The Ember Dragon Chapter 31: Northwind Eagle Guard (2) - Novel Cool

Chapter 31: Northwind Eagle Guard (2)

The Chimera’s dive was complete—its assault had been devastating. In a single charge, it brought down three Eagle Guards, igniting a thunderous roar of triumph from the monsters gathered at Ashen Nest. Even the usually defiant Wyvern, a creature that bowed only to the Red Dragon, lifted its head and let out a proud, echoing screech.

"Roar—!"

The three monstrous heads bellowed in unison, exultant and triumphant. With a powerful beat of its wings, the Chimera surged upward along the rising currents, preparing for another attack.

"Monsters! Your opponent is me!"

A dark silhouette flashed past the Chimera’s flank.

Alje’s masterful horsemanship, combined with the Giant Eagle’s mastery of flight, allowed the bird to ride the turbulent air currents left by the Chimera’s dive—positioning itself precisely in the blind spot the monster could not see. With a swift lunge, Alje swung his massive, razor-edged greatsword, slicing through the Chimera’s thick hide.

Blood erupted in a geyser across the sky.

"Grrr!"

The Chimera roared in fury, feeling the wound. In a flash, it twisted mid-air, swinging its massive tail with brutal force toward the spot where the attack had come from.

"Igler!" Alje called out to his partner, tightening his grip with his legs.

The Giant Eagle understood instantly. It rolled sideways in midair, executing a fluid, acrobatic dodge that left the tail’s strike wide and empty.

Furious, the Chimera accelerated forward, then whipped its head around, unleashing a torrent of searing fire breath at the pursuing Eagle Guard.

"Boom—!"

Flames roared through the air, but the Chimera’s neck was not built for full rotation. Alje, one hand on the reins, simply leaned slightly to the side—evading the blast with ease. Using his superior maneuverability, he banked sharply, once again positioning himself high above the Chimera, in the creature’s blind spot.

"Master used to say: 'Who controls the sky, controls all.'"

Seeing the Eagle Guard still dogging its tail, the Chimera dove again.

"Sssshh—!"

It relied on its intimate knowledge of the terrain, spreading its wings with a sudden, sharp stop—intending to crash the Eagle Guard into the rocky cliff face.

But Alje wasn’t fooled.

He followed calmly, unhurried, and turned with a smooth, deliberate motion.

Yet this time, his hawk-like eyes caught something—a detail.

The Chimera’s left wing—it lagged half a beat when unfolding.

Just that split second, and Alje’s sharp perception seized it.

"Its left wing has an old injury!" Alje exclaimed, excitement flaring in his voice.

He gently stroked the feathers beneath him. The Giant Eagle shrieked—a high, piercing cry—and plunged downward in a swift, deadly dive.

"Ssshh—!"

This time, the blade sliced through the Chimera’s rear leg.

When facing large monsters, Alje was patient. He never sought a single, fatal strike. Instead, he relied on his agility, slowly bleeding the beast dry.

In the face of such creatures, the patient hunter reaped the spoils. The reckless, impatient fool often met an end beneath a monster’s careless hoof.

Of course, the Barbarian was an exception.

Now that Alje knew the Chimera’s left wing bore a lasting wound—making swift turns impossible—he unleashed his assault with unrestrained ferocity.

This time, the Giant Eagle hovered directly beneath the creature’s belly.

"Actions like the tide!" Alje growled, muscles bulging as his movements surged forward.

In mere seconds, he unleashed a storm of slashes—each blow carving deep into the thick, lion-like hide, tearing through flesh and muscle, even grazing the creature’s soft, vulnerable organs.

"Aaargh—!"

The Chimera shrieked in agony. In a desperate reflex, it swung its claw downward at the rider below.

But Alje was already shifting—his sword swept sideways, seizing the moment, and sliced cleanly through the descending claw.

Another howl tore from the beast. All three heads snapped upward in unison. Feathers scattered. Blood sprayed.

Under Alje’s expert command, the Giant Eagle danced through the air—slicing the Chimera’s back, flank, and belly with precision. Each strike sent fresh gouts of blood into the sky. Yet the Chimera, despite its suffering, could not so much as graze a single feather on the Eagle Knight.

This was the difference between beast and warrior.

Wyverns swooped forward to assist—but they were barely holding their own. Each was already surrounded by small, agile squads of Eagle Guards, harassed from all sides. Trapped and helpless, they could only shriek in rage, lashing out wildly with their tails.

"Igler, left flank—up!" Alje’s voice sharpened with exhilaration. Every kill against such a beast sent a surge through his Bloodline.

"I want that wing cut off!"

"Screee—!"

With a piercing eagle cry, Alje and his mount became a streak of shadow, diving toward the already dazed Chimera.

Just as his greatsword descended toward the wing—

"Fireball Spell!"

A blazing fireball erupted from the ground, hurtling straight at the Giant Eagle.

Cannibal Magician Lanpu had been watching from below, waiting for the perfect moment of distraction.

"Igler!" Alje roared, twisting his body mid-dive.

The Giant Eagle—in the middle of its descent—twisted sideways with impossible agility, narrowly avoiding the explosion.

Only the right wing’s feathers were scorched, leaving a blackened, charred trail.

But the maneuver had thrown Alje off balance. His body was awkwardly angled in the air.

And the Chimera, having regained its senses, saw its chance. The creature was nearly berserk with pain and fury, driven by nothing but the need to unleash its pent-up rage.

It roared and lunged forward, slashing with its massive lion claw.

"Boom!"

Feathers flew. Blood sprayed.

The Giant Eagle—along with its rider—was hurled backward, tumbling through the air for over ten meters.

Yet even in that violent spin, Alje clung fiercely to the saddle, refusing to fall.

"Igler, veer right!"

He didn’t fall—he adjusted his center of gravity, helping the wounded Giant Eagle stabilize mid-air. With a desperate flap, the eagle spread its wings, maintaining basic flight.

Seeing Alje still airborne, the Chimera roared in even greater fury—and charged head-on again.

"Eagle Guard Assembly!"

"This Chimera is nearly finished!" Alje raised his sword high.

The Eagle Guards still locked in battle with the Two-Headed Dragon broke formation, scattering and converging from all directions, forming a tight, encircling ring. They prepared to swarm the beast once more—arrows flying from every angle, repelling sudden lances from behind.

The Chimera was battered, bleeding, near collapse.

Though its intelligence was limited, it knew—this was not sustainable. It could not endure the relentless harassment of these relentless "flies."

With a guttural, rasping roar, the three heads bellowed in unison. It feinted a charge, then—in the moment the guards scattered—it spun sharply and fled, vanishing into the depths of a nearby cave, seeking refuge.

Alje saw it instantly.

"It’s fleeing!"

"Eagle Guard, prepare Group Charge!"

(End of Chapter)

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