On the deserted main street, Vali and his group lay sprawled across the ground. The terrifying Dragon Eater stretched black tentacles from its mouth to prey on Ophis, continuously absorbing the power within her through the black substance wrapped around her.
"Uh… I didn't expect it to actually end like this."
Tapping the Spear against his shoulder, Cao Cao eyed Samael with suspicion. His crafty gaze moved back and forth between Ophis and Samael.
To be honest, when this operation began, he had still felt somewhat uneasy. He believed the Dragon Eater Samael would work on Ophis, but how well it would work was another question. After all, a person's reputation cast its own shadow, and when the title in question was World's Strongest, no amount of caution was excessive. But judging by the situation now…
"Hahaha… Looks like our assumption really was correct. Even the Infinite Dragon God Ophis has no way to resist Samael. The title of Dragon Eater truly lives up to its name."
Cao Cao laughed smugly. Thinking back on how cautious he had been, even preparing several escape plans, he felt he had been more than a little foolish. With the Dragon Eater in hand, what was the point of being that careful?
"Mm-hmm… Once Ophis's power is drained dry, we can proceed to the next stage of the plan. Now that Samael's worth as the Dragon Eater has been confirmed, the chance of the next stage failing is zero…"
"Cao Cao…"
"As expected, the path I chose was the right one. As long as I keep going, I will surely become the hero I envision…"
"Cao Cao!"
"The next target is decided, then. Great Red. Last time, Shadow's interference let you escape with your life, but you won't be so lucky this time. I'll be the one to hunt down the two great Dragon Gods!"
"Cao Cao!"
"Georg, can't you see I'm thinking about the next plan?!"
His thoughts interrupted, Cao Cao turned with an ugly expression toward the young man in mage robes beside him. The Holy Spear in his hand swayed with its owner's mood.
"I know you're thinking about future plans, but could you come over and give an order first? The Dragon Eater Samael is starting to go out of control. That bastard Hades is calling it back."
Georg's face looked just as grim, and his tone was no better as he pointed toward Samael. The summoning Magic Circle beneath Samael's cross was flickering at incredible speed, and a strange mist was spreading from it.
"Tsk. I knew that old man wouldn't hand this thing over that easily. Georg, smash it directly. We can't return the Dragon Eater to that old bastard right now. We still need it as insurance for the plans after this."
Clicking his tongue in displeasure, Cao Cao looked at the emblem from the Underworld and directly ordered Georg to reverse the technique and undo the summoning.
"But… Cao Cao, is this really all right? Didn't we promise Hades we would give him Ophis's body as payment?"
"It's fine. That old bastard was trying to set me up behind my back. If we let that ancient skeleton recall the Dragon Eater now, we'll have to face a furious, half-crippled Dragon God…"
While waving his hand to brush off Georg's hesitation, Cao Cao looked at the reverse summoning Magic Circle, which was flashing more and more rapidly, and at Ophis, whose power Samael was still draining. A deep look flickered in his eyes.
He could sense that Ophis was not dead yet. If Hades summoned Samael back now, whether they could defeat a half-damaged Ophis would become a real question.
"If he refuses to keep faith with me, then he can't blame me for doing the same. If he honestly honors the deal, I can still give him the shell. If he doesn't, he gets nothing."
"…Fine, fine. Then we can only hope Rizevim keeps his word."
Georg nodded helplessly, admitting that Cao Cao had a point. He looked at the Dragon Eater devouring Ophis and raised his hand. White mist erupted, surrounding the Magic Circle below and beginning to destroy it.
Within a few short seconds, the summoning Magic Circle burst apart, stirring up waves of white mist. At first, Cao Cao and the others paid it no mind. It seemed like a normal reaction. Until, through the white mist, they faintly saw a pitch-black figure standing there…
!!!
"Hum…"
Intense Holy Light pierced through the white mist. A chain of instant attacks struck the black figure, yet it was like a stone sinking into water. Ripples of Magical Power spread outward, and everything vanished without a trace.
Who is that?!
