Dragon.
It was the strongest being in the world, a single entity capable of effortlessly destroying an entire nation.
It had appeared only once in the original, and with its arrival, completely overturned the desperate situation.
It was truly a living natural disaster.
Kyahhhhhhhh—!!
And now, this existence was resurrected as an undead and was approaching the Holy Kingdom.
With a clear intent to kill all living beings, it came!
“Dr, Dragon!!!”
“We’re all gonna die!!”
Kyaaahhhh—!!
The people screamed in panic, overwhelmed by its presence, and even the Holy Knights and Priests stood frozen in fear, staring at the overwhelming sight.
“Oh my God…”
“Damn it…”
And it wasn’t much different for Rudell and Leje.
Just looking at it made them want to run away.
Even in its bony state, the presence of the dragon was on another level entirely.
Kyahhhhh—!!
As the dragon roared again, even the Priests and Holy Knights began to step back, faces pale with terror.
But then, in that moment…
“Everyone, stop panicking!!”
A voice filled with Divine Power erupted, sweeping the surroundings.
The source of the voice was atop the podium.
The owner of that voice was none other than Pope Johan Derensses Tubel Kainer.
“No matter how desperate the situation, our faith is unshakeable! For the Goddess! And for the continent!!”
As he shouted, the Divine Power radiated from him, illuminating the area, and those who saw the light began to regain their composure and move calmly.
“Immediately issue a state of emergency to the entire army! Priests, form a barrier with me! Holy Knights, assist the evacuation of the dignitaries and citizens!”
“Understood!”
The chaotic scene from moments ago vanished, and under the Pope’s orders, the Priests, Holy Knights, and soldiers moved in perfect order.
Watching them move with such synergy, Rudell couldn’t help but let out an exclamation of admiration.
Once the situation had settled somewhat, the Pope stood firm on the arena with the Priests and began to recite prayers.
The Pope’s Divine Power, the Priests’ Divine Power, and the Divine Power spreading across the land resonated, beginning to bathe the space itself in bright light.
Kyahhhh—!!
As if sensing the opposing force, the dragon that was descending towards the Holy Kingdom flapped its tattered wings and hovered in the sky.
“Heretical being that defies the natural order! Your existence shall never be permitted here!!”
“For the great deities!!”
Watching that scene, the Pope shouted, and alongside the Priests’ prayers, countless magic circles began to appear in the air, surrounding the Holy Kingdom.
Gooohhh—!!
At that moment, the Main Dragon took a deep breath, feeling the magic power being absorbed around it, Rudell let out a low groan.
Fwooooshhh—!!
The very next moment, ominous violet flames erupted from the Main Dragon’s mouth, and a fiery torrent surged towards the barrier surrounding the Holy Kingdom.
Crackle-crackle-crackle!
However, the barrier formed by the Pope and the gathered Priests held firm.
The flames, emitting pure white glimmers, clashed with the dragon’s breath, scattering across the lands outside the Holy Kingdom, engulfing the vast area in a monstrous blaze.
It was a sight that resembled a scene from an apocalypse.
“Ugh…”
Watching that scene unfold, Rudell could only let out a low groan.
No matter how much advantage the Pope and the Priests had on their home turf, the opponent was like a moving natural disaster.
Of course, as an undead, it must have weakened compared to a real dragon, but even so, the dragon was not something that could easily be defeated.
“What do we do now?”
“I don’t know either…”
In the face of a natural disaster that human ability couldn’t solve, what could a single human do?
With such thoughts, Rudell shook his head.
“It’s still too early to give up.”
“Eleor?”
At that moment, a familiar voice called from behind.
Turning around, Rudell saw the now even more gaunt figure of Eleor.
“There are strong ones from across the continent gathered here, along with the entirety of the Holy Kingdom’s forces remaining.”
“But…”
Even if they all joined forces, it didn’t seem likely they could defeat that monster.
Just as Rudell was about to say this, Eleor continued.
