I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 616

As Ian instinctively held his breath, Archeas released the arm that had been supporting his waist.

"Stay here."

The dragon’s face was as composed as its voice, even softening with a faint smile as it gave Ian’s breastplate a light push.

"Until the right moment comes."

Ian stumbled back a few steps before regaining his balance. Archeas turned away and started walking down the slope ahead. Barely catching his balance, Ian's brow furrowed slightly.

What, did it think I would just charge in recklessly?

He realized the dragon had locked the magic flowing through him. It was frozen, unresponsive to his will. Archeas had clearly done something.

Even if his senses returned fully, he wouldn’t be able to use magic or unleash chaos power. Ian sighed inwardly and steadied his breathing.

"We meet again sooner than usual," said Archeas as it slowly advanced down the slope to the Dragon's Tomb. "Rakhmah. My last remaining kin on the continent, and the eternal sinner."

The voice was low and cold, but it reached Ian's ears with perfect clarity. So did the Heaven Defier, because a soft, rumbling laugh answered, followed by the faint red glow spreading across the vast cavern.

Shaaaaaa…

The light spread instantly from side to side, revealing the inner walls of the massive underground cavern. The inner walls gleamed, and mounds of bone rose like pale dunes scattered across the expanse.

—How rare…

They were all dragon bones, but Ian didn't spare them a glance. He looked straight ahead, far beyond the mounds of bone.

Swoosh—

In the middle of the wall, which rose wide and high like a sheer cliff, dark red magic was spreading, seeming to consume its surroundings.

—To think you’d awaken so soon, after all you’ve done, and come seeking me yourself…

That red magic held the shape of a dragon with wings spread wide, like a shadow. Of course, it was not merely a shape.

—Even bringing an Agent along.

Then, the faint red glow flared into piercing brilliance, twin eyes snapping open across the vast distance. Slitted pupils stretched vertically, and Ian’s field of vision filled with burning crimson.

His Intuition screamed a warning, and his blood ran cold, but he didn’t look away. The red gaze of the Heaven Defier, Rakhmah, curved slightly.

"You should already know why I am here, Rakhmah," said Archeas as it passed the slope and entered the Dragon's Tomb. Its back, heading between the bone mounds, looked as calm as its voice sounded. "Surely you don't intend to feign ignorance."

Rakhmah's gaze shifted from Ian and lowered to Archeas.

—Of course not. I simply wanted to hear it directly from you. Oh, Faded Gold...

Ian finally exhaled the breath he had been holding. He didn't feel like he was losing his mind, as he had when facing the Corrupted Dragon. It wasn't just because of the artifacts he wore, either.

"I will give you one last chance. Wake from your vain dream, Rakhmah. Paying the price for a foolish choice once should be enough," said Archeas, its tone cold and devoid of expectation.

—Persuasion? Even after what you’ve done, you still claim to follow the will of the Heavens?

Rakhmah’s laugh rumbled like thunder.

"I have nothing to do with the Heavens. I simply do not wish to see you turn the world into red ruins once more," Archeas replied.

Archeas's calm voice continued.

Rakhmah’s laughter deepened, echoing wildly through the vast cavern.

—So it’s you, not I, who feigns ignorance, Archeas!

Its voice rose, booming loud enough to shake the ground.

—You only wish to finish what you couldn’t before—to fulfill the deepest longing that drives you! Just as you did when you shattered the Black Wall!

Archeas gave no reply. It simply crossed between the bone mounds, its body veiled in a faint golden light. That silence alone was enough of an answer for Rakhmah, who threw back its head and laughed again.

As Ian frowned slightly, Yog’s whisper rippled through his mind.

—I think I'd rather fight the Archdemon one more time.

My thoughts exactly.

Ian clicked his tongue. Even from this great distance, his Intuition was sending relentless warnings.

Of course, even in this situation, he had not forgotten his task. Ian's eyes, tinged with a faint golden light, carefully scanned the clearly visible form of the Heaven Defier.

—How delightful! That foolish love has finally dragged out your true nature!

Rakhmah’s massive neck and tail were bound in thick metal shackles, chains coiling from them toward the cavern wall. A colossal spike pierced through its chest and abdomen, pinning it to the rock, and more bolts pinned the joints of its outstretched wings in place.

The Mantra circuit carved onto the surface of all these restraints flickered red, as if reflecting the dragon's wrath.

Guess I should be thankful it’s still restrained, at least…

Ian's eyes narrowed. The pressure emanating from the creature was overwhelming, far beyond what he’d experienced in the game, yet its appearance matched almost perfectly.

—But, oh, faded gold, the heavens will not forgive you even if you kill me. You will become this prison's new sinner, fated to guard this tomb alone forever.

All the while, the Heaven Defier’s voice continued, no longer sparing Ian so much as a glance. It clearly dismissed him as Archeas's pet—a pet insect, perhaps.

