New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
Baira Volcano (2)
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The labyrinth city, Azarigrad. It is said that a mysterious power, Rhizomata Volga, sleeps beneath here. That Volga was sealed in the labyrinth by the five Volga Series created by the five great sages. This is something I had researched beforehand. Those five Volga are guarded by the five great sages, and even now, almost a thousand years after the seal was placed, they still hold onto them.
“Hehe, Liz, is this the alley where the workshop of the Earth Sage Gnome is?” (Colin)
“Yes, it seems so…” (Lizbeth)
Colin Briggs. He is a member of the Holy Order Knights, ranked fourth, and though his abilities are impressive, he is usually carefree. His martial arts style is called “Dazen-ryu,” and his punches, unlike Alfred’s straight shots, are more fluid and quick, like a snake’s strikes.
I was currently visiting the home and workshop of one of the sages, the Earth Sage Gnome, along with two other members of the Holy Order Knights, in order to receive the Arsenal Volga from them.
The Earth Sage Gnome is unique. Unlike the other sages, she lives among adventurers and mingles with their daily lives.
Now that Anfan and Gina had left for the Vaira Volcano, we have been instructed to negotiate for the Arsenal Volga. Since we are in the city, we couldn’t afford to act conspicuously. Using force to forcibly take it would harm the reputation of the Magic Guild. This makes Gnome the most troublesome to deal with. However, she has a fatal weakness. She is obsessed with futuristic weapons. To prepare for this, I’ve brought some mana stones from the Rauda Continent as a gift for her.
“Do you think this is too forward, trying to exchange these for the Volga?” (Lizbeth)
“That depends on your negotiation skills, Liz.” (Colin)
“Colin, you should be doing your job!” (Lizbeth)
“I’m only interested in a good fight, alright? Today, I’m just your guard.” (Colin)
How irresponsible. When I was an adventurer, I had the impression that the members of the Holy Order Knights were more serious, like those stiff-faced figures behind Giovanni Battista.
“Earth Sage Gnome, good day. We are from the Magic Guild.” (Lizbeth)
I knocked on the door of the workshop and waited for a response.
“…”
“There’s no reply.” (Lizbeth)
“Heh, maybe she’s pretending to be out?” (Colin)
I knocked again, hoping for a response. But again, there was no reaction.
“This is no good. Since the boss won’t be back for a while, let’s come back later.” (Lizbeth)
Just as I said that and turned to leave, a loud roar echoed. For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Colin Briggs had smashed the door of the workshop with his fist, shattering it into pieces.
“What…!” (Lizbeth)
“Alright! Come on out, Gnome!” (Colin Briggs)
Violence as a solution. This was something Anfan had instructed us to avoid.
“Colin, what are you doing?!” (Lizbeth)
“If we keep dawdling, it won’t get done! Come on, let’s go!” (Colin)
It was barbaric. The violence continued, and the front entrance of Gnome’s workshop was opened wide enough for two people to walk through.
“You reclusive magical tool geek! I knew you were pretending to be out!” (Colin)
Colin Briggs easily entered the workshop, with Giovanni Battista quietly following behind him.
“Giovanni Battista, stop Colin!” (Lizbeth)
“Isn’t the objective to obtain the Arsenal Volga without causing a disturbance? In an alley like this, no one will pass by to interfere.” (Giovanni)
He had a cold expression. He would do whatever it took to achieve his goal. Even though he had just joined the Magic Guild, there were few as rough as him here. I reluctantly followed Colin and Giovanni inside. However, just as Colin stepped further into the workshop, I heard a strange, unpleasant noise. The unpleasant sound echoed from deeper inside the workshop. It was a low, vibrating sound, almost like the noise of a taut string being plucked.
“Colin, get back!” (Giovanni)
“Hmm…?” (Colin)
Just as Giovanni Battista jumped in front of Colin, a blast of energy suddenly shot out from the depths of the workshop. The chaotic clutter in the workshop was blown away, and a lightning bolt charged straight toward us.
