As Lily stood up from the captain’s seat to sortie, she issued a single command.
“Keep going straight and charge at the airship fleet.”
“Yes, as Your Majesty the Queen commands.”
“Eh?”
This reckless command was contested by Simon, who had just arrived on the bridge.
“Are you serious, Lily?”
“I’m not saying to defeat that swarm of white dragons. Just pass through.”
“But still…”
“Even if we take a hit or two from their breath attack, Eldorado won’t fall. We made renovations for that purpose.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Trust in the Eldorado you enhanced and the strength of your comrades.”
If it were someone in Lily’s position, a single threat would suffice. However, Lily simply stated this with a serious expression.
Simon, too, wasn’t expressing concern out of fear for the sky battleship. He merely voiced a reasonable risk. If luck were to have them struck at a vital point by the white dragon’s breath and sunk, not only would this decisive battle be lost, but the Empire would face its end.
Of course, Lily was fully aware of such dangers. It was rather Simon who was questioning their resolve.
“Understood, if you say it that firmly, Lily.”
“I’m counting on you, Simon.”
Simon also steeled his resolve and took his seat at one of the stations on the bridge. That was the seat responsible for controlling all the main cannons.
Although he was initially on board as a dedicated technical officer for Eldorado, he would serve as a gunner if necessary. This was because, no matter how well-trained a crew might be, Simon’s accuracy and understanding of the shelling system could never be matched.
When entrusting the ship’s fate, it was best to let Simon fire.
“Activating the main system. Temporarily transferring the general code, target, Fairy Karen—well then, I leave the rest to you, Karen.”
“Understood, I will follow all commands.”
The acting captain of the Eldorado was now the fairy Karen, who could be said to be Lily’s trusted aide.
While there were others with experience in commanding a ship, led by Admiral Shargile, to draw out Eldorado’s performance, it had to be a fairy.
It was only natural that Karen, possessing intellect and capabilities second only to Lily, was chosen.
After Lily left the captain’s seat, a new console-like device emerged. Originally meant for direct operation from the captain’s seat, renovations were made for it to be part of Eldorado.
As Karen landed on the console, holographic magic circles were projected multiple times. As the overlapping magic circles formed a three-dimensional multilayered structure, Karen’s “Fairy Barrier” flashed, merging with the hologram’s magic circles.
“Connection complete. ‘Admiral System’ online.”
The sky battleship was a large ancient weapon, and due to its structure, it could only operate with multiple crew members. One could say its operation was similar to that of modern warships.
A large ship cannot be moved by one person—yet, Lily operated it alone, to confront her romantic rivals using this mighty ancient weapon.
What made the impossible possible was Lily’s powerful telepathic ability and magical computing power.
Although the proper maneuvering methods were still under analysis, the ship was functioning optimally thanks to Lily. Conversely, if Lily were to leave, the operational performance would drastically diminish.
In the case of a campaign like the conquest of Beldoria, where the enemy had no strong aerial forces, it wouldn’t be a problem. As long as they could fly at cruising speed, they could handle most battle situations adequately.
However, if the opponent posed a danger of sinking Eldorado with a similarly powerful ancient weapon or a fighting dragon, they couldn’t take it lightly. Yet, Lily herself was also an aerial maneuvering weapon, the trump card of the Empire.
Thus, to maximize the performance of the sky battleship even in Lily’s absence, the “Admiral System” was installed.
Though not reaching the level of Lily loved by the Fairy Queen Iris, it was able to connect directly with the ship’s central system via telepathy due to being a fairy. Even without knowing the proper operating methods, she could operate the ship through the thought of “I want it to move this way.”
And so, Eldorado plunged into the highly dangerous airspace filled with the breath attacks of rival fighting dragons.
Far above in the clouds over Reberia, the black and white dragons were glaring at each other in a flock, representing the final weapons against dragon disasters from ancient times.
Without a doubt, the airspace at this moment had become the most dangerous place in Pandora.
“—I never thought I would see that white, spineless face here.”
