We've continued to clear the Proline Dungeon for a little over a month.
We've already collected all the necessary mithril.
It was done with considerable leeway, so this is the result. I can't help but to say it was easy.
The experience we accumulated was so much too.
I got the most, still, Silvia and Eko have almost raised their existing skills to Grade 9.
Yukari has also raised "Manufacture" and "Bestowal Magic" up to Grade 9. "Manufacture" is a skill that can be called a synonymous of Blacksmith, used to make equipment out of materials. Also, for Bestowal, once Yukari's "Disassembly" skill has gone to a higher rank, I'll start to carefully consider it. Manufacture, Bestowal and Disassembly, you're not able to properly dabble in Bestowal without having these three. That was common sense in my previous life.
————————–
Well then.
Since we've come this far and we're free now, this is a good opportunity. Therefore, I finally decided to let them know what's next.
"Since we have the chance, let's learn the most we can."
After I told the group, Eko and Silvia nodded with a sense of tension.
Learn the most we can――That means, using the skills learned up until now, we'll now be learning Dragon Horse and Dragon King.
For Silvia, that would be "Dragon Horse Archery" and "Dragon King Archery". And in the case of Eko, "Dragon Horse Shieldmanship" and "Dragon King Shieldmanship". And for me, in addition to "Dragon Horse Archery" and "Dragon King Archery", there's also "Dragon Horse Swordsmanship" and "Dragon King Swordsmanship".
However, since it's troublesome to rank them all the way up, for the moment I'll just settle for learning them and stop at the 16th Class. But I'll raise "Dragon King Swordsmanship" all the way up since that is a practical skill.
"Tell me, Second-dono. What is the method of acquiring them? "
Silvia asked that question with an excited face. Those are the only [Archery] skills she has left to learn, so she's really enthusiastic.
"Firstly, I'll explain about Dragon Horse Archery. To put it simply, you just have to defeat a dragon."
"D-D-D-DRA...!? "
Nice reaction. However, since the talk won't advance like this, I just continued speaking.
"What's important is how you defeat it. In the case of Dragon Horse Archery, the last blow has to be done using Bishop Archery. Until then, you need to attack using each and every archery skill, from Soldier to Rook, at least once."
"...Master. Is such a thoughtless action even possible while fighting a dragon? "
Yukari asked a naive question. But it was expected.
"Ahh, once you know how to do it, it's easy. Besides, this alone isn't enough to learn Dragon Horse Archery."
"WHAT!? There's still more!? "
Silvia looked at the sky as if asking for a break. She didn't think there was more to the Dragon Horse explanation.
"If you do what I say against five different dragons, you'll learn it."
" "
You could see the shock on her face, and even almost hear it. Not only Silvia, but the tension had also spread to Yukari and Eko.
Well, it's bothersome. In Mobius, there isn't just one kind of dragon. From beginning to end, there are more than 20 varieties. But if we find five of the weaker varieties and meet the condition that way, it won't be that much trouble. When you think about it, Dragon King is a bit better to get.
"In the case of Dragon King Archery, all you need to do is kill 10 dragons of any type using just Rook Archery. Well, that way is easier."
"TH-TH-TH-TH-THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S EASIER!! "
Silvia yelled. She wondered, "Isn't this just a dream!? ", then she continued, "That's right, I'm sure I'm just unconscious..." and held her head in her hands. I might have broken her spirit a bit too much. Oops.
"Oh, Swordsmanship has the same conditions. In other words, you and I will be hunting dragons for a while, Silvia. I'll help you, so it's okay, don't worry."
As a response to my follow up, Silvia said "Re-Really? ", then she raised her face, looked at me and asked "You'll not just throw me into the dragon's nest, right? ", in doubt. What does she think I am? There's no way I'll do that (flag).
"And me? And me? "
"Your case is a bit special, Eko. For Dragon Horse Shieldmanship, it's enough to have protected a team member with Soldier Shieldmanship ～ Rook Shieldmanship at least once, who kills the dragon. And do that with 5 different dragons. Dragon King Shieldmanship, however, is to consecutively parry a dragon's attack using Rook Shieldmanship 100 times. It's a bit difficult, but I'll show you how."
