"I'm... the fake?"
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord lay helplessly on the ground, his massive body seemingly drained of all strength.
His eyes were vacant and confused as the same words echoed endlessly through his mind.
"You are the clone."
The words repeated like a curse, making him question his own existence and everything he had believed until now.
How could that be...? How could he possibly be a clone?
No. It was a lie. It had to be!
"My ancient name. That's right, I still have my ancient name!"
"The world recognizes it. I am the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord!"
He refused to let a single absurd statement deny his entire existence. He would uncover the truth and prove who he was.
As though suddenly remembering something, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord raised his head and stared into the sky, releasing a low roar.
The world granted a title to every Dragon Lord.
Each Dragon Lord's title was different and unique.
If someone lost the right to be a Dragon Lord, their title would lose its meaning and could no longer be expressed.
"Hahaha! That's right, it's still there! My ancient name still exists!"
"I'm the real one, and you're the fake! Wretched beast, do not disturb my resolve!"
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord laughed wildly, as though addressing his opponent and reassuring himself at the same time.
"That's right. You really are the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord~"
"Didn't I tell you? You are the shell I shed, the shell known as the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord. I abandoned that title the moment I divided my Dragon Soul."
"Open your eyes and look carefully. I am no Deep Darkness Dragon Lord. I am a being far beyond you."
"I am the Eternal Night itself, known as the [Eternal Night Dragon Lord]."
The Dragonoid, or rather, the Eternal Night Dragon Lord, remained perfectly composed. The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's outburst did not affect him in the slightest.
"Since we're here, let me tell you another secret. Do you remember when the Dragon Soul was divided?"
"In your memories, you were the one who resurrected me. In truth, it was the exact opposite. I was the one who resurrected you."
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord's voice was like a Demon whispering into his ear, relentlessly wearing away at the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's fragile will.
"Think carefully. Of the two paths to godhood, why was I the one who chose [Cocooning], while you chose [Erosion]?"
"We agreed to walk a path of our own. Those were our own words, remember? Hahaha. Doesn't that seem rather contradictory when you were sent down the path of [Erosion]?"
"Did you never question it? Ah, of course you didn't. You were only a clone implanted with a suggestion. Until a moment ago, you firmly believed I was your final safeguard, that if you died, you could be resurrected through me in another form, didn't you~"
"But that was a lie as well~"
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord let out a contemptuous laugh.
His expression soon darkened, and a savage aura began spreading from his body.
"I have to admit, despite possessing the same memories and Soul, your stupidity still makes me laugh. Capturing the stronghold? How did you ever come up with such an idea?!"
"All you had to do was hide! All you had to do was give me a few more centuries! All you had to do was become my nourishment when I finally emerged from the cocoon..."
"Why?! Why did you have to do something so unnecessary?! Who do you think you are?! The Dragon Emperor?! Even the Dragon Emperor is already dead, so what made you think you could succeed?!"
"Was it that World-Class Item you practically handed over to them, or the alliance that never existed in the first place?"
"Answer me, you lowly clone! If not for your blind arrogance and complete lack of self-awareness, how could all my efforts have been ruined, forcing me to emerge from the cocoon now?!"
As he spoke, the Eternal Night Dragon Lord suddenly vanished, then reappeared before the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord like a flash of lightning.
Seeing this, the White Dragon Lord and the other Dragon Lords immediately backed away, leaving the entire matter to him.
Time to leave. This was not something they wanted any part of.
Under the watchful eyes of Naohara and the other two, the NPCs, and the True Dragon Lords, a dramatic scene unfolded.
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord raised his scaled arm and swung it with all his strength, slamming his palm into the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's head.
A thunderous bang rang out.
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord was left dazed as his body hurtled backward.
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord did not stop there. He instantly closed the distance and drove a flying kick into the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's abdomen, launching him high into the air.
Then he leaped after him, clenched his fist, and brought it crashing down against the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's head with all his strength.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound rang out as the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's skull shattered, spraying brain matter and fragments of bone in every direction.
He really was killing himself.
Yet at that moment, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord suddenly burst into hysterical laughter.
"You're getting desperate! Hahaha!"
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord laughed madly as blood poured from his shattered jaw and half-destroyed skull.
"You're lashing out because you can't do anything else. I understand now! Even if what you said is true and I'm not the original, there's no chance you are either!"