“And above all, the Holy Sword still remains.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
As she spoke, Rudell’s voice became dazed, and shortly after, he realized that Eleor was holding something wrapped in a handkerchief.
“The choice of the Holy Sword is not yet over.”
At that moment, Eleor beamed a bright smile and handed Rudell the fragments of the broken Holy Sword.
*
“Is it really certain?”
“Of course, the Holy Sword is a fragment of the divine. Even as a fragment, the divine power and will of the gods dwelling within it can never fade.”
Eleor nodded at Rudell’s question.
If she, a Saint, said so, then it must be true.
However, despite that, Rudell hesitated to reach for the fragments of the Holy Sword.
Was he truly worthy of the title of Hero?
It was such thoughts that held him back.
But then, at that moment…
“What are you hesitating for? It either works or it doesn’t!”
“Uwah!? Leje!?”
Leje, who was watching the scene, shouted in frustration and grabbed Rudell’s arm.
Before Rudell could respond, she placed his hand on the fragments of the Holy Sword.
As Rudell’s fingertips touched the fragments…
Paaaah!!!
“Wah!?”
With a sudden burst of bright light, Rudell screamed in surprise.
At the same time, all attention, including the Pope’s, turned towards him.
In the next moment, the fragment of the Holy Sword, which was emitting brilliant light, lost its form and became a small cluster of sparkling lights right in front of Rudell’s eyes.
“What is…?”
“See? Didn’t I tell you? There’s no one more suitable to be the Hero than you!”
“Indeed, it’s you, Rudellheit.”
As Rudell stared in confusion, Leje and Eleor exclaimed.
“You seem to have a knack for surprising people, Count Rudellheit Weinstein.”
“Pope…”
Suddenly, Johan approached Rudell and said that, and Rudell knelt down before the Pope.
Johan extended his hand and lifted Rudell up…
“In the name of Pope Johan Derensses Tubel Kainer, I declare that Count Rudellheit Weinstein of the kingdom has been chosen by the gods to become a Hero!”
The Pope’s voice, filled with Divine Power, echoed loudly in the arena.
“A Hero? Really?!”
“Are we finally going to survive?!”
“The Hero has appeared!!”
The Hero has appeared.
With that short but powerful statement, the previously desperate atmosphere shifted instantly.
Hope blossomed on the faces of those who had been stifling despair, and the heavy mood lightened as if it had never existed.
Kyahhhhhhhh—!!
Outside the curtain that engulfed the Holy Kingdom, the Main Dragon was still rampaging, spewing flames, but despite that, the people seemed to feel a certainty that they could turn the situation around.
“So, is anything different now?”
“Well… I’m not sure.”
In response to Leje’s question, Rudell trailed off.
Even though he had become a Hero, the only feeling was that a bit of fatigue seemed to have lifted.
He couldn’t feel anything else had changed.
“Maybe it’s because the fragments have become too small to maintain the shape of the Holy Sword. Normally, it should always maintain its form as a sword, but with such tiny fragments, it can’t keep the shape of a weapon.”
“Then what should we do?”
Even if he became a Hero, without the Holy Sword, there was nothing he could do.
He couldn’t exactly punch the Main Dragon, could he?
“The Holy Sword is the very power bestowed upon the Hero by the gods, so even if it takes the form of a sword, its shape can change to suit the user.”
“Change to suit the user…”
“What do you need most right now?”
“What I need most?”
At Johan’s question, Rudell lowered his head and sank into thought.
Power.
To break through this situation, he needed incredibly powerful strength.
Strength capable of defeating that monster.
Thump.
“…?”
At that moment, Rudell felt something hot rising from his chest.
At the same time, a cluster of bright light began to coalesce in Rudell’s hands, soon starting to change its form.
“This, this is…!?”
Rudell exclaimed in surprise at the sudden turn of events, and everyone around watched the spectacle as…
Something formed from the light was gripped in Rudell’s hands.
“A staff…?”
It was none other than a staff made of pure white metal.
