Just as I wondered how far down we had gone, the lowest level eventually came into view.
When we landed there, there were dozens of soldiers wearing armor and swords.
At the lowest level, there was a huge hole on the wall, and Zerceas walked into it.
Eventually, a massive green figure came into view.
It had two long, sharp horns, and was glaring at us with its ridiculously large eyes. Its massive physique was covered in scales as tough as metal, and it had long wings on its back.
That beast, whose entire body was bound with countless <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> spells, and was even struggling ferociously to tear them off, was a dragon.
Even two thousand years ago, they were on the verge of extinction, but who would’ve thought that their species would survive all the way to the Magical Age.
“What do you think, Comrade Anosh? How does it feel to see a dragon for the first time?” (Zerceas)
“It looks faster than a horse. Maybe it’d be nice to make a carriage out of it.” (Anos)
Zerceas’ eyes widened, then he chuckled.
“Now those are some encouraging words. As a matter of fact, this is the reason I asked you earlier if you were skilled at casting the <Demonization Nedra> and <Subordination Eage> spells. I want you to strengthen this dragon by turning it into a mutant, and then enslave it.” (Zerceas)
“Can’t you do it?” I inquired, wondering how much research he had done on dragons.
“Dragons are highly resistant to magic. They’re also one of the most difficult creatures to demonize using <Demonization Nedra>. Although we’ve repeatedly tried to transform it, it has never shown any sign of turning into a mutant.” (Zerceas)
“You want to make it your pet?” (Anos)
“My pet? Yes, you could say that. Dragons possess tremendous fighting abilities, and feed on demons and humans alike. If we turn it into a mutant, its power will increase dramatically, making it a monster hardly anyone can handle. It will be difficult to completely enslave it using <Subordination Eage>, but all you’ll have to do is guide it to Midhaze.” (Zerceas)
So that was his aim.
“So you want to unleash this dragon into Midhaze and have it attack the Demon King’s army, huh.” (Anos)
“Indeed. We’ve only captured this one dragon, but if we gather ten more, even the forces stationed in Midhaze won’t be able to subdue them. We will take advantage of the confusion created by their fight against the dragons to thoroughly shave off the Demon King’s army’s strength. That way, our faction’s victory will be nigh.” (Zerceas)
“I think the citizens will be the first to suffer from it, though.” (Anos)
“That’s what makes it a good strategy. The Demon King’s army will be so busy protecting the people they won’t be able to focus on fighting the dragons. Of course, all the Royalists located there will have left the city beforehand. And the citizens who sided with the Demon King of Tyranny are evil themselves. Therefore, they’ll be paying for their own mistakes, so to speak.” (Zerceas)
“Hmm. So the first step is to demonize this dragon, right?” (Anos)
“Yes, that’s right. Are you capable of it?” (Zerceas)
Zerceas turned his eyes full of expectations my way.
Instead of replying, I stepped forward and drew a magic circle covering the dragon’s entire body.
What I cast on it was the <Demonization Nedra> spell.
Its green skin and scales gradually turned black.
“OHHH…! This is… marvelous…!” (Zerceas)
Zerceas witnessed the dragon’s demonization with a smirk on his face.
He didn’t have the slightest idea what his actions would lead to.
“How foolish.” I muttered, causing Zerceas to turn to me curiously.
“Foolish…? Is there any issue…?” (Zerceas)
“Well, first…” (Anos)
As I kept casting the <Demonization Nedra> spell, the dragon’s giant body grew even larger. His muscles throbbed as if they were bubbling, and the particles of magic power it released caused the tunnel to rattle and vibrate.
“O-OHHH…! The dragon is now a mutant…! With this… those scums are finished…!” (Zerceas)
Zerceas gazed at the black dragon with a mixture of surprise and joy.
But the next moment, I heard the sound of something popping off.
The <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> chain that was binding the dragon’s mouth was torn off.
“GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!” (Dragon)
Its roar was deafening.
Next, the <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> chains that were restraining the dragon’s body were loudly being ripped off one after another.
“WHA—?!! What the hell are you fools waiting for?! Hurry and tie it back up!” Zerceas ordered his soldiers, in a panic.
“W-We are trying, sir! But…!” (Soldier A)
“We cannot subdue it! It’s too powerful…!” (Soldier B)
“This can’t be… How could it tear off the <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> chains cast by dozens of men like it was nothing…?” (Zerceas)
Overcome with shock, Zerceas stared at the black dragon.
“Zerceas. You’re severely underestimating the potential of dragons. It’s only logical that once it has become a mutant, <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> chains of this caliber would fail to hold it down.” (Anos)
“GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” The black dragon roared again.
That ferocious echo made all the soldiers cower.
“…! D-Don’t falter…! Immobilize it! Or kill it if you have to!” (Zerceas)
The soldiers drew their demon swords and rushed toward the black dragon.
In an instant, the remaining <Magic Restriction Chains Gigel> chains snapped, and the dragon’s giant body was free.
“GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!” (Dragon)
With a roar, it mowed down the soldiers in the blink of an eye with a swipe of its giant claws.
“W… What a monster…!” (Zerceas)
Zerceas glared at the dragon in frustration.
He was probably wishing he could obtain this kind of power.
“…We have no choice but to pull back for now… All troops, retrea—” (Zerceas)
“Now here’s the second issue.” (Anos)
I drew a magic circle and fired a <Hell Flame Annihilation Mortar Jio Graze> from it.
The jet-black sun left a dark trail in its wake like a comet, and enveloped the black dragon, burning it to the ground with a thunderous noise.
The black dragon was reduced to ashes, leaving no bones behind.
“WHAAAA…?! You… You actually destroyed a beast like that… in a single attack…?” (Zerceas)
“It doesn’t matter if you turn dragons into mutants, a mere dozen or so of them are no match for the Demon King’s army. The only sacrifices they would cause would be the people of Midhaze.” (Anos)
At my words, however, Zerceas’ mouth twisted into a gleeful grin.
“Y-You’re right, I miscalculated. But it was a fortunate miscalculation, Comrade Anosh. I’m exalted to know that we have an ally far more powerful than a demonized dragon among us Royalists.” (Zerceas)
“Then here’s the final issue.” (Anos)
Zerceas tilted his head a bit when I said this.
“The most fatal issue that you’re not even aware of.” (Anos)
He looked as if he really had no idea what I was talking about.
“You should’ve taken a better look into my abyss instead of rushing after success.” (Anos)
I drew a magic circle around myself.
With the use of the <Growth Kurst> spell, I had grown back to my sixteen-year-old self.
“WHAT THE—?!” (Zerceas)
Zerceas’ eyes were filled with shock.
As if something unbelievable had suddenly appeared before him.
“W… Wh… Wha… But… It can’t be…” (Zerceas)
He could barely squeeze out his inarticulate voice.
He was looking at me with a face filled with fear and despair.
All he could do was stare at me, as if he couldn’t even look away.
“The… The Great… Demon… King…? Why…?” (Zerceas)
When I casually stepped forward, Zerceas reflexively stepped back and knelt on the spot.
“Have you forgotten my words at the ceremony of the Demon King’s Second Coming? In that case, here’s a reminder.” (Anos)
His body was trembling as he bowed to me.
He was dripping with sweat all over his body, and seemed unable to utter a word.
“Zerceas. This country does not tolerate malice.” (Anos)
