Abyssal Sovereignty

The green glow enveloped the space, completely obscuring the blood-red aura.

[ So... it's over... ]

Not only the life of that girl but also the hope for all beings in the Abyss to return to the mortal world—everything had come to an end.

This was the outcome no one wished to see. No one could attain freedom or happiness.

‘What’s happening!? I sense a powerful force and come over. What has occurred?’

[ Is it Misako? In the end, we have failed... ]

‘...’

After all, there had been ongoing communication about Yverantheia, and with just a single phrase from Farkonia, Misako understood the situation.

‘...It's alright. It’s not your fault. Let’s keep pushing forward. One day, we’ll turn this Abyss into a paradise that rivals or even surpasses the outer world.’

Perhaps anticipating the current situation, Misako had long been developing entertainment and related pursuits, as evidenced by the state of the black demon territory.

‘Don’t be fixated on leaving the Abyss. For many, this place is home.’

[ ...You’re right. Thank you. ]

‘...Hmph! No need to thank me; just admire my wisdom.’

[ Yes, Misako, you’re impressive. ]

‘Hmm!’

[ Dragons, or rather, I think it’s time for me to leave here. May we come to your place? ]

‘Of course, I’ve already prepared...’

Boom!!!

Suddenly, a tremendous explosion rang out, drawing Farkonia’s attention.

Below her, the space once bathed in green light began to collapse, with all the surrounding energy contracting towards its centre.

[ What is... happening... ]

Farkonia’s gaze was fixed on the figure below, which, like a black hole, was absorbing the nearby light, raising her alertness to its peak.

[ Could it be... you... ]

Before Farkonia could finish her sentence, a beam of light pierced through her left lower wing. With only her remaining two dragon wings, she momentarily lost balance and began to fall.

“...Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As Farkonia adjusted her posture and used magic to stabilise herself in mid-air, the figure appeared before her.

It was a girl with golden hair streaked with black strands and golden eyes, appearing around fifteen years old. Beneath her severely damaged white sleeveless dress was a slender, graceful figure, revealing a peculiar charm despite her youthful appearance.

[ Wait... your hands... ]

It was then that Farkonia noticed the girl had two hands.

“This? I’m not quite sure. After all this time, I’ve become somewhat unaccustomed.”

Having lived for eighty thousand years with only a left hand, even if she was originally right-handed, she had grown accustomed to using her left.

“Hmm, just some rehabilitation needed.”

In that instant, Farkonia felt an extreme danger and quickly dodged to the side.

Before her, a tunnel-like expanse of shattered space stretched into the distance. This was merely the result of the girl’s freshly restored right hand’s punch wind.

Seeing this, Farkonia was stunned. This was her constructed subspace, which, although not as solid as normal space, should not have been so easily destroyed.

It appeared that the girl’s power was at least on par with her own.

‘What’s going on? What has happened now?’

In Farkonia’s mind, Misako’s voice continued to echo.

[ Perhaps, our hope is not yet lost. ]

‘...What?’

[ She... has returned. ]

Farkonia looked at the girl, now seeing reason in her eyes, and the previously frenzied, eerie aura had vanished.

[ Let the battle begin anew. ]

In the high sky, the gigantic dragon let out an unprecedented roar. Now, she would fight with all her might, a mark of respect for a formidable opponent as a dragon and Dragon King.

Meanwhile, the girl gathered all her magical power. She was determined to prove her strength once more.

In the next moment, the large and small figures collided, causing a powerful impact that shattered the already fractured space further. In the now empty subspace, the two energies locked in a fierce stalemate, neither yielding.

[ Hmm... ]

Despite her larger size, Farkonia felt tremendous pressure.

Unlike their previous dragon breath 'counter', Farkonia was at a disadvantage this time, gradually being pushed back.

‘No, this won’t do.’

To escape the current predicament, Farkonia reduced the enhancement on her body and began to concentrate her magic in her mouth.

This action caused her to be pushed back a considerable distance, but she was prepared.

[ Roar!!! ]

With a dragon’s roar, Farkonia unleashed her breath attack. This sudden assault managed to break the collision.

[ Looks like it’s not that simple. ]

The girl, having taken a dragon breath at close range, showed only minor burn-like marks, a stark contrast to the previous time when half her body was blown away.

“Is it about time?”

[ ? ]

The girl spoke slowly.

“Let’s settle this with one final blow.”

[ ...Understood. ]

The girl’s strength had subtly surpassed her own, but Farkonia acknowledged that she had little magic left. Despite the recovery from her severe injuries, her magic reserves were nearing depletion.

Farkonia’s form glowed and then began to shrink, returning to her human form. To others, this might seem like a sign of weakness.

However, for her, the human form allowed for more precise control of her power. While the dragon form excelled in durability, the human form was better suited for a final, decisive strike.

In response, the girl also enhanced herself with a multitude of buff spells, concentrating the magic that had enveloped her body into her hands.

In an instant, a colossal shockwave and light, as if the very heavens were being split open, erupted between them. The shattered subspace could no longer bear the strain and collapsed completely.

“Huh!? What’s happening!?”

In Dragon Valley, where she was caring for Pupu, Veridith suddenly felt a powerful tremor, causing her to exclaim in surprise.

“This is truly...”

Meanwhile, in a shrine in the black demon territory far off, a small girl in a shrine maiden outfit sat in a dim room, gazing towards a distant location.

The aftermath of the clash reverberated throughout the entire Abyss. Whether dragon, black demon, merman, giant, or serpent, all beings felt the clash of this immense power.

Eventually, at the innermost edge of Dragon Valley, amidst the chaotic space, a mature woman and a smaller girl emerged, their injuries and tattered clothes telling the tale of their recent ordeal.

“This time, you won.”