"You must have felt quite happy back then. Remember? That was when you crushed the Church. The Church played a central role in that great persecution. The joy of crushing a hated enemy must have been indescribable."

Fortunately, I had the moral justification of rescuing Hajime. Otherwise, if I used "revenge" as an excuse to massacre people, it would not look good to the outside world.

Fortunately, Aiko was there. The Goddess of Fertility was a great shield for those who knew the truth behind the headquarters' collapse.

Being able to completely eliminate the Church without getting involved in any scandals was truly wonderful. Everything was so favorable for Tio.

As expected, after hearing the phantom's account of Tio's calculated revenge, both Ling and Ryuutarou were speechless, frozen in place. Although they both expected Tio to deny it, she didn't. Her silence seemed to confirm the phantom's words.

Tio's breath wavered for a moment, and the phantom's breath began to devour Tio's breath, putting Tio in a dangerous situation. This scene also reflected Tio's deep desire for revenge.

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Phantom's tongue became more flexible.

"The reason you initially wanted to follow Nagumo Hajime was because you thought he was 'useful', right?"

Hajime's power is quite extraordinary, so his power will definitely attract the attention of God - the mastermind behind the great persecution.

"If God bares his fangs at Nanyun Hajime, Nanyun Hajime will definitely retaliate. This must be a brilliant move for revenge. Is that what you think?"

Judging from the kindness Tio usually showed to Hajime, it was hard to imagine that she harbored such thoughts in her heart.

However, the phantom's words were no lie. Even if it was just a thought, even if the person himself was not aware of it, it was indeed an emotion that existed in his heart.

Because of this, it is even more shocking that Tio, who is usually a masochist and pervert but sometimes shows a rational and gentle side, actually has such an unknown inner heart.

Tio finally turned her gaze towards the speechless Ling and Ryutaro.

There was no emotion in her eyes.

The usual cheerfulness, playfulness, gentleness, and rationality were all absent from her eyes.

"Humans, demihumans, demons, and even gods. I hate everyone who took away everything important to me back then."

Even after more than five hundred years, the black flame in his heart has never subsided.

At this time, in order to add more firewood, the phantom said loudly:

"The hatred and anger in your heart are justified. Yes, revenge is your legitimate right!"

Tio truly resonated with her words.

There was a part of her heart that confirmed what her other self said.

At the same time, there was also a part of her that rejected revenge. Her parents had always been kind to others, and their character was nobler than anyone else. Their earnest teachings helped Tio to stop on the brink of danger. Tio could not betray their expectations.

The phantom fully understood Tio's thoughts. Her lips twisted, and while continuing to release her breath, she stretched out her other hand and delivered the final blow to Tio.

"Come, take my hand. This way, I can help you achieve your revenge. You won't have to suppress your inner rage, nor will the pangs of conscience weaken your will for revenge. I will skillfully guide Nanyun Hajime to accomplish your revenge. Don't worry, that man is interested in you too, and I have plenty of ways to make him obey."

This was temptation, the fuel that turned the fire of revenge sealed in Tio's heart into a raging flame.

The phantom's approach wasn't to destroy Tio's spirit and kill her body. Instead, it was to attempt to manipulate her mind through temptation, the same method used on Ryutaro. When Tio held her hand, would she still be the same Tio...?

At least it was impossible for Hajime and the others to maintain their once warm relationship with Tio, who incited her companions to kill the God.

The pure white breath gained strength, and the black breath seemed to indicate Tio's mental state, about to be devoured.

That scene seemed to truly reflect Tio's inner thoughts.

"Ms. Tio! Don't listen to her!"

"Return to your normal self, Miss Tio!"

A cry filled with a sense of crisis and anxiety was heard. Ling and Ryutaro looked anxious, and in order to support Tio's heart that was on the verge of collapse, they shouted loudly to Tio.

