Sarcony and Mantle were making no progress. Neither side had any chance of winning as of now.
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Sarcony was under a barrage of attacks from the dragon's tail that exhibited exquisite attack forms no inferior to a sword fighting style. Such clever use of the tail made her praise him.
Sarcony imagined her staff to resemble a sword, just like she imagined it to be an arrow earlier. The very atmosphere around Sarcony changed. The dragon, realizing it, instantly withdrew his tail yet experienced a delayed pain that made him roar. His tail was cleanly severed off, leaving a stump.
" It is just pure sword art though. " Sarcony shrugged. Her action infuriated and scared the dragon at the same time.
His movements stopped for an instant giving Sarcony an opportunity. ~~Roar~~ One of his wings was cut off, leaving a crisp stump behind.
" I am just a tiny forest spirit though " Sarcony gave a sarcastic reply. Her eyes were bloodred without any sign of pupils.
There wasn't a single movement from Sarcony yet his tail and wing have succumbed to her sword. The dragon, surprised by this, strengthened his vision only to be dumbfounded.
A huge sea of swords covering all possible manoeuvres of her sword was present around her, like a cocoon or a chrysalis.
The duel once again ended in a stalemate as Sarcony's sword art did give her an edge in combat but,
" This body of yours is fake, isn't it? "
" I'm not a fool to pick a fight with a dragon head-on. You are existence levels above mine, for now. "
" You were the one who attacked us without speaking. Why didn't you even enquire the reason for our possession of it? "
" No, it was made and bestowed by the water dragon Makara by his own free will. We are not obliged to give it to you even if you are the Dragon Emperor. "
" He is my mother's sister's husband after all. "
" You know mama? "
" It is a part of our quest. For now, we need the approval of Mantle-sama, the guardian of the Kai Kingdom to enter the borders. It would be good if you were to throw some information regarding the Statue of Perseverance in as well. "
" That is something we will take care of. Just say its location. "
" I still can't control it well. No wonder Uncle Sun barred me from using it. "
Sarcony ended the sea of swords and emerged as a human instead of Jötunn, heavily wounded. Mo'er gathered Sarcony into her arms and descended.
" Where are my teammates? " (Mo'er)
" Oi, old man, teach my baby sis magecraft. You owe us. If not, I'll tell my mom. " <
" Someone just attacked us straight away without even asking any questions. I have enough discipline to be called a saint in comparison to him. "
The Dragon and Sarcony glared at each other, sparks rising from the confrontation.
" Whatever. "
Mantle grumbled and complained but still made a mental space and linked it to Mo'er's nature core that allowed her team to access it. He then gave them a few of his undamaged scales as a compensation for misunderstanding them, begrudgingly of course.
Sarcony and Mo'er were teleported back to the entrance along with a scroll that granted them permission to enter the kingdom. They swiftly woke their teammates and rode their wolves into the kingdom. Afterall, their wolves were given permission to enter as well.
The Kai kingdom was a snowy paradise to those who loved/ignored cold weather and snow but a icy hellscape to those who are sensitive to cold, Mo'er being one such person.
She was sitting in front of Sarcony, strongly cuddled from behind. Sarcony pushed the cold mist away from the duo, sharing her body warmth and the huge wool blanket she wore.
Maria and Luna were in the same position. Lily, Mark and Sakura rode on their wolves while the wolves belonging to Mo'er and Maria walked on either side of the team like escorts.