Published at 18th of July 2022 1:53 am

Volume 3, Chapter 4 - The Battle at Willingham Mausoleum, Part 18-23

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 15

-It was a disaster that happened to a young dragon. When Nuada was young… it still managed to become a maestro. But it could not bear to see its young master suffering in her illness so it cut off its Astral. In the end… Nuada had become very weak. But Nuada swore never to let its master see its dying moment so it left quietly. Later, although the girl recovered, Nuada had died in Willingham Mausoleum alone after some time. When Ash heard this story from his mother when he was still a child, he cried.

Rebecca declared as if wanting to change the atmosphere in the room:

“I’ll never let Gawain meet the same fate as Nuada. So… The closing ceremony will be temporally canceled. I’ll ask all the students to look for Gawain. It will be even better if we could find Angela-sensei at the same time.”

“No! please hold on.”

Ash was against this proposal.

“Let the students enjoy the closing ceremony. I had been unconscious for these few days, so I don’t know what kind of training they had been through, but everyone must have placed their best effort into it. The point for organizing the closing ceremony… Ain't it to congratulate those students who completed the training camp?”

“You are right, but, what were you planning? Could it be…”

Ash smiled.

“That’s right. I’ll be responsible for the search. Rest assure, thanks to the healing magic, I’m almost fully recovered.”

That was actually a lie. Every time Ash moved he felt pain in both his organs and joints. Even so… He still wouldn't give up. Upon hearing this Eco, who was silent the whole time, became angry.

“Are you kidding! Or you must be an idiot! It is clear that your body is still weak… And yet you want to look for that weak dragon!”

Ash places his hand on Eco’s head to calm her down. Even though she was angry, it was still because that she cared and worried about Ash.

“Please, forgive me, Eco. I couldn't just kept on watching silently. That fella is not a weak dragon.”

“B-But…”

“If you worry about me Eco, then why won't you come with me?”

Eco immediately blushed like a wildfire.

“W-What… M-Me… I never worried about you!”

Ash was not bothered by Eco, who kept on denying herself while shaking her hands, and bowed down in front of Rebecca.

“I beg you… Rebecca.”

“Tsk… I don’t think I can say no. Or else, the closing ceremony will go on as usual but all the student council’s members will help in the search."

“No, that won’t work out, if Rebecca-san is absent everyone will be suspicious about it. For such a ceremony… I hope that every student will enjoy it to the fullest.”

“But-”

Just when Rebecca wanted to explain… The infirmary room’s door opened with a loud bang.

“If that’s the case… I’ll take over that job of yours. As a dragner; We must help those who are in trouble. - This is the Lautreamont's family’s rules!” declared Silvia.

Part 16

The search party that had been decided upon consisted of four members - Ash, Silvia, Eco and Lucca. Max and Jessica had agreed to go with them but were stopped by Rebecca. Because if too many of the student council members were absent, suspicion will still arise among the students. Lancelot was now giving four people a ride with Silvia in front holding the reins.

-Behind princess…

Ash, who was right behind Silvia, was in fear. Riding on the dragon while wearing the dragsuit designed for the palace and having her hair tied up nicely… Silvia’s charms as a dragner and a princess emerged. Although Ash had previously rode on Lancelot with Silvia, during the Necromancia's attack, he was totally immersed in the battle that time. He hadn't noticed Silvia’s appeal as the opposite sex.

“What are you doing? If you don’t hold on tightly… You’ll fall.”

After being scolded by Silvia ash made up his mind and stretched out his arms. When his arms finally surrounded Silvia’s waist… He was surprised that her abdomen was so thin and fragile. The third person was Eco. She held on to Ash’s waist gently which probably was because she was worrying about Ash’s injuries.

“You must also hold on tightly.”

When Ash turned his head around, Eco blushed.

“If I use my true strength… Then your body will be squashed!”

Ash gave a wry smile. Eco cared about Ash’s condition, in her own way, which made his happiness run deep down to the bottom of his heart. The last person to ride the dragon was Lucca. She was not sitting on the saddle but the end of the tail.

“Hey, Lucca. Are you alright… Sitting like that?”

Silvia asked in surprised.

“It’s alright.”

Lucca answered lightly. It seemed that she didn't like the riding gear. Lancelot, who was now carrying four people, gracefully flew up and towards the sky.

