The Serpent's Grand Feast Awaits
Heroes, holy knights... they always came swarming like this. They were perfect toys to pass the boring time, but even that had grown tiresome now.
"The source of the evil aura is here! Nis is over there!"
One of the knights pointed right at me. His voice rang out with surprising confidence. He didn't seem like your average knight, probably bolstered by traveling with a hero.
"Hello there~ humans~"
I waved cheerfully in greeting. They didn't drop their guard for a second. Their armor was top-notch, and I spotted a few rare-looking magic items too.
"You who created this cursed land, begone from here! Cease creating more victims!"
I couldn't help but laugh. How adorably righteous humans could be!
"Cursed? Nah, this is just my taste in decor. And these guys? They're just props for the atmosphere."
With a casual flick of my wrist, the ghouls and skeletons around me collapsed in unison, reverting to lifeless corpses. Then, with a snap of my fingers, the ground split open, and the real undead rose up—death knights, liches, banshees, bone colossi, and hordes more, all surrounding the knights.
"Wh-what is this?!"
A man who looked like a mage gasped in shock.
"So go home already. Leave now, and I'll let you live~"
But they just kept advancing. Pretty brave, huh?
"We won't let a demon like you rule this land!"
The hero-looking guy drew his sword—a holy blade glowing with light. That was a fine item.
"The Judgment of the Sun awaits you!"
"Ugh, such a clichéd line. Got nothing more creative?"
The battle between undead and humans kicked off. But the humans weren't pushovers. The hero incinerated undead with his holy sword, and the mages unleashed some seriously potent spells. The fight dragged on longer than I'd expected.
I'm really sick of this now.
Why did they always come after me? They never bothered Frostia. Was I the easier target or something?
"Hah... I didn't like my original form much, but..."
Polymorph.
My dress evaporated layer by layer, cracks spiderwebbing across my skin as it turned to black scales. Crimson light leaked from the fissures like molten lava, yet it held an eerie beauty, like red gems gleaming in the dark. My body rippled like waves, swelling larger with every unpredictable, rhythmic motion. My face shifted in a frenzy of delicacy and ferocity—my jaw unhinged menacingly, revealing razor fangs arranged like the thorns of an ancient crown. My eyes grew vast, the blood-red pupils elongating vertically, depths like an endless abyss.
"Wh-what's happening?!"
The humans recoiled in terror. One dropped his sword; another pissed himself on the spot. A mage choked mid-incantation, throat seized by fear.
My body ballooned—first twice human size, then house-sized, until it pierced the heavens. Each scale was shield-large, darkness seeping from between them to drown the surroundings in shadow. I shed my human shape for that of a serpent, but no ordinary snake. The World Serpent, devourer of all—Yormungand. My true form.
Thud... boom... rumble...
My vibrations shook the earth. Now my body could coil around an entire city. My black scales devoured even moonlight, my red eyes blazing like twin moons.
"Gaaahhh!"
The knights screamed. How pathetic their power was. One swing of my body swept everything away—forest shattered, earth rent asunder. The hero and knights burst like overripe fruit under my tail.
"Impossible... Lord Solar Hero..."
A lone surviving mage despaired. Yeah, run off and spread the word about me. If they think I'm easier than Frostia and try again, they'll end up like that hero!
A few weeks passed. The rumors must have spread—no more humans approached. I waited endlessly, but still no word from Ricoris.
"This is taking forever..."
I sighed, sipping tea at my newly crafted red table. Made from that hero's holy sword. Not bad, if I say so myself.
Then, strange sounds echoed from afar—mass kneeling and prayers.
"Hm?"
Looking up, I saw dozens on the hill below, chanting. All in black robes emblazoned with the Uroboros emblem.
"Oh? What's this?"
Curiosity piqued, I rose from my throne and approached. They bowed even more fervently at my appearance.
"Great Uroboros, Lady Nis! Accept our worship!"
The black-robed figures prostrated themselves. Huh? Uroboros? That dumb snake eating its own tail? What misunderstanding was this?!
I nearly turned them all into undead chow in exasperation, but their leader dropped an intriguing tidbit.
"Great Uroboros, we now know you are the apostle of Lord Abraksas! We offer everything to you!"
Pfft. They'd seen my Yormungand form and pegged me as the evil god's symbol, Uroboros.
"Hmm, and what will you offer?"
Fanning myself with a black fan, I inquired. They immediately laid out their tributes—food, treasures, even sacrifices. Delectable dishes, desserts, gleaming jewels... oh, this was promising.
"Uroboros, per Lord Abraksas's teachings, we've been building a passage. But now that you've come, we'll remake it here!"
"A passage? Explain in detail."
The leader bowed low. "Great Uroboros, Lord Abraksas has labored for five thousand years since the human world and Demon Realm were severed, seeking to reconnect them. We've finally perfected the magic circle, aiding the ritual."
Oh... what idiots.
A wicked plan bloomed in my mind. A passage linking Demon Realm and human world... evil gods would pour through...
"Perfect. Build the passage now!"
At my command, they beamed with joy, etching a complex magic circle on the ground. It grew, exuding ominous energy. While they worked, I savored their food and desserts. The meats and sweets were divine—right up my alley.
"Heh heh heh..."
A chuckle escaped me. These fools aimed to summon evil gods, oblivious to my past. Long ago, I was a mere snake. I became a labyrinth lord by devouring evil gods. First by chance on a corpse, then luck with a wounded one, then hunting them as I grew stronger. Five evil gods down, their power delicious fuel. Each feast made me vastly stronger.
Even if the passage unleashed a horde, evil gods in the human world wield half their might. Me? I could crush two at once now. Worst case, call Frostia next door.
Evil gods after so long... I'll devour them all and grow even stronger.
It would be my finest banquet. The thought thrilled me.
"Uroboros, we've secured the magic circle site. Shall we begin the ritual?"
One follower asked politely, bowing cutely.
"Of course. Proceed."
I gestured elegantly; they formed a ring around the circle, chanting. It glowed red as the ritual advanced.
Watching, I mused: Ricoris should eat some evil gods too.
She'd hear the rumors soon and come running. We'd welcome Demon Realm's gods together—as our meal, naturally.
Frostia will love it too. For sure.
Good thing Yormungand resembled Uroboros. These idiots mistook me for an evil god's apostle, when I was their devourer.
"Great Uroboros, our passage ritual was months from completion—three more at least. But your arrival provides the perfect site; with prepared sacrifices and materials, we can finish in ten days! Lord Abraksas sending you is a true blessing!"
Ten days... plenty of time.
Enough for Ricoris to arrive, like a blooming flower or soaring bird—my precious, adorable Ricoris.
Munching macarons at the holy-sword table, I pondered her reaction. She'd be shocked at first, then delighted. Evil god flesh was unimaginably tasty.
What will Ricoris look like...?
The mere thought swelled my heart. How breathtaking would that lovely flower's human form be?
"I'll be waiting, Ricoris. Frostia awaits you too, so eagerly."