Time slipped through their fingers like flowing water. Before anyone realized it, half a month had quietly passed.
The war between the Slane Theocracy and the Elf Country continued.
The air over the battlefield was thick with smoke and the sharp, acrid smell of blood and fire.
Flashes of Martial Arts and magic lit up the field from time to time.
Explosions erupted constantly, fire and shockwaves tearing through the surroundings and reducing everything in their path to ruins.
Soldiers from both sides clashed fiercely across the battlefield.
Their armor had long since been soaked red with blood.
The only difference lay in their eyes.
The soldiers of the Theocracy burned with fierce fighting spirit, while the elves showed only exhaustion and fear.
On the Theocracy's side, the members of the Holocaust Scripture charging at the front had completely lost themselves in battle.
Shouting "All for the Six Great Gods!" they rushed forward with weapons raised.
The elves raised their bows, dazzling magical light gathering as arrows rained down toward the advancing humans in an attempt to halt their momentum.
But the shield wall formed by the Ashendust Scripture easily blocked the attack.
Even those unlucky enough to be struck paid it little mind and continued advancing.
Moments later, beams of healing light would appear around them, restoring their injuries.
The situation on the elves' side was completely different.
In the corners of the battlefield, aside from the soldiers still making their last stand, the cries of the wounded rose one after another.
They lay there in agony, waiting for rescue that often arrived far too late.
Ever since their king disappeared half a month ago, the Forest Elf army had fallen into a completely disadvantaged position.
If not for the Elf King's offspring appearing in time, and the fact that the two monsters from the Theocracy had not continued intervening afterward, the war would likely have already ended.
The cruelty of war was not limited to physical wounds.
It also tormented the mind.
The Forest Elf soldiers endured endless fear and despair. They thought of their families far away, unsure whether they would ever return home alive.
Every moment on the battlefield was a test of one's will.
Even so, the elves refused to surrender.
They understood clearly that the Theocracy would never accept their surrender.
The hatred between the two sides had already reached the point where only one could survive.
If they were defeated, not only they themselves but even their descendants would likely end up as slaves of the Theocracy.
But reality was merciless.
Even after dragging on for half a month, the balance of victory still continued to tilt toward the Theocracy.
Unless an external force intervened, the outcome was already decided.
The only question left was how much longer it would take.
"Boring. I really don't know what that God of Death is thinking. If he just let me step in, this battle would have ended long ago."
At the rear of the Theocracy's forces, Zesshi Zetsumei fiddled with a Rubik's Cube and spoke with obvious irritation.
A battle that could have ended half a month ago had been dragged out until now, and it left her extremely dissatisfied.
"Don't just think about yourself. You should also consider the soldiers."
"After all, the significance of this battle is far from ordinary."
The Captain of the Black Scripture spoke beside her in a serious tone.
Looking at the girl in front of him who was already several hundred years old yet still so willful, he couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
Whether it was for training the army or allowing the people to vent their anger, this war was destined not to end quickly.
Now that the Theocracy already held overwhelming advantage, his role and Zesshi Zetsumei's role was simply to oversee things from the rear.
"I hope you weren't lying to me. When I return to the Theocracy, I'd better see that beast. Otherwise, don't blame me for making you taste horse urine again."
Zesshi Zetsumei stopped twisting the Rubik's Cube, which still didn't even have a single side completed, and looked up at the Captain of the Black Scripture.
Her eyes carried the unmistakable resolve of someone who meant exactly what she said.
"Uh…"
The Captain of the Black Scripture's mouth twitched immediately.
What did that have to do with him? He was just the messenger.
It was clearly Surshana-sama who told him to pass along the message.
Why bring up his embarrassing past?
If you have the guts, go make the God of Death drink horse urine!
Wait.
Surshana-sama and Momonga-sama are both skeletons.
They probably… can't drink horse urine, right?
Thinking about this, the Captain of the Black Scripture frowned.
His thoughts gradually drifted in a strange direction.
God of Wind: ?!
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Deep within the Katze Plains.
Inside a dark valley, several massive dragons circled high in the sky.
Their enormous bodies shimmered with different colors, majestic and imposing. At the center of the valley stood a gigantic altar covered with precious offerings.
The leading dragon let out a deep, resonant roar, and the other dragons responded in kind.
They descended one after another, surrounding the altar. Flames poured from their mouths, igniting the offerings. In an instant, blazing fire surged from the altar, illuminating the entire valley.
"My King, the time is nearly right."
The Brightness Dragon Lord glanced toward the altar, where several figures stood observing.
Hearing this, Naohara turned his head.
"Momonga, from here on you must be careful. Blackie and I will support you from the side."
"Mm. Don't worry."
The skeleton wearing a mage robe nodded. He looked calm on the surface, if one ignored the wildly flickering soul flames in his eyes.