The sight shook Cao Cao and the others to their core. After defeating Vali's group and catching the Infinite Dragon God off guard, their relaxed nerves instantly tightened again. They could not imagine who could have broken into this place while Dimension Lost had sealed it off.
"Judging by the look of things, you don't seem very happy to see me…"
Of course not. Who would welcome some unknown person at a critical moment like this?
Cao Cao and the others did not answer directly. They merely kept those thoughts buried in their hearts and silently watched as the figure turned toward them.
Unfortunately, even when the black figure faced them, Cao Cao and the others still could not see his true face. The pitch-black mask perfectly concealed the shadow's identity. But that was enough.
"…Shadow!?"
Cao Cao and the others could not help crying out in surprise. That distinctive black mask and black appearance made them instinctively call out his name, even though this was their first time meeting Shadow.
"What rotten luck. We already had Georg block this place off, but we still ended up drawing the attention of someone like you."
Cao Cao complained aloud, feeling that his luck truly was terrible. Last time, he had been interrupted halfway through. This time, just as things were about to end, an even bigger figure had arrived.
"No one cares about quarrels between ants. But if the ants fly right in front of someone's face, that's another matter."
Cid silently watched Cao Cao, thought for a moment, and explained in a relatively casual tone.
To be fair, considering how quickly Cao Cao and the others fought, if they had not opened an alternate dimension and timed it properly, he most likely would not have noticed. The commotion was not that large. But once an alternate dimension was opened, that was a different matter.
"So you have the same sort of personality as Ophis. In other words, it was Georg maintaining the alternate dimension that attracted your attention? That really is troublesome…"
Cao Cao spoke with a look of disgust. For the first time, he felt Itogami Island was not a good place at all. Last time, he had only damaged some buildings and nearly died for it. This time, even after making preparations, someone had torn open their alternate dimension and blocked the exit.
"Forget it. I had wanted to meet the legendary Shadow anyway. In that case, Shadow-sama…"
Cao Cao bent forward, then lifted his head and spoke with utmost respect, putting away the weapon in his hand.
"Could I ask you to spare us this once? In a sense, we're on the same side, aren't we?
"Our actions this time haven't interfered with you. If anything, we've helped you deal with the Infinite Dragon God."
"That does sound like it might be true…"
Indeed, jumping out like this had been too reckless. It was difficult to injure them without killing them while also making it look reasonable.
Cid spoke calmly, giving the impression that Cao Cao had persuaded him. Even Cao Cao and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If possible, they truly did not want to fight Shadow here, one of the legendary strongest in the world. They had only succeeded against Ophis thanks to the Dragon Eater. How were they supposed to restrain Shadow?
"But is that really the truth?!"
Just as Cao Cao and the others relaxed, in the next instant, power erupted from Cid, who stood before Samael. Terrifying pressure surged directly toward Cao Cao.
Cid's dreadful aura placed enormous pressure on him. Cao Cao's eyes kept shifting as he glanced behind him. His companions, who seemed to have lowered their weapons and given up resistance, exchanged a hidden look with him.
"Is all of this really that simple?"
His tone suddenly rose. Standing before the Dragon Eater as it continued to devour Ophis, Cid studied it and placed one hand on the Dragon Eater. The pitch-black flames on Samael automatically parted the instant they touched Cid's body.
What? The Dragon Eater actually retreated?!
Cao Cao was shocked by what he saw. In theory, even if Shadow's power surpassed Samael's, the Dragon Eater should not have backed down. It was a creature that truly stood at the top of the food chain, one that preyed on dragons and serpents.
A heavy atmosphere settled over them. Cao Cao tightened his grip on the True Longinus. He was only a hair's breadth away from attacking. Facing an unfamiliar being with the potential to rank among the top five in the world brought him far too much fear.
"Hahaha… Looks like I really couldn't hide it from the legendary Shadow. That's right. What I want isn't to kill the Infinite Dragon God, but to control a true World's Strongest…"
"Oh? So your method is…"
"To kill the Infinite Dragon God, absorb all of Ophis's power, and create a World's Strongest."
Cao Cao spoke proudly. Without question, his plan was already halfway to success. All that remained was to fill it with Ophis.
