Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari:Web Chapter 180

Bad Luck

I check the Wrath Shield.

… You have not cleared the conditions to unlock this shield.

I can’t check its status!

And Gaelion’s status is so distorted that I can’t make any sense of it.

“The only thing we can do now is defeat him!” (Naofumi)

“Defeating him is… correct, right?” (Taniko)

Gaelion was able to slip past us and get out of the cave.

He's bigger than 20 meters tall; he looks like an authentic dragon.

His eyes are shrouded in darkness. I can’t read his expression.

I don't recognize any part of him that's similar to the Gaelion we know.

“ＧＵＲＵＵＵＵＵＵＵＵＵＵＵＵ……” (Gaelion)

“Ah… Yes. I’m fine. How have you been?” (Taniko)

Everyone snaps their heads towards Taniko… She’s also at a loss for words. She’s one of the lower level slaves, who has yet to Class-Up.

Gaelion inhales a large amount of air.

He’s going to unleash a Breath Attack.

「Meteor Shield!」 (Naofumi)

I deploy my Meteor Shield, and brace for the impact. The others get behind me.

“I’m going to borrow the holy water for a second.” (Sadina)

Sadina takes her holy water back from Taniko and begins to chant.

“I, Sadina, draw out the power of water to do my bidding. Dragon Pulse, protect my body. 「Saint Aqua Shield」!” (Sadina)

Sadina’s magic envelops the party.

I wonder what its effect is.

“Naofumi-chan, I've protected us in case his flames are able to inflict curses.” (Sadina)

“Thanks.” (Naofumi)

As long as I can withstand his blasts, we stand a chance. It’s not like he could be as strong as the Spirit Turtle.

A pitch black flame spews forth from Gaelion’s mouth, and flies towards us.

It immediately dissolves the Meteor Shield on impact.

W-what!? That shield was able to withstand being trampled by the Spirit Turtle, yet it was destroyed instantly!

The flame continues to fly at me. I deploy the E Float Shield too and block it.

I feel like my body is melting as the shield blocks the attack.

Comparing it's power, this attack rivals the Spirit Turtle’s lightning!

“Saint Aqua Shield was dispelled… What a powerful curse.” (Sadina)

I quickly cast recovery magic and stare at Gaelion.

This is… without a doubt the flames of the Dark Curse Burning S.

Maybe what I was doing was merely an imitation of Gaelion’s power… This is a monster with the true power of the Wrath Shield.

It absorbed Firo’s power, making it even tougher than the Spirit Turtle.

We could retreat now.

But if I run here, then I can’t consider myself a Hero.

Hmm? Did I just think something stupid? Something feels off.

“Rato, if we weaken it, can you get the core from its stomach?” (Naofumi)

“…By getting eaten?” (Rato)

“Possibly, but it might be quicker to cut its stomach open.” (Naofumi)

“After we’re done, we’ll heal it, right?” (Rato)

“LOL. Yeah.” (Naofumi)

Hopefully that'll get the job done. Taniko is desperately calling out to the dragon, but it seems to have no effect. If this were an anime, it'd work, at least a little...

“Then this Onee-san has to work hard.” (Sadina)

Sadina spins her harpoon as she steps forwards.

“Can you do it?” (Naofumi)

“I’ll try.” (Sadina)

Sadina points the harpoon at the sky and begins chanting.

“I who has understood the origin of power command you. Once again be read and come forth. Rain down spears of lightning, 「Draifach Thunderbolt」!” (Sadina)

Upon Sadina’s chant, the clouds overhead darken, and lightning flashes between them. The thunderstorm gathers around Sadina’s outstretched Harpoon.

Dreifach… That's a level above Zveit. For the level 35 Sadina to be able to cast that is remarkable. Could she be very strong?

Her previous level was capped at 40, but I wonder what level her strength was on.

“It’s a bit dangerous, so step back.” (Sadina)

Sadina leans forward, and rushes towards Gaelion.

She’s fast. Though slower than Raphtalia, she’s running at a speed at odds with her level.

「Thunder Impaler!」 (Sadina)

With a loud crack, Sadina kicks off the ground, and launches her harpoon at Gaelion’s abdomen. The moment the harpoon leaves her hands, lightning flashes out, blinding the dragon and keeping it from dodging.

The harpoon pierces Gaelion’s chest…

Or it should have.

Clang!

With a noise not unlike the ringing from my shield deflecting something, and the harpoon impales Gaelion’s skin for a moment, before being launched back in the direction it came.

“Ara… It seems Onee-san’s signature move didn’t work.” (Sadina)

Sadina lands and catches the incoming harpoon while retreating. She rejoins us.

