Equipment made from a Dragon Heart, or the power core of a dragon, is significantly more powerful and efficient than other gear.
Moreover, the characteristics of the dragon to whom the Dragon Heart belonged are reflected.
Wingian's innate traits include mind control, feather bombardment, and flight. Of these, mind control is notably the most significant.
'If I were to create a piece of equipment that enhances the mind control ability by a hundred percent, and I used it...'
It would synergize incredibly well with my 'Gaze of Command.'
If enemies vulnerable to mental attacks were to swarm, I could single-handedly control their minds and defeat them.
However, the immediate problem is the enemies that need to be defeated right now.
The immediate threats are the Eye of the Black Dragon, Ipian, and Night Bringer, a high-ranking monster with overwhelming resistance to mental status abnormalities.
Especially against Night Bringer, the likelihood of mind control being ineffective is overwhelmingly high.
'Parekian was a combat-oriented individual among the Black Dragon troops and had low magic power, yet I managed to force mind control on him by repeatedly applying 'Elemental Disassemble,' and Scalian could be captured only because he removed his own barriers.'
The two dragons I captured were special cases. Realistically, using mind control as a tactic against the remaining dragons is difficult and inefficient.
The second option to consider then would be feather bombardment.
'If I were to create a bow or a long-range weapon utilizing the feather bombardment ability... It would boast remarkable power.'
If I were to imbue bows or crossbows with the feather bombardment trait, they could wipe out several waves of enemies with insane firepower.
Suddenly, I thought of Burnout. If that elf archer were still alive, this weapon would have been a great option.
"..."
But feather bombardment is primarily specialized for dealing with multiple enemies.
It's not about a concentrated single shot but optimized for striking a wide area simultaneously. In other words... It also won't play a significant role in the next raid.
What's needed now is a powerful shot that can penetrate the hard scales of a dragon in one go.
'Perhaps it would be better to give up on the feather bombardment and create a regular breath-powered gun for immediate dragon hunting.'
Anyway, skipping the feather bombardment trait leaves.
'The flight trait.'
I became lost in thought.
Even in the game, it was possible to create armor with the flight trait granted by Wingian's power core.
The armor released had a wide-area flight special function that could temporarily make all nearby allies fly.
'This equipment would...'
Provide mobility to our allied artillery.
At least once, it would allow them to dodge the dragon's wide-range attacks, and more actively operate mages and ranged attackers.
"...Good."
After much thought, I decided.
At first glance, it seemed the most mundane, but creating equipment that would aid the survival of our rear-line troops through wide-area flight.
I detailed this intention to Kellibey, and he nodded in agreement readily.
"I thought I'd make a weapon as flashy as 'Imperial Edict,' but... well, this isn't bad either! Besides, it's your decision after all."
I grinned.
For a mage, survivability equates to offensive power.
Rather than firing a spell and retreating from the field, if this equipment can assure survival and allow for bolder movements. It will undoubtedly be an asset in battle.
Most importantly, in the upcoming battle—the Eye of the Black Dragon raid— the flight feature will be of great help.
"So, it's armor, but... what kind of armor?"
Kellibey asked, and I replied immediately.
"A robe for mages, please!"
Following that, I fiddled with my hands and chuckled heartily.
"Finally, it's time to present a fine piece of equipment to our Flame Magus."
Listening, Evangeline tilted her head.
"The Flame Magus...? You mean Sister Lilly?"
Then, from the other side, Lilly, who was working on something with the Alchemist Guild Master, looked over in shock. I waved my hands frantically.
"No, no, the older one!"
Why are there so many Flame Maguses in this place!
***
After checking on various tasks throughout Crossroad.
I returned to the lord's manor late in the afternoon. Oh, I'm tired.
'I'd love to take a long nap, but there's so much to do.'
I first wanted to talk to Scalian.
After all, he was one of my captured monsters, could communicate, and was friendly towards humans. There must be some information I could extract.
However, when I checked... this guy wasn't in the subspace. Parekian was missing as well.
"Where have these guys gone again..."
"...I have a guess."
Lucas muttered begrudgingly, and I had a hunch too.
So, to the lord's manor garden.
Sure enough, both problematic dragons were gathered here.
Parekian was curled up as if embracing a precious egg, encircling someone in the middle with his long body.
Without saying, that someone was Violet.
"...kill me..."
Violet, with a pale face, stared into the void, drooling from the corner of her mouth. Her condition worsens by the day.
"Ah, uh, uhh..."
On the opposite side, Scalian in human form was fidgeting, glancing towards Violet.
Then, as if gathering courage, Scalian took a deep breath and stepped forward towards Violet.
"Um, um... I have something to say..."
Then.
Vrrrrr-!
Parekian got angry. His whole body turned red, emitting a fearsome engine sound.
From what looked like an electric massage chair about to switch to combat mode, Violet looked at Scalian with drained eyes. Scalian, not knowing what to do, stepped back.
"No, it's nothing..."
And soon after, he was crumpled in a corner, whining.
"Oh, I want to get along too..."
"..."
"Fine. One more time...!"
This nerdy dragon did not give up and kept circling the area, and each time he got closer, Parekian reacted prickly, continuing to wrap around Violet.
Watching this from a distance, I muttered in dismay.
"Why are they shooting a romance fantasy."
"...Romance?"
Lucas asked incredulously as if to say 'where do you see that?', but isn't that exactly the setup?
