Episode 477

“A war in the demon realm, huh.”

Zeke had somewhat anticipated this, having heard bits and pieces about the demon realm from Arataso. On the surface, the six great demons, including the Demon Lord, ruled over the entire realm. Yet, fierce territorial battles raged daily among their demonic followers.

What was truly astonishing was that these battles weren’t just between followers of different demons. Even those who worshipped the same demon clashed with one another.

The conflicts were so intense that the Demon Lord had devised a proxy war game, known as Demon Chess, based on the celestial beings’ playful battles, to conserve power. This alone spoke volumes about the ferocity of their disputes, far surpassing human warfare.

Anastasia turned to Zeke and continued, “The demon realm is currently divided into four major regions: Abaddon in the south, Gehenna in the north, Abyss in the east, and Pandemonium in the west, where my father, the Demon Archduke, resides.”

Zeke listened intently, as he had never heard such detailed information about the demon realm’s territories before.

“So, the demons ruling these four regions are at war with each other?”

“Yes. They pretend otherwise, but fierce battles are being fought to extend their influence into the mortal realm.”

Zeke pondered Anastasia’s words and then remarked, “Hmm. If that’s the case, the Demon Archduke might not be too concerned about you being captured in the mortal realm. He has other demons to keep in check.”

Anastasia flinched at Zeke’s observation. It was precisely this that worried her.

Zeke looked at her and asked, “What do you think, demon princess? Do you believe the Demon Archduke will come to the mortal realm for you?”

Anastasia hesitated to answer. The true form of the most powerful fallen celestial, the Demon Lord, couldn’t directly enter the mortal realm. Only avatars could be sent to lend their powers. Given Zeke’s past exploits, a misstep could mean a significant blow to the demon realm’s forces, making it a difficult decision.

Seeing her reluctance, Zeke’s gaze grew colder. “If that’s the case, our contract loses its meaning.”

Zeke had intended to use Anastasia as bait to lure the Demon Lord. But if she held no value as a hostage, there was no reason to keep her around.

Panicking, Anastasia waved her paws frantically. “Even if my father can’t come himself, my sisters will surely come to rescue me!”

Zeke looked skeptical. “I’ve heard from other demons that your sisters aren’t exactly on friendly terms with you. Aren’t they more likely to compete for the Demon Archduke’s favor? Would they really come for you?”

Grinding her teeth, Anastasia replied, “That’s true. But those wretched sisters would come not to save me, but to mock me and claim my territory.”

Though it wasn’t out of sisterly love, she was certain they would come for some reason.

Zeke considered her words carefully. Seeing his hesitation, Anastasia, in her cat form, frantically waved her paws again. “We’ve already made a contract, so you can’t back out! My sisters will come, and if you capture them like me, eventually my father will have no choice but to show himself!”

Anastasia was willing to sell out her sisters and even her father, the Demon Archduke, to save herself. It was a truly demonic move.

Just then, a chilling voice came from behind. “I hope they do.”

Startled by the menacing tone, Anastasia leapt onto Zeke’s shoulder, her fur standing on end.

With a thud, Nigel, a massive beast, laid its head on the ground and glared at the cat-like Anastasia. “Tell your father and sisters to come to the mortal realm. I dare them.”

Grinding its teeth, Nigel added, “I’ll devour them all as soon as they arrive.”

Though unspoken, it seemed Nigel’s anger still simmered over the dress Anastasia had put on it while it slept. Anastasia, feeling the full force of Nigel’s wrath, trembled and burrowed into Zeke’s embrace.

“They’re going to kill me!” she cried.

Zeke shook his head. “No, we have a contract. They won’t kill you. They might skin you alive and dry your hide in the sun, though.”

Anastasia’s face turned pale at Zeke’s words. Nigel, with a look of displeasure, glared at Anastasia nestled in Zeke’s arms. Then, it approached Zeke, grabbed Anastasia by the scruff, and tossed her to the ground.

Landing with a thud, Anastasia momentarily forgot her fear and shouted at Nigel, “What are you doing?”

“Stay out of my sight before I really do skin you,” Nigel retorted, glaring at her with irritation. Feeling the renewed fear, Anastasia slinked away. Watching her retreat, Nigel sighed and gestured for Zeke to follow.

“Come inside. We need to talk.”

Zeke followed Nigel into the wooden house. Inside, Naboo lay dozing in an armchair. Nigel kicked the chair, waking Naboo with a start.

“What the—?”

Nigel looked at Naboo with disdain. With a gesture, she beckoned him to get up, and Naboo grumbled as he rose from the chair.

Taking the armchair for herself, Nigel turned to Zeke. “I’ve spoken with Naboo.”

“What about?” Zeke asked.

Nigel nodded at Naboo, indicating he should explain. With a grumble, Naboo began, “It’s about what to do with the Black Star.”

Zeke furrowed his brow. “The heart of an Elder Dragon could indeed attract more demons. We should strengthen the seals and barriers here…”

Naboo shook his head. “No, that’s not it. After discussing with the leader, we’ve realized there’s a limit to keeping the Black Star here.”

