Chimera's Choice

Storm Highlands, Chimera's Nest.

A biting wind swept in from the north, but was blocked by the continuous mountain range. Here, there were jagged rocks, lush trees, and the figure of a multi-headed monster could be seen from time to time.

The area within a hundred miles is the territory of the Chimera's Nest. This is a breeding base specially set up by the Embers of the Burned Empire. The most subservient Chimera live here together with a dozen or so female members of their race, forming a sizable community.

The male Chimera was even granted the title of "Chimera King" by the imperial authorities, becoming the local tyrant.

The combination of dragon, lion, and goat traits allows adult male Chimera to designate a 10-mile radius as their territory and hunt within it.

Therefore, only female Chimera and young male Chimera can live here. Even the half-grown ones are driven out to hunt in the wasteland and eventually join the Empire's Wyvern Legion.

The Chimera's territory became the empire's primary source of manpower, continuously supplying the Embers of the Burned Legion with powerful monster followers.

At this moment, in the spacious cave at the top of the mountain, an incredibly enormous Chimera, nearly twenty meters long, lay horizontally on a stone platform, flapping its wings, its three massive heads emitting hot breath.

"Aww!"

Suddenly, a deep, hoarse voice echoed in the cave, prompting the Chimera to let out a threatening growl.

"How can you let those bastards trample on your head? Can't you see? They already see you as a brainless animal!"

"Your Majesty, Chimera King, you have followed the Emperor for over a decade. You are the one who truly deserves to stand at the pinnacle of the Embers of the Burned Empire. Ogre, Hobgoblin, and that bastard should all step aside!"

A gloomy humanoid creature smiled, dressed in fine clothes, and appeared beside the Chimera with a slight bow, like a loyal butler.

His short hair was slicked back and shiny, with goat-like horns on his forehead. His eyes were bloodshot, but his feet had split hooves like those of a beast, and a dark red, ferocious tail extended from behind him.

Clearly, this humanoid creature made no attempt to conceal its identity as a demon from Hell.

"Roar--"

The dominant Chimera head growled impatiently again, but its stubborn and wicked ram head seemed quite interested in it.

The devil stretched out his arms and paced around the cave like Bard.

"Great Chimera King, look at how vast the Empire's territory is now, while you are confined to this small wilderness. Don't you feel it's unfair? You were the Emperor's first contingent. If it were a matter of rewarding merit, you should at least have received the entire Storm Highlands!"

"Albert, you've crossed the line! This was the master's decision, it has nothing to do with you!"

Finally, the Chimera's Red Dragon -like head spoke again, emitting a thunderous and solemn sound that caused the entire cave to tremble slightly.

After years of bloodline infusion, this "Chimera King" has become as powerful as an ordinary Red Dragon, and its intelligence is almost on par with that of humans.

The devil known as "Albert" covered his mouth and chuckled softly, for he had seen the Chimera's anger.

"But are you really willing to be subservient to others and become a pathetic breeding machine?"

"You devil, you're courting death!"

"Boom!"

The enormous lion's claw slammed down from the air, startling the demon into turning into a cloud of smoke, while a deep crater suddenly exploded in the ground, sending rubble flying everywhere.

"My lord, you have truly frightened me. But with such power, are you truly content to remain confined to this wilderness?"

The devil pretended to be panicked, patting his chest, but his mouth didn't stop at all. He even took a piece of parchment out of his pocket.

The dragon head said, rather angrily, "This is none of your business, you devil."

The lion head echoed, "I am the king of the Chimera, a hero of the empire, not a prisoner in the wilderness."

However, the goat-headed man stared at the contract with his round eyes, a hint of greed gleaming in his dark pupils. "Wait... what is this?"

Sensing the familiar emotion in the goat-headed man's eyes, the devil was overjoyed and said to the Chimera, "Revered Chimera King, do you know—why the Emperor doesn't value you?"

"Why?"

This time, not only the goat's head, but even the lion's head and the dominant dragon's head seemed curious.

Under the intense gaze of several men, the devil remained calm, pointing to his temple and saying in a deliberately profound tone, "Wisdom, my lord, what you lack is wisdom."

Do you know why that Ogre, though following the emperor after you, is able to stand above you? It's because he possessed wisdom.

Under Chimera's hesitant gaze, Albert stepped forward and respectfully handed over the contract written in blood-red script.

