Published at 27th of October 2020 03:26:50 PM
Chapter 155
Chapter 155 – Dragon Heart
[Anyways, I need you to come with me, dear husband . ]
[…you people really decide a lot of things without consulting me first, do you…?]
It was a few days after the incident with Sharon and the holy spear . This time, Liliana came to fetch Ares .
[And of course, you also need to come along, Sharon . ]
[After the other day, I can’t say no, can I?]
Sharon shrugged and raised her hands signifying that she’s not against it .
[Errrm…]
[What is it?]
[About Cornelia and George…]
[Of course, I’ve persuaded them . ]
[Already? So fast!]
Ares facepalmed in disappointment . Sharon also sighed in defeat .
[Why of course . I’ve already confided with Cornelisama before coming here . ]
[And George-dono will not get mad since I already told him far in advance…]
[…enough… I think I got it already… Un… I give up…]
After sighing a fair bit, Ares turned to Liliana .
[So, where are we going next? We’re not looking for another weapon, right?]
Liliana already had her partner Alflex . So that shouldn’t be the case .
[Y-yes… dear husband, you really change mood very quickly… Mhm…]
After taking a short breather, Liliana told them where they would go this time .
[This time we’ll be heading to the mining area in the east . The 13th mining area to be exact . ]
The mining area was in the east of Grants . It’s the place currently entrusted under Nora’s care . A huge amount of mining engineers from all over the country had gathered there, making the settlement so crowded it can be considered a town now .
Each mining shaft was numbered and all of them were under Nora’s administration . The 13th mining area on the other hand…
[Nora said that it’s located in the unexplored part of the mountain . The spirits couldn’t investigate because the amount of monsters habitating the area is too many…]
The spirits were unable to enter the area due to the strong miasma .
Liliana said that they would be entering this particular mining area .
[Why are we going there though?]
[I heard that a piece of high purity magic stone was found in that area . ]
Nowadays, magic stones are no longer a rare commodity in Grants . The discovery of the『Dragon Vein』 was the greatest factor . Any stone can eventually become magic stone if left in close proximity to the dragon vein .
As a result, the frontier territory saw vast amounts of development mostly thanks to the large number of magic stone-powered golems and other magic tools .
However, a high purity magic stone is a different matter altogether .
Originally, a magic stone was produced when a strong magic beast dies and its leftover vitality is crystallized . As for a high purity magic stone, the stronger the magic beast, the purer the magic stone will be .
Magic stones of the highest purity usually only belonged to ancient dragons or phoenixes . Some magic beasts like Kirins or Fenrirs could also produce similar purity .
[I heard that there were many high purity magic stones scattered there… if it’s true, then perhaps some sort of divine beast died there, I think . ]
Liliana then winked at Sharon .
[I also want a Valkyrie Armor like Sharon’s . ]
In fact, Liliana’s very own Valkyrie Armor had been mostly completed . However, it’s still lacking only 1 last component; a fitting 『magic stone』was not available .
The Valkyrie Armor developed by Ares was mainly crafted from magic metal called mithril, which cost a huge amount to begin with . However, the biggest part of the armor was the 『magic stone』 that acts as the armor’s core . Mithril was used to draw out the magic from this core .
As for the magic stone… it’ll require the best quality magic stone . For reference, Sharon’s Valkyrie Armor uses a super high purity magic stone called the 『Phoenix’s Heart』as its core .
A powerful monster tends to attract other strong monsters . That got to be why there were many high purity magic stones scattered in that area . With some good luck, there might even be a Divine Beast’s magic stone there…
Liliana thought so .
Thus the intrepid trio headed out to Nora’s mining town this time .
[If things get dangerous, just pull back, alright?]
The trio received that advice from Nora .
[There seem to be a hefty amount of monsters there that the spirits were having trouble going there… but I think you’ll be fine since Ares-sama is here with you… but anyways, if it looks impossible, then just retreat!]
Taking those words into hearts, the trio left for the mining shaft . Only the entrance was well maintained . The deeper one went, the more untouched the mineshaft got, and the more monsters one would encounter .
Undead appearing is par for the course . However, not only skeletons and zombies, but also many magic beast-shaped undeads were also appearing here .
Moreover, some of them were actually quite strong, which perplexed Ares .
[This is surprising… Bringing the regular army here might not be enough… I will need to bring the White Legion next time…]
Ares muttered as he kicked away the undead he just killed .
