Chapter 89: Today, I Shall Be Xu Xian!
"You guys go to the hotel at the foot of the mountain first, I'll be back soon," Shirou looked at Erica and the others and instructed.
"Yes!"
After the Knight-Princesses responded, Shirou's body leapt into the air, charging towards the white snake that was rampaging through the mountain forest.
"Did you think you could escape right under my nose?"
Behind Shirou as he spoke, the golden light wheel of Verethragna's ten incarnations emerged. Coupled with his posture standing in mid-air and the brilliant sun shining down, he appeared incomparably divine. He was like a god descending to subdue demons.
"Bold monster! Still struggling even now? Watch me capture you!"
The light wheel turned, finally stopping at the 『Bull』. The 『Bull』 comes from the legendary origins of the mighty Hercules; how could a hero who holds up the heavens be suppressed by a mere female snake?
"Chasing me so relentlessly... I'll swallow you, damned Godslayer!"
Being pursued like this, even Ancera, who only wanted to escape, couldn't help but feel rage. Her massive white-scaled snake body turned around, opening its crimson maw to tear at Shirou!
However, without even needing to activate an authority like the 「Phoenix」, Shirou's body flew to the side, easily dodging Ancera's biting attack. Shirou stood high in the sky, looking down at Ancera coiled in the forest, crushing and breaking trees that looked like toothpicks compared to her body.
"Has extreme fear turned into fearlessness instead?"
Shirou narrowed his eyes at Ancera, who was flicking her dangerous tongue at him from below, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
The demonic snake, over fifty meters in length, was as long as a twenty-story skyscraper. Her silver-white scales shimmered in the sunlight, possessing a god-like beauty. The moment she revealed her original form, the forecourt of the shrine had been crushed to smithereens under the weight of her massive body.
Seemingly having complete control over her snake form, the snake-transformed Ancera flicked her tongue, her emerald diamond-shaped pupils radiating a chilling killing intent. That killing intent was enough to scare an ordinary person to death, but to Shirou, it felt like a gentle breeze.
"Your resistance is meaningless, Miss Ancera."
As Shirou spoke, a brilliant golden divine power erupted from his body. "Since you like transforming into such a huge form to bluff people, I'll let you open your eyes as well."
As the divine power was released, a massive golden humanoid phantom appeared behind Shirou. The phantom reached out its giant palm and pressed Ancera's head into the ground. With the power boost from the 『Bull』, Ancera's head could only let out painful hisses. Her snake body writhed constantly, trying to coil around Shirou's body, but Shirou controlled the phantom to easily suppress her, leaving her completely unable to move.
"Hiss! Hiss!"
Ancera, her reason dominated by snake blood, was incredibly furious at being firmly suppressed. She twisted and swung her snake body frantically, trying to break free. But Shirou gave her no such chance; no matter how she struggled, she simply could not budge.
The divine power burned Ancera's body like raging flames. She swung her massive tail wildly, hissing in agony. Finally, after holding on for less than twenty seconds, Ancera's massive body gradually shrank like a deflating balloon. She eventually turned into a small girl with disheveled flaxen hair, falling from mid-air only to be caught by Shirou. This 'Snake Ancestor' was now lying in his arms in a wretched state, panting slightly.
"You are too weak, Miss Ancera. Such futile resistance feels like throwing a tantrum to me."
"..."
Facing Shirou's mockery, Ancera could only glare at him fiercely, having lost even the strength to speak.
As a descendant of the Mother Earth Goddess or a fallen reincarnation, a Divine Ancestor always stands at the pinnacle of the mortal magic hierarchy. If they were to regain their former power, fighting a 'Godslayer' wouldn't be impossible. Although Ancera had been heavily injured by John Smith, she had also given him a run for his money, nearly causing that Godslayer's death.
"Your current condition is not optimistic. If you don't receive timely healing, you will die soon."
"Who do you think caused this...!" Ancera said in a weak voice.
Having shifted back from that state of rage, Ancera was much more rational now. She had a clear understanding of the strength of this Demon King holding her. She didn't dare to run—not that she had the strength to do so anyway.