"Got itー! I'll do my bestー! "
"Yeah, let's do our best."
Eko was full of energy, and okay with the challenge.
"And while we're out dragon hunting, can I ask you to take care of things regarding the Earl, Yukari? "
"Yes. Please leave that to me, Master."
Yukari was as expressionless as ever, but she had this slightly triumphant look. I'm a bit happy that I can now somehow read that cold expression of hers little by little as we spend more time together.
"Alright. Let's start with the plan then."
Thus, the curtain was closed on our Proline clears.
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"Where are the dragons? "
Along the way, Eko came asking.
We're moving north from Badgordo. And our destination is the 'canyon'.
"There are a lot in the Metio Dungeon."
"Heeー."
The intermediate class dungeon, 『Metio』 is an outdoor dungeon. It has the shape of a canyon, and inside of it, seven different types of dragons appear, including the boss. It's a den of dragons, so to speak.
"Wait. Did you just say Metio? "
"Yeah."
"...But it hasn't been captured yet, right? "
"I can tell."
The Metio Dungeon is the most difficult of the intermediate class dungeons. That's why I thought that if Proline was still uncaptured, Metio would be the same. It might be even harder than the Algin Dungeon, the easiest of the Upper-Class Dungeons, if you just consider the monsters' difficulty.
"We're going to such a dangerous place? We? To defeat a dragon? "
"That's correct."
"Are... are we going to be alright? "
"It's alright. There is a small number of monsters in Metio, so we can always go three against one."
In exchange for that, only dragons appear. However, quality is better than quantity, and each one of them has considerable strength.
"I-I see."
"You worry too much, you won't die."
Silvia seems to be quite nervous. She just responded with a "U-Umu", and returned her sight to the front, but I could still feel her restlessness. Does she have any bad memories of dragons? When I asked her that, her reply implied that was not the case. Then what is it?
"I've been dealing against nothing but golems for a while. I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about my first battle against something new. Furthermore, dragons are monsters who are the symbols of strength. It's weird not to be nervous... But even if I say that, I think there isn't such a word in your dictionary, Second-dono! "
I see. Leaving the anxiousness aside, it's good that she's tense and focused on her first-time fight. Telling her "You're admirable", I gave her a thumbs up. Silvia laughed at her own dismay saying "I'm starting to feel stupid for being this nervous."
Eko, on the other hand, was completely normal. Is it because she has a leeway thanks to her high VIT? Or is it just her personality? In any case, it's good that she's reliable. I also gave her a thumbs up.
While continuing like that, we arrived at the Metio Dungeon.
A 'V' shaped valley surrounded by cliffs so steep that the top can't be seen. And at the bottom of the valley, a tranquil stream flowed.
"Ohh, I found one."
I found a dragon right away.
Luckily, it's the weakest among the six types of dragon that appear here, a「White Dragon」. It's called dragon, but it is undeniably a dragon subspecies.
"So big! "
Eko's eyes rounded in surprise as she raised her voice. Certainly, it's big. It might be around 10 meters in length. Its rugged white scales were beautiful.
"A-AAAAAAARE WE GOING TO FIGHT THAT!? "
Silvia's legs completely gave in.
"About that. I'll set an example at first, so take a good look at it."
I approached the White Dragon while setting up my longbow and measuring the range.
Then, using "Spirit Summoning" I called Angolmois out.
"（――Ohh, isn't that a dragon?）"
A somewhat indifferent reaction was transmitted to my mind.
"（Time for possession.）"
"（As you wish.）"
I activated "Spirit Possession". Angolmois turned into a seven colored light and merged with me.
Oh god! Ahh, this is it, ahhhh, this is the best. No matter how many times I do it, this is incredible. The supreme almighty sensation. The ultimate ecstasy.
Currently, the rank of "Spirit Possession" is Grade 5, the increase in status is 4 times, possession time is 270 seconds and it has a 290 second cooldown time. To feel this ecstasy for longer, stronger and much more than before, I feel like I'm already addicted to it.
