Volume 3

Chapter 44 : The Artist and the Monster (6k)

Amidst the deafening roar of collapse, the pitch-black, majestic, and cold face of the Steel Demon God appeared at the shattered dome of the palace.

Outside the palace, the residents of the Imperial Capital looked in terror at the steel giant hovering in mid-air.

The destruction and despair of the Day of Cataclysmic Fire seemed to strike again at this moment, causing them to uncontrollably kneel and bow their heads.

After the shocking sound of this extreme violence gradually dissipated, Hydra, standing beneath the throne, smiled gently:

“What did you want to ask just now? Your Excellency Deep Blue?”

The Ouroboros bracelet on his wrist emitted an imperceptible glow.

The scholar lady, who had entrusted everything to Anselm, used this extremely peculiar creation of Nidhogg as a carrier.

It could act independently and also return to Anselm’s side instantly from thousands of miles away.

And following his will, she made the Steel Demon God, capable of briefly contending with weakened Divine Species, appear in the world again.

This was the Queen beside the King, a powerful trump card that could reverse the situation at any moment.

“…Please forgive my overstepping and rudeness, Your Excellency Hydra.”

Beneath the giant sword that could crush the entire palace, Grand Duke Deep Blue, wrapped in a blue shield, was unharmed. He lowered his head in fear and trepidation: “How could I doubt your feelings for Her Majesty and the Imperial Family, slandering your character and honor…”

“How can I obtain your forgiveness, Your Excellency Hydra.”

Grand Duke Deep Blue raised his head as he spoke, his handsome face full of self-blame and regret.

“Obtain my forgiveness, hmm…”

Anselm, leaning on his cane, tapped his finger lightly on the back of his hand.

He looked at Grand Duke Deep Blue, then at the other two dukes also from the Eastern Port who naturally stood on the same front, and said warmly with a reassuring voice: “You are mistaken, Grand Duke Deep Blue. In your eyes, am I such a tyrannical and dangerous person?”

“It was merely a reasonable question…”

While he spoke, the short cane in his hand transformed into a cold hand cannon amidst mechanical transformation sounds.

The young man caressed the masterpiece of the Alchemy God nonchalantly: “Why would it go so far as to make me have Aluo say hello to you?”

Boom!

Amidst the dull roar, the giant sword smashing onto that shield instantly shook the ground where Grand Duke Deep Blue was into a huge pit.

Everyone around him had long avoided the area, except for the two Grand Dukes also from the Eastern Port.

Although the giant blade appearing at this moment was not as massive as the blade that tore the earth apart during the decisive battle with Ephithand, its power seemed not to have diminished much.

“Three types of Ether perfectly overlapping and resonating, this peculiar amplification method… even the top sorcerers may not be able to create such a technique. Is this the handiwork of our old friend, the Ether Academy?”

“Oh… so there is also the help of masters from the Alchemical Association. What raw materials were used to create this protective alchemical tool? To create a protective item with such amazing efficiency, the materials must be extremely luxurious. Truly worthy of the three major families managing the Eastern Port for over eight hundred years, the foundation is indeed impressive, and the resources of the Lost Sea are indeed covetable.”

Grand Duke Deep Blue’s expression finally changed.

He tightly grasped the pendant on his neck.

The other two Grand Dukes continuously injected surging Ether like the sea into it in the peculiar way exactly described by Anselm, propping up the protective shield capable of withstanding the giant sword that could easily shatter mountains and cleave the earth.

How is it possible… with just one glance, how could he know everything clearly?

Grand Duke Deep Blue did not doubt the ability of the Divine Species at all.

He did not doubt the Emperor, nor did he doubt that Flamel could understand everything about him with a casual glance, but only true Divine Species could do such a thing!

Secretly contacting the Supreme Nine Seats of the Ether Academy to get a special spell of the Celestial Conquest Dynasty secret canon level from them, or finding a long-secluded alchemy master and paying a huge price that hurt even them to create this alchemical tool… Grand Duke Deep Blue dared to guarantee that these things could absolutely not be known by anyone.

An incomparably young Hydra, not even half the age of a Contract Head, who couldn’t and had no reason to build up any power, could even less likely be pervasive to this extent.

Anselm Hydra… exactly what else is he hiding?

