Just as Shien, Aiyi, and Jacinta decided on their course of action and went their separate ways, they did not know that something was happening beside the vast lake at the deepest part of the canyon.
"Roar—!!!"
As though it could no longer endure, the terrifying monster finally stopped tangling with the Demon Refining creatures that kept rushing at it to die. After letting out a pained roar, it suddenly beat its wings, whipping up a gale that sent countless Demon Refining creatures flying while breaking free from their fearless entanglement and taking to the air.
Vasco, who had been watching from afar, abruptly changed expression.
The nobles beside him did the same.
"Not good!"
"It's trying to escape!"
"N-No way?"
"It still has the will to resist, and it can even escape!?"
The nobles all cried out in alarm.
This was truly not something they had expected.
Logically speaking, under the Demon Refining Ritual, no matter how powerful the monster was, it should have been affected and lost its mind, especially after slaughtering and absorbing the magic power and flesh of so many Demon Refining creatures.
Under such circumstances, it should have completely descended into madness long ago and become the strongest Demon Refining creature in Arutol Canyon.
Then, once it devoured every Demon Refining creature in the canyon, the finest sacrifice would be born.
At that time, the Demonoid Larva that consumed this sacrifice would surely become unprecedentedly powerful. That was what Vasco and the others wanted to see.
Yet now, this terrifying monster was not only desperately resisting the ritual's effects, but also rejecting the fusion with the Demon Refining creatures and was even able to flee. It had completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Quick! Stop it!"
Vasco's expression changed sharply as he shouted his order.
The surrounding