Chapter 505: The Dragon’s Escape Route

Mastigius and Doha Surah, both human and demon beast, faced the magical devilish being while risking their lives. The bronze dragon Shadraput watched them from afar and whispered from behind.

「Junelva has already pushed himself hard enough. Then, it’s best to back off and see what happens. You’re letting those humans fight on their own because you want to see what happens, am I right? 」

Shadraput put her hands on Lugis’ shoulders and spoke. Of course, she didn’t know what he was actually thinking, but she could guess.

After all, he was now a magical devilish being. So his thoughts would lean towards a demonic nature.

Although he said he was letting the humans fight for their dignity, it wouldn’t be strange if there was some selfish calculation in those thoughts. He should know when to retreat wisely, as the only options against the Great Demon Vrilligant were submission or escape.

So Shadraput thought that Lugis’ thoughts weren’t that different from hers.

If she could lure Lugis into her company, then she would have an easy escape route. After all, magical devilish beings who possessed Original Texts were vicious even to the eyes of other demons. They were equal to a single force.

She was lucky. Shadraput couldn’t help but feel that way. Although she had nearly been caught up in a war between great demons and other demons, she could now use one of them to her own benefit.

Shadraput held back her excitement and waited for Lugis to speak. He spoke as if it was only natural.

「…That’s right. It’s true that I can’t take on that brainless bird guy. I think it would be better if Mastigius killed him instead. 」

Shadraput dug her fingers into his shoulder with strength. While Lugis did believe in humanity, he also had a self-serving side. He was probably torn between the two. If that was the case, then he could be lured to her side if she played her cards right.

Lugis spoke first just as Shadraput was about to speak her next words with a grin on her lips.

「As expected, after slicing off that brainless bird’s neck, they’ll go after Rabel. Maybe I’ll have to give it a hand too and then cook Vrilligant to its death, but only if those humans do their best to endure. Besides, this is their battle. 」

「Huh…What? Vrilligant, you say…? 」

A shy voice involuntarily came out of her beautiful lips. For a moment, Shadraput couldn’t take in what Lugis was saying. It was quite different from what she had expected.

Why was he talking about killing that Gear and the Great Demon now, and not Junelva? He hadn’t said a word about fighting them.

Shadraput’s eyes widened without saying a word, and Lugis lifted his cheeks in amusement and replied.

「What’s the matter? I said from the beginning that I would do something if they could win. I don’t remember saying anything about not fighting. I never said I would flee. 」

In other words, Lugis was willing to fight against Vrilligant. He was ready to think of way out if those humans couldn’t win this battle.

No good, it was best to run away. At this point, Shadraput finally realized her mistake.

The magical devilish being before her had inherited his original human nature and was still strange in some way.

Normally, no magical devilish being would try to resist a Great Demon. Just as knights attended to their kings, magical devilish beings were obedient to a Great Demon in a way. Regardless of what they thought in their hearts, magical devilish beings were no match for the Great Demon, so it couldn’t be helped.

But what was the basis for Lugis’ resistance? It was ridiculous. Death would be the only outcome awaiting him.

A heavy sigh escaped from Shadraput’s mouth. She was wrong to seek protection from such a being. Then, she turned around while thinking about this.

Lugis’ fingers grabbed Shadraput’s shoulder. A chill ran down her spine. The force wasn’t particularly strong, but for some reason she felt a terrible fear in her heart.

「But there’s one thing that’s missing here. If the other party is trying too hard, then don’t just wait and see…go grab them by the collar and drag them down. Shad, you said you could fly, right? 」

This was bad news. Shadraput caught Lugis’ eyes.

Shadraput swallowed dry. What should she do? Should she run? But turning her back now wouldn’t be wise.

This man’s demonic sword couldn’t only kill her but could also kill those in range. Shadraput had seen him slash away a demon bird high in the sky earlier.

If she transformed into a bird and ran away, then she would definitely be cut into pieces. But she already knew that no matter how many times she tried to leave, it would never be enough.

…So her only option was to deceive him and then escape.

Shadraput turned to Lugis with trembling cheeks and wandering eyes.

—

The bronze dragon transformed into a bird and soared through the air. The obviously hot sunlight enveloped its wings, and it looked as if they were about to melt away.

To be honest, Shadraput didn’t want to get even a little closer, but she had no intention of forcing herself against that magical devilish being now. It was her policy not to make enemies unnecessarily.

Lugis told Shadraput to confirm whether the sun had substance or not.

There were roughly two ways for magical devilish beings to manifest some kind of object.

One was to actually create it. The ancestors of the elves were able to create trees from seeds that could grow into trees in the future, and some demons born from minerals could produce gold and silver.

The other was to craft an illusion. By taking the concept of the sun, it could extract only a portion of its power, such as its symbolic heat and fertility, while manifesting as something stronger.

The former was a real thing, so its existence was strong. On the other hand, the latter could exert a greater effect than the real thing because it was a symbol. However, it could be fragile because it couldn’t last long.

Shadraput, while feeling her body being slightly burned, saw that this pseudo-sun was the latter. However, strangely, it had absorbed too much magical power and was beginning to take on a physical form.

