[Plasma Cult Regional Bishop — Andorn (LV.39)]
His Rank was higher than his own.
Caesar felt a chill in his heart, but on the surface, he maintained his unfathomable demonic posture, merely "looking" at him coldly.
Bishop Andorn walked to a spot ten meters away from the Sandstorm and stopped. He adjusted his glasses, carefully sizing up the blurry and ferocious silhouette within the sand.
He felt something was slightly off.
According to the ancient records of the Cult, a demon descending from the Ultimate Space should be shrouded in pure "Evil" and an aura of Chaos.
However, this "Sand Demon" before him felt more like the violent power of the "ground." Although equally powerful, its essence seemed different.
However, before he could think further, the fanatical believers around him had already dispelled his doubts. Could it be that this descending Demonic Lord was so powerful that he could perfectly restrain his own aura?
In any case, being able to respond to the Cult's summons meant he could be communicated with.
Andorn took a deep breath and, facing Caesar in the Sandstorm, respectfully performed the Cult's hand-to-chest salute.
"Great Ultimate Will, Lord of Sand, I, Andorn, the Plasma Cult Bishop of the Osterburg region, pay you my highest respects."
His voice was full of charisma, carrying a convincing sincerity.
"We are messengers walking upon the earth, ascetics liberating Azeria."
Andorn began to expound their doctrine.
"Great Lord, surely you have felt it too—this world has become filthy and unbearable!"
"The Soul of every living thing has been 'polluted'! The arrogance of the Dragon Clan, the greed of humans, the xenophobia of elves, the Chaos of the Demon Race... these are all distortions caused by impure Souls!"
"Our goal is to perform a grand 'Return of All Things to the Origin' ritual, stripping away the Impurities of all races and liberating their Souls, so that the entire world of Azeria can return to the 'Perfect Era' before the elemental contracts were signed, when all life existed in its purest energy form!"
Andorn's voice became increasingly impassioned as he looked up fanatically at the figure in the Sandstorm.
"We know that the Ultimate Space where you reside is precisely the most primal form of all life! You are not 'demons' as understood by the common folk, but the purest elemental Incarnations!"
"It was only because of that damned ancient war, when the passage to the 'Evil Element' plane was opened, that the world developed a misunderstanding of Ultimate Creatures!"
"Great Lord, we need your help!"
Andorn changed the subject, mentioning something Caesar had not expected.
"Ancient heroes obtained the Divine Artifacts [shield of truth] and [sword of ideals] from the Goddess Selene, who wove the net of the dark night. Using their power, they once again Sealed the largest Ultra Wormhole, the 'Crimson Moon.'"
"As long as we can find these two Divine Artifacts, we can reopen the passage and let the world return to its Origin! Please assist us!"
"...?"
Caesar was left stunned by what he was hearing.
Good grief, Black and White, Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield—all of them have been stitched together?
And from the sound of it, the Ultra Wormhole connecting to the demon plane had been opened once before? What on earth is the history of this world?
Bishop Andorn naturally didn't know that the "demon" before him was frantically Make complaintsing. Seeing that the time was ripe, he finally stated his purpose.
"Great Lord of Sand, we are well aware that demons are Chaos creatures without any sense of reason, and that treachery is a form of praise. To that end, we are willing to offer our sincerity and sign an equal contract with you."
He paused, his voice carrying immense temptation.
"As long as you are willing to assist us in finding these two Divine Artifacts, the Cult is willing to offer the ancient treasure [life orb]! And... the Souls of the entire city of Osterburg!"
Andorn spread his arms, his expression fanatical.
"We have already arranged ritual nodes throughout the city! As long as you nod your head, this city with a population of hundreds of thousands will become your most bountiful feast!"
Caesar fell silent.
He wasn't frightened; he was just completely baffled by the madness of these people.
To sacrifice an entire city for some illusory ideal?
They're lunatics!
But... a [life orb] plus an opportunity to escape safely... this deal seemed doable.
Caesar suppressed his urge to laugh and, using a raspy, low voice that sounded as if it were made from the friction of countless grains of sand, spat out two words from within the yellow Sandstorm.
"Contract."
Upon hearing this, Andorn's face immediately filled with wild joy!
He succeeded! He had actually managed to establish a connection with a powerful Ultimate demon! As long as they could sign the contract and borrow the power of this "Sand Demon," finding the Divine Artifacts would be a trivial matter, and even sweeping across the entire Northern Realm wouldn't be a problem!
When that time came, he, Andorn, would become the number one contributor under the Seven Sages!
"As you command! Great Lord!"
