Human beings’ magic can have [attributes]. Then, what about magical beasts? Of course, they do as well.
The prime example of this is the dragons. Those called [Elemental Dragons] are truly disasters. Their bodies are covered in sturdy scales, with fangs and claws that can easily cut through steel, and they can unleash powerful long-range attacks through their breath.
As living beings, they are far superior to humans, and their advanced intelligence even allows them to wield magic. So how could they be called anything other than disasters?
“…Kukuku.”
But the lack of context here.
Why would a calamitous ice dragon suddenly appear in this city? I have an inkling of an idea about the cause.
“…Lu, Luke-kun…ah, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t say this now, but…I—”
That’s the one fidgeting next to me. I believe this Abel, the protagonist of this world, has been caught up in some kind of event. If he was in the royal capital, then some event must have occurred there. But for some reason, he has ended up in Gilbadia.
And this is the result. Really, why does it always turn out this way?
It’s all so incomprehensible…but that’s fine.
Truthfully, Abel is nothing but a nuisance to me. But this time, it works in my favor.
Inevitably, I find myself thrilled at the prospect of encountering this formidable ice dragon. I’ve grown weary of slaying Giant Lizards.
More and more adventurers are gathering. But their expressions are grim, without a shred of hope.
The ice dragon’s form is still not visible. Yet I can sense it, drawing ever closer.
Come to think of it, what happened to those two beastmen?
Curious, I glance around, but their figures are nowhere to be seen.
I had some things I wanted to ask them—
“—Luke!”
At that moment, a voice called out.
Turning back, I see my father, accompanied by many knights. Alfred is there as well.
“Father, are you not going to evacuate?”
“Don’t be a fool. As if I, of all people, would engage in such a disgraceful act. Rather, you, Luke. You and Alfred must—”
“—Surely you don’t intend to tell me to flee, do you?”
I cut off my father’s words.
Normally, I would never do such a thing. But this time, I can’t allow it. I’ve finally found a being I might be able to unleash my full strength against. The desire burning deep within me to fight the ice dragon is so intense that I simply cannot resist it.
Thus, I ponder, searching for a plausible pretext. And then—
“—As one who carries the blood of the Gilbert family, I cannot abandon the citizens I must protect and flee. I will stake my life and fight to the end.”
The model answer came to me immediately.
That’s what I said, but…in that moment, the surroundings grew eerily silent.
Gazes filled with various emotions pierce me. Even Abel and my father are no exception.
“Well, well…you truly are my son! Your resolve is that strong, is it? I’m impressed! Alright, I won’t tell you to flee anymore.”
“Th-thank you very much…”
I was thanked enthusiastically, almost uncomfortably so.
But the truth is, I simply want to fight the ice dragon…
“However, I won’t allow you to die. Understood?”
“Understood, Father.”
My father’s expression doesn’t change much from his usual. But I can discern the various emotions within him.
He likely wanted me to flee. Yet, he chose to respect my resolve.
I must be grateful for that.
“Luke-kun has…already reached that level of resolve. Wow, that’s incredible. You’re really amazing. —I’ll cooperate too!”
“…You’re a pain in the ass, but I guess I’ll lend a hand a little bit too!”
“…………”
Abel and Lily also look at me with strangely passionate gazes. …What’s with them?
“…I’m sorry. I was mistaken. I didn’t realize that Lord Luke cared so much about us…”
It was Zack who suddenly said that.
And at the same time, I noticed something.
Unlike before, the people in this place now have a clear fighting spirit in their eyes.
“Lord Luke!! I’m deeply moved!!”
“Hey, Zac—”
“Alright, you guys!! After hearing what Lord Luke said, there’s no way we adventurers can just stay silent, right?!”
Saying that, Zack raised his sword high. And then—
[WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!]
An explosion of cheers shook the ground.
“Let’s definitely defeat the ice dragon, Luke-kun!”
“…………”
Why are they getting so riled up?
How can the words I carelessly uttered inspire them to such passion?
The foolish thoughts of humans are truly beyond my understanding.
But, oh well. The icy magical power is beginning to permeate the air.
The temperature around us is dropping enough to feel it on my skin.
Now, it’s time to meet face-to-face.
“GROOOOOOOOAAARRRR!!”
Finally, the ice dragon has revealed itself.
I can’t help but let the corners of my mouth curl upwards. Let’s see just how powerful you are.
