“Fourth ship, Zelsis speaking. Disseminating information on the spotted Calamity.” Without the calm voice speaking from the broadcast, nobody would have believed the sight before their eyes. “As per Lufus Lailas, the Calamity shares many traits with Magnifimos, commonly known as terracrown dragons. Additionally, according to Lufus Lailas’s own summoned terracrown dragon, the Calamity possesses similar mana to itself, though it has likely physically warped under the influence of polluted mana.”
The true identity of the Calamity was one that every Second World magician would have heard of at least once, and any magician worth their salt should have known just how fearsome those manabeasts were.
“From the aforementioned observations, we conclude that the spotted Calamity is a Guardian Dragon of the First World.”
Zelsis’s report was punctuated by a tremendous roar. The sound was so immense that it carried over the distance between the Guardian Dragon and the fleet, sending waves crashing against their ships and forcing many to cover their ears.
In this army, composed of experienced magicians, nobody fell into a panic at the sight of the warped Guardian Dragon. After all, nobody participated in this operation while underestimating the Calamities. They had spent their days training, observing the Calamities from afar, and bracing themselves for what to expect from this operation.
Even so, the air grew tense and everyone’s eyes blew wide at the unimaginable sight. Despite all their preparation, their instincts still screamed at them that this beast was beyond them, that they shouldn’t even dare to face such a superior creature. Their instincts were screaming at them to run.
“Supreme Commander Raid Freeden speaking.”
But amid their inner turmoil, their commander’s voice rang clear and steady.
“I confirm the same sight from the sky. The Calamity is a higher threat level than initially expected. All ships, deploy every type of magical barrier to full capacity.”
All the magicians took action immediately, covering their ships with numerous defensive spells. Even as they worked, Raid’s broadcast continued.
“As you can see, the enemy is huge. I’m sure some of you feel like running right about now...but the operation continues.”
In the distance, they saw a small shadow descending beyond the cloudy skies.
“No need to get all tense because this is a large-scale operation. No need to get all stressed just because the fate of this world is on our shoulders. And no need to worry just ’cause the enemy’s a big fella. Why? ’Cause you see...” Raid landed in the dragon’s shadow while brandishing two broadswords. “I’m stronger than all of them combined!”
Their vision was painted by a burst of white. The ships shook from the blast as they were assaulted by a torrent of power incomparable to the corrupted Guardian Dragon’s roar earlier. The sight was familiar to Fareg—it reminded him of the light he’d seen from afar during the simulation exam.
“The rest is up to you guys.”
The light gradually dispersed as Raid’s voice resounded from the communicator—and the first thing everyone saw was a gaping hole in the beast’s body. The cloudy skies that had been hidden behind the Guardian Dragon were now visible to them through that hole.
“As planned, I’ll run around crushing Calamities. Second and third ships, bomb the Offspring with magic from the deck to advance the front lines. Once they’ve reached the shore, the fourth and fifth ships will provide cover while aiding their disembarkation. The sixth through eighth ships will stand by on the water to secure an escape route, while the ninth ship will keep watch of their rear. Basically, guys—just do it as we planned!”
Raid’s voice was steady and casual as he reiterated everyone’s tasks. Instead of making any mention of his grand feat, he snapped everyone back to their senses and grounded them back in reality.
“All ships, swiftly execute the commander’s orders.”
With Ryatt’s final broadcast, the ships resumed their advance toward shore.
“Do you see, Fareg? That is His Excellency’s strength.” Ryatt turned to Fareg with a smile. “No amount of power matters if you fail to take that one step forward. In this regard, His Excellency never fails to lead the charge—because he understands his own strength and the goal he must strive toward.”
Fareg recalled what Raid had told him a few months ago.
“You’ll never catch up to me...so I guess you’ll just have to spend your entire life trying.”
By leading the charge, Raid always showed others the way. By standing at the very front and wielding his unparalleled strength, he became the pillar of support for many and gave them the hope to push forward. It stood to reason that many witnessed that sight and were inspired to chase after him. Because he forged ahead and showed everybody the way, the people following behind him began to call out to him in admiration and respect.
“That is why Raid Freeden is our Hero.”
Ryatt was just one of many who were inspired by Raid’s gallant figure and tried his hardest to chase after him, even after death.
With trembling fists, Fareg admitted, “I want...to chase after him too.”
“A commendable mindset,” Ryatt remarked. “To chase after a goal while knowing it’s unattainable and still trying to grasp what you can... There is value in that attitude, and in passing it along to the future. That is why His Excellency took you under his wing.”
Fareg swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded.
“Man, I just love it when my opponent isn’t human. This is way more fun!”
However, the emotions swelling in his chest were shattered instantly by Raid’s bright voice.
“I can never go all out against other people without turning them into mincemeat, after all... I also have to take care not to damage my surroundings all the time. It’s not every day I get to throw out punches as hard as I can in an abandoned wasteland like this. Whew, time to let loose!”
“Ryatt speaking. Your Excellency, we can hear you.”
“Huh? Did the communicator break from the shock wave earlier?”
“I believe the button may have gotten stuck from all your moving around.”
“Oh hey, you’re right. Gosh, I don’t usually carry a communicator around with me, so I completely forgot to check. Anyway, I’ll be here having my fun—you guys take care not to get hurt!”
No sooner had he said that than they heard several violent explosions through the communicator. He truly seemed to be having the time of his life.
When the transmission finally ended, Ryatt nodded with a very solemn look on his face. “His Excellency even knows how to be playful sometimes. A truly remarkable man.”
“Are you serious?! I’m pretty sure he was just being a battle junkie!” Fareg exclaimed.
“Silence, rookie. His Excellency possesses a very heroic fighting spirit.”
“It sounded to me like he just wanted to wreak havoc!”
“Felius, the rookie said he wants to watch His Excellency’s gallant figure up close. Take him with you.”
“Roger that,” drawled a voice from the communicator. “Come on, I’ll take you up close to gramps’s battlefield!”
“Huh? Didn’t you say I was going to stay here and— Gack!”
In no time at all, Felius’s dragon swooped onto the deck, grabbed Fareg by the torso, and returned to the skies.
“Heya! You excited to see gramps’s full strength up close? Me too!” Felius crowed. “I always knew he was crazy strong, but I never got to see him go all out a thousand years ago!”
“O-Okay, okay! I get it! At least let me ride with you on the saddle!” Fareg cried.
“But then you won’t be able to see gramps very well. Aren’t you the record keeper? You need to get all that footage so we can rewatch it later!”
“Wh-What if the footage is blurred?”
“Then the guys who couldn’t join today will probably beat you up.”
“This job is a lot more dangerous than I thought!”
“All right, get ready! We’re swooping in for a close-up!”
Despite his cries, Fareg readily directed his recording device to Raid. He, too, understood how valuable this recording would be. Unparalleled strength and undaunted might that vanquished foes in a single strike—it was a sight to behold, a scene that inspired awe time and time again.
So he held his device in a firm grip and recorded this scene with a bright smile on his face.