through the air to strike precisely at the joint
connecting the wing to the shoulder blade—a testament to his masterful archery.
Perfect timing, precise aim, and formidable power, all combined into one.
"Let them be utterly destroyed."
The drake struck by the arrow fell with a cry, crashing to the ground with a thud that carved out a deep pit. But
it did not surrender, instead rolling behind its companion to avoid a follow-up attack.
This proved to be the right move. Almost simultaneously, the Mimic Tear's pursuing spell exploded on the spot where it had been, and the whiffed magic made her click her tongue.
The drakes of Jagged Peak were indeed more troublesome than those in the outside world.
Unlike the typically witless drakes, these possessed combat skills. They understood how to assess a situation and how to seek advantage while avoiding harm.
No wonder they had become overlords of this region; they had their merits.
The other drake was not so lucky, becoming the perfect target for Frieren and Melina.
BOOM!
Another repeated explosion of ice and fire slammed into its body, causing the scales on its chest to peel away and shatter layer by layer. It could not,
after all, withstand such a violent change of state.
On the brink of death, it was time for a final, desperate struggle.
Both drakes stood erect simultaneously, gathering power. Flames rose from their bellies, turning their chests crimson before flowing into their throats.
The moment they opened their cavernous maws, the inferno erupted uncontrollably. The energy of immense heat and pressure burst forth, their
sustained breath becoming a brushstroke that erased everything in its path.
They ignored the spells striking their bodies, focusing solely on unleashing their magic.
Casting aside all thought of life and death, only the desire for destruction remained.
Their first target was Igon, who had drawn the most aggro. Gritting his teeth, the latter prepared for death as he drew his bow.
"I will give you the final blow—"
A perfectly timed gust of wind deflected the breath's original path, causing it to sweep past him. Following the flow of magic, he saw that it was,
of course, the silver-haired girl. Her other hand wielded gravity magic to block the second stream of breath.
"My thanks."
"Don't mention it. You all stand back. This next move is going to be a bit loud."
As her voice fell, Frieren reached out a hand. The stone fragments shattered by the battle's aftershocks rapidly reassembled, compressed, and were reinforced
into a giant boulder.
Even the dragons' breath could not move it an inch.
The well-tempered rock of Jagged Peak was the best material. The locally sourced boulder lived up to expectations, blocking the dual
streams of breath. Although Melina and the Mimic Tear could feel the scorching sensation of the flames on their skin, they knew the end was near.
Just as expected, Frieren suddenly increased her magic power output, propelling the boulder forward with a deafening rumble, threatening to crush everything in its path.
Trouble!
The two drakes immediately realized something was wrong. Was it going to crush them to death? In their panic, they likewise intensified their
flame jets. The heat, enough to melt a small hill, crashed directly against the boulder, yet it remained unmoved.
The gravity magic enveloping it became a defensive barrier, tearing the flames apart as it closed in on its prey.
The absolute power wielded by Frieren was not something the drakes could withstand.
No matter how they tried to strengthen their breath, they could only watch as the giant boulder rolled closer, bit by bit. They couldn't even attempt to take
flight; at some point, the ground had frozen, trapping their feet and preventing movement.
It was less a resistance and more a confinement, forcing them into a contest of strength.
However, the boulder, larger than both drakes combined, moved faster and faster, easily crossing the distance with the aid of gravity magic—
CRUNCH!
The boulder first made contact with a drake's head, instantly smashing it into a bloody, unrecognizable pulp. The first drake, struck in a vital spot,
perished instantly. But it wasn't over. The massive stone rolled swiftly over the fallen body, crushing its neck, spine,
and wings in a single motion.
The second drake stopped its breath and began to struggle.
It knew fire was useless, so it poured all its strength into breaking free from the ice. Yet, despite rocking back and forth, it remained firmly
stuck. The ice was far stronger than it had imagined.
There was no time to hesitate.
With a savage resolve, the drake forced itself into the air, tearing its own legs, leaving a trail of blood, flesh, and sinew.
In the nick of time, it successfully took flight. As expected, the giant stone missed, sweeping past beneath it. The wind it stirred
made the drake's heart clench. No matter, it had escaped disaster. It was time to leave.
Hm?
Suddenly, as if gaining a new elasticity, the boulder leaped from the ground, soaring high into the air.
The last thing the drake's consciousness registered was the rapidly enlarging boulder, and then everything went black. The once-mighty regional overlord
was smashed to pieces, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom. From beginning to end, it had failed to inflict even a single scratch on Frieren.
With that, the entire path was cleared, finally revealing the open expanse that this mountaintop clearing was meant to be.
Obtained [Dragon Heart] and [Flesh of Reversed Scale].
Materials instead of a weapon? For Frieren, this was barely worth a glance. It would be more cost-effective to give them to the southern
army later.
"Master Igon, we meet again. You fought quite well just now."
"—Have you witnessed it? This is a Dragon Warrior!" After his excited roar, he muttered, "I remember
it now, the days when I, Igon, feared nothing in heaven or on earth."
