212: Olynn’s Resolve

"It looks like you're hurting. Want to call a truce?" I taunted.

"Don't be stupid—don't you dare mock me!"

Dialogue was impossible, but the fact that it was losing its composure was a good sign.

Olynn had been trying to force his Subjugation on the dragon repeatedly. Every time he tried, he seemed to sap its strength; to my surprise, the skill appeared to double as a Weakening debuff. I figured it only worked on monsters, but even so, it was one hell of an overpowered Gift.

"—Fine then—I'll just change the direction of my spite—"

Suddenly, the Water Dragon pivoted, aiming its killing intent toward Biado.

[Notice: Firing a massive Mana Cannon]

The worst part was that the village lay directly behind him. Even at this distance, where the blast’s power would likely dissipate significantly, it would still be a fatal blow to regular villagers who didn't possess a shred of Magic Resistance.

Surprisingly, Biado was the first to realize the danger. Since he couldn’t participate in the physical assault, he must have been running every possible worst-case scenario through his head. With his meager, remaining mana, he began chanting a Defense Formula to try and disperse the impact, even if only by a fraction.

But if he takes that head-on, he’s dead.

Lilith was currently clinging to the Earth Dragon’s back, moving with a ferocity that surpassed everyone else as she toyed with the beast. Tura was doing the same, using her Unnatural walls alongside her One-Hit Kill ability to steadily grind the enemy’s stamina down.

Debi still wasn't back in the fight.

I desperately started chanting a Shield, but our relative positions were all wrong—I wasn't going to make it in time. The Mana Cannon roared to life.

In that split second, Olynn threw himself forward. He must have diverted all the mana from his Subjugation Formula into his defense. The cataclysmic attack slammed into him with a sickening thud.

"Gah... urgh...!"

I scrambled to apply Power Up to him from behind, but the sheer force of the attack was still more than he could withstand.

"Olynn, hang on!"

It was reckless, but I had no other choice. While still in mid-air, I triggered [Blessing of Healing and Impulse of Destruction].

In an instant, a surge of power so intense it felt like I might explode flooded my veins. My blood boiled, my muscles shredded themselves, my bones creaked under the pressure, and it felt like my brain was being microwaved.

But right now... I can do this!

"—You damn lizard bastard!"

I swung my sword back with everything I had. The Water Dragon twisted its body to avoid a lethal strike, but it was too slow. When my blade bit into its tail, it just kept sinking in, deeper and deeper.

I doubt the creature had ever been backed into a corner like this before. It let out a shriek that nearly shattered my eardrums. It helped that it was the only one already wounded, but that was one dragon down. Time for the finishing blow.

Or so I thought, right until Olynn’s scream tore through the air.

"Guaaaaaahhhhhhh—!"

I whipped my head around in a panic. The Fire Dragon’s attack had landed a direct hit on his right arm. The skin was charred to a gruesome, ghastly crisp; the limb was completely useless. He must have maintained his Magic Resistance until the absolute limit, but his skin was sloughing off and his arm just... hung there, limp. Recovery Magic wasn't going to fix that.

"...D-don't... falter!" Olynn forced the shout out.

He was yelling for us—for his allies—so we wouldn't lose heart. Olynn was overflowing with a sense of justice that bordered on the suicidal. In the Original Story, that personality made him pretty unpopular with a lot of people. But right now? I respected the hell out of him.

Your inner strength is more incredible than anyone else's, Olynn.

Which meant there was no way in hell I could let myself be outdone.

"—You! Exit the stage right now!"

I slammed a follow-up attack into the Water Dragon. This time it was truly fatal. The beast plummeted toward the ground, screaming all the way down.

Finally, the first one was dealt with. However, almost all of my mana was spent. Lilith was clutching her left arm, having clearly taken a hit. Tura was standing precariously on her right leg, her left injured as well.

"...The Water Dragon is not dead yet. But you? You are finished."

"I did not think humans could push us this far. But this is the end for you."

The Fire and Wind Dragons were acting smug. They had likely sensed that our mana pools were running on fumes.

But—

"Heh. The real show's only just starting."

"That's... right. We aren't losing."

"Of course we won't," Tura added.

"I will not give up either," Lilith declared.

"Ha... honestly... me neither..." Biado wheezed.

We weren't giving up until the very end.

After all, we are the students of Noblesse.