Subjugation Of The Earth Dragon

“Hah!”

In order to keep it from heading toward Ann’s carriage, I attacked with my sword to draw its attention to me. As expected, the Earth Dragon shot me a sharp glare.

“GROOOOOOOOOOO!”

The roar heard from such close range was so loud it felt like my eardrums might burst. The shock alone was enough to make my body freeze.

To force my stiffened body to move again, I bit my lip and used the pain to shake myself out of the brief paralysis.

When the Earth Dragon swung its massive tail, the ground was gouged out and dirt and stones scattered in every direction.

“Water Wall!”

While blocking the debris with magic, I charged straight toward the Earth Dragon. Since the Earth Dragon moved on four legs, its neck was positioned low, and of course my target was its vital point—the neck.

A single slash as we passed each other. The strike was so perfect that I almost made a fist pump in my mind, but it was blocked by a wall of earth created by the Earth Dragon.

The unexpected shock of my sword crashing into the earthen wall froze my body for a brief moment, and in that instant the Earth Dragon changed its direction and tried to crush me with its front legs.

I desperately twisted my body to escape and rolled across the ground to evade it. However, the shockwave from the foot slamming down beside me blasted me all the way back to where the knights were waiting.

“Luca-san! Are you alright!?”

“Ha… yes. I’m fine.”

Answering Lord Lancian’s worried voice, I quickly stood up.

I had heard that the Earth Dragon was the weakest among dragon species, but it was still strong. A dragon was still a dragon after all.

“That is an Earth Dragon, correct? It is a monster powerful enough to destroy a small country. Should we request assistance from nearby towns?”

“No, we can defeat it. I’ve started to grasp its movements. Please continue providing support by aiming for its weak points.”

I ran back to the front line from where the knights stood and raised my sword again.

“Luca, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Opportunities to fight monsters this strong don’t come often. I might actually be starting to enjoy this.”

When I honestly said that without thinking, Rebecca gave a wry smile but nodded reassuringly.

“That’s good then. Leave the rear guard to me.”

“Thanks.”

By becoming a servant of Lady Seremees, my fundamental abilities had surpassed anyone else’s, and I had trained far more than most ordinary people.

What I lacked was experience. I would probably grow stronger through this fight… With that feeling, I realized I was smiling unconsciously.

“Ice Spear!”

Dozens of Ice Spears appeared in the air and were fired simultaneously at the Earth Dragon. And before the Ice Spears even landed, I dashed toward it as well.

The Ice Spears were blocked by the Earth Dragon’s earthen wall, but that was expected. Using the obstructed vision caused by the Ice Spears and the wall, I circled behind the Earth Dragon and swung my sword with all my strength toward the base of its tail.

“Take this!!”

With the sword’s exceptional sharpness combined with my arm strength, the tail was severed halfway through. That should prevent it from using tail-swing attacks anymore.

“GYUOOOOOOOO!”

The Earth Dragon let out a pained roar unlike before and began thrashing wildly in place. I stepped back slightly so I wouldn’t get caught in its rampage… and at that moment, I saw an arrow fly toward the Earth Dragon.

The arrow, moving at a speed almost impossible to track with the naked eye, struck the Earth Dragon’s eye as it rampaged.

“Rebecca, you’re seriously amazing.”

Her skill was impressive enough to make me mutter that out loud.

“H-How did that hit!?”

I heard the knights who carried bows shout in disbelief.

“When something is thrashing around in pain after being attacked, its movements are surprisingly rhythmic. And after it thrashes for a while, there’s a moment when it stops moving once due to anger and pain—that’s another good opportunity to aim.”

While explaining that, Rebecca’s second arrow struck its left ear. Watching that, the knights shook their heads as if to say they could never replicate such a feat.

“Rebecca, nice shot!”

So as not to waste Rebecca’s support, I charged straight at the Earth Dragon, which had lost one eye and one ear and was now disoriented.

While running, I raised my sword toward its neck and slashed as I passed it.

When I turned back, the Earth Dragon had already collapsed onto the ground. A large amount of blood was pouring out, and it appeared to have breathed its last.

“Phew, it’s over.”

I felt extremely happy that I had defeated the Earth Dragon using only my sword and magic, and a smile naturally spread across my face. I had truly grown stronger… and even now I was still growing stronger.

I wanted to become even stronger. That thought came to me honestly.

“Luca-san, Rebecca-san. Thank you both so much…!”

After high-fiving Rebecca, I looked toward the knights and saw that most of them, led by Lord Lancian, were gazing at us with admiration.

“So First Rank adventurers are this strong…”

“I’m seriously moved.”

“Doesn’t this make you want to train harder?”

Hearing those voices, Rebecca and I looked at each other and laughed. Being praised so sincerely felt a little embarrassing.