Demon Prince 41.1

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Chapter 41.1. Dragon King Crest

"We should talk it out. Killing without a word leaves a bad aftertaste."

"Yeah, if they can understand, that’s the right thing to do."

"Then, I shall speak. Jun, come with me. The rest, keep your distance. That includes you, Hati."

I approached the dragon with Hati’s mother, who had returned to her wolf form.

It seems the dragon noticed us.

[Hmm, have they noticed us? Hey, you over there—]

Fenrir stopped mid-sentence and gasped.

The dragon had assumed an attack stance, pointing its massive mouth at us.

That move—!

[Everyone, scatter! The Dragon’s Breath is coming! Don’t get in its path!]

Flash!

With a blinding light, the Dragon’s Breath was unleashed. It reached the edge of the forest and exploded. The trees along the way were completely obliterated, and the force was enough to kill anyone caught directly in it. The thought of what the impact zone must look like is terrifying.

That was the Dragon’s Breath. The strongest attack a dragon has.

[What insane power... Everyone still alive?]

"We’re okay, everyone’s alive. But look at that."

[Ah, I see. It seems we underestimated the extent of its injuries. That last attack must have been its final burst of strength. It won't be able to use Dragon’s Breath again.]

The dragon’s wounds appeared to be fatal. After using the Dragon’s Breath, its body began gushing blood, and one of its arms had been torn off. Blood poured from its mouth as well. It was clear it could no longer use Dragon’s Breath.

[It seems it can't understand words, but listen, you! As long as you don’t rampage, we won’t harm you. We’ll even treat your wounds. Can you hear me?]

[GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!!!!]

It reacted to Fenrir’s call with a roar, swinging its tail around, knocking down trees, and smashing rocks to pieces.

[It’s no use, it’s completely lost its mind. If we leave it alone, it will probably die soon. What should we do?]

"Do you think it’ll regain its senses if we heal its wounds?"

[Hard to say. The chances are slim, but it’s not impossible. However, actually healing it would be nearly impossible. Even I can’t hold it down completely. And healing it while fighting would be too much. We don’t know how much damage it could cause before it regains its senses.]

If its wounds heal, it might be able to use Dragon’s Breath again. If that happens, someone could die.

In that case, abandoning the idea of saving the dragon and retreating might be the best option…

"Jun! Look at that! On the dragon’s forehead!"

I followed Ai’s frantic shout and looked at the dragon’s forehead.

There was a crest?

"Do you know what that crest is?"

[Ah, this is bad. That’s the Dragon King Crest.]

The Dragon King Crest? Does it have a similar effect to the Wolf King Crest?

"Do you know what kind of power it holds?"

[Yes. That crest has the power to command dragons and their kin. It’s similar to the Wolf King Crest, but the Dragon King Crest can summon and control nearby dragons.]

That’s definitely bad. If it uses that power while it’s out of control, there’s no telling what could happen to the area. We’re close to the royal capital. If left unchecked, a dragon army could invade the city. If that happens, Elmvern is finished.

[We have no choice but to defeat it. Fortunately, there should be no other dragons or their kin in this area. We have time before they arrive. But if we don’t act, they’ll gather eventually. And if that happens, this country is doomed.]

"Yes, we have no choice. Everyone, you heard that! Let’s do this!"

At my words, everyone stepped out of the forest, ready for battle. They each voiced their determination.

"If onii-chan’s fighting, I’m in too, of course."

"I’ll protect you, Jun."

"Yeah, leave it to me, Jun-sama."

"Leave it to us, Jun-sama."

"L-Lily will fight too!"

"Woof!"

Everyone readied their weapons and prepared for battle. Yuu and I began casting enhancement and defensive spells on everyone.

[I’ll take the front. Everyone else, stay close but don’t get too near. Attack repeatedly from a distance.]

"Understood. Ai and I will take the right. Sebast and Noella will cover the left. Yuu and Lily will attack from long range. Hati, protect Yuu and Lily."

Though Hati was eager, it wasn’t safe to let her upfront.

[Are you ready? Then let’s go!]

Fenrir’s roar signaled the start of the battle, and everyone sprang into action.

Yuu and Lily attacked first. As the dragon’s attention shifted to them, Fenrir’s claws struck.

When the dragon dodged to the left, Ai and I followed up with an attack.

"Haaah!"

Ai’s gauntlet-clad fist struck the dragon’s abdomen, and she dodged its counterattacks by a hair’s breadth. With the power of the Crest of Foresight, she could see one second into the future during battle.

In Ai’s hands, it was like giving an oni a club.

I wasn’t just watching either. I enhanced my swords with magic and struck repeatedly with dual blades. Without the enhancements, my normal swords wouldn’t penetrate the dragon’s scales, and they’d break instead.

That’s how tough dragon scales are.

On the opposite side, Sebast and Noella were coordinating well, landing attacks one after another. Sebast fought hand-to-hand with clawed gauntlets, while Noella used dual daggers in a hit-and-run style.

It’s impressive how they could move like that in a butler and maid outfit.

From a distance, Yuu continued hitting with ice magic, each shot landing cleanly.

With the Crest of the Sage, Yuu’s magic was impressive.

Lily fired arrows at the dragon, but since they couldn’t pierce its scales, she aimed for wounds and vulnerable spots like its eyes and mouth.

Though the dragon moved wildly, she managed to land a few in its wounds. Her skill was remarkable.