Thanks for the invitation. I'm in Type-Moon, inheriting the legacy of Zi-O.

"Although there are parents, I have never heard of a distinction between male and female." Hoping she was now focused on the battle, Orion's answer was as brief as possible.

"Parents?" Upon hearing Orion's answer, the curious Mashu couldn't suppress her curiosity about knowledge and moved closer to Orion.

"Hmm." Only when faced with this kind of knowledge would Orion not reveal his shameful nature. "The wyverns were not born from a toothed dragon species like wyverns, but from a dragon species that was even more advanced. Rather than calling them parents, it would be more accurate to say that the wyverns were their subordinates."

“…Then…for example…something even bigger than a wyvern…?” Mash looked somewhat reluctant as she watched Nianzhuo, who was fighting, recalling her less-than-pleasant memories of Orleans.

“…Well, that’s true…” Orion didn’t continue, leaving everyone in suspense.

"So, if we defeat the wyverns that are our subordinates, it will agitate them...?" Mash was completely unable to calm down, constantly looking around for any strange dark shadows. "Or... will we provoke them...?"

"...Hmm, they probably won't let us off the hook..." Orion had lost his confidence and only dared to stay next to Artemis.

“…Master, please have Nencho-san released immediately…!” Mash leaned closer to Ritsuka, still somewhat hesitant in her advice, “Collecting the dragon scales isn’t urgent, but what if we attract their so-called ‘parents’ again…”

“Apologizing to them now won’t do any good, let alone whether they can understand it or not.” Mash smoothed her slightly messy orange hair and said calmly, “Besides, this isn’t our first time fighting a boss, Mash.”

"How come I didn't know about this routine!" Mash couldn't help but shout, while gritting her teeth as she looked at Nianzhuo, who was alone in the midst of the dragon horde. "...Alright. Mash Kyrielight, strike again!"

“…Something’s coming.” Nian Zhuo, who had been fighting them all along, understood this fact even more and decisively chose to conserve his strength and retreated to the ground.

Few wyverns remained, but only about half of their scales were still intact.

The remaining bipedal dragons howled in agony, desperately flapping their wings, trying to get as far away from these ruthless dragon-slaying demons as possible.

At the same time, their escape was not entirely due to the intimidation caused by Nian Zhuo's strength.

as well as……

A dark shadow was cast on the ground not far away.

Its entire body was covered in dragon scales that shone with a heavy metallic luster, and its size was many times larger than those of the bipedal dragons.

That must be their true head, their 'parents,' the true dragon offspring.

However, in Nianzhuo's view, it was completely inadequate.

"Really, having witnessed Fafnir's true dragon form..." Recalling the near-death battle in Orleans, Nian Zhuo still felt lingering fear even now.

However, those terrifying scenes that left a lasting impression on you also tempered your will.

"And what it couldn't defeat, I have now become even stronger." Looking at the dragon roaring angrily, Nian Zhuo couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth hidden under his mask.

"Therefore, you will also become a cornerstone on my path to becoming stronger!"

“An unknown dragon species!” Nian Zhuo then turned to look at everyone.

Please, everyone!

"Don't worry, this is a truly rare and genuine dragon!" Drake said excitedly, raising his flintlock pistol.

“…Hmm,” Asterius nodded, a longing smile appearing on his face as he gripped the double axes in his hands.

"Me...? Don't you believe me, a goddess?" Euryale drew back the golden bowstring, her expression saying 'I'll kill you,' which made Nianzhuo smile bitterly.

"Don't worry, Mr. Nencho!" Ritsuka looked at him solemnly. "Mash, everyone, and I are here."

"Mash Kyrielight, strike again!" With her shield raised, Mash was as reliable as ever.

"Alright, here I come!" Using the power of the locust coin, he increased his jumping ability.

With both claws extended, Nian Zhuo's figure soared into the air.

That's just as I wished.

The dragon's massive body flew through the air, casting a shadow that symbolized destruction.

However, the enormous dragon eyes were fixed on the small figures on the ground.

However, something seemed to be commotion on the ground, and Long's eyes suddenly narrowed.

It was a human wearing three-colored armor who actually jumped from the ground towards me!

Is that the jumping ability that a Servant should have...? Before I could think any further, golden claws appeared in front of me, as if they wouldn't stop until they took my eyes.

"Roar—!" A loud dragon roar burst forth from the dragon's mouth.

The rising air currents, even mixed with some magical power, crashed into the humans who were trying to attack them.

"I have to say, they truly live up to their reputation as dragons..." Feeling the powerful thrust of the airwave, Nian Zhuo's sudden attack had to come to an end. "Dragons, they can generate a large amount of magic power just by breathing..." Recalling the descriptions of this species he had learned at Chaldea, Nian Zhuo finally gained a clearer understanding of this race. "I never imagined that even an ordinary, unremarkable dragon could do something like this!"

Subsequently, thanks to the enhanced vision provided by the OOO Armored Eagle Coin, Nian Zhuo was able to clearly see the azure magic power gradually gathering into a ball of light in the dragon's mouth, transforming into blazing flames.

"...Oh no!" Mash and Ritsuka held their breath, watching the dragon flying in the sky stop in their tracks, bending their necks to unleash its blazing flames.

There were no more points of support in the air to move, which meant I had to forcibly withstand this attack? — The flames of inner struggle reignited, and Nian Zhuo gripped the Time Gun Sword in his hand.

"Then let me see! How much have I improved since Fafnir!" Nian Zhuo's eyes, hidden beneath his mask, were fixed on the fireball in the dragon's mouth that was gradually becoming brighter.

Nianzhuo took the OOO watch face off his waist and placed it on the Time Gun Sword.

