Chapter 85 "Sigh"

A dagger was swung at my neck - Heidi's neck.

I catch it with the comb-like groove etched on the dagger and twist it. I had bought this dagger a while ago, and it is useful for destroying the opponent's weapon.

　I heard a small cracking sound, and the dagger broke.

I took advantage of the moment when my opponent was disturbed by the loss of his weapon and stabbed him in the neck with the throwing knife I had at my waist, gutting his throat.

Before the explosion could occur, I kicked him in the stomach to distance myself from him.

　As soon as the opponent fell, he exploded.

I looked around and saw that the holy knights had formed a circle around the residents to engage Darzain.

　When I rushed to the scene, this was already happening, so I broke in to help the holy knights.

　From what I could see, the holy knights and the black robes were evenly matched in terms of strength, but they were having a hard time because they were protecting the residents.

　The black robes, knowing this, were relentlessly stalking the residents.

　The residents screamed, and I saw a holy knight who had been distracted by the screams being cut down.

　I grit my teeth inwardly and continue the battle.

"Don't be afraid! Defend your people! We will not allow ourselves to fall!"

The holy knight in command shouted as if urging them to get up.

　I also regain my spirit as I beat up the enemies in front of me.

　With the city in this state, we cannot expect reinforcements.

　Then, we have no choice but to make it through with our current strength.

　There are still a few holy knights left. Their will to fight has not declined. We can still do it.

Still........

　"Gohu..."

A Holy Knight who was fighting a short distance away was pierced by a huge icicle.

　I quickly looked up at the sky.

　A black shadow with wings was floating in the air. There were four of them.

They looked like the demon I had seen at the Oratorium mansion sometime ago, but they were probably more powerful.

　And for some reason, a human upper body sprouted from its chest.

　All the demons held out their hands to us at once.

　Sensing danger, I quickly flew to distance myself.

　The next moment, powerful magic was released from each demon.

　A mass of flames, icicles, tornadoes, and a large number of huge rocks.

　Those who could not react stood still, while those who chose not to evade stood in front of the residents, desperately trying to protect them by forming a defensive formation with shields and magic.

　However, despite their resistance, the magic swallowed up the majority of the residents and the Holy Knights, along with their defenses.

　A shock and a roar.

　I almost collapsed in the aftermath.

　"But...damn..."

　"It hurts...it hurts..."

Screams and groans were heard everywhere.

　The place where the magic hit was caved in and there was almost no trace of what was there.

　A single blow. With just one blow, the battle situation tilted to the disadvantage. How unreasonable.

　"G...oh. Those who can move, hold that monster back! Those who can't fight, take the survivors and run!"

　The holy knight in command stands up, spitting blood.

　Following him, the surviving holy knights stand in front of the enemy with determined expressions.

The knights, who are finding it difficult to fight, move to leave the area while protecting the residents.

　"You go, too! We are enough here. We'll hold them off for a little while!"

　The knight urges me to run as well.

　"...but..."

　"Unlike us, you are an adventurer! Use your life for yourself! Thank you for your help, but no more! Go on! Let's go!"

　I hesitate for a moment, then silently shake my head.

　"...I can't. I can't abandon him."

Besides...there was no guarantee that he would be saved if I escaped, so if I was going to do this anyway, I might as well do my best.

The holy knight gulped a little, then sighed a little.

"...I'm sorry."

　"It's okay."

　I stand next to the knights and ready my weapon.

　The demons slowly descend to the ground and hold their hands out to us with a vile smile on their faces.

　I thought the demons would be too much for me to bear.

　I stare at the demons as if I can't stand to lose.

If that thing hits me, I'm sure I'll die. What will he think if I die?

　Will he be stunned? Or would he be sad? I chuckle inwardly at the thought.

　I don't know why...for some reason, I wanted to hear his voice.

　...I give him a .......

　Just as the magic was about to be released, something huge flew out of the sky and slammed into the demons.

　The demons could not withstand it and were blown away.

　"What!?"

"Eh!?"

　Not only me but also the holy knights shouted at this sudden turn of events.

　What in the world...?

　The flying thing slowly got up and turned around to face me.

　"Savage?"

　It was Savage, the earth dragon that always carries us.

　Savage took one look at me, slowly approached me, and turned his back to me.

　Is he asking me to get on?

　"No. I can't just run away."　

　Savage stares at me and exhales.

　It looked like he let out a sigh, but maybe it was just my imagination.

　Then he lightly looks up at the sky and roars at the demons.　

　The next moment, the ground exploded.

　Savage stomps on the ground, and with tremendous speed, he comes in close to the demons and blows away the one closest to him with a swing of his tail. The demon's body bends and flutters in the air.

　The other demons fire a counter-magic. Flames try to engulf Savage, but he avoids them by leaping upward.

　The other two release a pillar of ice and a tornado, but Savage evades them by kicking them in the air.

　"What!?"

　The holy knight next to me shouts in surprise.

　I probably would have had the exact same reaction.

　In mid-air, Savage spun vertically and flashed his tail. The arm of the demon at the end of the swing is severed, even though it did not reach him.

　...What in the world?

　Upon closer inspection, the surface of Savage's tail turned into something with a metallic sheen and sword-like sharpness, and I know that it became like a blade and cut through the demon, but... what was that thing?

　The tail split and elongated at equal intervals, and it was connected by a bone-like object.

