Amphere Harrison
"DRACARYX!!!"
Once again, I shouted with fervor, hoping for a miraculous response. Yet, to my disappointment, nothing happened. The silence that engulfed the arena was suffocating, filled with a mix of surprise, devastation, and perhaps even a tinge of disappointment. I had made a spectacle of myself, and the weight of embarrassment settled upon me.
"As I thought, we can't use it yet, totally." Airi communicated through our telepathic link, her voice laced with understanding. She should have warned me beforehand that our attempt would be in vain. Now, I found myself standing before the officials of Alterra, feeling exposed and humiliated.
Meanwhile, the Gemini Dragon, with its dual heads and formidable stature, adopted a poised and ready stance, prepared to counter our every move. Witnessing a dragon utilizing two swords simultaneously was a truly captivating experience—one that I had never encountered before. And what's more, I realized that Vlad and Brix did not possess the power of Dracaryx. I considered myself fortunate in that regard.
Airi, displaying her prowess, generated a luminous ball of photon energy within her mouth. She launched it not just once or twice but an astonishing five times in rapid succession. These were swiftly charged photon bombs, designed to inflict minimal damage. If only Airi could channel her energy for a longer duration, she could unleash devastating destruction upon our enemies—potentially obliterating not just the opposing duo but the entire arena itself.
The dual-wielding, dual-headed Gemini Dragon effortlessly sliced through the barrage of projectiles, causing the photon bombs to detonate in a spectacular display of chaos. The resulting explosion filled a quarter of the arena with swirling dust and billowing smoke, creating a temporary diversion. Seizing this opportunity, I commanded my Futuretech Dragon to deploy her hidden wing-mounted machine guns, morphing them into position. With a resounding burst, an endless stream of bullets rained down upon our adversaries.
However, the Gemini Dragon swiftly reacted, surging toward us with a courageous slanting slash. Airi, displaying her nimble piloting skills, maneuvered our Futuretech Dragon skillfully, evading the attack with the grace of a harrier plane. Despite the Gemini Dragon's imposing height and weight, its movements seemed slightly sluggish, offering us a glimmer of advantage. Realizing that engaging in close-quarters combat would be perilous, we quickly gained altitude, hoping to gain the upper hand from a distance.
Firing rockets from my Futuretech Dragon's chest, we unleashed a barrage of missiles. Yet, our hopes were dashed as each missile was expertly slashed by the Gemini Dragon before it could reach its target. Frustration tinged my thoughts as I pondered our next move, turning to Airi, who possessed a sharper strategic mind than my own.
"What's our plan?" I inquired, placing my trust in Airi's astuteness.
"I don't know, totally!" Airi responded modestly, her voice filled with honesty. "You're the dragon knight, you should be the one to devise a strategy."
How utterly irresponsible she was, and I must admit, I was just as culpable. Her argument held merit, though. Our advantage lies in our swift aerial maneuvers and homing projectiles, yet our foe excels at dismantling long-range attacks. No matter how many missiles, bullets, or bombs we unleash, they prove futile against an opponent armed with two razor-sharp swords. Disarming him seems an insurmountable task as well.
The magnificent Gemini Dragon, with its contrasting black and white hues, unfurled its colossal wings. Now, it was poised to give chase through the heavens. However, its aerial swiftness still paled in comparison to Airi's. Ah, let's not forget the shield plates. Initially, Vlad carried the shield plate, but as they transformed into dragon form, the shield plate activated upon the dragon itself. Any harm inflicted upon the dragon would gradually diminish the plate's integrity. Their shield plate now stood at a mere 73%, while mine remained at 82%. As the enemy dragons surged towards our position, a plan crystallized in my mind with unwavering clarity.
"Airi, unleash four remote-controlled missiles and orchestrate their flight to encircle the enemy dragon. Ensure they stay beyond the reach of its swords," I commanded.
Airi swiftly executed my orders. Four immaculate white torpedoes launched into the air, swirling in a calculated orbit around the Gemini Dragon. Given the dragon's limited sword range, it stood powerless against this onslaught. While the enemy might attempt to advance, Airi, attuned to my intentions through our telepathic connection, adjusted the missiles' trajectories to safeguard their existence. It was as if Airi could anticipate my thoughts before they even formed—such was the depth of our connection.
The Futuretech Dragon unleashed a volley of six photon bombs towards the Gemini Dragon, hoping to breach its defenses. However, as anticipated, the photon bombs met the same fate, sliced apart by the Gemini Dragon's deadly blades. In the aftermath, a dense veil of smoke enveloped the Gemini Dragon, obscuring its form. This was our chance. Airi swiftly directed the remote-controlled missiles to strike the Gemini Dragon's exposed back, fully aware of their exceptional reflexes.
Although they managed to cleave through three of the missiles, the fourth missile found its mark, colliding with their left shoulder. Regrettably, it proved insufficient. The shield plate's integrity dropped to a mere 34%. Seizing the opportunity while they were occupied with defending against our assaults, we charged a photon bomb, a ten-second burst capable of completely depleting their shield plate.
