Chapter 47 - Return & Victory

City of Vale, Remnant.

The day the military loses to the Dragon Mutated Grimm, it's the day everything went wrong.

Loud sirens blaring across the city. People are rapidly being evacuated. The whole city is going into a total lockdown.

The AA batteries built during the Vale Atlas war finally were put into service after being left to collect dust. Multiple fake buildings across the city finally show it's true form and transformed a whole nest of AA weapon systems of various types from flak cannons to rapid fire laser cannons and SAM, surface to air missiles. If given enough time and investment, Scarecrow and Agent probably could even cook up ICBMs or even orbital kinetic cannon because why not.

The walls around Vale were also filled with big cannons and rapid fire autocannons. Unfortunately, laser weaponry isn't that widespread on the defensive weapons because of the difficulties to produce them. Most would be used in the Mechs assembly lines and few could be diverted elsewhere.

*ROOAARR!*

The Mutated Dragon Grimm finally arrived near Vale. Immediately all weapons within range firing indiscriminately at the approaching enemy. Most of the weapons are controlled by AI and Agent directs the aim to the Dragon's wing in hope to cripple its flying capability by destroying the unarmored wings. However, as if understanding the Agent's intention. The dragon dived to the ground and caused a small scale earthquake before it folds its wings and proceeds on its limbs.

Once the dragon reaches the wall, it accelerates before ramming its body like a battering ram and piercing a hole through the defensive wall.

"Everyone, attack!" Agent ordered and each of the T-Dolls took out their miniature Jupiter Cannon and unleashed it on the dragon, aiming for its neck and head.

All 20 miniature Jupiter Cannons spat out projectiles that rip through the air with hypersonic speed and manage to not just crack the carapace, they also peeled a small portiom of it and pierced it. But that's all it did. The attack simply isn't fatal enough for the dragon. The injuries immediately regenerated and the blood it spilled created a puddle that constantly spawns Mutated Grimms.

"Fall back. Our weapons are ineffective against the Mutated Dragon Grimm. Aggravating its injury will make everything worse when its blood is spilled." Agent pursues her lips as the puddle that spawn's Mutated Grimms is dangerous and must be resolved immediately before they overrun the city.

How are they supposed to kill this Mutated Dragon Grimm then? Spilling its blood will create a Mutated Grimms spawning pool. Not to mention the thick carapace makes the gun batteries on the walls look like BB guns, absolutely no effect and bounced off like nothing.

"This is impossible! Nothing can pierce though it's carapace!" The soldiers despaired as their most trusted defense was rendered useless. It can no longer provide the sense of safety they desperately need.

However, Agent's plans were switched. With the ability to spawn Mutated Grimms from its blood. Injuring the Dragon Grimm is like shooting herself on the foot. The plan now changed to delaying. Delay enough time for everyone to take shelter underground and then hopefully the Dragon Grimm will destroy the surface of the city and be satisfied instead of slaughtering the people. This is the only way to minimize the losses as victory is no longer a possibility.

All she and all of her fellow sisters can do is pray and hope their Master will return quickly with the solution he traveled into another world to seek.

"Do whatever it takes to delay it. We cannot let an outbreak happen inside the city." Agent ordered to all the soldiers. "Remember who is behind us and what are we fighting to protect!"

The soldiers on the wall had their morale instantly invigorated by Agent's speech.

"We fight for our loved ones, for our family and for our kingdom!" The soldiers chanted back and doubled their efficiency at their job.

With the soldiers morale taken care of, Agent turn her focus on the battle. The mechs is handling the Mutated Grimms spawned from the dragon's blood along with Agent herself and the other T-Dolls. However, their numbers is small. To many mechs were destroyed on Mountain Glenn and what's remain isn't enough to protect the city. Not even after the other T-Dolls and herself joined thr battle with all their Dummies.

"Agent! A group of Mutated Grimms slipped pass us and entered the city!" Destroyer informed with panic in her voice.

