When I stole the Holy Cross from Walburga, something else came along with it.
It was none other than the soul of Yamata no Orochi.
At first, I thought about just absorbing it.
Although weaker than the Three Strongest Evil Dragons like Apophis and Azi Dahaka, it is still undeniably the soul of an Evil Dragon.
Its value is far higher than that of most ordinary souls.
It would be a top-tier meal.
But I thought about it.
I've thought this before, but no matter how strong an individual is, without a faction, they lose.
Of course, my current faction, including the guardians, is strong enough that no one can ignore it.
But it's still lacking.
I still have plenty of Evil Pieces left in my hand.
I should expand as much as I can.
"Should I revive it?"
Yamata no Orochi has both excellent strength and name value.
It's not easy to find a candidate for a peerage member this good.
And if it's me, I can certainly make that Evil Dragon my servant.
"Hey, if you're awake, answer me."
At my call directed inward, a foreign voice responded.
[...I am awake.]
Hmm? A female voice?
That's strange.
As far as I remember, Yamata no Orochi is male and fathered the famous great Youkai, Shuten-douji.
But what I'm hearing right now is clearly a woman's voice.
"What, you were female?"
[I am now.]
"Now?"
[I was male before, and now I am female. Is it not simple? Gender is nothing but a shell.]
Is the lower body detachable or something?
Why is she saying it so nonchalantly?
Am I the weird one?
Come to think of it, I remember from the original story that Ophis used to take the form of an old man in the past.
Are all dragons like this?
Orochi's calm words made my head spin.
Hmm... Thinking about it now, I feel like I could probably do it too if I wanted to.
'...I suddenly feel sick.'
I will absolutely never do that.
"But you're answering more obediently than I expected. You roughly know what I'm trying to do, right?"
[I have roughly guessed. You intend to resurrect me and make me your servant, do you not? What a greedy one you are.]
Is it because she has nine heads? She's quite the intelligent type.
"So, your answer?"
[Do you think you dare dominate this body? ...is what I would ask, but I have no other choice. I wish to resurrect, and you hold the key. In the end, I have no choice but to follow your will.]
"Then we'll consider it settled that you become my servant."
[I understand.]
Immediately after hearing Orochi's answer, I activated the Grail.
The rusty-gold light flowing from my hand squirmed in the empty air, beginning to mold a new body.
Grotesque scenes of muscles and bones generating passed by, and finally, Orochi's new body was completed.
A massive snake with nine heads, made of snow-white scales.
Except for the fact that it had nine heads, it looked like an incredibly beautiful white snake.
'...Don't all the dragons look pretty except for me?'
Well, I'm a lump of chaos that can hardly be called a dragon in the first place, so let's move on.
I immediately put Orochi's soul into the new body.
A faint light emitted from all nine heads simultaneously, and soon, Yamata no Orochi was completely resurrected.
"So, how does it feel to be resurrected?"
[The air of the living world, which I have not smelled in a long time, is quite distinct. I also like that I am free from that witch's oppression.]
"Then shall we fulfill the promise now?"
[Before that...]
"Hmm?"
[If you wish to become my master, prove your strength.]
"Didn't we already check that when you were hanging on the Cross? You were annihilated by a single breath of mine."
[That was merely a form forcibly controlled by that witch. It was not this body's full power. Give me a chance to wash away that humiliation.]
Ah, then it's understandable to feel aggrieved.
"Fine. Then if you lose to me this time, you become my servant without complaint?"
[I shall keep my promise.]
"It won't happen, but what if you win?"
[I shall welcome thee as my mate.]
"...Ha?"
What kind of bullshit is this?
[It would be difficult to find an existence as strong and interesting as thee. To welcome a strong mate and bear stronger children. That is the providence of our species.]
"Uh... But then, whether you win or lose, it's a gain for you, isn't it?"
[Of course. The resurrected me does not fight a losing battle.]
Hmm... Have I only seen normal dragons until now?
Is this the average for Evil Dragons?
This isn't easy...
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