Our intervention didn’t turn the tide of the battle as much as we’d hoped.

"I’ll draw one away! You’ll have to take care of the other one somehow!"

"Understood!!"

There were two of the Shadow Dragon’s minions in total, while there were only about ten of us. At first glance, it might seem like we had the numbers advantage. However, these weren’t just any opponents—these were the minions of the Seven Dragons, each of them massive beyond reason. A single movement from them would fell trees and carve great craters into the earth.

In truth, our numerical advantage meant nothing. These creatures were far stronger than any other monster in this forest. A handful of ordinary knights could never hope to bring them down.

Why are the minion of the Seven Dragons even here in the first place!?

"────!!"

"Dammit!"

While dodging a wide swipe from a massive claw, my mind swirled with confusion.

The Seven Dragons—apex creatures of this world, embodying absolute power. They carry within themselves the laws of this world and immense wisdom. Sometimes, they bring chaos to the world; other times, they deliver tranquility. They are true natural disasters, appearing so rarely in the realm of humanity that the last known interference was centuries ago.

And yet, here I stood, facing not tales of legend, but the real minions of the Seven Dragons.

What is happening here?

In my first life, I never encountered the minion of the Seven Dragons. Not once. I’d never even heard a story about them appearing in Bayralell Forest or attacking knights during outdoor training. It’s the kind of event I’d remember clearly, even from childhood.

This means that because I avoided my previous life’s ruin and took a different path, this future has been altered. These dragons appearing here must be a consequence of those changes.

"You’ve got to be kidding me...!!"

If it really is my fault, then this is no laughing matter. Not long ago, I had blamed my granduncle for everything. But perhaps the blame lies with me instead.

Focus! Now’s not the time for distractions!

"Seriously...!!"

Losing focus here means certain death. These two enormous creatures towering before us are no ordinary foes. So far, no one has suffered fatal injuries, and our front line is barely holding.

I don’t need to worry about the old man. Even if he’s fighting one of these monsters alone, I can’t imagine him falling so easily. He won’t lose. I’m sure of it.

The real problem is us.

The rest of us are trying to take down the other dragon, but we’re lacking a decisive blow. It’s not just that we can’t land a solid hit—there’s barely any opportunity to attack at all. And even when we do, it’s almost meaningless.

Without a strike from someone like my granduncle, it’s nearly impossible to defeat these things. But waiting for him to finish his fight and come help us isn’t realistic.

We have to act. Fast. If we don’t bring this one down, Alice will remain in danger.

And that’s something I can’t accept as her brother.

Why are these creatures after Alice, anyway?

The question I had shoved aside rose back to the surface. The more I thought about it, the more questions came. They spiraled into a mire of confusion, muddying my thoughts and slowing my reactions.

"────!!"

"Damn it────!!"

The sky above me darkened. I looked up just in time to see a massive claw descending. My hesitation had delayed my dodge. The edge of the claw grazed my side, sending shockwaves through my body. A slightly different angle would have killed me outright.

"That hurt like hell...!!"

In the midst of this heightened tension, my thoughts began to blur. My body moved on instinct alone. It hurt like nothing I’d ever felt before, but it wasn’t fatal. As long as my head stayed attached to my body, I could keep going. I wasn’t at my limit yet.

Push harder. Move faster.

Thanks to constant use, my blood manipulation was now fully under control. My circulation was perfectly tuned for peak performance. My body could handle any speed. My blood was boiling with adrenaline.

"You think I’ll let you walk all over me, you shadowy bastard!?"

I push myself to the limit, going full throttle. Accelerating the blood and magic coursing through my veins, I draw out the maximum reinforcement my body can muster. My movements leap several levels in speed. Ignoring danger, I launch myself forward.

"Clay!?"

"Huh... Wha—Look out...!?"

It’s an outrageously reckless solo action that even confuses my allies fighting alongside me. But I had no choice but to rely on this method now. Leaving Gordon and the others behind, I alone draw the attention of one Shadow Drake, a dragon of the lurking shadows.

"Let’s see if that big body of yours can keep up!"

"────"

I slice relentlessly at its impenetrable hide, but it shows no signs of being affected. Worse, my sword is losing the battle against the dragon’s tough exterior, quickly chipping and wearing down. A few more strikes, and it’s clear the blade will break. Even knowing this, I don’t let up my assault. I can’t stop now. My blood is boiling, screaming at me:

"Kill it."
"Crush it to pieces."