“…So we’re in a lot of trouble unless Raphtalia gets back.” (Naofumi)

The blinded Gaelion covers its eyes with his claws and lets out a moan.

We can experiment with the effectiveness of other magic… But it doesn’t look good for the home team.

But we can’t just sit back forever. Time's running out.

“Count, can’t you do something?” (Rato)

“Even if you say that…” (Naofumi)

It’s absorbed my offense abilities…

Hmm? Absorbing abilities?

It has the powers of the Wrath Shield.

What would happen if I tried to funnel power into it?

“I’m going to try pour power into him.” (Naofumi)

“ARE YOU AN IDIOT!?” (Rato and Melty)

“Wait, Wait. Listen to what I’m saying. Strengthening occasionally fails. What would happen if I made it fail on purpose?” (Naofumi)

“Is that how that works?” (Melty)

“Yeah, I think the dragon is drawing power from my shield, blocking all attacks… I might be able to destroy his defenses.” (Naofumi)

“Got it.” (Rato)

Gaelion unshields his eyes, and starts looking for us.

It’s only a matter of time until we’re found.

“Let’s retreat for now, and fight it again later.” (Naofumi)

“It will definitely stay in its territory.” (Rato)

“Probably.” (Naofumi)

I activate the Portal Shield…

…It’s not letting me select a destination.

Eh? Could it be that the abnormal flow of magic in the area is blocking the skill!?

“I can’t teleport. We have to make a run for it.” (Naofumi)

“I don’t think it’ll let us.” (Sadina)

Sadina points upwards.

Gaelion is floating directly above us. We’ve been found.

If we wanted to flee here, we would need Firo. Without her, it’s impossible.

“ＧＹＡＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯＯ！” (Gaelion)

He swoops down, and tries to slash at us with his massive claws.

I step forward and take the attack.

Pain runs through my body.

It’s not as severe as with the breath, but it’s still hurts.

I deploy the Meteor Shield, but it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through.

Following his claws comes a whip from his tail, and then his fangs.

All of which send intense pain coursing through me.

“Count! 「Zveit Heal!」「Faust Guard!」” (Rato)

Rato casts support magic. It saved me. I don't have the flexibility to cast it on my own.

“Then, Melty-chan. Try casting Choral Magic.” (Sadina)

“Eh… But…” (Melty)

“You too, Taniko. Help Melty-chan. Your magic should be more effective that the standard magic we're using.” (Sadina)

“Y-yeah.” (Taniko)

“I’ll take the front. Melty-chan, work on tuning and synthesis, you need to focus on support. Let’s go.” (Sadina)

Sadina and the others prepare their casts, and I open up the Wrath Shield strengthening window.

I have more than enough resources.

Wrath Shield +7 → +8. Do you want to carry out this reinforcement?

I select 「Yes」.

Warning, if this reinforcement fails, the reinforcement will fall to +0.

I ignore the message, and select 「Yes」 again.

You have successfully reinforced your Wrath Shield to +8.

Damn! Why did it have to succeed here!?

Beep…

I timidly look up at Gaelion.

His scales shimmer briefly. In an MMO, when you enhance a weapon, it usually glows for an instant like that.

Why must I be so unlucky?

“U-um, Count? He… seems to be getting stronger.” (Rato)

“Ah, the strengthening succeeded.” (Naofumi)

“Are you an idiot!?” (Rato)

“Yes, I’m sorry.” (Naofumi)

“You’re acting so nonchalantly. Count, there’s something wrong with you.” (Rato)

“I know. If we don’t beat Gaelion soon, I don’t know what will happen to me.” (Naofumi)

I try to strengthen again.

I select 「Yes」 again.

You have successfully reinforced your Wrath Shield to +9.

…

Shit.

Gaelion’s attacks start to pierce through my defenses.

This pain is ratcheting up so sharp.

I'm bleeding all over.

“Count!?” (Rato)

Is this shield… trying to kill me!?

If the next attack succeeds, we’re screwed!

We’ll get devoured.

I button mash 「Yes」.

Do you want to carry out-

You have successfully reinforced your-

Gaelion’s massive tail is swooping toward us.

He shines for a moment. If this hits me, I'm going to start seeing stars.

Gaelion’s mouth is gaping open. At this rate, we’ll be swallowed whole.

I continue the button mashing!

You have failed in reinforcing your Wrath Shield to +11!

I hear the sound of shattering and the Wrath Shield reinforcement fails.

Gaelion’s scales darken, and his attacks get visibly weaker.

He positions himself to devour me, and picks me up in his teeth and tries to bite down on me, to no avail.

“Get off!” (Naofumi)

I wrench his maw open with all my strength. I fall to the ground.

This finally looks like a battle we can fight.

Translator Note

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