Just as Gorth had predicted, Talulah and her group were indeed about to arrive at the forest before he left.
If it weren't for those two unexpected guests...
"Hiss..."
The convoy suddenly stopped. What blocked their path wasn't a ferocious beast, but it made the Infected tremble uncontrollably.
The black uniform, the strange breathing mask, and the military knife at his waist made him look like a eccentric Infection Patrol.
But faced with that eerie shadow, fear quietly seeped into the hearts of the Infected.
"It's... it's a faceless monster!"
"Miss Talulah, let's run!"
"..."
Staring intently at the figure that should never have been there, Talulah gripped Alina's hand tightly, then released it again.
"... Little Tal."
Alina's voice trembled slightly, whether from worry... or fear.
I will try to seize the opportunity.
Talulah picked up her longsword and closed the carriage door.
"Go find your tutor."
"Unfortunately, they can't go anywhere."
A strange sound rang out, the air grew heavy, and the bright car lights flickered briefly before going out.
"The Emperor's Blades..."
Talulah ignited a flame, dispelling the approaching shadow.
Why have you come?
"Hiss... It's obvious."
The Internal Guard scrutinized Talulah, scrutinizing this spark that had reignited the flames of war in the plan.
"We're looking for you, the Duke's daughter... We need to assess the situation."
"Hiss... Koschei successor, you killed your father, but failed to inherit his ideals."
"He's not my father!" Talulah's face twisted in a grimace.
"I will never inherit his ambition!"
"... It seems that expecting you to reach his level and understand his wisdom right now is not a realistic thing."
The Internal Guard looked at the convoy behind him, and the familiar vehicles made him suddenly understand what had happened.
Did they attack the Infection Patrol?
Although he looked down on these guys, they were still an official team, after all.
"Hiss... So that's how it is. He's actually hanging out with rioters. How laughable."
The Internal Guard's voice betrayed his disappointment.
"Red Dragon, your noble bloodline is weeping."
"Mob? You call these poor people mobs?"
Scorching flames coiled around the sword, dividing the entire area as it was swung.
Flames erupted from beneath her feet as Talulah charged toward the Internal Guard.
Clang--
He drew his military knife, sliced through the flames, and blocked the blade—all in the blink of an eye.
"Phew... that was definitely inappropriate."
The Red Dragon continued its attacks, Internal Guards parried one by one, brandishing their sabers, their tone becoming more serious.
"Those Infected certainly can't be considered human."
"You bastard!!"
Boom--!
Responding to the Red Dragon's rage, the flames surged once more, the snow melted, and the scorched frozen earth was revealed.
Gazing at the even more intense flames, the Internal Guard seemed lost in thought.
Can anger increase strength? If so...
"For someone who is the heir to a duke to mingle with rioters... it's laughable."
The Internal Guards raised their sabers and aimed them at the convoy behind the firewall.
"Saving the Infected... You think gathering this rabble together will pose a threat to Ursus?"
"Red Dragon... how much longer will you remain immersed in this absurd game?"
"You are the absurd ones! The Infected are also part of Ursus. You call yourselves the blade protecting this country... but what have you done?!"
Recalling the various horrific scenes he had witnessed on his journey, the raging flames burned the Daichi, and even the shadows of the Internal Guards receded.
"A masked villain who secretly carries out massacres for Ursus? We don't need your judgment!"
Another burst of flames erupted, the powerful thrust forcing the Internal Guard to grip his knife with both hands, his tone losing its previous ease.
"Hiss... A country cannot be measured by good or evil; on this scale, nothing is worth mentioning."
Black energy coiled around the saber, and an uneasy hiss echoed from the depths of Talulah's heart.
You will become me, your blood, your thoughts, everything about you...
"Stop talking nonsense!"
The Red Dragon formed from flames and the swarm of snakes formed from black mist kept tearing at each other. Talulah her attack, and the Internal Guards kept retreating.
"I will fight alongside my comrades and will never become the ruler you desire!"
Boom--!
The Internal Guard slid out of the flames, his entire body rising with scorching smoke.
Looking at the reddened saber, the Internal Guard exclaimed in admiration:
"Excellent Originium Arts, what a pity..."
Black spears rose from the Daichi, forcing Talulah to intensify her firepower and burn them to ashes.
"Right now, we have nothing but potential and seeds."
Withdrawing his power, the Internal Guard shook his head as he looked at the panting Talulah.
