Chapter 233

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

***Bellbrook Subjugation Battle (1)***

As festive fireworks embroidered the sky, cheering from the crowd swiftly turned to screams of terror.

- "Ahhhh!"

- "What is that thing? Ru-run away! We need to escape!"

Standing on the podium in the student plaza, Tanya could not help but shiver at the sight unfolding before her. Above the Sylvania Academy, cutting through the clouds and bathed in the light of fireworks, a shape appeared... unmistakable to anyone—it was the head of an enormous dragon.

Only a minute ago, everyone had been rejoicing in peace, laughing under the veil of festival fireworks. Just one minute later, a dragon, heralding the end of the world, was poised to roar.

As vast as this island was, I knew the name of the calamity that could easily sweep it aside. The Star Fortress Dragon,

BELLBROOK.

The final boss of [Sylvania's Failing Sword Saint] and normally, according to the main plot, it was supposed to appear in the summer when the protagonist, Taely McLore, would graduate, seeking to destroy Sylvania.

- "Aaaah! Monster! There's a monster!"

- "Everyone run!"

- "My son! Bellain! Where are you? My son! Please, someone find my son!"

- "Move! Get out of the way!"

- "To the Mekses Bridge! Hurry to the Mekses Bridge now! It's the only way off the island quickly!"

- "Aaaaah! My leg! My leg!"

The student plaza had descended into chaos, filled with people running and screaming. Within this pandemonium, I looked up at the sky, mingling quietly among the fleeing crowd.

At first, I was flustered. The reason I could stay calm was that this wasn't entirely unexpected. Glascan subjugation, Glast, Lucy, Crebin subjugation battles... not once did events pan out as predicted. I never thought that Bellbrook would keep his promise and come precisely on schedule.

Therefore, while there was time, I hurriedly stimulated Taely to foster his growth and even forced my own magical abilities to improve despite the lack of time.

But even so... no matter what...

"Ed!"

A familiar voice called out amongst the crowd. It was Yenika, who had run out with her parents, also having been watching the final performance in the student plaza with them.

Kadan and Silla, rushing out behind Yenika, shouted upon seeing me.

"Master Ed! You must run now! The sky... in the sky..."

"Ed."

Interrupting Kadan, Yenika said calmly,

"The Star Fortress Dragon Ed spoke of..."

"Yes... It's sooner than expected, but that's it."

Yenika froze, her sentence unfinished.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke to Yenika.

"First, evacuate your parents. There's no point in heading to Mekses Bridge now. With all the crowd, we won't be able to properly use the bridge."

"But, what do we do then...?"

"In this chaos, you, with the ability to evacuate people out of the island, are invaluable. How many can you transport at once with your flight spirits?"

"If I summon a Mid-tier Wind Spirit... I can move ten people at a time... It's exhausting to carry so many over long distances, but..."

"Then evacuate the most important people off the island first. Saving your parents should be your priority, right?"

I checked my gear and relayed only the most crucial points to Yenika.

This was an emergency. There was no time to hesitate.

- "Kaaaaaang!"

Bellbrook's roar, akin to the grating of metal, filled the sky above Sylvania once more.

His form revealed amid the fireworks.

However, that form was strangely different from the Bellbrook I knew.

The dragon was ensnared in chains.

From the sea, only his upper body had risen, but the massive magic chains wrapped around him were pulling him back into the depths.

The seal hadn't fully released.

Was it because it was too early, or was there another external variable?

Different from the Bellbrook in my memories, completely free from the seal, this Bellbrook was still struggling against it.

Bellbrook's furious roar seemed less of fury and more of screaming to break the chains.

He hadn't completely resurrected yet.

Just the sound of his roar made everyone in the plaza collapse.

Magic-laden roars have physical force. But if the distance is far, their impact lessens.

Even from the distant sky, Bellbrook's roars crushed people with overwhelming power, and I realized anew the unbelievable magical strength of Bellbrook.

- "Ahhhhhh!"

- "Save me...!"

Once again, cries rose from the crowd.

Yenika, supporting her parents, looked up at me, intense anxiety on her face.

"What about Ed?"

"First, you need to evacuate those you consider important, like I said. Think about evacuating your parents."

"What about you, Ed?"

Yenika spoke nonchalantly, causing Kadan and Silla to look on in shock, but there was no time to react in detail.

"I'll..."

I gazed at Bellbrook, who, while being dragged back into the sea, continued to roar across the vast sky.

"I need to stop that."

I said it so naturally that even Yenika found no room to argue and simply chuckled.

Maybe that was just like me—prone to saying incredible things.

"As the report states, the number of casualties may... increase."

"Don't panic, secretary Liena. We are the leaders. We must maintain our calm in any situation."

Lortelle Keheln was receiving reports from employees in the Life Block Plaza when she looked up at the sky.

The formidable Starry Sky Dragon, raging and wrapped in chains.

Dozens of minutes had passed since that terrifying spectacle had been revealed.

The sight of Bellbrook roaring with magic-infused cries, struggling to break free from the chains... It was as if he was announcing the end of the world.

It's only natural for humans to be engulfed in fear and try to flee from such a disaster.

It is a calamity that no human force could possibly repel.

However, Lortelle was a woman of calm, maintaining her reason in any circumstance.

With not even a drop of cold sweat, she regulated her breathing to maintain her composure even in this insane situation.

Indeed, Lortelle's composed demeanor helped prevent her employees from succumbing to the chaos, allowing them to regain their senses for the moment.

"Any other reports?"

Dozens of deaths had occurred within the trade company, more than half of whom were veteran merchants.

