Killing more demons meant little compared with cutting off the Demon Lord's claws... The Dimon Kingdom understood that, of course, but the Red Dragon Sorcerer's Life Force exceeded anything they had imagined.
"It's badly wounded. Can't the Legendary fighters from High Mountain City pursue it?"
"Don't underestimate the reserves a Legendary fighter can draw on. Even gravely wounded, they're still terribly dangerous..." Grand Marshal Garkin said gravely.
Fair enough. Annan lacked a clear sense of what it meant to be Legendary. Someone who needed two Legendary fighters to kill him was Legendary, and so was someone like the Old Ancestor.
"...Whatever the case, this is our best chance to kill it. If you won't take it, I will!"
Grand Marshal Garkin regarded Annan's aggressive stance with mixed feelings. "You shouldn't take that risk."
"Where did Nanako flee?"
"...To the frozen lands of the North. It's a dangerous place. Frost Giants, White Dragons, Ratfolk, and demons everywhere. If you want to kill the Red Dragon Sorcerer, you'd have to—"
"You're going to tell me there's a powerful runic sword in the northern wastes, and that I'll gain power when I pick it up but also be cursed? That I'll kill everyone close to me, defeat Nanako but still fall to the sword's corruption, then return during the Victory Banquet to assassinate the King and be crowned?" Annan interrupted.
"No..."
Grand Marshal Garkin opened his mouth, then changed his mind. "You have one chance, Annan."
"The King is holding a celebration dinner tonight. As the greatest contributor to this operation, you'll have a chance to speak. Whether you can persuade the King and his ministers will be up to you."
Annan smiled. "Seems you aren't satisfied either."
A wistful look crossed Grand Marshal Garkin's face. "I was like you when I was