Height is power.
Those who occupy high positions command those below. Subjects cannot defy their king.
Height is power.
This is a truth, both physically and metaphorically. Those positioned high above cannot be reached by those below.
This belief is deeply rooted in the Togorudo’s way of thinking.
Flying makes one strong. Flying makes one noble. Flying makes one amazing.
Until now, this has undoubtedly been the truth.
There were occasional incidents where an individual, caught off-guard while napping, would be hunted by ground-dwelling egg thieves, but such cases were minuscule compared to the total number. We, large and strong, capable of flight, are powerful and noble, superior to any ground-crawling creature. That was our belief.
However…
However!!
What is with that human?!
Togorudo Command recalls the recent events, growling with discomfort. That despised black insect of the ground dared to bare its fangs at us, the kings of the skies. It even killed several of his subordinates and dragged their bodies to the ground. An unforgivable act. Utterly insolent. Inexcusable. A ground-crawling black insect hunting the sovereigns of the skies is a heinous act, defying the very laws of this world. He must immediately condemn it and restore the disturbed natural order. But that alone is not enough. Its sin is grave. Its kin must also be executed for complicity.
But, however…
How to punish it poses a considerable challenge. Usual charges would be easily evaded, and we might be killed instead. Honestly, it’s scary, and I don’t want to get close.
…………
No, that’s not it.
That black insect is impure, a defiance of the world’s natural order.
Such a repulsive creature should not be approached by us, the noble rulers of the skies. Even getting close would taint our souls. That’s why I’m flying higher than before. We must distance ourselves from the impurity. Even if it can jump high, there’s a limit. At this height, it can’t possibly reach us. It’s safe. Indeed, height is power. Those who fly are remarkable and noble.
「「「Hogaa! Hogaaa!」」」
The warning cries of his subordinates snap the Command’s focus back to reality. There’s movement on the ground. That black insect has leaped towards us again. No, no! Scary!!
「Hohohohohogagaaaa!!」
Command issues panicked instructions.
「「「「「Hogaaaa!!」」」」」
In response, his subordinates activate “Air Protect.” Unlike before, where they formed barriers around each individual, this time they create multiple wind walls in the path of the black insect to halt its momentum. The black insect loses its propelling force with each collision against the wind walls, gradually diminishing its speed. At this rate, its fangs won’t reach us. Command feels utterly relieved.
…………
No, that’s not it.
It’s absurd to even think that the fangs of such an impure, black insect could reach me, a noble being. Feeling reassured is itself ridiculous. There’s no need to feel anxious about an impossibility in the first place.
Command starts pondering various things again, but his sense of security is short-lived.
「”Flames, explode! Blow everything away! Explosion!”」
Despite the sea breeze, a chant is heard from the ground.
The next moment…
Boom!!!
Amidst such a thunderous roar, an explosion suddenly occurred in the air! It was an attack spell! It must have been cast by the companions of that black insect still on the ground! Normally, such a spell wouldn’t be much of a concern for the Togorudo. Protected by the wind and possessing robust bodies, they were tough creatures.
But, however, the purpose of that spell wasn’t to harm the Togorudo. It exploded right behind the black insect, giving it a new burst of propulsion, propelling it swiftly towards the Command!!
“Hogaaaaaaa!!?”
Togorudo Command, in utter shock and disarray, couldn’t believe what was happening. His previous command for his subordinates to keep distance had backfired, leaving nothing between the black insect and himself!
“Hogaaa! Hogaaa!”
There was no time to issue commands to his subordinates! He activated multiple “Air Protects” himself, attempting to diminish the black insect’s momentum, but all efforts were in vain. Because…
“Wind, blow them away! Storm! Wind, blow them away! Storm!”
As soon as the black insect’s momentum waned, its companions on the ground assisted with magic, continuously providing it with propulsion! This acrobatic feat was possible only for a genius like Kamasse, who was in an extreme state of concentration, adjusting an attack spell for the purpose of pseudo-flight for a single human.
The black insect, initially a mere speck, rapidly approached. Its deep black eyes burned with a flame of murderous intent as it hurtled towards Togorudo Command!
“Hogaaaa!!”
Command screamed in terror. Their large bodies were not agile. Command now had no chance to flee or attack.
Finally, the black insect reached Togorudo Command, gripping its feathers tightly and muttering in human words.
“Caught you.”
“Hogaaa! Hogaaa!”
Command, now almost in a frenzy, tried desperately to shake off the black insect but to no avail. It clung to him as if glued, crawling over his body. The terror of the death-bringing black insect was overwhelming!
