Chapter 245.5: A Winged Serpent's Circumstances
There was a towering ragged pillar in a certain place that was formerly a place where a smaller tribe of natives of the Pocket Dimension once thrived. Whether they still existed or not was uncertain after the tragedies of war commenced when the demonic alliance invaded.
As of this moment this place had been deemed forbidden territory due to the influx of demonic beasts and the ruined terrain. Over a month ago such a thing did not exist before a certain existence appeared and began its rule over this place. Large groups of demonic beasts moved about creating all sorts of structures as if building homes.
What was also interesting in this case was that some of these demonic beast tribes that migrated here were not necessarily on good terms and were even major enemies. So why then were they suddenly able to coexist together in such a place? Well it was simple given the generally simpleminded nature of these creatures.
On the same cultivation level many demonic beasts were superior to most races overall. On top of that depending on the race they bred incredibly fast. These creatures were generally deemed enemies to all even more than the demon races and other malevolent races.
Now the question at hand was why so many demonic beasts suddenly migrated to this area and created a forbidden zone that many armies would rather not have to deal with.
There were four Mortal Lord level demonic beasts hidden in three different large areas either beneath the ground or within caves. On top of that there were numerous Golden Lord and Gold Tier Four beasts with their own tribes and packs situated throughout the region. Beasts at these stages had a decent amount of intelligence so naturally they were capable of leading.
For quite a few of these Gold Tier Five and Four beasts and even three of the Mortal Lords they would ordinarily never agree to work with each other. So why now?
Far up at the top of the large mountain-like pillar there sat two individuals with grand auras. One was a woman with purple reptilian scales covering her body while dressed in an armored dress. Her eyes were sharp and narrow, and her fingers carried sharp nails. A long tail protruded from above her buttocks.
She spoke boldly with a hard yet flirtatious expression. Her cleavage was exposed and her dress accentuated her curves. Her bare feet rested on the ground with sharp nails on each toe. The person in front of her gave her an intense feeling she had never experienced before.
"So Milord what do you think? If we attack that place perhaps we can grow our forces and expand. We demonic beasts are the superior race so why not act like it instead of being held back by the trash around us?" the woman freely said with a dangerous smile.
"You are still the typical demonic beast supremacist as always. While what you say makes sense I keep trying to tell you that things are never that simple. For example let us say we run wild and then suddenly come across a powerful group like a man with a large starry blue sword or something." The person in question spoke as his face twisted before he sighed. "Right, we should be using our brains more and developing strategies. Also whether you like it or not it is best to work with a force besides demonic beast tribes."
The other person besides the reptilian woman was none other than the growingly pessimistic Orochicanda. He had long regained his cultivation as a Mortal Lord and even reached the peak. It was even to the point that one Middle Stage Mortal Lord he was forced to face eventually fled after a drawn-out battle being unable to defeat him. With that being said Orochicanda was somewhat terrified but to others he was a fierce and overwhelmingly powerful monster.
Before he realized it he had begun to gain a following while crushing many beasts and warriors, all for the sake of following the instructions of one damned woman, Christy. Prior to that Elton had given him instructions to follow Christy's command while he was in seclusion, much to his dissatisfaction, but he also had an innate fear of them both now so he could not say anything.
At some point earlier in his mission he encountered this woman while she was fighting alongside an army of demons and demonic cultivators. She was in awe of not only his strength but also his incredibly special bloodline even among the winged serpent demonic beasts. She herself also had a special demonic beast bloodline from a reptilian race.
After a fierce battle she and many of the demonic beasts under her command turned traitor as they annihilated the demonic army including one Mortal Lord expert. Two other Mortal Lords fled with injuries, and as for one of the two it was hard to say whether he would survive.
The reptilian woman stood with faint disappointment in her gaze before she suddenly gasped with excitement. "Milord could it be that you plan on growing our power while allying with those non-demonic beasts but in truth you plan on subjugating them once we grow strong enough?"
"Eh? W-what?" Orochicanda asked with a confused expression filled with doubt.
The reptilian woman continued with excitement. "And given our bloodlines and the resources here we will eventually reach the Soul Tier or maybe even the Master Realm with time. So you plan to make a huge empire where you sit on the throne as a powerful serpent demonic beast and I will be your beautiful queen. Is that it?"
"Huh? Wait, slow down for a moment," Orochicanda said as his face paled and his skin shivered.
"Hehehe you truly are a man worth admiring. I will follow you to the very end Milord. Fufufu I, Raptalia, knew that I made the right choice in following you."
Orochicanda sat with a face filled with disbelief and growing despair. The primary reason why this area even became a forbidden zone with him sitting at the top was all because of this woman. He was not some invincible general and winged serpent demonic beasts were not ones to intermingle with large groups unless they were in packs with others of the same species or at most a few close companions who would fight and die together.
