The reason the Demonic Realm had moved faster than expected was easy enough to guess.

The Saintess’s existence.

From their perspective, they needed to seize the advantage before the Saintess could become the center of the Allied Forces of humanity.

Of course, she wasn’t the only reason. The Salvation Order had also learned that the Pope was gathering Sacred Stones. Naturally, the Pope’s goal in collecting them was to subjugate the Demonic Realm.

Even if the Saintess had not awakened, the Pope’s invasion had already been inevitable.

With no king found yet, the Salvation Order had no choice. Their best option was to move faster than their opponent and inflict heavy damage.

Kaaaah!

The group froze, as if their breath had been stolen, at the sight Arterion revealed to them.

Amid crimson-stained ruins were hairless gray figures shaped like humans.

No—calling them human was far too generous.

The grotesque creatures had long arms, red eyes, and sharp, elongated fangs, claws, and talons. Their numbers seemed endless, far too many to take in at a glance, swarming outward in every direction.

Unlike Ghislain, the others had never seen Riftborn before. They’d only heard of them in old tales, passed down like legends.

Kuuuhhhng!

Amid the Riftborn horde, a massive beast appeared.

Its gray, muscle-bound body was clad in golden armor, and several blue horns jutted from its head. Blue smoke poured from its mouth, blanketing the surroundings.

Ghislain knew exactly what that beast was.

'Equidema, the Vanguard of the Apocalypse.'

A monster that created a domain for Riftborn to operate within.

Yet there was a difference from the future he knew.

'The mist hasn’t fully spread yet, but the Riftborn are already moving.'

It defied his understanding. Like this, their range of activity would be far greater than in the future.

It was likely, as Ereneth had once told him, because they were closer to the Demonic Realm and the Demon God’s energy was spreading more strongly here.

'Still, it’s fine for now.'

Until the Adversary appeared, even they couldn’t open a massive Rift. The Demonic Realm’s energy had limits to how far it could spread, and the Riftborn’s movement would eventually be restricted.

Equidema would expand its territory, but humanity would have enough time to prepare in the meantime—especially in this era, which, unlike the future, was always ready for war with the Demonic Realm.

And there was one more difference: in this age existed the strongest living being of all.

Grrrrrr…

Suddenly, the sky blazed red.

Something massive tore through the clouds above the ruins where the Riftborn swarmed.

Kroaaaahhh!

The roar of a Red Dragon shook heaven and earth.

Its massive jaws opened, and from deep within its core, searing flames erupted like an explosion. The Dragon’s breath was a red storm pouring from the heavens.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!

The torrent of fire fell like lightning, swallowing the monsters’ ranks. The flames spread in every direction, burning everything in their path.

The Riftborn were obliterated, vaporized by the superheated air, and the earth was scorched black.

Those who saw it couldn’t help but gasp in awe.

The strongest living creature, the supreme being, was on their side. Normally an object of fear, a Dragon was unmatched as an ally.

The shimmering space around them faded, and the vision was gone, but it was enough to understand the situation.

Arterion spoke.

“The Dragons keeping watch on the Demonic Realm must be stopping the advance of the monsters. But the fact that the Demonic Realm has moved means an unimaginable number of monsters are already prepared.”

His gaze shifted back to Ghislain.

“Before long, those monsters will spread in every direction. The Allied Forces must be ready before that happens.”

Ghislain agreed with him.

While there was still time, they needed to persuade the Pope and unite humanity.

Arterion’s expression turned unpleasant.

“I’d like to help you more, but I can’t. A formal request has come from the Pope.”

“A request…?”

“Yes. Regardless of the Sacred Stones, he’s demanding the Saintess be returned. He says he’s sending ships and personnel to retrieve you. And… he’s also requested that you no longer involve yourselves in the affairs of the Julien Mercenary Corps.”

“I see.”

“In any case, I have to fight alongside the other Dragons to hold back the Demonic Realm’s vanguard and buy time for humanity. You’ll have to deal with the Pope yourselves.”

“Understood. Thank you for your help thus far. We’ll handle things from here. Please don’t worry too much.”

“I hope you succeed in persuading him. No matter how strong you’ve become, you can’t fight an empire. If it comes to it, take the Saintess and hide. After stopping the vanguard, I’ll speak to the Pope again.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ghislain’s reply was calm.

