Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

220 – Dragon Killer・Dragon

『The qualifying round of the competition in this venue has taken a shocking turn right from the start! Here is the new update!』

The live commentary of this venue was done by a male and a female and the one who shouted just now was the Minotaurus male.

The human female tends to prolong the end of her sentences.

『Ohh. It’s the point announcement that you previously mentioned! Well then, let’s announce it! It is now displayed on the screen!』

1st Place: The Water Hero Wraith Party『1060 Points』
2nd Place: The Flame Hero Fenix Party『1010 Points』
3rd Place: The Scales of Justice Astrea Party『760 Points』
4th Place: The Ash Hero Garo Party『720 Points』
5th Place: The Beast-Controlling Thief Barbatos Party『450 Points』

The reason why the number of points is not considered as the number of people the party has defeated is probably because of the rule of point division.

10 points per contestant defeated. The points are split between the last two people who contributed to defeating that contestant. So 5 points for each contestant.

『This is the first time we’ve tried this, so we don’t know what’s going to happen until we actually try this out… This is one of the interesting points about this Festival, but I never expected this! Looking at the number of points they have earned, I would believe it if someone said that this is the final ranking.』

『Isn’t it strange that the points earned have exceeded 1,000? Even if there are 5,000 points for the 500 contestants, I think that the points would usually be more evenly distributed though.』

『You’re right. A contestant cannot get the points that another contestant has earned by defeating that contestant. In other words, the number of points a contestant can earn decreases as the number of contestants decreases.』

The reason why it became like this is obvious.

『That’s right. Usually, it’s supposed to be a battle where the contestants try to collect points, but at the start of the round, there was large-scale magic exploding in four different locations.』

A significant part of the reason is that the leaders of the top four parties in terms of points earned have used their Spirit Magic to eliminate a lot of contestants while they still had 0 points.

Before the other parties earned any points, these four parties had already defeated many of the contestants.

That’s why we have these numbers before the end of the qualifying round.

When I checked the total points for 6th place and below, there were actually fewer than 30 contestants remaining.

If any of the members from the top four parties got sent off the field, the live commentary would mention it, but that didn’t happen.

So, if we exclude twenty people, then there are only less than ten people left.

In other words, those ten people are the ones that were not defeated even after being subjected to a large-scale Spirit Magic.

『Next is the ranking for the points earned by an individual!』

1st Place: The Flame Hero Fenix『800 Points』
2nd Place: The Ash Hero Garo『605 Points』
3rd Place: The Scales of Justice Astrea『560 Points』
4th Place: The Water Hero Wraith『415 Points』
5th Place: The Black Sorcerer Lem『365 Points』

『Wha!? This is…!?』

『I see…! It makes sense for the leaders of each party to occupy the top ranks due to their large-scale magic, but Contestant Astrea’s points were divided because she left the finishing blow to her subordinates, while Contestant Wraith received the support of Contestant Lem’s Black Magic when crushing his opponents so his points are also divided!』

『But in the case of Contestant Lem, it’s really bizarre that he earned this many points if we take into consideration that he is a support member!』

『For the Adventurers that have a support-type Job, on top of it being hard for them to deliver the finishing blow, it’s also hard to see the effects of their magic. That’s why a Black Sorcerer is treated coldly in the Adventurer industry, but with this kind of rule, their contribution can be converted into points!』

『The element of being simple but excellent is hard to be evaluated in the Adventurer industry since the audience prefers flashy and easy-to-understand performances. However! There is a possibility that future evaluations might be changed with this as an example!』

『That certainly might happen if it could be proven that the non-flashy but excellent support members can make their other comrades perform even flashier and cooler! Whether all the participants in this festival, including those who have a support-type Job, can increase their ranking or not depends on their own contribution!』

『There is also the White Sorcerer Josh in the Wraith party. Looking at the number of points that he has, it seems that he has also made quite a contribution! The heavy attack of Contestant Melania is also standing out. In the beginning, when this party was just created, there were a lot of different opinions about this party, but it was actually the result of the foresight of the leader, Contestant Wraith!?』

While I still paid attention to the live commentary in the corner of my mind, I concentrated on the Giant that is approaching.

『There had been more developments on the battles while we were talking! It’s also our job to talk about what is happening right now!』

『Right! This venue is fun because I get so busy that I don’t even have the time to stop talking for a moment!』

As expected from professional commentators, the two of them talked about what was happening throughout the venue in a light-hearted manner.

