Chapter 200

It wasn’t intentional, but looking back, my life hasn’t been all that peaceful.

Of course, it’s a given. If I had wanted to live peacefully, I could have, but I myself rejected that path.

Thinking about it, I’ve encountered countless strong beings so far. Among them were monsters, humans, and even a Death God.

If I had to pick the strongest among them, there’s no need to hesitate. The Primal Demon King Grimudo. He was something beyond comparison, an existence that defied all norms.

If I had to pick the next strongest, I’d place the Phoenix in second place. I’ve seen Death Gods and humans, but in terms of sheer power, the Phoenix might be a step above.

In the end, we defeated it using a miracle, so strictly speaking, it wasn’t by our own strength. At least up to that point, we hadn’t surpassed the Phoenix.

“Epirna.”

But now, the second place in my heart is starting to shake. The aura emanating from the white-haired woman flying towards us from afar is definitely not inferior to that of the giant bird.

She’s so fast that the atmosphere splits with each moment, and the sound of air tearing echoes continuously. Sir Leon swallowed hard upon seeing her.

“As expected. While I was petrified and stagnant, that woman didn’t stop for a moment.”

“Can we win?”

“By myself? It’s difficult. Hey, miss. If a fight breaks out, take the lead.”

“Should I just throw a bomb at her?”

Roka looked displeased. In fact, we and the people here are meeting for the first time today.

But if you keep asking us to do something, it’s no wonder the child isn’t happy.

“You should take the lead, old man.”

“My flames didn’t reach her before. Now, it’s even more so. Among us, only your explosive power has a chance to affect Epirna.”

Frantically, the lion waved his hands and explained.

“I’m not just saying this; it’s the best option. Tigers are cunning. They don’t fight battles they can’t win. We don’t need to defeat her; just injuring her enough to bring her to the negotiation table will suffice.”

“…I’ll trust you, even if I feel like I’m being fooled.”

“That alone won’t make Epirna back down, but it’s not too much to ask for her to let us go. If we show enough strength, she’ll surely talk.”

Even as we spoke, she was coming. Her presence was palpable even from a distance, her aura unmasked and overwhelming.

She was as heavy as a mountain and as sharp as a blade. Heavy, yet sharp. It wasn’t a combination of two opposing traits, but her aura was more complex than expected.

“It’s Epirna’s Steel Energy. The energy itself is heavy but not sharp. Steel refers to unrefined iron.”

“Then refining it to make it sharp is…”

“Exactly. That’s purely her own ability. We allowed Epirna to ascend to the Beast King’s throne because she had at least that much skill.”

The Princess swallowed hard, and Roka burned with fighting spirit.

If Lady Kisea were here, she might have helped… But since she’s not here now, there’s nothing we can do.

“Aren’t you going to draw your weapon?”

“My fists are my weapons.”

From the lion’s clenched fists, crimson flames erupted.

“With the two hands my parents gave me, using an additional weapon is something only humans do. A lion always faces the world with his two hands.”

A martial artist, huh? It’s a rare profession on the continent, so I’m not even sure if they exist anymore.

Certainly, we humans consider martial arts as techniques used in non-lethal combat arenas for gambling. Against monsters, we’d at least pick up a laundry stick to fight.

“Are you an idiot, old man? Wouldn’t you be stronger if you held something?”

“That’s how you wolves and dogs are. You abandoned the true path of beastmen and embraced the ways of humans.”

The lion gritted his teeth and retorted.

“I have a lot to say, but there’s no time. Non-combatants, step back. Epirna is here.”

I nodded as well. We don’t necessarily have to kill her. Of course, it’s even worse if we die by her hand.

We just need to push her into a defensive position and gain the upper hand in negotiations. Sir Leon’s goal isn’t to become the new Beast King but to live in the empire.

I hoped to avoid bloodshed, but since that’s not up to me, it’s a problem.

In the air, the tiger rolled her white eyes and looked at us. We also looked at the tiger. For a moment, our gazes met, and she looked surprised.

“The blue wolf. There are still some left?”

“Do you know me?”

“Perhaps one of your ancestors might have.”

She brushed her snow-white hair and replied.

“I don’t know your name. I don’t need to remember the names of the defeated.”

“I don’t even acknowledge you. Did you forget my name because I’m a loser?”

“Leon. Even if I wanted to forget, your name is too simple to forget.”

