Desecration of the Dragon King
The mood around Le Ganus had been far from good lately.
It was the complete opposite of when the battle for Dragon King had just begun.
Daily clashes with Leysia's faction.
Up to that point, it was still within acceptable limits.
Fights with Leysia's side had always happened, and from the start, she was the only one capable of challenging Le Ganus for the throne. Fighting them posed no issue.
Defeat Leysia, and Le Ganus would become Dragon King.
Though Leysia was stronger than Le Ganus, his faction held overwhelming advantages elsewhere, so they weren't too worried.
Some were even preemptively thrilled at how close the throne felt.
Le Ganus shared that anticipation.
But contrary to those expectations, the full-scale war unfolded in ways they never imagined.
Leysia, who had secluded herself in the Dragon King's Palace guarding the previous king's remains, appeared on the battlefield in person.
Pluto, locked in battle with Melusio as usual, took heavy damage from the arrival of the supreme powerhouse in the absent king's era and retreated.
Le Ganus, who had been leisurely absorbing Lehatna's territory, had to rush out himself to face her.
Even that wasn't a huge problem.
Leysia's emergence was shocking, but inevitable—they had to clash for the throne anyway.
Up to her appearance, Le Ganus's side held a clear edge, but with Pluto returning after recovery, the balance evened out.
It soon tilted overwhelmingly in their favor.
Le Ganus's forces had always been stronger than Leysia's overall.
Victory seemed a matter of time.
Strong foes like Leysia and Melusio remained, but wars weren't won alone.
No matter how powerful those two, they couldn't stand against Le Ganus's vast army.
Just as Le Ganus's faction strode toward the throne, disaster struck.
The supposedly secure rear—upper skies under Le Ganus's control—came under attack.
By Lehatna, of all people, whom no one had bothered with.
She had Giryu as her first wing, but he alone couldn't shift the tide.
More importantly, wasn't Lehatna a dim-witted dragon unworthy of the Dragon King's bloodline?
They'd dismissed her as prey to devour anytime, yet that "bug" was striking them.
Lehatna's raid wasn't mere harassment.
They lost Triple Ross and his brothers, among many forces.
Even Le Ganus's mighty army had to falter at such losses.
And with the frontlines fully occupied against Leysia, this rear assault was no small matter.
They dispatched significant forces to counter, but failed.
They'd accounted for Giryu, but not Nix.
No one imagined a wingless earthworm could rival Giryu.
Had Le Ganus been there instead of fighting Leysia, it never would have happened—a limitation of those who saw themselves as noble sky nobles.
Thus, steadily losing forces from the rear, Le Ganus's faction began yielding ground even on the main front.
Leysia launched a full offensive in tandem with Lehatna's raid.
The tide turned in an instant, before they could react.
Le Ganus exploded in rage at those who'd underestimated Lehatna—or rather, Nix—leading to this mess, but he didn't punish them as usual.
Even in fury, he knew every force was precious now.
How had he, always dominant in numbers, fallen to this?
Gazing at his trembling subordinates bowing at his feet, Le Ganus seethed quietly.
...All this started after that one appeared.
Nix.
The insolent worm from the dirt who dared meet his eyes squarely.
Since Nix appeared, everything smooth had gone to ruin.
The quiet Leysia broke her silence and moved; the ever-compliant Lehatna defied him.
He'd lost Aolras, the Tri-colored Triplets, and more; his beloved Freya was wounded, still suffering from Nix's poison.
Le Ganus let his boiling rage surge unchecked.
His subordinates shuddered under the thick killing intent, but he ignored them as always.
His focus was solely on Nix.
I want to kill him. Make him scream in agony, beg for his life.
But he couldn't—not yet.
Arrogant, but not stupid.
Leaving to face Nix would let Leysia turn the barely-held front into chaos.
He knew his priorities.
Still, he couldn't ignore Lehatna—and Nix—disrupting the rear.
Send Pluto?
He pondered, but no.
Pluto was strong, but not against both Nix and Giryu.
...No options left.
Even in wrath, Le Ganus judged coldly.
This way, the throne was lost forever.
Burning hatred for Nix, the root of it all, he closed his eyes.
Is that the only way?
A method even cruel Le Ganus hesitated to use.
Cornered now, he had no choice. Quietly spreading his wings,
[Call Pluto. I have urgent matters to discuss.]
His subordinates bowed deeper at the calm command.
For the throne, Le Ganus was prepared for anything.
Not even dawn light pierced the deep predawn darkness.
Le Ganus's army raided Leysia's forces.
Such ambushes were routine; Leysia's side responded calmly, counterattacking swiftly.
But today's felt different.
Leysia, out early scanning the battlefield for Le Ganus, noticed first.
More ferocious than usual.
Le Ganus's army always fought wildly like their master, but today was fiercer.
They charged as if in their final battle, heedless of life.
Leysia frowned at monsters throwing away their lives.
Though numb to much, she wasn't heartless enough to ignore such pointless deaths.
She was just and fair, not emotionless.
Le Ganus must never become Dragon King.
She'd thought so before, but this confirmed it.
What would become of their peaceful skies under him?
Cornered by her and Lehatna, it was inevitable, but sending subordinates to slaughter was inexcusable.
If he cared at all, he'd have yielded the throne long ago.
Of course, he wouldn't be fighting if he were that sort.
Le Ganus had always been greedy.
