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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: An Unseen Threat
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The Dark Divine Beast I briefly encountered was no ordinary foe.
Strong enough to kill my grandfather, a mage as powerful and experienced as myself, in a single blow.
So I resolved to train in combat magic specifically to fight the beastmen of darkness.
I needed a special kind of magic, not just ordinary attack spells.
He researched the optimal magic to both restrain and attack the Black Snake, the true form of the Dark Divine Beast.
In the end, he devised a spell that formed mana into chains and delivered an electrical shock.
He practiced and practiced until he could use it in actual combat.
Magic that solidified mana itself into the shape of a weapon was incredibly difficult.
I had to eliminate the chains' inherent volatility, their tendency to constantly change shape.
Everyone said it was impossible.
Duke Jetar, in particular, nagged me for months, sticking by my side and begging me to stop and get some sleep.
But Ekiel did not give up.
If I can't even succeed at this, it's all over anyway.
He had to help the White Tiger in the coming war against the Dark Divine Beast.
Believing that with his help, they could finally annihilate the Dark Divine Beast this time, Ekiel stayed up night after night, silently practicing his magic.
Was it not said that a genius's most frightening talent is their ability to immerse themselves and strive until they succeed?
In the end, Ekiel created his own magical formula and succeeded in freely wielding the mana chains.
It was something only Emperor Ekiel could do.
And so, whenever the Dark Divine Beast entered Jusie's dreams to target her, Ekiel, along with the White Tiger Anash, protected the young White Tiger.
Ekiel's new offensive weapon, the mana chains, was incredibly effective at binding and attacking the Black Snake.
Especially when he wrapped the chains tightly around the creature and sent a current of lightning through them, the Dark Divine Beast's agonized thoughts would flow directly into Ekiel's mind.
Jusie was the only beastman born as a reincarnation of a Divine Beast.
Its ambition was to absorb her powerful energy and achieve complete dominion over the world.
Ekiel was enraged upon reading the wicked Black Snake's thoughts—its plan to devour Anash's reincarnation and kill countless more.
I will kill you completely and shatter you to pieces.
In reality, too, I'll do just this!
*Kzzzzzzzt—!*
As Ekiel's powerful lightning strike rained down, the Black Snake was utterly shattered, parts of it turning to dust.
After that final dream, the Dark Divine Beast never entered Jusie's dreams again.
That was already five months ago.
Was it because he'd given it such a severe beating last time that it had been unable to move for a while?
Still, Ekiel was anxious.
There was no telling what evil schemes the Dark Divine Beast might be plotting.
“Emperor of Rilberg.”
Ekiel, who had been lost in worry while staring at the broken marble table, looked up at Emperor Ritain's call.
“Emperor of Rilberg. The day before yesterday, when you trespassed in my palace, you said you would explain the details later.”
“Yes.”
“Now, let's get to the real point. Seeing as you brought up my daughter, it seems she is the main topic.”
Ritain smiled faintly.
But it didn't feel like a smile at all, and Urna, who was watching, felt a chill run down her spine.
“So, speak plainly now. Tell me why you've been watching my daughter so closely in such a sly and unsettling manner.”
Ritain seemed to be holding back as he ground his teeth.
“As for the Dark Divine Beast, we have agreed that our two empires will join forces to fight it, so that should no longer be an issue, correct? Therefore, I would appreciate it if you stopped spying on my daughter.”
“It is true that our two empires will fight together. However, I have something else to discuss.”
Ekiel reached a hand toward the broken table. A golden mana enveloped it, instantly restoring it to its original state.
Ritain let out a dry laugh.
“Convenient, isn't it?”
“It is only possible when I know its original form.”
Replying politely, Ekiel opened his subspace and took out a large jar, placing it on the table with a thud.
Inside the jar was the bird Ekiel had caught yesterday.
Ritain narrowed his eyes and peered into the jar.
“Raising a daughter and a son is already a handful. Are you trying to pawn off a monster for me to raise as well?”