Like titles such as 'Born to Be Loved by Dragons' or 'Dragons Obsessed with Destroying the World Choose Me.'
Unexpectedly becoming the protagonist of a dragon-romance-fantasy, Violet, caught between two dragons, was so pleased she even shed a tear. Looks happy, so okay...
Anyway, I couldn't just watch this disaster unfold indefinitely, so I made my presence known by approaching.
Then the two dragons and one human turned to look at me.
Zip!
With amazing speed, Violet dashed out from between the two dragons and grabbed my trousers.
"Your Majesty! I mean, handling one was tough, but two is crossing the line! I can't take it anymore, I'm going crazy! I'm dying!"
Cutting off Violet's continued pleas, I simply replied.
"Salary doubled."
"Eh."
"Two dragons, so double the pay. Okay?"
Violet had already received a significant salary boost when she was assigned exclusively to Parekian. And now double that!
She became stunned by the shocking financial remedy.
While Violet was momentarily stunned, I gestured for Scalian to come over. I had come today to try to extract some information from this friend.
"Ah, hello, Ash!"
Scalian awkwardly waved his hand and then approached me hesitantly.
Watching a love fantasy or breeding diary unfold between two dragons and one human was fun. Or perhaps forming a nerd sympathy bond with this nerdy dragon could be enjoyable too.
"Scalian."
But I decided to focus on a more pressing issue.
"Tell me about your brother, Ipian."
Cutting to the chase, Scalian shuddered.
I looked Scalian in the eye and enunciated each word clearly.
"His strengths, his weaknesses, and... everything else you know."
The last Black Dragon Legion to defeat before heading to topple the Black Dragon, the 'Eye of the Black Dragon' Ipian.
Of course, I already knew about Ipian. His strengths, weaknesses, and hidden aspects. I've defeated him several times in the game.
This question was both an attempt to reconcile information between the game and reality, and a test to see if Scalian would correctly provide that information.
'I still don't trust this guy.'
He may act clueless, but this guy is one of Night Bringer's most powerful offspring. I'm not going to trust him easily.
'Whether you are truly on my side or not.'
This question and answer session will make that clear.
"Hmm..."
To what extent he had read the intent behind my question.
The seemingly clueless dragon's face suddenly sharpened, and a smile of enjoyment appeared on his lips.
Scalian naturally sat at the outdoor table in the garden not far away, his golden eyes sparkling behind his glasses as he looked at me.
"Alright. Then... we should start with this. Brother Ipian is the only multi-headed dragon among Father's children."
I clenched my fist at his following words.
"He resembles 'Father's true form' the most, hence he is the eldest."
Three-headed Ipian.
Since each of his heads can use breath, magic, and dragon fear separately, he is the most challenging monster to face among the children of the Black Dragon.
...and he also resembles the seven-headed Night Bringer the most.
***
Eti's honey Inn.
Second floor. Junior's room.
"...You can really do a good job, right?"
Hecate, wearing a robe and sitting in front of the mirror, asked with a half-doubting voice.
Behind her, Junior chuckled and flashed the scissors in her hand.
"I've been cutting my siblings' hair from their infancy through their teenage years at home. I'm probably better than your average hairdresser."
"I trust you, Junior..."
Hecate clenched her eyes shut, and Junior took a deep breath before carefully picking up the styling scissors.
Hecate had taken the full brunt of Wingian's breath in the last raid.
Though her burnt and crushed body quickly recovered, her long hair was gone. Her hair had reverted to the short style she had during her school days.
"Actually, since I was appointed to the Glory Knights... since I was cursed, my body hasn't grown at all. My hair doesn't grow, and my nails don't grow either..."
Forever preserved in the appearance she had at her graduation ceremony.
Though Hecate had lived like this, she wanted to show Lucas a changed look when she came to Crossroad this time.
So, wanting a change of image, she had donned a dress and shoes she usually wouldn't wear and even bought an expensive wig.
But now, even that wig had burned, and Hecate's hair was back to its original short look.
Shocked by her unchanged appearance from her school days, Hecate had locked herself in her room.
Junior, worried, came to find out what was wrong and offered a solution.
Short hair could be styled in many ways, trust it to her, the best hairdresser of the Jupiter family...
"Even now, you're quite cute."
"Absolutely not. Lucas, that guy, doesn't even see me as a woman."
"No, maybe that's just because that knight's perceptiveness is legendary..."
As they chatted and relaxed Hecate's nerves, Junior brought the scissors to the side of Hecate's head.
'Cut here, trim there, and with heat and wind magic...'
Junior may not have the sophistication of a hairdresser from the Imperial Capital, but she was confident she could make a cute style change.
At least enough for Lucas to notice the difference.
Having calculated her moves, Junior advanced the scissors, and Hecate swallowed her nervous saliva with her eyes tightly closed.
That's when it happened.
Burst!
"Cough! Hecate, are you here? I have something to say..."
Suddenly, the door was flung open, and Dusk Bringar burst in.
Startled by the sudden intrusion, Hecate jerked violently, and Junior swallowed a scream.
Snip!
And then.
The scissors, going much deeper than Junior had planned, chopped off a large chunk of Hecate's side hair.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Hecate's beige hair fluttered and scattered in all directions.
Hecate hunched over in the chair, Junior holding the scissors, and Dusk Bringar, who had just opened the door and was still holding the doorknob.
All three remained motionless, as a hellish silence ensued.
The same thought crossed everyone's minds.
This is a disaster...