Published at 18th of July 2022 10:20 am

Volume 10, Chapter 8 – Twin-Winged Oratorio, Part 6-13

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 6

—Silvia was shot down!

In disbelief, Eco prepared to land so that she could locate and retrieve Silvia.

[Don’t, Eco. Do you want Silvia’s efforts to be in vain? Before the next wave of attacks arrive, you must protect Ash and Lucca from the Necroplant’s magic cannon.]

Navi dissuaded Eco via telepathic communication.

—But, I can’t just abandon her like that…!

[Don’t worry about Silvia. I sensed signs of life from her, and her damaged Ark is also functioning as a life support system.]

—But…

[If Silvia was still here and conscious, what do you think she would tell you?]

Despite Navi’s calm tone of voice, her words seemed to stick in Eco’s mind. It seemed as though Eco immediately sobered up as a result.

—I understand!

After shrouding her entire body in magical energy, Eco flew up and made a beeline for the Necroplant which floated above. While doing so, she also dodged left and right to evade the seed projectiles fired at her. Unlike the somewhat unpredictable nature of the vines, the trajectory of these projectiles was quite simple. Even so, the barrage of seeds was a fierce wall that prevented Eco from advancing, and the Necroplant seized this opportunity to widen their distance. Growing increasingly anxious, Eco asked Navi for assistance.

—Navi! What do I have to do to stop her!?

[Well…since it’s already transformed into this, the only way is to shoot through the core.]

—Core? You mean that the Necroplant has a weakness? Besides, how do you know!?

[Oh, don’t forget that I am the Dragweiss. Of course I know about the Mother Dragon’s biological structure.]

—So, if the Mother Dragon’s weakness was her core, then the same goes for the Necroplant?

[Good answer. Since the Necroplant was transformed from the biological tissue of the Mother Dragon as its base, it would inevitably have the same weakness. However, its outer skin is composed of extremely thick tissue, and even you may not be able to penetrate the core…I can’t guarantee it.]

Just as Navi sighed…

“Magical energy has been charged! Take aim at the target!”

Kiira sharply yelled. The Necroplant’s cannon barrel began to move in accordance with those instructions. The cannon slowly fine-tuned its angle and direction as it prepared to bombard Ash and Lucca who were soaring back and forth through the night sky.

—Kuh! It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to stop it! In that case…!

Eco steeled her determination. If there was no way for her to stop the bombardment from happening, then she would just have to act as a sacrificial shield.

—No matter what, I can’t let it disturb Ash and Lucca…!

Eco quickly changed course after giving up on approaching the Necroplant. Even if she did manage to break through the seed barrage and web of vines to approach the Necroplant, it would be difficult for her to stagger the gigantic fortress. In that case, it was more pragmatic for her to act as Ash and Lucca’s shield instead. Eco darted off at full speed and then stopped at the midpoint that stood between the Necroplant and Ash and Lucca.

—Navi! Teach me how to cast the most durable defensive magic shield!

[Understood. I will teach you the sturdiest of all magical barriers, the absolute defence — < Sacred Shield >.]

Navi agreed to Eco’s request without any further words.

Part 7

“Now, fire!”

Immediately after Kiira’s order, a powerful flash of light erupted through the air, almost whitening the entirety of the night sky. The accumulated magical energy of the fortress-like Necroplant gushed from the muzzle without reservation. The magical energy became an astonishingly thick beam of light which pierced through the sky from bottom to top.

“Uooooooooohhhhh!”

Positioned along the direct path between the Necroplant and Ash, Eco let loose a deafening roar and then deployed a shield in front of her to defend against the magic attack. The emblem of the ultimate shield was one and the same as the family crest of Avalon’s Holy Dragons’ Emperor. While the shield exuded a noble lustre reminiscent of a diamond, it endured the magical beam that was fired from the Necroplant.

“Impertinence! Hurry up and blast straight through that obstruction!”

Under Kiira’s orders, the magical cannon’s firepower visibly and significantly increased. Even so, Eco obstinately resisted. She stubbornly remained in the line of fire and showed no intention of retreat from her position. While Eco desperately endured the assault, Ash and Lucca continued their dance in the air. The outline of the pair of wings had already been completed to perfection. They would probably be done once the feather lines were drawn. At some point, the pair of wings drawn by the Dragon Riding Dance just so happened to overlap with Eco’s wings.

“That is…!”

Kiira’s eyes widened and she fell silent. In her eyes, it was as if another pair of wings had sprouted from Eco’s back.

Part 8

—Kuh. What’s going on in the forest!?

