────Despair.

That single word was enough.

The shadow towering before us, one of the seven dragons that look down upon the world, was a mere remnant of the Shadow Dragon's power. A leftover, so to speak—nothing but the residue of the dragon’s overwhelming magic. And yet, its strength was incomparable to the familiars we had just faced. Even as a remnant, it still possessed the will of the Shadow Dragon. It wouldn’t appear before humanity, even whimsically, without a clear purpose. This dragon had a reason to be here.

What was that purpose?

The answer was evident if I faced reality head-on.

“Big Brother!!”

“Alice!!”

Alice—Alice Bradley, my younger sister. Why was the Shadow Dragon, using familiars and even its remnants, so intent on claiming her? The reason remained a mystery. But one thing was certain: from this moment onward, we were at odds with one of the seven transcendent dragons.

Even without witnessing it firsthand, such an act was reckless, impossible, and absurd. A mere human fighting against a calamity capable of toppling entire nations overnight?

────Ridiculous.

Normally, anyone would dismiss the notion and flee without hesitation. I certainly would have done so during my first life. Back then, I would have abandoned my precious family and clung to life, surviving through sheer cowardice. But now, faced with this foe, I couldn’t simply turn away.

Because it was a dragon. A transcendent species that looked down on the world. Facing such a creature, no one could remain sane. It wouldn’t be strange to lose one’s mind to fear. Abandoning family might even seem justifiable.

“Damn it…!!”

Even so, abandoning my beloved sister wasn’t an option.

I tried to stand up to save Alice, but pain wracked my entire body, as if my limbs were on the verge of breaking apart. Clenching my teeth, I forced myself to ignore the pain. If only for now, I had to feign composure and keep my mind sharp. That feigned clarity allowed me to rise, glaring up at the shadowy remnant.

“Don’t push yourself, Clay. You’re already at your limit…”

“Hah! Compared to my usual training, this is nothing. Honestly, the old geezer’s regime was tougher than this.”

“You’ve got a mouth on you… So, you’re really okay?”

“Yeah.”

The old man and I exchanged light banter as we stood side by side. The other knights, overwhelmed merely by the remnant’s magic, had lost their will to fight; some had even fainted. Only the old man and I could still stand. And even we were severely wounded and drained from the earlier battle—not remotely in a condition to fight the Shadow Dragon’s remnant. But we had no choice.

────Not that it would’ve mattered. Even in perfect condition, we wouldn’t stand a chance. So, what difference did it make if we were battered and broken now?

It was bravado. False courage to deceive myself into believing we could still fight. Without it, I might have ended up like the other knights. But I clung to it. This wasn’t the time to falter. As I resolved myself, a voice resonated within me.

[It has been 200 years since I’ve walked among humans in this form… It seems this era, too, has its share of formidable individuals.]

“──!!”

I instinctively braced myself. The voice didn’t echo in my ears; it slithered directly into my mind, an unsettling sensation.

[Guardian of the “Blood,” I shall claim your precious princess. Know that any further resistance warrants death.]

“Like hell you—”

“Stop, Clay! Don’t respond!!”

Reflexively, I started to yell at the loathsome voice, but my words were cut off. Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me.

“Urgh… gah—!!”

Unable to hold it back, I vomited something from deep within—bright red blood. Just trying to speak had rendered me unable to stand. My vision blurred as consciousness began to Feid.

[To think a mere whelp like you would dare snap at me… However, I shall acknowledge your tenacity. Not that I’d stoop to consuming a wretched thing like you.]

The remnant gazed at me with what seemed like amusement. There was no anger, only genuine curiosity mixed with a faint disdain.

[A Regressor, and in this era no less… And this remnant is tied to the Chronomancer, is it? Just what is that meddler plotting now?]

It was as though the dragon saw through me—my essence, my very being. No, it did understand everything. This was no ordinary opponent but a transcendent force capable of unraveling the world’s mysteries.

[Leaving such a distortion unchecked is bothersome. Even a minor aberration is still an aberration. Better to nip it in the bud. Besides, interfering with that annoying Chronomancer would be rather amusing.]

The remnant bared its fangs, directing its wrath at me. Its shadowy blades surged forward. Evading was impossible; I could see the attack but lacked the strength to move. Death was certain. Everyone present knew this—except for one man.

“Who said I’d just sit idly by? No one lays a finger on my precious disciple.”

At the last moment, the old man deflected every blade. His movements seemed sharper than ever.

[Guardian of the “Blood,” I warned you. Futile resistance merits death.]

“Shut up, you shut-in bastard. You’re just an empty shell, a hollow husk. I’ve dealt with stronger remnants of the Seven Dragons before. Compared to them, you’re nothing.”

[What?]

It was a cheap provocation, but it worked. The Shadow Dragon clearly showed irritation at the old man’s words.

[Such arrogance… It seems you truly wish to die.]