This much had been expected. It was only natural for the Pope to block the Dragons from intervening. Mediation and negotiations would come later; the Pope would want to conclude this matter under his own leadership.

Once their conversation ended, Ghislain immediately summoned Dark. Before making his next move, he needed to send a few orders to Julien Mercenary Corps members stationed in branches across the kingdoms.

Arterion looked at Dark with curiosity.

“What is that? It doesn’t seem like an ordinary spirit.”

Normally full of snide remarks, Dark lowered his eyes and mumbled.

“I am the Spirit King… um…”

Even for Dark, a Dragon was far too terrifying. He hadn’t shown himself until now, preferring to chat idly with Astion inside Ghislain’s consciousness.

Arterion’s eyes sharpened instantly, like someone who had just spotted a subject worth experimenting on.

Sensing that dangerous gaze, Ghislain sent Dark shooting into the air at once.

“Nothing special. Just an odd sort of spirit.”

“Hm, is that so? Let’s talk about that spirit another time.”

“…Well, if there’s an opportunity.”

Dark flapped his wings frantically, desperate to escape the Dragon’s sticky gaze.

Fwaaash!

High in the sky, Dark split into multiple copies. There were plenty of places he needed to go.

With Dark gone, the group began gathering their belongings in earnest. Each person also took a spare weapon suited to them from Arterion’s armory. They had already handled most of the weapons there before, so they’d each chosen in their minds beforehand.

Ghislain glanced around the armory, then spoke to Arterion.

“May I take two?”

“Go ahead.”

At that ready permission, Ghislain picked up a small hand axe—lavishly crafted, with gold inlay worked into its design.

Arterion tilted his head.

“It’s a fine hand axe, but isn’t it a bit lacking to use as a weapon?”

“This one’s good for getting people to relate to me.”

Ghislain gave an inexplicable reply and tucked the axe at his waist. Then he rummaged again and chose a dark, plain-looking spear.

Of course, while its appearance was simple, any weapon in a Dragon’s armory was far from ordinary.

Ghislain asked, “What’s this spear called?”

“Kardnakh. It means ‘Spear That Guides to Death.’ It’s made from a Black Dragon’s bone and inscribed with several spells—an artifact.”

“Excellent. I’ll take this one.”

“You have quite an eye for weapons. But can you use a spear?”

“Yes, I used to enjoy it quite a bit.”

Ghislain turned the spear in his hands, murmuring something under his breath once again.

“This one’s also good for persuasion.”

***

The Imperial delegation had reached Arterion’s lair.

Because they had come under the Pope’s official name, they’d suffered no monster attacks along the way and had traveled here in comfort.

Ignoring the delegation, who were prostrated before him, Arterion spoke to Deneb.

“I will give you the Sacred Stone I hold.”

As he reached out his hand, the air began to split. Cracks spread like fractured glass, flashing with light, and a gap opened to reveal a shimmering blue space, as if the depths of the ocean had been transplanted into the air. From within that space, a single gemstone floated upward, radiating an overwhelming presence.

Elves and dwarves typically brought out their Sacred Stones from within sacred relics in their possession. But Arterion used no such medium—he seemed to draw it directly from a pocket of space itself.

There was no doubt it was a Sacred Stone. No jewel in existence could reproduce the divine radiance that poured from within it.

“Oooh…”

The Imperial envoys gazed at the Sacred Stone with expressions of awe and reverence. For them, it was an artifact they could never have hoped to even see in their lifetimes.

Arterion produced a ring from that same pocket of space. Like other pieces of his jewelry, it had a small structure affixed to it.

Click.

When the blue gemstone locked into the ring, Arterion handed it to Deneb.

She bowed her head deeply and slid the ring onto her finger.

Ghislain’s expression shifted slightly.

'Juana’s Blessing?'

That ring had been lying forgotten in the Juana Church’s sacred vault. Ghislain had obtained it from Porisco and given it to Piote, because it was a holy relic usable only by someone with divine power.

So Deneb had been its original owner?

Then…

It was possible that the other necklace and bracelet had the same effect as the ring, and that their previous owners had simply never known because they lacked divine power.

'Hmm. But in this era, it doesn’t seem like they have that effect.'