"You've managed to make yourself so miserable by dealing with just me alone? Is this the source of your confidence to stand against Ursus?"
The Internal Guards spread their arms, and darkness followed, standing in opposition to the flames.
"At its peak, Ursus had thousands of Internal Guards!"
"So what!"
Talulah was already somewhat exhausted from unleashing Originium Arts without any restraint, but she still carried the confidence of a warrior.
"I will fight alongside my comrades, unite with more comrades, and together defeat this corrupt empire!"
"And you... how long can your equipment withstand my flames?"
Talulah raised her sword and charged again.
Unlike me, who has companions, you are all alone!
Are you alone?
The Internal Guard dodged for the first time, meeting the Red Dragon's gaze coldly as it passed by.
"I remember saying from the beginning...[we]"
Her pupils contracted sharply, and even though she knew they were in the middle of a battle, Talulah couldn't help but look at the convoy.
In the darkness behind the muskets, right in the center of the convoy.
Another Internal Guard had somehow found his way into the group.
"Alina!!"
"Do you even have time to look elsewhere?"
Puff--
Talulah, and rolled away.
The moment she landed, she tasted a metallic sweetness in her mouth. Before she could even assess her injuries, Talulah immediately ran towards the convoy.
"Feel despair, Red Dragon."
The Internal Guards did not stop them; they simply watched quietly.
"Then, become the new..."
Before he could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred.
As something was thrown from the car, a large amount of black vines surged out from the snow.
The Internal Guards in the convoy immediately brandished their swords, but were swept high into the air by the surging trees.
"Hiss--!"
His steady breathing became disordered in an instant, and the bizarre scene almost made the Internal Guards think that Demons had invaded.
Fortunately, after careful examination, it turned out to be not Demons.
But what happened next shocked the Internal Guard even more.
The Internal Guards, thrown into the air, reacted extremely quickly, immediately launching magical attacks downwards.
Countless black spears pierced the trees, but the expected scene of devastation did not occur.
The black spear pierced through, gradually being absorbed by the bushes as the crimson light pulsed.
"How is that possible?!"
The Internal Guards were so shocked they were speechless.
They wielded Demons power; simply resisting it would be an act of resilience in this magical creation, but what if it were absorbed?
What can absorb Demons!?
The Internal Guards, having broken free from the attacking vines, landed on the ground.
The two Internal Guards exchanged a glance, their task of measuring the Red Dragon already forgotten.
At that moment, they had only one thought.
Capture the caster!
Demons... that's a catastrophe for the entire continent.
Ursus, Yan, Sami... these people, located near the Northern Plains, together formed a defensive line against the Demons.
As a result, Ursus suffered heavy losses in combat power.
The Internal Guard, on the other hand, is a product of applying Demons power to the military.
Even though the manufacturing technology for Internal Guard is now close to maturity, it still carries a huge risk of getting out of control.
Now, a creation capable of absorbing Demons has appeared.
The two Internal Guards immediately realized its purpose.
Suppress Demons, strengthen defenses, and even create more and stronger Internal Guards.
Even...
Ursus could form an army group consisting solely of Internal Guards!!
Their breathing grew increasingly rapid; the Internal Guards seemed to have already glimpsed a future of Ursus's renewed greatness.
"Alina! Are you alright!?"
"It's alright, we're not hurt."
The bushes slowly unfurled, revealing the convoy squeezed into the middle.
Alina clutched the bag, still shaken. If it weren't for the seeds Gorth had given them, they would probably be dead by now.
Is she the one who cast the spell...?
Two Internal Guards locked onto the girl, while the Internal Guard appeared later looked at Talulah.
"Leave the Red Dragon to me."
"Hiss... You still have illusions about that mob?"
The Internal Guard looked at his companion with displeasure, then looked away again.
Never mind, there are more important things to do now.
Noticing the Internal Guard's gaze, Talulah shielded Alina behind her.
"Get out of the way, Red Dragon."
Internal Guard No. 2 advised against it:
"We can let you leave, as long as the caster remains."
"You're dreaming!!"
"Good."
Talulah turned her head in disbelief, meeting Alina's eyes, which were constantly signaling to her.
Sending everyone to the forest for reinforcements will only disrupt your battle.
But what about you!
The Little Tal will protect me, right?
Sensing her friend's determination, Talulah gritted her teeth and shouted:
"You guys go first! Alina and I will cover our retreat!"
