Glenda

When Ren first arrived in the world of Strike the Blood, he wasn't quite used to seeing Nangong Nayue and Aurora.

After all, in his eyes, these girls' figures were too abnormal, and they had no charm whatsoever that would arouse any unhealthy thoughts in him.

Even the likes of Aya Tokoyogi or the Chaos Bride Jada are only of average quality. To be honest, Ren has never seen anyone with a "normal" figure like Rias or Lavinia.

"Huh?! But... but aren't girls cuter when they're smaller? And boys probably prefer smaller girls too, right?"

Kirasaka Sayaka.

"Your view is wrong, and as far as I'm concerned, people who like Da Lei are all good people."

"???"

Upon hearing this, Kirasaka Sayaka blinked rapidly, then her expression went blank with utter confusion. Suddenly, she became angry, her cheeks flushed, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

"I... I wasn't talking about your chest! I was asking about height, height!"

"Height? Who talks about that with you?"

"There's nothing we can't talk about! My initial question was about height!"

Kirasaka Sayaka was like an angry lioness with nowhere to vent her anger; the low growl emanating from her throat revealed her current mood.

After all, she couldn't really be angry with Ren.

She sighed softly and continued, "Actually, I'm considered tall at our school, so I always end up having to carry other girls in a princess carry."

As she said this, she secretly observed Ren's reaction.

The last time I was near the Prison Barrier, I received help from them.

That experience left a very deep impression on her.

Since then, every night Kirasaka Sayaka would fantasize about the day she would be carried in a princess carry.

Today, as Ren was leading the two of them away from Itogami Island, she and Yukina were carried to the mainland of the island nation, one on each side.

Despite appearing calm on the surface, she was actually quite happy inside.

Ren watched as Kirasaka Sayaka began to talk to herself and thought that all tsundere people are the same.

He hadn't even done anything yet, and this girl was already about to win him over.

Meanwhile, Himeragi Yukina, who had been listening to their conversation, looked down at her toes and sighed heavily as if she were feeling exhausted.

Kaminawa Lake is located behind the Tanzawa Mountains.

Tanzawa Mountains, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a place with a considerable amount of natural scenery.

However, because the "Holy Annihilation Relic" is sealed beneath Kaminawa Lake, the area, despite its beautiful scenery, has not been developed into a tourist attraction.

The only two places here that still have life are the Kamioda Shrine and the special anti-demon squadron under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Defense.

When Ren entered the territory of the Tanzawa Mountains, he was placed under close surveillance by the military.

Information about the three individuals was quickly obtained.

The identities of Kirasaka Sayaka and Himeragi Yukina were displayed on the Commander's personal computer.

"The priestesses of the Lion King Organization? Why are they here? And without prior permission?"

However, the commander of the attacking demon company was soon stunned by the fact that all the information except for a photo and a name was covered up and hidden.

Although this unit is not very large, it enjoys a high level of authority due to its responsibilities.

If even he, the commander, couldn't investigate the information, doesn't that mean this guy has a very powerful background?

Is he one of the Three Saints of the Lion King Organization?

But if that were the case, it wouldn't have happened without any prior notice.

Could it be that they've discovered his secret?

Thinking of this, the commander named Azama Tatsuki couldn't help but feel nervous.

The Lion King Organization is specifically responsible for resolving man-made magical disasters and their potential, so it's normal for them to want to investigate some inside information.

Although he is outwardly a Special Colonel of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the person in charge of the Holy Annihilation Relic of Kaminawa Lake, he is actually a believer in Holy Annihilation. After learning about Kaminawa Lake years ago, he joined the Self-Defense Force and made great achievements. In just a few years, he rose to the position of a mid-level leader in the Self-Defense Force and became the person in charge of Kaminawa Lake.

He also used his power to fill the company with many fellow members of the Holy Annihilation Sect, with the aim of one day seizing the Holy Annihilation Relic sealed in the Kaminawa Lake and annihilating all the demons in the world.

Therefore, no matter what, his plan, which had been undercover for several years, could not afford to fail.

However, not wanting to expose himself prematurely, he decided to negotiate with the two priestesses of the Lion King Organization using normal procedures.

Azama Tatsuki led a small team of members, all of whom were followers of the Holy Annihilation Sect, to greet them.

"Gentlemen, please stop here. This is a military restricted area. Unless you receive further instructions from your superiors, please return the way you came."

Azama Tatsuki saluted the three of them and said expressionlessly.

"It seems we can't go any further into the area ahead."

Himeragi Yukina tiptoed up for a glance.

"Mr. Ren, should I apply to the Three Saints?"

They must have come to Kaminawa Lake with great seriousness because of something important.

As a monitor and accomplice, the girl felt it was necessary to step forward and help.

Given Ren's importance in the eyes of the Three Saints, such a small matter as visiting the Kaminawa Lake should be arranged very quickly.

"No need for all that trouble. I just want to pick up something; it'll only take a few minutes."

Ren shook his head.

At the same time, he looked at the Self-Defense Force members in front of him, dressed in camouflage uniforms, and all their information was displayed in his eyes.

[Character: Azama Tatsuki]

[Identity: Head of the Kaminawa Lake Special Attack Demon Company, Third-Class Special Colonel of the Self-Defense Forces, Knight of the God of Torment]

He's clearly not a good person.

Chapter 346 Glenda

Afterwards, Ren didn't waste any more words with the spies. He dealt with them while the two women were stunned, and then arrived at the shore of Kaminawa Lake.

