"Ivan Daknis, no matter what, you won't escape. The Sunlight Greatsword will return soon, and outside the Darkness Domain, even more High-Ring Arcanists have been transferred from other dioceses."
Mr. Pilot stated the facts, staring directly into Daknis's eyes:
"Just as I mentioned at Yodel Palace, surrender, and I can guarantee you'll live for at least another twenty years."
"Power is right at my hand, and you want me to stop?"
Daknis laughed. Compared to his fanatical tone, his condition was far from good:
"Once I become a Chosen One, what will any of you be?"
"The lady behind me is a Chosen One. She may be able to suppress you, but do you really think she is powerful?"
Mr. Pilot stated another fact.
"I'm different from her. She only has herself, but I have this."
Daknis waved his right hand at Mr. Pilot and shifted his weight fully back against the pillar. That pillar was thicker than even the giant trees Shade had seen in the Thousand Tree Forest, though it grew sharper and narrower toward the top. It was itself the largest black crystal, and even Shade did not dare look directly at it from his current position.
Daknis's lips trembled. His pale face made him look less like he was devouring power and more like he was swallowing fire. His right hand absorbed the terrifying darkness pouring toward it, while the shadows drifting through the air were slowly sucked into the Demon's Mouth, causing horrifying rune tattoos to emerge across Daknis's body.
"As long as the ritual succeeds, I, I, Ivan Fr-Fris Da-Daknis, hereby declare!"
Even his body shook as he spoke, nothing like the way Iluna had performed her ritual.
"Let the Ancient God Crawling Darkness bear witness. I shall devour the darkness, witnessed by—"
Behind