Part 17

Walking from the training camp’s location by the lake to the Willingham Mausoleum would take about an hour. But, using Lancelot, they had arrived in an instant. Ash thought about Gawain while riding on Lancelot’s back...

-Tsk… Damn that Gawain… Playing hide and seek when it knew it was dying? What is it trying to act cool for… I’ll never allow it to follow Nuada's footsteps…!

Not much later. A stretch of high grounds appeared.

“That should be the entrance to Willingham Mausoleum.” said Silvia while controlling the reins.

Just as Silvia had said… There was an entrance like building in the middle of the hills. The area surrounding the structure was well shrouded by a thin layer of silky mist. There was an altar-like entrance adorned with shining bright-dragon-crystal powered lights that illuminated the surrounding area.

Did Angela walk into that type of place alone…? Ash felt a cold chill just by thinking about it. It didn't matter how you looked at it; This place was just not suitable for a lady to enter alone. It was reasonable for Rebecca to become worried. They also must not ignore the possibility she was attacked by some grave robbers… Just like sweeping away Ash’s thoughts. Silvia shouted:

“Alright, get ready for landing!”

Lancelot gave a brave roar and started the high speed landing maneuver.

Part 18

Milgauss was standing at the top of the hill looking at the world below. Before his eyes was the entrance to Willingham Mausoleum. Looking at the landscape further out; There was the Norg Forest and Allonnes Lakeside. Not to mention the buildings for the training camp. The campfire along the Allonnes Lakeside had been lit at and the closing ceremony had officially begun. On the ground was a coffin-like box. Milgauss opened the lid and took out a gigantic black sword.

This same gigantic sword was the tool used to summon the Necromancia. This was the great result of the Empires’ proud mechanical engineering and the development of the dragons. - The remnant of the Magic Techniques. [4] After Milgauss had returned to his country… He had improvised this device. This gigantic sword, that once looked like a piece of art work, had now become more dangerous and mechanized. The bright dragon crystals on the hilt had increased tremendously. There were a total of nine big crystals and more than twenty smaller ones. If it was to be on sale it could surely fetch a large amount of money. But in Milgauss eyes… The expensive crystals were but tools. Milgauss easily lifted the gigantic sword and stabbed it deep into the ground. This was to send it's magic into the inner part of the mausoleum.

The dragon jaw shaped sword made a deep heavy sound and sunk into the rocks.

“This looks like a tombstone.”

Just when Milgauss was mumbling… A white shape swept passed his eyes. A flying object, that he thought to be a dragon, was getting nearer at a rapid pace. As it flew over he spied the shadow which looked exactly like Lancelot's. Milgauss widened his eyes, that were under the mask, and looked at the evening sky.

“Hmph… The princess. On patrol?”

Milgauss immediately hid behind the rocks. Even though he thought that the sky was dark enough to hide him from the eyes of the rider he must never underestimate the eyes of a dragon. Luckily, Lancelot had quickly begun its landing. It seemed that they were heading for the mausoleum’s entrance. In a few moments he lost sight of Lancelot.

“Let’s begin.” murmured Milgauss exiting from the cover of the rocks.

Grabbing the hilt of the gigantic sword he started to sing out the spell.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Show yourself by the crystals of the Magic Techniques. The spirits of the young dragons now be revived.”

In a moments time… The bright-dragon-crystals on the hilt began to shine brightly.

Part 19

“A-Angela-sensei… Came to this cave?”

Silvia, who just alighted from Lancelot, was shocked after she examined at Willingham Mausoleum’s entrance. She didn't expect the mausoleum to be this scary. It was fine while the sun was still bright but the now darkening sky made it seem a lot scarier. The mist surrounding the entrance made it look like the doors to hell. Although there were bright-dragon-crystal powered lights around the entrance… They still didn't ease her fear.

“Gawain…”

Ash placed his hand on Lucca's head because of her worried looks.

“Rest assured. We will definitely find Gawain.”

“Nnn…” answered Lucca softly.

At the same time… A bolt struck out deep into the evening sky followed by the roaring sound of thunder.

“Kyaa!”

The first person to scream was Silvia. Ash made a sympathetic smile. Although, under Veronica’s training, she had become stronger, she was still a coward. But this mildly amusing situation was immediately interrupted by Eco.

“…Just like that time.”