The crackling sound of electricity echoed as the lightning bolt, with its trailing spark, was absorbed by Giovanni Battista’s lightning spear, Keraunos Volga.
The Keraunos Volga is a spear made of electric energy. It absorbs the lightning and the trailing projectile, strengthening the spear in the process. The energy-filled spear now crackled with electric discharges.
“Ho, that is an interesting magic tool.” (Giovanni)
“You… you’re wrecking my workshop!” (Sae Gnome)
From the back of the workshop came a very small girl. Yet, despite her tiny form, she was holding a massive cannon.
“Earth Sage Gnome, we wish to obtain the Arsenal Volga. It’s a shame that such divine power is gathering dust here among your junk.” (Lizbeth)
“Tch, Keraunos Volga, huh… Timaeos really sent some troublesome dogs after me.” (Gnome)
Her voice sounded as young as she looked, but her tone was rough. But the fighting spirit in this little girl was palpable. She quickly began attacking us with weapons and armor that I had never seen before.
—
In the depths of the Vaira Volcano, in a large hall. This was the arena of the fire dragon, Salamander. Salamander’s fierce attacks were like that of a rampaging bull. It charged relentlessly, aiming to send Yustin and Gina flying. Even when they dodged, his massive tail would follow with a counterattack. Without a front-line fighter, it was disadvantageous for the mages.
Even though Yustin had the Aquaram Volga, he was still unfamiliar with it. Eventually, the Volga was knocked out of his hands and fell to the ground. The ice staff reverted to its original blue glass tube, rolling on the ground with a clattering sound.
At first, we had completely underestimated the situation. Anfan-san and Yustin were here.
With two excellent mages, we thought that no matter what trouble we encountered, we’d be able to get out safely. But we never expected to anger one of the Five Great Sages. We lacked the strength to overcome this desperate situation. At worst, there was even the possibility of total annihilation.
“Yustin, what about teleportation magic (Portal Site)?” (Jack)
“It’s too big, I can’t do it. I’m not as good as Father…!?” (Yustin)
After a brief exchange, Yustin was finally knocked away by Salamander’s charge. He was sent flying across the room, landing at the far edge of the cavern. If he had flown just a little further, he would have fallen into the lava.
…That was close. And now, after the charge, Salamander’s tail was about to strike Gina-san.
“Kyaaah!” (Gina)
I shook my head at her scream and ran toward her.
This scene is like a replay of the past. I was powerlessly watching my comrades fall. I have to help. Even if the chances of saving them were slim, I couldn’t just do nothing.
“Stop!!!” (Liz)
Ba-kup, ba-kup, ba-kup… My heartbeat was accelerating. For the first time in a long while, I used Time Control. As time slowed down, I was the only one moving freely. The massive red dragon’s movements appeared much slower. But this ability didn’t last long. Even if I could rush over instantly, I wouldn’t be able to stop the dragon’s mass.
In a desperate attempt, I pushed Gina-san away from the tail strike and made the decision to become the target myself. Once time returned to normal, the tail came down, accelerating toward me. With no other choice, I drew the weapon I had at hand and faced the attack.
The weapon was the small dagger given to me by Woburu. I didn’t think such a small dagger would be able to stop Salamander’s tail attack, but it was probably better than using my bare hands, so I grabbed it in a hurry. That tiny little dagger. It was far too small for the red dragon, Salamander, to even notice.
But… Salamander halted its tail mid-swing.
“You… that dagger…?” (Salamander)
“…?” (Jack)
For the first time, Salamander stopped its rampage. This was the dagger Woburu had given me.
I didn’t know his intentions for giving it to me, but could it be some kind of key item?
“You… that fighting stance…?” (Salamander)
Salamander raised its head and glared at me, slowly moving its jaw as it spoke.
