Volume 6 Chapter 15 (2/2)

In the next moment, a clapping sound could be heard.

”Gahahahaha. Splendid, splendid. You've done well. Though it's all for nothing in the end!”

A man was then making his way through a group of monsters.

He was a big man that wore armor and had a sword hanging from his back. He also had cow-like horns.

”[Blade] Demon Lord, how confident of you to show yourself here so nonchalantly.”

”Why wouldn't I be confiident? After all… I have all this!”

When he snapped his fingers, over a hundred monsters appeared behind him. To make matters worse, most of them were of B rank which were considered to be elites by Demon Lords.

Even if one could make A rank monsters, the strongest they could buy with DP was the C rank of that monster's lineage. In other words, except for those few that could make S rank monsters, B rank monsters could only be made by medals. And now, there were over a hundred of those rare and powerful monsters.

It was an impossible sight.

Stolas, despite becoming weak-kneed, smiled smugly so as to bluff.

”Is it fun to smooch off of your parent and then act big?”

”Huh? What are you talking about? This is my own power! I've crushed the [Oni] Demon Lord in a [War] and took that guy's monsters, medal—you know what—I took everything away from him! It was a spectacle, I tell you. That guy didn't want his monsters to disappear, so before I crushed the crystal, I made him transfer control of his monsters over to me. And, he gladly served them up!”

Realizations then dawned on Stolas.

One particular realization was on how her enemy had such extreme war potential.

An old Demon Lord would incur penalties for giving a new Demon Lord a monster. However, there was a surprising loophole to this. If a new Demon Lord waged war against an old one and then another old Demon Lord teamed up with the young one, any monsters the new Demon Lord was going to gain would not cause any penalties to the supporting old Demon Lord.

One other realization Stolas had was that the [Blade] Demon Lord was an utter fool for exposing the scope of his power.

”I see. But don't think that numbers alone can assure you victory.”

”I guess… but then again, I have the upper hand on not only quantity but also quality. Do you understand now? You cannot win. Now, Stolas, become my woman. If you do, I won't kill you.”

Certain of his victory, the [Blade] Demon Lord spoke with fervor.

”And your cute monsters, would you rather have them disappear with your crystal when I break it? You know that your choice is clear. Join me, the soon-to-be strongest Demon Lord, and live a peaceful life.”

The [Blade] Demon Lord said so while he looked at Stolas as though he was undressing her with his eyes.

In a [War] between fellow new Demon Lords, his proposal was a charming one. Once one's crystal was broken, their dungeon and the monsters under their control would be gone as well. But if control over the monsters were transferred beforehand, the monsters would be safe.

And even though they would receive a replacement for their broken crystals after the year has passed—when they were no longer considered newly born—the monsters lost would never return. If one could avoid that pain, it would make starting over easier.

Stolas, without any hint of fear, looked her opponent straight in the eye.

”I refuse. My heart already belongs to someone else. In the first place, there's no way I'll fall for a small fry that acts big using his borrowed power.”

Stolas said so and then made a mocking smile.

In response, the [Blade] Demon Lord's blood boiled to dangerous levels.

”Fuck you! I'm going to annihilate all your monsters, line up their severed heads before you, and make you look at them as I violate you!”

After shouting so, he commanded his monsters to resume the attack.

Seeing his reaction, the corners of Stolas's lips slightly rose.

”If I don't do anything, we're screwed.”

Her side did their best, but despite the locational advantage, the best utilization of her monsters' abilities, employment of different strategies, and all of their efforts, there was just too much of a difference in war potential.

Her monsters fell one after the other.

And then, the enemy monsters traversing the narrow paths finally reached the open area Stolas was in. Upon arrival, they raised a blood-curdling roar against her.

~???'s point of view~

I was violent and out of control.

Whenever I was summoned, I had this urge that I must destroy anything and everything I laid my eyes on. This urge, this black haze over my head made me think of nothing but destruction.

Even my ally monsters thought of me as unthinking and blinded by rage.

And they were right. That was who I am.

However, there were times that it hurt to be called uncapable of thought and devoid of a heart. I wanted to tell them I did have those things.

Only that girl would talk to me. She would say that I was an important monster of hers and smile. Apparently, I was the very first monster she made using the medal she received from her beloved father.

She actually wanted to give me a name but decided to postpone it until she has gained enough experience to be able to at least control me. She promised me so and then apologized.

Even though I knew she was an ally, whenever she came near, I would rampage nonetheless. Still, rather than to lock me up, she gave me my own room. She talked to me multiple times. I wasn't able to show it but I was deeply thankful.

It was frustrating. I wanted to embrace her and to talk with her, but my body never moved according to the will of my heart.

All I could do was to rampage. However, by doing so, I have brought her some happiness before. In turn, that made me happy.

Rampaging was all I could do for her and yet I failed even at that. I was seriously wounded, but the pain of failing my one job troubled me more.

While staying where I was, her feelings reached me. She was crying. Crying for her dying monsters. Someone's making her cry. Unforgivable. I have to fight.

>

I knew my thoughts wouldn't reach her, but I still tried. I had to.

In the end, I, whose heart and body were not one, could do nothing.

”You have a good heart. Your sentiments rival those of mine for my lord. Allow me to meddle here.”

A voice reached me. It was a powerful voice. An unknown voice.

And then, I realized it belonged to a [Dragon Emperor]. One whose voice was stronger than the black haze over my head. When I heard the voice, something warm flowed through my body and made it lighter. Perhaps now my body would finally listen to my heart, I thought.

Whoever you are, thank you. I can now flap my wings as my heart wills it.

”Young dragon, what do you want to be? What do you desire?”

That's a given. I want to protect her, the one person in the world that has been kind to me.

”I see, you want to become a knight that protects your mistress. Never forget those feelings of yours. If your feelings are strong enough, you'll surely become her knight. Now, fly, sir knight! Fly!”

I didn't know what the word knight meant, but I thought it had a nice ring to it.

After those words, I didn't hear the [Dragon Emperor]'s voice anymore.

I needed to get out where I was. Thankfully, I knew how. For the first time, my body listened to my heart as I began to fly.

Don't cry anymore; I'll be there to help you.

Flew I did to get of this place and to get to her side.