—So, join me instead. Let us ascend to the heavens together, judge those detestable beings, and become the gods of a new world. As was our original destiny!

The heat in its voice deepened. Its crimson eyes blazed brighter, and the red magic flooding the cliffside flared as if feeding on its fury.

—Then, at last, you can shape the world as you desire. You, my last kin upon this continent. I shall reign, but not rule.

Rakhmah stared at Archeas as it entered the center of the tomb, then added softly.

—Your cherished Agent will become the king who rules all civilized races under the protection of my apostles.

"You are right, Rakhmah," Archeas finally stopped and replied softly. It stood in the middle of the tomb, between the towering bone mounds. "The Heavens will not forgive me. If I joined you, we might ascend to the Heavens together. My Agent might even become the king who rules the surface, though it would be a world in ruins."

Rakhmah's glowing gaze blazed, but Ian's expression remained unchanged. His gaze was fixed on Archeas’s back. The golden light enveloping the dragon was growing thicker, resonating with the power that filled Ian.

"However, I have suppressed the desire to kill you for far too long," Archeas added calmly, stretching one hand forward.

At the same time, giant Mantras circuits bloomed above its head. Circles of magic spiraled outward, burning gold in Ian’s vision.

"Just as you once did, I too can no longer abandon the chance to fulfill my desire."

Thick bolts of golden lightning blasted from the center of the rings. A golden flash enveloped the Heaven Defier and its surroundings.

Boom! Crack, crack!

A dazzling flash accompanied the explosion that seemed to shake the entire cavern. Ian reflexively raised a hand to shield his eyes, but he could still see streaks of golden lightning spreading across the walls.

Rumble—

The bone mounds quaked and crumbled. Yet what held Ian’s focus was below: the bright yellow energy blazing from Archeas gathering into a massive sphere that swallowed its entire form.

—Such immense magic.

The moment Yog whispered, the sphere of magic boiled with dazzling light.

The next moment, the condensed magic expanded explosively, scattering the remnants of the Mantra circuits. Dragon bones caught in the blast scattered in all directions.

Did it use magic to buy time to return to its true form?

Ian wondered, watching the scene through his fingers.

—Desire will always outrun reason.

Rakhmah's voice rang out, piercing through the explosion and vibrations.

—But even so…

The fading flashes of light revealed the cliff face. Despite being engulfed in golden lightning, Archeas had not collapsed or broken in the slightest.

—How foolish you are, Faded Gold…

The same was true of the Heaven Defier. Wreathed in smoke, its eyes blazed hotter than before.

Crunch— Crackle—

Almost simultaneously, its two spread wings folded. The spikes piercing their joints and embedded in the wall were being pulled free.

It wasn't just the spikes in its wings. The Heaven Defier’s massive body lurched forward, and the enormous stake impaled through its chest tore free from the cliff with a thunderous crack. The red-hot chains around its neck supported its body like ropes.

The Mantra carved on the spikes' tips flashed as if burning away, but they could not stop the dragon.

—The false gods will learn of your death only when I soar again!

Just then, a pair of giant wings stretched out from the swirling, expanding dragon magic. The Platinum Dragon, in its true form, lifted its head as if breaking free from a cocoon of light.

Swoosh—

The magic-infused scales on its back glittered golden, and its bright yellow gaze burned like fire. A moment later, the Platinum Dragon snapped both wings downward with explosive force.

Whoosh!

Its enormous body shot upward, trailing a spiral of glittering magic like a storm of golden dust. As bones scattered from the aftershock, Ian tilted his head back to follow the Platinum Dragon, his eyes widening.

Already?

He had noticed an immense amount of magic gathering in the Platinum Dragon's head. Immediately after shooting skyward, the dragon spread its wings wide and lowered its head.

With a roar that threatened to collapse the cavern, a torrent of bright golden breath erupted. The Heaven Defier, pushing off the cliff with its hind legs to pull out the abdominal spike, widened its eyes.

Sssss…

The magic consuming the cliff behind it boiled a dark crimson red. Almost simultaneously, the Heaven Defier opened its maw wide.

Whoosh!

A pillar of dark red flame shot from its maw. Its trajectory was on a direct collision course with the surging yellow dragon's breath.

Boom!

With a dazzling explosion, flames and streaks of lightning scattered outward like a fountain.

The dragon bones, already collapsing into piles, were sent flying by the shockwave and the remnants of the breaths.

Boom, boom, thud!

Explosions and shockwaves continued. Amidst the blazing heat and blinding flashes, the two dragons relentlessly unleashed their breath at one another.

—Now that’s a sight

Yog whispered, its tone as calm as if it were a mere observer.

—Well then, shall we get going, my friend? I bet it's even more incredible up close. Let's test the performance of the artifacts you're wearing.