　I only know that thing from knowledge, but is it a guy who combined a whip and a sword and called it a "bellows sword"?　

　And he did that in the flesh?

　He kicked the air again and landed forcefully. At the same time, Savage flashed his tail further to the side.

　The demons flew away, but the black robes within range of the slash were unable to avoid it and were cut in half.　　　

　The speed of the slash was frightening. It has the speed and range of a whip and a sharpness that surpasses that of a sword.

　It was impossible to see through at first sight. The black robes may not have even noticed that they had been cut.

The demon shot magic at Savage as he was swinging.

　A lot of huge rocks are falling down, but he spins his body further and cuts the rocks in two. The sharpness was a joke.　　

　The tail shrinks back to its original length with a clear metallic sound as it shrugs off the attack.

　He turned his head, looking up as the other demons tried to shoot more magic.

　Before the magic could be released, Savage spits something out.

　A ball made of water? A [water ball]? But what is that color?

　The ball of water that Savage spit out was a bright, almost poisonous yellow.

　It hit the demon's torso just before he released his magic.

　"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?"

　There was a tremendous scream and the demon's torso melted away with a tremendous pungent odor.

　I quickly suppressed my mouth and nose. It's a terrible smell.

　But I've smelled this smell somewhere before....

　I remembered it, but could not recall it.

"What the hell is that thing...?"

　The holy knight muttered in a muffled voice.

　To be honest, I couldn't hide my surprise.

　I had heard about the strength of the earth dragon, but I had never imagined it to be this strong....

　Where in the world did he find Savage? No, even before that, how did he get his hands on it?

　Questions arose, but more than that, I couldn't take my eyes off the scene in front of me.

After that, Savage continued to tear the black robes to a bloody pulp with tremendous strength.　

The remaining demons pull back when they see the demons who have been exposed to the mysterious liquid and their ongoing dwindling number of friends.

　Those who were exposed to the mysterious liquid are completely melted, leaving only a small portion. Even the demons would not be safe if they were exposed to it.

　With this in mind, Savage finishes off the black robes one after another.

　He rips them apart with his claws, strikes them away with his tail, and melts them with the mysterious liquid.

　The black robes try to surround and finish them off, but they can't catch Savage, who is bouncing around in the air, and only adds to the death toll.

　Savage grabs the head of the surviving black robe and throws it at the nearest demon.

The demon tries to repel him with magic, but before it can be activated, he extends his tail and cuts off both of the black robes he throws in mid-air.

At the same time, they explode and a black mist spreads in front of the demon.

The demon quickly flies backwards and avoids, but by that time Savage kicks the air and leaps on top of the demon.

　With his mouth wide open, he bites off the human's head, which is attached to the demon's torso.

　The demon, having been cut to pieces, looked at its own torso curiously and melted down.

　Savage spits out the head he has just eaten off.

　The spat out head exploded before falling to the ground.

　It was clearly a familiar move.

Savage's intelligence can be seen in the fact that he uses the characteristic of exploding and scattering black mist when they die to attack.

　The two remaining demons are watching Savage from afar in the air, their human faces buried in their chests twitching in fear. The next thing I know, the black robes have been annihilated and there are no other enemies left.

Savage snorts lightly. Immediately after that, something passes through our bodies.

　Is this... magic?

　"Is this a [Heat Search] Flame Sonar?"

　The holy knight next to me muttered in dismay.

　I knew this magic. I believe it is supposed to be a magic that checks the heat within its area of effect....

　There are many people who can use detection magic, but very few who can master it.

　The reason is that even if they obtain information, they are unable to discern it.

　For example, when using [Heat Detection], it is said to be able to sense objects that emit heat within the area of effect, but it is difficult to determine what they are.

Demons with similar abilities are said to be able to use this to search for prey, but...can a earth dragon do such a thing?

　Once again, I was reminded of the amazing power of the earth dragon.

For some reason, Savage took one look in the direction of nothing, snorted once more, and pounced on the demons.

　The remaining demons fought back, but the result was obvious.

　After killing all of his enemies, Savage staggered up to me.

　As Savage approaches, the surrounding holy knights involuntarily move away from me.

　Savage turns his back to me, oblivious to the reaction of the holy knights.

　His back seemed to be saying, "I've taken care of it, so get on."

I'll get on, but I don't want to go to a safe place by myself.

　"Savage, listen to me. I want to work with them to get everyone out. I'm begging you. Can you help me?"

　Savage slowly turns around and looks at me.

　His gaze is cold as he looks down at me from above.

　I feel a chill run down my spine.

　Savage's gaze reminds me somehow of his, but there is a definite difference.

　His gaze is sometimes horrifyingly cold, but Savage's is inorganic.

　His eyes are devoid of any emotion. A lack of emotion that cannot be explained simply by the fact that they are from different species.

　Perhaps, though, Savage sees no value in me as a person.

　The question of why, then, is raised, but I quickly guessed.

　He is the only one Savage really follows. He must be the one who sent Savage to rescue me.

　I don't want to abandon them.

　I look Savage in the eye and say.

　"I'm going with them. If you don't want to help them, can you tell him that?"

　This is non-negotiable.

　Savage looks me in the eye, then closes his eyes as if thinking.

　After a few moments, he lets out a long breath, grabs me gently, puts me on his back, and begins to slink off toward the fleeing inhabitants. The holy knights hurried after us.

　I patted Savage's neck and said, "Thank you," to which he only exhaled lightly and did not react in particular.