Deep within the unknown mountainous forest, before a massive cavern.
A colossal dragon had emerged.
It was covered in translucent scales, with aberrant wings and limbs sharp as weapons, resembling an ancient dinosaur with iron-gray mane.
"ROOOOAR!!!"
The dragon's cry shook the atmosphere, making the surrounding forest tremble as if struck by a violent storm.
Yet despite its ferocity, the roar carried a sense of desperation.
The reason was simple.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
Three equally defiant roars echoed around the dragon.
The sounds came from three jet-black wyverns.
Indeed.
These were the same three black wyverns that had attacked Rozen and Yukina earlier.
Not only had they survived, they'd come here and were now assaulting the dragon from Shinjin Lake.
"ROAR!"
The great dragon kept bellowing, alternately swinging its powerful claws and lashing its tough tail to repel the attacking wyverns, sending them crashing repeatedly into the surroundings.
Yet the three wyverns showed no fear, appearing unharmed as they kept charging back like ants attacking an elephant, biting and tearing at the dragon until it was covered in wounds, bleeding profusely and howling in pain.
Normally, as lesser dragonkin, three mere wyverns should stand no chance against a true dragon.
But these three had cornered the mighty dragon and wounded it severely.
Ordinary wyverns could never accomplish this.
Clearly, these three were abnormal existences - no ordinary wyverns - which explained how they'd driven the dragon to such desperation.
On the periphery stood three knights draped in black cloaks - one wielding a lance, one a staff, and one wearing metal gauntlets - all wearing masks.
The lead lancer addressed the dragon in a low voice:
"Authentication code: I request the legacy as rightful successor (6173 4 9 7265717565737472656c6963737563636573736f72)."
The strange incantation was met with an angry roar and even fiercer resistance from the dragon.
Frustrated, the lancer growled:
"Fulfill your duty (64757479646f 796f7572)! Glenda (4772656c6461)!"
This shout actually made the dragon flinch slightly.
Yet it kept fighting desperately, as if determined not to fall, repeatedly beating back the wyverns while attempting to take flight.
Each time, the gauntlet-wearing knight would intervene.
Clad in swirling black auroras, this knight aimed a cannon-like firearm at the dragon and fired.
The projectile struck like corrosive poison, making the dragon shriek and crash back down.
Then the staff-wielder summoned forward monstrous constructs.
These mechanical humanoid puppets stood 3-4 meters tall, with exposed pulsating organs and skeletal frames clearly not of natural origin.
With heavy footsteps, they advanced on the dragon, slashing with sharp claws, pummeling with heavy fists, and stomping with aberrant feet, making the legendary creature wail in pain.
The ancient dragon was being brutally tormented in this forgotten place.
"Who... who are they? How dare they treat it like this!"
Hiding behind trees, Yuiri watched the scene with unexpected anger.
Indeed, the dragon looked pitiful beyond words.
Even Yukina had unconsciously tightened her grip on the extended Sekkaro, though she didn't charge out. After observing the wyverns and the black auroras around the gun knight, she moved closer to Rozen.
"Senpai."
She whispered urgently.
"I know." Rozen nodded expressionlessly. "They're the ones who sent the wyverns to obstruct us."
So Kuraki Shirona had been right.
"Another faction has secretly intervened, trying to claim the Holy Annihilation legacy in Shinjin Lake."
Wanting the legacy for themselves, they'd sent wyverns to delay Rozen when they learned of his approach, fearing he'd interfere.
Thanks to them, Rozen hadn't reached Shinjin Lake in time.
Had he arrived, his powerful Wise Eye and Mind's Eye could have discerned the black shell's true nature, allowing him to stop the Lion King Agency's ritual for Nagisa and Avrora's sake, preventing the legacy's awakening.
These interlopers clearly knew both the legacy's true form and the black shell's real purpose wasn't sealing. They knew the ritual would awaken it, hence their attempt to stop Rozen from interfering.
"The Cleansers...?"
Rozen recalled the intelligence from Kamioda Shrine, then stepped out from the forest without concealment.
Yukina immediately followed, with Yuiri scrambling after them.
"Who's there?!"
The lancer knight spun toward the movement.
His eyes fell upon Rozen walking forward calmly with Yukina and Yuiri.
"Hello there." Rozen said flatly. "Are we interrupting?"
His tone sounded more mocking than greeting.
Seeing Rozen, the knights' expressions changed.
"The Divine Child of Origin?!" The staff knight paled.
"The Fourth Primogenitor's seal-bearer?!" The gun knight gasped.
"You?" The lancer's eyes narrowed.
Intense hostility radiated from all three.
"Since you know me, no introductions needed."
Rozen narrowed his eyes, maintaining his faint smile.
Then—
"If you know me, this will be simple."
Rozen stated bluntly.
"Hand over the dragon."
"Knights of the Sinful God."
Silence fell. The knights' killing intent thickened.
Yukina and Yuiri immediately raised their weapons on either side of Rozen, bracing for battle.
The atmosphere grew tense enough to spark conflict at any moment.