“Hmm, well... Now that Résistance is better, I guess we should head back to the Revant Kingdom first.”
It was now five o’clock in the afternoon. The sun hung low in the sky, and in just a little while longer it would set beyond the horizon. It would be dangerous for them to sleep under the stars that night, considering how tired they were from the intense battle they’d just fought. The smell of blood might lure wild beasts to attack them as they rested. Tonight, they needed to head back to Revant and find a safe place to sleep.
“That’s a good idea. I think I’d like to go back there as well.” Aria nodded in agreement with Wataru. At this rate, Résistance would be healed in a mere half hour or so. Then, if they walked back to Revant on the road they’d come by, they’d be back in the kingdom in just a little over two hours. The path wasn’t a difficult one either, so it would be an easy return trip.
—Or so they’d thought.
After all, this is these three we’re talking about! Of course nothing’s going to go according to plan!
Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever—
“...!? What’s that!?”
—They found themselves covered by a massive, dark shadow.
“I-I think it’s still a little too early for the sun to be setting...”
Wataru and Aria both looked upwards in a panic. There, high above them, was! None! Other! Than! A massive, magnificent dragon, with wings outstretched as it flew through the air!! Its enormous body stood in sharp contrast to its long, thin neck and pointed wings! Covering the upper half of its torso was a white and blue striped shirt!
This was the very same dragon Wataru had encountered just a few days earlier! It had appeared once again, blocking out the sun!!
“Hmph. So much for trying to plan things out...!”
A cold sweat broke out over Wataru’s brow as he anticipated a sudden attack from the dragon flying overhead, but not a trace of fear showed on his face! In fact, he had a big, wide smile, despite the thorough beating he’d been given in the previous battle mere minutes ago! His school uniform’s jacket was still slashed, revealing his chest, and the fresh cuts were still dripping with blood!
“W-Wataru! Are you sure you don’t want me to heal you?”
“These scratches!? Don’t bother! Just focus on healing Résistance, Aria!!”
“Well, if that’s how you really feel... Here!”
Aria paused her healing of Résistance to rummage for something in her rucksack! She pulled out the six orbs they’d collected over the course of their adventure!!
“You’ll need these to fight the dragon!”
“Oh yeah, that’s right!! Thanks, Aria!!!”
Wataru took the orbs from Aria, and with great determination began to place them in his jacket pockets! You might find this strange, since each one of the orbs was about the size of a baby’s head and so even placing just one in his pocket would be quite difficult... but who cares about that!? We don’t need to think about that! No siree Bob!
As if the dragon was watching them as it soared gracefully through the sky overhead, the dragon spoke to Wataru using telepathy!
Well done, young Wataru... I admit, I am impressed to see that you managed to successfully gather all six orbs...
“Of course I did! Just who do you think I am!?!?”
“Wataru, what’s wrong?” asked Aria. “Why’re you talking to yourself like that?”
“Huh!?”
Only Wataru could hear the dragon’s telepathic message!!
“...I’m in the middle of something right now, Aria, so keep healing Résistance!”
“O-Okay!”
Wataru turned away from her to face the dragon above him, looking as though he was ready for a fight!!
(All right, then... Come down and fight me, like you promised!!)
Indeed, we shall battle. But first, get on my back. We must move to a more appropriate location for our fight.
(Sounds good!!)
Wataru nodded his head up and down quite vigorously! He glanced back at Aria and said, “Aria! I’m going to go fight the dragon! Take care of Résistance for me!!”
Aria gave him a great big smile when she heard this!
“Okay! I believe in you, Wataru! Go win this!”
“I will!! All right, catch you later!!” With that, he leapt straight up into the air, flying three hundred meters up into the sky to make a perfect landing on the great dragon’s back!!
Just to be clear, it’s not like he did this using any magical powers or anything! His legs were simply so strong that they were able to propel him three hundred meters up into the air!!
“Let’s go, dragon!!” he yelled. “Take me to our battleground!!”
At last, the final battle was about to begin!