The chaotic thoughts in Grand Duke Deep Blue’s mind were interrupted by the increasingly heavy pressure transmitted from the necklace.

The trembling necklace in his hand reflected at all times how terrifying the giant sword smashing on the shield was—that Steel Demon God hadn’t used full strength yet, maybe even… didn’t use force at all, just simply swung the sword to chop down.

“Edward, time to take another step back!”

Grand Duke Triumph behind Grand Duke Deep Blue transmitted his voice into his mind: “Hydra still has strength to spare!”

The long-planned probing naturally couldn’t end with a simple yes or no.

The Grand Dukes from the Eastern Port had long made multiple predictions about today’s situation, as well as corresponding choices.

If Anselm didn’t care about Grand Duke Deep Blue’s “offense” from the beginning, it would prove that this young Hydra himself was on the edge of a cliff.

He couldn’t bring out a stronger bargaining chip, and even as a Divine Species, he had to yield here.

If Anselm counterattacked this offense, it would mean he had stronger latent power.

The more ferocious and violent the counterattack, the more powerful the hidden trump card he possessed.

Obviously, the current situation belonged to the one they least wanted to see and the one with the lowest probability.

And regarding this situation, Grand Duke Deep Blue’s countermeasure was naturally as Grand Duke Triumph said, continue to retreat—

“I said, I am not angry about your offense.”

But before Grand Duke Deep Blue could speak, Anselm had already aimed the dark muzzle at him.

Looking at his frozen expression, the smile on the young Hydra’s face remained undiminished, as if chatting idly with an old friend he hadn’t seen for a long time, rather than trying to smash the other party into minced meat or blast his head open with a shot.

“Do you know what the meaning of strategy is, Your Excellency Deep Blue?”

Anselm asked leisurely.

“…To compensate for the lack of strength.” Grand Duke Deep Blue exhaled slowly and answered in a deep voice.

“Correct.”

Bang!

The deafening gunshot rang out at the same time as Anselm’s answer.

The flame and destruction spewing from Gleipnir’s muzzle instantly blasted dense cracks on this shield.

Although the cracks disappeared without a trace in an instant, Grand Duke Deep Blue’s dramatically changed expression showed that his current situation was quite unoptimistic.

“Because it was correct, I used relatively ordinary bullets.”

Anselm explained very considerately: “Then the next question—Your Excellency Deep Blue, do you think I can’t see through your strategy?”

“…Please forgive our clumsy performance.”

Edward Deep Blue bowed deeply: “We are willing to pay the price for this foolish act, Your Excellency Hydra.”

The implication was obvious—continuing the disturbance was bad for both you and us. Whatever you want, we will pay, let’s stop here now.

“That’s not what I’m asking, dear Grand Duke Deep Blue.”

Anselm sighed, and his finger pulled the trigger again.

Only this time, after the violent roar, there was no problem with the shield protecting Grand Duke Deep Blue, because Grand Duke Triumph and Grand Duke Fantasy behind him acted simultaneously to intercept this blow.

“Your Excellency Hydra.” Grand Duke Triumph said in a deep voice, “We—”

He just wanted to explain something, but his words came to an abrupt halt due to the terrifying aura rising in the main hall.

Endless darkness spread behind Hydra, forming the hideous shadow of a wildly dancing and twisted nine-headed demon snake.

“So, look. At this time, you still want to probe me according to the original plan.”

A helpless smile, like one directed at a child’s little prank, appeared on his face:

“If I didn’t care about your offense at the beginning, then I would be weak; if I reacted but not fiercely enough, then I would be strong in appearance but weak inside; if my reaction was violent enough but I accepted your price just now, then I would still be open to dealing with.”

“I have to admire your courage and decisiveness, three Grand Dukes. When the Empire’s situation is so ambiguous, you are the first willing to stand up and break the deadlock.”

“But I think, just the three from the Eastern Port shouldn’t act so rashly… then which Grand Duke are you connected with?”

The snake’s cold gaze swept over the other Grand Dukes, and the terrifying aura in those sea-blue eyes forced them to retreat to show temporary submission.

