Chapter 3
Part 1
───And the long night ended.
A dry wind blew over the deserted town full of spires. As the daybreak got near, the wind got stronger due to the difference of temperature between the day and night. The bright light that spilled from the moon gradually died down.
As the time of dawn came, the mist that followed suit enveloped the town. The field of vision was obstructed with the darkness spread in front.
The three headed dragon uncoiled his three heads and prepared for battle while still being on all fours. Although there were no signs of the enemies in sight, he sensed that that the battle was about to start.
By all rights, if he were to act rashly, he could mow down the Hosts while blowing off this fog along with the town, but the game rules prohibited fighting outside of the designated location.
In other words, the first move should be done by the Hosts.
And if the Hosts were planning to attack, now is the perfect time.
There was no meaning in challenging the three headed dragon to a fight during the night time since he could clearly see in darkness.
They might be able to succeed in a surprise attack if they were to commence the attack at the time of dawn when the surrounding is shrouded in fog. But for that to happen, a spy that could locate the accurate location of Azi Dakaha is necessary.
Azi Dakaha’s field of vision was obstructed by the fog, but in turn, this also goes for the hosts.
Without a doubt, the responsibility of spying is shouldered by "Laplace's Demon". If it's those girls who have incredible espionage abilities, they could instantly discover Azi Dakaha's whereabouts.
But since the main body of the demon is currently sealed, for the sake of information gathering, releasing a large number of offsprings───Imps was necessary.
The moment the three heads and six eyes senses their presence, he will seize and crush them.
If he manages to do that, then their chances would be tied. At that moment, the player side would certainly be a step closer to winning.
The three headed dragon prepared his limbs like an animal and lied in wait for the opponent.
The fog became increasingly dense until it was even able to block the morning sunlight.
With this, even the vision of the three headed dragon who had the best eyesight was obstructed. And a human's recognizing abilities would hardly distinguish the enemy's figure from a building.
Taking a large breath, the humidity of the mist entangled in his throat. There would be no better circumstances for making a surprise attack than now.
The three heads were constantly looking at every direction, with the snake eyes carrying a heat detection organ───The infrared organ. If a heat source were to appear, the three headed dragon will immediately bite and rip it to pieces with his fangs.
Massive bombarding started from an unexpected direction.
『───!?』
From the sky far above, high-explosive projectiles were shot down at the three headed dragon. Rather than iron shells, it was from the mouth of fire dragons. From those highly explosive projectiles, the nearby spires were smashed to bits and blown off in four directions.
The three headed dragon looked at the sky, but wasn't able to clearly grasp the images of the enemies.
While closely avoiding the unending flame projectiles, the three headed dragon quizzically narrowed his eyes.
(It would be difficult to succeed in such surprise attacks from the sky without grasping the exact location of the target. Did they know my location beforehand?)
Amidst the torrent of flames, the three headed dragon tilted his head while thinking about how they managed to do it.
The accuracy of enemy's projectiles was extremely high. The Hosts were executing an attack with pinpoint accuracy in this fog. Even while he's running, the attacks were either hitting him or falling near, and that meant that there was someone who was continuously monitoring him even at this moment.
There were no signs of pursuers in sight.
───That already went beyond the limit of skills. It's obvious that Azi Dakaha’s pursuer was using some sort of Gift.
(The initiation of the Game was snatched away huh? Oh well. There are many other ways)
He ran through the bombardment and the scattered debris.
Jumping in the sky seemed like a bad idea. He might be take down some of them, but if he were to make an appearance, he would most likely be bathed in a concentrated fire from below.
Even though receiving a few hundred flame dragon's fireballs would not be a problem, making an appearance when not knowing what kind of trump card the opponent has up their sleeves would only be a fool’s errand.
(The ones dropping projectiles are just decoys. They would need good luck to be able to lure me out. The aim of the Hosts is to take the initiative to change the current state of affairs)
And their aim is going smoothly so far.
The fog gave the Hosts an advantage beyond expectations.
While the three headed dragon was firmly waiting for a chance to counterattack, he was unaware of the presence of a mysterious guardian, let alone being able to notice it.
───There's no doubt. There is an excellent Game Maker among the side of Hosts.
In that case, the game maker who is a key figure needs to be taken down first, then the pursuer.
The three headed dragon smiled wryly and widened his ruby eyes to observe the surroundings.