A flash of pure white is just around the corner. Will she vanish into ashes? Or will she grasp the phantom's hand and become Tio, a person who only cares about her own desires and exploits her companions?

How would Tio deal with Ling and Ryuutarou, the witnesses? She would definitely not let them go safely.

However, now Ling and Ryutaro have no idea that they are in a dangerous situation.

They didn't want to see Tio fall into depravity more than their own safety. They didn't want to lose the reliable older sister who usually looked after them calmly and gave them encouragement when necessary.

Rather than the expressionless Tio, they wanted to see the Tio who always pestered Hajime and smiled happily even when punished. Even if Tio refused to look back at them, they were prepared to rush forward together to fight the phantom.

Then, just as the two were about to charge forward, Ling and Ryutaro noticed—

Unconsciously, Tio turned her gaze towards them. She narrowed her eyes gently, a slight smile playing on the corners of her mouth.

Tio's meaning was clear to them without words. She was telling them, "Don't worry, just stay there and do your best."

Afterwards, Tio looked directly at the phantom before her, and her words proved that the two of them had not misunderstood.

"We don't know the meaning of our existence."

Her voice was very calm, and it seemed more like she was confirming her inner feelings than speaking to others.

"Is this body human or animal... If everything in the world has its own meaning, then where can we find the answer?"

"That is..."

The phantom's eyes widened. At the same time, he realized that his breath could no longer propel forward, and he faltered.

"How many things have changed over time, yet the answer remains unanswered. So, whether it is human or beast, we are determined to reveal our souls to prove it."

『! My power... How is it possible! What is the reason──』

For a split second, the phantom's eyes flickered towards the two witnesses. However, she felt her breath being held back, and she quickly pulled her scattered consciousness back.

In that brief moment, the white flash gradually faded to black. The phantom's breath was mercilessly and easily pushed back!

The phantom couldn't understand. The emptiness in Tio's heart had indeed given the phantom an opportunity to exploit, and she had almost succumbed to negative emotions. Furthermore, the phantom had indeed been substantially strengthened.

But why is this happening?! Just as the phantom was in disarray, a clear voice sang softly, echoing through the trial hall, completely ignoring the loud noise of its breath.

"The Dragon's Eye will see through the single truth, breaking through deception and suspicion."

Although they are the eyes of a wild beast, they are not just eyes that can fill others with fear.

The Dragon's Eye is a symbol of intellect. It exists to dispel the thick fog that confuses people and guide them towards the path of salvation.

"The dragon's claws will tear through the iron walls and shatter the entrenched malice."

Because there are people who must be protected, no matter what kind of enemy we encounter, we will defeat it.

The Dragon Claw is swung only to destroy evil.

"The dragon's fangs will crush your own weakness and drive away hatred and anger."

Precisely because they are powerful and their appearance is very different from that of humans, they must be more strict with themselves.

If you waver, bite your own soul with your teeth.

The dragon's reserve will never allow them to lose their mind or even their rationality because of hatred and anger.

"Without Jin, we are nothing but beasts."

If one were to use power at will and degenerate into harming innocent people, it would be tantamount to admitting that dragon people were no different from beasts.

"However, as long as I continue to wield the sword of reason—"

Vertical cracks suddenly appeared in the calm eyes.

That was a golden light shining brilliantly—dragon eye, and the dragon eye shot straight into the phantom.

Then──

"We are dragon people!"

Who was Theo Kuralus? She shouted the answer with pride.

At the same time, an invisible pressure equivalent to the water pressure of a waterfall came overwhelmingly.

It wasn't a simple release of magical energy, nor was it a violent killing intent like Hajime's.

That is the pressure that makes people feel awe when they look up at the towering sacred peak.

If I had to say it, it was a kind of domineering aura—the aura of a king.

"...Does that mean everything is under your control?"

Phantom took a breath, an expression of disbelief on his face, and asked with difficulty.

Without any warning, Tio easily reversed the situation as if according to a pre-planned plan. This meant only one thing.

