“I’m somewhat interested in what kind of place this other world is like, but I’m not interested in making a move against Great Red.”
Truthfully speaking, I’m definitely curious about it. It’s uncharted territory, so it’s certain to cause excitement in any man. But I absolutely do not want to defeat Great Red, who is freely and leisurely drifting about in the Dimensional Gap. After all, Great Red is one of the saviours of my life. Although I’m not sure if he ever thought about it that way…. After hearing my reply, Apophis’ lips curled up slightly as he smirked. I see. Well, it’s only a matter of time after all.>> While saying that, Apophis placed his hand in front of his chest. I apologise for my impatient nature, but please allow me to have a swift victory.>>
All of a sudden, the surrounding area became pitch-black. As I turned and looked around in every direction, I realised that the entire island had been enclosed within a barrier. Ddraig said
[…This is bad. That guy wants to decide on the victor in one go.] …Azazel-sensei had said so before, that as soon as the weather changed, it was the first sign of danger! In order to prevent him from continuing, I fired a Dragon Shot towards him, but the technique had already been completed, and the wall of darkness which appeared before Apophis again eliminated my demonic energy. For a small island of this size, it only takes a few seconds for me to turn it into my world.>>
Apophis’ entire body — gradually became enveloped in darkness. As if in response to the entire island being enshrouded by darkness, the darkness hovering around Apophis’ body gradually began to expand, and slowly change. It finally formed a shape, and had become some kind of large object. A solar eclipse floated in the sky above the island, which revealed only a thin halo of light. And obscuring that was an Evil Dragon who had already transformed and was now hovering in the air—. The thing which appeared in the sky to obscure the barrier was a gigantic serpentine dragon with a total length that exceeded one hundred metres. It was completely black in colour, but it also had gems on its body which released a silvery, shimmering glow. It had three eyes upon its head, with each of them also releasing a silver luminance. So this was the…[Eclipse Dragon], Apophis’ true form! Such…an ominous aura! It was a deadly aura which differed from that of Crom Cruach’s! Upon feeling this sensation, Ddraig said
[…He has also trained to the same level as us…!] —He was actually Heavenly Dragon-class! …This was really quite troublesome. He was much stronger than Rizevim, or in other words, it would be impossible to defeat him using my current [True Queen] form. Which means—. …So I have no choice but to use Dragon Deification…. On the contrary, if I do use Dragon Deification, then I’ll definitely be able to fight against the monster standing before me. But—. It may cost me my life this time, and I won’t be able to touch those things again either…. Regardless, either one of those choices are so annoying! I won’t be able to touch them if I die. And not being able to touch them is no different than being dead…! …Ouch ouch oww, it really hurt as my entire body was struck by pain! Even if I were to survive, perhaps my entire lifetime would end up like this…. When I became stronger by means of Dragon Deification, it could be said that all of the things that represented me were taken away. So that was the so-called equivalent exchange huh…. Black water slowly swarmed up towards my feet. In no way was it seawater. It was clearly an abnormal type of water. This water also continued to swell, and had already submerged the entire ridge. Was this also a special technique of Apophis’…? Speaking of which, sensei mentioned that if Apophis used black water, then I definitely had to be cautious. If I touched it, then I would definitely be dissolved into it…. While I was still being hesitant, I noticed that Apophis was not attacking. “…Why aren’t you coming over to attack?”
Apophis replied to my question with
I know that you have an even stronger form. You’re not going to use it?>> “…You’re going to give me the time to transform?” I was allowed to create this field. So I can wait for that much.>> …He really was a strange Evil Dragon. He himself said that he wanted to settle things quickly, yet he was willing to wait for my transformation under such circumstances…. Seeing my puzzled expression, Apophis answered my doubts. I think that this is a duel between dragons, could it be that you…don’t think that way? Although it is true that I am in a hurry, I don’t want to spoil such a one on one duel like this.>>
……. …Ah, I see. I understand now when it’s put that way. This guy and Crom Cruach are the same. No matter how dangerous their thoughts and ideas may be, and no matter how dangerous the actions that they are engaged in, they still have their pride as dragons that they will never throw away. And then, I also understood something else. He was definitely not going to play along with Rizevim’s plans. Compared to that bastard, Apophis had much greater ambitions. From someone else’s point of view, perhaps these beliefs were too naïve, but he still adhered to these beliefs. That’s why he was so strong, so unimaginably strong—. Sairaorg-san, Kiba, Gasper, Saji, Vali, His Eminence Strada, and also Crom Cruach; all of them were honest warriors who upheld their own principles. That’s why I said
“…I won’t use Dragon Deification. But, I will go all out!”
I see, then let us begin.>>
Thus began the intense battle against Apophis who had transformed into the shape of a dragon. [Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!!!!!!] I continued to increase the number of Dragon Shots, as I fired out a myriad of them! —However, the darkness which covered the surface of Apophis’ body completely blocked all of my attacks. Ascalon extended out from my gauntlet, and I transferred a dense amount of dragon’s aura into it. [Transfer!!] The powerful dragon’s aura and the holy aura melded together as I slashed the blade down towards Apophis, but it was still repelled by the darkness, and no damage was able to be done at all. Seeing that nothing happened when the blade of Ascalon touched the darkness, I maintained the blade in that extended position and changed my arm into Solid Impact mode! With the blade of the sword in front of me, I pointed it straight towards Apophis! [Solid Impact Booster!!!] It was an Ascalon version of Solid Impact + [Penetrate]! [Penetrate!!] The thrust of Ascalon and the Impact both hit Apophis squarely…. Although I could feel the sensation from it, unexpectedly, Apophis still did not counterattack. —It was at that time that I realised that the ridge below me had already been completely swallowed by the black water! The rate at which the sea of darkness engulfed the entire island was rapidly increasing. If things went on like this, I would no longer have a foothold.