12 days passed since Megadeth was defeated, which were spent preparing for the next fight.
All strongholds of the Demon King's Army had been destroyed, so there were no Demon Generals left to Level Up faster. Allen regretted not keeping some alive, but that was hindsight.
That strategy's success revolved around being swift either way, as taking a break would give the enemy time to react. All in all, it had been best to exterminate the enemy.
As a result Kurena and Haku returned to the S Rank Dungone to Level up, quickly reaching Level 90 and becoming stronger than they were when fighting Megadeth.
-Kurena and Haku's general stats:
[Name] Kurena
[Age] 16
[Talent] Dragoon King
[Blessings] Arbiter God (Medium)
[Level] 90
[Strength] 9656 + 9600 (True Dragon Heart) + 12000 (True Heroism)
[Mana] 5531 + 4800 + 12000
[Attack] 11188 + 9600 + 12000
[Endurance] 7362 + 9600 + 12000
[Agility] 9401 + 9600 + 12000
[Intelligence] 4850 + 4800 + 6000
[Luck] 6619 + 9600 + 12000
[Skills] Dragoon King (6), True Dragon Riding (6), True Dragon Sword (6), True Dragon Smash (6), True Dragon Blazing Slash (6), True Dragon Scale (2), True Killing Slash (7), True Phoenix Blast (7), True Healing Sword (7), True Supreme Sword (7), True Heroism (2), Limit Break (6), Deep Impact (Limited) (6), Swordsmanship (7)
[Name]: Haku
[Species]: Dimension Dragon
[Form]: Infantile
[Rank]: S
[Level]: 90
[Strength]: 30623 + 20000 (Dragon Claw)
[Mana]: 22423 + 20000
[Attack]: 38823 + 20000
[Endurance]: 30628 + 20000
[Agility]: 38823 + 20000
[Intelligence]: 20863
[Luck]: 20874 + 20000
[Special Skills] Dimension Breath, Light Breath, Hellfire Breath, Chewing, Tearing, Stomping, Presence Sensing (6), Dragon Eye (4), Breath Resistance (6), Magic Resistance (6), Physical Resistance (6)
[Awakened Skill] Dragon Beat
Kurena's Talent Level had reached 6, giving her more stats to fight the Dragon King.
But Haku's growth was even more impressive now that he was Rank S.
He gained many resistances, and his stats were closer to a Demon Great General's.
He also gained an Awakened Skill like summons.
"Haku, don't use [Dragon Beat] because it can be dangerous."
'Gyau!'
Haku replied firmly. They had tested using it in the S Rank Dungeon, but he lost control.
Now they were ready and headed to the Dragon King's temple.
That was an important fight, so Dogora and Shea joined them, and they all went to talk to the guards in front of the Dragon King's temple.
"Thank you for coming. The Dragon King is waiting for you inside."
"Thank you, take us there."
'Gyau!'
Haku followed triumphantly after Allen. The guard led them inside and upstairs, to the large hall where the Dragon King stood, which was big enough for an A Rank dragon to fly inside.
The Dragon King had been waiting for this day 3000 years, and Megadeth said that he had not left the pedestal in that entire time.
Thousands of dragonkin warriors were also in the temple, all armed.
"I'm sorry, but the Dragon King ordered that only the dragon and Rider pass here."
They stopped at the hall's entrance, only Kurena and Haku could enter to fight.
"Huh? Wait, no…"
Allen already knew that would happen, but he decided to act nervous.
"Please understand. Not even us guards can enter the hall now."
Everyone had left the hall except for the Dragon King, so he would not have help either.
"...I see, I guess that's it then. Kurena, Haku, good luck."
Allen said he would wait for them outside.
"Okay!!"
'Gyau!'
The guards seemed relieved that they would not have to use force to stop Allen from entering.
When Megadeth told Allen they would have to fight the Dragon King, he sent a Bird F summon to the Dragon King's temple, and had witnessed Megadeth's visit to the Dragon King.
Afterwards the Dragon King had told all the priests and guards to leave, as there would be a fierce battle fought there. One of the guards suggested they wait in ambush behind the columns, which heavily enraged the Dragon King.
The Dragon King also had Presence Sensing so he seemed to notice Allen's summon, but did not do anything about it.
Kurena and Haku went straight ahead through the temple, reaching the large hall.
The Dragon King waited for them on the pedestal, though his head hung from one edge.
The Gate of Judgement stood behind him, and he raised his head seeing Kurena and Haku.
'So you're finally here. I've been waiting for you, Kurena and Haku.'
"...Mhm."
They started talking while Allen watched through the summon.
'We're about to fight… Why do you look so saddened?'
"We need to get stronger. So we have to get through the gate."
No matter what the Dragon King had to go through, Kurena would not go easy on him.
She always liked swinging a sword around, then she met Allen, and they started playing with Dogora. Then they all went to the Academy and dungeons, having lots of fun.
But then she heard about the Demon King's Army from Allen, and Cecile's brother.
She witnessed the invasion of Rosenheim, and all the horrors of Tiamo.
Elven kids crying and shouting searching for their families, and people who lost everything.