A grudge that had lasted over two thousand years. The one speaking this as the black dragon manifested was Belkrosen, radiating a murderous intent and hatred that could almost be seen.
The white fighting dragon “Edelweiss” series, a bio-weapon on par with the black dragon Rosen series, created by pouring the last resources of the Elroad Empire into it.
If they could perform as expected in battle, even if they couldn’t defeat the dragons… surely the Empire could have faced a better end.
At the very least, they wouldn’t have ended up with a situation where adventurers had to risk their lives to conquer ruins and dungeons to reach ancient artifacts. For the next generation, for the future people, they could have left more and better forms of ancient heritage.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one reason the next era after the advanced magical civilization of the ancients descended into a dark age with no records left was because of the Edelweiss, which hid away without ever fighting the dragons.
“A failed Rosen series Unit 13, huh? So there are shameless ones like you who haven’t perished fulfilling your duty to protect the imperial capital, only to live on into the present.”
The one responding was Roland, the leader of the “Dragonheart” faction, riding at the front on a white dragon.
Feeling tempted to unleash a breath attack due to such cheap provocation, he determined that the human riding the white dragon should be the one who was worried about knowing too much about him.
“You know about me… you’re no mere human.”
“Indeed, we are the rightful riders of the white dragons.”
“I see, you’re a genetically engineered human cultivated solely for contractors—”
The principles of fighting dragons were the same as their own.
A body imbued with the powerful strength of dragons, with a contractor possessing blessings sitting inside it to draw out that power. The black dragon, enhanced by the blessing of the Demon King Mia, displayed tremendous strength, while the source of the blessing that the white dragon was connected to was the White God.
Both were gods representing the world. As long as neither could clearly distinguish supremacy nor victory over the other, one could say they were of equal rank.
However, Belkrosen was convinced. It was not about the superiority of the powers bestowed by their respective gods, but rather the essence as fighting dragons that constituted the decisive difference between them.
“—Foolish ones. To call yourselves the dragon riders merely by swinging around a voiceless weapon. You should know that you are only mere consumables!”
The white dragon flying before him had no clear ego and was merely a machine controlled by its rider’s will. Nay, those riding the white dragon themselves, even before their mortal enemy the black dragon, showed no emotions.
It was as if a mechanical dragon had puppet riders. For someone giving commands, they were merely convenient weapons.
That was precisely why they had been used by traitors of the Cross Religion.
However, the twelve riders mounted on the black dragon were merely pitiful boys who had barely reached a performance capable of movement after great sacrifices.
Created to stand against the terror of pressing dragons, forsaking ethics and morals, they were indeed just consumables for the Empire’s military to operate powerful weapons.
Yet, the black dragon carrying them, Belkrosen and her sisters, certainly loved the contractors as partners into whom they entrusted their lives.
What that feeling was, they had no way of knowing when they had once stopped their sister from going to the final battle.
But now it was different. At that time, they could finally understand what their sister meant when she said, “Find a contractor that belongs only to you.”
Having obtained a true contractor, Belkrosen finally understood.
Love.
Both dragons and contractors were mere imitations created by human hands. Yet love certainly existed between them. This feeling was the proof of existence that defined them as human, rather than mere things.
“Enough with the trivialities. Perhaps you’ve lived too long in an era of peace and are mistaken into thinking you are human? We are weapons, and all that is required is the power to fulfill our mission.”
“Then show me the true power of a black dragon with a genuine contractor.”
“Master, grant us the power to purge the evil dragons—”
With their missions at stake, the black and white dragons faced off to finally determine the victor after two thousand years.
GUWOOOOOOO—
With a roar that shook the heavens, crimson and pale blue dragon breaths clashed in numerous intersections.
A brightness that seemed to make the world creak erupted, accompanied by a booming sound.
And amidst the vortex of that massive explosion, the great shadows of black and white intertwined as if they were indifferent to it. The vanguards were Belkrosen and Roland.
With sharp claw strikes that could slice through the fortress along with the barrier, and a long tail that could sweep away houses in one swipe, they possessed destructive power that would be considered overkill if any ordinary human faced them, yet in the battle between fighting dragons, it was merely a test of strength.