If this thing were to take on a physical form, then it wouldn’t just destroy this city alone. It would possess great gravitational power and inherent heat that could destroy this whole country.

Shadraput calmly realized one thing. As expected, it must have been Gear Rabel who had worked hard to create this. Only she would try to create something like this. Even Junelva would be rational in this regard.

Shadraput knew that Gear Rabel only acted according to her own logic, which brought extreme danger.

That’s why, at the height of Altia’s power, most of it was destroyed and lost. Well, for her, it was probably because Offal was involved.

Shadraput had more or less accomplished the purpose that Lugis had told her to do. Shadraput circled the pseudo-sun and entered Lugis’ blind spot. Even he couldn’t see that far.

Now, it was the opportunity to escape.

Shadraput stretched her wings out wide to catch the wind. It gained lift and rose up. As expected, getting involved any further could cost her life. It was always important to know when to stop.

All Lugis told her was to find out if the sun was real or an illusion. Once she found out, she could do as she pleased.

No one could catch up with Shadraput once she raised her wings and prepared to fly. Not even birds could match her speed.

Naturally, she was a different breed of other living things. The only thing that could catch up with a dragon’s immense power was…

…The feathers of the King of birds.

「You’ve come to this dream, Shadraput! 」

Claws grabbed Shadraput’s feathers the moment she prepared to retreat. The magical devilish being was there while slashing off the skin entangled in the sand and spitting blood.

「What…Isn’t this a terrible nightmare instead!? 」

A demon and a dragon. Both of them disappeared into the pseudo-sun. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that Junelva had forced Shadraput into his own domain.

This was the very origin of Junelva, a tiny world created for him. Both of them were swallowed up.

—

Both humans and demons looked up at the sky. The magical devilish being Junelva was swallowed by the pseudo sun while letting out a high-pitched sound. No one knew what it meant or what would happen next.

「What…happened, Lord Doha Surah? 」

Even Mastigius could only say this, overwhelmed by what had happened. In fact, considering a human’s dynamic visual acuity, Junelva’s movements were done in the blink of an eye.

Even Doha Surah, a demonic beast, knew only one thing.

「…I don’t know. But it seems like something bad is going to happen. 」

Shadraput’s figure was caught in his demonic eye for a moment. He knew that she and that magical devilish being had some kind of connection, but he didn’t know what the meaning of her actions was.

But nothing good was going to happen. They both gazed at the light in the sky.

The pseudo sun. The two, who had been forced to focus on Junelva during the fierce battle, finally noticed that vicious presence. Perhaps it was something worthy of being Junelva’s origin.

The fact that he attempted to become one with it could only be for the purpose of maximizing his own power. Doha Surah felt a chill running down his spine and distorted his tongue.

It would be too painful to miss it now. They had already given up almost all their efforts. If Junelva still had some margin, then they would have no choice but to accept defeat.

Doha Surah heard a long-awaited voice just as he was about to tilt his horns.

「…No, you won. You have already killed that magical devilish being. You will leave the rest to your comrade from the mythical era. 」

Lugis tilted his crimson eyes and placed his demonic sword on his shoulder. When had he come to the front line before, and what did it mean they “won”? Before they had time to ask, Lugis continued speaking.

「There’s nothing to worry about, Mastigius. So what will you do now? Retreat or advance? 」

Lugis said, as if to cut off all doubts. The hearts of those around him mysteriously became lighter because his words were so confident.

But Mastigius was the only one who looked into Lugis’ eyes and pondered about what he said.

「You’re completely injured. There’s still one magical devilish being left over there, and if you’re not careful, even the Great Demon might show his head. So, what do you want to do? 」

It seemed as if he was asking Mastigius and also calling out to the soldiers standing behind him. Lugis was more nonchalant than usual and seemed to not care either way.

After a moment of silence, the words slipped out as if pushed by the wind.

「General, let’s rescue our home…walk straight to the royal palace. 」

It was no longer clear which soldier said this. But Mastigius certainly heard those words. And he laughed. He wiped blood from his eyes. His throat was dry from the sound of his voice.

The damage was great, but the sacrifices were greater. This crisis wasn’t over. But there was no better opportunity. Now was the last chance, since the Great Demon had not yet been resurrected.

Mastigius raised his arm and declared.

「Yes. As of today, the Bolvat Dynasty will be resurrected! That is why we have come. With all our forces, we will destroy the demon army! Prepare your weapons! 」

A loud cheer from the soldiers was heard. Having lost, the confused demon army took a few steps back. Now they didn’t know whether to continue their attack or flee.

Lugis waved his demonic sword in response. There was no longer any intention of staying behind. He simply stared at the magical devilish being that remained in the royal palace.

「We are going now. What will you do, Lord Lugis? 」

Lugis simply muttered.

「Of course I will go too. You all defeated that demon as promised. You are all heroes…so now it’s my turn to do my duty. I think that’s what I’m supposed to do. 」

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I think I like demon Lugis way better. At least the melancholic trait has gone, as well as his blinded love for Ariene.

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