『In the western area, which is now a scorched earth area instead of grassland, the Fenix party, and the Garo party have finally met!!』

『In the northern area, which has become a flatland instead of a forest, the battle between Contestant Astrea and Contestant Barbatos has finally reached an end!?』

『In the flooded eastern area, where the Wraith Party is currently reigning supreme! The people approaching their location are the mysterious Giant Garth and the…』

「I finally found you. The Black Sorcererrrrr!!! Lemmm!!!!」

When we saw that person, both Wraith and I spoke simultaneously.

「The Dragon King Valac…!」

I said.

「She’s the Dragon Killer・Dragon!」

Wraith said.

And neither of us is wrong.

『The Dragon King Valac, who is a member of the Barbatos Party and also one of the Big Four of the Western Demon King Castle, is currently running while shouting the name of the Black Sorcerer Lem』

『Wow, this looks like it will be interesting! She is also a world champion in the True・Mixed Martial Arts Competition! Many of you may know her ring name as the Dragon Killer・Dragon!』

If the Mixed Martial Arts Competition is a competition in which people who have mastered different martial arts fight according to the same rules, the True・Mixed Martial Arts Competition is a competition where the boundaries of race are removed as well.

Therefore, depending on the situation, it is possible for a Giant and a Human to fight each other with their bare hands.

It’s hard to say that all kinds of matches can happen considering the industry’s point of view and risk, but the possibility is not zero.

Dragon Killer・Dragon is the nickname given to her after the match in which she defeated a Dragon.

The Dragon in the latter part of her nickname is her race.

However, she is not a pure-blooded Dragon species.

She is a Demi-Human that has inherited the blood of a Dragonkin.

Normally, Dragonkins are humanoids with the head, scales, and tail of a Dragon, just like the Monsters that guard the 8th Stratum of the Demon King Castle.

But her appearance is extremely similar to a female human.

Jet-black long hair, slender but toned body, and eyes that blaze with a fighting spirit.

The characteristics that make her look like a Dragonkin are the scales that can be seen in some exposed areas such as her cheeks and arms and also her tail.

Also her two horns.

She was wearing a tight, one-piece outfit that clearly showed the curves of her body. There was a deep slit in the side, boldly exposing her beautiful, strong legs.

I’ve heard somewhere that the outfit was inspired by outfits from a distant foreign country.

It’s not from the same country as the outfit that Samurai Masamune is wearing.

『But, what kind of connection does she have with Lem?』

「Yeah, yeah, what kind of relationship?」

Wraith said in a cheerful tone.

「I don’t think…I’ve ever met her though.」

The Fenix Party has never challenged the Western Demon King Castle.

There are plenty of Dungeons around the world and we often encounter those.

Even just the Giant alone is already a threat, so it would be terrible if the Dragon Killer is coming here as well.

I poured my Magical Energy into the Holy Sword, refined the magic, and thought deeply about it.

But the mystery was soon solved.

「Even though it was a tag team battle, you defeated Fuu! Show me that strength of yours!!!」

Apparently, that was the case.

「What? Fuu?」

「Since she is talking about the Tag Tournament, I think that she is probably referring to Furcus.」

I said that to answer Wraith’s question.

The Reaper Knight Furcus.

A spear master who serves as the Floor Boss of the 8th Stratum of the Demon King Castle and also one of the Big Four. She is the teacher who taught me how to fight using a sword and is also my opponent in the Tag Tournament finals.

「Ohh, so now the mystery is, what is the relationship between Furcus and the Dragon Killer?」

「Yeah, it’s a mystery for you since you’re from the current generation.」

「…Ah, I see. So Valac is…」

Wraith’s impression of her as the Dragon Killer is so strong that he was slightly slow to remember.

I muttered.

「Valac’s family predecessor was the Monster adjutant of Furcus’ family predecessor.」

As the previous generations of Demon Kings left, many Monsters also left the Demon King Castle.

I can guess from the fact that the 10th Stratum was empty when I was employed there.

A considerable amount of battle strength has been lost.

This included Furcus’ family predecessor and Valac’s family predecessor.

It is not surprising that the successors of the current generation are acquainted with each other.

「There’s no way she would lose against a small fry! You don’t even have a combat-type Job, but you managed to win against Fuu, then just how strong are you!? I’m looking forward to it!」

Her shout was so loud that it drowned out the live commentary.

