The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 348: Dragon Hunt (2)

The warriors of the plains—some of the best hunters in the world—felt their spirits flare up at the idea of hunting once more. They were ignited by an unprecedented sense of purpose.

“If it’s a hunt, we cannot be left out. Lahu tribesmen, deploy the Mist Formation!”

“Hoo!!”

“Hoo!!”

The Lahu tribe, who made their living by hunting monsters in dungeons, grew excited at the word "hunt" and began scattering in all directions.

“Haha... A small tribe is the first to get fired up,” scoffed the chief of the Risu tribe, his face covered in strange tattoos.

“Isn’t your Risu tribe the same?”

“Wh-What?!”

The voice belonged to none other than Swan Mukari, the chief of the Flying Bow tribe and father of Kinu Mukari.

“Keep your complaints to yourself and don’t drag us down.”

The Risu chief snapped his head around, but when he saw it was Swan speaking, he bit his tongue. He knew better than to argue with the leader of the Flying Bow.

“Understood? Even in this old body, I won’t lag behind the youngsters—not in hunting, at least.”

It had been a long time since the chiefs of the Four Tribes of the Great Plains had felt such a rush. At this moment, they all felt as though their youth had returned to them.

“Hmph, no need to tell me! Risu, strike with full force!!”

At the command of their chief, the warriors of the Risu tribe picked up their weapons and charged. Both the Risu and Flying Bow tribes proceeded to flank Python, circling the dragon like a wave closing in.

“Soldiers! Defensive formation!!”

At Anthem Howard’s command, the tribesmen instinctively raised their arms, activating the bracelets on their wrists. Translucent shields emerged in front of them, made from magical devices crafted using the elemental stones from the mana mine.

“Hold the defensive line! Keep your formation tight!”

The warriors formed a shield wall, and those following them planted spears between the gaps.

“The Tu tribe will strike from the rear. Cut off its tail and throw it off balance!!”

The hunters of the plains, who moments earlier had been charging in competition to reach Python first, moved in perfect synchronization with Anthem’s orders.

“Well, well... It’s impressive that even after going back to their roots, they can still follow orders so well. Our young commander handles troops with great skill,” Swan Mukari observed with a hint of admiration in his voice, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“Hunters or not, they must live up to the name of the Free Army. The lord told them to return to being hunters, but not to fight recklessly,” Anthem replied with a faint smile.

Swan Mukari returned the smile. “I do not disregard your methods, but for me, the lives of these people are more important than their dignity as hunters.”

“Indeed, no doubt about it,” Anthem agreed.

The brilliant tactics Karyl had displayed thus far were enough to astonish the warriors of the Great Plains.

“Kinu, let’s go. Now!”

“Yes, sir.”

With one final volley of arrows from the Flying Bow tribe, Swan Mukari and his men scattered across the battlefield.

Seeing the Free Army run them down, an imperial soldier shouted at Bran Gamunt, “We must support them...!”

“Get out of my sight, you insignificant pests...!!”

But Python, consumed by rage, paid no attention to the imperial forces behind him. He roared fiercely, spreading his wings wide.

Whoooosh—!!!

The fierce gale shattered the imperial formation. Each time Python moved to shake off Karyl, he crushed a few soldiers underfoot.

“Aaaargh!”

“Ugh!”

Screams echoed from all directions, and Bran Gamunt, his face pale with fear, shouted, “Retreat! Everyone, return to the fortress!"

“But sir...”

“If we stay here, we’ll be trampled to death by the dragon before we even have a chance to fight. Losing without even putting up a fight like this... I cannot accept such a defeat!”

He bit his lip in frustration. From the moment had Karyl appeared, Bran had sensed the tides of the battle turning against him. However, he refused to go down without being able to display his own strategic prowess.

“Wingel...” Karyl called out in a low voice, still standing atop Python.

“ROAAARRR...!!!”

At Karyl’s command, Revol raised its enormous fist high into the air. The armor on its elbow opened, revealing circular elemental stones that glowed brightly.

Auxiliary propulsion flares engaged.

The magical screen inside Revol’s cockpit turned red as warning alarms blared. Wingel Hart, his face tense, focused intently ahead.

BOOOOM—!!!

With a deafening explosion, a blinding light burst from Revol’s elbow, propelling its giant fist at unbelievable speed toward Python.

“Urgh...!!”

The Red Dragon’s tough scales were crushed under the impact, shattering into tiny fragments that scattered in all directions. But Revol’s attack didn’t stop there.

“I’ll break through the magic shield embedded in the dragon’s scales.”

Wingel rapidly pressed several buttons in the cockpit, and the armor on Revol’s chest opened to reveal dozens of cannons.