"Your Majesty, Chimera King, this is a pact from Hell that grants you wisdom comparable to a mage, and all you need to give in return is a single, insignificant act of assistance."

My lord, the true master of Avernus, Bael possesses a keen mind; he excels at betrayal, treachery, and ambush; he always manages to be one step ahead of his opponents."

"Enough! What are you implying?" the ferocious dragon head roared, spewing out scorching white sulfurous smoke, Mars flying everywhere.

"Roar--"

The lion's head also let out a fierce roar, shaking the fluffy mane on its neck.

Albert quickly used the black cloak behind him to shield himself from the terrifying airflow, but his mouth never stopped. "My lord, I have no intention of asking you to rebel."

Think about it carefully, Your Majesty, Chimera King. Are you truly willing to be trampled underfoot by those who come after you?

Albert gave a seemingly gentle, warm smile, covered himself completely with his black cloak, and then disappeared into thin air with a turn.

The demon left behind only a black mist exuding the aura of purgatory, and a highly seductive utterance. "Mighty Chimera King, if you have come to your senses, I will return to see you."

Chimera, panting heavily, watched the dissipating black mist, its three heads displaying different expressions.

The Red Dragon head, which dominated the center, exhaled another puff of white smoke and said in a deep voice, "No one is allowed to reveal that this demon has been here. The emperor is our eternal master."

The lion's head on the left shook its mane and then cursed, "You bastard from Hell!"

However, hesitation and greed gleamed in the eyes of the goat-headed man. He said softly, "But the devil said that we don't need to betray him. We only need to do them a small favor, and we can gain a status comparable to that Ogre."

He is now the emperor's most trusted relative, the empire's prime minister, yet we were the ones who first followed the emperor.

Upon hearing the goat's words, a hint of longing appeared in the eyes of the other two heads. After all, they were one entity and could influence each other, and the Chimera were a species that desperately craved power and status.

But soon, the majestic figure of His Majesty appeared in the mind of the dominant dragon head, and it trembled all over, unable to think of anything else but to submit.

It gritted its teeth and whispered, "No, we can't take that risk."

The goat argued again, "But... the contract doesn't require us to betray His Majesty."

The dragon head seized complete control of the body, ignoring the goat's protests, and walked deeper into the lair. "Stop, that devil is not trustworthy."

For some reason, a hint of ruthlessness could be faintly revealed in the Golden Vertical Pupils of that Red Dragon's head.

"Aww—"

Outside the cave, a dozen or so Chimera howling obsequiously, flapping their wings and circling in mid-air, displaying their strong and graceful bodies.

The Chimera King then poked his head out, pointed his claws at the youngest female Chimera, and led her deep into the cave to indulge his desire to reproduce.

Soon, the urgent and rousing howls of wild beasts echoed from the deep cave, reverberating throughout the entire territory. All creatures within a radius of several miles knew that the Chimera King was once again exercising his supreme power over the community.

Night fell, and a fierce wind howled, its sound echoing through the valley like the howl of a wild beast.

Deep within the cave, a colossal beast with the heads of a dragon, lion, and goat sat coiled on a stone platform, emitting deep, thunderous snores. Even the female Chimera dared not approach this place, for it represented the king's majesty and power.

Just then, the goat's head suddenly opened its eyes, its dark pupils gleaming eerily in the darkness.

Immediately afterwards, a six-pointed star of flame appeared on the cave wall, and faint Mars rose up and gradually coalesced into the tall, thin body of the devil—that was Albert.

The demon bowed slightly and said in a very soft voice, "Your Majesty, Chimera King, have you made your decision?"

The goat's head nodded hurriedly. After accumulating mental energy for several days, it was finally able to barely regain some control of its body while sleeping.

Gaining the devil's wisdom was not only for the triune Chimera to acquire wisdom, but also for the goat's personality to gradually take over.

After receiving the Dragon Blood Blessing, although all three heads became more intelligent and the Chimera became incredibly powerful, the dragon's head had become too domineering and tyrannical.

"Very good."

Albert clapped his hands gently, walked forward with great anticipation, and took out the parchment contract from Hell, flickering with firelight.

Goat-Head wanted to look closely, but he didn't know Common Tongue or Purgatory Language, so he could only nod in a perfunctory manner.

Albert said, "Very well, the terms of this contract are that you help me once in a critical moment, and I will give you the wisdom of the devil."