Ash’s mind was filled with various doubts as he performed the Dragon Riding Dance. In a corner of his vision, he spotted Eco’s transformed figure as Avalon’s Holy Dragons’ Emperor. Amidst the dark forest, Eco’s fur had a silvery glow that revealed her location. Even without Ash there to act as her knight, she had made her own decision to join the battle, and that was a testament to the seriousness of the situation. Moreover, it was obvious that Eco had put herself in the role of a sacrificial shield in order to protect Ash and Lucca’s airspace.

—Eco…!

Ash clenched his teeth. Circumstances permitting, he hoped to be by Eco’s side as soon as possible.

—Voom!

Suddenly, the wind rustled his ears as Lancelot and Gawain passed by each other closely in the air.

“Kuh!”

The distance between them was only a finger’s width at best. If their trajectory deviated even slightly, there was the possibility of a head-on collision. The moment that they passed by Gawain, Ash took notice of one thing — Lucca’s eyes seemed to be telling him something. She felt the same pain as Ash.

—That’s right. I must focus on the Dragon Riding Dance for now…!

Eco and the others had stepped up and fought hard. Even if Ash ditched the Dragon Riding Dance to help them — would they actually feel happy about it? No, it was the exact opposite. Doing so would be tantamount to a betrayal of Eco and the others. Ash cleared his mind and averted his gaze from Eco. He then gave the Dragon Riding Dance his undivided attention. Once they reached the second half, the difficulty of the dance continuously increased. From here on, not a single distraction was allowed. The wind screeched again as Lancelot and Gawain passed by each other in the air. In that fleeting instant, Ash and Lucca’s eyes met. This time, Lucca seemed to respond with a smile.

Part 9

—Kuh! The shield won’t hold for much longer…! What kind of magic is she using!? This is insane!

Eco had been pushed to the brink of desperation. By following Navi’s guidance, she had successfully deployed the < Sacred Shield >. However, the Necroplant’s attack showed no signs of weakening or pause, in fact, it felt as though it was an endless stream of magic. At some point, Eco had become cornered. The < Sacred Shield > that she had managed to put up would soon be gone.

—Navi, how is this possible!?

[As expected of a monster that has been transformed from the biological tissue of the Mother Dragon, its magical energy is on another level. After all, the Mother Dragon accumulated a tremendous amount of magical energy during her long history…]

Navi’s tone also seemed to convey a slight sense of urgency.

[The situation isn’t good. If this goes on, you won’t be able to protect Ash and Lucca…]

—Argh, enough! If you’re going to say such pointless things, you might as well just shut up! Even if the < Sacred Shield > disappears, I won’t leave this spot!

[Eco, what are you trying to do!?]

—Isn’t it obvious!? I have this uselessly big body! I’ll use my body as a shield!

Eco could clearly imagine the look on Navi’s face as she gasped. She was surely stunned. Eco herself recognised that this was an irrational act. Despite having the body of Avalon’s Holy Dragons’ Emperor, it wouldn’t last long against such an astonishingly powerful magical cannon. Even so — this was where she had to hold her ground. She absolutely couldn’t allow Ash and Lucca’s Dragon Riding Dance to be interrupted…! Unexpectedly, Navi didn’t seem to have any intention of dissuading Eco.

[…You’ve gotten stronger, Eco.]

Instead, she gave her blessing like a mother to a child, gently encouraging Eco. And so — the < Sacred Shield > collapsed. The royal crest of Avalon’s Holy Dragons’ Emperor family fragmented, shattering into magic crystals that scattered through the air like snowflakes.

—It’s coming!

And then, a tremendous amount of heat assaulted Eco’s body. Eco hastily outstretched her forelimbs in order to catch the blast of magical energy. The tremendous impact almost caused Eco to fall out of the sky. However, she clenched her teeth and held steady. An incredible burning sensation spread from her palm all the way through her entire forearm.

—It’s so hot! How is it this hot…!?

A sensation of pain that could knock her out at any instant coursed through Eco’s body. Despite the immense torture that she endured, she remained steadfast in holding her position. After all, Ash and Lucca were performing a Dragon Riding Dance behind Eco—. Eco didn’t make a single sound as she simply swallowed all of the groans that the pain might have induced. If she let out a single moan, Ash would immediately hear and understand. As such, Eco couldn’t reveal any single piece of information which could inform Ash of her suffering. Ash’s first and foremost task right now was to complete the Dragon Riding Dance. Therefore, Eco decided to sacrifice herself in order to protect Ash as his Pal!

—Nothing will make me back down—!

Just as Eco roared in her mind as a means of self-reassurance…

—Huh?

The power of the Necroplant’s magical attack suddenly weakened.

—What’s happening…?

