Published at 18th of July 2022 10:39 am

Volume 11, Chapter 5 – The Princess of Darkness and the Mechanical Dragon, Part 11-14

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Part 11

“Haa, haa…”

Ash’s dragon riding suit was already in tatters. His body was covered in grazes and bruises. Linda and the others had already taken refuge in the forest earlier, so it was only Ash and Eco that remained. While the sunset shrouded one end of the horizon, Silvia and the others were engaged in an aerial struggle against guided missiles. From time to time, loud noises like those of fireworks could be heard, and they dyed the evening sky a deep red.

[—Are you okay, Ash?]

Navi worriedly asked via telepathy.

“…I’m fine. I can’t fall until I rescue Eco.”

Although Ash stubbornly said so, it was already the fifth time that he had been repelled by the < Ouroboros >. It was as if the snakes were protected by an invisible barrier, and they couldn’t be touched from the outside at all.

“No…Ash. If you keep going, your body…won’t hold up…”

Eco worried about Ash as she murmured in pain. She was still suspended in mid-air, with her entire body being assaulted by pitch-black snakes.

[It’s too dangerous to go on like this. The < Ouroboros > appear to be draining Eco’s magical energy…]

As if in response to Navi’s speculation, the momentum of the < Ouroboros > continued to rise. Each one of the serpents grew longer and thicker. In contrast, Eco’s face grew more and more pale.

[…In any case, this is too odd. To be able to supress Eco’s power to such an extent…I can only think that this is a weapon of Brünhilde specifically designed to oppose Avalon. If that much is possible…could it be…]

“Navi? Have you got any ideas!?”

[No. I shouldn’t say anything in the absence of conclusive evidence. It’s just…]

“Even a guess is okay. Please just tell me what you’re thinking!”

Ash urged Navi with desperation as if she was the only ray of hope.

[…Perhaps Annegert targeted Eco from the beginning, and that was why she snuck into the Knight Country.]

“What do you mean?”

[In order to prepare for the Aries Dragon Riding Festival, the officers of the student council will set up Magic Incense Burners in the forest — even citizens of Ansarivan are familiar with such traditions. With just a little investigation, the people on Annegert’s side would’ve easily been able to discern the actions of the student council officers.]

“Indeed…”

[Unlike in an urban area, once you’ve been isolated in the forest, she can attack freely. It’s also convenient for her to conceal Brünhilde. It’s an excellent opportunity for her to do something bad to Eco.]

“Damn it! So, we unsuspectingly walked into the forest where Annegert was waiting for us…”

Just as Ash clenched his teeth in frustration, a pitch-black mechanical figure made a loud noise as it landed on the ground.

“—It looks like the < Ouroboros > are almost fully grown.”

Annegert leisurely said as she stood atop Brünhilde’s head. She then slowly waved her spear, Gungnir.

“The time hast come. Activate — < Shackles of the Ouroboros >!”

As soon as she said so, Gungnir unleashed a dark aura.

“Kuh…!”

Ash instantly braced himself, but the pitch-black aura passed directly above his head and surrounded the swarm of < Ouroboros >. The < Ouroboros > then morphed.

“Nooooo!”

Eco let out an agonising cry. One after another, the < Ouroboros > were sucked into < Avalon’s Bracelet > that she wore on her wrist. Most of the < Ouroboros > had already been subsumed by < Avalon’s Bracelet >. When the last snake finally disappeared — Eco, who was left in mid-air, fell straight down.

“Eco!”

Ash ran forth with all the strength that he could muster, sliding into the position where Eco fell. At the very last moment, Ash embraced Eco in mid-air and then landed on his back.

“Are you okay!?”

“I’m fine! But the bracelet that Mother gave me…”

With a pale expression, Eco showed Ash < Avalon’s Bracelet >.

“W-What’s going on with…that!?”

Ash fell silent. < Avalon’s Bracelet > which originally shone with a silvery-white brilliance was now dyed black, much like oxidised silver. It gave off an unsettling, and even ominous feeling.

“Unforgivable…”

Eco left Ash’s arm as she stood up unsteadily.

“Hey, you! What have you done to the bracelet that Mother gave me? It’s a memento of her as well!”

Her eyes glowed with the burning embers of rage.

“Fuhahaha! Thou definitely hast thy priorities the wrong way around.”

Annegert scoffed as she said so in front of Eco. It was the first time that she didn’t seem to sneer or ridicule them, rather, she was genuinely amused.

“Young dragon Eco, art thou sure that’s what thee should be worrying about? Allow me to gift thee a hint. Try removing thy bracelet!”