This pursuer is most likely using some kind of gift that clings to the three headed dragon. He's not showing any signs, nor is he making any sounds, and even passed through the Infrared detection. As vast as Little Garden can be, the holders of such strong Gifts could only be counted on one hand.
The three headed dragon saw through the Hermit's Gift with the gift he himself possessed.
(Most likely, the opponent's Gift is invisibility or from the system of permeation. But no matter what kind of Gift it is, it should not pass through the heat vision. The community, having a gift to cut off the sound and heat and also able to stand in my way is───)
The three headed dragon hastened his thinking.
Being the incarnation of humanity's evil, he is bestowed the entire knowledge of humanity. Because there doesn't exist a technology in this world that doesn't have even used a bit of evil.
All the “Techniques" which changed the shape at times in history of black magic, alchemy, science and others, are stored inside those three heads.
The three headed dragon made use of the vast knowledge that was said to be equal to a thousand magics to search for a solution.
Finishing the search, he suddenly stopped and addressed the hidden pursuer.
"───Mhm. But there is no need to search. There is only one gift which can perfectly fulfill the conditions to this degree. Isn't that right, Greek hero!"
"………!?"
A small shriek leaked from the right. It seemed that the gift couldn’t conceal the voice of the user. The three headed dragon who was previously observing three directions, opened it's giant jaw and smiled. But that laugh was not directed at the mistake of the pursuer. Rather, it was quite the opposite.
It was because the pursuer was monitoring the three headed dragon from merely five meters away.
Just how many would risk getting this close to the Demon Lord even if their body was invisible. What an extraordinary spirit.
Staring with all 6 six eyes from his three heads, the three headed dragon snorted in provocation.
"So what? Do you want to obtain my neck? If it's your sickle───The celestial spirit killing Harpe, Then it might just be able to do it. You came this close with that in mind, right?"
Azi Dakaha raised his middle neck and started talking.
The pursuer who had his identity completely exposed was not moving just like a frog in front of a snake's glare. No, he couldn't move.
The Gift of the pursuer simply made him invisible but it didn't make him permeable. If he moved in this mist, the atmosphere would change and it will indirectly expose his location.
Kasukabe Yo already saw through it once with that method, and doing that in current circumstances is even easier.
Running is impossible. No courage to fight. Not even able to move.
In that situation, he───The head of 「Perseus」, Laius furiously yelled.
「───They are too slow! These No Names and the others!!!"
Angry roar. From the shadow of debris, three figures jumped out as if shooting.
Having directed his attention to the heavy fog and the pursuer, the three headed dragon reacted just a bit late.
The three headed dragon roughly grasped the shape of the town, but from the bombardment, it's shape was changed and the shadow of crumbled bricks became a blind spot.
And it was not because the fire dragons were launching their aerial assault at random..
Everything was calculated to bring him to the location where the main force could fight.
"Three headed dragon, prepare yourself!"
Shouted Kasukabe Yo, Faceless and Jack.
Each of them pierced the three headed dragon with the sharp weapons that they held in hands. The three headed dragon's fresh blood spilled at the same time from various places on his right arm and left leg.
"An Ambush?───Clever!!!"
The wings of the dragon's shadow shook violently like a tempest.
This looked as if the raging dragon waved his tail. The shadow blade attacked swinging like a whip and sent the building flying with just a touch.
Their bodies would be smashed with just one hit.
Jack avoided the attack with his dagger and fast footwork, Faceless used a special move that astonished even Kouryuu.
But unlike the two, Kasukabe Yo didn't have a protruding weapon.
Just the touch of three headed dragon's blow would be fatal. Sensing the danger, She changed the 「Genome Tree」 to the mythical beast 「Marchosias」 and faced it. Even though she lost in terms of strength, the Gift of 「Marchosias」 granted the unique power that could respond even to teleportation surprise attacks.
Demon Lord Maxwell guessed that the Gift of 「Marchosias」 bestowed 「Clairvoyance」, but his guess was a little bit off. What this gift actually shows is ‘The most correct future for the situation in front of one's eyes’───In other words, it is an irregular Gift that provides answers to the riddles.
It's not 「Clairvoyance」, It's ‘Realization of a Desired Future’. This gift will provide the answer even if the user is unaware of the situation.
Within the tempest of the dragon's shadow that couldn't be followed with one’s eyesight, it showed a route for avoiding it.