“You… you’re Alfred’s subordinate…?” (Salamander)
Alfred. Alfred… Fred…
At that moment, the face of a person named Alfred was vividly drawn in my mind. He was the leader of the legendary party that first conquered the Baira Dungeon, “Chevalier de Liberta,” which I had once been a part of.
“Long after, I was told that he would send his subordinates, but I never expected it to be so soon.” (Salamander)
It seemed like Salamander said something, then raised its long neck and roared, releasing flames from every scale of its body. As the fire engulfed its massive form, it became a huge firestorm that surrounded and concealed the Red Dragon.
“Fine! If you wanna fight me one-on-one, I’ll take you on!!” (Salamander)
A scream echoed from within the flames. The tone of the voice, which had been rough at first, gradually shifted to a thinner, clearer, husky voice. The firestorm rose into the air, and slowly the intensity of the whirlwind began to subside.
“Sorry, but it’s fate. Since you came here as a sacrifice, I’ll beat you to a pulp and throw you into the bottomless pit!!” (Salamander)
The firestorm lost its power. And the voice that reached us now was a husky woman’s voice. Its red eyes, burning like flames, continued to glare at us.
The person who appeared was… a beautiful girl, so far removed from the Red Dragon that it was hard to believe she was the same being. Though traces of lizard scales remained on her skin, the parts like her large, curving chest and navel were exposed as human-like skin.
In total, she was a very sexy and beautiful girl.
From her black, rigid, spiky hair, horns jutted out like a mane. Furthermore, a long dragon tail grew from her backside. The tail moved freely, twisting and slamming against the ground. But even more than that…
“You’re a woman?!” (Lost)
“What kind of surprise is that? How rude, kid. All five of the great sages, including myself, appear females.” (Salamander)
I hadn’t even thought about gender because the impression of the dragon from before was too strong.
“Ugh… Lost-san…” (Gina)
Gina-san, who had been lying down, was trying to rise while trembling.
“Gina-san! Are you okay?” (Jack)
“Spirits are originally incarnations of non-humans… What you’re seeing now is her true form as a red dragon, but when she displays her spiritual powers, she takes on a humanized form to highlight her sanctity.” (Gina)
“So…?” (Jack)
Before Gina-san could finish her sentence, Salamander added.
“That means, this is where I truly show my strength. You’ll be severely beaten in this duel, so be grateful for this situation, you damn brat.” (Salamander)
What a foul-mouthed spirit. But in that form, she seems easier to fight than the Red Dragon from before. If I am the only one who had to fight, this would be a perfect chance for the other three to rest. I’d accept this duel. But there’s one thing that bothers me…
“What did Alfred say?! What’s your connection with him?!” (Jack)
Before I possibly lose my life, I need to ask this question. Alfred is a red-haired warrior. A berserker who swings a greatsword wrapped in flames, the Volcanic Volga. But beyond that, I still can’t recall anything. The memories are locked away, like a sealed door I can’t open.
“Tsk.” (Salamander)
Salamander spat out those words.
“It’s a shame you don’t know… but aren’t you one of Alfred’s underlings?” (Salamander)
“Maybe… I am.” (Jack)
“You won’t get anywhere by being scared. Alfred promised to send someone someday. I’ll take out my frustrations from that time on you, you little bastard.” (Salamander)
It seems that Alfred made some sort of promise to send a subordinate to take care of something with Salamander at some point.
“That man was a rare and good one who didn’t die from my flames. He seemed to have an abnormal resistance to fire, but what about you? …Don’t disappoint me.” (Salamander)
Since I couldn’t recall what Alfred and I were to each other, understanding Salamander’s mocking words one by one was difficult.
—
I moved Anfan-san and Yustin, along with Gina-san, to the entrance of the large hall. They had to be moved out of the way because they would get in the way of my duel with Salamander. Gina-san worked hard to cast healing magic on the two of them, waiting for them to recover.
