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Part 3

On the other side at the same time.

Kudou Asuka, Leticia and Shirayuki-hime were huddled together while resting after hearing of the discussion on Azi Dahaka countermeasures.

Among the trio, Asuka was the palest in her complexion as the colour of blood seemed to have drained from her face. She was holding her hands tightly while having an expression of worry and a brooding silence. If it were the usual fiery Asuka, she would have voiced her dissatisfaction earlier.

Chewing her lip to keep calm, Asuka asked Leticia.

“……that’s unbelievable. Leticia, is she serious about that plan? That’s completely nuts. can we really trust it?”

“Aah. In terms of the calculations for success rates, Lappy’s the strongest brain for that.”

“Mhm. Since it is the strategy designed by the 「Laplace Demon」, I will believe in it then. Although that would place a huge mental strain on Asuka……”

Shirayuki-hime had a serious expression as she concurred with Leticia with regards to the trust in Laplace’s ability. However, the role that Asuka was about to play was much larger than what she had described it to be. Moreover, it wasn’t a humane plan to be carried out either.

“…… Bestowing mock divinity to the remaining strength count. The fire dragons and the ghost types should be able to withstand the process to some extent, but how many would actually be left standing to continue to battle,”

“Shirayuki-dono.”

Hearing the chiding tone in Leticia’s voice, Shirayuki-hime covered her mouth quickly.

Asuka’s expression only became graver than before.

Mock Divinity was a double edged sword that granted an individual god level powers in exchange for the shaving off of one’s lifespan.

(In the past, Asuka was only using her power to twist the will of her opponents. Hence she was unable to effectively utilise the effect of mock Divinity enhancement. However, in the case when the target’s determination is aligned to the bestowed Divinity, the spiritual boost would be pretty significant.)

It might have been a necessary action to be undertaken for the operation.

However, Kudou Asuka who was to carry out that operation was only just a fifteen year old girl.

The thought of making others rush to their deaths and gamble their lives on something for the sake of being useful in battle is not a natural thought that commonly crosses her mind on any usual day. It was a responsibility that was too heavy for such a young person like her to bear.

“……Leticia. Is that plan absolutely necessary?”

“Aah. Be it a plan to defeat or to seal Azi Dahaka, there’s a definite need to get that guy’s huge spiritual power…… no, I should just describe it as quantity for an easier understanding. There is a need to make him spit out all of those portions.”

“Thus, there’s a need to have enough strength in numbers to deal with the large quantities of clones. For that end, Asuka’s endowment of mock Divinity to the masses is absolutely necessary. Although we might not feel that good about having to force a young one such as yourself to carry out this plan…… but there isn’t any other method that would be more constructive than that. Looking at another perspective, this would give a huge boost to the success rate of the operation——“

“No, that’s not enough.”

Coming from the other side of the large VIP room doors was a voice of a male who interrupted Shirayuki-hime’s words—— Mandra’s voice.

The sudden interruption caused the female group some slight dissatisfaction for being bothered, but it was followed by an apology.

“I apologize for the interruption. I had thought of entering the final tying up of the strategy discussions, but it became an eavesdropping act instead.”

“……it’s alright. After all, it does concern everyone too.”

The voices of both parties were stiff. After all, the people who would be putting their lives on the line in the upcoming battle were none other than them.

And everyone would have their own thoughts on the matter.

Having gotten the permission to enter, Mandra did not sit himself with them and opted to stand while making his request.

“Regarding the subsequent combat operation, we of 「Salamandra」 would like to make a request to the 「No Names」.”

“That, is it for me?”

“No, we would like to make a request from Leticia-dono.”

Hearing these unexpected words, Asuka turned her surprised gaze towards Leticia.

But Leticia seemed to have anticipated this in advance and cold sweat were already beading on her forehead.

“Mandra-dono. Could it be that…… you are here to talk about the battle 200 years prior?”

“That’s right. As expected of one who had experienced the battle 200 years ago first hand. Then, this makes things simpler. We would like to borrow your power once more for this current battle. The power of Little Garden’s Knights—— the Vampires.”

Getting a hint of the meaning behind Mandra’s words, Asuka and Shirayuki-hime sucked in a breath of cold air.

—— wanting to borrow the power of the vampires.

These words could only mean one thing.

“Could, Could it be that …… you intend to cause your comrades of 「Salamandra」 to undergo vampirification?!”

“What stupidity!! Vampirification is only a nice sounding term but that doesn’t change the fact that it is only just a step away from being zombified into a cannibalistic creature, and is hence a banned technique! Needless to say, it is a restricted Gift of the dark side! Are you planning to pollute the blood that holds the legacy of the strongest kind?!”

“I know that more clearly than anyone else!!!”

Mandra roared loudly in an intensity that rivalled Shirayuki-hime’s loud-voiced chiding.

“Being bestowed mock Divinity……. Is indeed a large power-up. However, without a strong and durable physical body or spiritual vessel, it is impossible to maintain that form for a sufficient duration. In the end, that would only force the main force to have a limited time to draw a clear distinction between victory and defeat and have their choices greatly restricted. In that case, we would be giving a huge burden of responsibility to the frontline fighters.