Repelling the unavoidable attacks with leg armor, she escaped outside of the attack range and shouted towards everyone in that place.
"The shedding of blood was a success! Everyone take distance!"
Everyone including Laius spread out and withdrew from that place.
Without a moment's delay, the three headed dragon tried to deal the final blow.
But the three headed dragon's pursuit was stopped by the lightning that shined in the sky.
"Nu……..!!?"
Ramified lightning pierced the three headed dragon. In the midst of intense lightning and light, only a voice of anguish leaked out. While burning in the bright light, the three headed dragon realized the spirit status of the lightning that attacked him.
"This divine lightning………..Could it be, Indra's……….?!!"
But, he doubted in his mind that he would appear at this time. He surely understands it well. Because no matter how high his Divine Spirit is, even if it was omnipotent, he still won't be able to bring down Azi Dakaha. And there is a reason for that.
Even though Indra knew it was a stupid idea, to still challenge the final trial is a foolish act. But if he was not such a fool, he would not be entrusted with the the heavenly army, deterrence force that consists of the 12 Devas.
(Soon enough, offshoots would be born from my blood. Were they confirming this fact?)
And then, he remembered the words Kasukabe Yo shouted at the moment of evacuation:
───"The shedding of blood was a success! Everyone take distance!"
The three headed dragon realized that he ended up falling behind by one move and clicked his tongue.
It's impossible to infinitely create divine level offshoots. Because they are bestowed a divine status that's taken from the body of three headed dragon possessing mass that's equal to a continent.
Even if all the clones were used up, it would not affect his battle ability, but instead it would expose a fatal weakness.
Normally, the three headed dragon would've immediately noticed this, but wavering whether to confirm the presence of Indra───The Divine Spirit, that was born from same pus of evil or not, delayed his next move.
(If their objective is to make me spit out the offshoots, then the next move is clear───)
"───Army, prepare for annihilation!!!"
Together with the sound of a bell, a cold voice reverberated in the sky. And in the next moment, the sky above the three headed dragon was covered with a rain of explosives comparable to a nuclear heat.
So it came after all, huh? - thinking that, the three headed dragon put himself on guard.
Creation of offshoots from surprise attacks immediately followed by an annihilation with high firepower.
That was the strategy the Hosts chose.
Hit and run tactics created by the game maker to preserve the main force.
"Attaaaaaack────!!!"
Thousands of fire dragons carrying pseudo divinity simultaneously released spirit flames. He tried to prevent the attacks by using the Dragon's shadow but the freshly born two-headed dragons didn't have the time to handle it.
Twin-headed dragons that created their bodies by eating the debris were annihilated in the blink of an eye.
After the scattered rain of explosives, only Azi Dakaha was left uninjured.
Confirming the situation on the ground with Lapko II from above, Kudou Asuka unintentionally twitched her lips.
"………….Unbelievable. All that shooting and not a single wound"
"Then again, it's expected from such a monster. Against a Zoroastrian Demon Lord, that degree of flames don't stand a chance. Diminishing the offshoots alone is already sufficient."
"Success! Amazing results! Asuka is amazing!"
Earth fairy Mel happily shouted from the top of Asuka's head.
Asuka couldn't send her to the citadel alone so she took her along, but she was surprised when she decided to participate in the war.
Asuka worriedly stroked Merun and warned:
"Merun. Everything is hectic now, so restrain yourself"
"I got it! I will protect Asuka!"
She jumped and shook the pointy hat.
while riding on the fire dragon's back, Asuka gave the next instructions.
"The first part of the plan was a success. Threaten him with projectiles and please wait for the movements on the grounds.
"Understood!"
"Vampirified members of 「Salamandra」, if possible, further increase the offence. Let's begin to steadily shave off the enemy war power!"
The Fire dragons raised a war cry. Though not understanding their words, Asuka still understood the situation from Laplace's interpretation.
(But if possible………..I pray that their turn wouldn't come………..)
Not all the fire dragons were vampirified.
There were many that volunteered but only the old dragons, the fire dragons who already had children and their boss Mandra were the only ones vampirified.
But still, taboo is a taboo.
The spirits of 「Salamandra」 are high, but even if they gain victory in this battle, their trials won't end at that.
For that reason, Asuka prayed that at least this battle would go an even bit peacefully for them.
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