No Fatigue: 24-jikan Tatakaeru Otoko no Tenseitan

Lets go!

Without even needing me to voice the words, the four children silently dash forward in response to my hand signal.

They headed towards the firedrake.

I had everyone employ [Stealth Steps] but, as expected, even the firedrake would notice them once they approached its vicinity.

When the firedrake gave a wary growl, the four split into two groups.

Elemia and Beck went to the firedrakes right and Miguel, dragging Donna along with him, headed towards the left.

As for me, I sprinted after the children and continue charging straight at the firedrake even when the four separate.

Naturally, the firedrake turns its attention to me, the one in front.

There,

Flashlight!

I compressed the duration of the spell to an instant and produced a high-intensity (light).

Of course, my eyes were shut and I had one hand covering them.

Gugyaaa!?

The blinded firedrake shrieked.

Using that opening, the four children slip past the firedrake and move to their predetermined positions.

Meanwhile, I slide under the dragons belly as I use [Psychokinesis] on the wire hook that Melby had taken out for me, sending it forward.

The hook passes beneath the dragons belly and twines around the torso of Beck, who was standing on the other side.

Beck had already taken a stance with his waist lowered and both arms thrust out at an angle the Mad Bull Stance.

He wouldnt be thrown off balance so easily because he had the [Toughness] skill as well, or so he said.

There is an added mechanism on the hook that wasnt there the last time I used it, back when I slipped out of the Nest for Melbys sake.

A reel is attached to the wire of the hook so it can be wound.

I wind the reel with [Psychokinesis] and succeed in slipping underneath the firedrake before it moves.

Then, I circled behind Beck.

Stronghold!

With a four-symbol activation, earthen walls form around Becks lower body.

Because I went so far as to use four symbols to consolidate it, it shouldnt collapse easily.

At the same time, Melby also made a request to the earth spirits asking them to strengthen the walls as much as possible.

I dont know what happened exactly, but the exterior face of the walls dissolved into a toffee-like state and then hardened in the same way as a mineral.

At that moment, the firedrake finally turned this way.

Its eyes converge to focus on us.

Either its regeneration ability had kicked into action, or it never received a serious wound in the first place.

When I glanced back to check my rear flank, I saw that Elemia, Donna, and Miguel had already run through the cavern and their figures were now disappearing behind a bend.

That corner wasnt directly in line with Beck and the firedrake, so they would be safe from attacks.

I retrieve some separation barrier fragments from the leather pouch at my waist that I used specifically to store them, and throw them at the firedrakes head in succession.

I thought they would be repelled by its scales, but the fragments tore the firedrakes hide to pieces.

The firedrake glares at me, its eyes burning with anger.

Then, it inhaled deeply.

Beck, Melby!

Im alright! Wait, whos Melby?

Im fine!

I could hear the shrill voices of the fire spirits.

The emotion that dwelled within the voices wasdelight, I suppose.

Right after the glint in the firedrakes eyes sharpened, an intense radiance surged out from within its throat.

Practically the only thing that could be seen from directly in front was an explosion of light.

The ray of light was partially deflected upwards through Melbys intervention, but even so, it remained on a direct course towards Becks torso.

Below the earthen walls, I lay face-down in Becks shadow as the super high-temperature ray passes by and directly engulfs Becks upper body.

Although I knew that this Mad Bull Stance would turn ones upper body invincible through a godly power, this spectacle was still bad for the heart.

Even if his upper body was invincible, wouldnt he still be harmed by the high heat of the breath attack since his lower half is regular flesh and bone?

With that thought in mind, I had tried to check on Beck before the dragon attacked and learned that it would be fine as long as he took the blow with his upper body.

The breath attack engulfed Becks upper body and continued to extend past us, mercilessly melting the cavern wall.

We were exposed to the breath attack for what seemed like an eternity, but then it stopped.

All that remained after the attack were us, the firedrake, the charred remains of the earthen walls, as well as the new red-hot cavity that had opened up behind us.

Furthermore, light from the outside could be seen within the cavity, although the simmering hot air that remained from the firedrakes breath attack did made it a bit hazy.

There

!