"The moment the division occurred, the so-called original ceased to exist. All that remained were two clones, each arranged to follow a different path to godhood."
So that was it.
Was this the original's plan?
Whether they worked together or turned against each other, either outcome would become fuel that drove them forward until the existence called "I" finally became a God.
"Interesting. This is truly fascinating."
"What a fool! Deceiving the world, even deceiving yourself. Hahaha, this really is..."
By allowing two entirely different paths to intersect, a completely new possibility could be born.
The loser would be reduced to ashes, while the victor would be rekindled.
To devise such a vile plan, should he expect nothing less from himself?
"Hey, Filth. Let's make a deal."
"Restore me to my full strength. In exchange, I'll give you the complete version of [Erosion]. It is far more efficient than the versions those traitors handed over, and it includes everything I have learned over the past few centuries."
"You should also be interested in the Wild Magic known as [Cocooning]."
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord suddenly addressed Naohara.
Without waiting for an answer, he immediately turned those memories into strands of light and sent them drifting toward Naohara and the others.
The Wild Magic [Cocooning] had originally been conceived by the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord before his Dragon Soul was divided. Although the Soul had since split, he still retained those memories.
Hah. Just as the creature before him had said, the original must have implanted a suggestion in him, causing him to focus all his attention on [Erosion].
Only today had he finally awakened to the truth.
I am myself.
The Deep Darkness Dragon Lord no longer cared about becoming a god.
There was only one thing he wanted now.
He wanted to tear the other version of himself apart with his own claws!
That was why he was willing to ask the Filth for help.
Of course, no matter the outcome, he would never show the Filth even the slightest trace of respect.
Was he afraid of death?
Hah. How could he not be afraid~?
Yet despite his fear, he still had his own convictions and limits.
He knew perfectly well that his choice might be unbelievably foolish, but so what?
He also knew the Filth would never let him go easily.
In that case, rather than cast aside the pride and dignity engraved into his blood and cling to life like a dog, he would preserve the last shred of his honor.
There was no so-called Eternal Night Dragon Lord here.
There was only him, the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord!
"You bastard!"
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord stared at the thread of light, his eyes clouded with fury.
He had never imagined that his other half would do something like this. It was completely beyond his expectations.
Damn it!
That knowledge was supposed to be one of his most valuable bargaining chips!
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord was burning with anxiety and wanted nothing more than to intervene, but he did not dare make a reckless move.
He could only watch helplessly as the thread drifted into Naohara's hand.
"Restore you? That would be rather difficult. How about making a different request? I can guarantee that your other half will receive exactly the same treatment as you. How does that sound~?"
So it was impossible after all?
That was fine.
At least this time, he would not be the only dragon swallowed by despair.
Betrayal...
Was this what it felt like to betray someone?
Hahahahaha!
The pain was exhilarating!
You cannot escape.
Neither of us can escape, my other half.
Come and share this despair with me!
As he watched the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord laugh wildly, Naohara felt a touch of admiration.
Hope intertwined with agony. That was true despair.
The Brightness Dragon Lord and the other True Dragon Lords watched everything unfold with complicated expressions.
"Deep Darkness, I hope you enjoyed the role that belonged to you these past few centuries."
The Swordmaster Dragon Lord, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
After witnessing everything that had happened, he offered one last farewell.
Of everyone present, he was the only one who had ever truly stood on the same side as the Deep Darkness Dragon Lord.
"No, please don't do this! Give me another chance! Woof, woof~! Woof woof woof~! I am your most loyal dog! I will prove my worth! I..."
The Eternal Night Dragon Lord finally panicked.
He barked like a dog while desperately explaining himself and begging Naohara and the other two for mercy.
"Hey, I'd like to ask you something~"
Naohara's voice suddenly rang out, calm and gentle.
"What?"
"Did you think changing your appearance and adopting a new identity would erase all your past sins?"
"You haven't even experienced death once~"
Naohara narrowed his eyes slightly, mockery flickering within them.
From the very beginning, he had never intended to let the Eternal Night Dragon Lord off so easily.
Some dogs could never be tamed.
They obeyed only because they feared their master's strength. Given the slightest opportunity, they would not hesitate to turn around and bite.
"Good night, both of you. Honestly, I'm very hungry right now."