Then when he looked behind, he noticed that both Sharon and Liliana looked fairly exhausted already .
[Perhaps this is another reason why no one else had explored this far . The deeper we go, the thinner the air becomes… Maybe we should consider pulling back now…]
Whilst saying so, Ares started to look around…and realized something . Right…the walls around them were tinted with blue .
[Don’t tell me…this is…]
[What is it?]
Ignoring Sharon’s question, Ares continued to inspect the wall…until he finally muttered .
[Yet another surprise . These are mithril ores . This mine…is actually a mithril mine . ]
[Is a mithril mine really that great?]
[… . . honestly, I haven’t heard much about it myself . That’s why…this is a very amazing discovery . ]
Ares was quite excited by the prospect . Even if mithril is more abundant than adamantite or orichalcon, it’s still a valuable commodity . The fact that they now had a huge deposit only waiting to be mined was a bit…
[We were originally here to get a magic stone for Liliana’s armor, but we ended up finding something ridiculous instead…]
Right after Ares said that,
[OooooooooOOOO… . . ]
A ferocious and loud growl echoed from the depth of the tunnel .
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Ares and co . immediately went to investigate the source of the growl .
That was a dragon’s voice…and an ancient dragon level at that .
[No way… I didn’t expect that something would actually come out…]
Ares sighed at the circumstances then frowned .
What made him frown…was the state the dragon was in .
Its flesh was peeling off, causing its bones to be visible here and there . Its eyes were empty and unresponsive; moreover it was giving off rotten odor and miasma .
[Wait… this is…]
Sharon and Liliana unconsciously stepped back .
[Yeah… this was definitely an ancient dragon…that has become an undead…!]
That said, Ares ignited his fighting spirit and used magic strengthening at the same time .
Murakumo-style combat technique『Magic Sword Style』…the fact that Ares immediately used it showed that he’s serious .
Even if it had already become an undead, the fact remained that it’s an ancient dragon, one of the Divine Beasts class . It’s easy to see that this would be a gruelling battle .
(If it’s like this, maybe I should’ve brought Sigurd and the others as well? This might be a bit rough for only the three of us…)
Ares turned to Sharon and Liliana, then spoke,
[You two, retreat for the time bei…]
[We won’t . ]
Sharon didn’t even let Ares finish his sentence .
Meanwhile Liliana didn’t even bother to spare a word and instead drew Alflex from its sheath .
Sharon followed suit by brandishing the holy lance Minerva .
[Are you misunderstanding something here? We are not here to be protected one-sidedly . ]
[But, even if our opponent this time is an undead, it was still an ancient dragon . That thing might still be too tough for just the three of us . ]
[…it’s the opposite . It might be an ancient dragon before, but isn’t it just an undead now?]
Sharon sighed after saying so .
[That is… Ah!]
Ares finally realized what Sharon was trying to imply .
[Dear husband… aren’t our weapons the most effective against undead beings?]
True . Sharon’s spear is the 『Holy Spear』 Minerva while Liliana’s sword is the『Holy Sword』Alflex .
It’s easy to forget since both weapons’ innate abilities are formidable… but their『Holy』attribute makes them extremely powerful against undead . Any run on the mill undead would turn to ash with just a slight touch .
[Here we have three wielders of『Holy』 weapons . I assume there cannot be any more advantageous situation against an undead than this?]
Liliana’s words managed to make Ares reconsider .
His wives spoke the truth . They did have the greatest advantage here .
In addition to that… he thought .
What reliable wives he had!
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Ares chuckled then summoned the 『Holy Sword Excalibur』within the Seven Heavenly Swords .
[I was really wrong… You two, please back me up . ]
[We intended to do that from the very beginning!!]
[Why of course!]
Following that, Liliana casted Alflex’s magic strengthening on her body while Sharon activated her Valkyrie Armor, which promptly sprouted its golden wings .
[I will strike from the front . Sharon, attack from the right . Liliana, you aim for its legs from the left . ]
[ [ Affirmative!! ] ]
Thus the trio went to face the undead ancient dragon .
The battle actually developed into a one-sided situation .
Although it was originally an ancient dragon, it’s also an undead now . The holy weapons proved to be the bane of its existence .
[Hiyaaaaaa!]
Sharon tore apart the undead ancient dragon’s left forefoot .