With all my might, I cast [Earth Spirit Magic] and create minimal scaffoldings to stand on.

The cavity was still hot, but the emissaries of should be able to run through it at least.

Elemia and Miguel, who was carrying Donna, returned from further inside the cavern.

Its done! Lets go!

Heeding my words without sparing time to even nod, the two advanced down the path.

Fellow believer Beck, you should hurry too!

I shouted out to the sole remaining person, Beck.

However, he didnt respond to my call.

Instead, he just stared fixedly at the firedrake without even budging from his place before the earthen wall.

Beck!

Go on ahead, Fellow believer Orochi!

Huh!? What are you saying!

I will hold it back here! If I dont, you guys wont be able to get away!

The firedrake once again inhales in preparation for a breath attack.

Seeing that, Beck breaks into a run towards the firedrake.

Upon noticing Beck approach, the firedrake interrupts its breath attack to stomps down on him.

Beck!

I thought he had been crushed, but Beck employed the Mad Bull Stance once again and firmly caught the dragons foot.

After all, I am Vajra Knight Dikreos Wawns son!

As if I could leave my comrades and turn my back on the ENEMY!!!

Beck gives a warcry as he slowly forces back the dragons foot which he had stopped.

Despite its initial surprise, the firedrake repositioned its other legs and put even more force behind the foot crushing Beck.

Now would be the time to run away, but how could I do such a thing!

Ah geez! What an unwelcome favour that is!

I retrieved some separation barrier fragments from the leather bag that was hanging on my waist, and then threw them at the firedrakes leg.

I was sure they would be repelled by its scales this time, but the fragments managed to easily pierce through its hide.

Really, just what are these fragments?

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Incidentally, the stock of fragments that had diminished when I retrieved them from the leather bag was secretly replenished by Melby.

The firedrake groans viciously as it stumbles.

Meanwhile, Beck slipped out from underneath the dragons foot.

What do you mean by an unwelcome favour, Fellow believer Orochi!

No matter how you look at it, it would be better to have Fellow believer Orochi survive rather than me!

needs you more than me!

As if I care about that!

Life is not something you can just throw away so easily!

If you died, Mona, Pingu, Mitchell, Cats Eye, Mole, Dog, and the others, everyone everyone would mourn for you!

Everyone! Were all returning to the childrens room together!

Cats Eye, Mole, and whatnot were the names given to the children in the Nest.

Most of the names, including mine, tended to relate to animals, as though Gazaine couldnt be bothered to think up new names every time.

I cant do that!

Someone has to stay behind to hold back the firedrake!

Thats why I said Ill do it!

Even in a one-on-one battle, I would be the one with the highest chance of survival!

You cant be sure of that, right!?

No matter how strong you are, Fellow believer Orochi, you cant guarantee that you wont be done in by the firedrake!

Like I said

That

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!?

The sudden shout caused Beck and I to flinch instinctively.

Somehow, I felt that even the firedrake, which had been extracting the fragments with its mouth, seemed to be surprised.

The one who interjected in our unsightly argument was neither Miguel nor Elemia

Donna! Why did you return

Im here too!

Me too!

When I turned around, a red-head and a head of silver ran past on either side of me.

Carried by the momentum from rushing back through the passage to the outside, Miguel strikes at the firedrake as Elema throws her knives.

Were going to stop it here!

Donna, go scold those two idiots!

O-oi, what are you saying?

Why did everyone return!?

When I unintentionally flared up,

Fellow believer Orochi and Fellow believer Beck, this way!

Donna said that, grasping at the napes of Beck and my necks and pulling.

Of course, we could shake ourselves free if we became serious, but we couldnt oppose Donnas intensity. With her dog ears now erect instead of laying flat as they did normally, Beck and I were dragged further into the covers of the cavern.

Beck-kun!

Why didnt you obey Orochi-kuns decision when he was elected the leader by everyone!

It seems she was greatly agitated, as she attached -kun to our names instead of Fellow believer.

B-but Im the son of a Vajra Knight

Thats irrelevant!

I supported Orochi-kuns strategy because it was a method where everyone could be saved!

