7th Demon Prince Jilbagias’ Chronicle of Demon Kingdom Toppling

５２.1  Roar of The Dawn

『――This is an absolutely secret tactic.』

Direct supervision, it was told directly by cardinal Miralda who once oversaw my training in the institution.

In the underground room of the main cathedral of the holy country. Illuminated by cheap candles, Miralda’s old and wrinkly face seems to be even older than before.

『The white dragons will rebel against the demon king. With their cooperation, the elite of holy religion, and warriors from each of the countries will launch an assault toward the demon king castle from the sky. From there, the assassination plan will begin.』

『――Are you insane?』

I unintentionally retorted. At first, I thought that it was just one of Miralda’s nasty jokes.

And yet, she didn’t respond to my retort with her usual impish smile. The wrinkle on her eyebrows became even deeper.

『The alliance is getting cornered bit-by-bit. Large-scale counter-offensive tactics is always met with failure, the only thing it can do is boost morale in the frontline a little bit. As if that isn’t bad enough, there’s internal discord within the alliance. We have to do something about the demon king, otherwise―― They’re going to wipe out humanity.』

I knew that. I’m truly aware of that but still…

『The success rate of this tactic aside, this is literally a suicide mission with no hope of returning alive, regardless of the result.』

『…』

『… A suicide squad huh.』

Miralda clenched her fist on top of the desk.

『Twenty… No, if only I was fifteen years younger, I would definitely volunteer myself for this mission. But, this old body of mine won’t be able to endure the high altitude flying… I will only become a hindrance…』

Miralda during her teaching was truly merciless, she told us, her students to show no mercy on the darkling and yet――The current her was clearly dispirited by sadness.

『Shall I go then?』

『In the worst situation, we have to prevent the leak of this information… Only those without relatives were told about this…』

『So that’s mean the one without relatives are more competent for this mission.』

Miralda bit her lips, nodded silently with an extremely sad face.

『That’s more reason for me to participate.』

I replied carefreely as if this suicidal mission was only a walk in the park.

Even if I kept fighting, it was only a matter of time before I died in the frontline.

Since that was the case, let’s take this once in a lifetime chance.

In there, I shall―― Burn brightly before I die.

『Ah but, it’s useless if I’m the only participant you know?』

『… Some people have already enlisted.』

『Wow, they must be reliable for sure. To think that there is still another crazy person who wanted to kill the demon king so much aside from me out there.』

『… I’m sorry.』

『Stop making such a face! I’ll make sure to at least give a punch on the face of that demon king!』

『… I’m really sorry… Alex…』

『Stop looking so sad already, you’re the infamous hag, the demonic teacher after all. It’s still too early to mourn for me!』

I patted Miralda’s trembling shoulders. The back that became smaller as she aged――

『… But, why did the white dragon get estranged now of all time?』

That question suddenly popped into my mind, so I tried to ask her to divert the topic.

『According to the patriarch of the white dragon, Faravugi of the 『Dawn』…』

Miralda replied with a sniffle.

『―― It’s for revenge.』

†††

――I blacked out for a moment.

When I opened my eyes again, I felt like my body just got baked alive.

「… Uhn.」

I couldn’t speak, all I could do was groan in pain. Since I’m not dead yet, better not move carelessly. My opponent might kill me for sure if I made a stupid move during this crucial moment.

I forced my eyes open, looking carefully at my surroundings.

Vigne, Sofia, and Verossa, the three of them stood in the front to protect me alas, all of them fell down on the ground while black smoke came from their bodies.

But, everyone just barely survived. Sofia had yet to explode, Vigne barely breathing. The white dragon was the natural enemy of the night elf. Their certain hit scorching beam aside, the light attribute itself was poison for the night elf’s body.

… Sofia aside, Vigne might only have a few seconds left of her life.

And lastly Verossa in human form―― He neither twitched or made sound.

「――FUHAHAHAHA! SERVES YOU RIGHT, FU*CKING DARKLING! BURN TO DEATH!」

The white dragon was laughing ferociously in front of us. I couldn’t say anything but give my sympathy to the darkling who became the target of his breath attack, including me.

――Ante, how’s the situation of those behind us?

『The three in the front are almost burnt black. But――』

The footsteps resembling hoofs came toward our direction.

「Wo~of! Wow, wow!」

I felt someone’s tongue licking my body, and my pain receded along with it.

『――Liliana is the only one who survived that attack unscathed.』

When I looked at her, Liliana had the expression as if she was about to cry. She was completely unaffected by that breath attack.

Well, the high elf was a tribe that was blessed by the god of light after all. The beam of light which almost annihilated us just now was akin to a lukewarm bath for her.

「――Hell yeah! If it isn’t a high elf over there!?」

And then, the white dragon had finally noticed her existence.

""

「My name is 『Faravugi』! The patriarch―― Of the white dragon…!」

He then approached us in his dragon form.

「What a mellow light attribute! As expected of a high-rank high elf! If it’s you, you should be able to use the miracle of purification right!? Can you heal my wings now!?」

Upon a closer look, the white dragon’s―― Faravugi’s wings were twisted, as if they were withered.

「My wings become like this due to those accursed darkness dragon’s 【Withering Wings】 curse! It took me a long time to recover to my current state… My magical power isn’t enough! But, healing this should be an easy matter for a high elf…!」

「Ku~n…」

Liliana retreated in fear. Faravugi stopped approaching, it seems he also noticed a sense of incongruity from Liliana’s current state.

「Are you… Under the effect of a domination spell?」

The stone around his feet made a low, creaking sound.

Faravugi laughed.

「What a sweet coincidence… Fine, since that’s the case, I can overwrite that spell…! Now take a look into the light in my eyes…!」

He then walked slowly while talking to her with a gentle voice akin to coaxing a kid.

「I’ll put you in a dreamy state… Now then… My puppet…!」

Charm magic. Aurora coloured light raining incessantly at Liliana but――

「Waoof!」

The  magic got interfered with before it touched her. Even though she already regarded herself as a dog, a high-elf was still a high-elf. Her magic resistance was top notch under any condition, no one could put her under any mind interference spells aside from me to whom her heart opened up to.

「Cheeky girl! The lowly herbivorous of the forest who lost her ego has actually dared to go against me! You’re just a lowly dog, follow me obediently.」

Faravugi became enraged and started cursing with a thundered voice that shook the entire room upon knowing his target was resisting his magic.――

That moment, Verossa leapt right under his feet.

Naturally, he didn’t drop the sharp sword in his hand.

「――【Transpose】」

I stretched my hand, and took over Verossa’s wounds.