[Haaaaaaa!]
Liliana also seriously dealt a serious damage to the undead dragon’s right forefoot .
From the front, Ares’ Excalibur rained down . Thanks to the effect of Excalibur’s 『Body Strengthening』and the 『Magic Sword style』stacking together, Ares’ slash cut through the undead’s body at a blinding speed .
The undead dragon wailed in pain .
At that moment, the trio could hear a voice .
《Please help me!》
That voice stopped the trio on their tracks . It’s as if someone is talking directly into their mind .
《When I died, someone cast a spell on me, turning me into an undead…my pride had been trampled… Please help me…help me break the spell… . . 》
Listening to that voice, Ares frowned, Sharon stiffened while covering her mouth with her hand, while Liliana instantly looked angry .
[What’s the meaning… of this…]
[Someone turned it into an undead shortly after it died, defiling the end of a proud ancient dragon . ]
Liliana roared in response to Ares’ explanation .
[…this is not a laughing matter anymore! Who in their right mind would do such a thing?!]
Liliana then turned her gaze towards the undead ancient dragon . There were tears in her eyes .
She was raised in a royal environment and grew up as a knight . Pride and honor were probably some of the most important things for her .
Therefore, the dragon’s painful feelings of pride being trampled upon resonated deeply with her .
[Liliana is right… . Let’s finish this with our next blow . A dragon should live its life and die in honor . ]
Ares recalled Excalibur and replaced it with Murasama instead .
Along with that, Sharon and Liliana headed toward the dragon’s hindleg at the same time .
Due to the power of the holy attribute in both of their weapons, the hindlegs were deleted almost instantly . The undead ancient dragon roared, knowing that its movement had been mostly disabled .
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Seeing this, Ares opened his eyes and sharply stared at his target, before leaping at the undead dragon with breakneck speed .
[Murakumo-style Killing Blow『Dragon Annihilating Sword』!]
Ares’ slash came down like lightning from midair .
It was one of the Murakumo-style secret techniques, meant to slay evil dragons: the『Ryumetsuken ~ Dragon Annihilating Sword』
[GuuuuuOOOOOO!]
The undead ancient dragon couldn’t hold out against such an attack, it collapsed to the floor . At the same time, its body started decomposing into ashes .
Ares could almost make out a smile on the dragon’s face as it crumbled into ashes . With this knowledge, the trio finally felt a sense of relief .
At the center where the ancient dragon collapsed… Ares found a large glowing mass .
[This is… a magic stone…? Since it came to be from an ancient dragon’s heart, could this be a『Dragon’s Heart』magic stone!?]
The two women quickly went to Ares’ side . There, they saw a large pale blue magic stone .
[Amazing… even I can see the overflowing magic power…]
Liliana nodded to Sharon’s words .
[A magic stone from a Divine Beast…truly beyond expectations . ]
[Anyways, with this I can finally complete Liliana’s Valkyrie Armor! Never thought that we’ll really find a proper magic stone in this journey . ]
Contrary to Ares’ excited voice, Liliana sounded more anxious instead .
[But… I heard that the magic stone coming from a Divine Beast chooses its wielder . Will it really choose me…?]
[…Liliana, what are you worried for?]
Sharon cut in .
[We released the ancient dragon from its suffering, didn’t we? Everything should be just fine, right?]
Ares nodded to Sharon’s words .
Looking at the magic stone, it let out brilliant light, as if affirming that conjecture .
And like that, Ares and co . were able to obtain the proper magic stone to serve as the core to Liliana’s valkyrie armor .
The trio explored the mine further, and found another ridiculous fact .
Not only was there a huge vein of mithril here, but also the fact that a lot of high-purity magic stones were scattered inside the mine .
In the first place, ancient dragons prefer to live in an area abundant with magic . Perhaps the mithril vein was why the one they encountered chose to stay even after becoming an undead .
Regarding the high purity magic stones, a powerful beast would naturally attract other strong beasts . Thus this place became the gathering spot for strong magic beasts .
[This discovery is too ridiculous… I really don’t know what to do with them before consulting this with everyone…]
Ares sighed .
[Ahh, this will surely make me busier than before… I wonder when I will get to relax…]
As Ares concluded, these discoveries would bring benefit to the Schwarzer Frontier Territory . However, it also happened to be the sign of the looming war .