I would definitely have opposed if Beck-kun needed to be sacrificed!

Uu, ah

Beck mumbled, his eyes darting around.

Having talked Beck down, Donna instantly turned to look in my direction.

Orochi-kun too!

Im also to blame because I agreed, but I never heard that it would be this dangerous!

Didnt you say you would immediately follow behind us!?

N-no, I did intend to properly follow after you guys.

But Beck, this guy

Dont lay the blame on others!

Because I can tell when I see it!

Orochi-kun, you thought you would fight the firedrake alone, confine it as long as possible, and take it down if you got lucky, didnt you!?

Uh!

With her hitting the mark, I was at a loss for words just like Beck.

I didnt think as far as taking it down, but I did think that the firedrake might be surprised and run away if I used one or two of my secret weapons.

M-melby, does Donna possess [Fairy Eyes] or something?

Theres no way thats it.

Its girls intuition.

So its a girls inherent ability.

Please include that in the status.

Why do you have to do it alone, Orochi-kun!?

Why dont you rely on us, Orochi-kun!?

Even I, even Elemia-chan, even Miguel-kun even though we all want to help Orochi-kun, why dont you direct us!?

Why didnt you ask us to buy you time so you could dig with Tunnel!?

Are we that unreliable!?

Ah, no, that is.

Indeed, that might be the case.

Even without doing the tightrope act of inducing the firedrakes breath attack to create a path, having the four earn time for me to dig with Tunnelwould have been a much safer way of escaping.

The reason I didnt do that was because I was worried about the four fighting against the firedrake without me.

I certainly intended for all four of them to return alive, but on the other hand, I also doubted their strength.

This might be humiliating for them when they were fired up about their mission as emissaries and polished their fighting strength.

Sigh thats right.

Thank you, Donna

Its just like you said.

Even as I was being scolded like this, Miguel and Elemia skilfully continued to evade the firedrakes attacks.

Was if for s mission?

No, it was for the sake of the companions they lived together with.

Beck. Im sorry.

It certainly seems like I didnt try to count on your strength.

It was impolite to the Small Vajra who was able to withstand the breath attack and catch the dragons foot.

N-no, I should be sorry too

Even though I know that what Fellow believer Orochi said was right

Donna watched over us apologising whilst nodding her head.

So, we shouldnt stay in hiding right now at least. Lets go.

Saying that, I have Melby take out the new arms I made in private.

It was a large shield made by layering many sheets of the duralumin excavated from the historic relics and compressing them.

With a height of 2 metres and a width of 1 metre, it was downright heavy and just as sturdy.

Beck, use this shield.

This is an amazing shield.

I had staggered about with it when I handed it over, but Beck set it up without a care.

B-but, this where did you take this out from just now?

That Ill explain it later when we have time.

If he has that, not only could he stop the dragons trampling from just now, wouldnt he even be able to stop its claws or fangs?

Y-yeah! Of course!

Beck nodded, full of confidence.

It was only his upper body that was invincible, so I worried about whether his lower body would be crushed by the dragons body weight if he were to be trampled, but it seems like it didnt turn out that way at all.

At the same time, Beck took care to avoid taking on the dragons claws directly.

In short, the arrangement was that he would remain unhurt if he was able to stop the blow but hed take actual damage if he were slashed into pieces or pierced.

It seems that taking the breath attack was also considered stopping the blow, so he was fine even if the high heat blew against the lower half of his body.

There wasnt any hot air radiating towards me as I lay below him either.

Why did it turn out like that?

Please ask the god who granted Beck his power.

But dont take it on directly even by mistake, okay?

Also, it hasnt been strengthened by magic so itll melt like normal if it takes a breath attack.

Its fine. Because Ive been taught how to handle a shield by my father.

I see seeing your father and the others itll be good if you can see them again.

I wonder about that

I have to forget about such things beyond working as an emissary.

I see.

Ill leave the defence to you, Beck.

But, just that is no good.

We have to attract its attention.

Donna.

Y-yes!

Donna made a salute-like action by reflex when she was called so suddenly.

I dont know where the vigour from just now went. Perhaps she felt refreshed after venting, but Donna returned to her usual obedient self.

