Reincarnated as a Dragon's Egg

“AAah!”

One of the chimaeras bites down persistently on the roots of my [Woven Armour], shaking its head and throwing off my movement. Our speed falls as we’re pressed to deal with them, and other chimaeras use that opportunity to circle ahead of us in an attempt to box us in.

『Guuh!』

I tear the [Woven Armour] off my body.

『Aro-dono, quickly, increase your flight speed! At this rate we’ll be surrounded–』

Looking forwards, I see the chimaeras that had circled around are right in front of us.

『Ah…』

Aro-dono’s two clones are hard pressed already, fending off other chimaeras. It doesn’t look like they can come to our aid

Aro-dono abruptly pushes her enlarged arm inside the jaws of one of the chimaeras, letting it bite down. The sound of bones crunching reaches my ears, and blood sprays from the arm.

“[Dark Sphere]!”

A magic circle unfolds around the chimaera’s head as Aro-dono yells. The chimaera's head explodes in a shower of bloodied flesh. Purple smoke leaks from what’s left of its mouth and nose.

Aro-dono pulls her arm out of the destroyed mouth. A painful-looking bite mark is left on it, and her forearm is scorched raw from her own [Dark Sphere].

『Aro-dono!』

“It’s alright… I can regenerate right away, so…!”

A chimaera has closed in from behind us.

“Ah…”

Aro-dono's right wing is torn off along with a chunk of flesh from her back. I slip from her hands as she falls head-first to the ground.

I hurriedly dive down and catch her with my [Woven Armour].

『P-Please get a hold of yourself, Aro-dono!』

“Sorry… Treant-san, my mana, I’m already…”

『That can’t be…!』

We’re already surrounded by the chimaeras. Now that Aro-dono can’t move, we have no hope of breaking free. The chimaeras are faster than I am. There’s no way for us to escape.

Aro-dono’s two clones land to our front and rear.

“[Gale]!”

Tornados blast out in front and behind us, blowing away the chimaeras as they close in.

“I, I don’t have any mana left but… It couldn’t be helped, right?”

One of the clones says, looking as though she’ll break into tears at any moment.

『Yes… I’m really grateful.』

If they didn’t push them away with [Gale], we’d have become fodder for the chimaeras. However, the [Gale] was far too weak to take them down. All it can do is create distance. The fact that we’re being surrounded hasn’t changed, and the chimaeras behind the front row were closing in even as their brethren were blown back.

…Both Aro and I no longer have enough mana left.

Think… Think. There’s definitely something we can do.

“AAAaAAh!”

As the [Gales] die down, the chimaeras kept at bay by it swarm towards us as one.

Then, crushing the chimaeras underfoot, the Magic Beast King appears in front of us. The earth shakes from its steps, scattering a cloud of dirt into the air.

『Indeed, it looks like you’ve reached your limit. There was no need for [Violent Beast Metamorphosis].』

『Ah, ah, ahh…』

It’s finally here in person. An overwhelmingly giant figure looks down at us.

『However, I’ll at least show some mercy. I’ll bury you by my hand.』

The Magic Beast King readies its four arms.

There are more than a hundred Upper A rank chimaeras surrounding us… And we’re facing the Upper Legendary rank Magic Beast King. All of the enemies here are leagues faster than we are.

At this point… It’s clearly impossible for all of us to survive.

I toss the [Woven Armour]-covered Aro-dono to one of her clones. The clone rushes to grab hold of her.

“Uguh! Treant… san…?”

『Aro-dono… I’ll create an opportunity. Please return to the forest and aid the Lithovar tribe.』

I dispel [Tree Spiritisation] as I speak. I return to my original form… The world treant.

『Hmm… It seems like there was a need to dispel my notion that you were small.』

The Magic Beast King says with mirth.

“Treant-san! What are you doing! If you return to your original form now…!”

『Now for [Undying Regeneration]!』

My body is covered by blue light.

[Undying Regeneration]… In exchange for drawing out my MP until it depletes, this skill raises my lifeforce explosively. With it active, my HP is continuously recovered and my defence is bolstered. I’ll pull the Magic Beast King and the chimaera’s attention at all costs.

Also… I have the combination of [Undying Regeneration] and [Wood Counter]. After weathering a blow with [Undying Regeneration], I can use the opponent’s attack power to ram a blow back with [Wood Counter]. This should be effective against even the Magic Beast King.

I’m not so naive to think that I’ll be able to take it down with this, but I should be able to buy time for Aro-dono to escape…!

『Great warrior. I shall remember you for as long as my ego withstands.』

The Magic Beast King draws its arm far back. I don’t see it swing. The next instant, a huge shock pierces through my body… Once I notice, I’m already tumbling on the ground away from it.

『Ah… Agah, just, what…』

Strength leaves my body… The bluish glow of [Undying Regeneration] disappears…

[Undying Regeneration] dispels itself if my remaining MP drops below 1%. It looks like I’ve completely lost all my MP to just stay alive from one of the Magic Beast King’s blows. I don’t have either HP or MP left. I can’t use any skill anymore.

“Treant-san!!”

Distantly, I hear Aro-dono scream.

Sorry, Aro-dono… Though I put my life on the line, I wasn’t able to buy even the slightest bit of time.

『To think that you’re still alive… What a sturdy foe.』

The Magic Beast King utters words of praise for me.

『[Death God Seed] is my skill. You must be pursuing us in order to have that skill dispelled. If you kill me, you’ll stop [Death God Seed]. Please, I have just one request… Let Aro-dono go…』

『I apologise, but… My actions are already not my own.』

…It’s probably due to [Spirit Servant]. The Magic Beast King is acting like it has a sense of self, but it looks like it can’t run from being controlled by the skill.

『It doesn’t look like your friend has any intention of letting that happen, either.』

Three Aro-donos float in a line in front of the Magic Beast King, squaring off against it with a serious look on their faces.