“……that’s…”

Shirayuki-hime could not find a come-back for that point.

Originally, the three headed dragon is already a foe that’s out of their league. Thus, for the sake of gaining victory in this fight, there was a need to carry out the operation with precision similar to threading a needle head.

“However, with us dragon types coupled with vampirification that strengthens our bodies, it would also serve to maintain our mock Divinity forms for a longer time in battle. As long as our spiritual capacities are boosted to that extent, even my useless self would be able to have a bout with that three headed dragon to sate my vengeance.”

If that power had been able to boost the Titan race from their previous encounter, one would definitely expect a similar result when giving that same power to the large sized Fire Dragons or to those with a less diluted bloodline.

However, it is just as Shirayuki-hime says, the act of doing so would defy moral grounds.

Allowing evil to consume them for the sake of victory would then invite an inevitable retribution.

And knowing the type of hazard that the curse would cause the receiver, Leticia gave a big sigh as she levelled her gaze on Mandra.

“…Mandra-dono. Are you planning to be vampirified as well?”

“Of course. With Sandora missing at the moment, it falls down to me to lead the charge. Therefore, how is it possible for me to be the only one who is spared from the curse?”

“I see that you have great determination, but I presume that you have said that while understanding the meaning of your words, do you not? This vampirification might actually cause 「Salamandra」 to be destroyed in the literal sense.”


Leticia’s question was laced with a deeper meaning as she asked to reconfirm his determination.

And that tone was not lost on Asuka as she cocked her head quizzically.

“Leticia. What…what do you mean? Could you be implying that it will be fatal?”

“Fatal isn’t quite the right term to use.. It will definitely give an effect like Mandra says it would. The spiritual power and the physical vessel, which is the body, would have a great boost in strength. However, it comes at a price and that would be…… the truth behind 「Salamandra」’s irrecoverable aging population.”

“Although Laplace tried to secretly change the battle proposal, we of 「Salamandra」 are facing a threat from a different direction altogether. The number of deaths is really astounding. But besides that problem…… would be direct threats from the short life spans of vampirified individuals and the decline in fire dragon birth rates to reducing it to 1 in a hundred.”

At this point, Asuka, who learnt the truth, had a look of surprise on her face.

When compared to the sacrifices in battle, this might just be a reality that could make it all the worse with its serious implications.

The cost from the vampirification ——-and the loss of their fertility.

If it is only the shortening of one generation’s lifespan, it might still be salvageable for their clan. However, it would be a different story if they were to lose their fertility as well. The already small population of the fire dragons would then face a threat far worse than a plague.

“I heard that the current numbers of the fire dragon race is roughly five thousand strong. Whereas the numbers in the past, 200 years prior, was at thrice that amount. ……Although there were deaths in the great battle 200 years ago, the main reason for that decrease would still be the result of the curse of infertility and shortened lifespans of the vampirification process. Am I right?”

“……That’s right. If we wanted to be really precise about the matter, it would be that the vampirified individuals would need to take some blood from their own race if they wanted to have a longer lifespan. Whereas, even those who would reject the consumption of blood would be able to live for a dozen years or so…… However, using longevity to overcome the few numbers and low fertility rate is what makes the two curses fatal to our race.”

As a result, the strength of the 「Salamandra」 organization has been greatly decreased.

This is because the decrease in numbers for an army that comprises of a single race would be directly proportional to the decrease in its strength.

“Mandra-dono. I hope that you will reconsider the matter. Let’s back up a hundred steps to consider it in this perspective. Even if I were to help you with the vampirification process, Sandora-dono is still missing and if the only one left to carry the burden of responsibility for leading your people were to be vampirified, it would be a total end to the 「Salamandra」 leader’s bloodline. It is the equivalent of disbanding the Community…… Or are you implying that you are planning on begging Sala-dono, who ran away, to come back.”

Leticia watched Mandra closely as she implored his reconsideration with a weighty tone. In addition, within those words was a question that intended to remind him of his possible responsibility as a leader if he has yet to realise that. After all, the organization of 「Salamandra」 was just pushed into such a tight corner in the current situation.

If one were to consider the rebuilding after the battle, the minimum requirement would be for Mandra Doltrake to be living and unharmed.

(The understanding…. Of the continuity of one’s race or organization……)

Asuka watched their conversation intensely while gritting her teeth. No matter what the reason had been for Asuka, she had been one who ran away from a situation like that. Even though she had been seen as a terrifying witch for having the ability to hold sway over the hearts of people, it did not dismiss the fact that she was expected to be the next head to lead the financial conglomerate.

And she, who had thrown aside all that to escape into the other world, did not have the right to interrupt this conversation.

Leticia and Mandra stared at each other tensely.

But unexpectedly, it was Leticia who lowered her gaze first while giving a sigh.

“……I just don’t get you, Mandra-dono. You are the kind of person who would even make use of other Demon Lords to bring glory to your organization, aren’t you? It should be your wish to glorify 「Salamandra」, isn’t it?”