No, youre older than me so just act normally.

Acid or gunpowder is fine, Donna, do you have anything that can attract that guys attention?

I do have some firecrackers made from dried Ususake Mushrooms..

Eh? Usuake Mushrooms can turn into firecrackers?

Yeah. You didnt know?

Thats why we cultivate so many in the Nest.

Crap

I used it in the okonomiyaki as a substitute for katsuobushi.

Nebil was fond of it and told me to pile on lots, but I wonder if thats really okay.

Fufu. Its fine as long as you dont eat too many.

Even if you overeat, the worse it gets is being unable to stop hiccupping.

No, thats pretty terrible

Wait, were not talking about that.

Donna, you stand behind Beck and throw the firecrackers to attract the firedrakes attention.

Beck, protect Donna.

However, if that guy shows signs of unleashing a breath attack, take refuge behind me.

Got it.

I got it.

Elemia and Miguel were fighting the firedrake even as the two were nodding.

Elemia skilfully attracted the firedrakes attention with her throwing knives and Miguel struck from behind the firedrake in that time.

However,

Take that! Owwwwww!

Miguel jumped back, his hand dangling limply.

Despite hitting hard with his sturdy gauntlet, it seems the one who incurred damage was Miguel instead.

As for the firedrake, it appeared to only give a fleeting glance at Miguel before losing interest.

Damn! If only I could use internal strength like grandpa!

So Miguels grandpa can use internal strength.

Thats amazing. Id very much like to study under him.

For Miguel to be able to use [Qinggong] was plenty amazing though.

Elemia continues to throw knives and throwing needles, aiming at places without scales or the gap between scales like the base of its teeth or claws.

The firedrake appeared gloomy so it seems that it wasnt ineffective, but she didnt seem to be able to cause much damage.

When I tried using [Appraisal],

Firedrake. Level: 11, HP: 4488/4539, MP: 451/712.

As far as it goes, there was some effect.

Compared to Miguel, whose blow didnt get through at all, it could be said that she was putting up a good fight.

The firedrake let out an agitated cry and tried to catch Elemia with its teeth and claws, but by that time, Elemia had already retreated outside the firedrakes attack range after leaving behind an afterimage created with [Darkness Magic].

That said, it wasnt too far away.

If she distanced herself completely, the firedrake would prepare another breath attack, so she is steadily accumulating damage while maintaining a reasonable distance.

I see, so this is what Gazaine meant by calling her a genuine prodigy.

That said, Elemia was still unable to hide her nervousness before the firedrake that boasted an overwhelming offensive ability.

Observing her opponents attacks and countering with her owneven for just that, she put her life at stake each time.

Her fatigue was transferred to the firedrake so there was no chance of her tiring and becoming unable to move, but there was the possibility of the mental strain sapping at her attentiveness.

There, Donna threw her handmade firecrackers.

There was no physical damage, but it still seemed to surprise the young firedrake. Glaring at Donna, it charged towards her, creating tremendous vibrations as it moved.

Just before the dragon swung its foot down with all its strength, Beck managed to wedge himself in between the two and diverted the blow away with the large multi-layered duralumin shield.

The firedrakes stance was greatly disturbed when its foot was sent in an unexpected direction.

A rumbling sound resounded in its stomach and the its upper body crashed into the wall of the cavern.

In that interval

Melby!

Kay!

Melby retrieved a gigantic coil that was 3 metres in height and roughly 50 centimetres in diameter from her dimension storage.

Underneath the coil was a cart that I had forcibly welded and attached.

Of course, both were artifacts from the historic remains.

On that coil, I scribbled a great number of (Thunder) symbols.

I also wrote (erase) next to the (thunder) but only the were invoked first.

Magic symbols that werent invoked would lose their effect after ten seconds, but that was enough for now.

Alright! Charging complete!

Everybody, get away from that guy!

I signaled to everyone with my voice, and to Melby with [Telepathy].

Beck and Donna might be put in danger so I told them to flee with my signals.

Elemia and Miguel were distanced from the firedrake.