“Doesn't it look like a crow?”
“What makes you call this a crow?”
Ritain scoffed.
Of course, its appearance did resemble that of a crow.
But its eyes, which darted around ferociously with a hissing sound, were red, and its pupils were long, like a snake's.
And what kind of crow hissed like a snake?
Since creatures were occasionally born from crossbreeding, Ritain replied nonchalantly.
At that, Ekiel took a vial from Urna, placed it on the table, and said.
“I caught this creature in the skies above the Penterin Imperial Palace yesterday. When I administered this potion, it changed into its true form.”
“Let me show you.”
Urna sprinkled the creature with a reagent that reverted it from its disguised form.
The creature trapped in the glass jar then transformed into an ordinary crow. When another reagent was sprinkled on it, it changed back into the bizarre creature with red, snake-like eyes.
Having watched the entire process, Ritain's expression was no longer indifferent.
Instead, he asked with a serious yet displeased expression and tone.
“Was it an intruder? Our guards could have caught it. Why did an emperor have to intervene personally?”
“Of course, with the skills of the Penterin Palace Guard, they would have caught it quickly. But they would have dismissed it as an ordinary crow and moved on.”
Ritain frowned.
He was right.
Without the reagent those mages possessed, they would never have been able to identify the true form of the monster with snake eyes.
Ritain had sensed the Dark Divine Beast was approaching to kill Jusie and had been preparing for it, but seeing a being that threatened her so directly made his anger surge.
“That reagent. Is it a magical potion?”
“Yes. It is a reagent that identifies followers of the Dark Divine Beast.”
Ekiel's expression grew even darker.
“The Western Continent is home only to humans, so it is not suitable for beastmen. The same goes for the followers and subordinates of the Dark Divine Beast. Thus, there was almost no need to use this potion…”
Ekiel lifted the vial containing the green potion and spoke grimly.
Ever since the Dark Divine Beast broke out of the black crystal sphere.
The Rilberg Empire had rapidly advanced its research on the Dark Divine Beast using the powdered fragments of the crystal sphere left on the floor as material.
They had been conducting in-depth investigations, including biological reactions related to the creature.
This potion was a reagent created during the research process, considering the possibility that the creature might possess an 'animal' within the nearby Rilberg Empire to hide.
Fortunately, it showed no reaction to the animals in Rilberg, so they believed there would be no further need for it.
He had brought a sample just in case it might be needed on the Eastern Continent…
To think that the Dark Divine Beast had already extended its influence to the land where true 'beastmen' lived.
“After arriving on the Eastern Continent, I checked the area around the imperial palace on a whim, but I had no idea it was this bad. They are openly targeting the Princess.”
“…Hah. There are many beastmen on the Eastern Continent, and even more crossbreeds. There are plenty of stranger animals, too. That's why I took it lightly…”
Ritain clenched his jaw, disgusted with his own complacency.
Ekiel added cautiously, yet firmly.
“The followers of the Dark Divine Beast are likely spread quite widely throughout the Penterin Empire—no, throughout the entire Eastern Continent.”
Ritain's eyes wavered helplessly, like a small boat caught in a storm.
“Ha!”
How dare they, in my empire.
He was so dumbfounded that he clutched his forehead and let out a sigh.
He couldn't even begin to fathom how deeply they had infiltrated the empire.
Ritain blamed himself for not noticing the danger until it was so close.
“Emperor of Penterin. I will provide you with an ample supply of the magical reagent.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing the grave look on the Penterin Emperor's face, Ekiel began to speak cautiously.
“Forgive me for overstepping, but I believe you must reconsider the Princess's residence while we are eradicating the followers. The Eastern Continent, especially this Penterin Imperial Palace, will be extremely dangerous for some time.”
“The imperial palace is my daughter's home! Where else would she go?! I will protect my daughter's safety myself.”
Ritain flew into a rage.
“But.”
“No!”
His golden eyes flashed, and his gaze turned menacing. The marble table was once again on the verge of shattering.
