ZAP – Chapter 126: Darkness Dragon Subjugation – Part 1

“Umm… Eugene-sama, where are we headed now?”

“Well…” (Eugene)

I was flying over a battlefield with cannonballs flying all around on the griffon that the boy Miguel summoned.

Miguel-kun’s homeland, Greta Island, is a third-class nation in the Blue Waters Federation.

Although its status as a country within the Federation is low, the title of summoner allows some degree of freedom as a reserve unit.

Thus, I am accompanying Miguel-kun as his assistant.

The islanders of Greta Island are devilkin with the blood of demons and are all devoted followers of the Demon Lord, Erinyes.

It has been discovered by all the islanders that I am the contractor of the Demon Lord, which is why Miguel-kun addresses me as Eugene-sama.

“Shall we try approaching the Darkness Dragon Glasya Labolas?” (Eugene)

“T-That’s not possible!! My summoning magic can’t handle flying through cannon fire! And right now, the Dragon Knights of the first-class nation, the Dragon Country, are dealing with the Darkness Dragon. If we get in their way, it could become a national issue!” (Miguel)

Countless cannonballs and attack spells were flying below us.

It would be extremely difficult to avoid all of them.

“Alright, let’s think of something else.” (Eugene)

The idea of approaching the Darkness Dragon alone was discarded.

At the same time, the word Dragon Knight made me think of a friend from the Legendary Hero Department.

(Should I look for Claude…? Sun Magic: [Mana Detection].) (Eugene)

It’s one of the spells used by angels that Eri taught me.

It’s also known as the Eye of Heaven.

One of the roles of angels is to monitor the mortal realm and their mana detection is far more precise than that of humans.

Amidst the immense mana and miasma of the Darkness Dragon…

And the hundreds of thousands of Federation soldiers and mages…

And the thousands of magic cannonballs and attack spells flying around…

(…Found him.) (Eugene)

I detected Claude’s mana.

I hadn’t been consciously using this ability at the Lykeion Magic Academy, but it’s quite handy.

I thought he might be on a Flying Ship somewhere, but it seems he’s riding a wyvern, looking for a chance to attack the Darkness Dragon.

“GWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

The Darkness Dragon’s roar echoed.

“Miguel-kun, let’s try heading there.” (Eugene)

“Huh?! T-Towards the Darkness Dragon?!” (Miguel)

“Yeah, a friend of mine, a Dragon Knight named Claude, is over there.” (Eugene)

“Isn’t that the Hero of the Dragon Country?! I’ve heard that he attends the Lykeion Magic Academy… So he’s a friend of Eugene-sama?” (Miguel)

“Your country wouldn’t have a problem if it’s to assist the Dragon Country, right?” (Eugene)

“Yes! That’s right. Let’s go.” (Miguel)

Miguel-kun pulled hard on the griffon’s reins, and we soared high into the sky.

◇◇

“What are you doing here, Eugene!? Coming all the way out here…” (Claude)

Claude was visibly bewildered after seeing me and Miguel-kun.

It is to be expected.

“I’m here to help subdue the Darkness Dragon.” (Eugene)

“It’s not about subjugation; the goal is to drive it away…” (Claude)

Claude was holding a sinister crimson spear.

—Dragon God Spear.

The national treasure of the Dragon Country, a cursed sacred treasure.

It is said to be the only spear that once repelled the Darkness Dragon.

I fought against Claude, who wielded this spear, during the martial arts tournament at the academy, but he must have been holding back then.

If the spear had been at its full power, the entire arena would have been blown away.

However, the spear’s power comes at the cost of the wielder’s life.

The spear, cursed by the blood of the Darkness Dragon, devours the life of its wielder.

(At least, that’s the common belief…) (Eugene)

“Hey, Claude. Can I borrow that spear for a moment? There’s something I want to check.” (Eugene)

“What? But…” (Claude)

It would be unreasonable to expect him to hand over the national treasure of the Dragon Country so easily.

But I need to touch it directly to confirm.

“If you can’t lend it, just let me touch it for a moment. I might be able to figure something out about the curse on the Dragon God Spear.” (Eugene)

“Even the Academy Principal couldn’t break the curse, you know…” (Claude)

I touched the spear despite his doubt.

–And I was certain.

“Claude. I know now.” (Eugene)

“Know what?” (Claude)

“This spear… The Dragon God Spear is not cursed.” (Eugene)

“HAH?!” (Claude)

Claude shouted in disbelief.

It’s no wonder he’d react that way after being told that centuries of legends were wrong, but I’m sure of it.