I draw my sword—but at that moment, the sound of a flute comes from somewhere.
The sound had a somewhat sorrowful tone, so beautiful that one couldn’t help but be captivated by it.
“T-This flute sound… is…”
Abel exclaimed in shock.
He clearly seemed to know something. ─ Ah, I see. This entire situation must have been some kind of event orchestrated by this person, and I’ve been dragged into it.
Well, no matter.
Now then, shall we take on the Ice Dragon?
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
§
For Abel, the days at the Aslan Magic Academy were very happy ones.
Of course, his life with his mentor Elka was irreplaceable. However, the dormitory life and the days of friendly rivalry with his friends and peers gradually melted away the loneliness he had harbored within.
To put it simply, it was enjoyable.
And so, he had almost forgotten. ─ The despair of [that day]. The agonizing memory of having lost everything.
The flute’s sound, which suddenly resonated from somewhere, awakened the “darkness” within Abel.
─ [Monsters take away everything. That’s why I have to kill them. So that nothing will be taken from me anymore.]
“That flute sound. Do you know something about it?”
“…Huh?”
Luke’s sudden question pulled Abel back from the sea of his thoughts to reality.
“U-Uh, yeah… I’ve heard it before before─”
“GROOOOAAARRR!!”
A deafening roar cut off Abel’s words.
Luke silently regarded the Ice Dragon. Its appearance was extremely fierce, but it also seemed to be resisting something.
“H-Hey, what do we do? It doesn’t seem to be attacking, but…”
Lily timidly asked.
Most of those present were stunned, overwhelmed by the Ice Dragon’s tremendous aura. Poised and observing its movements, they all leaned in to hear Luke’s answer to Lily’s question.
“Hmm, there’s a possibility it’s being controlled.”
“…!? That’s it, Luke-kun!? Ah, yes… That’s very possible. I wonder why I didn’t realize it sooner…”
“Eh, that dragon is being controlled!?”
Exclamations of surprise arose.
As Abel lowered his gaze slightly, he pondered on Luke’s off-hand remark. If it were true, it would greatly change the perspective on the tragedy that had occurred “that day”.
Abel had unconsciously sealed off that abhorrent memory. Or perhaps he had intentionally avoided thinking about it. That’s why he had failed to realize this fact.
“…There’s no way a dragon could play a flute. And that sound was imbued with magic. ─ Well, let’s give it a try.”
Based on what Luke had seen, the Ice Dragon had not yet been completely subjugated, as it had not attacked them.
“─ [Dark Arrow]”
It was a beginner-level spell that everyone present doubted could actually harm the dragon significantly, despite its dark attribute.
However, Luke had a different intention.
“…”
The small arrow, infused with darkness, was absorbed into the Ice Dragon’s massive body and then burst.
Instantly, the Ice Dragon’s movements froze in mid-air. Gone was the rampaging behavior, and it now merely flapped its wings gracefully.
Luke’s [Dark Arrow] had consumed the magic power that had been controlling the Ice Dragon.
“Wha-! The control has been broken!? H-Hurry, play the melody again─ Gugh!”
A panicked man’s voice suddenly rang out.
Amidst the bewildering situation, to which no one could hide their confusion, the Ice Dragon suddenly shook its head.
Something was then thrown into the air. ─ A man in a robe, presumably the culprit, was.
“Nooooooo!! I don’t want thiiiis!!”
Chomp. Precisely in one gulp, the man was unceremoniously devoured by the Ice Dragon.
Everyone was struck dumb, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
A momentary silence reigned. And then─
“…Humans do indeed taste unpleasant.”
The Ice Dragon spoke. It then looked down upon the humans gathered below.
With just those words, the majority of those present were overwhelmed by the illusion of death. No one dared to speak. And yet, it felt as if a soul-crushing scream had somehow been heard.
“What a disgraceful act of mine. To have allowed myself to be controlled by such a lowly species as humans─ How utterly vexing.”
It was not bloodlust, but merely irritation.
However, that dense aura of death forcibly made them understand that no matter how much they trained their bodies or honed their skills, humans were still ultimately nothing more than human.
This was the─ Disaster-designated Monster, the Ice Dragon, with a threat level of S.
The jarring sound of armor resonated, strangely amplified.
(I-It’s on a different level… The very level of being a living creature…)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