Eco was looking at the sky with her sharp eyes. Lancelot had also assumed it's alert posture and was growling with a "Grrrrrr…."

In the blink of an eye… Dark clouds had almost entirely filled the sky.

“Are you saying about the time when the Necromancia attacked…?”

Eco nodded while answering seriously.

“That’s right. This bad feeling… I can't be wrong about it!”

At this time the earth started and kept on shaking. Ash nearly fell because of the strong continuous shaking. He already had a hard time to keeping balanced.

“Kyaa!”

But the other girl that fell in his direction had dragged him down together with her.

The girl who fell into his chest was Eco. Silvia, who wouldn't let go of his right arm, and Lucca tightly clung onto his left arm. Even under this type of situation… Ash couldn't enjoy it not one bit.

“Urgh-!”

His whole body was in pain. The rest had forgotten that Ash was a serious patient that had been advised by the doctor to have a sufficient amount of rest.

“S-Sorry! Are you alright?”

“S…orry!”

“It’s all because of me…”

Silvia, Lucca and Eco immediately apologized.

“Don’t worry… I’m alright.”

Ash didn't want the others to worry about him and squeeze out a smile. But, his smile didn't look natural and he prayed that the dark sky can provide some cover for him. After the earthquake stopped… Ash stood up.

“Fhuss…”

A sound as if it was laughing at Ash stubbornness was heard.

“-!”

One by one… A scary sight appeared from the dark corner of the mausoleum. They were not humans. Although they looked like dragons, they didn't have the holy feelings that the dragons emit.

“Necromancia!”

At the same time that Eco warned the others… Something rushed out from the mausoleum.

Something that was bigger than a horse but too small compared to a dragon. Alas, there wasn't only just one, there were a bunch of them. There were around five of them and each of them looked like a young Asia. Their bodies were black and had mad eyes, sharp teeth and a strong rotten smell.

“A young dragon sized… Necromancia?”

Just as Ash was speaking his thoughts… The leader of the Necromancia's attacked. After its mouth opened, shining rays could be seen- Don! And a ball of flames came flying along the ground.

Lancelot made a scary roar and activated its defensive magic’s shield and immediately the breath attack was nullified. But there was no time to thank Lancelot. The group had already extended their many deep red coloured tentacles now and were getting nearer. Silvia became the first victim.

“Kyaa!”

“Princess!”

Although Ash immediately stretched out his hand, he still missed. The slimy and sticky tentacles wrapped around Silvia’s thin body and hoisted her up into the air.

“I-Insolent fools! How dare you touch the Royal Knight’s family’s Princess...!”

Too bad they were not someone that could be communicated with language. Although Silvia struggled… The more she struggled the harder the tentacles grip became. In very little time more than half of her dragsuit was torn off and the buttons had come loose.

“S-Stop! Stop this insolent behavior...! Ahh... Stoooop!”

Silvia’s scream could be heard all over.

“Eco. Hand me the Ark quick!”

Eco angrily rejected Ash’s request.

“No way! You are still a patient! The Ark will burden your body-”

“Is this a time to worry about those things! Princess is in danger right now!”

“B-But...”

Compared to Eco, who stood still, Lancelot had started to make his move.

To save its master, it had used the red flaming dragon breath.

-Don!

That was a true breath and wasn't comparable to flames created by an Oracle. The unimaginable destructive force had turned the five Necromancia blocking the entrance into fire balls.

“Grrrroooorrrr!”

The five Necromancias who were on fire roared in agony and changed their target to Ash and the rest. But Lancelot gave a final flaming breath which further turned the Necromancia into ashes. Although they were young dragons, there were no difference from the hardiness of a regular Necromancia. As the tentacles snapped, Silvia was caught by Lancelot as she was falling.

“Huff... Puff... Thank you! Lancelot.”

Ash gave a sigh of relieve when he saw Silvia was safe. But he immediately heard Lucca screaming.

“That...!”

Lucca was standing by the cliff and was looking at the direction to the lakeside. No, it was actually towards Norg Forest.

“Anything?”

“The forest... is polluted...”

Lucca, as an Eckbald, was sensitive to the changes in the forest. Ash looked towards the direction she was looking at and he was dumbstruck.

-Dodododododo....