The body, which had been outstretched, gradually curled up, as if it were gathering the power to explode.

"Finish Time—!" The red, yellow, and green rings gradually and firmly encircled the blade.

Both sides are accumulating strength, waiting for the moment when it will truly erupt.

"Heh-ah-!" Then, Nian Zhuo made the first move. The three-colored rings instantly enveloped each other and formed a huge circle. Nian Zhuo slashed the three-colored sword energy towards the dragon above.

"――!――!" Perhaps a step too late, the flames in the dragon's mouth shone brightly. Then, it raised its neck high and poured out a torrent of magic from its mouth, crashing into the huge tri-colored ring that was flying towards it.

"—!" A violent explosion erupted, and flames and the ring continued to confront, scorch, and collide.

Finally, a huge fireball formed in mid-air, bringing a bright flash.

"Quick! Mash, and Asterius too. Now!" For some reason, or perhaps instinctively, Ritsuka immediately called out to the two bewildered Servants, "Mash, set up the shield and throw Asterius up there!"

"Huh...?!" Mashu paused in surprise for a moment, then immediately realized what Ritsuka was trying to do, and placed her shield on the ground. "Please step on the shield! Mr. Asterius!"

“…Hmm.” Asterius nodded simply, his muscles tensing as he stomped heavily on the shield Mash had raised.

"Ah—!" Then, Mash raised her shield with all her might.

Asterius's figure also flew into the sky along with this force.

However, before he could reach the height of the dragon, Asterius's upward leap began to gradually decrease.

“…No, it’s still a little short.” Mashu’s breathing was a little disordered. “I’m sorry, Mr. Asterius’s physique is beyond my imagination…”

"It's okay, it's not your fault." Ritsuka wasn't worried at all, and she bit her thumb and looked confidently into the air.

"...Someone will pick him up and take him up."

“…Hmm?” Gazing at the enormous fireball in the sky, Nian Zhuo sensed the sound of something piercing the air below.

Looking down with curiosity, and using the eagle's vision, I could clearly see Asterius's enormous body gradually slowing down.

“…I see.” Instantly understanding what Ritsuka wanted to do, Nianzhuo smiled and reached out to Asterius beneath him. “Quick! Grab me! Asterius!”

“…Hmm!” With a simple reply, Asterius reached out and grasped the golden hand armor of Nianzhuo.

"Holy crap—!" A tremendous pulling force came from below, and Nian Zhuo was already struggling to cope with the enormous weight of Asterius. "But—it's not the time for me to be unable to handle it yet!" Then, Nian Zhuo forcefully swung his arm.

Drawing a semicircle in the air, Nianzhuo and Asterius instantly switched positions.

Asterius was continued to be thrown towards the dragon by Nianzhuo, while Nianzhuo used the thrust of Asterius to accelerate its descent.

"――！――！" Finally, Asterius reached the level of a dragon. Seeing the strange look in the other party's eyes at the mid-way change of personnel, Asterius did not hesitate to draw the double axes on his back.

Then, raising it above his head, Asterius tensed the muscles in his arm and slashed at the dragon's back.

Instantly, the splattering hot dragon blood and shattered scales hit Asterius's face.

Instead of closing his eyes, the fiery dragon blood was the best catalyst for Asterius.

The force in his arm increased further, and the axe blade was even deeply embedded in his flesh.

"――――!" The dragon roared, accompanied by intense pain, from its mouth.

But nothing could change that; it could only keep shaking its body, trying to shake Asterius off.

However, the two axe blades embedded in the flesh were the best anchors, so Asterius continued to apply force without hesitation, causing the dragon's massive body to begin to fall.

It desperately tried to flap its wings and fly, but then two more flashes of light came from the ground.

The silver and golden arrows struck the joints of its own wings precisely.

"—!" The sudden powerlessness caused the dragon to completely lose the initiative, and it could only let Asterius smash it into the ground with force.

"--My turn!" Landing on the ground, without having time to check if he was injured, Nianzhuo placed the OOO watch face back on the driver at his waist and then flipped it over.

"Mash, please—!" He ran towards Mash.

"Yes, I'm ready! Mr. Nianzhuo!" Mash, who had regained some of her strength, also stood ready, raising her shield.

Both of them stepped on the shield, but the huge difference in weight between Nian Zhuo and Mash almost made her feel uncomfortable.

"Drink up—!" Then, raising his shield, Nian Zhuo flew towards the dragon in mid-air once again.

"Asterius! Run!" Nianzhuo shouted loudly, looking at the berserker on the dragon's back, so as not to hurt him.

“…Hmm.” He glanced at him, then the berserker’s eyes returned to their usual expression. He pulled the axe blade from the dragon’s back and quickly jumped away, landing on the ground and creating a crater.

"Finish Time! OOO!"

In the sky, following the direction of Nian Zhuo and Long Zhong, red, yellow, and green circles reappeared.

“TaToBa Kick--!”

One by one, Nian Zhuo passed through the three circles, striking the dragon's head with colorful flames.

"—!" A muffled thud echoed as two figures fell.

I have to admit, you are stronger now.

The dragon's massive body crashed heavily to the ground, but it could never stand up again.

This battle was not only a victory for Nianzhuo, but also a victory for everyone.

“…Although this isn’t the first time.” Walking to Nianzhuo’s side, Mashu looked at the lifeless dragon lying on the ground and sighed with difficulty, “Fighting dragons is still exhausting…”

"Ugh, why did I have to get dragged into this too..." Orion looked regretful, his clothes covered in dust from the flying splatter.

"Hmm." On the contrary, Asterius comfortably pulled his two axes from the ground, looking extremely relaxed. Presumably, the battle with the dragons had given him a rare chance to stretch his muscles.