Zeke was taken aback. “Are you suggesting moving the Black Star elsewhere?”

Nigel stood up from the armchair and approached Zeke, looking him in the eye before clicking her tongue. “The leader has decided to entrust the Black Star to you.”

Zeke was stunned. “To me?”

Naboo stroked his chin and nodded. “Yes, if the leader says so, there must be a reason.”

Zeke pondered their words before speaking. “If I take the Black Star, what will happen to this forest?”

Nigel replied, “No one knows. The forest has absorbed the Black Star’s influence for so long that it’s become a mystery in itself.”

She continued, “The forest can be dealt with later. The priority is protecting the Black Star. Since you’ve already absorbed Bahamut’s heart, you should be able to handle the Black Star too.”

Zeke was shocked. “Are you suggesting I absorb the Black Star, the fragment of the Elder Dragon’s heart?”

“Yes. Given the current situation, it’s the safest way to protect the Black Star.”

Zeke considered Nigel’s words deeply. Then, a thought crossed his mind.

“The Black Star, holding the power of the Elder Dragon… Absorbing it might allow me to surpass my current limits.”

Facing the forces of the abyss and demons wielding infernal powers, the strength of the Elder Dragon would undoubtedly make battles easier.

Zeke nodded. “Alright. I’ll accept the Black Star.”

“Good. No point in delaying, then.”

Nigel reached out and placed her palm on Zeke’s dantian.

“What are you doing, Master?”

“What do you think? I’m transferring the Black Star to you.”

“Right now?”

A powerful vibration emanated from Nigel’s body. Zeke winced as the vibration resonated through his dantian.

“Ugh…”

It felt similar to when he first opened his dantian. His muscles twisted and tingled with a long-forgotten sensation.

After assessing Zeke’s dantian, Nigel extended her other hand.

A magic circle appeared above her palm, and a fragment of a black stone emerged from it.

Zeke could feel the energy of the Elder Dragon emanating from the black stone, reminiscent of what he had sensed in Carcosa.

“Even a fragment of the heart holds such immense power.”

While Bahamut’s heart was beyond human comprehension, the Elder Dragon’s heart was on an entirely different level.

Holding the black stone, Nigel looked at Zeke. “Inserting the heart of an Elder Dragon into a human… It’s madness, even to me.”

At those words, Nabu shook his head.

“Zeke’s already surpassed the level of an ordinary human. He’s probably stronger than dragons.”

Nigel didn’t disagree with Nabu’s assessment.

If there was anyone in the physical realm capable of absorbing the Black Star, it was Zeke.

She decided to trust in Zeke’s formidable will and unique abilities.

“Brace yourself.”

A deep hum resonated as the power coursing through Zeke’s body intensified.

Zeke gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain that felt as if his body might disintegrate, while trying to accept Nigel’s energy.

Suddenly, a complex pattern began to glow on his chest.

The hum grew louder.

Nigel brought the Black Star closer to Zeke’s chest.

Crackle—

As the Black Star touched the glowing emblem, it emitted a dark current.

Ignoring the sparks flying in all directions, Nigel forcibly pushed the Black Star into the emblem.

“Ugh!”

The dark current wrapped around Zeke’s body with even greater intensity.

He clenched his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter.

Despite using his healing factor, the unimaginable pain tore through him.

Beads of cold sweat formed on Nigel’s forehead as she continued to push the Black Star.

Though it appeared she was forcing it in, she was actually using precise calculations and careful control to stabilize the Black Star within Zeke’s core.

The hum intensified—

When more than half of the Black Star had been absorbed, a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[Unidentified Sealed Stone detected.]

[The Sealed Stone reacts to the one blessed by the Ancient Dragon.]

[The powerful dragon’s force within the stone awakens the administrator’s potential.]

[Accepting the stone will exceed the body’s mana capacity limit.]

[Continuing absorption may severely damage the administrator’s soul.]

Zeke focused on the word “potential” in the message.

‘I must endure and break through this barrier.’

Determined, Zeke bore the pain and continued to absorb the Black Star.

Crackle—

Nigel, still exerting all her strength, carefully pushed the Black Star into Zeke’s core.

Rumble—

Slowly, the Black Star was fully absorbed into Zeke’s body.

Nigel, drenched in sweat, stepped back. The rest was up to Zeke.

She bit her lip, watching him intently.

But Zeke showed no reaction.

“Zeke, are you alright…?”

Then, something unexpected happened.

“Ugh!”

Before Nigel could finish her sentence, Zeke coughed up black blood and collapsed.

Writhing on the ground, he was in agony.

“Argh!”

Dark veins spread from his chest, protruding across his entire body.

“Aaaah!”

With a final scream, Zeke’s head slumped forward, and he lay motionless.

A shocked Nigel rushed to him, pressing on his chest.

But Zeke’s breath did not return.

With a pale, stricken face, Nigel shook him, shouting desperately.

“Zeke… get up. Please, get up!”

Zeke, lying in a pool of black blood, did not rise again.

And so, Zeke Draker met an unforeseen end.