“I’ve no intention of dying by your hand. Now, return my beloved niece.”

[I told you—your “princess” belongs to me. That is final.]

There was no warning. The clash erupted suddenly, shaking the entire forest.

“You should’ve given up when your lackeys failed,” the old man growled.

[I always take what I desire. I’ll have her, no matter what.]

“Like hell you will!!”

The battle intensified. Staying to watch was sheer folly; even the residual force could kill ordinary men. The knights, realizing this, fled en masse.

“Run, Clay!!”

“I’m staying here.”

“Clay?!”

“Gordon, take the others and go.”

Gordon, still barely conscious, tried to carry me along with the other knights as he made his escape. However, I refused. Staying behind wouldn't mean I could fight. Even if I could fight, I would only be a burden.

“──Damn it! Don’t you dare die! I’ll come back for you, I swear!!”

Even so, I felt compelled to witness my master in his full glory, to see this moment through.

“I’m finally warming up──!!”

A shock reverberated through the entire forest again. The power was evenly matched; the old man stood his ground against the remnants of the Shadow Dragon. However, it wasn’t without cost.

The shadows wielded by the remnants of the Shadow Dragon seemed infinite. Every shadow within the vicinity was under its control, relentlessly closing in to crush the old man. In an instant, blood spurted from his body, large and small wounds appearing everywhere.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha──!!”

Each time, he laughed loudly and accelerated his movements. The Shadow Dragon, as if deciding the game was over, went in for the kill.

“──Perish.”

The attack was clearly of a different caliber, impossibly dense. There was no way to avoid it. It was a desperate blow, and I felt despair. But still, the old soldier did not fall. Even as blood poured from his body, he stood firm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

──I can’t understand it.

The Crimson Blood Magic was the strongest in melee combat, its endurance unmatched, its sustainability unrivaled. Knowing that, I still couldn’t comprehend it. How could that old soldier stand there so calmly?

“You’ve got some gall… Quite capable for a ‘Guardian of the Blood.’ What’s your name?”

“Feid Bradley. Not that it matters. I probably won’t be the one facing the real you.”

“Indeed. Just embers—you will never reach me.”

“Even embers are enough to snuff out dregs like you. Let’s end this.”

“Hah! Very well. In honor of your strength, I will take your strike without resistance. If you cannot erase me, then accept your death with dignity.”

The remnants of the Shadow Dragon suddenly dropped its guard entirely. It was a blatant show of underestimation, the attitude of a predator secure in its dominance. It was the arrogance of one who looked down upon the world.

“Damn dragons… Always spewing the same nonsense. Regret this all you want──”

In that instant, the air grew taut. The ambient magic wavered, converging at a single point. A violent compression, it coalesced into a storm-like manifestation around the Crimson Blood Soldier.

“Crimson Blood Overlord: Bloodroad!”

With the activation of the old soldier’s magic, the entire area turned crimson. It was one of the Bradley family’s secret arts, among their most powerful spells.

“Ah──”

It was a chaotic barrage of blood magic, utterly violent. Though it lasted only a few seconds, it felt like an eternity. I was moved by the sheer ferocity of it.

In my first life, I had only known of this magic as a concept, never witnessing it firsthand. To wield it myself was an impossibility. I lacked the skill and achievements to even dream of it. That I could witness it in this moment filled me with awe.

“──Hmm. It seems your words were true. Well done...”

As the bloody violence ceased, the remnants of the Shadow Dragon appeared before us, more than half of its form erased. It was too late for it to recover; it would inevitably vanish. Even so, the Shadow Dragon remained composed and even pleased.

“Just as promised… Begone, damn you…”

The old soldier, on the other hand, was on the verge of collapse, his breaths labored.

“Of course. This is my limit. But before I go, I shall give you a curse-blessing. It would be a shame to leave you alive.”

“What──!?”

Shadows enveloped the old soldier and violently invaded his body.

“Ah─GAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

“Serves you right. You overreached, and this is the result. You should have stayed in your place──though, well enough.”

Watching the old soldier writhe in unbearable pain, the Shadow Dragon laughed in delight.

“For now, I shall withdraw. But know this: I will claim your princess. This is proof of that promise.”

“Ugh… Gahhhh!!”

Next, Alice groaned in anguish.

“Until we meet again in my true form, valiant 'Guardian of the Blood.'”

And with that, the dragon, who looked down on the world, vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. A stillness fell over the scene. The calamity had passed.

“──”

The old soldier, who had been radiating killing intent until now, collapsed to the ground.

“Master!!”

Dragging myself along, I tried to reach him and Alice. But it seemed I had reached my own limit. The fact that I’d stayed conscious this long was strange in itself. My body had long since reached its breaking point. Staying awake was impossible.

"Not… here… Not like this──"

Suddenly, my vision darkened, and my consciousness slipped away.

Thus, the encounter with the dragon was concluded.