Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

Chapter 295: Slaying the Greatest Evil

"Coming!" Akira responded loudly.

He ruffled Ais' hair one last time and comforted her softly, "It doesn't matter if you can't do it yet. Even without that power, you'll be able to defeat this evil dragon one day, I promise.

"And besides, I'll protect you. Whether it's the evil dragon in front of us, or the black one waiting in the future, I'll protect you all the same."

Ais froze.

Those words...

The reason she had once clutched a sword with her trembling little hands was because she had no other way to live, because after crying until no more tears would come, she still needed a blade to cling to.

But now...

Her golden eyes softened.

Sure enough... Akira is my hero.

Ais suddenly stepped forward, wrapped her arms around the boy, and hugged him tightly. Just two seconds and then she let go.

Her dull eyes regained their shine. The black haze faded into brilliant emerald green. The storm gathered again around her small frame, and the rising wind made Akira's cloak flutter.

Watching Ais' spirit return, Akira smiled and spoke with quiet authority, "Go tell Riveria she can begin chanting a third-tier spell. After that, get treatment, then rejoin the battle. Understand?"

"Mm!" Ais nodded quickly, her obedience returning in full.

With light steps, she dashed across the battlefield to deliver the message.

Riveria, though battered, immediately understood Akira's intent. She gave the girl a hard rap on the head and explained, "Unless we keep up relentless attacks, we'll never be able to cut through to the magic stone."

Her sharp gaze swept the battlefield. Akira's strategy was clear.

If they could pour all their strength into continuous bombardment, if they could peel away the scales and flesh faster than the monster's regeneration could mend them, then they could finally expose its weakness, the magic stone that all monsters shared.

The enemy's ability wasn't absolute defense, nor was it untouchable speed. Its strength lay in its endless regeneration.

But if they gambled everything, if they unleashed a storm of attacks and created one opening, then even a Level 6 or Level 7 foe could be brought down.

Riveria immediately began weaving a long, heavy chant, the kind she had never been able to complete in battle before.

Meanwhile, Ais retreated with teary eyes, seeking Maryuu's treatment for her injuries. When she returned to the front line clutching her silver sword, she arrived just in time to see Akira unleash destructive power greater than her own.

The blade of ice, glowing with an azure radiance, carved arcs through the air. Each strike was simple, yet carried an extraordinary weight. His sword cleaved deep into the dragon's massive body, forcing it to defend desperately.

Chunks of its flesh fell apart, glowing with magic as regeneration tried to restore them, only to be ripped open again by the next merciless swing.

The Greatest Evil howled in pain, its grotesque wings beating violently as it lashed out at the Astraea Familia. Its tail swept across the battlefield like a hurricane, aimed straight at Akira. But Akira's dual greatswords met the blow head-on.

Boom!

The deafening impact shook the ground. Shards of broken dragon scales scattered like black snow, and steaming blood spurted into the air.

Akira staggered a single step, but stood firm, as immovable as a fortress.

The Astraea girls did not waste the opening. They surged forward with their strongest techniques.

Asta's axe slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves up through the monster's body.

Ryana and the other casters countered fire with fire, intercepting the rain of flaming bullets that poured from the dragon's maw.

Akira split apart the largest fireballs with his ice blade, while wind slashes tore through the battlefield, carving space for the vanguard.

Together, their relentless assault steadily pushed back the abomination.

And then, Ryana's voice rang out, sharp and triumphant, "I found it! The magic stone's location!"

At once, Akira took command. The vanguard was formed: Akira, Ryuu, Alise, Kaguya, Ais, and four more. Nine in total surged ahead, striking with everything they had.

Each blow was aimed to pin down the Greatest Evil, to restrict its movements, to carve away its strength piece by piece.

Bang!

Half of the dragon's wings were shredded, crashing to the ground with a thunderous roar.

The beast shrieked, straining to regenerate, but repairing wings that size drained too much magic. Instead, it only grew more violent, thrashing wildly in an attempt to break free.

But the rear guard held the line. Gareth and Asta braced themselves, protecting the casters. Maryuu rushed from fighter to fighter, closing fatal wounds before they could claim lives.

And finally, Riveria finished her chant. She, who had been holding the line with barrier and support magic until now, raised her staff high.

Her voice cracked like thunder, and a torrent of emerald light exploded from her magic circle. The wave surged forward, passing through the gaps in the vanguard's formation, and smashed into the dragon's chest.

Its scales dissolved like melting wax, its final wing was shredded, and its chest split open to reveal a pulsing, purple-blue magic stone.

The battlefield froze for a heartbeat.

This was it. The moment of truth.

"All forces, general attack!!!"

Flames ignited along Alise's rapier. Kaguya's katana gleamed with killing intent as it slid into its sheath, ready to draw. Ais' silver sword roared with stormwinds.

One after another, they poured every drop of magic, every ounce of skill, every last fragment of strength into their blades.

Their combined strike, their ultimate "Dragon-Slaying Blow", rushed forward as one, crashing into the massive, glowing magic stone and shattering it into pieces.