The Infected hesitated, unsure whether to trust Talulah, who appeared to be a noblewoman.
However, some of the Infected remained rational, thanked the two, and pulled their remaining companions away.
The two Internal Guards did not stop them, keeping their promise.
"Hiss... It seems you still intend to resolve this with violence."
Internal Guard number 1 looked at Alina, while the other Internal Guard walked towards Talulah.
"What a joke! I will never hand Alina over to you!"
"You will understand, Red Dragon."
Internal Guard No. 1 drew his saber and charged at the two men.
"Strength is the foundation for dialogue."
Unlike before, black mud surged from the ground. Out of consideration for his friend, the Red Dragon could not unleash its full power of fire, but fortunately, the forest would automatically defend itself.
Several whooshing sounds came from the air. Understanding the power of these slender vines, the Internal Guards focused on dodging and kept leaping forward.
The other Internal Guard continued to increase his power, and the black mist gradually covered the flames, plunging the two men into darkness.
"Here!"
Talulah her sword to the side, her hidden saber meeting Talulah's attack with a blinding flash of sparks.
Another saber emerged from behind. Talulah pushed her friend away with her tail and drew the Infection Patrol's standard saber with her other hand to meet the attack.
However...
"Empty!"
After the saber appeared, no one wielded it.
A chill ran down Talulah's spine; she immediately realized it was a trap.
"Get out of Alina's way!"
In the Red Dragon's desperate gaze, a black hand reached towards his friend's waist.
Stop it!!
Time seemed to slow down, but Talulah could only watch as the hand drew ever closer to Alina.
She took in Alina's apologetic expression, saw the Internal Guard emerging from the black mist, and also saw...
The crimson eyes of a beast shone brightly in the shadows.
(▼plate▼)
Amidst Talulah's surprise and the Internal Guard's bewildered gaze.
A massive beast claw emerged from the shadows and slammed down on the enemy's side.
The Internal Guards flew away in a flustered arc, while the Behemoth of shadow rose from the darkness.
"Mr. Wolf!"
"Roar--!"
The Behemoth bared its chilling fangs, its blood-red eyes scrutinizing the other Internal Guard.
(Reference: Fatal Fury meets Rogue)
"Roar!" (What are you looking at?)
"What is this thing...?"
Before he could finish speaking, the Internal Guard saw the energy continuously gathering in the Behemoth's mouth.
Sensing the terrifying power of the energy, the Internal Guards immediately retreated, simultaneously firing several black spears at the Shadow Wolf in an attempt to interrupt it.
However, before the attack could reach them, the Shadow Wolf stopped attacking on its own.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the once ferocious Behemoth obediently lay prostrate on the ground.
As it moved, the sticky shadow continued to expand from the ground.
The black spear continued forward, eventually piercing a massive plant that rose from the ground.
"What is that...?"
Upon reaching his companion, another Internal Guard spoke with a grave tone.
Strange creations, a suddenly appearing Behemoth, and a bizarre... flower bud?
Yes, a black flower bud formed by spiraling, overlapping vines.
"Whatever it is, it won't stop the two Internal Guards from advancing."
As if in response to the Internal Guards, the branches on the flower buds unfurled in a spiral shape, revealing the figure within.
"Yeah..."
The light dimmed, Twin Moons fearfully hid behind the clouds, out of the anger of the newcomer.
The towering figure rose from the darkness, while restless young dragons roared on either side of its shoulders, and the black jungle sprang up from the ground.
Six eyes lit up simultaneously, and Gorth slowly led the young dragons out.
[Black Forest Lord - Sage Mode]
He twisted his neck and observed Alina's current condition.
You're not injured...
With his anger subsiding slightly, Gorth turned to the Internal Guard had suddenly become tense.
"You seem quite confident in your abilities..."
"[Ursus curse!] What the hell are you!?"
The Internal Guard the room.
Gorth tilted his head in confusion.
If my Ursus language is correct, is this... a provocation?
Contrary to what Gorth thought, the perspective of the two Internal Guards was more terrifying than ever before.
In their eyes, Gorth did indeed possess the appearance of Wendigo.
But their bodies had long since shattered and they coexisted with Demons, and they could sense the difference.
Beneath the Wendigo's exterior lies an empty void.
No, apart from the head, the opponent's body was entirely an illusion supported by that unknown energy!
Not only that...