Well then, now that it's activated, I can't let even one second go to waste. The purpose of this is to acquire "Dragon Horse Archery". First of all, I have to fulfill the condition of attacking it at least once with each of the seven skills, from Soldier to Rook.
Preparing a "Soldier Archery" shot, I release it right away.
"GYAOOOOOOO!? "
It quickly flew and stabbed the White Dragon on the thigh. Obviously taken by surprise, the White Dragon roared in severe pain.
I then launched "Lance Archery" in quick succession. Those attacks penetrated the legs of the White Dragon.
And so, the angry White Dragon rushed towards me. Using "Gold Archery" I knocked it back, and prepared "Bishop Archery", immediately releasing it.
"GAAAAA! "
From the sounds it made, it was the signal that the dragon was preparing a "Breath". I canceled the "Knight Archery" I was preparing next, and ran lightly, making a circle around the White Dragon. This alone is enough to easily evade the breath of the White Dragon.
Then, the after-breath rigidity came. This gives me the chance for an all-out attack.
I first released "Rook Archery", followed by "Silver Archery", and lastly "Knight Archery". Since I've attacked with all seven skills, the condition was met. All that's left is to finish it off using "Bishop Archery".
Its charge can be countered with "Gold Archery", and its breath by simply running. It's easy to defend against an opponent like a White Dragon with just this much. If its remaining HP falls below 20%, it will also attack using its tail, however that doesn't matter since it can be defeated before it has the chance to do so.
And, like this, the White Dragon went down. This is the result of relentlessly aiming at its legs only. The down state always comes when the cumulative damage on the legs exceeds a certain threshold and the HP is lower than 30%.
"OOON! GYAOON! "
I shot "Bishop Archery"at the downed White Dragon. And since White Dragon-kun couldn't resist at all, it was thoroughly defeated. By the way, I would have liked to attack using "Rook Archery", doing damage more efficiently, but with the White Dragon's HP I don't know when it would go down. So, in order to avoid wasting time, I finished it using only Bishop.
"NGYAAA! "
When it was on the verge of being freed from the downed state, the White Dragon roared in agony and died. A little more and it would've been able to rush at me. I'm glad I didn't use Rook just in case.
"...Well, it's something like this."
Releasing the possession, I returned to where Silvia and Eko were.
The two girls were just standing still with their mouths open.
"Ahh, I was alone just now, but from now on we'll do it together, okay? "
Silence.
"The strategy against the White Dragon is easy. Using Gold to counter the rush, and evade the breath that always comes after the dragon makes a weird noise. All you have to do is protect against those two."
No response.
"Are you ready? Alright, let's not waste time and――"
"Wa-Wait a minute! "
Finally, Silvia opened her mouth.
"Second-dono? Do you know what you've just accomplished? You 'solo killed' a dragon, you know? Isn't that an incredible feat? And, what's more..."
"...Wasn't it scary? "
Eko complemented Silvia's words.
Was I scared...huh?
They might be misunderstanding something. I'll be troubled if they become scared. So, I think I should say it here.
"Let's be clear. There's nothing scary."
I noticed the two of them were taken aback.
"Given our status, even if we receive the White Dragon's strongest attack and it's a critical, we won't die unless we get hit three times. Also, as I said before, just counter the rush with Gold and avoid the breath when it makes the weird noise. Or are you saying doing this to defend is some huge undertaking? Anyone can kill it."
"Th...!? "
"Furthermore, aren't we aiming to be the top in the world? Sooner or later we'll be able to kill a White Dragon in a single blow. For the members of Firstest to be making a fuss against this level of opponent."
"In a single blow..."
"Also, I'm sorry for not explaining that you won't die unless you get hit three times by a critical from the White Dragon."
"Is that so!? "
"Seriously! "
Silvia and Eko got angry. I'm really sorry.
It seems that although I was preaching to them with a self-satisfied face, it was my own fault from the very beginning for not informing them beforehand. I'm ashamed.
"Aren't you just angry because you were surprised!? "
"Second! Say sorry! "
"I'm sorry! "
After sharing information earnestly after that, we properly started the hunt for dragons.