"I’ll split that oversized neck of yours in half!!"

In a flash, I maneuver behind the dragon, racing up to its neck and driving my blade into it. The moment I strike, a pathetic metallic clink rings out, followed by the dull thud of a human being swatted away.

"────!!"

"Ugh──── Agh────!?"

"Clay!!?"

I hear the frantic shouts of the knights watching. I want to yell back, “No problem!” with a smirk, but I can’t.

──── Crap.

I can’t breathe properly. I’m aware I’ve been sent flying through the air. I know I’ll hit the ground defenselessly if I don’t do something. But my body refuses to move an inch.

"Ugh────!!"

As expected, I slam into the ground without managing a proper landing. Blood gushes from my mouth, surging up violently from the depths of my body. Even an adult would find this blow fatal. For a child like me, the result is obvious.

"──── Ha... Haha…"

And yet, inexplicably, I find myself smiling. My whole body screams in agony as though every bone is fractured. Part of me even wonders if I’m going to die right here. Still, somehow────

"Hahaha... Hahahahaha!!"

I can’t stop laughing.

To an outsider, I must already look like a corpse. They’d think there’s no way I could stand again. Normally, they’d be right; no one could move in this condition, let alone get up. But me? I can stand.

Why is the Bradley family’s bloodline magic, Crimson Blood Arts, known as the strongest in melee combat?

It’s because of our unparalleled endurance, resilience, and toughness. The unique nature of Crimson Blood Magic makes it so that the more we fight, the more we get hurt, the deadlier we become.

──── All my fractures? I’ll patch them up with Blood flow Manipulation. Sure, I’m losing a lot of blood, but it’s not enough to kill me just yet. Wasting it like this is a bit of a shame, but I’ll make use of it soon enough. If I run out of blood, I’ll supplement it temporarily with magic.

"Alright, time for a counterattack."

Satisfied with my maniacal laughter, I toss away my broken sword and, in an instant, halt all the blood scattered around me.

"Iron Blood."

I harden every drop of blood under my control into a substance tougher than steel and gather it into one concentrated mass. Earlier, that old man said it was almost impossible to take down this monster without him. "Almost" means it’s possible if you push hard enough. By throwing everything I’ve got at it, even if it kills me, I can sever this shadowy dragon’s neck────

"Blood Axe of Decapitation!!"

──── It’s possible.

A massive crimson battleaxe materializes out of nowhere, gleaming under the moonlight. I grip it tightly, rushing toward the Shadow Drake’s neck at blinding speed. Nothing stops me as the axe cleaves clean through its massive neck in one swing.

"Off with your head!!"

"GRUAA────!!?"

The dragon’s death throes turn into silence, replaced by the sound of its severed head crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

"UOOOOHHHHHH!!"

There’s no mistaking it—those triumphant roars belong to Gordon and the knights.

──── I’m at my limit...

Taking down one of those cursed dragons was immensely satisfying, but I no longer had the energy to celebrate. I’d completely drained my blood and magic. It’s a miracle I’m still alive.

"Oof...!?"

I collapse onto the ground unceremoniously, letting out a pathetic yelp as pain surges through my body.

"──── It’s over now!!"

"GRUAA────!!?"

It seems the old man is wrapping up his fight as well. Predictably, he takes down the second dragon, though he’s unusually injured this time.

"Alice!!"

"Uncle────"

With the second dragon defeated, Alice is finally freed from its tail’s grasp. The old man tries to catch her as she’s flung into the air, but he doesn’t make it in time.

"──── Kyah!!"

"What────!?"

Just as he’s about to reach her, shadows from the ground suddenly envelop Alice. Everyone freezes in shock, despair written on their faces.

"What in the world... Are you telling me the remnants of the Seven Dragons are appearing now...!?"

The old man mutters bitterly, staring at the figure that had appeared out of nowhere. A being formed entirely of shadow, utterly devoid of any sense of life. Yet, there it stood, undeniably present and active.

"What the hell is this...?"

This shadow’s overwhelming power and presence dwarfed the drakes we’d been fighting moments ago. Unlike those pathetic imitations, this creature was undoubtedly part of a dragon.

It seems the real boss has finally shown up.