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"Because it was covered by a layer of something like black mist, it was impossible to see clearly."

Nephtros trembled, hugging her shoulders, and took a few steps back to distance herself from the mass of flesh.

"That chunk of flesh gave me the same unpleasant feeling as when I was swallowed by the 'Demon God' before. I originally wanted to save Fa'er, but could it be that she...?"

Nephrodite lost consciousness, then Far disappeared, and beside her was the monster. Sagan's heart pounded violently, as if experiencing a heart attack.

Just as Sagan and his companions had predicted, several bats surrounded the lump of flesh. The bats bit into the flesh with their teeth, and the surface of the flesh split open, revealing something sliding out.

That was Fa'er, entwined with rib-like bones and tentacles.

"Fair!"

Sagan shouted.

Although he didn't think that Fa'er could hear him at that distance, he saw Fa'er slightly open her eyes.

She appeared to still be conscious, as her lips moved slightly.

— Help me —

Sagan did indeed hear those words.

Then the meat chunks seemed to wake up and began to move.

Sagan pounded the ground and roared. Even though Sagan was much weaker, his blow still caused tiny cracks to appear on the seabed.

"Barbaros! Take Shestie to rescue Fael!"

Hearing Sagan's call, the shadow beneath his feet stirred, and a click of the tongue rang out.

"...Tch! I got it. Can you do it? You silly woman."

"Don't call me a stupid woman. If I don't act now, I'll never be able to repay the favor."

Shesty and Barbaross slipped into the shadows and appeared directly above the lump of flesh, in front of Fale.

"Shine—the Holy Sword Azrael!"

Shestie's holy sword shone brightly, severing the bones and flesh that bound Far's body.

"Now, Barbaros!"

The flesh and Fael's body were cut apart, and Barbaros stretched out his arm—

"Whoa! What?"

The chunk of flesh stretched out a huge claw, and Barbaros hurriedly retreated.

—What? The shape of the meat changes...?

Then, with nowhere to stand, Shisti began to fall onto the chunks of flesh.

"Sester, don't touch the meat! This feels really bad!"

However, Shisty was not a magician, and given that this underwater city was a unique space, she had no choice but to fall downwards.

However, Sagan did not send them out to fight without any strategy.

"Mr. Sagan, that is—"

Neferi noticed something was wrong and gasped.

The cracks created by Sagan's fist continued to expand as if possessing a will, resembling a giant magic circle, even after Barbaros and the others flew away.

"——<Tianlin·Setsukihana Kai>——"

At Sagan's call, the underwater magic circle glowed.

Then, countless points of light suddenly appeared in the underwater city covered by chunks of flesh.

—I never imagined I'd be reduced to using such an extravagant magic circle just to perform magic!

This is an improved version of "Snow Moon Flower" based on Neferpitou's suggestion. If it weren't for this magic, Sagan probably wouldn't even be able to start it now.

Despite gritting her teeth in reluctance, Sagan still managed to move the Snow Moon Flower below Shesty.

Just as she was about to touch the disgusting chunks of flesh, Snow Moon Flower caught the girl's body.

"Let's retreat for now, Shestie."

Barbaross pulled Shestie away from the flesh, through the shadows, and appeared beside Sagan.

In this short period of time, the meat gradually undergoes a transformation.

Upon witnessing the completed form, Sagan and the others were speechless with astonishment.

It was a dragon with wings that could blot out the sky, a gaping maw big enough to swallow a house, and fangs bared inside, its entire body covered in black scales.

"Black Dragon Malbas...?"

Neferi blurted out incredulously, a name Sagan didn't know.

"What is that?"

"Miss Lilith told us a story, the name of a dragon in the legend of Lucaon. It's said that it was the dragon that Fa's father defeated..."

Why did the monster that captured Fa'er have to take that form?

—No, that's not right…

Sagan pressed his hand to his aching chest and said:

"That was the dragon form that Fa'er would have originally received. As for why it's black, it's probably because of my... or rather, the color of the Demon King's Mark. The power of the Demon King's Mark has merged with Fa'er's power."

Upon hearing this, Nephtros gasped.

"So, is that also an extension of your curse?"

"...We were already in a precarious state of equilibrium, but now that equilibrium has been disrupted for some reason."

This did not happen naturally; it was deliberately orchestrated.

Sagan, however, found it very strange.

—Isn't that thing a demon god...?

When I first saw it, I felt that it was a being like a demon god.

However, once it gained physical form, it was vastly different from the demon fragments summoned by Bifron in the past. In terms of power, it was overwhelmingly stronger.

Moreover, in Raphael's dream, he also said that Orobas's opponent might not be a demon god.

No, if we get to the bottom of this, what exactly is this so-called demon god?

With that in mind, Sagan shook his head.

That kind of thing isn't important now.

Sagan stared at the black dragon.

"Give me back my daughter!"

The light of "Snow Moon Flower" gradually focused on a single point.

This magic trick is not the complete version.

Rather, it's a stepping stone to learning the next magic trick.

—Look closely, Fa'er. This is the power I originally intended to give you!

Next, Sagan will perform a magic trick that he learned from Farr and completed for Farr's sake.

"—<Heavenly Scale: Dragon Style>!"

The points of light formed a golden dragon. Thousands of "Snow Moon Flowers" were used to form the "Dragon Style" component.

Just as the enormous dragon shape was about to be completed.

With a loud crack, an explosion rang out, and Sagan's vision was stained red.

"ah……?"

Blood gushed from Sagan’s seven orifices: eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

"Mr. Sagan!"

Illustration p265

Sagan knelt down before he even understood what was happening.

Although Neferi supported him, he couldn't move a single finger.

"Hey, Sagan! What's wrong? What did that monster do?"

"--no."

Barbaros was in a sorry state, and Nephtros said to him:

"The 'circuit' that was constructed exceeded Sagan's tolerance... This is what happens when you use magic until your mana is depleted."

Just two weeks ago, Nephtros was on the verge of death due to overuse of magic.

Therefore, Nephtros's judgment was very quick.

"Nefria, you're healing your brother-in-law; your magic should be able to heal him, right?"

"--good!"

Nefi held Sagan tightly, closed his eyes, as if in prayer.

Her body emitted a faint glow, and the pain that was eroding Sagan's body lessened slightly. This was not magic, but the power of magic.

How could I become a burden...?

However, Sagan felt humiliated because he couldn't even make a sound. His beloved daughter had been captured by a monster.

Nephtros then said to Shesty:

"Shestia, stand in front and enhance my divine magic with your holy sword."

"Should we deal with the Chimera's attacks then...? But I don't know how effective they would be against a dragon."

That being said, there were no better options at this point.

—It was a mistake not to bring Gomel and Simón.

Sagan only taught the two men the "Heavenly Phosphorus".