I didn't respond. I didn't think I was acting like a leader.
"My name is Cinelaria. What about you?"
"Crow."
"Huh. Seems I wasn't the only one planning to have fun with multiple Saintly Sword users. When I abducted that young lady over there, I thought everything was going smoothly. I was feeling optimistic. But it seems I underestimated the situation. I never expected someone to have gathered three Saintly Sword users already. My plan has gone completely awry."
What's with her? She's too talkative.
Despite facing three of us (excluding me, so technically it's a 3 against 1 situation), she's unusually chatty.
Instructor Cattleya, as well as Saffron, have already readied their Saintly Swords and look ready to charge at any moment.
Considering the pale-looking woman in the witch's attire, or rather Cinelaria, it's hard to gauge her true capabilities. However, I can't imagine she would be able to face and defeat three Saintly Sword users simultaneously.
"Can't you see? Why are the three of you following the orders of that clueless boy over there? Are you aware? The power of Saintly Sword users can influence this world. Whether alone or cooperating with others."
"Don't mess with us!"
Instructor Cattleya seemed about to burst into flames with anger.
"The Saintly Swords are meant to assist the Sacred Sword! We exist to aid the hero! You know about the proclamation, right? A hero has emerged in this era! What are you thinking, using the Saintly Swords for your selfish desires in such a situation?"
"You're one to talk, Cattleya."
"What?!"
"How many people have you killed with that Saintly Sword of yours? How many towns have you razed to the ground?"
At that moment, Instructor Cattleya briefly glanced in my direction. It was as if she had brought up a topic Cattleya didn't want to discuss.
"To your allies, the soldiers, and your students, you probably look like a savior or a hero. After all, you've single-handedly burned down rebellious forces opposing the royal family and bandits attacking the common folk. To your allies, you're a blessing, sparing them from death or injury. But to those who became your enemies, you probably look like a demon or the Grim Reaper."
"You've burned and killed those who, out of desperation, joined rebellions or turned to banditry. I don't think there's any woman who has used the Saintly Sword for personal gain as much as you have."
Instructor Cattleya remained silent, looking down.
I may not know the details, but she has been trusted by the royal family for years, serving as a soldier and a Saintly Sword user, and as a valuable asset.
"Damn it!"
She has been an instructor at the Royal Military Academy and is still trusted by soldiers throughout the country.
I can somewhat imagine what she might have done during her active years.
However,
"What part of that is personal gain?"
I asked Cinelaria.
"Instructor chose,"
"Chose what?"
"She chose how to use her power. Even if it meant being splattered with blood, taking on karma, and continually earning resentment. Whether it's rebels or those who, out of hunger, justify killing others for money or food."
"You're saying that's personal gain? Don't make a mockery of our instructor!"
"Crow..."
"Ah, I see... you're one of those people..."
Cinelaria looked at me with deep interest.
"You're good with words... Winning people over and increasing your subordinates. You are..."
"What?"
"Just look at Cattleya's face right now. Despite her age, she has the face of a young maiden."
A maiden's face?
What does that mean?
As I tried to get a look at Instructor Cattleya's expression,
"Ouch!"
I was suddenly punched in the face by Instructor Cattleya.
I fell to the ground, rolling in pain.
I don't think a maiden would do that.
Cinelaria alternately looked at me and Instructor Cattleya with an exasperated expression.
"I'm sorry, but I hate men who are all talk. I can't understand why someone would follow someone weaker than themselves. If I thought there was no chance of winning, I might have surrendered and sought a cooperative relationship. But with just you guys, I don't see a chance of surviving in the future."
"What are you going to do then? If you want to fight, we'll give it to you."
"I've been lacking in exercise recently, so you'll be a good match."
"I'll pay you back for our last defeat. You won't complain about a three against one situation now, will you?" Ignoring me, who was still on the ground, the four Saintly Sword users readied their weapons.
Such dangerous women.
And Instructor,
Was that punch a way of hiding your embarrassment? It hurt so much it wasn't funny.
It felt like my skull was about to cave in.
Suddenly, as I lay on the ground, I noticed something.
The ground was vibrating.
No, the air was trembling.
Is this a sign that something is approaching?
At that moment, I finally understood.
The reason Cinelaria was so composed in a three against one situation.
No, to be precise, the reason she pretended to be so composed.
"Damn it! We messed up! She was just buying time!"
As I shouted and hurriedly got up, Cinelaria burst into laughter. "Exactly right! You made the wrong judgment!"
Cinelaria raised her Underworld Sword Sequence, a Saintly Sword shaped like a scythe. Suddenly, something began descending from above us.
The impact of something massive landing from the sky caused dust to whirl around and a deafening explosion to resonate. The four of us were blown away by the shock of the gigantic entity crashing onto the ground.
After being blown away, when I saw the identity of the massive object that had fallen, I was astonished.
I've seen heroes, divine swords, spirits, and even the likes of zombies.
Having witnessed saintly sword users' unique abilities numerous times and having experienced various supernatural phenomena, my nerves have become somewhat numb. Still, I couldn't believe my eyes.
For the first time in a while, like an ordinary citizen or a regular person, I was stunned by the unbelievable creature that appeared before me.
"...A dragon..."
"...?..."
Behind me, the three Saintly Sword users remained silent, so I spoke up.
Before us stood an extraordinary creature.
Eyes with vertically elongated pupils typical of reptiles.
A massive body covered in scales, with large wings and a tail.
There was no mistaking it; it was undeniably a dragon.
"...That dragon... is it also a zombie...?"
Cold sweat dripped from me as I stared at the dragon before me. The dragon, emanating a stench of death and with a noticeably dull skin tone, was clearly dead.
And Cinelaria was controlling it.
"Well done! Too bad for you. If you hadn't said anything unnecessary and had just let those three attack me without hesitation, you might have won."
Cinelaria said with a broad smile on her face.
Indeed, that was the case.
Cinelaria had summoned this zombie dragon that she had kept hidden at a distance. If she had waited for the zombie dragon to appear at this spot, she would have likely been killed.
If she showed any signs of fleeing, she would have been pursued and killed.
To flee means to admit to the opponent that all measures have been exhausted.
That's why she kept talking to us with an air of composure, misleading us to think she was in control, all the while buying time for the dragon zombie to appear.
"Damn it..."
It's the worst. If only I had stopped the instructor, this wouldn't have happened.
Moreover, I don't know the combat capability of this dragon zombie, but I would likely be the first to die.
In a battle involving Saintly Sword users and what's probably the strongest monster, a dragon, someone like me, with less combat and life force, shouldn't get involved.
I thought I was being cautious, but it seems I was mistaken.
If, during this battle, either Iris, Instructor Cattleya, or Saffron were to die, it would be entirely my fault.
"Now! I went through a lot to get this zombie, and I've always wanted to see it fight seriously! Get them!"
Cinelaria laughed heartily as she leaped and landed on the back of the dragon zombie.