“Hohohogaaaa!!”
“Help! Someone help me!!”
Despite his continued screams, his subordinates were unable to intervene. They lacked the dexterity to remove only the black insect from their flying leader. The only option was the suicidal charge that Command had ordered before, which they could not possibly execute against their leader. They could only watch in confusion and horror as Togorudo Command thrashed about.
While this was happening, the black insect reached Command’s neck and swung its right arm down like a sword…
Clang!
“Mu.”
However, the hand blade was deflected by the muscular neck of Togorudo Command. His body was more robust than his subordinates, and his magic power was abundant, making his “Physical Enhancement” incredibly strong.
“Ho, hoga…? Hohohogaaaa!!”
Realizing that the hand blade had no effect on him, Command regained his composure and began to mock the black insect. “Scared me, black insect! But you’re just a crawling creature! You think you can defeat me, the king of kings?!”
Command’s mocking laughter was premature.
Thud!
“!?”
The next moment, Command’s head was struck with a powerful impact, almost losing consciousness. What happened?
The answer was simple. Seeing that the hand blade was ineffective, the black insect immediately switched its attack to striking the head. This black insect had previously hunted larger monsters when cutting attacks were ineffective, using blunt force instead. If cutting didn’t work, then striking. It was applying experience from a previous hunt.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Each strike to Command’s head echoed with a sound too loud for such small fists.
“Ho, hogaa…”
In a daze, Command tried to shake off the black insect, but it was futile. The insect’s legs clung to Command’s neck as if glued, not detaching at all. This fact was more shocking to the subordinates watching than to Command, who was desperately thrashing. Even as Command flew upside down, the insect’s legs remained firmly attached, defying physics.
What to do?!
How can I save myself?!
Command, desperately clinging to his fading consciousness, pondered.
His subordinates were merely onlookers, offering no help. The black insect was firmly attached, and with it clinging to his body, Command couldn’t attack it.
…Ah.
I have no options.
I’m done for.
This unwanted realization broke Command’s spirit.
Thud!
Another strike from the black insect. A strong impact to the head.
Finally, Command could no longer endure and lost consciousness. His body weakened, his magic power waned, and “Physical Enhancement” was deactivated.
An opening was created.
And the next moment, Command’s head was severed, soaring through the air, plummeting towards the ground.
Height is power.
Those who occupy high positions command those below. Subjects cannot defy their king.
Height is power.
This is a truth, both physically and metaphorically. Those positioned high above cannot be reached by those below.
This belief is deeply rooted in the Togorudo’s way of thinking.
Flying makes one strong. Flying makes one noble. Flying makes one amazing.
Until now, this has undoubtedly been the truth.
There were occasional incidents where an individual, caught off-guard while napping, would be hunted by ground-dwelling egg thieves, but such cases were minuscule compared to the total number. We, large and strong, capable of flight, are powerful and noble, superior to any ground-crawling creature. That was our belief.
However…
However!!
What is with that human?!
Togorudo Command recalls the recent events, growling with discomfort. That despised black insect of the ground dared to bare its fangs at us, the kings of the skies. It even killed several of his subordinates and dragged their bodies to the ground. An unforgivable act. Utterly insolent. Inexcusable. A ground-crawling black insect hunting the sovereigns of the skies is a heinous act, defying the very laws of this world. He must immediately condemn it and restore the disturbed natural order. But that alone is not enough. Its sin is grave. Its kin must also be executed for complicity.
But, however…
How to punish it poses a considerable challenge. Usual charges would be easily evaded, and we might be killed instead. Honestly, it’s scary, and I don’t want to get close.
…………
No, that’s not it.
That black insect is impure, a defiance of the world’s natural order.
Such a repulsive creature should not be approached by us, the noble rulers of the skies. Even getting close would taint our souls. That’s why I’m flying higher than before. We must distance ourselves from the impurity. Even if it can jump high, there’s a limit. At this height, it can’t possibly reach us. It’s safe. Indeed, height is power. Those who fly are remarkable and noble.
「「「Hogaa! Hogaaa!」」」
The warning cries of his subordinates snap the Command’s focus back to reality. There’s movement on the ground. That black insect has leaped towards us again. No, no! Scary!!
「Hohohohohogagaaaa!!」
Command issues panicked instructions.
「「「「「Hogaaaa!!」」」」」
In response, his subordinates activate “Air Protect.” Unlike before, where they formed barriers around each individual, this time they create multiple wind walls in the path of the black insect to halt its momentum. The black insect loses its propelling force with each collision against the wind walls, gradually diminishing its speed. At this rate, its fangs won’t reach us. Command feels utterly relieved.
