#770 Dragon Hunting

It has begun.

The wedding’s grand entertainment(?) —a Dragon Showdown — is at its climax. 

Facing off are the current Geyser Dragon, Ardheg, and his antagonist, the dragon leader, Charleartz.

Team Anti-Ardheg, though uninvited, decided to crash the party and declare war right then and there.

So in response, this challenge began. It’s meant to be just a fun sideshow for the wedding.

Most of the demon and merfolk guests seem to be enjoying it, but tension is rising for the final match.

Because this isn’t just any fight — it’s a mock monster hunt targeting the legendary dragon, Alexander.

The battleground is an artificial dimension crafted by Sensei, the Lifeless King.

“...I’m pretty good with spatial magic. But it’s all in good fun.”

“Sorry for bothering you, Sensei!”

“Which scenery do you prefer? An uninhabited island, primeval forest, desert, icy mountain, or ancient ruins?”

As it turns out, Sensei can recreate entire landscapes in this alternate dimension.

And yet, there are other Lifeless Kings who surpass him.

“...Let’s go with something basic.”

The action inside the dimension is broadcasted to the wedding venue and projected onto a screen.

The imagery floating in the sky, bigger than a cinema screen, feels like an outdoor theater.

Displayed is a dense primeval forest resembling a jungle.

The foliage looks foreign.

Inside this virtual forest are Ardheg and Charleartz.

They’re both cautiously navigating their surroundings. 

Ardheg’s voice resonates from the screen, “Alexander is already in position in the dimension. Be ready; once he spots you, he’ll attack.”

“Q-Q-Quiet, you! Don’t boss me around!”

“You sure about going unarmed? Humans usually bring weapons when they hunt.”

Ardheg is carrying a massive sword on his back.

It’s more a monstrous weapon than a refined blade.

When dealing with huge monsters, adventurers like Silver Wolf say it’s better to rely on brute force rather than finesse.

“Why are you always mimicking humans? A dragon’s limbs are way stronger than any man-made weapon!”

“Just a reminder — this challenge is based on human rules. If you turn into a dragon, you’re disqualified.”

“I know that.”

Their banter continues as they venture further into the jungle.

And then he appears—Dragon Alexander.

He looks so intimidating in his true form that even the strongest would flee.

Upon spotting Ardheg and Charleartz, the two hunters, Alexander forgoes pleasantries and lets out a deafening roar.

“GUOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!” he bellows.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The thunderous roar was like an invisible wall being launched at the speed of sound.

Caught unawares, Charleartz was promptly blown away, tumbling across the ground.

“Guf! Bah!”

But Ardheg, with his quick reflexes, uses his oversized sword to shield himself from the force, holding his ground.

“He took out my energy with just a roar...! Brother Alexander is truly fearsome!”

“Brace yourself, Alexander!”

The hunt is on.

Charleartz, perhaps a tad too eager, charges first and is swiftly knocked back by Alexander’s powerful tail.

“No! If you get too close, he’ll...!”

“Take this, Dragon Magic! Crimson Sakura Beast Flash... Gyaaaaaaaah!!!”

As he murmured what sounded like a powerful technique’s name, Charleartz carelessly stepped within his opponent’s range and was sent flying.

He got directly hit by the dragon’s swirling tail.

The tail, as forceful as a flash flood that could uproot trees, was not something to be taken lightly.

Even if one were a dragon in human form, they couldn’t withstand such force. The impact sent him soaring, reducing him to a distant star in the sky.

Charleartz: DEAD (1/3)

One was already down for the count.

However, this was merely a performance, an imitation of an adventurer’s work. Thanks to Sensei’s alternate dimension settings, one could be revived even in death.

It seems resurrection was allowed up to three times.

Now it’s Ardheg’s turn to face Alexander one-on-one, his greatsword at the ready.

“Remember the words of the humans you’ve met so far... Never take your eyes off the monster you’re facing. Yet, always be aware of your surroundings...!”

Being an adventurer and hunting monsters is a job much more dangerous than it’s often described.

At their core, nearly every monster surpasses human abilities.

The more powerful they become, the more humans seem fragile and tiny in comparison, so easily shattered with just a single swipe.

Human adventurers, unable to use magic, rely on their physical strength, intelligence, and courage. They challenge beings far more powerful than them.

Now, Ardheg is doing the same.

His opponent is Alexander, the mightiest dragon.

Always jovial, but with enough power to obliterate worlds.

Ardheg, formidable as he is, stands little chance. Yet, he bravely challenges the dragon.

Moreover, it wasn’t a reckless strategy. Instead of impulsively charging as Charleartz did, Ardheg first played defensively, observing for weaknesses in the enemy’s movements.

Once identified, he’d patiently wait for the perfect opportunity to strike with his great sword!

That’s it! Strike when the enemy breathes fire!

Watch out for the feint tail attacks! And don’t forget to break his claws!!!

As he’s busy, Charleartz, who’s revived, reenters the fray!

“Uooooh! This time, for sure...! Gah!!”

Charleartz: DEAD (2/3).

The strategy of the mightiest dragon is simply to overpower opponents with its immense strength.

Being the strongest, he should be able to defeat any enemy.

So, he doesn’t have the patience or the strategy to outwit stronger foes but rather charges in headlong.

Charleartz: DEAD (3/3).

While all this was happening, Charleartz met his end for the third time.

Due to the event’s rules, he won’t be coming back.

Now, the spotlight is solely on Ardheg.

Even the powerful dragon, which can usually overpower anything, is fighting with patience as if he’s the underdog.

This underdog style of battle moves the audience at the reception venue, eliciting roars of admiration and cheers.

Every time Ardheg narrowly dodges a tail swipe and strikes the dragon’s soft belly with his great sword, the audience erupts in applause.

Just as it seems this fierce battle will go on forever...

***

“Oh, phooey.”

Dragon-transformed Alexander falls with a thud.

They had agreed beforehand that after a certain amount of damage, he would fall. Still, defeating him was an impressive feat.

Even a simple attack from Alexander could wipe out someone’s health from full.

Game balance? It’s like he’s the type that would say the player should adjust to the game, quite villainous.

Having overcome all odds, Ardheg certainly deserves praise!

“You truly lived up to my expectations, Ardheg! Well done! Excellent job!”

Ironically, it’s the defeated Alexander who’s the first to lift him up in celebration.

Then...

“...It seems I must accept my defeat.”

It’s Charleartz, now recovered from his injuries.

The rapid healing truly signifies his dragon nature.

“Even when I gave it my all, as a Glintz Dragon, I couldn’t make a dent in Brother Alexander. But Ardheg, you did it brilliantly.”

One charged in blindly and met their doom, while the other carefully assessed the situation and acted accordingly.

The results spoke for themselves.

“Even aside from that, it’s clear just by watching them fight that you’re stronger than me. The title of Geyser Dragon isn’t just for show. Regardless of the succession process...”

Things have suddenly taken a solemn turn.

Not just Charleartz, but all the other dragons present bow in reverence.

“Lord Ardheg, we recognize you as the new Geyser Dragon. We shall serve you loyally for eternity. May glory shine upon the dragon world you’ll reign over.”

It seems Ardheg has been acknowledged.

The dragons that arrived today are among the top ten most powerful.

Being recognized by them ensures Ardheg’s position will be unshaken.

In the dragon society, not only did the Dragon Emperor welcome an Empress, but another joyous event took place, solidifying this as a doubly auspicious day.