Chapter 573: A Master-Student’s Blood Relationship

The roar of the copper dragon reigned as the most supreme across the sky.

The fiery wind rages even dispelled the dark clouds that brough the death snow. Unpleasant fire rained down on earth. The colossal fireballs were spewed from the copper dragon’s mouth.

Unrivaled in the heavens and in the sky. Shadraput, the copper-looking Queen Dragon, was the sole survivor of the five great dragons that once ruled the entire sky.

Time on the battlefield was often torn apart the moment she manifested herself.

Humans and even monstrous beasts gazed upon the heavens. The arrogance of spreading her wings, claiming the sky as her own, and her haughty behavior, disregarding others…it all belonged to her.

The lost legends of myth were now revived. Her very presence proved that the legends were all true as an irreplaceable part of history.

「…Destroy, Fireball. 」

Its majestic form was soaring through the air with its glittering. Proud copper scales spread wide, looking like shattering glass, yet indestructible.

The colossal fireball, proof of its fire dragon nature, violently struck Zebrililith’s massive body.

This wasn’t merely a physical phenomenon. It felt as if it was draining all the surrounding magical energy. It was no longer just fire, but something closer to a demonic concept itself.

The colossal fireball, like a volcanic eruption, magnificently shattered Zebrililith’s shell.

The sight evoked a single image in both humans and monstrous beasts.

In the past, in the age of myths, there was indeed an era when countless demonic beings existed, vying for supremacy…a realization that was immediately apparent without a trace of doubt.

…And so, the spirited goddess Zebrililith was the only being to single-handedly claim supremacy in the age of myths.

That powerful being could only be dethroned by the Giant King Flimslat and the Sky Dragon Vrilligant.

「…That’s why I want to avoid fighting a god, even if its fallen. 」

Zebrililith’s outer shell crumbled away with a sound of collapse. At this moment, her unstoppable march stopped for the first time.

Shadraput’s massive fireball undoubtedly inflicted a tremendous wound on the spirited goddess.

However, Shadraput wouldn’t hesitate to antagonize her if she could be destroyed this easily. She would have completely disintegrated this colossal body in a single breath.

There was a reason for hesitation right before her eyes.

「…Oh, ooooooooooh! 」

Zebrililith struggled. Her massive body vibrated, and each individual ruin that made her seemed to tremble in the wind, making it appear as if her entire body was sobbing.

Instantly, magical power surged forth. A mist rose, enveloping Zebrililith’s entire body. A dense miasma penetrated the wounds…reconstructing her outer shell.

This was Zebrililith’s most vicious and uncontrollable power. Whenever she was wounded, she would absorb all the necessary magical power from earth, instantly regenerating.

This was the power once possessed by the magical devilish being Drigman. If this power had been bestowed upon Zebrililith, then it was inevitable that she would possess the same power.

—

「Shadraput, huh? I never dreamed she’d defy me. Did she have a change of heart? She’s supposed to be a subject, isn’t she? 」

Inside the temple. Zebrililith averted her gaze from me and spoke, looking into an empty space. The tremors were spreading even from within, and I could feel Shadraput’s heat. Yet, she showed no signs of distress.

She seemed confident that her superiority remained unshaken despite Shadraput’s rebellion. It was unbelievable, but that must be the truth for her.

But even so, it was true that one of her predictions was wrong. Therefore, even a god’s assumptions weren’t always correct.

And so, cracks appeared within the temple due to Shadraput’s fury. This place was no longer perfect, and she couldn’t be invincible anymore.

I kicked off the ground and leaped before Zebrililith could move her gaze. It was my first time soaring through the air using only my own leg strength. A human body would have been instantly crushed.

However, my current body, emanating mass of demonic energy, couldn’t be shattered. My nerves accepted this fact as a natural occurrence, and the treasure-turned demonic sword projected a sword line befitting this body.

The demonic sword spoke. This is how one kills.

The leap was magnificent. The demonic sword reached her in a single breath after stepping over the stairs leading to her throne.

Unlike before, I wasn’t swinging the sword blindly. I had a premonition that I could kill her now.

From what I could see, all the girls that Zebrililith created were manifestations of her blood…the black water. If this blood permeated her entire massive body, then evaporating a part of it would be meaningless.

But even blood had differences between areas where it was lost and those at the extremities.

This temple, which could be considered as Zebrililith’s heart, was likely in the former category. Therefore, it was worth trying to kill her.

The demonic sword roared, slashing through the air.

But Zebrililith moved her fingertips in that instant. Without even assuming a stance, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, her fingertips touched the edge of the demonic sword.

