NoveLight ™
The white dragons simultaneously released the devices attached to their claws.
Magic explosives.
These explosive magic-infused bombs were a common weapon for aerial attacks used by the White Armored Dragoon.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The moment the magic explosives hit their designated points, massive explosions tore through the fortress, shaking its very foundations.
The fortress crumbled as flames erupted, roaring in every direction.
The deafening noise echoed through the air.
“An attack!”
“Stop…! Aaargh!”
“Where is it coming from?”
“Above! They’re coming from the sky!”
The soldiers guarding the fortress panicked at the sudden assault.
They knew the White Armored Dragoon might send reinforcements soon, but they hadn’t anticipated an attack launched from high above, outside their line of sight.
“Those madmen… They’re ignoring the hostages entirely!”
Realizing the Dragoon’s intention, the officers went pale.
Boom!
Relentless waves of magic explosives rained down, leaving the Blancqui Fortress half-ruined in moments.
And then,
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Under the cover of the chaos, the airborne assault began.
All thirty-three members of the White Armored Dragoon descended in unison.
With each landing, a shockwave rippled through the ground.
Dust and smoke billowed from the impact, while the eyes beneath the white helmets glowed fiercely, like ominous flames.
“Exterminate them all.”
Shing!
At Evelyn’s command, the Dragoon members scattered along their designated routes.
Their mission was to reach the command post with swift precision.
Slash!
Each flash of their white blades was followed by screams echoing across the fortress.
“Aaargh!”
“The White Armored Dragoon! They’re here!”
“Block the entrance, hurry!”
“They’re pushing through like a storm… Aaagh!”
The Black Skull terrorists fell helplessly.
Some tried to use the hostages as leverage, but each attempt was met with ruthless, swift strikes.
Pools of blood filled the paths the Dragoon left behind.
A white storm had descended upon the fortress.
「As you all know from the captain’s briefing, let me remind you of our mission. Our objective is the rescue of hostages. However, the safety of our team is the top priority. If necessary, we may abandon the hostages.」
Selphid’s telepathic instructions reached the three recruits.
Erika seemed excited by the thrill of being deployed right after assignment, smiling with anticipation, while Holkus gripped his sword tightly, trying to calm his racing heart.
Theo, however, wore a neutral expression.
Is this really his first time on a mission? He looks like he’s done this before.
Arin glanced at Theo, suppressing a laugh.
Usually, new recruits reacted in one of two ways during their first mission: excitement, like Erika, or nervousness, like Holkus, causing them to underperform.
But Theo was too calm.
His cold gaze… reminded Arin of the squad leader herself.
What am I thinking? There’s no way he’s as experienced as Evelyn. He must just be naturally composed.
Arin, who looked up to Evelyn, shook her head.
「Now, move in.」
At Selphid’s command,
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The five of them landed on the ramparts.
They’d touched down above the area marked in blue, where the hostages were believed to be held.
“There’s an enemy here—!”
The guard in that area had no chance as Selphid swiftly decapitated him.
“Arin and I will lead. The three of you cover us from behind.”
Swish!
With Selphid and Arin at the front, Theo and Erika guarded the flanks, while the bulky Holkus brought up the rear.
They formed a wedge formation (∧), ideal for breaking through the shortest path.
Bang! Bang! Crash!
Selphid and Arin demolished anything in their way—be it soldiers or walls.
They’re ruthless.
Trailing behind, Theo observed their relentless attacks, clicking his tongue.
Having only served with Black Snow, this was his first time witnessing the White Armored Dragoon in action.
Now he understood why the northern factions, even the Six Great Families, feared them.
Veterans who could infiltrate any battlefield, undeterred by terrain or obstacles, these warriors must indeed seem like grim reapers to their enemies.
And with the fury of avenging fallen comrades, they were even more fearsome.
[Observing ‘Selphid Gardner.’]
Selphid Gardner (27/M)
[Observing ‘Arin Negative.’]
Arin Negative (26/F)
Selphid’s [Rebel] and Arin’s [Bold] traits stood out as the words that most accurately described them.
Selphid’s attacks are straightforward, while Arin’s are more fluid. So, Selphid breaks through, and Arin supports. Their teamwork is impressive. Do they usually train together?
The techniques they employed were part of the White Armored Dragoon’s shared martial art, Multiple Blade Strikes.
A unique swordsmanship style that could unleash a dozen strikes in a single breath.
Although Theo hadn’t yet received formal training in this technique, he was already gaining inspiration from observing its application.