Andorn excitedly took out a scroll made of a strange leather from his Storage Ring and presented it with both hands. The contract scroll possessed an amethyst-like luster and was covered in natural magical patterns—it was exactly the high-Rank [Arcane Leather] Caesar had been searching for.
Beside the scroll lay a fist-sized [life orb] emitting a soft red light.
Caesar looked at the two items, already thinking of new uses for them.
With a thought, a massive claw composed entirely of shadow energy slowly emerged from the storm, reaching toward Andorn.
The giant Shadow Claw obscured the lighting crystals on the ceiling, bringing a sense of despairing pressure. The members of the Cult watched this manifested terrifying power, their adoration growing even stronger.
"...!" Andorn was even more excited, his whole body trembling as he prepared to place the contract upon the giant claw.
At that very moment!
"Do it!"
Caesar roared in Draconic Language.
Cecilia, who had been hiding in the shadows of the corner, had long been ready!
"Watch this young lady!"
She mustered all the magical power in her body, and her small dragon frame erupted with an unprecedented light.
[Luster Purge]! Maximum power!
Boom—!
An extremely blinding pure white light exploded outward with Cecilia at the center!
The light was more dazzling than a thousand suns, instantly penetrating Caesar's Sandstorm and illuminating the entire abandoned factory as if it were broad daylight!
"Aaah! My eyes!"
"It's Holy Light! Why is there Holy Light?!"
"No!!"
All the cultists, including Bishop Andorn, had their eyes instantly Burned by the intense light, letting out cries of agony.
Caesar had been prepared and closed his eyes the moment the light erupted.
The giant Shadow Claw didn't pause for a second, sweeping the [Arcane Leather] scroll and the [life orb] into its palm!
Got them!
In the next second, Caesar opened his massive maw, and energy that had long been gathering in his throat converged—
[Dragon Pulse]!
A purple spiral shockwave, like a wild dragon emerging from the sea, blasted out instantly!
BOOM!!!
The altar shattered upon impact, and countless stone fragments flew in all directions mixed with the shockwave. The entire factory roof was directly blown off by this force!
Dust filled the air, cries of pain echoed, and the entire Plasma Cult stronghold instantly fell into Chaos.
"Let's go!"
Caesar scooped up Cecilia, who was also blinded, and turned to sprint toward the opening created by the blast.
"We're running just like that? No fight?" Cecilia shouted indistinctly. She seemed to have just realized a new move and wanted to try it out.
"Fight my ass. Anyone who doesn't run after getting the goods is an idiot!"
Caesar wasn't some hot-headed youth; the mission rewards were in hand, so why stay and fight to the death with a Bishop whose Rank was higher than his? He wasn't the System's loyal simp!
Amidst the Chaos, Bishop Andorn finally recovered from the intense pain and shock. Although he was temporarily blinded, his perception as a Gold Rank powerhouse remained.
He felt the residual energy from the explosion.
That wasn't any "Evil Element" at all! That was pure, overbearing "Dragon Element"!
He had been tricked!
That so-called "Sand Demon" was nothing more than a Young Dragon!
"DAMNED DRAGON—!"
Andorn let out a heaven-shaking roar, his voice filled with the humiliation of being fooled and boundless rage.
Not only had he wasted the collected Soul power for nothing, but he had also lost the ancient treasure [life orb]!
"Chase them! Chase them down!!"
"I'll skin that dragon! I'll tear it into ten thousand pieces!!"
The members of the Plasma Cult reacted from the Chaos and chased after Caesar like madmen.
The two little dragons were already nearing the exit of the tunnel they had dug. Behind them, the Plasma Cult pursuers, amidst Andorn's roars, chased after them recklessly.
They were just about to escape to safety.
But Caesar suddenly stopped.
"Hey! What are you doing now! Run!" Cecilia shouted anxiously.
Caesar didn't answer. He simply turned around and looked at the factory ruins behind him, where countless figures were rushing out. His dragons maw curled into a cruel arc.
He raised a foot and then stomped down heavily.
[Bulldoze]!
BOOM—!!!
The entire earth shook violently.
Under the terrified gazes of the Cult members who had rushed out, the ground beneath their feet, along with the remains of the entire abandoned factory, began to collapse downward!
A massive sinkhole over a hundred meters in diameter appeared out of thin air!
This was the "parting gift" Caesar had prepared long ago.
From the moment he went underground, he had already used [Sand Tomb] to hollow out all the load-bearing structures beneath the building!
Countless cultists didn't even have time to scream before they fell into the Sand Tomb. Caesar stood at the edge of the abyss, looking down at the enemies buried by the sand and ruins.
"I'm not pretending anymore, I really am a simp," Caesar grinned with his dragons maw, "Now, time to counter-attack!!"