The forest was shaking and the feeling was like a group of Asia’s running. The wild birds and small animals were shocked and their sound could be heard one after another. Judging from Lucca's sense of ‘Polluted…’ The Asia type Necromancia could be on the move in the forest. It seemed that apart from the main door… There were other places that the Necromancia came out from.

“Ash, quickly, look at the lakeside!”

Silvia was shouting on Lancelot’s back while pointing to the lakeside.

“Could it be that... Those were also Necromancia?”

Ash clenched his trembling fist. The black shapes were moving around the dark lake. Thanks to the campfire at the lakeside he was somehow make out their shadows. Those must be the Hydra type Necromancia. The total amount should be around twenty... No, it seems that, it was around thirty. They were moving towards the campfire by the lakeside.

“They are also at the sky!”

This time it was Eco who was pointing at the sky. A group of Strada type Necromancia, while making some weird type of bird noises, were circling around the sky. They seemed to ignore Ash and the rest and were heading towards the campsite...

“So I see... Their target is to attack the training camp!”

Ash angrily clenched his fists on both hands.

“Damn... Even when the students there were top students, the only ones who had experience in dealing with Necromancia were Max and Rebecca. Are they going to be alright?"

“Ash, now is not the time to worry about the others. We can only trust the president to protect the training camp.”

Silvia’s calm voice dragged Ash back to reality. She focused her sight onto the entrance of the mausoleum.

“That’s...!”

Ash turned speechless.

A second batch of Asia type Necromancia had rushed out and there were six of them this time.

“Grrrr...”

Lancelot with a growl and a breath attack exploded over them turning three of the leading Necromancia into ashes. At this moment, the deep red coloured tentacles rushed forward. However, Lancelot was not intimidated by them. It stood up, with its hind legs supporting its body, and slashed the Necromancia with its hammer like front legs. The sharp claws made a screeching sound and the tentacles were torn up like knives slicing rubber bands. The scene could only be described as 'dead bodies everywhere.' In only a few minutes the second batch of Asia type Necromancia were totally wiped out.

“S-Strong...!”

Lancelot’s heroic fight amazed Ash while Silvia’s dragon controlling skill had also improved significantly. Silvia looked down towards the rest of the gang with a skillful look.

“Ride on Lancelot! Quickly, we are going into the mausoleum.”

Part 20

“All of you here had gone through the five days Selective Training Camp! Your skills have improved significantly! You must have faith in yourself! Your skills are far better than what you had imagined!”

Under Rebecca's command the students had mounted their pals. The Stradas were flying, the Asias were on their way to Norg Forest and the Hydras gathered at Allonnes Lake. Their strategy––An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

“... Rebecca is just too great.”

Jessica, who led the group of Hydras, was muttering while looking at Cú Chulainn who was flying above in the night sky.

Part 21

Rebecca was standing at the high end of Cú Chulainn’s neck. She was already in her Ark. The enormous amount of magic was surrounding her entire body. Max was acting as her second in command riding behind her on Arianrhod. Not long before… The students were happily enjoying the cozy atmosphere around the closing ceremony’s campfire. But the Necromancia attacking from all three routes, had drastically changed the mood. Just like heaven and hell, the students were all in a panic, but thanks to Rebecca the tables had turned. Just a simple talk from Rebecca had given them the courage to fight. Now, not only were the students not in any fear, they even trembled in excitement. A huge amount of Necromancia were approaching. There was only about a hundred meters in between them.

"Appear! The certain hit magic spear! Gáe Bolg!"

Rebecca naturally led the attack.

“Gáe Bolg!”

A bright light appeared after the spell had ended and a long spear appeared. Gáe Bolg's light pierced through the dark sky followed by an explosion. One by one the Strada type Necromancia fell to the ground.

“Attack!”

Rebecca commanded like a general.

“Oooooo!”

Upon receiving the order… All the students attacked at the same time.

Part 22

Dim white lights were emitted from Lancelot’s horn. This was a basic magic for the dragons. Thus, Ash and the rest didn't have to rely on the bright-dragon-crystal torch while traversing the cave. Lancelot was walking forward silently and steadily through the cave. Its usual earth shaking footsteps almost couldn't be felt. This had lessened the amount of burden that Ash’s, medically weak, body had to endure.

“Thank you. Princess.”

Silvia was surprised that Ash spoke behind her ears and her neck suddenly gave a jerk. Because her hair was tied up with a red ribbon her white neck was exposed.