“No weapons. A man like you probably prefers ‘hand to hand’, right? Alfred’s underling.” (Salamander)
“It’s Lost.” (Jack)
“Lost…? What a brainless name.” (Salamander)
I handed the dagger I’d gotten from Warble to Gina-san. Then, I moved to the center of the hall and faced Salamander.
This is a serious duel with a spirit. I couldn’t believe I was in this situation, but since I had managed to break free from the hopeless situation earlier, it could be worse. What bothers me is why this spirit has become so angry about the Volcanic Volga. But somehow, I hae a feeling I know why. From the course of events, the memories buried in the back of my mind…
“Salamander, the Volcanic Volga isn’t here, right?” (Jack)
…” (Salamander)
“Did Alfred take it?” (Jack)
“…” (Salamander)
Salamander moved like it vanished. Only the heat haze remained. The shimmering air left behind was the only trace.
“Shut up.” (Salamander)
The voice came from behind me.
I immediately tried to spin around, but I was too slow. My right arm couldn’t defend in time, and I was hit with an uppercut that sent me flying. The punch that struck my cheek was burning hot, much more powerful than I expected.
“How dare you break into my house and ask for Volga?!” (Salamander)
Even though I was still flying through the air, she moved quickly behind me, kicking me upwards. The frustration wasn’t aimed at me. It was directed at the party that conquered this dungeon before.
“How dare you, an ancient dragon like me, be so impudent?!” (Salamander)
“Ugh!” (Jack)
She flew above me as I soared into the air, and Salamander finished with a devastating heel drop.
“Lost-san!” (Gina)
As soon as Gina-san’s voice reached me, I was slammed into the ground. In a follow-up motion, Salamander landed right next to me as I collapsed.
“You’re no fun. I expected more from Alfred’s underling, but it looks like I was wrong.” (Salamander)
“Argh… Ugh…” (Jack)
It felt like something in my stomach was about to burst. I held my choking mouth and struggled to rise.
“Put some more effort into it! Come on!” (Salamander)
She didn’t even give me a moment to recover and kicked me in the stomach. My body rolled on the ground. The pain was becoming so familiar it felt like it belonged to someone else.
“Dammit…” (Jack)
My body was burning.
I couldn’t win like this, let alone land a single hit. How strong must Alfred have been to have defeated such a monster? The legendary party, “Chevalier de Liberta,” that first conquered this Baira Dungeon. Irene told me that I had once been a member of that team. But I wasn’t there when they first entered this dungeon. I must have joined them after they had already entered. Yet now, I am carrying all her resentment toward Liberta.
As I stood up, I threw off my upper clothes. It was too hot to wear them. Then, I readied my fists.
That fighting style, this hand-to-hand technique, I definitely learn it from him.
“That’s it, that’s it… that damn, damn, red-haired monkey…!” (Salamander)
Salamander slowly approached, releasing an aura of killing intent.
“I’ve always wanted to punch that pose you’re doing―――!” (Salamander)
Once again, as if teleporting, she closed the distance to me. I used my Time Control ability.
“Uraaah!” (Jack)
Against the approaching threat, I unleashed a barrage of punches. Salamander blocked my strikes with his arms and shook them all off.
“Your arms still aren’t enough!” (Salamander)
In addition to his arms, Salamander used his tail to swat me away. She had five striking limbs, including his hands and feet.
I see… Something that doesn’t normally exist in battles against humans. Her tail. The addition of the tail made the timing off by a beat.
“Dammit, not yet…! I can still do this!” (Jack)
I was starting to overheat as well. My heartbeat, which had already exceeded the normal rhythm, sounded like a torrential downpour. In the midst of the battle, I thought of a way to block the five attacks. As if matching with that, time began to slow down more and more.
The continued hand-to-hand combat. The fierce back-and-forth. To my perception, it feels like a much longer period of time. For anyone watching, it would probably seem like a mere five minutes of fighting.
Time Control is an unfair ability, but the intensity of my heartbeat is draining my stamina. If this turns into a long-term battle, I’d self-destruct. It is a double-edged sword.
