The immense heat of the dragon’s jaws, capable of annihilating even the black ogre, opened wide, ready to sink its fangs into him. The black ogre’s flesh would evaporate instantly, leaving no trace of bone behind. Naturally, I, too, would be obliterated. That would be the end.
Even as a subspecies, an ogre shouldn’t have been able to withstand such destruction. However, this black ogre kept exceeding my expectations.
I couldn’t comprehend what exactly he did at that moment, as I was merely watching in stunned silence. But the fact was, the White Flame Dragon, charging from behind the black ogre, vanished due to whatever the ogre’s attack was. To describe the scene in words would be impossible for me.
The black ogre had done something with his back turned that resulted in the explosion of the White Flame Dragon. The remnants of the flame scattered, painting my vision with its afterglow, accompanied by a thunderous roar like a dragon’s death throes.
Only three of us witnessed this: Lord Weissly, staggering from mana deficiency, Levias, who had raised her head, and me. However, I lost consciousness shortly after, so my memory of what followed is unclear. All I can say for certain is that the battle between the black ogre and me ended in his overwhelming victory.
✦ ✦ ✦
Later, I learned from Ogrou that the technique used to defeat the White Flame Dragon was called Heavenly Mountain Lean—also known as Iron Mountain Lean—combined with several abilities, such as the end-series magic, Back Attack.
To explain in detail: First, he used the Hydrokinesis ability to create a layer of water around his body. Then, using Aeromaster, he formed a vacuum layer slightly away from the water membrane. On top of these dual defensive layers, he enhanced and activated the end-series third-level magic, All Shall Perish by My Darkness—a triangular prism shield—using the Attribute Echo ability from his silver arm.
These three layers served as both shield and spear, Ogrou explained. He then used Heavenly Mountain Lean, strengthened with abilities like Back Attack, to propel the three shields at high speed, smashing the white flame dragon head-on.
Truly, he is a monster. No, it’s more accurate to say he can only be described as such. His actions defy all common sense, and even as I recount them, it all seems like a joke.
Nonetheless, I lost. Thus, my body belongs to Ogrou as promised. A knight does not break their word. At least, that’s my code of chivalry. Therefore, I will serve him until my life ends.
I mean, I didn’t expect it to be so intense at first. In fact, it shocked me into stabbing Ogrou in the heart with a knife… but such an attack didn’t even faze him, and I’ve already been punished for it.
Now, I find myself not minding being with Ogrou. When I’m near him, when we talk, I realize he’s quite a decent guy. Watching him, I feel a warmth in my chest, a strange comfort that wasn’t there before.
The suffocation I felt as a noble seems to have eased without me even noticing. I tilted my head in puzzlement at this newfound feeling.