Himeragi Yukina and Kirasaka Sayaka have not yet regained their composure.

After all, in a way, those soldiers were practically his colleagues, yet Ren attacked them without any warning.

Logically, they should stop Ren, but their recent experiences have made them hesitate.

Ren could also see that they were struggling.

However, he did not intend to be a riddle teller; instead, he would reveal everything about what was sealed beneath Kaminawa Lake and the price the authorities had paid to seal it.

The Black Shell is a special barrier discovered hundreds of years ago. Because its internal structure is completely unknown and its aura is ominous, it is considered to be related to the "Holy Annihilation".

In order to slow down the spread of the Black Shell, the nearby Kamioda Shrine needs to hold a sealing ceremony every once in a while.

The offering made to the Black Shell during the ceremony was a "shrine maiden".

This is what is known as "human sacrifice".

After explaining the concept of human sacrifice, there's no need for Ren to elaborate further.

As priestesses of the Lion King Organization, they couldn't believe that the authorities would use such a barbaric and cruel method to reinforce the seal.

Ren: "Afterwards, you can go to the elders at the shrine to verify, or just ask your superiors. Apart from you, they are all in the know."

And so, after just a few words from Ren, they began to question the meaning of life.

These pure-hearted, kind-hearted women, who believed in justice, began to feel lost.

In any case, Ren successfully persuaded the two women, while the special attack magic company stationed nearby also noticed the three uninvited guests.

In addition, unable to contact the commander, the deputy commander immediately sounded the alarm and ordered the entire army to attack.

However, even at their fastest speed, it would still take them three minutes to arrive. By then, Ren had already reached the bottom of the lake and seen the Black Shell barrier that sealed the little dragon girl.

The last human sacrifice has been decades in the past.

Even if Ren hadn't arrived beforehand, the Black Shell Barrier, as part of the Holy Annihilation Relic, would still have inevitably expanded.

Unless the Kamioda Shrine performs another human sacrifice ritual.

In the original story, at Ren Base, the Lion King Organization planned to use Aurora's soul, which was residing in Nagisa Akatsuki's body, as a sacrifice.

However, those people couldn't control the situation. Not only did they fail to seal the Black Shell, they also accelerated its rupture, leading to the birth of the Little Dragon Girl Glenda.

Therefore, all Ren needs to do to wake the dragon girl is to inject some additional magical power into the already unstable Black Shell barrier.

As if acting as a catalyst, the surface of the spherical barrier, which had been wriggling like layers of pearl, was suddenly covered with spiderweb-like cracks.

Then.

The tranquility of Kaminawa Lake was shattered, and countless dark figures emerged from the cracks.

It was a strange creature, about three or four meters long, with an iron-gray body, a bee-like upper body covered in dense compound eyes, a snake-like lower body with a long tail, and dragon wings growing from its back.

The dark lake water did not hinder their activities; they leaped out of the water and flew into the sky like fish.

The compound eyes, capable of triggering trypophobia, reflected the convoy of the attacking demon company heading there after they flew out.

The latter also discovered the group of monsters, and the two sides exchanged fire without much verbal communication.

Few monsters charged at Ren, but he killed them instantly. The other monsters seemed to realize that Ren was not someone to be trifled with, so they all circled around him.

Ren did not make a move.

Since there were no kill quotas to be filled, he was too lazy to do anything.

Then, he looked at the barrier in front of him.

After the unstable barrier cracked, it looked like a broken eggshell, and Ren' excellent eyesight allowed him to see the inside clearly.

The enormous figure curled up inside had broad, fleshy wings that resembled twisted blades, and limbs that were stronger and more powerful than an armored vehicle. Its head, like that of a ferocious carnivorous lizard, moved slowly. Perhaps disturbed from its slumber, the dragon opened its iron-gray eyes and surveyed its surroundings with the dominance of a king.

A dragon appeared.

Anyone who sees its majesty will surely be shocked and tremble.

After all, in this world, dragons are both a symbol of power and a testament to rarity.

The "dragons" protected by international law today are, at best, just a bunch of large lizards with dragon blood diluted many times over.

In popular belief, dragons have long been extinct.

However, in Ren' eyes, the dragon in front of him was no different from a loli.

Moreover, he could also read a hint of fear, curiosity, and even a touch of intimacy in the dragon's vertical pupils.

This is the legacy of the Holy Annihilation, the truth within the Black Shell barrier.

"Come with me."

Beneath the dim lake, Ren beckoned to the dragon.

As he surfaced, a giant dragon with iron-gray scales emerged from its Black Shell. Just before it was about to surface, Ren spoke to the dragon at the bottom of the lake, "If you can, transform into human form."

Perhaps understanding what he said, the dragon's enormous body rapidly shrank as it surfaced, eventually transforming into a petite girl with long, iron-gray hair, her eyes filled with curiosity and doubt.

Of course, because it is a dragon, it is not wearing any clothes.

Ren, however, was prepared. He took out a long robe and draped it over her body, covering all the parts that were inappropriate for children.

"Meow?"

The girl standing by the water looked at Ren, her tender face tilting her head towards him.

However, perhaps because of the aura emanating from Ren, he still hesitated somewhat.

It wasn't until Ren took a lollipop from his storage space and tore open the wrapper that things started to change.

"Meow?!"

The girl's delicate nose twitched slightly, and then she approached Ren without any guard up, raising both hands high in an attempt to grab the Ren from his hand.

She's definitely a typical loli.

They actually managed to fool me with just a lollipop.

"Glenda, come with me."