I felt a slight dizziness at the scene before my eyes.
...Wow, there really are two Azure Dragons!
Or rather, two 5-meter-long Azure Dragons... The sight is enough to make one's spine freeze.
I looked at the imposing Azure Dragons with a sense of despair.
...This is impossible to defeat, isn't it? I think the best course of action is to escape as quickly as possible with everyone, but what do the leaders plan to do?
Looking around, I saw a surprising scene.
Hmm?
...Why is Leader Quentin standing face-to-face with the Azure Dragons, only about 10 meters away?
No, in a way, it's incredible!!
To stand against Azure Dragons in a situation where victory is completely out of reach is not something a person with ordinary nerves can do. I'm amazed that Leader Quentin can even stand there. If it were me, I would run away at full speed. Dying won't accomplish anything.
It seems that Leader Quentin's way of thinking is so different from mine that I can't understand it at all!
While thinking this, I frowned and looked at Leader Quentin, and Zabiria suddenly flew over and perched on my shoulder.
"Those two are a pair. They probably came to find a large amount of food before breeding. ...But, that crazy knight is really crazy, isn't he?"
Zabiria sighed in exasperation.
Hmm, the crazy knight is Leader Quentin, right?
"He seems to treat monsters and humans with the same weight. He's willing to risk his life to protect his familiar," Zabiria said.
I was surprised to see that the dragon had pinned the griffin under its claws.
And Leader Quentin was standing just 10 meters away from the dragon, ready to attack at any moment.
Ah, our leaders are truly amazing.
Leader Zachary wouldn't abandon even one of his subordinates. And Leader Quentin wouldn't abandon even his familiar.
I think such leaders are amazing!
"No, Fia, that's not it. They feel responsible for all the knights they lead. If saving one means losing everyone else, it's the height of folly."
"That's true. But don't you think the leaders are trying to save one and everyone? I think Leader Quentin could at least rescue the griffin even if he can't defeat the Azure Dragons."
In the end, if things get really bad, they will choose the minimum sacrifice, but they will try to save everyone until the last possible moment.
I'm sure these two are such leaders.
That's why the knights' morale is always high, and everyone trusts the leaders.
"Yeah, I like such leaders as Quentin and Zachary!"
As I said this, Zabiria sighed wearily.
"No, those two have their good points, too. But to find something admirable in their willingness to fight to the death... Fia, your future partner, chosen by your taste, is going to be a real handful."
"Zabiria, stop putting a strange curse on me!!"
Words have power. What if it becomes true by saying it over and over?!
I shook my head vigorously to shake off Zabiria's curse and rechecked everyone's positions.
One 5-meter-long Azure Dragon was pinning the griffin under its foot. Another Azure Dragon of the same size was behind it.
Leader Quentin was about 10 meters in front of the Azure Dragon, and now Leader Zachary was standing beside him.
About 15 knights and 10 familiars were far behind the two leaders.
The Holy Maiden... I can't see her, so she must have fled somewhere?
...Yeah, the odds are really bad.
Leaders Quentin and Zachary are strong, but they are clearly outnumbered against two Azure Dragons.
I tilted my head, wondering what they were planning, when Zabiria spoke to me.
"...Fia. I didn't tell you, but I used to be an Azure Dragon."
"Huh?!"
Suddenly, an unexpected story came out, and I couldn't help but stare at Zabiria.
"A, an Azure Dragon?! What? D, did Zabiria have a past life?!"
"No, wait. I've heard of this. Dragons live for a thousand years..."
"Yes, a dragon that lives for a thousand years is reborn as a Black Dragon. That's me."
"Wha..."
"So, I understand that you want to avoid fighting Azure Dragons."
Zabiria said this with a reluctant expression.
This was the first time I heard Zabiria say he didn't want to do something.
I can't deny it, or I'd be a bad friend!
"O, of course, Zabiria! Leave it to me!!"
