Reincarnated as a dragon’s egg ～Lets aim to be the strongest～ - Chapter 571

571 – Final Decisive Hit
Lilixira transforms her hammer into four swords of light, twisting her long body to fly through the air towards me. I raise my damaged [Oneiros Raizem] and [Oneiros Flugel]. I’d like to repair them with [Ideal Weapon], but I can’t waste the last of my MP on that. As long as they’re still functional, I’ll keep using them.

Neither of us have much MP left. Which skill I use will directly lead to victory or defeat.

[Flash That Drives Away the Darkness] would be too slow. It could bypass her resistance to deal heavy damage, but I can’t imagine it would hit, and it’s not a particularly good match for her. [Dimension Claw] won’t work for a decisive hit, but it’s good for keeping her in check. Restricting her movement with [Gravity] might not be a bad idea, either. Though she’d probably counter with her own [Gravity]. I can’t use [Hellgate] with my remaining MP. [Wormhole] is too situation-dependent.

…The one I most want to go with is [Mirage]. My sword, [Oneiros Raizem], has a certain ability.

It temporarily lowers the target’s [Illusion Resistance], and I’ve already cut her several times with it.

The problem is what I should show her. Anything too large-scale would quickly be seen through. The inconsistencies where [Mirage] clashes with reality manifests as a sense of discomfort. Lilixira isn’t a naive enough to overlook that.

On top of that, Lilixira is skilled at predicting me. She has no doubt already checked the effect of [Oneiros Raizem]. Even if I can deceive her temporarily, as soon as she notices it, the illusion will be broken.

Can I really outwit her…? Perhaps I should stay away from [Mirage], and try restricting her movements with [Dimension Claw] or [Gravity] instead?

Lilixira’s swords are getting closer. I’ve… made my decision. I’ll fight with [Mirage].

…[Mirage] isn’t the only illusion I have access to. I don’t think I can really count on the other one, but if I set them both up at once, it should be harder for her to see through them both. I’m relying on luck, but there’s no strategy that will give me a certain win. If there was such a thing, neither of us would have had struggled so hard.

I deflect her first thrust with my shield, while at the same time swinging my sword into her abdomen. A huge amount of blood spurts from her mouth. In order to make [Mirage] more effective, I need to force some more damage on her.

“Too simple.”

Two swords swing towards me, coming from either side. Did she abandon defence to commit everything to attack…!?

I’m surprised that she would attack so aggressively. Up until now, she’s been carefully earning damage, without any sign of haste. In that sense, this attack is very unlike her. I’ll respond in kind.

“GuuOOOOOOh!”

Roaring, I swing my sword. Lilixira tries to dive below, but I still manage to slice her shoulder. One of her arms, along with the blade of light it was holding, fall to the bottom of the cliff.

Despite her heavy injury, Lilixira darts to my side and flashes out a sword of light. My blood splatters, and I desperately hold onto my fading consciousness. It’s okay, I still have some HP left. Lilixira’s almost dead too. I need to endure this and then use [Mirage] to land the decisive hit!

Lilixira quickly turns in the air, plunging back towards me. She might not have much leeway left, thanks to the HP loss from [Chakra Awakening]. Compared to the start, she’s acting far more aggressive.

Is she trying to avoid giving me time to think? By any chance… could she be purposefully inviting counterattacks to lower her illusion resistance? Normally, such a strategy would be meaningless, but I wouldn’t put it past her if she’s confident she can see through my [Mirage].

Is [Mirage] really the correct option here? No, I can’t hesitate. Lilixira can’t have much leeway either. There’s no way I can be entirely in the palm of her hand.

This clash will decide it. This is no time to hesitate!

I activate [Mirage]. As Lilixira flies towards me, I hide the position of my hand, making it look like my sword is further ahead than it really is. If she falls for this, it should be plenty. I’ll be able to cut her as she stops to dodge it.

Her eyes aren’t looking at the illusion at all. She must have predicted the [Mirage]. Was my usage too simple? Or did I get the timing wrong?

I couldn’t think of any other subtle yet effective ways of using it. [Mirage] might have been a bad idea after all. The value of illusions falls massively when their timing and scale are so restricted.

In a straightforward clash, Lilixira’s number of attacks gives her an advantage. I also have less HP left than her. My MP is practically empty, too.

No, it’s not over yet. I still have one illusion left.

I raise [Oneiros Flugel].

【[Oneiros Flugel]: Value L (Legendary)】
【[Defence: 3000]】
【A greatshield faintly glowing with blue threads.】
【Made using the wings of the [Dream Dragon] governing the world of dreams.】
【It is said to have been used as the gateway that divides the human and divine worlds.】
【Superficial attacks will naturally not penetrate, and those who draw close are led astray by illusions.】

I’ll count on the illusory effect of [Oneiros Flugel]! The timing and contents are completely out of my control. She can’t overcome it simply by predicting me.

“No way… This can’t…”

Lilixira’s eyes open wide, and her three swords lower slightly. Her expression is one I’ve never seen before. It’s different from her blank expression in battle, or her palliative expression when she recruited me. This might be my first glimpse into her true feelings. I see traces of tears forming in her eyes.

I throw [Oneiros Flugel] at her. She quickly cuts it in two. In the meantime, I close the distance.

I swing [Oneiros Raizem] into her. I feel a response.

Lilixira’s wings stop moving. The three swords of light fall from her hands. This can’t be an act. By letting go of her [Aparajita] weapons now, she won’t have enough MP left to recreate them.

I don’t receive an experience point notification, but Lilixira’s body limply falls to the bottom of the cliff.