Volume 9 Chapter 1 (2/2)

Just with his arrival, the battle has already begun.

He didn't glance at the other dragons. He simply looked from above at Duke and Enlil to evaluate them.

Enlil let out a growl. The fear in his voice was quite apparent.

To make someone like Enlil be afraid, Caesar definitely was a dragon among dragons.

Duke was somehow able to maintain a calm face, but I could see that his hands were shaking.

”This is the apex dragon… the true [Dragon Emperor]”

As for me, I leaked out such words with a dumbfounded expression on my face.

This is the kind of monstrosity we're going against?

I knew Caesar was going to be a formidable enemy from the get go, but when I got another look at the thing we were challenging, I froze.

…no, stop.

As Duke's master, I knew I must snap out of it. As it was, my fear was already being transmitted to Duke.

Duke believed I was a superb Demon Lord, so I should act like one.

Like that, I took a deep breath, walked a step forward, placed a hand on Duke's shoulder, and said:

”Duke, he's strong, stronger than any monster you've fought before. However, I have one thing to say: I command you to win.”

Duke once said to me that whatever I ordered him to do, he would accomplish it. According to him, I wasn't some incompetent Demon Lord who would give him a command that I knew myself to be impossible to accomplish. Believing I knew for a fact that he could do what I commanded him to do, he would do everything to make it so.

Duke didn't turn back to face me, but his back told me enough.

Meanwhile, Stolas faced Enlil and reached out her hand. When Enlil lowered his face enough, she petted the tip of his nose.

Just like that, whatever anxiety Enlil had was brushed away.

Such was a knight's disposition, I guess. He couldn't stomach letting his lady see what he considered an uncool sight.

And so, Stolas and I nodded at each other and then went up the stage with our dragons. Once there, the [Dragon] Demon Lord spoke again.

”Fumu, so, you've chosen to stay and fight my [Dragon Emperor], have you? That alone deserves recognition. Truth be told, I was worried you'd get cold feet and back out.”

What he said was incredibly condescending, but if anyone had the right to say such things, it would be him.

Before replying, I just smiled thinly while Stolas just stared at him.

”We came here to defeat you and inherit Caesar's [Dragon Emperor], and that's exactly what we'll do.”

”We're going to surpass you, Astaroth-sama. Here and now.”

Echoing our resolve, Enlil roared while Duke yelled.

Seemingly satisfied by that, Ast nodded.

”Good, you've got drive… The audience for this grand fight isn't just Marcho, Dan, and his monsters. We also have my [True Dragon Squadron]. They are here to ascertain whether their new leader is worthy or not. You better keep that in mind.”

The 19 dragons that appeared earlier weren't here to simply watch the fight. They were here to evaluate their possible new leader.

The bar had been raised even higher, but I had complete trust that Duke and Enlil would pull through.

”Ast, Procell, Stolas, no matter what happens, rest assured that I will rewind time. So, feel free to go as wild as you want.”

”I'll also provide magic power to the barrier, so you don't have to worry about the audience either. It's been a while since I've broken a sweat. But holding back the attacks of three S rank monsters might tire me out more than I've hoped.”

This was the reason these two were here.

For a battle of this scale, if an ordinary barrier was used to surround the ring, that barrier would be dissolved by just the aftereffects of the dragons' attacks. Only truly tough monsters would remain in the audience.

To prevent that, Marcho decided to participate. By pouring her magic power into the barrier, not a stray attack would get pass.

As for Dan, he was going to turn back the time for those within stage after the fight had reached its conclusion. Even if a monster has died, they would be as fine as they were when the fight started.

What that meant was that both sides could fight with the intent to kill without any repercussions.

Everything was set, all that was left was to formally begin the fight.

”Then, let us begin. My lord, I assure you, we will achieve victory.”

”Yeah, I believe in you, Duke.”

Like that, I sent Duke off to battle.

His form then changed into a large black dragon whose body was clad in dark miasma.

In this form, he could exhibit his full potential.

”GRYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUR”

”I'll leave it up to you, Enlil. I love you.”

Enlil roared like that and dyed the wind whirling around him turn jade-green.

The golden dragon was now standing opposite the jet-black dragon and the jade-green dragon.

For some reason, that made the [Dragon] Demon Lord smile.

And then…

”I hereby declare the dragon's trial begun!”

The [Time] Demon Lord loudly announce that the fight to determine the new [Dragon Emperor] has begun.

TL note: Please remember that this is the start of a new volume/book. That means there will be details such as character and skill descriptions that must be told again so that readers who haven't read the previous chapters and volumes in a while would be reminded. If you're binge reading this, I ask that you show some patience. Thank you.