Orochicanda was no longer that type of winged serpent thanks to Elton and the others. He suddenly began thinking back on certain rumors he heard about some four-armed sword wielding black devil and some divine-eyed goddess. He also heard about a terrifying spear wielder that seemed to be a monster or perhaps a demonic beast in human flesh. Instantly certain individuals popped into his mind giving him a feeling of discomfort.
There was something else much more recent that he doubted anyone else noticed, but because of his contract he had no choice but to notice.
At that time he felt as if he had entered a horrifying dream. Elton was already a Late Stage Mortal Lord with boundless power that seemed to defy this world's rules or at least that was what his instincts screamed. It lasted only a moment before that sensation faded. It was during that moment that Orochicanda felt he would eventually be able to break through into the Middle Stage of the Mortal Shedding Realm, hence his current power defying his true level.
Subjugate him? Rule over that guy and those other little monsters? Not a chance in hell. If anything he wished he could escape, and that feeling only grew with time. He also felt that Raptalia had far more natural talent than himself and she might even be mistaken about some things because of his strange disposition.
Raptalia looked at Orochicanda with glistening eyes that made him shiver for a moment causing him to almost lose his composure. "W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.
"There is just something about you. I just cannot put my finger on it. Hehehe as expected of a mysterious leader of great strength. I can even tell that your intelligence is beyond many demonic beasts that gain intelligence upon reaching a certain stage. Hey Milord why don't we mate today?" Raptalia said with sharp predatory eyes as she licked her lips with a heated expression.
"W-w-wait calm down for a moment!" Orochicanda shrieked slightly before quickly regaining himself. "Ahem. Raptalia now is not the time for such acts. There is still much to be done and in the first place we should focus on who we will align ourselves with."
Raptalia paused with understanding before nodding. "Ah I get it. Yes, yes. What you are saying makes sense. Alright Milord then we will do just as you have said. But how will we even find allies? Demonic beasts are not a race that most people would think to ally with. Should we try working with that damned demon alliance again if they'd allow it?"
"No, that is out of the question. In fact I have something in mind," Orochicanda said with a smile and squinted eyes before coughing. "Ahem. Actually there is a chance that we could join forces with a group who will cause the least issues. I just so happen to have a few non-demonic beast friends not too far away, though I think only a few people should come with me since we are demonic beasts after all."
"Really? I expect nothing less from Milord! Then I will follow your methods," Raptalia said with a beautiful sharp-toothed smile. Orochicanda could only laugh dryly upon seeing her excitement.
…
The next day a group of nine demonic beasts in humanoid forms led by Orochicanda appeared at the front gates of the White Star Radiance Sect. They had trouble reaching this area, having to pass between many experts going to and from the conquered territory of the White Star Radiance Alliance and one of the four main defensive points where the Red Flounder race was stationed. As Orochicanda expected, the demonic beasts that accompanied him were excessive and quick to violence even though they were supposed to be leaders. Two of the four Mortal Lord demonic beasts aside from Orochicanda himself were present including Raptalia who glued herself to him.
"Eh? When did the sect become like this? A forest fortress?" Orochicanda stared wide-eyed at the towering trees surrounding the sect as far as the eye can see. Each trunk was covered in layered magical inscriptions. A powerful barrier of dense nature magic enveloped the entire place, preventing outsiders from wandering in freely.
He looked toward the large sect entrance where two fanged elf guards stood atop massive trees, their gazes sharp enough to make most beasts tremble.
"Boss dis da place? Heh da sect look like za place is filled wit many o creaturahs," said a male demonic beast who resembled a huge pot-bellied man with a long snout.
"I think we could run rough shots over this place if we wanted with our forces," another demonic beast muttered with a scratchy voice, his bat-like features twitching with disdain.
Orochicanda nearly broke into a sweat upon hearing that, especially when he thought about the terrifying experts who either lived here or fiercely protected the people inside. "You guys cut it out. We are not here for that. I told you already, we are working with them. Use your brains and stop getting overly confident."
"Fuhahahaha! You all should listen to what milord says. He is truly wise and cunning while being the most powerful among us, so it is best you heed his advice." Raptalia laughed loudly as she dismissed the others, taking Orochicanda's words as unquestionable truth.
"I agree! King Orochi is wise, handsome, and smart. When I finally become a Mortal Lord I will serve as his second pair of wiiiings!" declared a beautiful woman wearing a worn green mini skirt and colorful butterfly wings as she twirled barefoot across the ground. Faint glittering mist drifted from her body with every spin.
Orochicanda felt a massive headache coming on as he looked at all of his so-called subordinates.