The Answer Is Up to You (6)

“I've never seen or even heard of a monster like that.”

The royal library held a book documenting every monster humanity had discovered. The largest one recorded in it was the Black Dragon 【Dark Dragon】, said to exist somewhere in this world, and supposedly eighteen meters long.

Even that monster was a legendary creature whose whereabouts were unknown, yet the monster approaching them now was even larger.

“...What is that? I don't know. I've never seen a monster like that either. No... Is that even a monster?”

Even Menou, who should have known better, stared at the towering giant with an astonished expression. Menou was trembling so visibly that the giant's presence seemed to fill her with fear. But Menou wasn't the only one.

Just looking at it made their legs go weak. Until now, they had managed to fight by suppressing their desire to flee, but this time was simply too much.

As Menou had said, they couldn't even tell if it was a monster. The bipedal creature wore black steel armor and had sharp, golden eyes. A black aura shrouded its entire body as it walked toward them at a leisurely pace, each step making the earth rumble.

“...We have to retreat. There's no way we can handle this.”

Despite her astonishment at the enormous enemy, Takako remained calm and murmured those words.

“Damn... You're running away after coming this far?! Don't be ridiculous... I, I won't give up!”...