The Void Dragon's immense liquid-star body floated within the restraint field on the bridge of the Throne of the Heavenly Blade, while an unprecedentedly fierce battle of thoughts raged deep within its core.
Iglanias's seductive whispers still echoed through its consciousness, hammering viciously at its shattered pride and ultimate yearning for power.
Restore the glory of a complete C'tan? That was only the beginning! Surpass its current rank, reach a higher level, transcend the constraints of the physical universe's laws? The temptation was too great! Great enough for it to temporarily cast aside the last shred of dignity it had retained as the strongest C'tan since ancient times.
But it was the Void Dragon, after all!
Even if it were to submit, it would submit standing tall!
It absolutely could not roll around in Pandora's arms like some spineless pet, as Iglanias did!
It wanted to preserve its dignity. It wanted to sign a contract! It wanted to ensure its will would not be twisted and fight for a... decent arrangement!
While it was lost in wild thoughts, agonizing over the exact posture of "submitting while standing" and the terms of a contract, Kesha's group had already returned from the Golden Throne and stepped back onto the bridge of the Throne of the Heavenly Blade.
Lan's calm, rippleless gaze, as though it contained a galaxy, immediately turned toward Kesha in silent inquiry.
Kesha merely shook her head slightly without explaining the details of their visit to the throne. Her gaze then fell upon the restrained Void Dragon.
"Your power is fundamentally unusual, and your very existence is highly corruptive and uncontrollable." Kesha's cool voice rang out, getting straight to the point. "Leaving you in the physical universe would be an enormous hidden danger. You have two choices."
The Void Dragon's