"A black desert dragon? Does such a species exist?"
"How is this possible! A black desert dragon! Are you sure you're not seeing things?!"
Upon hearing the archer's voice, everyone's attention would immediately turn to him, since the black desert dragon was something that simply did not exist.
"You're not mistaken, Captain, it's the black desert dragon!"
"How is that possible! Is it some kind of mutated new species?"
Nighold showed a very surprised expression, as there was no record in the intelligence that there were mutated species of desert dragons.
"Black..."
I feel like I've experienced this scene somewhere before.
—It's sand!
Yes, I did experience the exact same thing when I was hunting Taralu Bears alone. They would use the mud and the high temperature of the fireballs to coat their bodies with a layer of hard mud.
"Damn it... Am I the culprit?"
"Retreat! Retreat now!"
Nighold hadn't realized this yet, thinking it was a new mutation, and hurriedly issued orders.
However, Nighold was indeed very wise to do so.
Other groups did indeed inhabit a short distance from the group we observed. They did not bury their heads in the sand, but lay lazily on the ground like sea lions, motionless, and would not be noticed if one was not paying attention.
The neighboring tribe was attacked, so they hurriedly got up and rushed towards us. There were more than thirty of them... no... there should be more than fifty. That is the main base of the desert dragons.
This was a mistake caused by not conducting reconnaissance during the day.
"Everyone, don't wander off! Go back to the original camp!"
Nighold's shouts echoed through the darkness. His judgment was absolutely correct; this would indeed allow them to avoid the battle and regroup.
However, it's too late to say anything now.
Unexpected situations on the battlefield can easily disrupt morale. Many mages who were supposed to be the rearguard have disappeared, and it is unknown which direction they fled in, but it is certainly not towards the camp.
"Hey! Captain, what should we do now?!"
The one who shouted at this moment was the black-bearded uncle. Compared to the panicked other team members, he remained as confident and calm as ever.
"There are too many of them, and some of them are new variants. Let's go back to camp and make further plans."
Nighold shouted as he ran past him, noting that there were only nine people left, including himself.
The group consists of Uncle Blackbeard, Nighold, Ogura, Yuna, the archer who is in charge of reconnaissance, two mages who have just started casting the Furnace, and a female knight who is holding a longsword and shield. They are temporarily classified as knights.
But facing a desert dragon charging towards us at full speed from the side, there was no way to escape.
Perhaps because the nine of us were together, their target wasn't the others who had scattered and fled.
They had reached a dead end.
"Damn it! At this rate, we'll be caught up sooner or later."
"Tch! I'll stay behind as bait. You guys run for your lives. I'll meet up with you at the camp."
"team leader!"
Yuna stopped and turned back to look at Nighold, her face pale.
"Captain! Let me stay. It was my mistake! I failed to notice in time..."
Despite his legs trembling uncontrollably, the archer gritted his teeth and roared at Nighold.
"No! You have no way to stop the enemy!"
"I...but I..."
"Stop talking! Run away... Leon! Yuna is in your hands now, protect her!"
Nighold, having taken the heavy sword from his back, roared resolutely in my direction.
"This guy... is actually quite loyal."
I must say, this scene really shocked me. It was just a temporary extermination squad, yet Nighold was able to do this much. Is that why he is qualified to be the captain?
"Idiot! Even you couldn't stop so many desert dragons, could you? As the vice-captain, I also bear responsibility for this mistake, so count me in!"
Vice Captain Ogaku also stopped, gripping his long cane tightly.
"Hahaha! How could I be left out at a time like this! Count me in!"
The black-bearded uncle also threw his giant axe in front of him, twisted his joints, and looked ready to fight.
"Alright! In that case, I'll stay too!"
"We'll stay too!"
"Um...it seems a bit odd if I don't offer my opinion at this time..."
"Captain! You should protect Yuna yourself!"
...To be honest, I was forced to do it. Eight out of the nine people chose to stay. If I had slunk away, I would have really become a deserter.
"Kid! I knew I hadn't misjudged you! When we get back, I'm definitely going to have a good drink with you!"
"Hey! Leon isn't old enough to drink yet!"
"Oh...is that so, Leon!"
"Beer can still solve the problem!"
"Alright, let's go all out!"
"Let them taste our power!"
Upon hearing Nighold's shout, Big Kuzuki and Uncle Blackbeard stopped their idle chatter, responded, and assumed a fighting stance.
The approaching horde of desert dragons, though gliding across the sand on all fours, still produced a considerable rumbling sound, much like the rumbling of the earth.
They weren't particularly fast, but they still had an advantage in this sandy terrain. Their dark shadows gathered together, creating an indescribable sense of oppression.
I could feel my legs starting to shake uncontrollably.
Not only me, but also Big Kuzuki, Uncle Blackbeard, Nighold, and Yuna... everyone was staring ahead with grim faces.
However, not a single person chose to run away.
Seeing them, for some reason, my heart fluttered, my breathing became rapid, and my emotions were heightened.
"Is this... a subjugation?"
Ultimately, I rarely take on similar missions, and if it weren't for the "human god's" suggestion, I probably wouldn't have encountered one at all in the future.
"Hmph! I knew that 'God of Man' wouldn't be so kind."
When the topic of "humans and gods" comes up, one can't help but have some reservations, since, based on current advice, nothing is immune to mutation.
"Sylvia...please bless me..."
I instinctively gripped the necklace around my neck. I can't fall here. The Segers, Sylvie, Anna—no matter where they are, no matter what obstacles lie ahead, I will find them.
"Yes, I heard it, Sylvie's voice..."
It's been so long since I felt this strong fighting spirit. Gradually, I've become immersed in the protection of others, Lilith and Julius alike.
—I am Leon Cabadorn! The eldest son of the Cabadorn family!
The significance of the battle.
I've never found anything like this before.
But now, please allow me to fight for my family, for my comrades, for the temporary extermination squad, and for everyone who still believes in me and hasn't abandoned me!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com