She was used to his eccentric air; at least he could communicate normally.
After his shout, Igon collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Although he had been aided by the blessing of Sun Healing, the pain
and exhaustion had not vanished. He was, in the end, tired.
Like a candle in the wind.
The power of the dragon was also a form of corrosive transformation that had seeped into his very marrow, which was why he gave off such a strange, unsettling aura.
But to each their own path. As long as one makes a choice they don't regret, it is enough.
Suddenly, Igon raised his hand and pleaded, "Lady Frieren, hear this old man's wish. Please, take my
finger. When you reach the very summit of Jagged Peak and face Bayle the Dread, summon my spirit."
"Even with crippled limbs, my heart twice corroded by fear, I am still a Dragon Warrior. My soul is still
on that mountain."
After the silver-haired girl took the severed finger, he fell to the ground without a sound, his state of life or death unknown. However, in The Lands Between,
as long as one's will remains, one has not truly vanished. The proof was the summon sign in her hand.
The soul shone brightly.
His body had long reached its limit, but his journey would not end so easily. His long-held wish had to be fulfilled.
Frieren answered with solemnity, "I will surely bring it with me. Rest assured."
A soul fell into tranquility, but this was for a more brilliant eruption. When the time comes to face Bayle the Dread,
Igon will certainly fulfill his promise. She looked forward to that final battle.
His resolve was unique, even in The Lands Between.
Melina went forward to check on him, then clasped her hands in prayer. Though their acquaintance was brief, they had fought together.
It was a farewell for a comrade-in-arms.
"Let's rest a bit."
Hearing Frieren's suggestion, the Mimic Tear yawned and leaned lazily against a large rock to enjoy the view.
Meanwhile, she was examining her newly acquired materials. They were about what she expected. The key lay in the advice related to Igon:
[So it's a Lands Between mechanic, my mistake, my mistake.]
[If you're worried your skills aren't good enough to win, do Igon's sidequest. Of course, it's pretty hard to miss anyway. It's a huge help for the
summit fight. Otherwise, melee builds can't do a thing, it's torture, a total marathon.]
[I hate you monsters who love marathons! Can't a greatsword bro play anymore?!]
[Prepare a ranged option in advance.]
[Actually, with Igon's support, it's pretty much fine, just focus on dodging. But it does drag the fight out, and the longer it goes, the lower your margin for error...
Ah, whatever. I'm too lazy to think about how to do it with melee, I'll just use magic to save myself the headache.]
[This reminds me of that man, Hawkeye Gough of Gwyn, Lord of Cinder's Four Knights. He shot down the Calamity
Dragon Kalameet with a single arrow.]
[It was pitch black back then. I know it was epic, but I couldn't feel the epicness at all.]
[Here comes the HD version.]
[You're supposed to use ranged against dragons. And it's a huge target. Didn't Miyazaki prepare a perfect target for me? Just you wait,
dealing with a mere mad dragon like you will be a piece of cake. Be right back...]
[Bayle: Don't underestimate me, you mere Tarnished.]
[It's all special effects, such a grand scene, I'm so hyped! I'm taking you down with a bow today!]
[It's a tribute to the Four Knights of Gwyn, for sure.]
...Frieren didn't read any more of the messages. As long as she could confirm that Igon's wish could be fulfilled, that was enough. As for whether summoning him
would make Bayle stronger? It didn't matter.
The battle with the mad dragon would also offer a glimpse into the Dragonlord's power, allowing her to understand Placidusax's strength
from a different angle. Sooner or later, she would have to go to the Sky City to fight him. This could be considered an advance look. The new king should defeat the old king to take the throne; this
is in keeping with the traditions of The Lands Between.
In her view, these opponents were of the highest priority, even ranking above the Lords of Cinder who had also arrived beyond the fog.
Opponents she had already fought and defeated held no more novelty.
"Let's go."
The silver-haired girl carefully stored the Dragon Heart, then beckoned. Her two companions fell in behind her once more, poised and ready. A rest of
this length was more than sufficient.
They were extremely wary of the mad dragon's home ground.
It had already summoned lightning to interfere with the battle earlier; it certainly wouldn't be idle now. The enemy was always watching, like a tiger stalking its prey. If they didn't
deal with it this time, it might even take the initiative to attack. They had to resolve this as quickly as possible.
The two great thorns in the side of the eastern Land of Shadow—the Frenzied Flame and the mad dragon—must both be eradicated.
Torrent was summoned once more. It looked around and saw the devastation, with only dragon's blood remaining. A great battle had clearly
taken place, but its companions were unharmed. It was a complete victory.
Seeing this, the spirit steed was elated. When Frieren raised the reins, it charged forward with all its might, galloping upon wind and thunder.
Neigh!
The lightning in the sky grew ever more brilliant, its incandescent light casting a colossal shadow that blotted out the sun and sky. A battle spirit so intense it had become tangible
was surging.
But soon, Bayle reined it in. He needed to adjust to his peak condition.
____
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