The necklace and bracelet Deneb now wore had shown no signs of Juana’s Blessing. When she’d trained after acquiring them, she had clearly taken hits without any reduction in damage.

'Why don’t they have that effect now?'

Curious, Ghislain asked Arterion, “I noticed there are pieces of jewelry made to fit the Sacred Stones. What are they for?”

“They are said, according to old traditions, to have been made for the high priest who offered rites to the heavens. The Sacred Stone had to be fixed to something.”

“So… they don’t have any special abilities?”

“They are indeed made from rare materials, but they have no particular power. Only historical value.”

“I see.”

Since a Dragon Lord had confirmed it, Ghislain was inclined to believe it. Still, a new theory formed in his mind.

'Perhaps they become relics because of Deneb’s divine power later on?'

It wasn’t certain, but it made sense. His own necklace clearly held divine power that Deneb had left in it.

'When I return to my original time, I should try to acquire the other relics as well.'

If they all had abilities like Juana’s Blessing, they could greatly enhance his strength.

Taking the chance, Ghislain asked another question.

“I’ve heard each race has its own sacred relic. I’ve seen the others, but what is the Dragons’ Heart of Creation?”

Arterion pointed to his own chest.

“My heart.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The wisdom and power passed down to the Lord alone since the dawn of time. That is the Heart of Creation.”

“Ah…”

“And it is the authority to shape and reestablish the world as a Dragon. This power is inherited only by the Dragon chosen as Lord.”

“I see.”

It now made sense why, even in his dreams, Arterion had seemed far stronger than any other Dragon. That strength came from the Heart of Creation.

And it made Ghislain all the more curious about the Adversary who had cursed Arterion and weakened him.

'If not for that curse, I couldn’t have caught him.'

Even now, the thought sent a chill down his spine. Arterion had been the toughest opponent Ghislain had ever faced.

Even with countless champions and over a thousand mages assembled, they had nearly lost.

'If not for Alfoy at the very end…'

Ghislain shook his head hard, pushing thoughts of Alfoy away. That man had a way of appearing in his mind at the most critical moments.

Meanwhile, the Imperial delegation widened their eyes at the two’s conversation. This was the first time they’d heard such things.

Still, the Sacred Stone was what mattered to them. The envoys kept glancing at Deneb.

Noticing this, Arterion looked down on them and said, “The owner of this Sacred Stone is the Saintess, Deneb. Aid her in resisting the Demonic Realm. This is my will—see that it is conveyed to the Pope.”

“Y-yes, understood.”

“If you attempt to take it by force, be prepared for the Dragon’s retaliation. When the war with the Demonic Realm ends, the covenant will end as well.”

“We will deliver the will of the Great One without fail.”

Arterion had given Deneb the Sacred Stone in front of the Imperial delegation deliberately, to publicly declare her its rightful owner. This was all he could do.

And this level of warning, he believed, would help the Julien Mercenary Corps in persuading the Pope—unless the Empire wished to see its own destruction after the war.

Turning to the Julien Mercenary Corps, Arterion gave his final farewell.

“May the blessings of the goddesses be with your journey. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

Lifting into the air with the people he had abducted from the Snowburr Kingdom, Arterion soared into the sky. Now he would join the other Dragons in preparing for battle against the Demonic Realm.

With the Dragon Lord gone, the Imperials finally allowed themselves to breathe easily.

The ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ leader of the delegation smiled gently at Deneb.

“It is an honor to meet you, Saintess. We will escort you safely to the Empire.”

They treated the Julien Mercenary Corps with the utmost care. On the ship, they were provided with the finest meals and the most comfortable quarters.

Even so, none of them let down their guard. Meeting the Pope, they could not be certain what awaited them.

After several days at sea, they finally returned to land.

“Hm.”

Ghislain looked around with a flat expression.

The port city of Tulan was not as it had once been.

The numerous buildings and throngs of people were gone, replaced by a barren expanse as empty as a plain.

It couldn’t have been the result of a battle; ruins never looked like this without a fight. There was only one reason for such a state without combat—a powerful ruler had destroyed everything and forcibly relocated the people.

The Imperial envoys silently distanced themselves from the Julien Mercenary Corps.

And then—

“It’s been a while, Julien Mercenary Corps.”

Darentz appeared, one arm missing, wearing a chilling smile.