This was already a major accident. If it hadn't been for the calamity that was Bellbrook, the acting chief of the company might have had to step down due to the catastrophic damage.

Still, Lortelle determined her priorities without a hint of panic.

"Currently, the Life Block is in chaos due to outsiders trying to leave the island and residents scrambling. Particularly around the docks, it's uncontrollable because of the crowds."

"That's evident from looking at the situation. Any other significant developments?"

"Some groups are attempting to restore order," she reported.

"With the Clorel Emperor staying at the royal residences, people around the royal faction are showing organized movements centered on the Emperor."

A royal informant ran to Lortelle and bowed while reporting.

"In the Professorial Block, student Council President Tanya Rothtaylor is gathering people, trying to manage the confusion, and Princess Sella is also coordinating people separately. Headmaster Obel and the faculty are actively moving as well."

"And the Life Block?"

"Centered around the student cathedral where the Telos devotees were holding a prayer meeting, saintess Clarice is managing the chaos. However, without figuring out how to escape this island of Acken, the fundamental disorder will not disappear."

Fortunately, within Acken island, there were influential figures tightly controlling and settling the chaotic crowds.

Centered around the Triss Hall, Headmaster Obel Forcius.

Around the royal residences, Emperor Clorel and Princess Phoenia.

In the Student Plaza, student Council President Tanya Rothtaylor was forming a power base.

Princess Sella was en route to the teaching district.

Saintess Clarice gathering people around the student cathedral.

Maid Leader Belle Mayar gathering staff and VIP students for protection.

And Lortelle Keheln of Elte Commerce Firm firmly holding power over the Life Block.

The numerous people inside Acken Island had managed to form some order by centering around the leaders nearby them. Most were ancient faculty members with academic affiliates or individuals with high standing and authoritative presence.

However, the fundamental disorder had not been resolved, and the absence of an escape route showed no signs of being addressed.

Who knew when Bellbrook, thrashing about in the sky, would break free from the seal and shatter Acken Island to pieces?

There was no time to wait for the huge sailing ships the royal family might bring from the coastal city.

Already, portions of the coastline and cliff areas were collapsing due to Bellbrook's thrashing scales and struggles.

It was good to gather in one's region and prepare a defense, but without managing Bellbrook or escaping Acken Island, only a catastrophe remained.

"How many people can escape the island without using the land routes?"

"Using spatial magic to escape is out of the question due to mana consumption, that leaves only the use of giant spirits or flying magic. Some faculty and students can do it, but... the number is too few to get this massive crowd out...!"

"The royal family has ordered ships to be deployed from the coastal cities. But... obviously, it's impossible to expect them to arrive on time...!"

Given the characteristics of the Sylvania Academy, which scarcely uses maritime routes, at best a few dozen people could leave by boat per trip.

Furthermore, with the crowds swarming at the docks like this, it's safe to say that maritime routes have been effectively paralyzed as well.

A checkmate.

The Acken Island had become a mass grave waiting for Bellbrook's descent, where those unable to do anything would face a terrible death when time comes.

"I've heard they are considering a way to evacuate certain VIPs along with Emperor Clorel first...!"

The most important thing, of course, is the safety of the Emperor.

The royal residence faction would be striving to evacuate the two princesses and Emperor Clorel from the island first.

But Lortelle Keheln knew well the character of Emperor Clorel.

"If I know the Emperor's character... Instead of being in a hurry to escape, he will try to first settle this chaos."

The last flaw of the noble Emperor Clorel remained.

He did not take adequate care of himself, thinking of the national interest and his subjects before his own safety.

Perhaps his sincerity for his people could be seen as fitting of a noble ruler...

Yet, when considering how critical the position of Emperor is, it was not a quality one would call wise.

Regardless of what others may say, an Emperor is a focal point for everyone. Should such a person be injured or die, the chaos would become even more uncontrollable.

Therefore, ensuring one's safety first is directly connected to ensuring the safety of the crowd. That fact shouldn't be taken lightly, but as a noble ruler, Emperor Clorel will attempt to first settle the people's chaos.

Furrowing her brows, Lortelle quickened her pace.

What should be done first?

Establishing the priorities was crucial. As the leader of Elte Commerce Firm, every minute and second of decision-making could save or cost dozens of lives.

"Can we use our ships?"

"There are seven small merchant ships, but all of them have been commandeered... It's uncertain if they can depart at all due to the crowd causing a ruckus on the docks."

"..."

"Well then... perhaps we too should gather people from the Life Block side and join the royal residences..."

- Thump...! Thump...!

- Kaaaah!

Just as Lortelle was trying to sort out the situation, a roar erupted from the sky.

Bellbrook, the beast in the sky, let out another roar.

The magic-infused roar once again traversed the nocturnal sky and resounded through the world as if to tear apart eardrums.

* * *

Following the directive from Obel Forcius, Trix Hall's faculty had rushed into the meeting room with their report summaries.

However, the academy's top authority responsible for overseeing the entire situation, Obel Forcius, was absent.

Instead, Vice Headmaster Rachel Teyslin sat in the principal's seat.

With wrinkles deeply etched on her face, Rachel grimly looked over the assembled faculty.

"Currently, Headmaster Obel Forcius is missing."

A moment where the top authority's leadership was direly needed.

Yet there was only a deputy, with no sign of Obel. So who wrote this directive?

"Until he appears... I will temporarily lead the academy's response."

Rachel inhaled deeply from the principal's chair, then exhaled. There was no time or intention to explain in detail or make excuses.

"Bring all the reports."