Both left faint scars on their armor and only swayed their bodies slightly from the ensuing impact.
With bared fangs, they exchanged dragon breaths at close range—just as their bodies began to warm up, a change visited the battlefield.
“Well, are you charging in here? That fairy has guts as always.”
As the newly revamped sky battleship Eldorado barreled straight through this airspace, the telepathic communication reached him, and a wry smile appeared. To deliberately cut into a battle between fighting dragons was indeed quite the gamble.
But he had no intention of losing. It was dangerous, yet they would still make it win.
“Vincent, Dalianis, protect the ship!”
“Understood.”
“Roger, Luft Squad, move to provide direct protection for Eldorado!”
At the top of the Laguna Battalion stood Belkrosen, holding the highest command authority in the former Imperial Army, but each squad was generally left to its own direct commanders.
Duke Vincent of the Black Dragon was leading the ancient dragon types, while Duke Dalianis commanded the flying dragon squadron. Considering the unit’s coordination, it would be more difficult to interfere.
He entrusted the protection of Eldorado and concentrated on facing Roland.
This single combatant was noticeably larger than the other ancient dragon types, with more developed armor, claws, and tail. Clearly, this was an enhanced individual. A head-on confrontation with this Roland would put even Vincent in danger.
“I see, it’s a bold decision, but… it also presents a winning opportunity for us.”
“I won’t let you through.”
“Until I push through.”
As the clashes of the top fighting dragons grew fiercer, Eldorado finally pointed its bow straight into this airspace.
Vincent’s squad and Luft Squad flew to defend its path, and in response, the white dragons reformed their formations as they swooped in to attack.
Evidently, they saw the approach of the sky battleship as an opportunity to strike.
But it wasn’t just the enemy that was aiming.
ZGOON—
A roar resounding across the battleground matched the intensity of the breath. The ones breathing fire were Eldorado’s triple-barreled main cannons.
The shells, trailing crimson, flew true, exploding right in the middle of the frontline attacking flying dragon formation—blossoming into a great golden flame.
“Ah, so the witch’s fire also harms dragons.”
The Soleil warheads shot from the main cannons. The white dragons avoided a direct hit from the shell, but they were engulfed by the golden explosion, crying out in agony.
While their dragon scales and armor granted them excellent fire resistance, preventing any fatal injury, the damage dealt was significant enough to disrupt their formations.
“Now’s the time, shoot them down!”
Luft Squad immediately launched a follow-up attack. Dealing further damage while refraining from a deep pursuit, they returned to provide protection.
Even if they were flying dragon types, they were still fighting dragons. Just one of them could prove dangerous.
And it was the same for the opposition. They advanced aggressively, evading the black dragons’ protection to launch a fierce attack on Eldorado, even willing to trade blows.
However, the main cannons of Eldorado were there to intercept this sudden assault. The disorderly blooming golden explosion made it difficult for the white dragons to maintain their offense.
Having stumbled at such a moment, the black dragons immediately set their sights on the enemy.
The sky battleship could decide the battle’s outcome, but at that moment, it had transformed into a troublesome mobile artillery platform capable of providing powerful supporting fire.
“This accuracy can only come from that little brat.”
Belkrosen knew that Simon wasn’t simply enjoying the favor of Chrono for his charming looks.
As the head of the Magic Engineering Bureau, responsible for weapon development for the Imperial Army, he was publicly renowned as a genius alchemist, but those near him knew that he was a sniper who never missed his mark.
Beyond his amazing accuracy, he could operate all three main cannons with precision and select appropriate targets. This was something only Simon and Lily could achieve alone.
“This is troublesome. For him to draw out the sky battleship’s power to this extent.”
Thanks to the cannon fire from Eldorado, the Empire’s firepower tilted in their favor. Unlike Misa’s sky mother ship that could merely fly, the situation now allowed Eldorado to be employed as a weapon capable of holding its own even against the white dragon forces, making Roland acknowledge their disadvantage.
