Chapter 668 Rematch
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Helena’s POV)
The Dragon God (Wash) returned, and we talked about the Salamander battle while preparing for tomorrow’s rematch.
”To be honest, that fight was a complete defeat for us. If the Dragon God (Wash) hadn’t helped…”
When I said that, everyone looked down.
”I’m sorry, everyone… It was my reckless action that forced Lola to use her gift… and that led us to that situation…”
Ramona stood up and bowed her head.
”It’s true that your reckless actions broke the rear guard’s protection, letting the enemy target us… but I don’t blame you. You were trying to break the deadlock, right?”
Ernestine, the vice captain, shared her thoughts with a smile at Ramona.
”But you know, Erne…”
”Either way, even though it was a complete defeat, we all made it out safe.”
Vianca, sitting next to Ramona, lightly tapped her shoulder, urging her to sit down.
”That’s right. Besides, our ‘Rose Hip’ activities were not wrong. That’s why the Dragon God (Wash) assisted us. We should be proud of that.”
At my words, everyone finally lifted their heads.
”Now, let’s plan our strategy for tomorrow’s new challenge against the Salamander──Machua, what do you think?”
I turned to Machua, who, while being a porter, had been entrusted with planning strategies as the advisor for my team.
She nodded vigorously and stood up.
”The protection magic for the vanguard was fine. Buffs for physical boosts and debuffs against the Salamander seemed effective. However…”
”…our attack power was not enough against their protection. Right?”
Vianca followed up with a slightly regretful tone to Machua’s words.
”Yeah. But it looks like Erne’s crossbow’s water arrows worked. So, can you put water magic on all our weapons? ── You can do that, right Arica?”
Machua asked the small magician who was sipping her tea.
”Ouch! L-Leave it to me!”
Arica cheerfully replied while blowing on her hot tea to cool it down.
She’s the youngest at 17, but her skill level is rank A.
A reliable magician.
”The Salamander seems to weaken its flames when it attacks. We should strike right after it launches its attack. And also…”
Machua looked back and forth between the elf magician and the swordswoman, who was tending to her beloved katana in the corner of the room.
”At the moment it breathes fire, its body flames almost disappear. We need to aim for that moment. ──Yori, Aoi, it’s up to your teamwork. Can you do it?”
”I see. The plan is becoming clear. ── I just need to unleash a gigantic light ball, right?”
The elf magician Yori replied to Machua’s question, and Machua nodded enthusiastically.
”Its ‘shadow’ is… I will definitely cut it.”
Aoi declared, sheathing her treasured katana with a slosh and revealing it once more.
(I see. That’s the plan we’re going with.)
After finalizing the details, we decided to get some sleep to prepare for tomorrow.
* * *
”Now!”
Erne skillfully controlled 2 crossbows, moving around to distract from the back.
It seemed her attack was taking effect because the moment the Salamander lifted its tail, its flames weakened.
With my command, Knight Vianca and dwarf fighter Ramona charged at the Salamander.
I too raised my beloved sword, strengthened by ‘Herculean strength’.
(The target is…)
Vianca’s longsword, Ramona’s double-edged axe, and my bastard sword, all enhanced by Arica’s water magic, struck the Salamander’s left leg at high speed.
──GROOOOOOOOOWW!
This is the fifth concentrated attack on the left leg.
With the 4th attack, I finally broke a few scales.
This time, it looks like the attack hurt.
The salamander howled, arching its massive body back.
”Finally, the attack got through!”
Vianca spoke quickly as she moved away from the salamander, but I could hear her heavy breathing through her helmet.
(The tide of battle is turning in our favor. But…)
I worry about the vanguard’s stamina in a long fight.
”Ice Spear!”
Three ice spears shot from Arica beyond Lola’s large shield, flying straight at the salamander.
They struck the left leg dead on.
”I’ll draw the salamander’s attention!”
Lola’s loud voice rang out from behind the shield, followed by a fierce battle cry of “Haaa!”
At the same time, a powerful aura rose from the shield.
This is a unique ‘Tank’ ability used to draw enemy hate.
(Arica’s attack magic and Lola’s aura… If the salamander finds the rearguard annoying…)
The salamander, which had been threatening us with its low stance, raised its head and looked up.
The flames bursting from its body started to weaken, and at the same time, its head glowed red-hot.
”The breath is coming! Just before it exhales, the flames will be weakest!”
I heard Machua’s voice.
Vianca, Ramona, and I──along with Elne, who had been flanking behind the salamander──all pulled back for more distance.
(Even if we get hit by its breath… If Lola is at her best, she can block the salamander’s breath with her shield. Plus, there’s Yori’s Protection magic…)
We vanguards took our positions, ready to attack at any moment.
Eventually, the salamander’s flames weakened further, and the chamber grew dim… only its wide-open jaw blazed fiercely…
”Wisp!”
Immediately after, a large sphere of light appeared behind the salamander, casting its massive shadow towards us.
”Here I come!”
Aoi, jumped out from behind Lola’s big shield with her sword, ‘Shadow Sword’.
”Shadow Cutter!”
She slashed at the shadow of the salamander on the ground.
──Grrraaaah!
The breath attack stopped, and the salamander stumbled back, raising its front legs.
Its chest was cut open, and blood was gushing out.
(‘Shadow Cutter’… It’s an amazing skill, every time I see it.)
Ao’s sword, ‘Shadow Sword’.
She found it in Welnia Labyrinth, and it’s an old sword, no one knows when it was made.
Maybe it’s a relic from the ‘ancient civilization era’, like people say.
Its ability is to cut the target’s “shadow” to damage its body, ignoring any protection.
But, to use that power──
”Leave it to me, Aoi!”
Lola immediately covered Ao, who had lost most of her magical power and was kneeling.
Aoi was hidden by the big shield that Lola planted in the ground again.
”Aim for the chest! Let’s go all out!”
We, the 4 of us, the vanguard, raised our weapons and jumped to finish off the fallen salamander.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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