NOVEL NEXT Chapter 79: Water Demon accepts his fate!
"Are you the Dragon Emperor's new lapdog now? He must be sicker in the head than I thought—to send an unknown worm like you to lead forces against me. Does he take this war so lightly?"
The air froze. A collective gasp rippled through the ranks of the gathered races. In all their lives—be they dragon, elf, or demon—none had heard anyone, least of all another dragon, dare to insult the Dragon Emperor so brazenly. Such blasphemy! Such audacity? They all felt mixed emotions, admiration for his will, and also... pity..
The dragon leading them shook, scales rattling as its fury boiled over. Its clawed fist clenched so tight it cracked the very air.
"You…!!" it hissed, voice trembling with rage barely held in check.
But after a tense, brittle pause, it drew a deep breath, forcing itself back under control.
"...It's useless to bait me with words, Draeven. I won't fall for such childish provocations." Its eyes glowed with a darker resolve now, colder and deadlier.
"It's a shame… The Dragon Emperor truly wished to recruit you, to cleanse that vile, tainted soul of yours. There was still hope to redeem you. But now—"
Its aura flared, golden and violent. "—now, it's clear you're beyond saving. Your defiance leaves us no choice… but to exterminate you here and now!"
The blood rain thickened as if the heavens themselves roared in agreement. Tension crackled in the void, as every warrior, every beast, every monster gathered prepared their killing moves.
Draeven's lips twitched. His killing intent surged in response — primal, hungry, unyielding.
Because from this point forward, there would be no backing down. No mercy. Only death.
At that moment, the leading dragon, its massive form looming like a mountain of scales and fury, turned its cold gaze aside. Without even looking, it gave a simple, emotionless order, as though condemning an insect. "Water Demon… Go. Take care of him."
The words were casual. Almost indifferent.
But to the man called Water Demon, it felt like a death knell striking deep into his bones.
"What?!" His voice cracked, disbelief flashing across his face as his heart sank like a stone dropped into a bottomless abyss.
The so-called Water Demon was actually the very human who had dared, moments ago, to brand Draeven a traitor — now stood frozen. His skin turned cold. He wasn't foolish. He knew instantly what this command truly meant. It wasn't a mission. It was a sentence. A sacrifice.
This wasn't part of the plan. The original agreement had been clear — they would all attack Draeven together, combining their varied powers and unique methods to suppress the monster standing before them. But now? Now he was being offered up alone, thrown into the maw of a beast that no single fighter here wanted to face head-on.
Water Demon's fists clenched at his sides, trembling. His breath grew shallow. The realization hit him hard—this was retribution. Retribution for daring to overstep. For daring to judge a dragon, especially in front of the Dragon Emperor's split soul that watched from the shadows.
This was their way of restoring balance to their pride. Water Demon wasn't just an unlucky pawn — he was to be the scapegoat, the object lesson. His death would teach the gathered races that the pride of dragons could never be trampled, not even in words.
A heavy silence settled as all eyes turned to him.
The leading dragon's voice rang out again, colder now, like an iron chain snapping taut. "This is an order from the Dragon Emperor. Do you dare defy the will of the Emperor?!"
Water Demon stiffened.
His lips twitched upward into a bitter smile. A helpless feeling surge over him, he couldn't help but sigh at how unlocky he was.
'See what I've gotten myself into...' he thought darkly, his heart filled with regret so heavy it threatened to crush him. 'Just because I was invited by the dragons, I let it all get to my head… I thought I could speak boldly. I thought I could act like I belonged among them…'
His throat tightened. He couldn't even laugh at his own foolishness. At that instant, Water Demon understood. Deeply, clearly. His chances of surviving this were next to none.
He could feel it in the way the dragons watched him — not with sympathy, but with cold expectation. They wanted him to charge forward. To meet his fate. To serve as the living example.
For a brief, fleeting second, the thought of escape flickered in his mind. But he crushed it immediately. Running? That would be worse. That would be exactly the kind of cowardice the dragons despised. And worse, it would make his death even uglier—public, humiliating, and his family would suffer the consequences.
No. No, he wouldn't run. Better to die standing, at least. Better to be remembered as someone who faced death with open eyes than as a worm who tried to squirm away.
Water Demon's gaze dropped, heavy with resignation.
'If I do this… maybe my family will be spared. They'll probably even be compensated, as the dragons promised. One thing about them… their pride makes them honest. They never go back on their word. That's the only thing I can trust now.'
His pulse pounded in his ears. His body felt heavy. But still, he straightened his back, his smile bitter but firm. Because deep inside, he knew If this was his end, then he would meet it on his feet, not on his knees.
Reluctantly, he floated forward to meet Draeven...
Draeven had been silent damnit bothering to move during the groups internal conflict, he was more than happy to wait if that'll give his wife more time, now that Water Demon came forward to fight his calm gaze was surging with killing intent...
He didn't dare underestimate Water Demon, a defensive thick hot blue fire covering his entire body...
Water demon gulped as he bowed respectfully at Draeven, "I dare offend you, please enlighten me, Dare I ask, how does my Demon water manipulate art compare to your esteemed skills?"
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A/N:
Mass released chapters 9/9