The heraldic camp. The tent that was spread out for temporary rest was not very spacious, even for a commander. If you think that it is for the army to be able to move quickly in case of emergency, then it can't be helped.

　In the cramped space, the bronze dragon Shadrapt twisted his body once more. A slight feeling of discomfort covered his skin as he reconfigured his body. For a moment, my nerves burned as if they were on fire.

　The feat of taking a body as massive as a dragon and giving it the shape of a small person.

　From the perspective of magic, this feat is close to a miracle, but for a dragon, it's just a skill. Shadrapto was particularly good at it, but many dragons could do it if they only wanted to change their form into a person or other living thing.

　However, not many would give up their dragon form, which was best suited to hold magic.

　Her golden hair turned to reddish bronze, the color of her original scales. Her eyes are the same color, and she is taller than she was when she was Althea.

　Her hair also became shorter. Her eyes are a little sharper and her nose is higher. It was the woman I had seen before, the one who had been Althea's companion. I think she called herself Coriolati or something.

　Shadrapto's eyelids reminded him that she was also inhumanly deformed. No, not as much as Althea, but all her people were like that.

　So Shadrapto borrowed her form, as if he were taking advantage of her power. As for Shadrapto, he had no problem with Althea's form.

"Well. That's better. Much better than last time.

　A silver eye looked down into the tent and said to Shadraupt. The voice comes from a giant who calls himself Kalia. It has the form of a man, but its insides are too different from those of a man.

　Shadrapto could smell its true identity as he approached so closely. Probably a descendant of the Titan King, Hrimsrath. The one who inherited his blood and will.

　The human scent of Lugis must have come from her. He didn't mix her blood with his. It's purely his turn to be with her.

　For reasons unknown to them, Althea's appearance was unsettling.

　It would be strange for a human to be uncomfortable in the form of a human king. It is not unusual for a Shadrapto to be afraid of his own king.

　Originally, Shadrapto had intended to take shelter as a human, but it seems that he could not fool the giant's eyes.

　No, there was more to it than that.

　There was another demon in the tent. His eyes are much harder to fool.

"Wow. ...... No, no, no, now I'm getting restless. Why are you turning into Coriolati of all people? There's plenty of people out there.

　I'm not sure what to do. The only hexenbiest who ever followed Althea.

　Not that hexenbiest. The Hexenbiest's eye is one of the organs that can see the flow of evil and affect the real world. It's easy to tell if it's a demon or a man if it can see you. If you compare a dragon and a man, the dragon is by far the one that can absorb more demons from the surrounding area.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

"Shut up!　I'm not going to change my form again. This is exhausting!　I'm tired of this!

　Dohasura showed his teeth in disgust at Shadrapto's words, but did not say anything after he turned his head up. It was more as if he were accepting the child's indulgence than being outdone.

　Finally, Shadrapto calmed his breathing and stared into the tent. Everyone around him looked human, and then they weren't.

　A descendant of the Giant King, a Hexenbiest. And the girl who had just spoken to you, Leu, although she was dressed in an unrecognizable outfit, was also giving off a very demonic vibe.

　To be honest, I was afraid of Shadrapto. I don't want to get too close.

　And then there's Lugis himself. I don't mean to speak of his vicious eyes, but his soul is no longer human. I wonder if that's acceptable for a human king.

　Nevertheless, the Althea of old was almost demonic. Perhaps, Shadrapto thought, the more powerful a human becomes, the less human he or she becomes.

　After seeing the gold disappear from his sight, Lugis settled back in his chair and spoke.

'So. You're a servant of Vriligant, aren't you? Why would it need the protection of a human?

　Shadrapto took in his words and cast his red eyes around the room. He was watching to see if anyone else in the room would interrupt Lugis' words.

　All the demons in the crowd were listening to Rougis' words without even opening their mouths. So, their king is Rougis after all. Then there's a reason to talk.

　Shadrapto knows that leaking information to those who don't need it is a foolish thing to do, and can even lead to your death.

　If so many of them would just shut up and follow him, there would be no problem. Shadraupt pressed his lips open carefully.