…………
No, that’s not it.
It’s absurd to even think that the fangs of such an impure, black insect could reach me, a noble being. Feeling reassured is itself ridiculous. There’s no need to feel anxious about an impossibility in the first place.
Command starts pondering various things again, but his sense of security is short-lived.
「”Flames, explode! Blow everything away! Explosion!”」
Despite the sea breeze, a chant is heard from the ground.
The next moment…
Boom!!!
Amidst such a thunderous roar, an explosion suddenly occurred in the air! It was an attack spell! It must have been cast by the companions of that black insect still on the ground! Normally, such a spell wouldn’t be much of a concern for the Togorudo. Protected by the wind and possessing robust bodies, they were tough creatures.
But, however, the purpose of that spell wasn’t to harm the Togorudo. It exploded right behind the black insect, giving it a new burst of propulsion, propelling it swiftly towards the Command!!
“Hogaaaaaaa!!?”
Togorudo Command, in utter shock and disarray, couldn’t believe what was happening. His previous command for his subordinates to keep distance had backfired, leaving nothing between the black insect and himself!
“Hogaaa! Hogaaa!”
There was no time to issue commands to his subordinates! He activated multiple “Air Protects” himself, attempting to diminish the black insect’s momentum, but all efforts were in vain. Because…
“Wind, blow them away! Storm! Wind, blow them away! Storm!”
As soon as the black insect’s momentum waned, its companions on the ground assisted with magic, continuously providing it with propulsion! This acrobatic feat was possible only for a genius like Kamasse, who was in an extreme state of concentration, adjusting an attack spell for the purpose of pseudo-flight for a single human.
The black insect, initially a mere speck, rapidly approached. Its deep black eyes burned with a flame of murderous intent as it hurtled towards Togorudo Command!
“Hogaaaa!!”
Command screamed in terror. Their large bodies were not agile. Command now had no chance to flee or attack.
Finally, the black insect reached Togorudo Command, gripping its feathers tightly and muttering in human words.
“Caught you.”
“Hogaaa! Hogaaa!”
Command, now almost in a frenzy, tried desperately to shake off the black insect but to no avail. It clung to him as if glued, crawling over his body. The terror of the death-bringing black insect was overwhelming!
“Hohohogaaaa!!”
“Help! Someone help me!!”
Despite his continued screams, his subordinates were unable to intervene. They lacked the dexterity to remove only the black insect from their flying leader. The only option was the suicidal charge that Command had ordered before, which they could not possibly execute against their leader. They could only watch in confusion and horror as Togorudo Command thrashed about.
While this was happening, the black insect reached Command’s neck and swung its right arm down like a sword…
Clang!
“Mu.”
However, the hand blade was deflected by the muscular neck of Togorudo Command. His body was more robust than his subordinates, and his magic power was abundant, making his “Physical Enhancement” incredibly strong.
“Ho, hoga…? Hohohogaaaa!!”
Realizing that the hand blade had no effect on him, Command regained his composure and began to mock the black insect. “Scared me, black insect! But you’re just a crawling creature! You think you can defeat me, the king of kings?!”
Command’s mocking laughter was premature.
Thud!
“!?”
The next moment, Command’s head was struck with a powerful impact, almost losing consciousness. What happened?
The answer was simple. Seeing that the hand blade was ineffective, the black insect immediately switched its attack to striking the head. This black insect had previously hunted larger monsters when cutting attacks were ineffective, using blunt force instead. If cutting didn’t work, then striking. It was applying experience from a previous hunt.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Each strike to Command’s head echoed with a sound too loud for such small fists.
“Ho, hogaa…”
In a daze, Command tried to shake off the black insect, but it was futile. The insect’s legs clung to Command’s neck as if glued, not detaching at all. This fact was more shocking to the subordinates watching than to Command, who was desperately thrashing. Even as Command flew upside down, the insect’s legs remained firmly attached, defying physics.
What to do?!
How can I save myself?!
Command, desperately clinging to his fading consciousness, pondered.
His subordinates were merely onlookers, offering no help. The black insect was firmly attached, and with it clinging to his body, Command couldn’t attack it.
…Ah.
I have no options.
I’m done for.
This unwanted realization broke Command’s spirit.
Thud!
Another strike from the black insect. A strong impact to the head.
Finally, Command could no longer endure and lost consciousness. His body weakened, his magic power waned, and “Physical Enhancement” was deactivated.
An opening was created.
And the next moment, Command’s head was severed, soaring through the air, plummeting towards the ground.
