Academy’s Genius Swordmaster

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 256: Clash (7)

Rumble… The sewer shook violently. The tremors were caused by Duaru’s bombardment, but Azidahaka, having lost all sensation, did not notice.

They were deep in their old conversations. Alivrihe’s face suddenly grew serious, having sensed the situation. Azidahaka noticed the break in their conversation and asked.

【Alivrihe?】

“Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

Alivrihe offered an awkward smile. He stroked his beard a few times and continued.

“I can still see the day you ascended to the throne clearly. It was a time of great confusion because Lady Navardose stepped down without naming a successor. That was already centuries ago.”

【Has it really been that long?】

“Time always seems to pass quickly in retrospect.”

Reflecting on the past, Azidahaka chuckled. It felt like just yesterday, but upon counting the days, it was indeed a distant past.

Adren was plunged into chaos without a ruler. Managing a city of proud dragons and their minions was no easy task, much harder than running a human city.

A competent leader was indispensable. After much deliberation, the dragons decided to elect the strongest as their ruler, a traditional and straightforward method. Azidahaka spoke.

【They were all weaklings. None were truly worthy except me.】

“Haha… That might be true.”

All dragons who thought themselves powerful fought fiercely to become the ruler of dragons. Azidahaka was among them and emerged victorious. Alivrihe laughed heartily.

“In the end, it was the right decision. Not just because of your strength but because you were wise. You managed everything so well that it seemed like you didn’t even need three heads.”

【…Shut up.】

“Alright, alright. My apologies. Anyway, after that, you…”

The conversation flowed with stories of old times, helping them momentarily forget their dire situation. Having traveled the world together for decades, they had countless stories to share. Alivrihe spoke.

“It’s often said that a dragon born with multiple heads is an incredible omen. Much rarer than those with multiple wings. To be honest, in my younger days, I felt honored just to be your friend.”

【You were different from the other fools.】

Azidahaka confirmed. Indeed, Alivrihe was one of the few he considered his equal. He was the most brilliant in his clan, after all.

“Thank you for saying that. Do you remember when we went to seek guidance from Lady Navardose during our wandering days? Not to kill her, but to ask what we should do with our lives.”

【I think I do…】

“Do you remember what she said to you back then?”

Azidahaka fell silent at the sudden question. It was so long ago that his memory was hazy. Navardose had said something while patting his head.

【No.】

“I remember clearly. She said you would either become a great king who saves and leads many, or a wicked dragon who would terrify the world. From what I see now, you seem closer to the latter.”

【…What are you trying to say?】

“I’m just curious. How did someone as noble as you end up like this?”

Alivrihe asked. A heavy silence fell. The increasingly heavy eyelids signaled the approach of death.

Since it was the end, Azidahaka figured he might as well speak frankly. He broke the silence.

【…I hated being second.】

“Hmm?”

【I turned Adren into a golden city. I restored order and created an environment where our kin and their servants could live comfortably. I never neglected the duty of ruling entrusted to me.】

“No one can deny that. Adren’s prosperity was your achievement.”

Alivrihe nodded. Indeed, the influence and respect dragons commanded in the world were largely due to Azidahaka, the second dragon lord.

【Despite that, my subjects and people respected the Mother of Fire more than me. It bothered me. So, I decided to eliminate her.】

“…I find that hard to understand. Respect for Lady Navardose was inevitable.”

Alivrihe frowned. The reason was pettier than he had anticipated. To think he allied with Nebula Clazier over such a thing.

“Most of your subjects deeply respected you too. You were a decent king.”

【I knew that. I knew, but…】

Azidahaka spoke with difficulty. His dimming vision had already been overtaken by darkness. In a world losing even its sounds, he spoke.

【I didn’t want to lose to that ‘inevitability’…】

“Hmm.”

Azidahaka, trailing off, let his head fall. Alivrihe sighed quietly. The middle head, which had been moving its lips, went limp.

Who knows how much time passed?

Azidahaka, who had seemed dead, suddenly opened his eyes and coughed up blood.

【Grrk-!!】

“Damn. Now it’s on me.”

Alivrihe clicked his tongue. Although he quickly dodged, he was still splattered with a good amount of blood. Azidahaka, in a mix of surprise and confusion, stammered.

【Grr, what is…!】

Suddenly, the sensation returned to his body, and pain radiated from his side. The once faint sound of water grew louder. His vision, now clearer, showed the dreary sewer. Thud! Thud! Tremors from somewhere deep shook the air.

