Chapter 294: 294. March’s Duel

The first strike occurred a few minutes from dawn, just as Euryale had predicted. The dryad was the one to start with a simple vertical strike. Of course, simple was a relative term. The speed was too great for Dallion to see. However, there were two far more important details that he did notice: both March and the guardian were combat splitting, and also the dryad was covered in a faint layer of light, indicating that he was from another world.

This was the second member of an imprisoned race that Dallion had seen to be like him. Going by sheer volume of the dryad race, there probably were hundreds, if not thousands, more just like him sentenced to an eternity of guarding items.

Thinking about it, that could have been the reason the guardian had sent echoes to Dallion. Though, if that were the case, why did he want to get rid of Dallion? If beings from other worlds were inclined to attract each other, the guardian was supposed to help him, not act like this. The ominous phrase of the echo didn’t help, either. Moments after uttering it, the emotional outline beneath the ground vanished. Dallion was unable to tell whether the echo had dissolved out of existence or had just put on some blocking item.

“You’re drifting again,” Eury said. “You sure everything’s okay?”

Discovering a dryad from another world that had a relation with the Green Moon, and that had casually mentioned through an echo that Dallion wasn’t supposed to exist, couldn’t be described as okay in any stretch of the imagination.

“Just thinking about something,” Dallion replied instead. “Why’s March fighting alone?” he changed the subject.

“Because she’s March,” Eury smirked. “She could do anything she wants.”

Dallion stared at the gorgon.

“It just saves time. If you get a guardian who prefers fair play, it’s always good to take advantage. Less losses that way.”

A circular line-slash followed, dealing a minor wound to the dryad, but also slamming against the entire ring cordon of the party. The person in front of Dallion was pushed several steps back, a small crack appearing on the front of his tower shield. Being in proximity to a duel, apparently, was dangerous for everyone.

That is why it’s difficult to become a field commander, dear boy. Nil said. Earning the title general isn’t only for show, it means that one is extremely good at strategic thinking on a large scale. Any mistake could result in casualties on your own side, not to mention that in the real world, damage is permanent.

I get that, Dallion replied.

Roots shot up from the ground everywhere around March. Their goal wasn’t so much to hit her than limit her movement—a tactic that had been used against the previous two dryads. The logical choice was to combine acrobatic and defense skills and leap up to safety. March did nothing of the sort, remaining firmly on the ground—and taking the respective damage—then doing another circular line-slash. This time it was the dryad who leaped out, avoiding the strike.

“You don’t need to heal her,” the guardian said in a voice that only Dallion could understand. “You only risk getting hurt.”

It took less than a moment for Dallion to figure out who the guardian was addressing. The fact that he could was unthinkable.

Lux, don’t listen to him! Dallion thought. You’re doing great. If you get hurt, just get out of there.

The firebird chirped. Apparently, the action had consequences, for the guardian did a series of strikes, aimed specifically at Lux. Their speed was far too great for Dallion to see specifics. However, what he could see were the red rectangles indicating the damage his familiar had suffered.

“He’s aiming for Lux!” Dallioh shouted.

A ball of concern formed within March.

Good, Dallion thought. March had understood exactly what was going on, so now it was her turn to react.

The sword she was holding vanished. Seeing that, the guardian briskly moved back, increasing the range between him and the captain. Both split into dozens of instances. Dallion was barely able to catch sight of five, in each of which March shot at the dryad with her baldebow, only to have the guardian evade them. Clearly, he had missed quite a few, for the attack that followed was unexpected.

A massive ball of sky silver on a chain smashed into the guardian, barely blocked by the wooden shield that formed in front of it. Even so, the strength of the attack was powerful enough to deal a minor wound.

However, the guardian wasn’t the only one hit. Three red rectangles appeared above March, along with the three sharp pieces of wood that had managed to pierce her armor. At this point, the fighters were getting serious.

Everyone from the party stepped back, increasing the ring.

Leaping and twisting like an acrobat, Match grabbed the massive ball, then swung the other part of the chain like a whip, latching on to the guardian’s left forearm. A burst of instances flashed for a moment, ending with the dryad severing his own arm off.

ARM SEVERED

GUARDIAN will no longer be able to make use of its LEFT ARM.

Lux, get out of there! Dallion shouted. At this stage, the battle had become too fast for him to have an adequate idea of what was going on.

The blue flames surrounding March vanished, though that didn’t affect her fight. Vines and the chain kept on bashing against the tower shields, pushing them back even further.

The fight had become so fast that it was little more than a blur, like watching fruit get mixed in a blender. Then, suddenly, everything froze in a perfect image. The guardian was on the ground, March’s sword in the chest. The white rectangle showed that he was at three percent health and decreasing. March herself was barely at twelve.

Lux, go! Dallion thought.

“You win this one,” the guardian said, letting go of its sickle. “A pity. It’s been so long since I talked to someone new. Good luck, Dallion Darude.”

LUNA has been defeated!