All elements confirmed.

Converting the element of magic bullet.

Within the cannons were various elemental stones, rotating like a cartridge until blue-colored Cradlestones were loaded into position.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang—!!!

Revol unleashed a barrage of shots from its chest, dozens of bullets striking Python directly.

“Kraaagh...!! Aarghhhh...!!”

Each hit caused Python to scream in anguish, a stark contrast from his ferocious roars from earlier. The bullets lodged deep into the dragon, breaking through his defenses.

[Whoever made this thing must be insane. They’re pouring an ungodly amount of money into this! Haha!]

Allen Javius couldn't help but laugh in disbelief as he witnessed Revol’s relentless assault.

The elemental stones loaded into Revol’s cannons were all top-tier octagonal stones, each worth an unimaginable fortune. And now, they were being used as ammunition, a luxury even the empire could hardly afford.

The result, however, was undeniable. The Red Dragon’s magic shield was shattered, and its scales were torn off, exposing raw flesh.

Drrrrrk—!!

Wingel Hart yanked the lever in the cockpit with all his strength.

Clunk—!!

Zzzzz—!!

Revol’s leg armor extended and anchored itself into the ground like massive pillars. With a mighty grip, Revol’s massive hand dug into Python’s exposed flesh, ready to rip it apart.

“Ugh!!”

Wingel braced himself against the immovable lever, gripping it with both hands and giving it everything he had.

Hiss!! Hiss—!!

White steam shot out from Revol’s back, and the ground trembled as the giant war machine slowly lifted the enormous dragon into the air.

“...!!”

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“...!!”

Everyone who witnessed the scene stood frozen, their faces filled with disbelief.

“ROAAAAAR...!!”

With a roar that echoed across the battlefield, Wingel lifted Python high above Revol’s head.

“Now, my lord!”

Having been waiting for the right moment, Karyl grasped Lakna firmly and leapt off the dragon’s wings.

“How fast do dragons regenerate? I’m not sure, but losing a wing shouldn’t kill you, right?"

Schraaack!!!

Like cutting through paper, Karyl’s sword effortlessly severed Python’s wing as he descended.

Boom—!!

When the giant wing hit the ground, the earth shook as though struck by an earthquake.

“SCHREEEE...!!”

Python screamed in agony, blood gushing from the stump of his wing. The severed wing twitched on the ground as though it were alive, splattering blood with each movement.

“Y-You...!! How dare you!!”

The excruciating pain left Python reeling. It was unlike anything the dragon had experienced in his centuries of life. His bone was visible from the stump, and the blackened, scorched wound failed to heal.

It was rather ironic that the Red Dragon, wielding the power of flames, would suffer from burns. However, this only meant that Karyl’s attack was not composed of a single elemental attribute.

“Magic knights! Prepare to fire!!” Anthem Howard’s voice rang out, directing the small golems now surrounding the fallen dragon.

The onslaught was far from over.

“Fire!!”

Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat—!!

Tat-tat-tat-tat—!!

The golems’ magic cannons erupted, sending bursts of firepower toward Python. Dirt and dust burst into the air.

“That’s enough.”

As Karyl landed on the ground, he slowly stood and casually swung his sword. A gust of wind cleared the dust cloud, revealing Python’s battered form.

“Gasp... Gasp...”

There was no longer any trace of the fearsome and mighty Red Dragon. Python had been left in a pitiful state, breathing heavily in a pool of blood.

The thousands of soldiers watching the massacre were speechless, unable to believe that a creature so formidable had been so utterly defeated.

“You think... you can kill me... a dragon... with just this?”

Despite Python’s defiance, Karyl simply walked toward the fallen dragon. All eyes were on him.

“I know you won’t die that easily. But don’t you get it? I’m not trying to kill you.”

Python, bloodied and enraged, lunged at Karyl with his gaping maw—a final desperate attempt to tear him apart.

Woosh!

But Karyl’s sword effortlessly cut through his fangs.

“Aaarghhh...!!”

Python screamed again, but Karyl quickly silenced him when he stepped onto his tongue, pressing down on it. He pointed his sword upward.

“But now... things are going to be different.”

Thrust—!!!

Karyl drove Lakna into the roof of Python’s mouth, the blade sinking deep.

“Argh!! Aaaaaargh...!!”

“You’ll soon be begging me to put you out of your misery.”

“Grr... Grghh...”

Python’s strange, pitiful cries filled the air. It was unclear whether the dragon was sobbing or trying to suppress his rage.

“If you want to live, you better start crawling,” Karyl whispered to him mercilessly.