“Is it Grand Duke Source Tree and Grand Duke Essence who are with me in the Southern Border and can get a lot of intelligence, or the other four Grand Dukes whose information network spreads all over the Empire and have countless adventurers in the West Kingdom as pawns to use?”

“Or is it…”

Boom——!

The entire dome of the palace instantly annihilated in the black energy wave.

After the fluctuation of destruction gradually dissipated, the Steel Demon God’s upper body was completely exposed to the vision of all Grand Dukes, along with the giant sword that still hadn’t moved away from above Grand Duke Deep Blue’s head.

“You, all of you?”

The Demon God reflecting cold iron light under the blazing sun looked down at the dukes, but they felt the gaze of the demonic creature standing in the center of the hall was even more dangerous.

At this moment, even the boldest Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli did not speak.

——Because the Eastern Port side really had contacted him, wanting to discuss matters regarding Hydra.

Even planning to temporarily win over a deadly enemy like himself, then undoubtedly… The Eastern Port absolutely contacted all Grand Dukes and other Tier 5 transcendents.

As for how many of them responded, and what kind of force was formed to give Grand Duke Deep Blue the confidence to stand here and probe Anselm, that was unknown.

The gentle smile on Hydra’s face faded bit by bit: “Just now, you not only didn’t answer my question, but also wanted to disobey my will.”

Regarding the behavior of Grand Duke Triumph and Grand Duke Fantasy intercepting the gunshot just now, he attacked again:

“Can I assume that you are actually ready to abandon strategy and compete with me in strength?”

——If not, then having your strategy seen through by me and unable to compete with me in strength, what should you do?

Stop here…

Who allowed you to stop here?

Even without speaking these words aloud, the Grand Dukes had already felt these meanings from Anselm’s fierce attitude.

Therefore, they were even more puzzled, puzzled by Anselm’s performance at this moment, which differed from his past… truly too much.

Fools were puzzled by this huge change, while the wise were puzzled by this undisguised display.

That graceful young man who came treading on light like a savior of light suddenly transformed into a ruler descending from the abyss.

Those who do not submit, only death awaits.

This situation was unexpected by everyone.

Not only Grand Duke Deep Blue, but other Grand Dukes also couldn’t believe that Anselm would be so decisive, with a ferocious momentum as if he would kill all three Grand Dukes of the Eastern Port right now.

Where did he get the courage?

Where did he get the confidence?

Wasn’t he worried about other Grand Dukes uniting?

Wasn’t he afraid of more Tier 5 transcendents who might have already been ambushing in the Imperial Capital, wanting to take his life?

If he really had that power, why was he silent for so long after the Emperor went missing?

Is he… bluffing or not?

Under this pressure almost equivalent to the Emperor, Grand Duke Deep Blue slowly bent his knees.

He knelt on the ground, burying his head deeply, worshipping like this, humbly declaring submission as a sinner:

“Please… forgive me.”

No superfluous embellishment, no superfluous words, no longer saying things like “I am willing to pay the price”, just simply asking for forgiveness.

The meaning within was naturally completely different.

That last trace of initiative had also completely disappeared from Grand Duke Deep Blue’s hands.

He handed the right of domination to Anselm, letting him govern his life.

The other two Grand Dukes of the Eastern Port, after a brief hesitation, also knelt on the ground like Grand Duke Deep Blue, asking for Anselm’s forgiveness.

At this moment, everyone’s mind and body were tense to the extreme, even the Ether flowing in the air fell into solidification.

The moment Hydra decided to kill Grand Duke Deep Blue, a final war that changed everything might erupt here.

And after a long silence, the sound of a cane gently tapping the ground rang in the empty hall.

“That’s right, dear Grand Duke Deep Blue.”

Steel Demon God, hideous hand cannon, abyss shadow… everything terrifying from that young Hydra vanished in an instant, as if it never existed.

He still stood there leaning on his cane, saying in an incomparably gentle tone: “As long as you can recognize the facts, as long as you don’t do ridiculous things anymore… how could I harbor hostility towards the pillars of the Empire.”

“I was just angry at your self-righteous idea that you could easily quell my anger. Since the three Grand Dukes of the Eastern Port have realized this… although the due price cannot be less, let’s stop here.”

He smiled and spoke words that were simple enough but completely anchored the thoughts in the Grand Dukes’ hearts:

“After all, I am not Her Majesty.”

