[Raul's POV]
Okay... how do I even explain the current situation?
Initially, my intent was simply to assist the knights and mages to prevent more casualties from the Dragon's rampage. However, the knights had fallen into despair, surrendering after seeing an enemy that refused to die even after its body had been shattered.
I couldn't let them stop fighting; I still needed their help to defeat the Blackfire Dragon—Syrax.
That's why I decided to boost their morale by reciting the Knight's Oath—the same one spoken by the Legendary Hero, Pendragon, when he was inaugurated as the Imperial Hero. It's an oath everyone must take upon becoming an Imperial Knight.
However, I never expected that reciting it on a whim would actually summon the Holy Sword Excalibur to my side!
Staring at the golden sword gripped in my hand, I knew exactly what this was: one of the ten SSS-class Artifacts in the game.
Holy Sword Excalibur—It possesses the ability to cut through anything, ignoring all enemy defenses. This meant that no matter how powerful a barrier or physical attribute someone possessed, this sword could cleave through it with ease. Furthermore, the sword amplifies magic with Light Nature Mana, making it the perfect match for Brian. Its effects are even further enhanced when facing a demon.
This is exactly why the Demon King and his followers fear this blade above all others.
But how was it summoned just because I recited that oath? I don't have a single quality required to be a Hero!
"Don't just stand there! Use the holy sword and defeat that monster!" one of the Inquisitors shouted.
"B-but I'm a Heretic! My heart is too stained to wield this holy sword!" I shouted back, half-joking.
"That doesn't matter! Just kill it!"
No, no, no, no...
If everyone sees me wielding Excalibur, I'll become a target for every powerful faction in this world! The Demons will hunt me for obvious reasons, and the Church Authority will pursue me even more relentlessly—they would never tolerate a holy sword, bestowed by the Goddess herself, being wielded by a Heretic.
Even though the sword's power is unrivaled, I didn't want to take the risk. Right now, my influence and strength aren't enough to face those two massive factions.
"I remember that sword... That weapon is what the 'Knight of Light' used to sever my proud wings!" Syrax growled, pointing at the blade in my hand. "How can a weak human like you summon it?"
'The Knight of Light' was the title used by non-human races and demons for the Hero Pendragon.
"I will grind that sword and your body into ash!"
Syrax lunged at me, but the surrounding Knights and Inquisitors moved to intercept him. I glanced to the side and saw a blonde-haired man still staring in a daze at the manifestation of the Holy Sword.
He is the one who should be wielding this. He has the Pendragon Codex. He is the one destined to be the symbol of peace for this continent.
Without a second thought, I hurled Excalibur toward Brian.
"Huh? Why are you giving this to me?" Brian asked, looking utterly confused.
"This sword is far more useful in your hands," I replied. "Listen to me carefully: you must kill Syrax with Excalibur. This is your destiny." I looked him straight in the eye as I said it.
"My destiny...?" Brian muttered, gazing at the Holy Sword in his grip.
"We're going to fight that Dragon together," I said, explaining the new strategy. "Right now, the Dragon is in its Humanoid mode. In this form, we won't be able to land a hit as easily as before."
Syrax's humanoid form was smaller and much more agile. Although he lost a massive amount of raw power compared to his Dragon form, he was now far more effective at fighting humans.
"The others and I will parry his attacks. You, don't overcommit until the Dragon is in a position where he can't dodge." Brian listened intently. "Only this sword can easily wound him. Do not let him take it from you."
"I understand," Brian replied.
I turned and walked toward the Dragon, who had just sent several knights flying. He saw me and smirked wickedly. "You wish to face me alone and head-on, human? Are you not afraid to die? Hahaha!"
"A Dragon that has lost its power doesn't frighten me at all," I replied, drawing my sword.
"Hooo~ So you realized it," the Dragon said. "The one who resurrected me could only restore 20% of my original strength. If I had my full power from when I was alive, destroying this city and slaughtering you all would be child's play."
The Dragon charged and threw a punch. I dodged to the side, but he instantly responded with a spinning kick toward my head.
— Bam!
I blocked it with my arm, but the sheer force sent me skidding back. I thrust my sword into the ground to steady myself and saw flames flickering within the massive maw on the Dragon's chest.
"Power Blast!"
A beam of concentrated fire erupted from that mouth, streaking toward me. I quickly activated Acceleration to dodge.
The Dragon cut off his attack to evade a combo from Brian, who had seized the moment the beast was distracted. I rushed back into the fray. Brian managed to leave a few grazes, but the Dragon landed a clean punch to his face, sending him crashing into a building.