He pointed to the bottom of the contract and said with a smile, "Chimera, press your paw print here."

"Press it, and you will gain endless wisdom and seize everything you deserve." The devil's tempting voice echoed in its ears.

The goat-headed creature mustered all its strength, almost exhausting all its mental energy, to barely control the Chimera's right arm, slowly lifting it and placing it on the parchment.

"Boom!"

In an instant, a thunderous explosion resounded within the cave, and an ancient cry echoed from the River Styx.

The lines of grotesque text flickered incessantly, black mist surged from the magic array drawn on them, and countless Mars swept out from the contract.

"Roar—what are you doing!"

The Chimera's head suddenly awoke, instantly seizing control of the body. The head glared angrily at the ram's head and the demon with its golden eyes.

"Hahaha, great, wonderful!"

Albert spread his arms, raised his head and laughed wildly, as Hellfire surrounded his body and burned fiercely.

The devil stared at the Chimera with his dark pupils, a sinister smile spreading across his face, almost reaching his ears.

He stretched out his hand and pointed to the ram's head of the Chimera: "Chimera King, the devil never breaks his word. The pact has been made, and you will gain—the devil's wisdom!"

The goat's head was overjoyed. It opened its mouth and said fiercely, "I am the true master of this body!"

"Damn traitor!"

The dragon head roared and bit at the goat's head, but they were one entity, their thoughts intertwined, so how could they hurt each other? However, the next moment, the demon transformed into a ferocious black mist, howling as it surged into the goat's gaping maw.

The goat's head froze instantly. The next moment, a glimmer appeared in its black pupils, and Hell Gunsmoke billowed from its nostrils. Its face became incredibly ferocious.

"Hahaha! Chimera, this is the devil's wisdom I promised you, but... there's a price to pay!"

It turns out that the "wisdom of the devil" in the contract was obtained by seizing the body of the Chimera, and this did not violate the contract! Although the Chimera strong and powerful, it was no match for the devil, who had lived for hundreds and thousands of years and sucked the blood of countless filthy souls, in terms of spirit and soul.

"What a powerful body! Come, let me go deeper."

The goat's head extended its long tongue and licked its lips, and the Hellfire, representing the demon's spiritual power, continued to spread, fiercely vying with the dominant dragon head.

Dragons are far more stubborn than goats, but for a devil who is good at manipulating souls, they are just a somewhat troublesome thing.

But at that moment, the Chimera's head revealed a cunning smile. It stopped resisting and instead relinquished control of its body, allowing the demon to enter the domain that flowed with dragon blood.

"Heh, it's nothing more than a wild beast."

The demonic soul wandered through the Chimera's sea of consciousness, and sighed in this way.

"However, as expected of that emperor's bloodline, it is incredibly powerful. It should be used in a better way."

"Wait, what's that?"

Suddenly, he looked up in horror and saw a Red Dragon thousands of meters tall suddenly appear in the Chimera's consciousness world. Its wings Sky-Shading the sky and its back undulated like a mountain range.

Even more terrifying, the Red Dragon seemed to have noticed the insignificant demon. He lowered his head, and a glint of light flickered in his pale golden vertical pupils, revealing a hint of mockery.

The Red Dragon in my consciousness slowly opened its mouth, letting out a long roar, "Roar—"

Albert suddenly felt his consciousness being swept away by a torrent, almost to the point of collapse. He had no choice but to frantically run back into the narrow goat's head, hoping to escape through it.

But soon he discovered that he could not get out, like a bird trapped in a dragon's head!

"Oh no, this is a trap!"

An incredibly terrifying pressure descended, even more terrifying than the great demons of Hell. Only then did Albert realize that something was wrong, and he kept twisting the goat's head, trying to struggle.

However, the Chimera's head controlled its entire body, folded its wings, and knelt respectfully on its forelimbs.

"Master, I have followed your orders and eliminated that rebellious thought."

The devil instantly knew who was about to appear, but he could only watch helplessly, powerless to resist.

The oppressive force grew stronger, the space gradually distorted, and burning cracks appeared. A huge red dragon claw emerged from one of them, accompanied by deep voices.

"Tsk tsk, how dare Bael's men be so rude? They trespassed into my territory without their master's permission and even tried to steal my family."

"In that case, you shall remain within this head and truly become the 'wisdom' of the Chimera, you devil."