Although Eco frowned, she touched the bracelet as if a thought had occurred to her.

“No…I can’t take if off. It won’t budge!”

A look of despair appeared on Eco’s face. —It was < Avalon’s Bracelet > from the Mother Dragon. As long as she wore that bracelet, Eco would not inadvertently turn into her dragon form. In other words, it was a control device. And if she was unable to remove the device, then…

“Like this, I won’t be able to dragonise…”

Ash couldn’t help but shudder upon hearing Eco mumble that to herself. In the past, whenever facing a strong foe, the overwhelming combat power of Holy Dragon Emperor Eco was a great help. As for Brünhilde, it was different from past enemies, and impossible to know just how strong it was. Since he had been forcibly separated from his companions, it was the ideal time for him to be riding Holy Dragon Emperor Eco, but he could no longer do so.

“Hmph. I didn’t expect things to progress this smoothly. It’s honestly gone beyond the level of pleasure and into the realm of boredom. I was expecting ye to entertain me a little more.”

After saying that much, Annegert stopped, and the smile vanished from her face.

“‘Tis checkmate. Brünhilde, ready the cannons!”

Annegert spoke in the Imperial language and then raised Gungnir up high. Accompanied by a deep mechanical hum, the two magic cannons mounted on Brünhilde’s shoulders slowly began to move.

—Damn it! Some < Avalon Knight > I am! With Eco immobilised, there’s absolutely nothing I can do! What can I do? What can I do to save everyone?

Ash’s clenched fists continued to tremble. But all he could do was painfully accept his own powerlessness.

“Balmung, fire!”

Just as the two cannons unleashed a thundering boom—

“Don’t give up!”

An awe-inspiring voice resounded. An elegant and beautiful lady suddenly descended before his eyes.

“Navi!?”

Just as Ash cried out, Navi deployed a Hexagonal Shield. The magic shells which arced through the air produced massive explosions upon hitting the barrier, but Navi’s defensive magic remained steadfast.

“Think back, Ash, Eco! Before Eco was able to dragonise, you fought against Milgauss and the others regardless! Only dragonisation has been sealed by the < Ouroboros >! Your other abilities have not been sealed!”

Indeed, it was too soon to despair — and Ash changed his mindset. The corruption of < Avalon’s Bracelet > had been such a shock to them that they’d even forgotten such an important thing. Indeed, only dragonisation had been affected—

“Eco…”

Ash placed his hands on Eco’s shoulders and gazed at her face. If he wanted a sword to fight with, then he had to rely on Eco for help. However, due to the attack of the < Ouroboros >, Eco had already lost most of her magical energy. Perhaps it was cruel to rely on Eco in such a state. Perhaps sensing Ash’s worries…

“Of course! Who do you think I am?”

Eco proudly puffed out her chest.

Part 12

“Fire! Keep firing!”

In response to Annegert’s voice, the two Balmung cannons continued to rumble and roar. However, the defensive barrier deployed by the woman who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere seemed impenetrable against Balmung’s assault.

“Hmph, I didn’t expect ye to have backup. Her horns and hair colour…it seems she’s somehow related to Eco…but defensive magic is useless against us! Keep firing! Doragvemdr, fire!”

Annegert raised her spear up high as she issued new orders. Doragvemdr was probably able to undo the defensive magic of the dragon species. As such, Annegert’s trump card remained unchanged.

“…Huh?”

However, an unexpected development occurred. Much to Annegert’s surprise, Doragvemdr did not activate.

“Tsk, no more bullets huh. It seems I used too many during aerial combat—”

At that moment…

“Uooooooooooh!”

Ash charged forward, abandoning the safety of the defensive barrier that Navi had deployed. Moreover, he ran straight towards Annegert like a madman. It was seemingly absurd behaviour.

“What’s going on!? I don’t understand, I don’t understand this guy at all…kuh, use Karlsnautr as well! It doesn’t matter if you expend all ammunition!”

Upon hearing Annegert’s enthused voice, Brünhilde began to fire the machine guns mounted on its abdomen. The sounds of cannons and gunfire seemingly intensified the atmosphere of the battlefield. However, Ash still gradually approached her in a fearless manner. His eyes weren’t those of a madman, rather, they were brimming with desire. Ash’s figure suddenly vanished. He had made use of the smoke and dust produced by Balmung’s cannon fire to conceal himself.

“Could it be…even now, he intends to reverse the situation?”

Part 13

—Boom! Boom! Dodododo!