We do something similar when invoking large-scale magic in the group fights in so the fours retreat was smooth.

Understood! Here we go!

Melby retrieved something from her dimension storage in conjunction with her reply.

After a brief moment, I invoked (erase).

The something Melby had retrieved vanished once it appeared by the mouth of the electrified coil.

Noit was discharged.

Gigyaaaa!

In one of the wings of the crying firedrakea red-hotrailhad pierced through.

The four children turned their head in my direction whilst gaping; I suppose they were unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Using (thunder) to imbue the coil with an electric current, I create a magnetic field.

Then, I throw the magnetic rail into the proximity of that magnetic field.

The rail is attracted by the magnetic field.

The rail is set inside the magnetic field with that, so I cut off the electric current with (erase).

When I do that, the rail flies out of the coil at a great speed with the attractive force provided by the magnetic field

Right, this is an improvised coil gun.

It was necessary to rescind the electric current the moment the attractive force was mounted onto the rail, but I was able to devise the timing comparatively easily thanks to a correction applied via [Discern].

It was easier than the Quick Time Event combo in fighting games.

By the way, although I used a rail, it wasnt a rail gun but rather a coil gun in regards to the mechanism.

I saw a prototype of a coil gun in an online video in my previous life.

I only have a vague recollection of it, but the theory is simple.

This was done on the spot, without any experimenting within the Nest, but it looks like it went well somehow.

Growing red-hot from the friction caused by air resistance, the rail pins the firedrakes wing to the wall of the cavern.

H-hang on!

I never heard anything about it being this powerful!?

Melby said in a flustered manner.

Ah, I see.

If she knew beforehand, Melbys investment might be considered harming another.

Passing me the fragments was fine so I had thought this would be fine too.

Or, was that the reason I missed the firing target?

If thats so, I might not be able to fire a second time.

In that case, Ill pitch in with [Psychokinesis] after the rail leaves the magnetic field

No, this isnt the time to be thinking about this kind of thing.

Hey! Were fleeing at once!

I call out to the stupefied children.

While the firedrake is unable to move, we hurriedly exit outside through the the tunnel.

Fortunately, the red-hot path had lowered in temperature, albeit only the surface, and was in the process of becoming the engraved rock that was the mark of the firedrake.

The four quickly started to move.

However, it was just a little bit late.

Gugu Guaaaaaoh!

The firedrake gave an agony-filled cry and took a deep breath.

As though it had lost itself from the pain, an ominous noise came from its throat as it finished preparations for a breath attack at a much faster pace than before.

Crap!

It doesnt seem like Ill be able to protect everyone if this place collapses!

Tch. I have no choice but to do it!

I again pour an electric current into the coil and have Melby retrieve a rail

It was at that moment.

I listened carefully this time, so I knew.

The fire spirits call out in shrill voices.

The direction they came from was diagonally below.

Its the larger firedrake that was further inside!

Oh fire spirits, save us from that menace!? Theyre not listening to my words!

Melby, who tried to interfere with the incoming breath attack, screamed.

I also tried to ask the fire spirits, but the (large) firedrakes breath attack drew closer to us without my request being granted

VROOOSH

The cavern was dyed in shimmery light.

The breath attack passed between us and the firedrake (small).

Seeing that breath attack, the firedrake (small) swallowed its breath, interrupting the breath attack it was about to release.

I also halted my preparations with the coil.

That breath attack just now was a warning.

It was the larger firedrake telling us that it could kill us here.

Then, a low voice echoed through the cavern.

Ill have you stop there, dear visitors.

Both youand my childnever had any reason to quarrel from the start, right?

The firedrake (small) emitted a Grrr.. in dissatisfaction, but it didnt seem to have the intent to defy the larger one.

It pulled out the rail that was stuck in its wing with its mouth and tossed it towards the interior of the cavern provokingly.

The rail was still red-hot but, as expected of a firedrake, it didnt seem to be harmed by the heat.

The hole opened in its wing also closed up in a twinkle.

Now, dear visitors.

Although I am unable to give you a great reception, I do have a request.

Leave our lair.

Although it was polite, those words were a command.

We exchanged looks then nodded to one another.