The growing pain soon became unbearable. His clenched teeth broke from the pressure.

Azidahaka writhed like a worm on wet ground. Alivrihe watched and chuckled.

“Looks like someone above is trying to heal you.”

【Heal… me?】

“Why so surprised? You were a good king. It seems others think so too.”

Azidahaka’s eyes widened. He realized he could move his body. Something like vines gently wrapped around his neck, pulling him up.

Alivrihe’s figure slowly receded. Azidahaka wanted to ask many things to his long-lost friend, but the pain was too overwhelming.

“Goodbye. Think about why you were born with two heads.”

【Ali… vrihe…】

“I don’t believe it was to hold twice the hate and jealousy.”

Alivrihe waved. As Azidahaka tried to speak—Boom! The pulling force grew stronger, and the scenery changed. His three heads were yanked out of the ground.

【Ugh!】

Azidahaka gasped. The cool air filled his lungs. He saw enormous vines wrapped around his upper body. Familiar voices came from behind.

“Your Majesty! My goodness…!”

“Are you conscious?!”

Azidahaka turned. The first thing he saw was Naransonia, the steel dragon. Around her were a dozen or so dragons who were his close aides.

【What…!】

They were biting or holding the vines attached to his body. They had evidently rescued and healed him from the sewer.

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Understanding the situation, Azidahaka looked down. There was a horrendous scar on his side, a hurriedly treated wound from the giant’s attack. Naransonia spoke.

“Your Majesty. We did our best, but it was too severe for a full recovery. Please transform into a smaller creature and escape from Adren.”

【…Escape?】

“Yes. It seems that giant intends to bring all of Adren down by attacking the floating stone at the center of the island.”

Naransonia’s left wing was neatly severed—a wound from his beam attack. Bringing down Adren? Azidahaka asked in bewilderment.

【What do you mean? You…】

“We must protect the servants. We will buy some time, so please escape. Luckily, he’s not paying us much attention.”

Hearing this, Azidahaka looked up. He saw Duaru in the distance, still throwing spears at the ground.

On the surface, pale giants were roaming, slaughtering survivors. The remaining dragons fought back, but they struggled due to the giants’ toughness and sheer numbers.

【I…】

Azidahaka’s voice was low. The conversation with Alivrihe replayed in his mind. A great king or a wicked dragon? He couldn’t tell if it was real anymore. He tried to speak.

Suddenly, the third head, which had been unconscious, opened its eyes.

【…Was I knocked out?】

【You…】

The middle head glared at it. The third head, without a word, surveyed the surroundings. Quickly assessing the situation, it spoke in a cold voice.

【Hmm… This isn’t good.】

【What do you mean?】

Suddenly, two wings slowly unfurled. Thankfully, they were undamaged. After a pause, the third head spoke.

【There’s no chance of winning. We must retreat and regroup.】

【You heard about Adren falling. If we flee, who will protect the remaining people?】

【That’s for the remaining ones to figure out. You know as well as I do that we can’t win this.】

Azidahaka’s middle head hardened with resolve. The dragons, including Naransonia, remained silent. The third head continued.

【And who knows? Navardose might deal with that thing. Knowing her nature, she would surely intervene. After she weakens from defeating that monster, it’ll be the best time to strike.】

【…Are you serious?】

【Of course. Don’t ask again.】

The third head ended the conversation decisively. He looked down at Naransonia and spoke.

【Buy us some time. You have some wits about you.】

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Naransonia nodded. She had proposed the same strategy, so there was no disagreement. At that moment, the middle head called out.

【Hey.】

【What?】

He knew what he had to do. As the third head turned with irritation, the middle head suddenly lunged and bit its neck.

【Graaah! What are you doing?!】

The third head roared. The middle head didn’t answer, only tightened its grip. The sharp teeth pierced the scales, blood spurting out.

【Grrr…!】

The middle head groaned in pain. Though their personalities were different, they shared the same body, so the pain was mutual. He spoke through gritted teeth.

【I was foolish. No matter how much I wanted to defeat Navardose, I shouldn’t have let you in. Disappear now!】

【Grr… Yes, it was destined to end this way. You’ve saved me the trouble…!】

The third head twisted its body, biting the middle head’s neck. Two hands gripped his horns and face, exerting tremendous force.