「…You’re not ready to wield that yet. 」

In that instant, black fluid gushed from her fingertips, running across the motionless demonic sword. There was no time to stop it, no way to avoid it. Without any hesitation, the black fluid entangled the hilt, then my hand.

And then, it entered the inside of my flesh…into my blood vessels.

「Gaaah, Aaaaaah…!」

What followed was a horrifying sensation that made me want to vomit immediately. The lowest feeling of something other than myself existing inside my body.

I could feel that the blood flow throughout my entire body, which I normally didn’t even notice, was now being violated by something abnormal.

The impact was so strong I wanted to collapse to the ground. But…

「…Guh, ugh! 」

I forcefully swung both arms, shaking off Zebrililith’s fingertips. For this moment, I even offered gratitude to the body of the demon I despised.

My current body had a demonic power, which helped me feel no pain, no horror, and not even fear. If so, then I would continue to move this body of mine until death, fulfilling its role. That was how it was.

There was no time to catch my breath. I swung my blade two, then three times at Zebrililith, who remained seated on the throne. Unlike before, she didn’t easily accept a swing of my demonic sword. She always blocked it with her fingertips, shaking off my blade.

In other words, this was proof that she couldn’t be directly cut down right now. That alone made my attack worthwhile.

But the price was immense. She showed no hesitation whatsoever, and whenever I stopped moving, she forced the black water into my flesh. Each time, my mind burned out and my body began to malfunction.

To be frank, there was a horrifying terror. It was different from the feeling of accepting demonic energy from a human body. Instead of my body gaining heat, it was an abnormal sensation of having essential things taken away…no, of something being lost.

Furthermore, not a single line drawn by the demonic sword passed through. Zebrililith accepted it with ease, as if she knew it all along.

「Great Evil Lugis. You have defied the gods. Since ancient times, demons have obeyed great demons. To defy that covenant is a grave sin. You know what kind of judgment those who defy gods receive. 」

「Well…I don’t believe in myths. And I don’t want to know. 」

My breathing became ragged. My body was already half-dead even though Zebrililith hadn’t even moved from her throne. Even my eyeballs were burning with intense pain.

Zebrililith, as if aware of my condition, readjusted her legs, while her eyelids were still closed. Then, she calmly said.

「Kneel on the ground until you die… “Crawl”. 」

My knees gave way the moment she uttered those sparkling words. For some reason, my demonic body, which was supposed to continue fulfilling its role until death, wouldn’t obey to my mind. It was as if my knees had become fused to the ground.

That said, I hadn’t expended all my physical and magical energy. I still felt I could move even though I could barely breathe-

Yet, my body wouldn’t obey my orders. Could it be…?

「That’s right. 」

Zebrililith’s lips moved as if she had read my thoughts.

「You’ve accepted my blood far too carelessly. It’s obvious that this is the only way you’ve ever fought. Since ancient times, this is how I’ve made demons and evil spirits who wouldn’t obey. 」

Zebrililith lightly moved her fingertips, causing excruciating pain as if the blood circulating through my internal organs had reversed. I involuntarily coughed up a large amount of blood. It was red, yet somehow blackish.

「You cannot defy the blood of a great demon as long as you are a demon. It’s an absolute blood-based relationship of obedience…Well, I suppose that pretty much finishes what you were thinking. Shadraput’s flames can inflict damage, but that alone won’t kill me. And that doesn’t mean you could kill me either. 」

Zebrililith slammed her toes against the ground, staring at me as I lay on my knees.

Just that alone made the blood throughout my body rage as if it were burning, and my muscles tore. I was used to external pain, but internal pain was far more unbearable. I didn’t realize for several seconds that an inarticulate sound had escaped my throat.

「And now, surely you’re pinning your hopes on the new Fairy King, aren’t you? 」

「…!」

My eyelids twitched slightly. Eldith, who inherited the Fairy King’s authority from Drigman. I had chosen a different path for her, rather than having her fight face-to-face with Zebrililith.

Of course, this was a precaution in case I ended up like this, and also because it was the most convenient option.

I needed to remain at Zebrililith’s very core.

Zebrililith rose from her throne and stomped on the ground in front of me.

「That won’t happen either. When she entered here, she received my magic, didn’t she? Surely she didn’t think it was a greeting? The Fairy King is a demon who has always been under my command. My magic will suit her well. 」

I let out a sigh. Unpleasant thoughts filled my mind.

Zebrililith, showing her face devoid of emotion, said the following words.

「Stop it now. You can’t defeat me nor Altia. 」

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