Chapter 712

The resurrection of the dragon. In response to this unprecedented emergency, all the forces of the capital were mobilized.

The entire Royal Guard, led by Yugg Persval.

The newly formed 1st Legion and the Imperial Knight Order, responsible for the defense of the capital.

Floheta, the Tower Master of the Imperial Mage Tower, and four high-level magicians.

The Holy Legion, paladins, and Archbishop Lacey, who remained in the capital.

Even the personal knights of the nobles, including Marquis Median’s Épée de Ciel. In short, every force the empire could muster was gathered.

“…Is this all?”

“Those dispatched to subjugate monsters have not yet returned…”

Of course, even so, the numbers themselves weren’t significant.

It was an unavoidable situation.

If they had stationed a large force within the capital in preparation for the dragon’s resurrection, which seemed like a far-fetched rumor, the empire would have been half-destroyed by the monsters appearing everywhere before the dragon even showed up.

“Elpinel, protect us…”

Leopold sighed softly as he gazed at the massive monster breaking through the ground.

Could they really stop that with their current forces? Even if they did, how much loss would they have to endure? Just thinking about it made his mind go blank.

‘Right before the war with Ka`har ends, this happens…’

The resurrection of the Insect-Dragon was something they had been warned about, so they could let that slide. But why now, of all times?

Ha-shal-leur, Frederick, and the Imperial Army’s 3rd Legion—the empire’s strongest forces—were deployed to the eastern war, leaving the capital’s defenses weaker than ever. And now, this monster appears.

From Leopold’s perspective, it felt as if all the gods had united to curse him.

‘Heavenly gods, what have I done wrong? You know I’ve done my best, don’t you?’

The last remaining strands of his hair couldn’t withstand the pressure and bid him farewell. His head was now literally shining.

Of course, no divine answer came. They must have been asleep, as always.

‘…How long will you remain silent? Until all who serve you turn to dust? And you still call yourselves gods?’

Resentment, frustration, and despair weighed heavily on his mind.

Leopold clenched his teeth, glaring at the sky as he vented his grievances toward the silent gods. Then, he turned to the kneeling subjects behind him and spoke.

“…Deploy the archers on the city walls and prepare the Dragon-Slaying Crossbows. I will join the soldiers there.”

Leopold decided to leave the palace and join the defenders on the walls.

In front of that monster, the palace wouldn’t even serve as a shield. It was better to show himself to the soldiers and boost their morale.

“What are you…! It’s too dangerous! You must evacuate outside the capital!”

“Impossible. If I abandon the capital and flee, the soldiers will follow. That would only increase the damage.”

The officials, who had been stunned by the dragon’s appearance, vehemently opposed, but Leopold’s resolve didn’t waver.

If he fled, the already low chance of victory would drop to near zero.

There was no choice but to fight.

A monster that massive, with wings no less, wouldn’t just let them escape.

If they couldn’t stop or subdue the dragon here, everyone still in the capital and those desperately fleeing outside the walls would surely die.

They had no choice but to fight. This world showed no mercy to those who stopped struggling.

—

The commanders of each faction, having confirmed the dragon’s appearance, formed their battle formations at the fastest speed they had ever mustered.

It didn’t seem like a single human attack would work on that monster, but they couldn’t just surrender with open arms.

“Form ranks! Treat it like a large monster and move!”

While the infantry focused on evacuating the citizens, the Dragon-Slaying Crossbowmen and longbowmen were deployed around the walls. The paladins and knights surrounded the dragon in a wide formation.

The mages from the Mage Tower and the battle priests of the Holy Legion positioned themselves behind the knights, drawing out their power to prepare a barrage of magic and miracles. The multicolored light they emitted illuminated the streets.

“…Are we supposed to stop this?”

Their faces were pale and stiff, like soulless dolls.

—

While the forces below the level of masters surrounded the dragon in layers, the core forces—those at the master level and above—stepped forward to approach the dragon.

They, too, had pale faces.

The dragon, roaring toward the sky, exuded such overwhelming power that only a hero who had transcended the wall could dare to face it. For mere masters, the thought of confronting it was daunting.

But in the current capital, there was no one else to face the dragon.

The Fairy Guardian, comparable to the Realm of Heroes, and the Saintess. Two men and women standing before the wall, and only nine master-level forces. This was the total strength the capital could muster.

“So… how do we take that down? Any decent plans?”

Damien, the strongest swordsman of the Heaven’s Sword Order, looked around and asked.

Thanks to his talent, highly praised by Ha-shal-leur, and his experience in subjugating monsters, Damien had reached the peak of the master level. But he was still one step short of transcending the wall and reaching the Realm of Heroes.

Milia and Ophelia were no different.

“The legends about dragons are vague… and whether we can even call *that* a dragon is questionable. We’ll just have to clash with it.”

Floheta, the Tower Master of the Imperial Mage Tower, answered as she gathered vast amounts of mana. She had reached a similar level to Damien.

Though, due to her busy research schedule, she hadn’t had time to aim for a higher realm.

“…Can we win?”

“We will win. Elpinel is watching over us… and honestly, the Arm of the Evil God we saw in the Holy Kingdom was more threatening.”

Lacey reassured Milia, who was showing signs of anxiety.

The resurrected dragon was massive, dwarfing the Arm of the Evil God that had descended upon Arvil, but the power and aura within the Arm were far more sinister and intense.

It was terrifyingly threatening, but not an unstoppable calamity like the legendary dragons. At least, that’s how Lacey saw it.

‘…Either the old legends were exaggerated, or something went wrong when it died and was resurrected.’

Of course, that didn’t mean they could relax.

It wasn’t them who defeated the Arm of the Evil God—it was Ha-shal-leur, and even he had barely achieved a victory close to mutual destruction.

Their victory had been a miracle, and Ha-shal-leur’s subsequent awakening was also a stroke of luck.

Would such miracles and luck be with them this time?

Even Lacey couldn’t say for sure. She could only believe that Elpinel would protect them and lead the charge.

“…Alright. Let’s test its reactions from a distance first. Everyone, get ready.”

Ophelia spat out the magical cigarette she had been holding and stretched her arms forward.

While Floheta had the upper hand in sheer mana, Ophelia’s talent allowed her to cast spells slightly faster.

Milia, reassured by Lacey and Ophelia, also adjusted her expression and aimed the Bow of the Divine Tree at the growling dragon, thick dark energy rising around her.

Lacey planted her Cross Spear into the ground, unleashing the Blessing of Purification to block the dark energy, the Heavenly Blessing to enhance her allies’ physical abilities, and the Embrace of Grace to continuously heal their bodies.

A pillar of pure white divine light erupted, forming a radiant curtain that descended.

【Krrrrrrr….】

Perhaps the light irritated it. The dragon, which had only been roaring since its appearance, turned its head to look at them. Its eight emotionless eyes glinted like glass beads.

“It’s coming!”

Before Damien’s warning could fully register,

【Kraaaaaaaaaaaa!】

The Insect-Dragon Nidhogg roared and charged toward them, smashing everything in its path with its armored body.

The sight of its massive form filling the entire field of vision was like a mountain moving toward them.

“Fire-!”

The commanders’ shouts echoed from the rear.

Fire, lightning, golden rain, and throwing spears—all sorts of magic and miracles lit up the world as they poured down upon the dragon. The roar of the explosions shook the heavens.

【Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!】

A roar filled with rage swept through like a storm.