Re:Zero: Starting from the Great Transformation

"Damn, this thing is hard!"

Paul's cursing voice reached his ears.

To be honest, I underestimated Paul's strength. Even without the magic sword, he still has the ability to break through the nine-headed dragon's defense.

But that’s where it ends.

Just after Paul and I teamed up to chop off four of the nine-headed dragon's heads, the first two heads that were chopped off began to regenerate.

Time...about fifteen seconds.

Faster than expected.

I calculated silently in my mind.

Fifteen seconds...

Although it's faster than expected, it should be fine and there's still enough time.

"Wait Paul, retreat first!"

"Damn it!"

Paul gave me a cursed look.

I nodded slightly, and Paul reluctantly gave the order to retreat.

Everyone stepped onto the transfer magic circle again.

When the light came on and then went out, we returned to the original sixth floor.

……

……

After returning to the sixth floor, Paul's mood had become noticeably more irritable. Perhaps it was because the person he had been searching for for years, Senis, was so close that he found it difficult to calm down. He even nearly got into a fight with Rudeus.

I didn't get involved in the quarrel between the father and son, but instead constructed a feasible strategy in my mind.

after awhile.

When the quarrel gradually subsided, everyone sat down again.

I then spoke:

"That's the magic stone nine-headed dragon."

"Ron, have you ever seen that before?"

Rudeus asked immediately.

"No, but when I was traveling here with Orsted before, I heard him mention that the guardian of a nearby maze was a nine-headed dragon. Based on Orsted's description, it must be the one."

I told a little lie without batting an eyelid.

"The scales on his body can negate magic, and severed heads can regenerate. Fire magic can temporarily prevent self-healing, but it will eventually recover. After a while of fighting, he will breathe. We must chop off all of his heads as quickly as possible to truly kill him..."

After hearing what I said.

Everyone fell into deep thought.

This is an S-rank monster that is even more powerful than the Red Dragon, and Rudeus's magic cannot be effective from a distance, which means that Rudeus and Roxy must use fire magic at close range.

This undoubtedly involves great risks.

Looking at everyone's thoughtful expressions, I took a deep breath.

"And one more thing."

"what?"

"Please let me defeat that nine-headed dragon of magic stone alone."

"...What nonsense are you talking about?"

The first to object was Rudeus.

Although Paul also wanted to speak, it was obvious that Rudius's reaction was more intense than his.

"We've come this far, and you're still talking about going it alone? Ron, I know you're confident in your swordsmanship, and I know you've defeated a demon king before, but with so many of us here, there's no need for you to take that risk!"

"Calm down, Rudeus."

I held Rudeus's shoulders.

"I'm not trying to be brave. I just think I can win, that's all. You know I never challenge an enemy I have no chance of winning..."

"But even if you say so...is there any reason why we must do that?"

"……No."

My eyes inadvertently fell on Paul and Rudius.

The nine heads of the Jiuzuryuuneng can deal with attacks from multiple directions at the same time.

In other words, even if Paul and others were added, it would not relieve my pressure much. The most important thing is that as a magician, Rudeus would be killed if he was attacked at close range.

And Paul, as Rudius's father, will inevitably be restrained by this.

The power of destiny...

Yes, there is also the so-called power of destiny.

Rudeus and Lokisi would meet in the maze, it was a matter of fate.

In other words.

Once everyone is involved in the battle to defeat the Nine-Headed Dragon, I cannot guarantee that I can completely protect Paul and Rudius. It is even possible that due to various uncontrollable and coincidental factors, Paul will die in the maze just like in the original work.

I……

We must never let that happen.

Even if there is a one percent chance.

Never give yourself room for regret.

and so……

"If I lose or die, it doesn't matter how you discuss tactics."

"But until then, please stay out of this."

I looked at everyone present.

This is not a consultation, but a notification.

"I will defeat the Nine-Headed Demon Stone Dragon alone."

Labyrinth Chapter: 87, Ten Deaths, No Life

The team argued for a long time about the decision to defeat the Nine-Headed Dragon of Magic Stone.

Everyone raised objections without exception.

The reasons vary.

Among everyone, Rudeus's opposition was the loudest.

But I was determined.

No matter what anyone says, I am the only one who can defeat the Nine-Headed Dragon of Magic Stone alone.

In the end, seeing that he couldn't change my decision, Paul had no choice but to take a step back.

"If you want to fight alone, that's fine, but we'll be on standby nearby, ready to assist you at any time. If you're in danger, everyone will come to your aid. Is that okay?"

"……also."

I know this is the limit.

No matter what, as members of the same team, there's no way they'd just leave me to Jiuzuryuu alone and do nothing. This has nothing to do with ability, it's purely a matter of responsibility as a teammate.

Taking a step back, if I really couldn't defeat the Nine-Headed Dragon, at least they could still save my body from the Nine-Headed Dragon's mouth...

No, not to that extent.

I won't lose.

This wasn't a fight I was prepared to fight to the death, but a decision I made after careful consideration and confirmation that I could win.

Paul came up to me with a sullen look on his face.

"Ron."

"Mr. Paul, is there anything else to say?"

"...To be honest, I don't know why you've done this for us. I'd never repay this kindness enough, but the prerequisite for all this is that you can return alive. So... no matter what, please prioritize your own safety."

"Mr. Paul, you actually want to reunite with Madam Senis right now, right?"

"That's true, but... well..."

Paul sighed deeply.

Apparently, he thought it was too arrogant of me to challenge the Nine-Headed Dragon alone.

But it doesn’t matter.

I will take action.

"Does it really have to be like this? Ron, what if something happens to you? What will happen to Qixing? Are you going to abandon her?"

Rudius was still making his final persuasion.

I smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Believe me, Rudeus. Although the Nine-Headed Dragon is powerful, I am confident."

"No matter what, you must come back alive, otherwise I won't be able to explain to Qixing."

"Don't worry."

Looking at Rudeus's expression full of worry and uneasiness.

I smiled slightly and raised the corners of my mouth.

"It will win."

……

……

As the light of the transfer magic circle lit up.

Once again we are in the final room where the Nine-Headed Dragon is.

Under the gaze of the people behind him.

I swallowed the magic crystal and drew out two magic swords.

He walked slowly towards the Nine-headed Dragon step by step.

As I approached, the nine-headed dragon's head gradually raised up and let out a deafening roar.

It was as if the whole room was shaking with it.

My body was shaking in the same way.

But it wasn't a trembling caused by fear, but a surge of emotions, so exciting that I was trembling. I felt that I had never been so strong as I was at that moment, and I was so confident that I could win.

This is not blind confidence, but an intuition.

Can win, I can win.

There is no reason to fail.

Thinking carefully, from the beginning of coming into this world until now, what have all the efforts been for?

At first, I just felt my own weakness and wanted to have a little power to protect myself.