If you were an Azure Dragon, those two are your kind, right? You wouldn't want to fight them, I get it.
I smiled to show that I understood, but Zabiria looked down dejectedly.
"Sorry, Fia."
No, no, I can't let Zabiria get discouraged. I have to do something so that the situation doesn't end badly because Zabiria didn't participate!
I'll do my best! ...As I was thinking this, I saw Leader Quentin move.
"Huh?!" I couldn't help but stare as Leader Quentin took a running start, jumped, drew his sword, and attacked the Azure Dragon holding the griffin.
At the same time, Leader Zachary moved and attacked the Azure Dragon from the opposite side.
Fast! And the sword strikes are sharp!!
I couldn't help but gape at the sharpness of their attacks, which exceeded my expectations.
Especially Leader Zachary, who wields a greatsword. The first strike is always slow.
To maintain the momentum of the sword, it's important not to stop, but he skillfully changes the direction of his strikes and continues to swing.
Ah, he's a master. And to keep swinging that heavy sword, he must have incredible strength.
I was genuinely impressed.
Z, Zachary is amazing...
Even though it's not complete, I've never seen anyone self-learn body enhancement. He has an overwhelming sense.
Is this what they call a genius?
Leader Quentin is also working well with Leader Zachary to attack the Azure Dragon.
Leader Quentin's sword is a longer-than-average bastard sword.
He holds it in one hand or switches to a two-handed grip, landing precise strikes.
The Azure Dragon, which continues to receive attacks, is swinging its tail in response, but the leaders are skillfully dodging.
The enraged Azure Dragon inadvertently lifted its foot, which was pinning the griffin... and in that instant, the griffin took off!
Yes! The griffin is free from its restraints!
The griffin was clearly injured but didn't leave the area. Instead, it positioned itself behind Leader Quentin and flapped its wings in the air.
...What a loyal familiar!
I could imagine that Leader Quentin's love for his familiar was heavy, and this was the result of that love.
I'm glad, Leader Quentin! Love reaches those who can receive it (monsters only)!!
The Azure Dragon, having lost its prey, looked very angry.
Now that it no longer had to hold down the griffin, it would move freely. The other Azure Dragon in the back was also a concern.
The leaders seemed to have agreed and ran towards us, splitting left and right.
"Retreat! Archers and mages, support the familiars!! Everyone, retreat quickly while keeping an eye on the Azure Dragons!!"
The leaders ran to the knights and turned back to face the Azure Dragons, ready to fight.
It seems they are taking the rear to protect the knights.
What are these leaders, really handsome!
To honor the leaders' bravery, I ran with all my might to retreat without getting hurt, along with my fellow knights.
The familiars I brought were mingling with the others, drawing the Azure Dragons' attention and helping the knights retreat. Archers and mages were also providing support.
Just as I thought we might escape, one of the Azure Dragons flapped its wings and flew upward. The other also took off.
The griffin and other winged familiars tried to block their path but were knocked away one by one.
The two Azure Dragons quickly closed the distance with us.
"Th... The Azure Dragons are coming!!"
One of the knights shouted in terror, stating the obvious.
The Azure Dragons approached overhead and dove down.
Even though we were running in the same direction, the knights had spread out, creating some distance between them.
So, it was clear that the diving Azure Dragon was targeting one of the knights—me.
...Looking up, I saw the endless blue sky and the large mouth of the approaching dragon, its sharp teeth gleaming.
Oh, this is bad...
I'm going to be bitten...
Bracing for the impact, I tensed my body, and a blue shadow flashed in front of me.
"Fia!!"
The voice that shouted was either Leader Quentin or Leader Zachary.
Before I could determine whose voice it was, a blast of wind and a cloud of dust erupted in front of me.
Even in the thick dust, I could clearly see a large black shadow.
"Oh... Zabiria..."
What appeared in front of me, protecting me from the Azure Dragon, was a large and beautiful black monster.