【Grrk!】

【Fool. Don’t you realize this body is now mine?!】

The third head laughed maniacally. As expected, the one in control had the advantage.

All the middle head could do was endure the pain and hold on with all his strength, sinking his teeth deeper to avoid being thrown off.

Dignity as a king was long abandoned. His subordinates watched helplessly as their king fought himself.

The balance tipped in favor of the third head. An indescribable sensation tickled a corner of the middle head’s nerves.

‘This is…!’

It was a sensation deeply familiar since birth. The middle head’s lips curled into a faint smile.

【…The fool is you.】

【What?】

The third head frowned. He assumed it was a desperate attempt to buy time and tightened his grip. The middle head spoke again.

【Not even counting your own heads…】

【How foolish.】

Suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed from behind. The third head’s scales bristled. As he turned his head, the right head lunged from the blind spot, biting his pale neck.

【Aaaah!】

Blood sprayed into the air. The third head involuntarily released his grip. The middle head seized the opportunity, biting deeply into the underside of the third head’s jaw.

【My mistake-】

【I correct it here.】

【Wait! Don’t you want to defeat Navardose?! With our power, we can! Once that monster is gone, nothing can stop us!】

The third head, immobilized, screamed desperately. It was a pitiful sight, unlike his previous demeanor. The middle head spoke coldly.

【I don’t need-】

【That anymore.】

【Hold on…!】

The second head finished the statement. As the third head tried to speak, the two heads bit into him simultaneously and pulled back. Shrrip! The pale scales tore, and the third head was ripped apart.

“Your Majesty…!”

The dragons watching widened their eyes. Blood poured onto the ground. The middle head, now the left, shook its head. Thud! The shredded third head rolled on the ground.

【Ugh!】

【Grr…!】

The body, once pale, regained its beautiful golden hue. Despite the intense pain, there was no time for rest.

Fwoosh! Azidahaka spread his wings explosively and soared into the sky. His powerful voice echoed over Adren.

【Hear me! All who dwell in the City of Dragons, heed my command!】

【Defeat the intruder and prevent Adren’s fall!】

****

“Get away!”

【Stand back!】

Aselle screamed, swinging his arm. An invisible force repelled the giants of light. But it wasn’t enough to kill them, and they quickly rose again.

“Grrr!”

A massive, dark tail descended on the giants, smashing them. The spot where the tail had struck was now filled with remnants of light.

“Th-they keep coming! What do we do…!”

Aselle cried, nearly in tears. They were surrounded by dozens of giants shortly after Duaru scattered his feathers. They were fighting desperately with the remaining mana and Orsay’s exposed tail, but they were reaching their limit.

【It seems this is the end.】

There was no way out. No matter how many giants they killed, more kept coming, closing the circle tighter. Orsay spoke in a resigned tone.

【Too bad, mage. You could have survived if you had left me.】

“How could I do that…!”

【Why not?】

“We, we fought together… I could never abandon a comrade…”

Ha! Orsay chuckled. The audacity of a human equating themselves to a dragon. It was infuriating and presumptuous, yet oddly pleasing.

【A comrade, you say.】

Orsay’s lips twisted. If he had known earlier, he could have had much more fun. Now it was too late.

The giants were upon them. A single punch could bring down stone walls; a gruesome death was imminent. Adren’s fall was inevitable, and a terrible death awaited.

“Nngh…!”

【Grrr-!!】

Bracing for their final stand, the dragon and human roared their last defiance. Suddenly, dozens of red lines slashed across the giants.

“…What?”

“Huh?”

The giants paused. Aselle and Orsay widened their eyes. The giants, sensing something wrong, turned. Fwoosh! The lines expanded, and their bodies exploded, crumbling into light.

【What is this?】

“Grrr…!”

The giants dissolved into light, disappearing like a mirage. From where the light had settled, a young man emerged. Aselle’s eyes widened.

“R-Ronan!”

“There you are.”

A familiar face. Tears welled in Aselle’s eyes. Ronan, covered in blood, looked more determined than ever.

Instead of answering, Ronan swung his sword. Shwip! The radiant slash cut through both material and magical bindings, shattering their prison.

“Argh!”

【You…!】

Thud! Freed, Orsay collapsed to the ground, Aselle on top of him biting his tongue. Unable to move, Ronan spun his sword and spoke.

“What are you two doing here? You look pathetic.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]