This sentence gave the Grand Dukes the answer.

Anselm Hydra hadn’t changed; he just naturally grew up.

He possessed sufficiently powerful and terrifying strength.

With both the Emperor and Flamel missing or dead, he naturally couldn’t allow mere Grand Dukes to think they could quell his anger.

This was truly too normal.

If it were the Emperor, the families of the three Grand Dukes would have long been slaughtered to none left.

But Anselm didn’t take lives, yet coincidentally… there was no problem.

He had been an anomaly among Hydras since childhood, an anomaly among Divine Species.

Although words like benevolence could never be used on Divine Species, he was more or less… really suitable.

So this wasn’t weakness, so at this moment, no one felt Anselm was weak.

Because he is Anselm Hydra.

“Strategy exists to compensate for the lack of strength.”

In the bedroom, Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli was slowly reviewing what happened today.

Having been convinced by Hydra’s demeanor, there was always an unsolvable question hovering in his mind—he didn’t know where this question came from, as if a voice in his head kept telling him that what happened today was not that simple.

“That sense of abnormality… exactly where is it?”

The man muttered to himself in confusion: “Clearly there is nothing unreasonable, from beginning to end… from beginning to end…”

“Wait…”

A glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli’s mind.

Diana Flame, she was the source triggering this meeting.

It was precisely because she proposed that the Empire needed a new administrator that the Grand Dukes gathered together.

But the source… was it really her?

Anselm Hydra didn’t hide his whereabouts.

The Grand Dukes knew that just two days after he visited the Imperial Capital, Diana issued that declaration.

It was him… who triggered this meeting!

It was never the three Grand Dukes of the Eastern Port who broke the deadlock, but… Anselm Hydra himself!

Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli’s breathing instantly became heavy. He immediately sat at the table, picked up pen and paper, and excitedly wrote down his thoughts.

“If so… then Hydra knows his situation. He knows that having not acted for a long time, he would inevitably accumulate more and more doubts and prying eyes. After the Divine Species are all gone, once handled improperly, he would be the enemy of the whole world.”

“So he triggered the Regent matter, so he created this opportunity… letting those three idiots Edward probe him. Hydra had long figured out the bottom line estimated by Edward and others, knowing Edward thought he definitely wouldn’t dare to kill, so he used the cruelest, most ferocious, most violent attitude and means right from the start… overturning Edward’s cognition of him, overturning… our cognition of him.”

Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli murmuring this became increasingly excited.

“Making us think… he holds power that, although unable to compare with Divine Species power, can also be called absolute power.”

“Yes… if he really had that power, there would be no need to say so much, he would have killed—”

Thinking of this, Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli’s train of thought broke again.

“No… but Anselm Hydra is that kind of person.”

The man propped his forehead and muttered to himself: “He is indeed the kind of person who would leisurely explain his motives to others, condescendingly clarifying the sequence of events. This isn’t fake.”

——But what if this is fake?

This thought abruptly flashed through his mind.

Usually, Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli wouldn’t think like this at all, because who could maintain a fake persona from seven or eight, nine or ten years old?

This was simply impossible and baseless.

Only now, having to consider all possibilities, did Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli’s brain have that slight “rationality” to think about this possibility.

“If this is fake…”

Thinking of this possibility, Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli trembled all over.

“As the inheritor of divine power, yet in childhood… made such long preparation and foreshadowing for a certain moment in the future?”

After that meeting, the guys eager to move against Hydra would definitely restrain their thoughts completely.

Hydra would spend a very long stable period, and he could use this time to do too many things.

Everyone thought Hydra had a terrifying trump card and feared no one.

Even if he clearly had this ability but didn’t kill directly, strangely no one felt it was wrong!

Creating an absolutely perfect image in the eyes of others just to play a role in an uncertain future?

The strategy is to compensate for the lack of violence… Now looking back and thinking about this sentence, it was simply Hydra mocking those idiots.

They thought Hydra possessed enough violence and didn’t need strategy, but in reality… he was the one truly manipulating strategy!

“Anselm Hydra.”

Grand Duke Lapis Lazuli leaned back in the chair, exhaling deeply and weakly.

“Exactly what kind of… monster are you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep