Human mana can be elemental, but what about monster mana? Same applies to them, of course. Probably the greatest example of that are the “elemental dragons”—the creatures are called disasters, and rightly so. Their tough bodies are covered in scales, they’ve got teeth and claws that can easily rip through steel, and they can dish out powerful area of effect attacks with their breath. They’re not only physically strong and incredibly hard to damage, but they’re also so intelligent that they can use magic. Honestly? As living beings, I think they’re far superior to us humans. I guess it makes sense that we consider them disasters, huh?
“…Mwa ha ha.”
But where did it come from? What’s an ice dragon doing here? Why’s a disaster-level monster suddenly descending on the city? Hm, actually…I might have an idea.
“L-Luke…? Um, sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t be bringing this up now, b-but I…”
Obviously, it’s this idiot nervously fidgeting beside me. Abel, the main character of this world, has probably gotten himself mixed up in some big plot event. If he came from the royal capital, then did all of this start there? But then what’s he doing here in Gilbadia? This is the result of wanting to “hang out,” huh? Jeez, what does he think he’s playing at? I don’t understand any of what’s going on…but fine. I detest Abel, but this encounter actually serves me well. It’s very exciting to have this chance to fight an enemy as fierce as an ice dragon. I’d been getting so bored of regular giant lizards.
Adventurers continued to gather around me, but I saw darkness in them, their faces drained of hope.
I can’t see the ice dragon yet, but I can feel it. It’s getting closer. Hey, where did those two beastlings run off to, come to think of it…?
I looked around a bit, but couldn’t see them in the crowd.
There’s still something I need to ask them about.
“Luke!” someone called out.
I turned to see my father hurrying toward me, with countless knights at his back. Alfred was there too.
“Aren’t you going to evacuate, Father?”
“Don’t be foolish. I would never be so weak. You are my concern, Luke. Accompany Alfred immediately to—”
“You don’t intend on ordering me to run away, do you, Father?” I interrupted.
Normally, I would never do something like this…but right now, I just can’t allow it. I’ve finally found an enemy that I can give my all against. I won’t let anyone take that from me.
I had a burning desire to fight the ice dragon. No, more intense than that; it was a deep, almost primal urge raging inside of me that was too intense to resist. I set my mind racing, searching for a suitable reason that would justify my going out to fight if my father needed to be convinced. I quickly landed on a model answer, which I delivered immediately.
“As heir to House Gilbert, I refuse to turn and flee while the citizens I am bound to protect remain. I will stake my life and fight to the very end.”
Everyone in the vicinity fell silent at my words, and I could feel eyes upon me, filled with all sorts of emotion. That included my father and Abel as well.
“My dear boy…I should’ve expected nothing less from my son!” cried my father. “I had no idea that you were so determined to fight, but very well. You have beaten me! I will not ask you to retreat.”
“Th-thank you…”
My father was so happy, it creeped me out a bit.
Hey, I just want to fight an ice dragon, that’s all…
“I do not permit you to die, however.”
“Yes, Father.”
My father’s expression was much the same as it always was, but I detected a complex mix of emotions churning just below the surface. He still very much wanted me to run, I was sure, but he had made a conscious choice to respect my determination to fight.
I guess I’ve gotta be grateful for that.
“Luke, you’re so determined to fight this thing. I knew it, you’re incredible! Really, you’re so amazing! Let me help out too!”
“You’re a mean guy, but I might’ve been a bit wrong about you. All right, I suppose I’ll have to help!”
Abel and Lily were both looking at me with a strange intensity—what’s with those two?
“I’m sorry. I misjudged you. I had no idea you cared for us all so much, Master Luke,” said Zack suddenly, and that was the moment that I noticed the change in the crowd too. There was a fighting spirit in everyone around me that had been completely absent just seconds earlier.
“Master Luke! I’m touched!!”
“Zack, cut it o—”
“You lot! You hear what Master Luke just said?! We adventurers ain’t just gonna sit back now, are we?!” Zack called out to his comrades, raising his sword high into the air.
“Raaaaaaah!!”
The beast roared so loudly that it felt like an explosion, shaking the ground beneath everyone’s feet.
“Let’s beat that ice dragon, eh, Luke?!”
I didn’t answer immediately.
Seriously? I didn’t expect my lame excuse to light such a fire under them. I really don’t understand the way that stupid people think. Well, fine. Whatever.
A freezing mana front began to drift toward us. I could feel the temperature drop, my skin suddenly cold and clammy. It was time to confront this incoming disaster.
“Grraaaaaaaah!!”
Finally, the ice dragon made its appearance, and I couldn’t help but grin.
Let’s see just how powerful you really are, eh?
I drew my sword—and paused, as the sound of a whistle drifted mournfully through the air. The tone was strangely sad, yet so beautiful that I was entranced by it for a brief moment.
“Th-that whistling sound…” Abel mumbled, stricken.
Looks like he knows something about that noise… I wonder what? Then again, I suppose that’s to be expected. It’s gotta be related to this attack, and he’s the one that brought it here, after all…I’m pretty sure, at least. Either way, I’m just caught in the middle of it. Forget about all that now though.
Let’s do this—you’re going down, ice dragon.