Chapter 13: The Great Demon Lord's Great Victory?
Eagret and I engaged in a head-on, fierce battle with the 'Red Scale King,' the colossal dragon.
Using her greatshield and my Defensive Barriers, we blocked its fire and claws while consistently targeting its joints and wing membranes, steadily accumulating damage. This calculated strategy was working perfectly.
Eagret was performing beyond expectation. Her massive Deep Azure Iron (Maglite) shield lived up to its legend, withstanding the dragon’s breath while she constantly maneuvered to draw its attention. She was the flawless Tank, allowing me to focus entirely on offense, wearing down the beast blow by blow.
The terrain was also our ally. The area around the crater was narrow, preventing the giant dragon from moving freely. If it could fly, the fight would be different—but I didn't allow it. I relentlessly attacked its wing membranes every time it tried to lift off. I must commend myself for meticulously scouting the area—a brilliant display of foresight!
Thus, the first phase of the operation was proceeding smoothly. The only problem was Eagret’s exhaustion.
Twenty minutes had passed. Her breathing was ragged, and her body was marked with wounds. While I could keep going all day, Eagret needed rest.
The alternative was to end this quickly—but that option had two shortcomings.
First, insufficient firepower. Our teamwork was inflicting steady damage, but completely incapacitating it required more power. The best workaround was to tear out the 'Radiant Heart,' the dragon's power source. That massive body was sustained only by that oversized furnace.
But to execute that, I needed the second crucial element: the arrival of Arcelia and her cure for the 'Ancestral Regression.' She was en route, but the heat and ash had since cut our communications.
Conclusion: I had to continue the battle of attrition. Alone.
“Eagret. Fall back for a moment,” I ordered, continuing my attacks.
Frankly, taking down this dragon solo wouldn't be easy, even for me. My mana is infinite, but my brain's processing capacity is not. ...No, that’s nonsense. I am the Final Boss. There's nothing I can't do.
“P-please, Your Majesty… spare me that command. I… I’ll fight to the end!”
Eagret refused to retreat. Her father's life was on the line. Though I had ordered her, her defiance stemmed from the deepest loyalty. Admirable, but infuriating.
“I forbid it. You are my retainer. I will not permit you to throw your life away.”
“But, Your Majesty! Even you can’t fight this alone—!”
“Do not underestimate me. This is nothing.”
I spoke the truth—ahem, the boast—while dodging a claw swipe.
She would not retreat. If I let her die, I'd be unworthy of the title Final Boss. Eagret had to live to stand as an officer in my Great Demon Lord Army.
If so, then—
—Sorry to keep you waiting. Look up.
Arcelia’s voice rang in my head. I looked up—and saw the Great Demon Lord’s Castle floating in the sky. It was borne aloft by a massive swarm of bats—her vampire power, straight from the original game.
“You’re late, Arcelia.”
“Oh, forgive me! But the invention’s perfect. Now, restrain the Red Scale King—wait, DAMN IT!”
The dragon noticed the castle and fired its breath. Arcelia dodged, but the flame melted a section of the spire. Try not to destroy our castle, I thought.
“Eagret! Final phase! Come on!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Eagret charged. I followed. The closer we got, the hotter it grew; the rock around the dragon was molten. We had no choice: we had to tear the Radiant Heart from its chest.
“It’s noticed us!”
The dragon's massive jaws opened, focusing deadly heat. We couldn't dodge now.
“Eagret, now!”
“Yes, sir!”
Eagret braced her shield, and I placed my hand on her shoulder, enveloping us in a Protective Barrier. This point-blank defense was a gamble, but I’ve never lost a bet.
The dragon’s breath erupted, slamming into the shield.
“—Hh!”
My vision turned crimson. Everything was burning, melting—it was like diving into the sun. Yet, we lived. The shield and my barrier were resonating, amplifying each other and holding back the inferno. The burden was lighter than when I faced it alone.
“Push forward!”
“Y-yes!”
We advanced, one painful step at a time. This was the true march of a Final Boss.
Finally, we were directly beneath the dragon’s face.
“Eagret, jump!”
“Yes!”
She launched herself, the Deep Azure Iron shield slamming into the dragon’s lower jaw like a cannonball, snapping its head back violently.
“Secret Art—Great Demon Lord’s Thermal Blade!”
I focused the Heat Flash from my fingertips into a single point—a blade of pure, ultra-high pressure energy, sharp enough to carve through scales.
“Ooooohhh!”
I plunged the blazing blade into the dragon’s chest, right where the Radiant Heart pulsed. The blade sliced through the hide, exposing the massive crimson jewel within.
I grabbed the Radiant Heart with both hands and pulled with all my might. The sound of tearing flesh was sickening. The dragon shrieked, but Eagret and Arcelia's swarm of bats held it in place.
I pulled harder. The heat of the gem seared my fingers, but I ignored the pain. Time stretched. With one final effort, I broke free, sent flying backward with the heart clutched in my hands.
The Radiant Heart pulsed with lingering heat.
I had it. Which meant—
“Your Majesty! Father—look!” Eagret cried out.
The giant dragon lay collapsed, utterly still.
The dragon was defeated. We had won the battle. But that wasn't the end. True victory isn't achieved by defeating an enemy, but by fulfilling one’s objective. Until I save the Red Scale King, I cannot truly claim victory.
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