Continue on to fulfill the AURA SWORD’s destiny.

A few months ago, Dallion would have been gripped by fear at the guardian’s words. Now, he rather felt extreme curiosity. On the surface, it seemed unbelievable that the guardian’s last words would be addressed to him, especially using his “real” name. However, as Sherlock Holmes liked to say, there was always an explanation, even if it was improbable.

Shield, did you speak with the guardian during the fight? Dallion asked.

You got me, the shield replied. I didn’t have to tell him anything about you, though. He already knew it all from the Moon.

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How come the moon didn’t tell me anything about him?

Apparently, it mattered if one was only favored by a Moon or was in its service. Seemed that the Order of the Seven Moons wasn’t only for show—they really could converse with the deities.

I’m not the one to ask, the dryad replied with a shruggy voice.

What did you talk about?

The good old days, more or less. The changes since then. You’ve no idea how many limitations there are. When we find someone interesting who is subject to the same restrictions, we tend to take advantage. Why do you think Harp and I chat so often? There are things we can’t discuss with you even if we wanted. In this case, we talked about my home.

Your home?

Luna was born there as well. And no, I didn’t know him. I was in a pretty big city. It was impossible to know everyone.

That was somewhat of an interesting coincidence, although there was one thing Dallion was sure that the world guardian hadn’t shared—the fact that Luna came from another world.

“Head in the temple,” Agnii shouted. “We’re resting there till evening. Then—” she looked at March “—we’ll see what follows. Gather all equipment that’s left and bring it there. And look out for minotaur groups. Some might try to cross.”

“She’s taking charge?” Dallion whispered to Eury.

“Who else? March is seriously hurt,” the gorgon replied.

As much as he tried, Dallion wasn’t able to tell that. While her health was quite low, there was nothing else indicating she had suffered a major wound—no red rectangles, she had no difficulty standing, even the armor appeared completely unscarred. Looking closer, though, Dallion saw the minuscule grains of fatigue and pain that were forming. The only reason he hadn’t noticed so far was because March somehow managed to make the grains disappear before they became large enough.

“Let’s go.” Eury went onward. “It’s best to rest first. We’ll have more time to ourselves that way.”

While that had its definite advantages, Dallion was impressed how sneaky the gorgon had become. This attitude was completely unlike her. Still, it was better than climbing back down to the cave.

No one stopped Eury and Dallion as they entered the temple. On the contrary, Agnii made a point that they eat and get some rest, especially Dallion. With the guardian gone, the next part of the trip was going to rely on him—that was to say, on Lux—much more than before.

Dallion ordered Lux to heal March, then everyone else before returning, then proceeded to curl up at the base of one of the columns in the main hall. On the positive side, this time, Eury curled next to him. It had been a while since he’d felt her warmth, even if she dozed off moments after they had lied down; after all, there was a bit of pain and a lot of exhaustion visible in her as well.

The battle over, the party went back to common activities. Six people remained outside of the temple keeping guard, while the rest took turns to retrieve and carry back whatever backpacks were left behind.

Hours passed. By the time Dallion woke up, everything useful was piled up in the temple. People were sleeping everywhere, a few were reading scrolls or scribbling something on pieces of parchment.

Is that what passes for entertainment? Dallion asked.

Yes, unless you’re a noble, Nil replied. Or willing to spend a lot of money. Then you can buy opera echoes.

If I become rich, that’s the last thing I’ll do, Dallion laughed.

“Eury,” he whispered.

The gorgon’s snakes moved faintly about, their eyes still closed. Normally, she was a light sleeper, waking at the slightest sound. Whatever she had been doing during her scouting, it had been quite exhaustive.

“Eury?” Dallion shook the gorgon gently. Still no reaction. Waiting a while longer, he carefully moved her arm off his shoulder, then stood up. “It’s fine,” he whispered. “Sleep a bit. I’ll look around and be right back.”

Why are you talking to her while she’s asleep? Nil asked.

Just in case she isn’t, Dall replied.

Unlike the previous two temples, Dallion went directly for the corridor he knew to have the wall carvings. For the most part, they were as expected: scenes of the moons and the dryads worshipping them. The Moons were still eight, though there was nothing unusual about them. Just to be on the same side, Dallion made a mold of all their depictions and sent them back to his realm.

At least you’ll have found a use of another of the rooms, Gen said. I haven’t found anything on the eight, by the way. Neither has Nil.

Think it has something to do with the sword world?

That’s a given. Other than that, we’re clueless. Nil is going through the poetry scrolls again, but it’s a long shot.

I guess we’ll wait for the next one.

“Here you are,” a familiar voice said nearby.

Dallion briskly turned around. Agnii was standing at the start of the corridor.

“Been searching for you. I need to have a word about the next part of the trip. The trick you pulled back there with the firebird. It’ll be quite useful.”

“Oh? Cool.” Dallion smiled. “Useful for what?”

“Useful for crossing the sea.”

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