Another Internal Guard exclaimed in shock:
"Those are... other Red Dragons? Regressed to their ancestral form! And there are two of them!?"
Realizing this fact, anger at being deceived filled the mind of the Internal Guard.
Koschei lied to them!
The bloodline of the Red Dragon is not unique; there are even purer offspring!
"Mentor! They are the Emperor's Blades! They just tried to kidnap Alina!"
The bewildered Internal Guards were suddenly jolted awake by the chilling killing intent emanating from them.
"Wait! You are the true sorcerer of the Black Forest? We can talk..."
The Internal Guards hurriedly communicated, even if the other party wasn't Wendigo, their enormous energy reserves clearly indicated they weren't benevolent.
His response was --
"Zekrom, Reshiram."
Wendigo's eye sockets glowed red, and the pupils of the two baby dragons on its shoulders suddenly narrowed to pinpoints.
"Roar--!" x2
Talulah stared wide-eyed, only now realizing the immense heat emanating from the mouths of her two kinsmen.
Before she could warn them, the vines had already pulled the two of them into the shadows.
The air gradually distorted, and Pure Gold flames leaped out of thin air.
The two Internal Guards immediately rushed off in different directions. Gorth paused slightly and looked in the direction the one on the left had left.
You made the wrong choice.
With a lower murmur, Gorth pointed to the Internal Guard on the right.
"Dragon's Breath."
"Roar--!" x2
As the young dragons roared, two streams of flame, Pure Gold and the other blood red, erupted simultaneously.
The flames, which had been invisible, became visible, and the terrifying waves of fire roared and expanded, instantly covering the entire field of vision.
Boom--!
The snowy night fades, and the fiery day arrives.
In the sea of gold and red, the Internal Guard's figure twisted for a moment, a distorted black vortex briefly appeared, and was then completely covered by blood-red flames.
"Um?"
Just as he sensed a dangerous aura, it vanished in an instant. Gorth looked at the young dragon with a puzzled expression.
"Did you sense anything?"
"Huh?"
Having vented his frustration, Reshiram stretched out his body excitedly, while Zekrom comfortably shrank back onto his shoulder.
"Is it just my imagination...?"
He turned his gaze back in confusion, only to find that the snowfield before him was no longer the same.
As far as the eye could see, all the white turned into a ferocious red.
A vast lava lake stands here.
"This is bad..."
The golden flames gradually died down, but the blood-red flames continued to burn.
Gorth reached out and touched the blood-red flames.
With the Fire Shield protecting him, he was naturally unharmed, but he strangely felt his energy draining away.
"Mutant?"
He looked at Zekrom, who was spitting out blood-red flames, and then at Reshiram, who was spitting out golden flames.
Gorth recalled a similar scene.
"You two weren't affected by the blood too, were you?"
"Huh?"
Zekrom tilted his head, and Reshiram simply licked Gorth.
"Fine, Daichi, can you put the flames away?"
Gorth pointed to the still-burning crimson flames, these mutated flames that seemed to absorb energy and burn.
If it were allowed to burn indefinitely, the entire Daichi would become barren due to the depletion of its energy.
Understanding his father's meaning, Zekrom opened his mouth and sucked the flame back in.
Watching this scene, Gorth became somewhat curious about Reshiram's changes.
The younger brother's mutation was in flames; what did the older brother's mutation involve?
"Snoring..."
Before Gorth could even begin his investigation, Reshiram, having recovered from his excitement, slumped back onto his shoulder and fell asleep.
"Never mind..."
Gorth turned and headed in the direction where the other Internal Guard had fled.
"Let's look into it later."
Wendigo's steps were unhurried; he was never worried that the Internal Guard could escape.
As he had said before, the other party made the wrong choice.
The forest is approaching from behind.
And in another direction...
"What exactly happened over there? Did a Mobile City explode!?"
"Damn it! Could something have happened in the forest?"
"Dad! Let's hurry and solve this for him, let's go help."
"..."
As the sun rose in the distance and gradually faded, Buldrokkas'tee also withdrew his gaze.
As he watched the Internal Guards hurrying towards him from a familiar direction, his tone gradually became dangerous.
"Hmph... What are you doing here?"
"Hiss... You are! What are you doing here!?"
The Internal Guard was beyond thinking; tonight's experience was too absurd.
With a flood of information, his mind gradually became chaotic.
Watching the Internal Guards begin to be corrupted by the Demons, Patriot silently raised his battle halberd.
"I will march!"