Then they finally defeated a Demon General, Razel, but that did not end things. The Evil Cult began to spread, millions of people falling for them. It had all been part of Kyubel's plan.
And in the end even Shea's brother was killed under the sea.
She had to stop the war somehow, and going to the divine realm could help her get stronger.
Now she was facing an aged dragon who really wanted to go to the divine realm himself.
But she did not feel any anger or resentment from him, maybe he had a reason to go as well.
This was the first time she hesitated to swing her sword, but she also had to win, for herself, and for all her friends. Trying to get rid of that hesitation she voiced why she wanted to go there.
'...Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you pity me.'
The Dragon King also shook off his hesitation.
Flap flap
While they looked at each other, a small dragon with rainbow wings appeared.
'So you two finally got here. Let's start the last fight then, and we'll see who goes to the divine realm.'
He said while grinning, almost as if he was trying to provoke them.
"We'll be the ones going."
'Gyau!'
Kurena and Haku replied firmly again.
'Since Haku has a Rider, this fight isn't fair for the Dragon King.'
Megadeth had mentioned that earlier too, it was not fair for the Dragon King to fight alone.
'So as per the pact, I'll recreate Astel.'
Mana came out from Megadeth's body, forming a magic circle from which a dragonkin walked out.
"Wh-what happened?"
Astel seemed confused.
'Astel, this is the world 3000 years after your death. You'll fight a dragon and Rider now.'
"Huh? What do you mean, Lord Megadeth? Wait, why does Matil look so shabby too?"
'Listen Astel, I've been waiting ages for this day.'
The Dragon King looked at Astel in a different way than he looked at Kurena.
Megadeth then explained in more detail, letting Astel understand everything.
That took some time, and Kurena remained calm waiting for it to be sorted out.
"I see, and that's why I was resurrected."
'You haven't been resurrected. The God of Time and Space is projecting a copy of your body and soul from an instant before your death.'
He had not been brought back to life.
"I see. Somehow I feel awkward now. It's almost like I'm about to ruin all their efforts, aren't I?"
They could not go through the gate themselves, and if they were about to stop Haku and Kurena.
'I see you're as kind as ever, Astel. But what happened to our dream then? Didn't you tell me we would see a brand new world? What about all the blood we spilled to get here?'
That was why Desperado had heard his plea. More than 10000 dragonkin and dark elves had given their lives so the Dragon King and Astel could get that far.
Kurena could feel Astel was kind though, he reminded her of Helmios. Maybe all heroes were like that.
"...That's true. And so, what are the conditions to win, Lord Megadeth?"
That was an important question for Astel.
'You have to incapacitate, kill, or make your opponent surrender.'
"Alright, got it."
Hearing that, Astel looked at the Dragon King, who just nodded in agreement.
"Megadeth."
'What is it?'
Kurena also had a question.
"The thing with the Dragon King and Fabre will be over even if I win, right?"
Kurena wanted to make sure they would be free from that pact.
'Of course. The pact will be over no matter who wins.'
Kurena smiled for a bit hearing that.
"The way you say it sounds like you're sure you'll win. We're strong though, so don't underestimate us."
'That's true. Kurena, you should only be worried about your own dragon.'
Astel and the Dragon King seemed to have the same impression of her.
"We won't lose."
Kurena unsheathed her greatsword, and Astel also held his spear ready.
They were still wearing the same orichalcum equipment they used to defeat Megadeth.
The Spirit King moved from the pedestal for the first time in 3000 years and Astel climbed on him.
Astel swiftly affixed some reins to the Dragon King's neck.
Standing up like that, the Dragon King was around the size of the transformed Megadeth.
Kurena also climbed on Haku and held his reins, while Megadeth flew away to not get caught in the fight.
"Let's go Haku. We'll win and go to the divine realm, Limit Break!!"
Kurena activated her Skill [Limit break].
'Gyau!!'
Haku got excited and started spewing his breath attack. Then he flew into the air and the fight began. Haku started by hovering around the Dragon King, just like with Megadeth.
'Hmph, it doesn't matter where you go.'
The Dragon King swung his tail at Haku, without even needing to look around.
But Haku was S Rank and had enough speed to dodge that.
Then he flew towards the Dragon King's neck.
"Uryaaaahhhh!!"
Kurena used that momentum to attack Astel.
"Ghuh!!"
Astel blocked with his spear, but he still frowned from the impact.
'Ghah?!'
Then Haku kicked the Dragon King's neck, blowing him and Astel away from the pedestal.
They bounced on the floor many times before colliding against a column, which shook the entire temple.
Haku and Kurena stayed on the pedestal, watching them stand back up.
" I can see how you got through the Gates of Trials now. We can't win at this rate."
Astel did not sound distraught as he evaluated Kurena's strength.
'Well, we should show them true synergy as their predecessors then.'
"Yeah, and then we'll go to the divine realm together."
The two said that and began amassing Mana in their bodies. The Dragon King then spread his wings and raised his head, shouting like a loud roar.
'Unlimited Dragon Lord!!!'
The Dragon King's body began to glow and a magic circle appeared underneath.
Astel also shouted loudly.
'Unlimited Dragon Rider!!!'
They both had activated their most powerful Skill.
The fight with Kurena and Haku had barely started.
