The mana on the longsword erupted into a bone-chilling mist the moment it struck the dragon’s tail. It instantly froze the tip of the tail, and the frost spread rapidly, rendering the massive appendage stiff and difficult to move.
This sudden turn of events clearly caught the dragon off guard. Having lost its balance, it plunged headlong into the clouds to its side. However, the icy restraint was clearly not going to last; it was only a matter of time before the creature broke free.
Midir did not escape unscathed, either. He was struck by the immense force traveling through the dragon’s tail. Even though he had cast several wind walls as a buffer, they couldn't completely negate the impact. He was sent flying backward, slamming straight into the top of No. 23’s gondola. The powerful force even snapped one of the stabilizing rods in two.
“It’s actually that tough? I swung my blade with the intent of cutting its tail clean off!”
Midir looked at the edge of his sword in disbelief. Ignoring the pain radiating from his back, he leaned over and yanked open the hatch on top of the gondola. He reached in and pulled out the anxious Ronald, helping him up and into the cockpit of No. 23.
As Ronald nimbly closed the cockpit hatch, thick white steam began to billow from Iron Man No. 23’s body. The steam spread quickly, wrapping them in a dense shroud.
Ronald’s voice echoed from within No. 23, speaking to Midir.
“While that big fellow hasn't had a chance to turn around, let’s see if we can use this steam as camouflage and hide in the clouds.”
At that moment, Aila quickly climbed out of the gondola hatch. Her eyes were filled with concern as she looked at Midir’s back and asked softly.
“Are you all right? That was a massive impact just now!”
Midir finally reached back to feel his spine. He found that only his outer coat had been sliced open, while the undergarment—cleverly woven from elements—remained intact. However, a dull ache lingered in his back, a reminder of the narrow escape.
“I should be fine. Aila, can you sense that thing’s position while our vision is obscured like this?”
Midir looked around. Under Ronald’s control, No. 23 had already plunged into the clouds, and everything around them had turned into a hazy gray blur.
Hearing this, Aila perked up her long, slender ears, listening intently to the surroundings. However, she heard nothing but the howling gale, which seemed to swallow all other sounds.
After a few attempts, she shook her head helplessly.
“If we were on the ground, I could easily track its scent and presence. But up here at this altitude, the air is filled with turbulence and the sound of the wind; there’s too much interference. Still, this might be a good thing. Since it’s hard for me to sense it, it will be just as hard for it to find us.”
“So it seems both of you agree that we shouldn't escalate the conflict with that dragon? But can I ask why? Based on the fight just now, that thing shouldn't be an invincible opponent.”
Midir finally breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his longsword as he asked.
Following a detailed explanation from Aila and Ronald, Midir finally understood. It turned out that the relationship between the dragon race and other races was no longer as tense as it had been a century ago; it could even be described as quite harmonious.
As the threat of the demon race gradually faded, the current pureblood dragons had mostly retreated from the world. As for the drakes or mixed-blood dragons that actually clashed with other races, the arrogant purebloods didn't consider them important kin and simply left them to their own devices.
However, the number of true pureblood dragons remained extremely small, and every single one held a significant position within the Dragon Valley. Engaging in a conflict with them could potentially ignite the fury of the entire dragon race—a consequence that would undoubtedly be unbearable.
Therefore, inviting retaliation from the dragons over a minor skirmish was simply not worth it. Furthermore, according to Ronald, that Red Dragon’s state seemed clearly off. If they continued to fight, things might spiral in an unpredictable direction.
“For now, we should worry about whether something is actually affecting that fellow. If something can influence a pureblood dragon, it definitely won't be simple.”
As Aila spoke, she kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. She then pulled several precision parts of varying lengths from the Armament Forger at her waist.
In the blink of an eye, these parts were skillfully assembled in her hands, transforming into a shimmering silver longbow. It was nearly as tall as an adult, radiating an extraordinary aura.
Midir looked at the heavy bow in her hands and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “I thought you only specialized in light weapons. It looks like you were hiding a trump card?”
Aila shot him a brief glare and said irritably.
“Just because I don't use it doesn't mean I can't. While this thing isn't as handy as my usual weapons, I can't fly. If that dragon comes back, I need some way to defend myself. I refuse to just sit here and wait for death.”
As the two spoke, Ronald’s steady voice, amplified by the Iron Man’s speaker, rang out again. It cut through the surrounding mist, bringing them a small measure of comfort.
“You don't need to be so tense. No. 23’s sensors haven't detected the dragon’s presence, at least within range. It might have left after failing to find us. Let’s stay here a while longer.”
Time passed minute by minute. By the time the two standing outside were soaked by the moisture in the clouds, Aila finally spoke up, unable to wait any longer.
“It’s been a while now. That fellow should be gone, right? Ronald! Fly us out and take a look?”
“Wait, don't you think it’s getting dark around here... I remember it being quite early for evening?” Before Ronald could answer, Midir spoke up with a frown.
Just as he was wondering about it, he suddenly realized that the water elements in the air were becoming active like never before, as if awakened by some power.
At the same time, before their eyes, the surrounding clouds were rapidly turning from a flawless white to a heavy, deep black, as if night had fallen prematurely.
Suddenly, a blinding bolt of lightning tore through the sky to their side without warning. Like an angry silver serpent, it instantly ripped through the thick clouds. Accompanied by a deafening roar of thunder, the entire space was shaken by an indescribable power.
“Damn it, why did this suddenly turn into a thundercloud! You two hold on tight! We need to charge out of this area immediately, or we’re going to get struck by lightning sooner or later!”
Ronald roared as he pushed No. 23 to full speed, charging forward. The two outside could see bolts of lightning constantly flashing around them, but the giant’s metal body acted like a magnet, incessantly attracting the surrounding electricity.
Under Ronald’s control, No. 23 began to change directions nimbly, doing its utmost to dodge the lethal bolts.
Even so, the violent shaking forced Midir and Aila to cling tightly to the lone stabilizing rod to keep from being thrown off its massive hand.
As the lightning around them became increasingly crisscrossed, No. 23’s massive frame looked as though it would soon have nowhere left to dodge. A heavy sense of crisis loomed over everyone.
A flash of determination crossed Midir’s eyes. He shouted at Ronald at the top of his lungs, “We have to gamble! I’ll attract the lightning—you just focus on charging forward!”
With that, Midir gripped Starflame and pointed the tip of the blade straight toward the heavens. Instantly, a powerful surge of mana erupted from within him, transforming into a golden flash of lightning.
Countless amounts of mana poured out from the tip of his sword, quickly weaving into a dazzling golden electric net in the air, tightly enveloping No. 23’s massive body within it.
Rate on N.U.