I lunged for his eye, but the Dragon nimbly evaded and kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying in the same direction as Brian.
"Ugh... any other plans?" Brian asked, struggling to his feet.
Wiping the blood from my mouth, I had to admit—that kick really hurt.
"Of course. As usual, you'll gather mana in your sword," I told him. "But this time, don't fire your magic from a distance. Unleash it as a thrusting strike when you're right in front of him."
"I get it. But how do we stop him? With that smaller body, he's too fast!"
"I'll handle that," I replied. "Strike as soon as I give the signal."
Just as I finished explaining, a beam of fire shot toward us. we both dove out of the way as a massive explosion leveled the building behind us.
"Now, execute the plan!" I shouted.
"Right!"
I dashed toward the Dragon to engage him 1v1, buying Brian enough time to charge his mana.
"Come on, boy! Show me what you've got!" the Dragon sneered.
My sword couldn't pierce those hardened scales. This time, I would fight him with my bare hands.
— Bam!
I landed a punch reinforced with Temper magic right on his jaw. But the Dragon didn't even flinch; he just stood there as my fist connected.
"Is that all the strength you have?" he mocked.
I didn't stop, following up with a spinning kick. But this time, the Dragon caught my leg and hurled me violently into the air. He then fired three fireballs from the mouth on his chest.
I unsheathed my sword, enveloped it in an Unreality Field, and sliced through the fireballs. The Dragon leaped up to meet me as I began to fall.
— Bam!
He headbutted me squarely in the stomach. The impact sent me crashing into the city's clock tower.
"Ugh... that hurt. I think a rib cracked from that hit."
I saw him charging another fire beam. I leaped from the tower, stabbing my sword into the wall to slow my descent. The Dragon slammed into the tower head-first, leaving a massive crater in the masonry where I had just been.
"Tch, I missed!" the Dragon hissed, emerging from the debris.
He then unleashed a barrage of fireballs from his chest. Activating Acceleration, I ran in a zig-zag pattern, dodging the explosions. One detonated right behind me, the shockwave throwing me forward.
As I struggled to stand, the Dragon descended from the tower and landed right in front of me.
"I'll kill you now, boy!" he growled, his hands glowing with molten lava.
I looked at him and laughed. "Really? I think you're the one about to die for a second time, Syrax." I pointed behind him.
The Dragon turned, sensing a massive presence. Brian stood there, Excalibur overflowing with mana, ready to strike. The Dragon tried to lunged at Brian to kill him before he could release the attack, but suddenly, his legs wouldn't move.
I was using Shadow Lock, stepping firmly on his shadow to bind him in place.
"Now, Brian!"
The blonde-haired youth lunged with Excalibur glowing brilliantly in both hands. He thrust the blade directly into the mouth on the Dragon's chest. But even that didn't kill him instantly.
"You think I'll die to a brat like you!?" the Dragon screamed, thrashing against his binds.
"No, my attack isn't over yet!" Brian roared, his body becoming enveloped in a golden radiance. "With this sword, with this power, I will not fail to protect everyone again! I will prove that I am worthy of being a Hero!"
Seeing the final strike coming, I leaped away to a safe distance.
"EX—CALIBUUUUR!"
Brian's roar was drowned out by a catastrophic wave of magical energy that vaporized the Dragon's upper torso. A gale-force wind swept through the area like a hurricane, and the roar of the mana filled the air. The light was so blinding I had to shield my eyes.
When the dust settled, only the lower half of the Dragon's body remained.
Silence followed. The knights and mages watched in awe, too stunned to celebrate immediately. But then, Brian raised Excalibur high for everyone to see.
"The enemy is defeated! We have won this battle!" he shouted.
Everyone was mesmerized. The image of Brian holding the Holy Sword over the corpse of the monster that had leveled the city center was an exact replica of the ancient paintings depicting Pendragon's victory over Syrax.
On this night, a Hero of humanity had truly been reborn.
***
[Vampire Noble Vilmore's POV]
The battle is over. There is no mistake; that is the sword the Hero has wielded throughout the ages.
Finally, we have succeeded in uncovering his true identity by luring him out with the resurrection of that Dragon.
"My Lord, we have found our target. Since everyone is exhausted from the fight, is this not the perfect time to kill the Hero?" asked Nuna, a True Vampire subordinate.
"You are right, but I sense several powerful individuals heading this way, not far from here," I replied. "It would be too risky if we cannot finish him in time."
I stood up and focused my gaze on the masked man in the black cloak.
"I feel it, Nuna. That is the man who killed Yuna last month," I said coldly. "Once our primary mission is complete, we will kill him as well to avenge her."