"That sounds like there's no problem?"
Cid nodded in agreement while muttering to himself.
"Yes. So, could Shadow-sama please let us go? This matter doesn't seem to have anything to do with you. You don't need to interfere with us, do you?!"
"Now that you put it that way, I really don't seem to have any reason to refuse."
"Exactly. In that case, we'll take Ophis and leave first."
Cao Cao spoke with a smile. Based on his previous experience dealing with Ophis, he knew that powerful beings like them, who did not take people like him seriously at all, would not care unless they were some sort of lunatic. Because they were too weak.
But that is exactly why we can survive, isn't it?
Thinking that, Cao Cao was just about to order Georg to take Ophis and Samael away when a low laugh interrupted him.
"Haha, Hahaha, Hahaha…"
For some reason, Cid lowered his head and let out a deep laugh. Coupled with the pitch-black flames now swirling around him, it sounded even more oppressive.
"But I refuse."
That's right. Cao Cao, everything you said makes perfect sense. You've left me with no reason to beat you up. Under normal circumstances, I really would have let you run.
A surge of overwhelming Magical Power interrupted the Magic Circle in the middle of its transfer. Cid looked at Cao Cao with a wild, confident smile.
"Why?"
Cao Cao's face darkened. At this moment, he had no choice but to consider whether he had revealed some flaw. Otherwise, why would Shadow, who was barely the most reasonable among all those World's Strongest who never spoke like normal people, suddenly move to stop them?
"Simple. Because I have already seen through your entire plan. Yes, I understand everything now. So, let us fight…"
Looking down at Cao Cao, Cid spoke with passionate intensity. Yes, he truly could not find a reason to attack. But he did not need to think of one. All he had to do was act like he had suddenly seen through everything and play the Riddle Man. He would stake this on the top-class acting skills he had learned from the Seven Shadows!
All right, Cao Cao. Now I've cut off every escape route you have. No matter how you explain things next, I'll ignore you and attack.
And no one will think it's unreasonable, because that's how Riddle Men are!
Come on, Cao Cao. Hurry up and begin.
Cid gazed at Cao Cao expectantly. Having already entered Riddle Man mode, he knew he was invincible in any argument from this point on, because no one here could beat him!
"I see…"
Meeting Cid's fervent gaze, Cao Cao fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. He raised the Holy Spear in his hand and aimed it at Cid.
"So the plan has already been exposed?"
"Then there's no helping it. Looks like I'll have to face you ahead of schedule, Shadow. The third World's Strongest I planned to kill…"
Forgive me, but you really did have that plan? Hunting down every World's Strongest… that is way too cool. I love you, Cao Cao!
Although Cid had no idea what Cao Cao's plan was, he still put on an expression that said everything was under control. This was the acting skill the Seven Shadows had trained into him!
"Shadow, may I ask one question here?"
Holding the Holy Spear, Cao Cao slowly walked up and faced Cid.
"Go ahead. I'd hate for you to lose without knowing why."
"Such confidence. Then I'll ask directly. How did you discover my plan? The only ones who know the entire plan are me and my companions. My companions would never betray me. How did you know?"
"You really want to know?"
"Of course. After all, there couldn't have been only two plans."
Looking into Cao Cao's eyes, Cid could feel his seriousness. Without question, if he said something like an attempt to sow discord, he could definitely plant a thorn in Cao Cao's heart. But… there was no need.
"It is actually very simple, isn't it? First Ophis, then Great Red. Who the next target would be is obvious."
"But the reason I dared to do this is because I have the Dragon Eater to target them. As for you, Shadow, I don't have any method to target you, do I?"
"…Except for fools, every action has a motive. A person's character determines what that motive is most likely to be. Once every impossibility has been eliminated, whatever remains, no matter how unbelievable, is the truth."
"Just by looking at Ophis, you guessed my true intentions… I can only say you really do live up to your reputation as the legendary Shadow."
Actually, everything he had just said was complete nonsense, but…
Cid glanced at Cao Cao, who believed him without a doubt. The effect was pretty good.
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