Shirou carried her through the sky at high speed, eventually arriving at the hotel room Liliana and the others had booked. Inside the room, Shirou looked at Ancera in his arms and spoke.
"How about it? Rather than dying like this, why don't you make a deal with me?"
"What?" Ancera was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion.
"Be my pet, and I will take on the responsibility of a master to heal you."
"Heh..." A mocking cold smile appeared on Ancera's delicate little face. Her meaning was clear: she'd rather die.
The pain from being burned by Shirou's divine power had not yet faded. Moving even slightly caused her to cry out in pain. "Wuaa...!" A look of agony appeared on her fair, beautiful face.
Seeing her struggle, refusing to accept his proposal even while in immense pain, Shirou smiled. "Regrettably, Miss Ancera, you do not have the power to refuse."
"You... what do you want to do—mmph..."
Shirou leaned down.
The golden light wheel appeared behind him, spinning rapidly before stopping at the 『Youth』. The Word of Power was activated.
" 'Divine Ancestor' Ancera, whether you are alive or dead, whether you are a god or anything else, you must prioritize my affairs. You cannot escape the fate of gods and demons; I want you to live for me!"
The Word of Power took effect, and a golden glow enveloped them both.
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After subduing Ancera as a 'pet,' Shirou returned to Milan with his Knight-Princesses. Then, he began preparing for a trip to the Middle Kingdom, intending to visit Mount Lu to meet Leader Luo Hao.
Every day, besides cultivating "sentiments" with his two Knight-Princesses and Princess Alice, he would occasionally bully the captured 'Heretic Snake' Ancera.
Ancera's petite, fair body in her human form was youthful yet held a bewitching charm. Her small body wrapped tightly around Shirou, and its tightness made him feel like he was ascending to heaven every time. Finally, Shirou understood why Xu Xian in the Legend of the White Snake dared to engage in a cross-species romance with a snake demon and enjoy it so much.
August 7th: Played Xu Xian. August 8th: Played Xu Xian. August 9th: Xu Xian has led me astray! Alice and the others are jealous. No, I swear by this bright moon, this is the last time I, Orihara Shirou, will play Xu Xian! August 10th: Discussed the mysteries of magic with the witches. August 11th: Played Xu Xian. August 12th: Played Xu Xian. August 13th: I am exhausted by wine and lust. I quit drinking today! August 14th: Played Xu Xian...
As for the Goddess Athena, whom Shirou had bullied harshly before, she hadn't made any moves lately. However, just as he was thinking that, Shirou encountered the goddess Athena—the one who had once left behind harsh words about punishing him one day.
"What's this, Her Majesty the Queen of the Night? Why do you have the leisure to visit me today? Could it be that you missed me?" Shirou looked at her.
Her silky silver hair draped over her fragrant shoulders; she wore a chiffon dress on her petite frame. Her skin was as flawless as white jade, and her jade-like feet were exposed like the finest works of art.
"Hehe." The tall-spirited Goddess Athena looked at Shirou expressionlessly, the corner of her mouth twitching into a cold laugh. "I am only here to inform you that the 'King of the End' has awakened. That man's goal is all the Demon Kings."
"As expected." Shirou nodded, one of his eyes flashing with a deep blue light. "Once the war starts, you'd better hide."
"Hmph!" Athena snorted, her eyes like deep pools looking at Shirou with curiosity. "Are you worried about me?"
"That goes without saying. Heroes of Steel are the natural enemies of Mother Earth Goddesses, and the 'King of the End' is the strongest Steel. You will be in great danger facing him; even a slight touch might cause you to perish."
After all, she was the "silly goddess" he had bullied before. For the sake of future "sustainable development," Shirou didn't want her to die.
"Heh, you'd better worry about yourself first," Athena smiled coldly.
Seeing her expression, Shirou frowned, then slightly raised his right hand. Seeing this movement, Athena's eyes immediately became alert, her body tensing instinctively. She looked around nervously, fearing that chains would suddenly burst out and bind her.
However, Shirou merely scratched his head.
"You bastard...!" Athena realized Shirou was teasing her. She was instantly both ashamed and furious, her teeth grinding audibly.
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