The sound of cannons and the continuous firing of a machine gun overlapped with each other. Anyone’s body would be riddled with bullets if they stopped for even a moment. Yet, Ash madly sprinted across the battlefield without any regard for it. It was most certainly not an act of self-destruction. It was the battle plan that he had come up with and shared within a very short period of time. Concealing himself within the dust and smoke kicked up by Balmung, he continued straight ahead. He had no choice but to trust in Eco and Navi as he continued to race forth. He ran, ran, and kept on running. All of a sudden, a cold evening breeze blew past, sweeping away the dust that had been kicked up by the cannon fire.

“Oh no!”

Ash’s figure was immediately revealed before Annegert’s eyes. Unsurprisingly, he made eye contact with Annegert.

“…Hmph. I didn’t think thou would be stupid enough to charge at me on thine own. As a token of respect for thy stupidity, I’ll gift thee with the biggest shot!”

Annegert held the magic spear Gungnir with both hands and stabbed the tip of the spear into the ground. It was the first time that she had done such a thing.

“Brünhilde, prepare to fire the main cannon!”

“What…so Balmung aren’t the main cannons!?”

Ash was stunned as he watched Brünhilde slowly part its upper and lower jaws. Accompanied by a deep mechanical whir, what appeared from its mouth was an enormous muzzle. Its calibre was similar to the main gun of a large magical ship. Judging by the Bright Dragon Crystal that was embedded on top of it, it appeared to be some kind of magical cannon.

“…H-Hey, no matter how you look at it, that’s clearly an anti-magic ship weapon, isn’t it!?”

Did she really plan to unleash that upon a mere human? Ash suddenly felt as though his legs would go numb. He was strongly reminded that he was just an infantryman as a knight without his Pal’s help. —Even so, he continued to race forward! Indeed, it was because Ash had decided to entrust everything to Eco and Navi. Even if Brünhilde’s main cannon unleashed an inferno of flames, he would not stop.

“Accumulating magical energy. Ten, nine, eight…”

In contrast, Annegert’s voice remained cold and ruthless, as if she was an extension of the mechanical weapon itself. With a monotonous voice, she began a countdown. It didn’t seem like intimidation at all. She truly intended to blow Ash away with the main cannon.

“Uoooh!”

Ash yelled as if in an attempt to drown out Annegert’s countdown. He unleashed a roar from the depths of his throat as he accelerated forward.

“…Four, three, two, one.”

Annegert’s countdown mercilessly came to an end.

—Eco!

Just as Ash exclaimed so in his heart…

“—Espolón!!!”

A shout came from behind. In that instant, Ash was bathed in a warm glow. The various components of an Ark began to be equipped on Ash’s body. Even with the majority of her magical energy drained, Eco still beautifully bestowed her Ark. Ash’s < Seikoku > violently reacted in response to the aura of the Ark. His < Seikoku > pulsed as if enlivened, and gradually covered his entire body. Ash felt his entire body grow hot as he wholeheartedly accepted Eco’s feelings. Annegert’s cold voice mercilessly interrupted Ash’s thoughts.

“Main cannon — Dáinsleif, fire!”

Having transformed into an Ark Dragonar, Ash immediately summoned Excalibur and pulled it out of its scabbard in a single breath. He crossed the blade and its scabbard to form a cross as he faced the main cannon head on. The tremendous pressure was reminiscent of a dragon’s flames, making it difficult for Ash to maintain his footing. Even with the Ark, there was still an immense amount of heat. However, Ash refused to fall with just that. After all, he wouldn’t be able to protect his companions unless he defeated Annegert—

“I will…protect everyone!”

Ash endured the blast of Dáinsleif…

—Boom!

Ash finally took a step forward. Even though it was only a step, it was unbearably heavy…!

“Kuh!? Thou can actually withstand Dáinsleif!?”

“Checkmate—”

Ash declared, as if in reply to his opponent. Thanks to his desperate sprint earlier, the range of Brünhilde’s Dáinsleif had already been reduced to its minimum. It was now Ash’s turn.

“O all-conquering steel that slashes through all, the holy sword destined for the knight of all knights—”

Along with each word that Ash uttered, the < Seikoku > covering his body warmly responded. Everything had been for this moment. All of the magical energy in his Ark was injected into the holy sword.

“Tsk, you mustn’t face Excalibur…fly, Brünhilde!”

Brünhilde continued to unleash Dáinsleif while it simultaneously prepared to emit magical energy from its back—

“Fourth Dragon Riding Dance — Vine of the Crown of Thorns!”