“…What’s with that movement…?!” (Salamander)
It was just as my attack speed began to surpass Salamander’s. After a backstep, a lightning-fast dropkick came towards my heart. I crossed my arms to block it, but I couldn’t fully stop the force, and I was forced to retreat, dragging my foot behind me.
The dust rose, and a moment of silence came.
The fire dragon incarnation before me silently stared at me.
“You… are you manipulating time?” (Salamander)
Salamander had noticed my ability.
“You little brat, so that’s what your accelerating punches mean…” (Salamander)
“Heh… not just weapons, but even time is cheating…?” (Jack)
I shot back in a moment of desperation and spat the accumulated phlegm onto the ground.
Honestly, my stamina was running out. I was so close to landing a blow on Salamander’s guts, but before that, my body was about to break down.
“This is no joke. You’re not even at the level of cheating.” (Salamander)
Salamander began to clench her hands in the air, gathering power. Red magic power from her entire body began to concentrate into his hands. Flames erupted from both of his hands.
Though we had been fighting hand-to-hand, the enemy suddenly started using magic.
“I thought we were supposed to be brawling with our fists?!” (Jack)
“This is over. If you accelerate any more, even I won’t be able to handle it.” (Salamander)
“…!” (Jack)
Salamander pressed her hands together, concentrating the flames that had erupted into one spot. From there, a much more powerful flame rose. As the flames gathered, it took the shape of a greatsword.
“…Volcanic Volga?” (Jack)
“Sorry, it’s not Volga… This is just the ‘Crimson Sword (Volcano)’. Don’t compare it to any regular flaming sword. I pride myself on the fact that it can turn a human into ashes in an instant.” (Salamander)
Each time the sword was swung lightly, flames swirled around.
“If you think you can dodge, go ahead. But the three behind you will turn to ash… Are you ready?!” (Salamander)
“Tsk… How cowardly…! Are you still calling yourself a spirit?!” (Jack)
Behind me, Gina-san was sitting with Yustin’s head resting on her lap. Anfan-san was also lying down.
“Spirit is just a term you humans gave me! If you’re going to curse anyone, curse the ‘Red-haired Curse’…!!” (Salamander)
Flames erupted from the Crimson Sword.
That isn’t just a sword. It is more like a flamethrower. Each time it is swung, high-output flames surged toward us. The only thing left that I could rely on was my right arm, Goddess’s Miracle. Would the colorless anti-magic be able to erase the spirit’s power?
“Oohhhrraaaa!!!” (Salamander)
The surging crimson flames. The sword was swung down. From that sword, an unstoppable pyroclastic flow poured out. Such flames rushed toward us.
“Lost-san, you can’t stop it! You have to escape, even if it’s just you!” (Gina)
Gina-san shouted at me.
“Do you have justice inside of you?” (Gina)
I recalled the words Gina-san had asked me during the journey in the desert, around the night campfire. If I dodge, I will survive. But if I dodge, the three behind me would turn to ash. What is justice in such a situation? What would the great mage of justice, Yustin, think of this? The answer is clear. I have no choice but to take it with all my strength. I might die. No, even if I die, there’s a chance I wouldn’t be able to stop it, and the flames would spread to the three behind me, and all four of us might be wiped out. But still, I have justice inside of me.
I positioned my right arm. The Insignia Arm that the Earth Sage, Gnome-sama, had created for me. I fired the anti-mana energy bullet from it toward the pyroclastic flow unleashed from the Crimson Sword… But that energy bullet was swallowed by the pyroclastic flow.
“Eh…?!” (Jack)
“Hahaha!! A mere human, burn up in the hellish flames!!” (Salamander)
There was no more hope. I threw myself forward, taking the pyroclastic flow with my whole body.
“Uaaahh!!” (Jack)
I couldn’t feel the sensation of my body burning. It just felt like my senses were slowly fading away. As my consciousness faded, I saw the figure of the red-haired warrior behind me.
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