You're mistaken. You are mistaken. I am a demon, yes, but I am not Vriligant's servant. And he is a king of frosty cruelty. He is not so forgiving as to pardon those who disobey him even once.



　And so, Vriligant is the absolute king of dragons. Even if he were lying down and his wings and limbs were torn off, Shadrapto would not dare to fight him.

　This isn't just Shadrapto's extreme weakness. It's the consensus of the dragon people. Vriligant was that fierce.

　The process by which dragons select their kings is primitive. Not politics. Not wealth. How strong he is. Only that. The only crown is given to the strongest.

　Therefore, anyone who is born a dragon has the right to be a king and can reach the crown. It's more like a herd than a kingdom.

　Vriligant also became king by devouring his predecessor. Perhaps because he was a young king at first. Everyone thought there would be another king soon.

　When they heard that the young dragon had become king, there was no shortage of people seeking the crown. Some dragons had conquered mountains, others had devoured giants.

　--And not one of them could even wound Vriligant.

　It's hard to say what makes them strong. The speed of its flight, the density of its fangs and claws, and its breath.
Vriligant always surpassed everyone.

　For hundreds of years, he reigned as king. Everyone surrendered to the absolute king. Dragon after dragon was controlled and subordinated to Vriligant, and in time he became the champion of the skies.

　Finally, in a war known as the Divine Decree, Vriligant colluded with the giants to overthrow the spirit god Zebreylith. As a result, the gods of this world were divided into three.

　As a result, the gods of this world were divided into three: the spirit god Zebraeliris, the giant god Flimsulath, and the dragon god Vriligant.

　There was no dragon that could stand against Vriligant. Only humans could defeat him.

　Shadrapto speaks as if in sorrow. He did not tell them that he was a dragon, but he could have told them how vicious and absolute Vriligant was.

　If they hear something like this, no matter what, they will have no choice but to protect you.

　They'll protect you and you'll hide out in the human cities for a while. If any other strong race comes out, they can protect you.

　In response to Shadrapto's confident words, Kalia brushed back her silver hair and said.

What do you say, Rougis? It is said that the enemy is very powerful and inexhaustible. On the other hand, we have lost our friends and are unprepared.

　Kalia's lips lifted in a smile. She knew what he was going to say. Lugis popped a chewed tobacco into his mouth and said.

It's always the same, isn't it, Kalia? Our enemies will always raise their weapons against us for their own selfish purposes... Hey, after all, Vriligant's going to die, isn't he?

　It took Shadrapto a few seconds to realize that the question had been posed to him. Shadraupt's eyes flickered from side to side as he spoke.

"Well, of course you will die physically. The soul is a different story.

　Shadrapto replied, though he did not understand the meaning of the question. Lugis took it in stride and said.

I will kill you. What? Althea put me in the grave once. Then I will ask you to return to the grave.

　Shadrapto looked at Lugis once more, blindingly.

　Even though he seemed to be a weak man, Lugis' words were reassuring to Shadrapto. He thought that he would be able to do something that seemed impossible. Such selfish expectations.

　Shadrapto understood that there was something about this man that made him have such high expectations. That's why he's the king of the others.

　Shadrapto breathed a sigh of relief, and asked where he should wait. Some safe city in the rear was better.

No, I'm going to need your help. No, I'm going to need your help. I don't have the strength right now. I'm going to need your help.

"What, ...... hmm?

　For a moment, I thought I heard a strange word. What does it mean to lend a hand when you've asked for protection? Does it mean that I should carry the load? I'm not sure that's a good idea for a dragon.

　As if to cut off Shadrapto's dreaming, Kalia said beside him.

"Let's go then. You too have suffered at the hands of Vriligant. I'll at least help you turn it into a victor's brew.

　Oh, no. I won't say I won't help you.

　Kalia whispered in Shadrapto's ear. It was as if she were a follower of the king's word of absolute approval.

　Good. Let's get out of here when we can. Shadrapto swore firmly in his heart.

　At the same time, a messenger rushed into the tent. The sweat dripping from their faces and their breathlessness told him that the situation was urgent. Everyone looked on, waiting for his words.



　In fact, he came away with a great report.

　--that is, about the movements of the Mastighios army and the Borvat dynasty.