The Third Dragon-Slaying Sword God

Roxy's pupils shrank to pinpoints, and her face went pale in an instant. The shadow that swept over her head was an enormous adult Red Dragon covered in blood-red scales!

With its gaping maw open, it roared at Cain, who was focused on using wind magic ahead of it, and unleashed a long stream of blazing fire.

"Cain!"

Covering her mouth, Roxy cried out in alarm. Her face pale, she gritted her teeth and hurriedly raised her staff.

"Damn it, mages, provide cover!"

Zoldat shouted out frantic orders, but even as the mages raised their staffs and chanted at their fastest pace, it was still too late. The Red Dragon was simply too fast in the air, diving at full speed.

"Cain!!!"

Roxy shouted anxiously. She knew it was already too late to cast magic, and could only hope that her voice would reach her disciple's ears.

Good. As long as I maintain this pace, I can land safely.

Cain thought this as he continued using wind magic at full force in midair to offset his falling speed. Then, he suddenly heard Roxy's faint voice from the ground below, calling his name.

Cain's pupils abruptly contracted, and a chill ran down his spine. He sensed an intense killing intent. When he turned around, scorching dragonfire was already right before him. The Red Dragon, breathing flames with its entire body covered in red scales and its face twisted ferociously, was diving toward him at high speed.

"Tch!"

Cain frowned in irritation. The Red Dragon's dive was incredibly fast, but once Cain reacted, his draw speed was far faster. After all, he was the Second Sword God of the Sword God Style. Across the entire continent, fewer than a handful could surpass his reflexes and drawing speed.

Demon Blade: Instant Void was drawn at the speed of light. Time around Cain seemed to freeze as he crouched, aimed at the searing flames, and unsheathed his katana in a full-powered downward swing!

Sharp Battle Aura collided with roaring flames, carving a graceful crescent-shaped slash through the air. It cleaved through the scorching dragonfire effortlessly, splitting both the flames and the fire-breathing Red Dragon in two.

"Roaaar!" The Red Dragon let out one final agonized howl as blood gushed from its severed body and both halves plummeted straight down.

But the Battle Aura also tore through the air below him. The price of that attack was that Cain's descent became even faster. He frowned and aimed both hands downward, but with a boom, before he could cast any magic, he and the massive Red Dragon corpse crashed straight into the snow.

"Cain!!!"

Roxy ran anxiously toward where Cain and the Red Dragon's corpse had fallen. Layers of snow had been blasted up around them, dancing through the air. She pushed through the curtain of snow, her panicked face filled with worry.

She charged into the swirling white snow and saw the enormous crater their impact had left behind. Unable to help herself, she swallowed hard, gripping her staff tightly as her body trembled slightly.

Cain, you idiot disciple! You absolutely can't die! Aren't you the Sword God? If you die just like this...

Before Roxy could see what was happening inside the crater, a familiar voice came from within it.

"Teacher Roxy, I'm not going to get taken out that easily. Don't look like you're about to hold a memorial for me..."

"Could you at least have a little faith in me?"

Cain was kneeling on one knee, his katana buried deep in the ground with only its hilt exposed. Looking at Roxy, who had rushed over with delight in her eyes while continuously wiping hot tears from the corners of them, he smiled helplessly and let out a small sigh of relief.

"Idiot disciple!!"

As she spoke, Roxy wiped away her tears and jumped into the crater. Without saying another word, she threw her arms around Cain's half-crouched body.

Ow! Ow! Ow! You don't need to hug me that hard, Teacher Roxy! What did I do to offend you!?

And don't just throw your staff around...

To Cain, that was no different from a soldier throwing away his rifle...

While falling through the air earlier, Cain had adjusted his posture at the last possible moment and crashed feet-first into the thick snow. Fortunately, the Red Dragon had attacked from a height of only thirty or forty meters, so it had not been too high.

Cain had coated his entire body in Battle Aura to offset part of the impact, then used the most fall-resistant posture possible to withstand the rest.

"Teacher Roxy, while I'm very happy to see you again, could you please cast some healing magic on me first? Right now, um, I'm a little injured..."

His left calf was fractured, his right thighbone was cracked, and the hands he had used to cast wind magic were not in good shape either—his wrist joints had dislocated. His legs had borne nearly all the impact. Fortunately, he had treated them in an emergency and forcibly reset his dislocated wrists.

Back in Sword God's Holy Land, he often suffered injuries like these when sparring with his master Gall. They were not a big deal.

Still, even with the bloodline of the Undying Devil Race and near-immortal healing abilities, it would take him several minutes to recover. Luckily, the ground below had been covered in snow. Otherwise, these would not have been such minor injuries.

Hmm, it would be nice if I had a suit of armor to protect my body...

Cain pursed his lips and lowered his gaze to his legs, which were bent beneath him as he knelt on one knee, unable to stand due to the fractures. Battle Aura was good for attacking, but its defensive capability was much weaker. Moreover, his Battle Aura was rather special, making its defense far more fragile than ordinary Battle Aura.

As for mana, there was even less to say. Other than casting flashy magic, it could not even enhance his body.

"S-Sorry, but it's wonderful that you're all right, Cain."

Roxy wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled, as happy as a child who had lost a beloved toy only to find it again.

"I'll have to trouble you, Teacher Roxy."

Roxy nodded slightly, her expression turning serious again as she placed her hand on Cain's back. Seeing the burn marks across the left side of his hand, she pursed her lips and began to chant.

"O merciful Mother of Gods, please mend this person's wounds and grant him a body whole and unharmed!"

"Intermediate Healing Magic!"

Green light appeared in Roxy's palm. The scorched flesh on Cain's right arm rapidly healed, and along with waves of warm relief, Cain felt much of the pain fade away.

Roxy cast Intermediate Healing Magic, then prepared to cast it once more.

"How amazing, is this healing magic?!"

"If you want to learn, I can teach you. But for now, please get some proper rest."

"Mm, thank you, Teacher."

After finishing the healing magic, Roxy smiled, turned her back to him, and crouched slightly. When she looked back at Cain, there was a touch of gentleness in her eyes.

"Do you want your teacher to carry you?"

"N-No, that's not necessary... I'm the Sword God of Sword God's Holy Land, after all. If someone sees us..."

Seeing Cain scratch his cheek, his face slightly red, Roxy rarely got to see this side of her outwardly cool disciple. The corners of her lips rose, and she could not help feeling a little smug.

Her foolish disciple always acted overly mature. Seeing him blush so shyly now was quite cute, a charming contrast that made her want to tease him a little.

Roxy was taller than Cain, so carrying him was not a problem. After all, Cain was only twelve and not very heavy.

Cain pulled out his sword to support himself as he tried to stand, but the numb pain shooting through his legs made him frown slightly.

"Don't push yourself. We succeeded in this subjugation thanks to you, my adorable disciple."

"Eh... adorable... Master, please don't call me that. It feels strange..."

"Hmm, and who was it that called me a beautiful lady the moment we met?"

With a faint smile, Roxy helped the blushing Cain to his feet. Like a thoughtful older sister, she gently and slowly lifted him onto her back, adjusting her hold. Fortunately, Cain was not heavy, and Roxy could barely manage to carry him.

Her disciple really was impressive. Although he was the Second Sword God and possessed formidable swordsmanship, his feat of slaying three Red Dragons in one stroke made even her, as his teacher, feel proud.