「Here I gooo-Ugh!」

『Eh…umm…C-Contestant Valac was…trampled on by the Giant.』

Both of them were heading toward the Wraith Party from the same direction.

Then, the Giant Contestant Garth stepped on Valac, who was heading straight toward me.

I don’t know if he did it on purpose or not, but right now I’m more concerned with the fact that…

「She hasn’t been sent off the field.」

Just like what Wraith said.

That damage would have killed even those from other races, let alone a human. However, Valac’s Avatar hasn’t been destroyed.

The Giant’s foot was moving while making a noise.

It was lifted slowly upward, regardless of the owner’s will.

「Watch your step…!!!」

The Giant’s foot was…pushed upward by her.

「Even a true Dragonkin wouldn’t be able to…」

The White Sorcerer Josh muttered in a daze.

Then, Valac continued to turn Contestant Garth upside down.

And that’s not all.

When I realized her figure had disappeared, the next moment she was already soaring high in the sky.

She jumped until she reached the abdomen of the stumbling Giant that was about to collapse, raised her leg near her face, then turned her face toward the sky.

Then…she spewed flames from her mouth.

With tremendous propulsion, she drew crimson traces midair and decided to drop her heel on the abdomen of the Giant.

「Ohh! It’s Reverse Eruption!!」

Wraith’s eyes were shining.

Is he a fan of Dragon Killer?

Instead of erupting from the earth to the sky, the flames erupted from the sky toward the earth and it directly hit the Giant.

The Giant was slammed into the ground like a ball, but the resulting damage cannot be compared to a small ball.

The thunderous crashing sound reverberated throughout the venue and the ground was shaken.

The scene when the gigantic body that was composed of Magical Energy dissipated into light particles was magical.

『With just a single blow! Contestant Valac has used her signature magic Reverse Eruption in this match!』

『Wow. Moreover, the nearby contestants have also received damage from the impact of Garth’s fall. It seems that more contestants have left the field.』

「Ah? They’re so weak…eh, it’s you, huh?」

I cast Black Magic not only on Garth but also on all of the contestants that were at the point of impact of Garth’s fall.

I would have taken all of the points for our party if it was possible, but it’s already good that we got half of it.

Valac seemed to have realized what I did.

「Cast it on me next time.」

「No, no way…!」

Melania jumped out to stand between Valac and me.

「Are you trying to protect your comrade?! I like things like that…but you don’t have enough strength!」

Melania, who is a Half-Cyclops, was hit with a single fist.

That alone was enough to blow her, who was trying to protect me, away.

「Hmm?」

But she won’t get sent off the field.

Because there were two supports created by a single person.

Both were created by Wraith.

First, right before she was hit by the fist, he deployed a water shield to alleviate the impact.

Then, on the wall where Melania was supposed to crash into, he deployed a water ball to catch her.

Coupled with Melania’s sturdiness, she was able to avoid getting sent off the field.

「Josh.」

「Yes!」

I entrusted to him, the White Sorcerer, the recovery of our comrades.

The Magical Energy lost due to the damage that the Avatar received will not be restored, but it is possible to close the wound and heal the injury.

Wraith immediately froze the water shield, but Valac destroyed it with a single swing of her arm.

「Comrades complement each other.」

「Don’t try to say stuff like that, boy. I’m not good with those.」

「I thought so.」

Water was created so that it could be wrapped around Wraith’s short sword-type Holy Sword.

Just before Valac rushed towards us again…there was a huge arm attacking her.

A 10-year-old girl with a different-sized right arm, the Destroyer Fran.

A dull and heavy sound echoed.

It’s the kind of blow that would normally cause an Avatar to burst and disappear or at least blow away those with high durability.

Moreover, Valac was hit by it on her sides that had no protection

But, the Dragon King only staggered for a bit.

「It’s a good punch! But…it’s not heavy enough!」

Fran tried to launch her second blow without giving a break, but this time Valac also responded.

Valac matched her kick to the mysterious arm of the Destroyer.

A sudden gust of wind was generated along with the sound of the air bursting, and immediately after that, only Fran was blown away and she tumbled to the ground.

「Eat a lot and sleep a lot! I expect great things from you!」

『She’s the type that’s absolutely strong. The type of person who comes up with a strategy is not good against this kind of opponent that only has insane strength. Now then, I wonder how my partner will do?』

The black chick Dark said cheerfully.