Their perfected techniques, honed through countless battles, had an elegance all their own.
Slash!
Soon, the five of them reached their destination, and with a powerful blow from Holkus, they smashed down the wall, revealing the room where the hostages were confined.
“It’s the White Armored Dragoon!”
“Ragnar! The Ragnar soldiers are here!”
“We’re saved! We’re going to live!”
The hostages, overwhelmed by the sudden rescue, rejoiced.
However, Selphid’s expression remained tense.
The number of hostages doesn’t match.
He’d been informed there were supposed to be about twenty hostages, but only twelve were here.
That meant the others had either been moved or killed while resisting.
But for now, they had no choice.
“Please stay calm and follow us in an orderly manner.”
“Wait… Some of us were taken to another location!”
“A rescue team is already on its way to that area. We don’t have much time. Please hurry.”
“Yes, of course!”
It was a lie.
But the urgency was real.
The Black Skull group was previously thought to be a fledgling terrorist organization.
Yet, considering they’d managed to kill Trainer and his team, they weren’t to be underestimated.
Though their surprise attack had disoriented the enemy, they couldn’t afford to delay.
[Expanding ‘Skill: Hatchling Synchronization’ detection range!]
Whoosh!
While helping guide the hostages, Theo heightened his senses.
The Dragon-Slaying Sword, Balmung, could be here.
In the brief window they had within the fortress, Theo needed to locate and retrieve Balmung.
Not in this room… Could it be stored elsewhere? Or maybe discarded?
There was no time for a thorough search.
Perhaps he could ask the hostages, pretending it was part of their mission?
No, that wouldn’t work.
Selphid and Arin were watching him closely.
Even if they didn’t question him now, they’d ask about any retrieved items later.
It had to be done in secret.
Out of sight.
Or should I just collapse the fortress entirely and come back later to search through the rubble?
That might be an option.
But how to collapse the fortress? And that meant it couldn’t be done immediately.
Damn it, there’s no way…!
Just as Theo’s mind was racing with possibilities,
Thump, thump, thump.
Theo’s heart suddenly pounded erratically.
A chilling sense of foreboding gripped him.
…What is this?
Sometimes, the Dragon Heart’s instincts mimicked those of a wild animal, and those instincts were now telling him—
There’s something here!
Following his intuition, Theo swung Drake’s blade at a seemingly solid wall.
Erika, startled, was about to ask why he was attacking a wall when—
Boom!
The wall exploded, just as a massive hammer, aiming for the hostages, collided with Drake’s blade.
Ugh! What insane strength…!
The force pushed Theo back, nearly throwing him off balance.
For it to overpower my strength… who is this?
“Tch, a shame! I thought I’d take you all out in one blow. I didn’t expect to find someone with my level of perception here.”
Amidst the settling dust, a hulking figure emerged.
Wielding a massive warhammer, he scanned the room, licking his lips. The hostages trembled in terror.
“That man! He’s the one who imprisoned us here… and took others away!”
One of the hostages pointed at the giant, screaming.
Selphid quickly moved between the giant and the hostages.
“Bald Hammer?”
The man’s face twisted in anger.
“Damn it! Of all my nicknames, why that one?! I swear, one of these days, I’m going to kill every last Ragnar just so I don’t have to hear that again!”
“Why are you here? Are you a hidden ally of Black Skull?”
“Who knows? That’s for you smart Ragnar types to figure out, isn’t it?”
The giant smirked, curling one side of his mouth up in mockery.
Selphid didn’t respond, instead quietly taking up a battle stance.
‘Bald Hammer’ Slow Gank.
Despite the ridiculous nickname, Slow was infamous across the North as a terrorist and an anti-establishment rebel.
He was also incredibly powerful, enough that Selphid couldn’t be sure he’d win in a one-on-one fight.
Arin moved to stand beside Selphid, gripping her sword tightly.
「When we engage, run for it.」
Arin’s whispered instructions reached the three rookies’ ears.
“What’s the plan? You’re planning to sneak the hostages out while I’m distracted? That won’t happen!”
Slow sneered, as if he’d read their thoughts, and suddenly lunged toward the hostages.
More specifically, toward Theo and Erika.
“Damn…!”
Selphid and Arin quickly turned to intercept, but Slow was already almost upon the three rookies.
Whoosh!
He charged forward, as forceful as a battering ram.
But—
“Well, that makes finding what I’m after a bit easier.”
“…?!”
Standing directly in Slow’s path, Theo was… smiling.
Crackle!
He drew the Wolbaek Sword, dark lightning flickering along its length.