"With the [Dragon Destruction Sword], engraved with Rune Characters, guarding your soul, combined with the Talent I recently replicated that allows you to read a weapon's memory and use its owner's magic, you'll effectively gain part of the characteristics of the [Dragonslayer] profession."
"On top of that, the pure Dragon Power provided by Naohara and me will help you control this power faster. The inheritance of Wild Magic also comes with the Talent [Accelerated Magic Learning]."
"Even if something unexpected happens, we still have the [Caloric Stone] as a final safeguard to prevent the worst outcome."
The slime with a body flowing with viscous fluid approached them and explained step by step.
After half a month of preparation, the sacrificial ritual was finally ready.
What remained was the most critical stage: the actual execution.
"The [Dragon Destruction Sword], which amplifies the [Destruction] attribute, has extremely strong suppressive power. Even I feel a chill from it. The dragon soul of the Elder Coffin Dragon Lord shouldn't be able to cause much trouble."
Naohara nodded as he spoke.
Cocytus's forging skills were truly remarkable. Even he couldn't help but admire them.
"Even so, I still feel nervous now that we've come this far. Heh… experiencing this with the body of an undead is quite an interesting feeling."
Momonga removed the World-Class Item [Eternal Seal].
The familiar green light appeared again, calming the turbulent emotions within him.
After giving the two a slight nod, Momonga walked to the center of the altar and sat down cross-legged.
"Then let's begin."
Naohara turned toward Blackie.
Seeing this, Blackie waved a hand, and a massive sphere appeared above the altar.
Then the two transformed into dragon forms almost simultaneously, descending to opposite corners of the altar.
At the same time, the Brightness Dragon Lord, the Heavenly Dragon Lord, the Vampiric Dragon Lord, and Mare's two pet dragons who had mastered Wild Magic all landed in their respective positions.
[Dragon Transformation Secret Art]
As mysterious runes and chants echoed through the valley, waves of Wild Magic began to spread.
The dragons released their Dragon Souls. Strange light flickered in their pupils, and their bodies gradually became hazy, as if they were merging with the surrounding environment.
...
One kilometer away from the valley.
"What a spectacular sight. Don't you think?"
Renner couldn't help but sigh in admiration as she looked at the scene, glancing toward the person beside her.
"Is this… the power of gods?"
Keno said blankly.
In that moment, the sheer force before her shook her entire world. It felt as though she was witnessing a great miracle.
"Well, isn't that only natural?"
"After all, those are the Supreme Ones I adore~"
"Long time no see, little one who likes making friends with food."
Keno and Renner turned their heads.
What appeared before them was an elegant dress, pure white with pale golden embroidery.
The person wearing it was Shalltear, now dressed in a different outfit.
Afraid that she might enter Blood Frenzy at such a critical moment, she had specifically changed into clothing designed to suppress her loss of control.
"…It's you!"
A trace of panic flashed through Keno's eyes.
Although Renner had spent this period explaining things to her and told her that Shalltear was on their side, meeting her in person still made her heart race with fear.
"Don't be so tense. You'll become Naohara-sama's wife in the future, after all. Being this timid won't do~"
"Hmm… the scent of the Ancestor… even the scent of the Divine Ancestor. I quite like your smell right now."
Shalltear stepped forward and stopped beside the stiff and unmoving Keno.
She placed a hand on Keno's shoulder like an intimate friend and whispered softly into her ear.
"Alright, Shalltear-sama. Keno hasn't fully adjusted yet. Please don't scare her."
Seeing Keno's body trembling slightly, Renner sighed helplessly and pulled her to her side, finally freeing her from Shalltear's grasp.
This vampire truly had a rather twisted sense of humor.
"Tch. I was just trying to say hello."
Shalltear pouted and looked around, feeling bored.
The shorty and Demiurge were busy working on some "Dragon Creation Plan 2.0," and apparently they had achieved some interesting results.
Cocytus was staying on the third floor, adding Rune Characters and Wild Magic to the equipment of all the Guardians.
Albedo, that gorilla, had been staring at the sacrificial site the whole time. There was probably nothing interesting to talk about there.
As for Sebas… better not.
"Sephis is still in seclusion. Otherwise we could've gotten some dragon blood to drink."
Shalltear licked her lips with a hint of regret.
Ever since receiving the Dragon Crystal bestowed by Naohara-sama, Sephis had entered the deepest stage of transformation and had yet to emerge.
It left Shalltear rather bored. Among the Guardians, aside from duty and arguing with the shorty, Sephis was one of the few she could casually chat with.
Though his personality was admittedly a bit stiff.
"Oh right, speaking of which, little one~"
Shalltear suddenly had an idea and thought of something interesting.
"What is it?"
Keno asked cautiously. She wanted to protest the nickname "little one," but didn't quite dare.
"Would you like to meet your dear big son~"
"Huh??"
***
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