A delicate cry echoed across the distant sky. At the same time, the pattern of a < Seikoku > was carved into the evening sky, with Lucca at its centre. The figures of Rebecca and Silvia riding on their dragons could also be seen on each side of the pattern, as if guarding Lucca. Moreover, although it seemed as if Max had been defeated, he re-joined the team. The seriously injured Arianrhod also flew in the air, filled with vitality. Rebecca, Silvia, Max, as well as their respective Pals were all battle-scarred. Max had lost his glasses, and his forehead was bleeding as well. Even so, Lucca and Gawain were unscathed. Ash then came to a shocking realisation — Rebecca and the others had wiped out a vast number of missiles and devoted everything to protecting Lucca for this moment, because she possessed the trump card of performing a Dragon Riding Dance. Since they had been fighting separate battles on land and in the air, there was no time for discussion at all, but their timing was exceedingly coincidental. Ash couldn’t stop his eyes from growing moist. It was his first time seeing the Fourth Dance, and its effect was different from the others. A myriad of thorned vines formed by magic crossed over each other and constricted Brünhilde’s lower body.

“Mere trickery…tear them off!”

Annegert shouted. Brünhilde used its tremendous strength to tear the thorned vines off, one after another — but that momentary distraction was more than enough for Ash.

“Its name is — Excalibur!!!”

The single blow unleashed by Excalibur turned into a raging torrent that swallowed up the immense heat of Dáinsleif and slowly advanced forward—.

“Kuh! Endure it, Brünhilde!”

Despite her longstanding calmness, Annegert couldn’t help but cry out in distress at this moment. And then — an impact powerful enough to shake the entire forest fanned out. The slash that Ash had poured all of his strength into landed a direct hit on Brünhilde’s abdominal armour.

Part 14

…What followed was silence. Much to Ash’s surprise, Brünhilde was still standing firm and Annegert still held her spear as she stood on top of Brünhilde.

“Kuh, how is it that tough?”

Completely exhausted, Ash couldn’t help but drop to one knee. At the same time, his Ark and Excalibur disintegrated into particles of light and disappeared. All of his magical energy had been expended in that blow. Perhaps having calmed down, Annie Group sneered,

“It seems the goddess of victory smiles upon me.”

“No, you’re wrong.”

Ash lifted his head as he revealed a smile. Just as Annegert frowned, a change occurred in Brünhilde. The armour on its abdomen shattered like glass and shards began to peel off. The attack from the holy sword Excalibur had certainly landed a hit. However, Ash’s smile froze in the next moment.

“Hey…wait! What is that…!?”

Ash’s eyes widened as his body was frozen in place. An unexpected object was concealed in Brünhilde’s abdominal region.

“What’s going on?”

Eco ran up behind Ash. Having exhausted all of her magical energy, Eco looked rather haggard but still somewhat vibrant. Ash found her rather cute in this way, but he immediately pointed to the interior of Brünhilde.

“That…look at that…”

Eco followed the direction that Ash pointed in with curiosity, and then widened her eyes as well.

“What…! What is that!?”

Hidden in Brünhilde’s abdominal cavity — was a cylindrical object. The cylinder was made of glass and filled with a transparent liquid. The thing suspended in the liquid completely upended Ash’s imagination. —A lone naked girl floated in the liquid, much like a foetus. Her hair was dark and waist-length. Her body still appeared rather young, at around twelve years old. Her pale skin was like that of a newborn baby. And the most distinguishable feature of the girl was — slightly curved horns on the left and right sides of her head.

“…Could it be that that girl is also a dragon!?”

Eco was so shocked that even her voice trembled. At that moment, Annegert simply spoke with a pitiful tone as if she had made a minor mistake,

“Oh, my beloved Brünhilde! What a sorry state thou art in! It must hurt…it must be painful…let us go home at once, and I’ll patch thee up straight away!”

Surprisingly, Annegert seemed totally disinterested in the fact that the girl had been seen. She simply continued to lament the damage that had been done to the mechanical dragon. To Annegert, was that girl just ‘a component of Brünhilde’?

“Wait! That girl—”

“The conclusion of our battle will be decided next time!”

—Boom!

An explosion resounded. Completely ignoring Silvia and the others who were still in the air, Brünhilde took off and flew away at a tremendous speed.

“Kuh…!”

A powerful gale hit them, and Ash quickly protected Eco. While shielding his eyes from the cloud of dust, he stared into the distant sky. At some point, the sun had already sunk, and the sky was stained with the colours of night. The remnants of Brünhilde’s flight trajectory faintly remained in the centre of the night sky.

“…I wonder what’s about to begin.”

Ash could only whisper that in amazement. The mystery was more puzzling than ever, but one thing was certain — and it was that someone was plotting something….

“The Imperial Princess ~A.S.B.1366.04~” is closed.

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