"What!" Agent grind her teeth in frustration. There is no one else to send and deal with the Mutated Grimms that slipped pass their blockage.

"Leave it to me!" Tina suddenly appeared in the comms and confidently took on the task.

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

…

…

Shots after shots were fired and heard through the comms. Agent knew that Tina wouldn't miss which mean each shot is one kill. A total of six shot and six Mutated Grimms slipped passed the blockage.

"Where the hell had you been, Tina? Also, shut the comms when you are taking shots. It very loud!" Agent scolded Tina at the end for possibly damaging her hearing module.

"Okay, okay. But I bring reinforcement!" Tina proudly said and probably waiting for someone to praise her for her good work but she receives none. "Well… they should arrived soon." Tina choose not to wait and retreat from the comms and advance her position to provide support to the ongoing battle.

The 'reinforcement' that Tina ended up bringing turn out to be Cursed Children. Not just any Cursed Children, but the few hundreds that showed excellent progress on mastering Aura.

The moment they arrived, they easily dealth with the Mutated Grimms and considering each of them can destroy a normal house with a casual punch and Aura Barrier way stronger that what normal Huntsmen could achieved, Agent see no reason not to use them now that they are here even though Adam did said he wish all of the Cursed Children learned Aura Mastery curriculum first which would take a year and that's is a very long time to wait.

*ROAR!*

The Dragon Grimm was getting bored of the concentrated bombardment on his body which felt basically nothing. It had enough toying with these human and decided to end them before moving on to the city.

Agent saw the Dragon Grimm performing a familiar action, opening it's jaw all the way down to it's neck as purple flame is gathering in the opened jaw. It's going to release a fire breath.

"This is bad!" Agent said urgently and then switch her comms to the open channel. "Everyone take cover immediately! Abandon you post if you have to!"

Of course, the order isn't well received and some even doubt the order that force them to retreat. Those who doubt are those that didn't participate the battle on Mountain Glenn.

"What! Why should we abandon our post! We will fight even to our dying breath!"

"Yeah! We fight till our dying breath!" Few soldiers supporting their brave team leader.

Agent didn't bother on those wishing to die quick. Instead, she and other T-Dolls is using their miniature Jupiter Cannon to try and injure the Dragon Grimm while it was charging its fire breath in hope that the could cause a misfire on the Dragon Grimm and the resulting misfire could at least heavily injure the Dragon Grimm.

"On my mark… Fire!"

"Fire!" x3

Agent, Alice, Destroyer and Executioner fired their miniature Jupiter Cannons at its throat and neck, causing the neck of the Dragon Grimm to rupture and explode into a fiery purple fireball.

Everyone watched in silence as the corpse fell to the ground and splashed quite a lot of blood too.

"Did we did it?" Someone asked as everyone still waits and stare at the corpse.

"Oh no! The Mutated Grimms are starting to spawn again!" One soldier alerted everyone when one Mutated Beowolf appeared from the puddle of blood around the Dragon Grimm.

"The Mutated Grimms isn't a problem we can still deal with them. But the Dragon Grimm. As long as it's alive, the whole Vale is still in danger." A senior leader said as he also watch the corpse in anticipation and praying to the gods that it's dead.

Few mechs approach the corpse to take a closer look at the corpse of the Dragon Grimm.

"Is it dead?" Destroyer asked Agent impatiently and hoping the Dragon Grimm is dead.

"..." Agent couldn't say anything as she watched through the mech's cameras. The neck that exploded is healing! It's slowly reattaching and regrowing the missing flesh and carapace.

"It's not dead." Agent revealed. "Its vitality is too strong." She added.

However, the Dragon Grimm must have a weakness. It has immense vitality but there must be a source, a core.

"The heart." Agent mumbles and others overheard it, they made their own conclusion similar to Agent

"Let me do it. I can perform a cleaner cut and prevent more blood from spilling." Executioner approaches Dragon Grimm's corpse and uses her blade to dig the plates between the white bone-like armor plate and surgically remove it before exposing the flesh underneath.