“That wish has not changed one bit.”

“Then, treasure yourself. The blood that flows within you represents the future of the current 「Salamandra」. Have you considered what would your comrades think if they were to learn that they had no future even if they scored a victory here?”

Compared to her chiding tone earlier, her words sounded closer to an advice this time. Having known each other for a long time, she would also be hoping for a solution that did not involve an entire reconstruction of the organisation from its very roots.

Precisely because Mandra understood Leticia’s well-meaning behind her words, he had controlled himself from a usual hot-headed loud retort. Moreover, if Leticia wasn’t a person who had contact with his Community even before his birth, she would not be wasting such lengths to give an advice as patiently as she did.

“……Actually, before coming here, I had gone to ask Laplace on the whereabouts of Sandora.”

“That’s…. Hm, and what did you find out?”

“ It was determined that the motive behind the Demon King of Confusion’s control over Sandora was…… to destabilize the situation in our organisation, 「Salamandra」.”

“…………!”

The Demon King of Confusion is an evil god that appears during the instability of a society. And judging by the situation 「Salamandra」 was in, it was only natural for the Demon King of Confusion to appear.

“There are two conditions for Sandora to be released. First would be the development of Sandora’s own mind and body to obtain the capability and capacity to rid herself of Demon King of Confusion’s possession. Secondly would be for the targeted organization to work as one to right the chaos and confront the Demon King of Confusion.”

“…… Just for that, you decided to defile the purity of your blood?”

“That’s correct. Although there are quite a number of respectable individuals in 「Salamandra」, there are quite a number of naïve people as well. It is those naïve people who would likely plan on using the opportunity to elevate me to the leadership position to maintain 「Salamandra」’s operations. However, if they were to find out that I’m infertile and unable to produce anymore heirs, they would definitely go and save Sandora.”

Saying up to there, Mandra suddenly broke into a bitter laugh.

Perhaps, that was a mirthless humour made at himself.

“We……. Have always been leaving bad impressions on her. An elder sister who left the organization and a useless elder brother who has a deformed Dragon Horn due to illness. Even though we are over a hundred years old, we as members of the family have only brought shame to our name. Those must be her honest thoughts. And the only thing that I can do now would be to protect the leadership position for Sandora.”

The deformed Dragon Horn—— rather than the result of an illness, it’s better described as a fault in the developmental years.

And for the dragon kind, the horn would be similar in significance to the lion’s teeth or the wings of a bird.

Although it would not cause death to the individual, it was definitely fatal if one were to look at the importance of the bloodline’s continuity. Therefore, it was in that instance that he had to give up on the rights to the inheritance.

“I agree with your sound advice, Leticia-dono. However, clinging onto such a small sliver of hope is only similar to building castles in the air. The only way to boost our ranks of 「Salamandra」 would be to require a dragon king’s bloodline. May the dark clouds that surround our people be dispersed by our roars—— Even if it is the last valiant roar before our demise, as long as our voices are able to reach Sandora, 「Salamandra」 will surely be awakened from the abyss of stars one day.”

「Salamandra」, the descendents of the Demon Lord TaiSui and the reincarnation of the Equator’s celestial dragon.

Although the path of the Sun, as it makes its way across the skies, would welcome a period of sunset, it would not bring about a total darkness for the night. And that was the belief that was reflected in the depths of his eyes.

Staring into Mandra’s eyes and having recognised the strong iron-clad will within them, Leticia gave a laugh of nostalgia.

“……Fufu. Mandra, you’ve become a fine warrior after that gap of a hundred years, huh. If Canaria were able to see the current you, she would also be glad about the changes.”

“Who knows? After all, it’s Canaria-sensei that we’re talking about. It’s possible that she would have a laughing fit before giving only a passing grade.”

“No, no, she won’t. Canaria said that you had the potential since the time that she saw you in your younger years. The exact words were {“Mán-chan is really capable and has the potential to be cultivated”}. It really is a waste that you were unable to develop into a full dragon.”

Leticia giggled as she mentioned Mandra’s nickname from his younger days.

Asuka and Shirayuki exchanged glances upon hearing the nickname that did not suit the current person in question.

Whereas the person himself, Mandra, had fallen silent. He then feinted a cough as he searched for a way to reply.

“Hmph……. That’s all for my request. So, allow me to make that request to 「No Name」 once more. May you endow us with the Gift of the Vampires?”

“I understand. But the vampirification process can only be conducted on those who have the human bloodlines .”

“Then, there’s no problem with that. Although it may be of a far relation, it is said that the wife of the progenitor was a human and thus there should be traces of the human bloodline in the fire dragon race.”

“Then, let’s get started with the preparations. It will take some time for the blood to intermingle and bind. So time is precious.”

Saying so, Leticia stood to leave.

And having heard their conversation, Asuka became painfully aware for the first time.

(It was the same for all of them. Everyone was placing a lot at stake just to enter the fray……)

Then what about herself, Kudou Asuka? Would she be able to obtain a similar determination if she exhausted all the reasons for her to participate in the battle?



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