Author: Akashari	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Mui	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

In Aldebaran, the combined magic power released by the sorcerers and wizards, along with the cursed breath exhaled by the dragon itself, was pushed back altogether.

Had it been a living body of an experienced and aged dragon, there might have been a slim chance of survival. However, with the decayed body of Claxton and his limited combat experience, there was no way to overturn the situation.

Thus, the dragon’s body was swallowed by the vortex of magical power that exceeded its physical limits and vanished. The crisis of Aldebaran’s destruction was averted in this manner.

“…And yet, there’s no time to be leisurely, is there? It’s a busy life.”
“There’s no time to complain. What’s our next move?” came the Saint’s firm reply.

As she said, the real challenge lay ahead.

From the dragon, which had been consumed by the swirling mix of dazzling magic and its own cursed breath, a malignant aura began to spill forth—a curse from the ghost ship.

It appeared almost water-like, threatening to scatter across the area with the impact it had endured.

“Saint, prepare for purification as you are.”
“But with it scattered like this…”
“No problem. I’ll gather it all in one place.”

I’d already laid the groundwork. After all, the “Nothing But Junk” wasn’t just a technique for deflecting or reflecting attacks.

I caught the droplets, which were on the verge of becoming black rain, capturing every single one. Not a drop escaped as I condensed it all into a single point in midair.

The total volume was roughly half of Claxton’s body. The ghost ship’s curse, now condensed into a massive water sphere, trembled restlessly, its surface quivering as though trying to escape.

“Ah… I see. So that’s how your technique works.”
“Don’t just analyze it as you please. I’ve been saving this one up.”
“Oh my, showing me something so important? That makes me a little happy,” she teased.
“Can we leave the small talk for later? Holding this thing together isn’t exactly easy,” I shot back.
“Ah, my apologies. Then…”

The Saint pressed her hands together and directed her refined prayer toward the water sphere.

As always, her movements were elegant and meticulous. Magic, after all, depended heavily on the precision of the ritual, and hers was without a doubt top-notch.

“O God who resides in the heavens, grant peace to those who have been scorned. Bring an end to cursed lives and release them from their eternal torment…”

Her prayer was different from the last time I’d heard it. As she spoke, a brilliant light radiated from her body. It was the purifying light that eradicated curses. For someone of her caliber, even a living person could feel their spirit cleansed just by standing near it.

There were probably people who’d pay good money just to witness something like this. If only I could record it—I’d mass-produce it and sell it to believers later.

“…I sense some impure thoughts.”
“Must be your imagination. The purification succeeded, didn’t it?”
“Yes, as you can see.”

The water sphere, bathed in purifying light, began to shrink rapidly, as if the persistence it had shown until now had been a lie. There was no point in resisting here on land, especially against the Saint of Aldebaran. Exposed defenselessly to her holy energy, it had no chance of survival.

Eventually, the remains of the ghost ship—the very source of the curse—were entirely eradicated, its entire mass vanishing as it was flawlessly purified.

“It’s gone. Not a single drop of water left. For all the effort it took, the ending felt almost anticlimactic.”
“No, it’s thanks to your groundwork, Miss Laika. Besides, I don’t think that was the main body. It was too small.”
“…It had a volume about half that of Claxton, didn’t it?”
“Even so, it likely didn’t amount to a tenth of the whole. However, it’s clear we’ve weakened it, and that’s a relief,” the Saint said, pumping a small fist in a gesture of triumph.

In contrast to her optimism, I felt like burying my head in my hands.

I’d thought the fight was too easy, but this was just a fragment? I didn’t even want to imagine the size or threat of the real thing.

“For now, though, we should head back to the city. You’ve slain a dragon and dealt with a ghost ship. Laika, you’re bound to be celebrated as a hero.”
“No thanks. I’ve had enough excitement. You can take all the credit.”
“Oh, but that wouldn’t be——”

The Saint’s words were suddenly interrupted by a blinding flash, followed immediately by a deafening roar that seemed to tear through my eardrums.

Instinctively, I braced myself, but the light and sound weren’t directed at us. Instead, they were the result of a massive explosion in the distance, powerful enough for the shockwave to reach us even here.

“…Saint, what is that?”
“…I’m afraid I don’t know either. But it’s certainly an abnormal occurrence.”

Above Aldebaran, encircled by its sturdy walls, bolts of lightning rained down from the thick clouds that blanketed the sky.

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“Waaaah! Something crazy’s happening back there!”

Just as I managed to dash through the city gates, an explosion and a shockwave—like something out of a sci-fi movie—blasted from behind me.

My master really is something else. It’s like a battle between monsters out there. As frustrating as it is, letting me escape first was definitely the right call. There’s no way I could’ve done anything in that chaos. At the very least, I need to finish the job I was tasked with.

“Uh, Mr. Axioooon! Where are youuu?! My master sent me to find you!”

Not long ago, from the top of the walls, I’d seen an incredible burst of power—a fusion of magic and magecraft—shooting off into the distance. So, if anyone’s around, it’s probably… up there?

“…Huh?” When I looked up, I saw a dark shape in the sky. It was drawing closer… no, falling toward me.

As the distance to the ground shortened, its form grew clearer—it was… a ‘person.’

“Ahhhhhh! Are you okay?!”
“Ugh… aaah…”

Just in time, I instinctively threw out my arms, catching the figure before they could crash into the ground.

Terrible burns covered their body. Their clothes were charred, and there was the nauseating smell of scorched flesh.

Could it have been the dragon? No, Master dealt with that for sure. Besides, burns like this wouldn’t come from being hit by rocks or curses.

“Stay with me! Somebody! Is anyone here?! There’s an injured person! Help!”
“…Huh? What the hell? There’s still someone alive?”

A voice rang out from behind me—gruff, irritated. The gates I’d just passed through were behind me, and there shouldn’t have been anyone there.

“Hmm… it’s not you, huh? So, who killed Noah? Do you know?”

I turned around slowly, careful not to provoke whoever it was. Standing right behind me was a small girl, hefting a hammer so massive it looked several times her size.

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