Eco felt confused. It stood to reason that the Necroplant’s body should still have a lot of magical energy stored up. Yet, its offensive power gradually declined — eventually, it came to a complete halt. In the next moment, a powerful light obscured all of Eco’s vision. The light gave off an extremely peaceful and warm feeling, much like the gentle spring light that spilled through the crevices of foliage in a forest.

Part 10

“This place is…?”

Having returned to the form of a human girl, Eco tilted her head in confusion as she found her entire body shrouded by a white light. Here, her sense of direction became ambiguous as she couldn’t tell front from back or left from right, and the soles of her feet also seemed to float in the air.

“—Eco.”

At that moment, upon hearing a charismatic voice calling her name, Eco turned around and looked back. A graceful woman stood there in silence. She had green hair and emerald eyes. Upon her head were the horns of an adult dragon.

“Are you…the Mother Dragon?”

When Eco asked with hesitation and confusion, the woman nodded.

“You still have a consciousness!”

“No, strictly speaking…I’m already dead. To put it another way…I’m a fragment of the Mother Dragon’s memories, I should say.”

“I don’t understand if it’s that complicated! The thing is, what’s going on…with this current situation?”

Eco turned and looked around.

“Eco, listen to me carefully. My body is under the complete control of Kiira Brava Henriksen’s drug. However, your inner cry has awakened me, albeit temporarily.”

“…!”

Eco held her breath as she gazed at the Mother Dragon’s face.

“From here on…I’ll use all of my strength to interfere with the Necroplant so that I can create a unique opportunity for you. Please…you must seize the opportunity to extinguish that abominable Necroplant.”

“…I understand.”

In truth, there were so many things that Eco wanted to say. After all, the person before her was like her mother. However, upon actually meeting each other, the words just didn’t come out…. Seeing the tears that filled Eco’s eyes and her tightly pursed lips, the Mother Dragon suddenly extended her hand. She then gently stroked Eco’s head.

“…Mother?”

“You’ve suffered a terrible fate…and I have failed to be a competent mother. I’m truly sorry.”

“I don’t want to hear an apology now! Idiot idiot idiot!”

Eco burst into tears. She didn’t actually want to say such mean things. She just wanted to grasp every minute and second that she could spend with her mother. But, as if to dissolve the wish that she hoped for — the distance between Eco and the Mother Dragon instantly widened.

“Mum!”

Eco cried out as teardrops scattered from her eyes.

“I want to tell you that you don’t have to apologise to me at all, mum!”

Upon actually meeting each other, Eco found herself speechless. However, there was just one thing that she had to say, because she knew that she would definitely regret it in the future if she didn’t say it out loud now. So, Eco opened her mouth and shouted,

“I’m really happy that I got to be Ash’s Pal! Thank you so much for letting me meet Ash…!”

In that moment — Eco saw the Mother Dragon reveal a brilliant smile reminiscent of a blooming flower bud.

Part 11

[Eco? Are you okay? Please respond, Eco!”

Navi anxiously uttered a stream of words. As if drawn to her voice, Eco returned to the real world. Her scalded forelimbs immediately ached with severe pain.

—It hurts…I’m back, Navi.

[You’re finally awake, Eco.]

It seemed as though Navi just thought Eco was unconscious.

—I just met my mum.

[…What nonsense are you talking about? Anyway, look at the Necroplant! It suddenly began to deform, and now it’s revealed its core! Why would it reveal the location of its own weakness?]

Eco widened her eyes. Just as Navi said, the Necroplant was still undergoing a transformation. Kiira appeared to be anxiously shouting something, but the Necroplant completely ignored her. Moreover, a longitudinal crack seemed to emerge from its hardened bark, revealing a purple sphere within.

—That’s the core!

Eco suddenly realised that it was the ‘unique opportunity’ which the Mother Dragon had said she would create. There was a limit to how long the Mother Dragon could interfere with the Necroplant’s consciousness. If she missed this opportunity, Eco and the others would no longer have a chance of winning. That was why it was ‘unique’.

—Thank you…I won’t waste the opportunity that you’ve worked so hard to create, mum!

Eco used her remaining strength to glide through the air.

[…Eco? What are you going to do?]

—I’m going to copy what Silvia did when she destroyed the Claíomh Solais! Shooting at zero distance will definitely destroy the core!

Eco used her sharp claws to hold onto the bark of the Necroplant. She then directly faced the core that was larger than her own head.

—Take this! < Sacred Breath >!

Eco converted all of her magical energy into a single breath and unleashed it at the core.

Part 12

—Incredible…!