No wonder Principal Uther couldn’t figure it out. It’s not cursed from the start.

“But this spear has taken the lives of its wielders over generations!” (Claude)

The wielder of the Dragon God Spear is chosen by the spear.

And once used, the wielder loses their life.

It’s a well-known story.

But that’s not due to a curse…

“They were using it wrong.” (Eugene)

As I said this, I recounted what Eri had told me.

◇Last Night◇

“Hey, Eugene♡ I came☆”

“Eri. Haven’t you been showing up in my dreams a bit too often lately?” (Eugene)

Recently, the Demon Lord has been appearing frequently after I go to sleep.

That alone would be fine, but even in dreams, she would drain me, so I don’t get any rest even while sleeping.

“What~? It’s not like I want to come into your dreams either~. I’d much rather it be in person. So hurry back~.” (Eri)

She playfully kicks me with her slender, white leg.

It doesn’t hurt since it’s a dream.

“I’ll come back as soon as I deal with the Darkness Dragon.” (Eugene)

“Really~? You better not be making a new girlfriend over there.” (Eri)

“Unthinkable.” (Eugene)

Besides, with Sumire, Sara, and even my childhood friend Airi around, just the thought of seeking another is terrifying.

“Then I’ll be waiting for you. By the way, if you’re going to fight the Darkness Dragon, you should learn how to properly use the sacred treasure made from the Dragon God’s fang.” (Eri)

“Um, is that the Dragon God Spear?” (Eugene)

“Humans call it that. And you said it was cursed, right?” (Eri)

“Yeah, cursed by the blood of the Darkness Dragon to drain the user’s life…” (Eugene)

“A sacred treasure won’t get cursed by just the blood of a Great Demonic Beast.” (Eri)

“But it actually…” (Eugene)

The stories of the spear taking the lives of its wielders have reached even the Empire.

“Listen. The Dragon God is an entity also known as the Prime Dragon, the first dragon born in the universe, said to have once fought against the Sun Goddess Althena and the Spirit User Evil God. A sacred treasure made from its fang wouldn’t be cursed. In fact, it’s not something humans should be able to use in the first place.” (Eri)

“What do you mean?” (Eugene)

“Basically, it was that kind of weapon from the start. It’s not cursed; it’s a sacred treasure with the Miracle Magic to Exchange the Wielder’s Life for Power. That’s the true nature of the weapon you call the Dragon God Spear.” (Eri)

“That’s… unbelievable.” (Eugene)

It’s hard to believe.

But Eri, who was once an angel, wouldn’t lie.

“By the way, there’s a way to use it without losing your life.” (Eri)

“Huh?”

She said something astonishing.

“Want to know?” (Eri)

“Please tell me!” (Eugene)

When I said that, the Demon Lord flashed a sadistic grin.

“Fufufu, then, even though it’s a dream, you have to satisfy me. And once you return to the academy, you’re not allowed to pay attention to any other girls aside from me for a while♡” (Eri)

“…G-Got it.” (Eugene)

Was Eri always this possessive?

It seems like Eri was satisfied with my answer, she revealed the method.

“Listen closely. To wield a sacred treasure, you need Divinity (Anima). And for humans, Anima is equivalent to their life force. So, only an entity beyond humans can wield it. For example… us angels☆” (Eri)

She said with a wink.

“Then I, who inherited my mother’s angel blood, can…” (Eugene)

When I said that, Eri made an X with her fingers.

“Unfortunately, that’s impossible. The Dragon God’s Spear is probably made to be wielded only by the followers of the Dragon God. The sacred treasure can’t be used by humans to begin with. If they can use the Miracle Magic that allows them to wield it by sacrificing their life, there must be some restriction in place. Hey, Eugene, don’t all the knights of the Dragon Country worship the Dragon God?” (Eri)

“I’ve heard that the Dragon Country worships a local god, not one of the Seven Goddesses of the Church.” (Eugene)

“Knew it. That’s why you won’t be able to wield the Dragon God Spear.” (Eri)

“I see…” (Eugene)

For a moment, I thought there was hope.

But there was no such sweet story.

“So, I’ll teach you something special, Eugene. You’ll be mine and not those little girls’ for a while, right? You understand, don’t you?” (Eri)

“…Yeah.” (Eugene)

I felt like I was sinking deeper into some strange mess.

“And the method is…” (Eri)

But I had no other options, so I listened closely to the knowledge the Demon Lord shared with me.

◇◇

“Claude, what if there was a way to wield the Dragon God Spear without losing your life?” (Eugene)