But, before she could continue cutting into the Dragon Grimm.

"The dragon is awake! Retreat!"

"Huh?" Executioner turned her eyes to the Dragon's upper body and saw the head was fully regenerated and lifted its front talon before swiping it at her, throwing her a dozen meters away but thankfully sustained only minor damage because she placed her sword in front of her to block the attack.

"ROOAARR!" The Dragon Grimm rose up as its body started to transform.

Its thick bone-like armor plate shed off and reveal its raw muscular flesh and only form of armor is the rib-like bones on its chest. Its black flesh starts to seep out purple flame that soon engulf the entire body ablaze. It was like a phoenix rebirth from ash except it's a dragon. It's body shape shifted and turn more humanoid and stood on its two rear limbs while floating on air.

"Hmn. Decent vessel." The Dragon open it's mouth and talked, much to everyone's surprise! Not just a talking Grimm but also a talking Infected Grimm.

"Now, this world is ripe for harvest with its defender missing." The Dragon lift out it's right arm before casting magic which suddenly transforms into a giant purple fireball and is thrown at the center of the city.

"No! The civilians hadn't fully evacuated!" Agent watched helplessly as half the city was about to get razed into the ground by that abnormal purple fireball.

Suddenly, a golden film of energy like a barrier bursted out of nowhere and blocked the purple fireball.

"What happened?" Few asked confusedly.

But, Agent, Alice, Executioner, Destroyer, Tina and even Winter heard a familiar voice suddenly from their earpieces.

"I'm sorry everyone. I hope I'm not too late." Adam asked with a voice of guilt and also happiness to finally return to everyone.

"Of course, not Master. You arrived just in time." Agent is the one replied.

From the city center, three figures traveled with near instantaneous speed and arrived close to the battlefield. They were Siegfried carrying Adam and the two Jeanne.

"I leave the Dragon to you Siegfried. Annihilate it." Adam ordered with hate laced in his voice, clearly telling the amount of suffering this enemy had caused for him.

"Of course, Master. Should I use my Noble Phantasm?" Siegfried asked after noticing something odd about the humanoid looking dragon.

Adam nods and gives his permission for Siegfried to proceed. Meanwhile, he introduced the new companions he brought back from his adventure this time.

Most of the girls immediately band together and agreed that their position is being threatened except Alice who is mostly oblivious or perhaps just doesn't care.

"Welcome back, Master." Alices as usual surrounded Adam on all sides and snuggled up to him while the two newcomers watched in wonder about the relation of Adam and his companions.

"The evil dragon shall fall. And the world will reach its sunset.

I will bring you down-!"

"Bal—mung!"

Siegfried bellowed a roar as he activated his Noble Phantasm.

"Impossible!" The dragon's voice echoes through the battlefield. "How! How could an anomaly like you exist in this wor- AHHH!"

The Noble Phantasm were like a corrosive poison, power sap away and all it's ability sealed. It was reduced to nothing more than an oversized lizard which was exterminated by the azure blue wave of energy.

"I will never forget this! I will make you regret opposing me, Vermins!" The dragon, or rather, the being controlling the dragon leaving it's last words.

Then what remain of the dragon, the husk of it's flesh fell to the ground.

It's their victory. They won!

"We won! Hurray, Mr President! Hurray to the dragon slayer!" The crowd of soldiers came out of the cover and machines as they cheered together.

"Alright, alright. Enough cheering. Let's clean up the battle first. There is still some Mutated Grimms on the loose. We will celebrate with a feast after we are done." Adam stepped up and informed the soldiers.

Hearing his promise, every soldiers eagerly get back to work and wipe out the remaining stragglers. As for Adam, his companions and himself gathered before the Mutated Dragon Grimm's corpse. He store it away for now and probably will be used as research material to understand this particular Grimm that have ability to spawn Mutated Grimms and hopefully gain something from that. Either a weapon specialized to kill Infected Grimms or perhaps vaccines for the people as this sample is vastly superior to normal Mutated Grimms.

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