Whatever he wanted, he'd seize it by any means.
Once endearing, now she regretted not scolding him then.
Had she, would the future be different?
Shaking off the impossible vision, Leysia refocused.
Too much had happened for regrets.
Time to correct her past inaction.
He won't yield till the end.
She'd preserve the peaceful skies her father forged late in life, no matter what—even killing a beloved sister.
As Leysia steeled herself alone, something approached.
A balloon-like swollen head with writhing hundreds of tentacles.
An octopus-like creature floated in on the wind.
[Pluto.]
[Leysia. Blood of the great Dragon King. A pleasure.]
Leysia stared impassively at Pluto before her.
[Where is Le Ganus?]
[I understand your sisterly affection, but please settle for me today instead of Le Ganus.]
Leysia frowned at Pluto's usual creepy tentacle writhing.
Glancing aside, Melusio—Pluto's usual foe—was pinned by other monsters.
Too entangled to intervene soon.
Leysia spoke indifferently to the staring Pluto.
[You think you, not even Le Ganus, can handle me?]
[I was the Dragon King's second wing, despite appearances. Isn't that enough?]
[Where's your 'sir'? Insolent, Pluto. Father would have ripped out every one of those disgusting tentacles if he knew.]
[What's a dead man going to do? And the new Dragon King will be Le Ganus—not you.]
[...I'll have to punish you in Father's stead.]
Despite her flat tone, Leysia surged with fierce energy.
Mana roiled wildly with each wingbeat.
[We'll hear where Le Ganus is—slowly.]
True to her title of Flash Dragon, Leysia shot forward as a streak of light.
Pluto lashed out with hundreds of tentacles.
Thus began the clash between the Dragon King's firstborn and second wing in one corner of the sky.
Leysia dominated from start to finish.
It was less a fight than how long Pluto could endure her onslaught.
Even that ended when Melusio broke free and joined, sealing Pluto's fate.
Under mistress and subordinate's tandem assault, Pluto was helpless.
Only a few tentacles remained of his grotesque arsenal.
Leysia asked the battered Pluto, a far cry from battle's start.
[Pluto. Where is Le Ganus?]
[...Hah. Think I'll tell you?]
[Show respect to Lady Leysia, Pluto!]
Even Melusio's slashing claws barely met resistance.
[Melusio.]
[...Yes, sorry.]
Leysia turned back to Pluto after Melusio bowed.
Even mangled, he seemed oddly composed.
[...I'll ask once more, Pluto. Where is Le Ganus? Speak, and I'll spare your life.]
[...Heh. Think this Pluto will beg for life? Pathetic, Leysia. Already acting like Dragon King, so arrogant. Pretending indifference, but you crave it most, don't you?]
[...Not talking easily, I see.]
[Hah... Even if you wring it from me, it's useless. Too late, Leysia. You can't stop Lord Le Ganus.]
[What nonsense is that, Pluto?!]
Pluto wriggled his remaining tentacles at the shouting Melusio.
[Oh, foolish Melusio. You think you've won now? No—I have. You'll pay for choosing wrong. Giryu too.]
[Quit the bullshit and spit it out! Want to die that bad?!]
Pluto only cackled creepily, even as Melusio threatened with flapping wings.
As Melusio moved to silence him, silent Leysia spoke.
[...Where did Le Ganus go?]
[Hah... Sharp as ever. You've noticed, but as I said—too late! Dragon King will be Lord Le Ganus!]
[...Damn!]
Uncharacteristically flustered, Leysia beat her wings urgently.
Melusio looked baffled as she vanished beyond the sky without a word.
Pluto cackled softly at the sight.
[Shouldn't you chase your mistress, Melusio? Oh, right—you have to guard me.]
[Talk, Pluto! Why's Lady Leysia rushing off? What did Le Ganus do?!]
[Foolish Melusio. Haven't figured it out?]
[No bullshit—tell the truth!]
Even as Melusio's talons pressed his wounds, Pluto cackled mockingly, unfazed.
[Foolish Melusio. Shame I can't kill you myself. But no worries—Lord Le Ganus... no, the Dragon King will avenge me!]
[You...!]
[Heh. For old times' sake, I'll tell you. Why's Leysia rushing? What has she guarded all this time? Think hard!]
Melusio realized belatedly amid Pluto's maniacal laughter.
A striking memory hit; he screamed.
[Damn it! Dare desecrate the Dragon King's remains?!]
[For the new Dragon King, even the departed one would rejoice!]
[You—!]
Furious, Melusio shredded Pluto mercilessly.
Despite the agony, Pluto laughed indifferently.
Grimacing in disgust, Melusio glanced at his approaching subordinates and flapped his wings.
[That body's too wrecked for even my subordinates. Your fate will be decided with Lady Leysia. Enjoy what's left of your life.]
As Melusio prepared to depart hastily, Pluto extended his few tentacles.
They swiftly ensnared him.
[Release me now!]
[If I'm dying, might as well take you, Melusio. Won't trouble Lord Le Ganus, but best minimize variables...]
Pluto began squeezing out his last mana.
His head swelled ominously; Melusio flapped desperately.
[Damn! Even on death's door...!]
[Heh. Come with me, Melusio.]
With that creepy laugh, Pluto's maximally swollen head exploded.
Kwaaaang──!!!
A massive blast and blinding light engulfed the skies.