Chapter 73 (1/2)
Volume 1
Atelier Tanaka Volume 3 Chapter 1 Part 5
Conflict 3
It wasn’t long after I left Tricklis that I saw it.
As I was flying through the sky, a gigantic pillar of light appeared way off in the distance. Even from this far away the light was blinding and I couldn’t look directly at it. The pillar pierced through the sky and continued up through the cloud layer. Then, after a few seconds, a rumbling sound caused by the pillar swept passed me and the surrounding landscape.
“What is this now.”
It’s so tall. It’s clearly taller than the Tokyo Tower or Skytree. The pillar originated from the ground and grew higher into the sky to the point where I couldn’t even see the top. Considering how far away it appears to be, it must also be very wide.
It made me think of something Earth would use as its ultimate weapon against an invading alien race. Who would be using an attack like that? And what, or who, would they be using it on?
But either way, there’s no doubt that someone strong is using magic in that direction.
“.”
Anyway, that should be my new destination.
If Ester-chan and the noble mage are together, one of them is likely to be the source of that attack. The likelihood of them not being involved is low. So going there is definitely my best bet.
I corrected my flight path and pointed myself towards the pillar of light.
If this means they’re in a fight, I have no time to waste. It’s possible that this is the noble mage’s magic. If that’s the case, there’s no chance anyone is beating him in a fight, but even when he was fighting the Red Dragon, his magic wasn’t this flashy.
It’s more than likely that the source of this magic is the long-haired man.
“.”
I need to hurry.
All I can do now is fly as quick as I can.
***
[Sophia-chan’s point of view]
Everyone was astonished as they looked at the vaporized castle. Naturally, I was the same. It was some time before anyone was even able to speak.
“N-No wayLiz, you also have a demon with you?”
“Demon? That’s not right.”
“I’m disgusted that I’d even be compared to such lowly creatures.”
This caused Drill-san to become even more impatient.
She seemed to think it was impossible that her castle was just destroyed.
“G-Geros!”
“Master, the magic she used just now. It’s a magic that only the most ancient generations of dragons can use.”
“ancientdragon?”
“I can’t know for sure because of her appearance, but it seems likely.”
“W-What exactly does that mean? Are you trying to say they’re stronger than a high demon?”
“Yes. I have experience fighting against them long ago.”
“Then !”
“However, I would only be capable of beating an ancient dragon that was little more than a larva.”
“If so, don’t you think you’d be able to manage somehow? She looks pretty small.”
“Would you like to try me?”
The Dragon is intimidating.
Right now, she looks like a cute girl, but in reality, she’s a huge dragon with claws as large as me.
The fact that Ester-sama has witnessed the Dragon’s true appearance and is still able to act as her equal is amazing. She’s such a strong person. I feel that she’s a good example of how the nobility should act.
She’s attractive and treats her subordinates and servants like me well.
“You’re acting awfully disrespectful considering how young you are.”
“It really isn’t disrespectful when she’s a far superior being to you.”
I don’t know how Drill-san can act so confident after what she has just witnessed.
“I’ll ask you once more. Who killed Tanaka?”
However, this girl seems to be shaken to the core every time the Dragon speaks. She took a step backwards and glanced over at the horned ikemen.
“U-Umm, that Dark Elf, where did she go?”
“I sincerely apologize, I don’t know her current whereabouts.”
“W-Well, it’s possible she was killed in the explosion that destroyed the castle just now.”
As she listened to the conversation between them, Ester-sama’s ears pricked up once they mentioned an elf.
“Dark Elf? It was a Dark Elf that killed him?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right! I wonder where she went!”
Drill-san began to tremble.
I thought she was overconfident, but at least she’s able to understand the situation she’s in. She’s quickly jumping on the opportunity to show that she and the horned ikemen aren’t responsible for Tanaka’s death, and, therefore, aren’t enemies of the Dragon.
“Doris, find that Dark Elf.”
“Y-You want me to do that? Liz, it would be imp”
“If you tell me it’s impossible, I’ll kill you right here and now in the most painful way imaginable.”
“.”
The power dynamic between these two has completely changed.
“Richard’s daughter, I know this may be pointless to say, but I’ll say it anyway. This conflict won’t end by killing this woman. I don’t know who the mastermind behind this conflict is, but if you kill her, this conflict will change into an all-out war.”
Fahren-sama said this with an indifferent tone.
As a citizen of the Penny Empire, I got nervous hearing his words.
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“If so, then.”
“It doesn’t matter what happens as long as the Pussy Republic is destroyed.”
“.”
Fahren-sama seemed lost for words.
I want Ester-sama to recover after losing Tanaka. However, she’s starting to act like it’s not only okay if she dies trying to get her vengeance, but it will also be okay if the entire country is destroyed.
Is there nothing that can make this work? There’s no chance a stupid girl that was born into a restaurant family like me will be able to come up with something.
All I can do is pray to God.
Pleaseplease, guide Ester-sama in the right direction.
“.”
With this desperate feeling in my heart, I glanced up towards the heavens.
Eh? There’s something up there.
“Eh, umm.”
That’s a person.
***