“Why are you acting with such ambiguity! I had done nothing that deserves your thanks!”

“You were worried about me and purposely asked Lancelot to slow down. Right? So…”

“I-I had never thought that far! How can we move quickly in this narrow space!”

Ash gave a wry smile. Silvia was shy about it. For such a great dragon like Lancelot… To move quickly in such a narrow space is but child’s play.

“-Careful!”

Silvia suddenly shouted.

“Ksharrrr!”

Three Strada type Necromancia attacked from the front. They looked more like bats than dragons. Even though they were once noble dragons in their own time, after they became Necromancia, they were no different from any undistinguished animal. Ash tensed. The next second...

“Grooooo….!”

Lancelot gave an angry roar… Along the path, where the brilliant dragon stepped passed, there were only ashes left behind.

“Such excellence.”

Upon hearing Ash’s murmur… Silvia proudly lifted her chest.

“Hmph… During your time spent recovering… I had completed every single course in the Selective Training Camp. The days when I did battle stimulations with the president was every day… I felt like crying when I did that."

What Silvia said felt like a sad tone hidden in it. She seemed to have experienced something terrible. Ash who had only experienced the first day’s lake water bath was regretting. But… the main reason Silvia became strong was mainly because of Princess Veronica’s encouragement. If Veronica hadn't visited Ansarivan last week… Silvia may not have turned over a new leaf.

“Back to the topic. Why haven’t we seen Angela-sensei yet?... I'm hoping she wasn't attacked by the Necromancia.”

Silvia sighed while looking at the mausoleum’s map.

“We also haven’t found Gawain yet… Lucca. Have you felt anything?”

“I can’t… Because the Astral was not connected… My ‘Seikoku’ is not responding."

Since Lucca couldn't feel anything; They could only ransack the entire cave. Although it would be a tiresome job just by only imagining it, it was still an emergency.

“Another thing… Eco. There is something that I must tell you first hand.”

Ash was looking at Eco through his shoulders.

“Anything?”

Eco who was clinging tightly at Ash’s back lifted her head while feeling annoyed.

“The next time I ask you to hand me the Ark… Please do so immediately. Any doubt at that moment could make you regret for your whole life.”

“Wha…!”

Eco immediately exploded. She kept on hitting Ash with her fist.

“I won’t allow you to order me! Be careful or I’ll trample you!”

Although the way she was hitting was more like emotionally pouting… The strength that she put in still made him suffer.

“I-It hurts! S-Stop hitting me!”

“Have you forgotten that you are still a patient! Even though those were temporally made mimic-Arks they still burden your body!”

Although she said it angrily… She was still concerned about Ash. The way she thought made Ash happy but the situation right now was an emergency and maybe the mastermind was still somewhere in this mausoleum.

“If not… Could you create an Ark that won't cause much burden to the body?”

“What did you say?”

“Please, I believe that you are able to make an Ark that is suitable for my current situation.”

“H-How… Could you speak with such confidence!”

“Do you even need to ask? Because you are my excellent pal!”

“…!”

It was possible that she was moved by Ash… Eco was speechless and blushed.

“Alright… B-But, during the time I’m in the dragon workshop, my body…”

Ash immediately knew what she was going to say. Only a spirit can enter the dragon workshop and the true body would be left in this world. When the spirit left the body the empty shell would be defenceless.

“Worry not. I’ll protect your body.”

Ash loosened his grip on Silvia’s waist and carefully switched places with Eco while trying not to fall off from Lancelot.

“Ash…?”

Eco was dumbstruck and turned around to look at Ash. Ash then hugged Eco’s waist tightly.

“Wha-W-Wha…!”

Eco’s shoulders twisted for one moment and her body had become like a log. Her ears hidden in her hairs were red. As if hot air was going to burst out anytime.

“I-If you don’t hold on to me tightly… You better watch out!” Eco said angrily

After that she relaxed and rested her back up against Ash’s chest. He could smell the fragrance of her shampoo. The next moment Eco’s body went limp and was like a puppet whose strings had snapped. She lost her strength and laid her head on Ash’s right shoulder. Ash had felt that her spirit had left her body.

“Our hopes are on you… Eco.”

Ash's murmur was like praying as he held on tightly to Eco’s limp body.

Notes:

4. 魔導工学 Magic based mechanics

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