A Desperate Thirst

“Roar—!”

Two colossal dragons materialized before us, effectively severing our path to the two individuals from the ducal family.

Evidently, our adversaries intended to conquer us one by one.

Yet, these two formidable creatures before us were far from ordinary foes; they wouldn’t be easily dispatched.

“These two, I observed, were at least a full size larger than any Thunder Dragon or Crimson Dragon I had ever encountered.”

Withdrawing my magic-testing monocle, I conducted a brief observation.

‘Their magical energy is still three times that of a typical specimen?’

Given this, the sheer force of the previous explosion was hardly surprising.

In fact, considering their immense magical reserves and the explosive fusion of lightning and fire, the resulting crater was remarkably mundane. This suggested they were holding back.

‘That demonic entity likely orchestrated this on purpose…’

However, this also implicitly indicated that we were not in immediate danger. The ducal family’s pair, on the other hand, faced considerable peril.

Evidently, we needed to provide assistance swiftly.

Naturally, these two dragons wouldn’t permit us to pass so easily.

‘Hmm… While they haven’t yet grown serious, I should first endeavor to uncover their weaknesses.’

Every monster possesses a unique vulnerability; with careful observation, it can be readily discovered.

Haaahhh!!!

Before I could even begin my observations, a veritable gorilla brandishing a sword charged forward.

‘Well, it appears we have an individual among us who doesn’t always think things through.’

Clang!

The formidable greatsword, wielded with immense force, merely scraped against the dragon’s scales, eliciting only a few sparks.

Hmph!

The Crimson Dragon’s snout quivered slightly, emitting a low rumble as if in derision of Lord Howard.

Then, it raised a massive claw, intending to swat Lord Howard away.

“Lord Howard!”

Fortunately, Luomei’s vines swiftly mitigated the impact; otherwise, that strike would have undoubtedly pulverized him.

“Cough, cough…!”

Despite the mitigating effect, Lord Howard still coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Adam… I’ll heal you!”

The pink-haired girl rushed to the gorilla-like figure’s side, employing light magic to mend his wounds.

‘…Ah, yes, the reincarnated soul who piqued my interest is also present.’

“Thank you, Sophina.”

Even as he received aid, Lord Howard’s expression was remarkably complex.

‘Your expression is far too transparent, you fool! She’ll realize we already know about her reincarnation!’

Thankfully, she seemed oblivious, instead stepping between us with a burst of renewed energy:

“Allow me to assist you all!”

‘I wonder what schemes this one is concocting… Given their past tendency to frame others, it’s surely nothing good.’

However, her addition was quite opportune, as light magic was exceptionally potent against monsters.

Her power was indispensable if we were to provide timely support.

Furthermore…

I pressed my hand against the square-shaped artifact within my satchel.

—Perhaps, this opportunity could be seized to seal away the foreign soul.

Even as I observed the monsters, I also scrutinized this ‘outsider’ who was so much like myself…

The calculations in my mind began to click into place.

****

“Hahaha!”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The air continuously shrieked with the force of movement.

Despite the expansive movements, Yue’s bone club moved with such speed that it blurred into afterimages.

Even more astonishing, the Young Miss had evaded every single attack.

Though each dodge was incredibly close, making onlookers hold their breath in apprehension.

Yet, she had truly evaded them all, even occasionally striking Yue with her dagger—though to little avail, failing to leave even a scratch.

‘…Without realizing it, the Young Miss’s evasion skills have reached a new level.’

‘No, no, that’s not right.’

This is our usual tactic: if we encounter an opponent that cannot be defeated by blades, I construct powerful magic while the Young Miss distracts them, attempting to overwhelm the enemy in one decisive blow.

I refocused my attention on constructing the complex spell.

‘Almost ready!’

“Young Miss!”

At my cry, the Young Miss immediately disengaged.

Simultaneously, I seamlessly followed up with my attack.

A prismatic beam of light burst forth from my palm, imbued with nearly half of my total magical energy.

‘I poured everything into this single strike!’

“Oh?”

Upon seeing the column of light hurtling towards her, Yue instantly raised her great club, holding it before her as a shield.

Whoosh—!

As if my fervent wish had been granted, the column of light instantly pierced through the bone club, striking Yue’s very essence!

And it didn’t stop there; it even tore a gaping, bloody hole in Yue’s abdomen!

Azure blood streamed down in torrents… With wounds of this magnitude, she surely had little time left to live!

“We succeeded!”

Excitedly, I ran towards the Young Miss, ready to high-five her.

However…

“…! Eileen! Don’t come any closer!”

As if sensing something amiss, the Young Miss immediately cried out to me.

…?

Before I could even react, a crimson blur shot past me like a bullet.

Thwack!

‘…It hurts?’

My abdomen grew searing hot… and my vision began to blur.

Involuntarily, I lowered my gaze, and a dark purple dagger came into view.

“Perhaps you believed such an attack could kill me… but regrettably, demons possess remarkably tenacious life forces.”

Upon seeing this, the gaping hole that had been blasted into Yue’s abdomen was now perfectly intact.

‘…Such a cheating ability exists?’

‘My body… I can’t exert any strength…’

Thud!

I collapsed, unable to resist.

“Eileen!”

I could faintly perceive the Young Miss rushing towards me, tears seemingly welling in the corners of her eyes…

Yet, the heat in my abdomen intensified with each passing moment…

Swiftly, this burning sensation spread throughout my entire body.

My body seemed to be undergoing a transformation that even I could not comprehend.

“Young Miss… don’t… come closer…”

The sounds escaping my lips had devolved into mere whimpers.

Nevertheless, the Young Miss reached my side.

It was at this very moment that a jolt of pain, like an electric current, surged from my spine and spread throughout my entire being.

Aaaahhhhhhh—!

I couldn’t help but scream aloud.

Perhaps my scream was exceptionally piercing, for in that instant, everyone on the battlefield froze.

Even the monsters and demons turned their gazes towards me.

But I was no longer concerned with such minor details…

‘So thirsty… so incredibly thirsty!’

‘My throat feels as if it’s ablaze!’

‘Is there… anything to quench this thirst!’

My gaze inadvertently fell upon the golden-haired girl frozen beside me, on the verge of tears…

Almost instinctively, I extended a claw-like hand towards her.

Cupping her immobile face, I hesitated not a moment before my mouth descended upon her lips.

“Mmmph…!?”

The Young Miss trembled slightly… clearly taken by surprise.

‘But… I could no longer care about her feelings…’

As I ravenously consumed, the Young Miss seemed to offer less resistance, instead revealing a melancholic, even satisfied, expression.

My intense thirst was somewhat appeased…

‘But… it’s not enough… not enough!’

‘Mmm… Oh, oh, oh…’

‘It seems… the plan is proceeding quite smoothly…’

Lost in my desperate craving for moisture, I had forgotten the crimson vertical pupils that watched us from afar.