Ash felt as if he had become one with the wind. Although Ash was distracted by the combat situation of Eco and the others, Lucca’s glance had given him a reminder, and before he knew it, he had united with the wind, flying freely through the air. In his present state, it was as if his flight route materialised in front of him. His synchronisation with Lucca was also perfect. They were able to naturally fly at the same speed and make turns at the same time. At the beginning of their special training, Ash had found such basic skills insurmountably difficult, but it was now all a breeze. Before he knew it, an incredible sense of excitement spontaneously swept across Ash’s mind.

—I see, so Lucca feels the same as me?

Ash finally realised. It wasn’t just their flight speed and trajectory that was in perfect harmony. Even their minds were. So — Ash and Lucca initiated a full-speed sprint for the final stroke of their trajectory. With all of their feelings on the line, they traced the final stroke.

“Dragon Riding Dance, Zeroth Dance — ‘Twin-Winged Oratorio’!”

They shouted in unison, having at last completed the two wings.

Part 13

Waiting in The Shrine of Jylhä, Celes held hopes and prayers close to her heart as she looked up at the night sky. Celes’ prayers were not in vain. The Dragon Riding Dance ‘Twin-Winged Oratorio’ perfectly concluded with a grand declaration.

“It’s wonderful…!”

Celes gazed at the pair of wings painted in the night sky as she exclaimed in admiration. The left and right sides were perfectly symmetrical. Even the fine details of the feathers were exquisitely drawn. It was such a beautiful work of art that she wanted to share it with the entire world.

The pale moon also added a mysterious brilliance to the ‘Twin-Winged Oratorio’. No, the dazzling full moon itself seemed to be part of the portrait of the ‘Twin-Winged Oratorio’. And so, the completed Dragon Riding Dance evoked its magical effect. The wings released a dazzling light, dyeing the entire night sky with a shade of white.

“Kuh! It’s such a blinding light…! As a bearer of Pluto, it feels a bit uncomfortable…”

Celes groaned as she shielded her right eye with one hand. At that moment, something extraordinary occurred. A thick black miasma suddenly erupted from Oscar’s body as she lay on the altar.

“Whoa! What’s happening…is this part of the curse?”

As Celes anxiously entered a defensive stance, the miasma dissipated like smoke under the pure radiance of the light.

“Ngh…”

And then, a faint moan entered Celes’ ears. Oscar’s fingers faintly twitched.

“Oscar? Hey, Oscar!”

Celes rushed over to the altar and grasped Oscar’s shoulders. Her once cold, stiff and doll-like body had regained its warmth and softness. Moreover, a fiery determination lit up her void-like eyes.

“Oscar!”

Celes felt so moved that she burst into tears and was about to bury her face in Oscar’s arms—.

“Fuwaaaaaaaa…”

However, Oscar suddenly let out a big yawn and said,

“Mmm, that was a good sleep.”

“Y-You idiot!”

—Pow!

Celes suddenly kicked and sent Oscar hurtling away.

“T-That hurts! What are you throwing a tantrum for!? …Besides, why am I dressed like a girl? No wait, I am a girl, so that’s not really a valid question. I’m a bit speechless! Anyway…where is this? It looks unfamiliar, but…”

In an instant, Celes threw herself into Oscar’s arms.

“Ah…you’re…you’re truly healed! Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!”

Celes cried and bawled like a child.

“It looks like…I’ve made you worry.”

Oscar put away her grin as she gave Celes a sweet, gentle embrace. And then, she raised her eyes to gaze at the glorious twin-winged emblem that was emblazoned across the night sky.

“It feels like…I’ve been dreaming. A very long dream.”

“A dream?”

“Indeed. In my dream, even if Ash and the others were injured in battle, they continued fighting nonetheless. It seems…Ash and the others have saved me once again. I’ll have to thank them later.”

“Yes, that’s right. The depth of their kindness is a debt you may never be able to repay…”

“I can’t thank you enough either, Celes. You’ve been by my side the whole time, haven’t you?”

After saying so, Oscar placed her hand on Celes’ head.

“D-Don’t say such embarrassing things out loud!”

Celes’ face instantly reddened.

“Guu?”

Having watched everything in silence from the side, Tristan slowly stood up.

“…I also made you worry.”

Oscar couldn’t help but smile as she stroked her Pal’s nose. Tristan purred and seemed glad to enjoy Oscar’s caress. After watching that for a while and immersing herself in the warm atmosphere, Celes wiped the tears from her eyes as she revealed a serious expression.

“Listen to me, Oscar. There’s no time for you to rest right now! Defeat those incompetent princes as soon as possible and seize the throne!”

A fearless smile emerged on Oscar’s face as she took Celes’ hand and stood up.

“Hmph, very well. My body is feeling a bit rusty, so I’ll treat it as a bit of exercise for my muscles—”

“The Resurrection ~A.S.B.1365.12~” is closed.

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