ALL NOVEL Chapter 432
The commotion from the castle tower quickly reached Arael Fortress, where a messenger who had been waiting rushed to Ainel.
“Commander, a signal has been raised from the castle tower. A dragon is currently approaching Arael Fortress.”
“So it has finally come. The entire extermination squad must move as prepared. I will not permit a single delay.”
“As you command!”
Ainel stood up and grabbed her sword.
Having fought and slain countless foes with this sword, the familiar weight eased her tension, and for a moment, she felt a cool logic fill her like her blade.
Without hesitation, she strapped the sword to her waist and walked out of the room, where knights and wizards had already assembled at her door.
“Good timing. Let’s head to the castle wall and discuss as we go.”
Leading them, Ainel began to stride forward while observing the bustling troops around her.
“What about the magic circles prepared for the extermination?”
“We have finished preparations for everything devised by Your Highness, the Princess. We can deploy them whenever you give the order.”
“How many wizards are needed to operate the magic circles?”
“A total of 40 wizards, including reserves, will be sufficient.”
“Good. Then allow all wizards except those 40 to prepare for direct combat. Duke Rephelia’s eldest daughter will assist.”
“Understood.”
After the wizard bowed quickly and left, Ainel turned to the knight who had remained silent.
“Do you know the dragon’s trajectory?”
“I’ve heard that it is coming in a straight line, due to pass the castle and head directly toward Arael Fortress.”
“A straight line, huh? We can handle it wherever it decides to wander… but it would be best if it comes from the west and directly. Turning east would put those waiting there in danger.”
“The mid-grade cavalry and rangers stationed at the castle tower are ready to draw the dragon closer to the fortress. They will ensure that the cult forces take damage while risking their lives.”
“If only that goes according to plan, it would be perfect. That way we can focus solely on our tasks. We should pray they complete their mission and return to Arael Fortress alive.”
From then on, the knights’ condition was perfect.
Ainel once again confirmed that all preparations they had taken were in motion.
As she ascended the castle wall, her gaze caught the knights staring at something beyond the wall, almost entranced.
“Commander, over here!”
Following the knights’ guidance, Ainel stood in her spot and saw the presence that had captured their attention. Finally, she understood why the seasoned knights reacted this way.
“Tsk.”
It was no mere young dragon, nor was it the weakened dragon of dusk that had become a tale spread throughout the kingdom.
“It’s too filthy large to strike.”
Even from a distance, its enormous body made them feel like mere insects. The dragon, a walking mountain, approached majestically on its four legs, wings tucked against its shoulders.
Nestled in a wintery terrain where a snowstorm could surge at any moment, its scales glistened white. As if it spotted the fortress, an unsettling pressure began to weigh upon their shoulders.
A small flame shot forth from the dragon’s front, bursting and catching its attention.
“…The ones in charge of the operation. They have finally reached the dragon.”
Far in the distance, the mid-grade cavalry and rangers succeeded in drawing the dragon’s gaze.
The dragon, however, looked down at the ground, its colossal front paw raising to stomp. The impact literally crushed the earth around it.
“Trying to redirect it to our whims was likely too ambitious. Alas—”
Just as she thought it would surely die, flames struck the dragon’s head.
In a state frozen in place, the dragon did not appreciate being toyed with by the demons and seemed irritated by the humans it found insignificant yet troublesome. It began to reveal hostility toward the soldiers heading toward Arael Fortress.
“…At least his advance won’t veer eastward.”
The ground trembled as the dragon drew ever closer.
With each step, its colossal form provoked gasps of astonishment from everyone.
Determined not to be outdone, Ainel drew her sword and shouted.
“Prepare for battle!”
The dragon, now dangerously close, nearly trampling the direction of the castle tower, saw some soldiers desperately rallying toward the fortress.
“Open the east gate! Once the soldiers return, quickly shut it!”
“East gate! Gatekeeper, open the east gate!”
While those on the wall guided the opening of the gate, the furious dragon advanced greatly.
As it spread its wings, sunlight was blotted out, casting a shadow over the fortress.
From this distance, the state of the dragon did not look favorable. Perhaps it was due to the demons. Its wings bore signs of tearing and countless wounds while its scales were missing and raw.
And perhaps because of that, it emanated an even fiercer bloodlust.