A deafening whirling noise filled the air as the Futuretech Dragon unleashed its ultimate attack. However, our calculations proved flawed, for they deftly slashed the photon bomb before it could make contact. Thankfully, I had a contingency plan in place.
Unbeknownst to our adversaries, the dynamos I had strategically positioned at the rear of the Gemini Dragon sprang into action. With a commanding gesture, I directed them to unleash a torrent of scorching laser beams upon the enemy's vulnerable spine, inflicting intense agony upon them as their shield plates depleted to zero percent.
"The victor is none other than Amphere Harrison and his awe-inspiring combination of tactics!" the emcee declared, their voice resounding triumphantly throughout the arena.
As soon as we touched down on the arena grounds, I drew in a deep breath, attempting to replenish my depleted reserves. This battle had drained every ounce of power within me. I couldn't help but acknowledge that if I were to face opponents like Rudolf or Reina, individuals who had unlocked the formidable Dracarys, I would undoubtedly find myself on the losing end.
Making my way backstage, Duchess Corasell and Eva warmly congratulated me on my victory. Reina and Richard, who had witnessed the battle, displayed genuine admiration for our performance. However, conspicuous by their absence were Rudolf, Kyrie, and Estoff. It seemed Rudolf and Kyrie were occupied with pressing matters, while Estoff had retreated from public view, bearing the weighty label of a terrorist.
Frustration welled up within me as I thought about Estoff's reckless actions. Despite my insistence on wearing a mask, he had stubbornly disregarded the need for concealment, choosing instead to flaunt his visage before our adversaries. Now, he had been stripped of his honorable status as a Pentagram Knight, paying the price for his foolishness.
On another note, there was someone else whose name and face had made their way onto a wanted poster. My attention turned to Richard, and I couldn't help but voice my curiosity.
"Hey, Richard..." I began cautiously, ensuring our privacy before continuing. "How is it that you can move about freely despite being labeled as a wanted terrorist?"
Reina, crossing her arms beneath her bosom, stepped in to enlighten me. "Haven't you heard?" she interjected. "Richard Astherson is considered dead...at least in the eyes of the law. From now on, you're conversing with Richard Harrison."
Richard responded with an oblivious smile, and an indignant surge coursed through me. How dare he adopt my surname as his own? We were not even remotely related! There was no way I shared any "blood" with that repugnant lizard!
A shiver ran down my spine, and my apprehension transformed into cold reality as I discerned the presence of three distinct sets of footsteps closing in behind me. Kyle Leviticus, Rudolf, and Kyrie—each exuded an unsettling aura, their eyes filled with an ominous intensity. What could have brought these individuals here? Richard, Airi, Duchess Corasell, and I instinctively clenched our teeth, preparing for the worst.
"Congratulations on your victory in the third round," Kyle greeted with a disingenuous smile, extending his hand for a handshake that held no sincerity. My resentment toward him burned fiercely, for it was he who had exposed Estoff's true identity, poisoned Rudolf's mind, and orchestrated the supposed death of Richard—though, thankfully, he had been revived.
Richard's fist tightened, his anger palpable. General Kyle Leviticus seemed oblivious to Richard's presence, having likely eradicated countless dragonoids, erasing Richard's face from his memory. I sensed Richard's urge to unsheathe his sword, but Rudolf and Kyrie stood ever vigilant, ready to intervene if necessary.
Suppressing the rising tension, I made an effort to appear composed and extended my hand to the deranged General. "You're welcome, General," I responded, masking my true feelings.
To my surprise, Kyle retrieved a letter from his pocket and placed it in my hand. The unmistakable seal of the golden sword—the emblem of the esteemed Chevalier Unit—graced the letter.
"I have witnessed your exceptional combat prowess, and as a result, I have decided to extend an offer. You shall become a member of our revered Chevalier Unit," Kyle announced, his voice tinged with an unsettling satisfaction. "In return, you shall gain access to all the knowledge you seek, every secret you yearn to uncover. Even the enigma of the Crimson Dragonfly shall be revealed to you."
Kyle's perverse smile, so disgustingly oblivious, sent a shiver down my spine.
"Enough, you madman!" Airi's temper flared, her expression turning chillingly lethal. Her once wide eyes now narrowed to small scarlet pupils, reminiscent of those possessed by notorious serial killers. I had to remove myself from this escalating situation as quickly as possible.
"I refuse," I stated firmly, attempting to assert my decision. Without hesitation, I reached for Airi's hand, hoping to make our escape.
However, before we could make our getaway, Rudolf swiftly secured a handcuff around my wrist. Struggling against his grip proved futile, as Rudolf, determined to quell any resistance, tightened his hold. And then, he uttered the damning words that shattered my hopes.
"Neo Black Phantom... No, Sir Amphere Harrison, 2nd Class Dragon Knight. In the name of the Empire of Alterra, you are now under arrest."