“Cease the attack, concentrate on the black dragon. I will handle the sky battleship.”
“I’ve told you, I won’t let you through.”
In truth, Belkrosen completely blocked Roland’s path. If he forced his way through, he might expose himself to a mortal wound.
Unless his speed tripled all of a sudden, he wouldn’t be able to break away from Belkrosen.
“On the contrary, I will go—”
Roland’s breath scorched his vision.
However, it was insufficient for him to lose sight of the massive body of the white dragon. Just after the breath, he witnessed Roland’s sudden ascent and his attempt to fly over him; he immediately reacted to block his path.
“Wait, where’s he?!”
Before him, the white dragon bared its fangs and roared. But Roland, who should have been controlling it, was nowhere to be found.
Had he fallen? No, it was unthinkable for a pilot of a fighting dragon to expose himself to such a blunder.
If that were the case, the answer would be that he had jumped down himself.
“There you are!”
Detecting the magical reaction, he turned around to see a glowing orb of light flying away.
It appeared as if a fairy was flying while illuminating the barrier. Yet the azure glow resonated from a pair of wings affixed to its back.
“Then allow me to shoot you down!”
Gathering black magic power in his mouth, he aimed to incinerate it when—
GOOAAAH!!
As if to protect its master from danger, the white dragon charged forth, barking even louder.
The strength of its grasp was clearly heightened from before. Such power couldn’t merely arise from sheer determination or toughness.
“UUh, you!”
He couldn’t just ignore it and turned back to face the white dragon, seeing a silver emblem arise on its forehead.
Though it resembled the essence of the Cross Religion’s secret art, “Stigmata,” the engraved emblem was different.
It was shaped like a crown adorned with a cross.
“No, I won’t let you go—’Stigmata’ release.”
Jumping down in time with the white dragon’s breath, Roland unleashed the power bestowed upon him by the White God.
“—’Nine Heavens Stigmata.'”
Nine stigmata shone brightly on his hands, feet, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and forehead, swirling immense white magical power around Roland’s body.
As he wasn’t an apostle, it wasn’t infinite. But his output rivaled that of an apostle.
The enormous quantity of white magical power did not merely overflow as an aura; it also manifested the necessary abilities within him.
From his shoulders, where the seventh and eighth stigmata were etched—more precisely, from around his shoulder blades—sprouted wings of shining white light. It may be an ordinary description, but they took on an angelic form reminiscent of myth.
“Loyalty to Your Majesty the Holy King—’Branded Crown.'”
The yet-to-be-attained tenth stigmata shone above Roland. It was not from the White God but a power given by the Thirteenth Apostle, his master, the Holy King.
The light crown depicted soon transformed, forming a sacred ring, granting further power to God’s servant and the king’s loyal subject.
With white wings and a shining ring of light above his head, Roland had metamorphosed into a figure like a true angel depicted in the scriptures, soaring through the battleground filled with dragon breaths.
Belkrosen restrained her white dragon. The other black dragons were wholly focused on the white dragons, allowing them to notice Roland’s small humanoid presence just a moment too late.
And that afforded him enough of an opening to pressure toward the sky battleship.
Crossing beyond the black dragon’s defensive line, as he finally reached the defensive barrier deployed by the sky battleship, extending his glowing hand—
“—’Lucifer,’ reverse activation complete.”
As the exquisite voice of a girl reached his ears, a pillar of light could only be described as a torrent of murderous intent descended.
In an instant, flipping his wings, Roland took evasive maneuvering and looked up.
Above the clouds in the blue sky, against the sunlight, three pairs of six wings glimmered brilliantly, displaying a presence akin to an archangel.
If a common person looked up, they would want to bow down in reverence, yet a crimson-black ominous brilliance signified a cursed testimony. If one were to liken her to an archangel, she would undeniably be a fallen angel forsaken by the gods.
“Fairy Queen Lily… you’re a priority elimination target right after the Demon King. I will slay you here.”
“Roland Exquia, huh? Alright, I’ll be your opponent, pseudo-apostle.”