Still, the atmosphere should be tense. But it’s not.

She’s arrogant. She even yawns, showing her leisure. Even though there are three Masters gathered here, she shows no sign of tension. It’s as if she doesn’t even consider the possibility of losing.

“You’re not even asking how I escaped petrification.”

“Once a loser, always a loser. Do you think a second chance will change anything? If you think so, come at me. I’ll teach you your place.”

She stretched out her hand and swiftly swung it. The Princess summoned her Dragon Form Technique, and the aura of the sun and moon swirled around Roka. Sir Leon also tensed, his expression serious as flames wrapped around him.

…And then nothing happened. Epirna frowned and muttered. For the first time, a hint of confusion appeared on her face.

“…Why?”

Did she try to do something but failed? Or was that also a high-level deception?

It’s not for me to judge. I have to trust the Princess, who has fought on many battlefields, Roka, who faced the Phoenix with her sword, and Sir Leon, who claims to be the greatest warrior of the lion tribe.

“Now! Attack!”

Sir Leon seemed to think this was an opening and charged. The Princess and Roka also followed, launching their attacks. A fierce light shone from the tiger’s eyes, but her expression didn’t change at all.

“Do you think anything will change just because there are more of you?”

As she spread her hands, a pure white Steel Energy began to emit a sharp aura.

It felt like swallowing a blade down my throat, my insides burning.

*****

The tiger was slightly, very slightly, in a bad mood.

‘I thought I could just tear them apart with water flow.’

She felt the energy and came here, only to find a flood everywhere. Secretly, she was pleased. It was an opportunity to test her water-controlling ability, which she gained after transforming into a monster.

She thought she wouldn’t even need to use her hands, but the water didn’t move as she wished. It wasn’t that her ability was malfunctioning.

Just as anyone would know if their arm was broken, innate abilities give a clear signal if they’re sealed or lost. This wasn’t that kind of feeling. The woman’s gaze sharpened slightly.

What could be the problem? In her view, there was no possibility that the procedure performed by the Demon King himself had any issues. It was likely her own inexperience with the new ability that caused this.

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

In truth, the water pooled on the ground was all holy water blessed by a saint, making it impossible to control. Anyway, the reason doesn’t matter now.

Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, the three Masters charged. The tiger sneered. They might think they’ve seized an opportunity, but whether it’s truly an opportunity remains to be seen.

Clang!

The Steel Energy condensed sharply and shot out like needles at her command. Hundreds of sharp needles whistled through the air.

Even as a monster, she hadn’t lost the strength she had built as a beastman. She had been a Master since long ago, was one now, and would remain so.

Defeating these insects with her own strength, without relying on her monster abilities, would be a fun challenge.

*****

A swan knows how to swim on water without being taught.

Having the body of a dragon isn’t just about having a strong physique. The difference in species isn’t something that can be easily dismissed.

‘What is that?’

Yanid’s eyes narrowed. She could see the powerful magical barrier surrounding Epirna in the air.

Not just one magic circle, but hundreds of overlapping protective barriers, forming a sturdy shield.

Its strength was incomparable to any human-made fortress.

“…Which side do you think will win?”

[I don’t know. I’ve never seen either of them fight before.]

The Evil God was satisfied with the rare spectacle, something money couldn’t buy. She had no more desires or wishes.

No matter which side won, nothing would return to her. Neither good nor bad.

[By the way, is that woman the rumored Beast King? She’s more of a monster than I thought.]

The Evil God, who couldn’t see the magical barrier, replied to what Yanid couldn’t see.

Unlike this girl, the Evil God was experienced and wise. Having met and observed many Masters, she immediately recognized that Epirna was no ordinary figure.

[I thought she was just a countryside leader, but… she might be even more dangerous than Harmail.]

Should I abandon this saint-like girl and reach out to her? Oberta pondered for a moment while watching Epirna, then shook her head.

She’s extremely arrogant. As arrogant as she is skilled. With someone like her, unless I can overwhelmingly surpass her, it’s practically impossible to subdue her.

She quickly realized that the tiger prioritized her own power above all else. Reaching out carelessly would only invite a betrayal.

‘But she’s a good kid…’

Oberta wasn’t in a position to take risks now. The losses were already too great, enough to bring tears.

If she made even a slight mistake, her throne would be gone forever. Staying by Yanid’s side, even without great benefits, was better than risking that much danger.