Twilight Alchemist 24.1

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24.1. When Plans Go Awry, It's Easy To Panic, Isn't It?

For some reason, the breath attack was significantly less powerful compared to the first time.

This was something only I, who had created the earthen wall, could understand.

At first glance, it remained unchanged.

The flashy breath was reflected by the earthen wall, making it appear as if the dragon had burned its own body.

Without hesitation, Raidoc gave the command to attack.

Various magic spells and explosive arrows were unleashed, and at that moment, the breath stopped abruptly, and the dragon roared.

It was a cry with a clear difference from the anger displayed before; it had a determined will.

The dragon's branching, tree-like horns emitted a strong light.

Thinking it was some attack, I involuntarily tensed up, but nothing in particular happened.

"...Huh?"

Ranger Solar and Jitaro blinked in surprise, not the only ones with questions.

It was too quiet.

"...Where's the explosion?"

Behind the towering earthen wall, we couldn't observe the dragon's state, but there wasn't a single explosion sound that had echoed at the same time until now.

Not only that. Magic attacks were also allowed this time. It shouldn't end this quietly.

"What!? Magic disappeared!?"

"The explosive arrows are burning without exploding!"

With the screams of the attacking forces spreading left and right, the situation was finally understood.

"What's going on!?"

Raidoc's shout and the dragon breaking the earthen wall with its front legs happened simultaneously.

"Was it the roar from earlier!? Does it have some defensive magic effect!?"

"It's highly possible! What do we do, Raidoc!?"

"It's too unpredictable! Temporarily retreat..."

At that moment, the dragon suddenly changed direction.

Until then, it had been slowly advancing to crush us.

However, it wasn't a change in angle when it changed direction.

It pivoted its body, changing its orientation by 90 degrees on the spot.

It was an unbelievably swift movement compared to its sluggish previous actions.

"What!?"

"This is bad!"

The dragon, facing its right-wing forward, suddenly changed its direction as if rotating.

Bracing its four limbs, the dragon emitted a wicked pale blue flame between its fangs. Inhaling deeply, it unleashed a breath that would incinerate everything onto its comrades.

"Darn it!!! Reach, [Earthen Wall of a Thousand Miles]!!!"

I ran with all my might towards the right wing, thrusting my staff forward.

Just in time, I succeeded in blocking the breath with the earthen wall, but it seemed the beginning of the breath had reached the right wing slightly. 

That alone resulted in most of the vanguard being scorched.

The unharmed humans splashed healing potions, and the injured ones quickly got up, but their expressions got overshadowed by fear.

The dragon growled and directed its gaze at me.

"Craft!"

Warriors skilled in defense flew out to protect me from the first squad and the right-wing squad.

However, the dragon's actions surpassed that.

Just like before, it swiftly changed its orientation on the spot.

This time, it headed towards the left wing.

"Ugh!!! Bepp! Send acceleration support!"

"Huh? Y-Yes! [Speed Enhancement]!"

I increased my speed with magic and continued to run at full speed towards the left wing.

I passed by Raidoc, who was running towards me.

"Give me instructions!"

"Damn! Too many casualties! If we retreat now..."

"Then we have no choice but to fight!"

Raidoc, who applied the brakes abruptly, ran alongside me.

The dragon started bracing its four limbs.

The distance was closing!

"Damn it!"