In that tense situation, Ainel unleashed her energy, dispelling the dragon’s bloodlust.
“Look! The mountain of corpses we overcame in past wars is far larger than that dragon’s body! What are the knights of the Count’s House so fearful of? We are currently paving our way through the demonic realm, and we should feel no fear before such a beast!”
The knights of the Count’s House nodded at Ainel’s words, igniting their fighting spirit.
“Those who have not experienced the wall battles are the same! The Kingdom’s Master stands beside you; do you think we cannot handle an old dragon despite being the Kingdom’s elite?!”
Ainel’s voice soared with no hint of fear.
“Today, we will slay the dragon and celebrate with its blood and flesh! Everyone, lift your weapons!”
Inspired by Ainel, the other soldiers shouted in defiance.
“Since its scales are heavily damaged, its resistance to magic has likely weakened! Wizards, activate the magic circles!”
At Ainel’s command, the highest-tier magic circles diligently prepared by Arael Fortress began to shine, displaying their might.
The target was the dragon, attempting to charge straight through the fortress.
An enormous magic circle emerged in the air, binding the dragon’s body.
Boom─!
The dragon’s body came to a halt, unable to advance, accompanied by a thunderous noise.
“The dragon is restrained! But… the binding spell may not last long!”
“Wizards, unleash attack spells! Target its legs to keep it from moving; we need it to bow its head!”
The firepower of Arael Fortress began targeting the dragon.
Two supreme binding spells and four attack spells were readied.
“…It’s fortunate we have Your Highness, the Princess, to cast the binding spell.”
While Adelhaite’s magic circle restrained the beast, the battle wizards on the castle wall aimed for its legs, and the highest-tier magic circle targeted its back.
The relentless barrage of magic concealed the dragon’s form. Ainel believed this would be enough to inflict significant injury on it.
“───!!”
“Ugh…!”
Amid the deafening roar of the dragon, it spread its wings, shaking off the binding as if it had regained its confidence, despite its tattered appearance.
‘A dragon’s scales are said to reach the peak of resilience against mana and magic.’
The young dragon could never stand shoulder to shoulder with a true dragon.
Having lost the intelligence and knowledge that defines reason and existence, the young dragon was reduced to a mere instinct-driven being.
But some vestiges of its ancestors’ abilities remained within its blood. One such trait was its resistance to mana.
Surprised by the unexpectedly high resilience, Ainel’s expression twisted, but upon checking the dragon’s state, she smiled wryly.
“Look! The offspring of the dragon once called the master of magic, has been reduced to such a pitiful state, unable to withstand our spells! The armor that was said to be unbreakable can be breached! Now our knights’ swords can cut through the dragon’s flesh, and the wizards’ magic can scorch its insides!”
With only one binding spell remaining and the enemy’s tough armor stripped away…
“Before it can collapse the fortress, we will kill the dragon right here!”
Gathering aura around her sword, Ainel leaped off the castle wall, with the knights following closely behind.
As they charged forward with the intent to sever its front leg’s tendons…
“───!!”
Once again, the overwhelming roar shook the air. A massive shadow loomed over where Ainel stood.
Being stomped by that forepaw would mean death without leaving a trace behind.
A death that tingled at her skin was imminent. Yet still, Ainel did not stop.
“Ugh!”
She poured even more strength into her legs.
Dashing into the shadow’s threshold, Ainel aimed her sword toward the dragon’s foot.
At that moment, the blade pierced the dragon’s sturdy, scale-covered paw, unhindered by the magic.
“Ugh…!”
An overwhelming power pressed upon her, demanding death.
Yet Ainel did not halt her advance.
“Not even a demon, just a big beast…!”
Clenching her teeth, she charged, and just after creating a long gash on its pad…
Ainel quickly dodged behind its right foreleg. Drawing an arc toward the dragon’s ankle covered in damaged scales.
Swish, swish!
With her sword swinging, the dragon’s scales split apart, and hot blood gushed out to drench Ainel.
Quickly wiping the blood from her eyes, Ainel found herself filled with confidence, amplified unlike her usual calm self.
“Haah… Did you think I would fall for such crude attacks?”
As long as there were no demons interrupting.
Ainel Shianella had no doubt from the start that she would emerge victorious.