Chapter 2372: Clash Of Venerables II [8]

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Drake glanced behind him. Ruby and his brother were nearly fully healed and were making their way back atop Fuyu, accompanied by everyone else.

He also sensed Augustus’ presence within the massive ship.

"Augustus, is that you?!" he asked telepathically.

"Yes, it’s me. Deus nearly killed me. Fortunately, I had a contingency in place and used this giant ship as a temporary vessel. Don’t worry—more of my new vessels are already emerging from my divine realm," Augustus replied. "I’ve never liked the weakness of flesh. Being made of metal and fire suits me better."

"Is that so? I hope Fuyu isn’t angry about that," Drake said.

"I’m certainly not pleased, but it can’t be helped," Fuyu responded. "Drake, Jord, Aegir, and Logi are also within me. It seems this body of mine has become the ideal vessel for multiple divine beings. That would explain my newfound strength—enough to break through that man’s Dominion. Charlotte’s Unique Skill is working wonderfully within me, and she appears to be developing a strange power. I sometimes see a phantom emerge from her back. Do you think it’s... you know."

"It might be. She’s grown a lot lately," Drake nodded. "But for now, we need to focus on that bastard. Honestly, I’m out of plans. I’ve never been one to strategize far ahead, and this whole situation caught us off guard. I was planning to confront my brother in Vanaheim, take a break, then move on to Alfheim, you know?"

"Yes, yes, we all know your plans," Augustus said. "But life doesn’t work that way, Drake. It rarely goes as expected. As we grow, we must learn to cope with things not going our way and adapt to any situation—no matter how chaotic or incomprehensible. Just like now."

"Brother..." Hrimvaldr said. "I’m sorry I failed you! That bastard was so strong, but I did my best... I really did!"

"And that’s fine, Hrimvaldr. Come to my side—we’ll fight him together as brothers," Drake said with a smile. Hrimvaldr leapt from Fuyu and flew to his side.

"Me too, Drake! I’ve awakened new powers in this dimension. I have to help somehow!" Ruby added, flying beside him.

Behind them, Fuyu and everyone inside began to radiate Divine Auras that merged into her, overflowing with rainbow light and flames. Her entire form shifted, evolving as Jord, Logi, and Aegir reforged her.

FLAAASH!

She transformed into a titanic rainbow ice vessel, three times larger than before. Her components and divine powers fused into a powerful flying construct—immensely durable and brimming with weaponry.

"You seem well prepared, but even then, you barely matched me before," Fortune Deus said, smiling confidently. "I wonder how much you’ll struggle now. Let me see your face of despair."

"Hah! I wonder if that’ll be the face YOU make once we beat the hell out of you!" Drake roared. "Team—ROAR!"

"RAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

Every dragon in the team roared, their Auras erupting with immense draconic power. Fortune Deus glared at them, his eyebrows twitching.

SPARK!

Suddenly, golden light surged from their bodies. Their scales absorbed the radiance—

And turned to gold.

"{Golden Dragon King Transformation}!"

Not only did Hrimvaldr instantly return to his golden form, but so did Benladann and Miranda when merged. Benladra, Drakda, Kate, and Yudra followed suit, separating from their mother as Yuki remained in her Archetype form.

FLUOSH!

The golden power coursed through their bodies and souls, their veins pulsing with ethereal energy. Their power levels skyrocketed.

"That’s the same technique he used before! I have to end this quickly—I can’t let any more of these damned dragons join him!"

Fortune Deus wasted no time, blitzing toward Drake and striking with overwhelming force, his punches landing faster than Drake could react.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"GAAAHHH?!"

Drake was sent flying, crashing into the craters below and shattering the endless castle. Titanic cracks spread across hundreds of rooms as divine shockwaves erupted.

The combined might of two Venerables was truly formidable.

But Drake wasn’t alone.

"Now! Together!"

Hrimvaldr roared, opening his jaws and releasing a massive golden beam. Every other dragon followed suit.

Fortune Deus darted around them at lightning speed, fusing Mjolnir and Gungnir into a halberd-like weapon. Thunderbolts and divine flames erupted from it as he clashed with Hrimvaldr.

"Back again? Your color may have changed, but you’re still weaklings!"

The Venerable unleashed a barrage of blows, but Hrimvaldr dodged them with ease. He had learned Deus’ attack patterns and recognized his sloppy technique despite his age.

"He dodged them all—when his stronger brother couldn’t?!"

Fortune Deus turned, spotting a three-headed golden dragon—Drakda.

"THIS IS FOR PAPAAAAAAA!"

Drakda roared, opening all three jaws and unleashing titanic beams of void and golden creation energy. Chaos erupted as the blasts struck Deus before he could react.

BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!

"Nnnggh?!"

He suffered minimal damage, but his Aura weakened slightly. He summoned hundreds of spears of light, firing them at Drakda and hurling him away.

However—

"Missed me yet?!"

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

Three powerful claw strikes tore into his back, slicing through his barrier and nearly scratching his skin. Ruby had arrived, her Aura starkly different from the others.

She wasn’t a dragon—and had chosen not to become one. Instead, she embraced her vampiric heritage, becoming a full-fledged successor of her ancestor.

Her power remained immense, and by absorbing the cursed miasma around her, it grew even faster.

"You damned bat woman—get off my back!"

Fortune Deus roared, summoning his heavy golden blade. He stabbed Ruby in the neck, stomach, and shoulders in a split second, slashing her repeatedly.

"Nnnngghh!"

Ruby groaned, gritting her sharp teeth. But she didn’t give up. Her regeneration kicked in, closing her wounds as she lunged forward, grabbing Deus by his bubble-shaped barrier and forcing him downward.

"DRAKE, HE’S YOURS!"

She roared, unleashing her Vampiric Beast Beam and driving the Venerable straight toward Drake—who stood ready, katana overflowing with power, prepared to unleash one of his strongest techniques.

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