——Tio could even perfectly control the strength of her own mind.

The phantom didn't read Tio's emotions.

But Tio deliberately let her read it.

She was able to even cheat in the Great Labyrinth Trial; her mind control was beyond everyone's imagination.

If Hajime and the others were using force to cheat, then Tio could be said to be using mental power to cheat.

"Will of the Great Labyrinth, I thank you. Even facing the power of a Age of Gods, I can still fully control my own heart, so even if my opponent is a god, it will not be a problem."

"You're taking advantage of the trial itself... Are you testing whether you can resist God's temptation? No, more than that, you're testing whether you can deceive God."

"Of course, part of the reason is that I want to listen to my own heart objectively. The human heart is like a vast ocean, and perhaps there are gaps in my heart when I am not paying attention. This trial is truly meaningful."

From the very beginning, Phantom was played around by Tio...

Hearing what Tio said, Phantom shook his head, looking unconvinced. Phantom unconsciously took a step back, seeing his breath being swallowed at an alarming speed, and hurriedly gathered himself.

"...But what I said is true. You do have hatred and anger in your heart. How could you do such a thing when you harbor such strong negative emotions? Why...?"

Hearing the phantom's words, Tio narrowed her eyes. Her black kimono sleeves and waist-length, gorgeous black hair fluttered in the magical currents, and her majestic figure held an indescribable beauty.

If Hajime was there, he would surely be mesmerized by the sight even if Yue was beside him.

Tio stood like a great king. She spoke with a voice that came from her soul:

"Don't underestimate me. Who do you think I am?"

—You must embrace the black flame born within you, and the innate flame of Kularus. And then...

──Live well.

Father Harga Kularus once said this.

Those were his last words to Theo.

Tio lived by her father's will. Whether it was negative emotions, ugly feelings, or conscience and dignity, Tio held them all in her heart. They were all the pillars of the Dragon Oath, and she did not abandon any of them.

The entrusted wishes and inherited will are all here; that is the core idea that cannot be broken.

Therefore, Tio held her head high and declared:

"I am the noble dragon-man, a descendant of the Kularus clan—Tio Kularus!"

Because it was the dragon-man Tio Kularus.

So, she will not give in, and the fire of darkness will not ignite in her heart.

That's all.

The phantom was speechless and choked. However, an ambiguous smile appeared on her face, a smile that contained a hint of recognition, but also seemed to be admitting defeat.

Tio calmly gave her other self one last word.

"The Fang of Vengeance is meaningless. The truly strong thing is the Dragon's Fang. Experience this for yourself."

Then, Tio's breath suddenly surged. The next moment, her breath became extremely huge, and the previous breath seemed like a small toothpick in comparison.

The sight of the pure white breath being swallowed without resistance looked like being devoured by a giant, powerful dragon. It made one wonder if it was really just an illusion.

After the black breath disappeared as if merging into the void, naturally nothing remained.

The scene was so shocking that Ling and Ryutaro both gasped in confusion.

The two finally came to their senses when they heard the rubbing of sleeves when turning around.

Tio used one hand to push back the hair that was hanging in front of her. Her flowing black hair spread out, and the sleeves of her black kimono fluttered in the wind.

Her expression was calm, showing neither joy nor emotion.

Tio walked over gracefully, as if she had simply done what was required of her. Even just walking, she looked elegant and graceful. Coupled with her unshakable, overwhelming power, the phrase "unparalleled beauty" naturally came to mind.

"N-That's not good... Suzu might be getting another big sister."

"I don't take it seriously at all. Yeah, I mean it. Damn it!"

Both Ling and Ryuutarou fell into a mild panic. In the forest maze, Shia and Kaori were also panicked by the "Normal Legendary Dragon Tribe Mode (Super Miss Tio)" - the uncomfortably handsome Tio and the overly mature and terrifying Tio - activated.

No, Tio's current state might even be higher than that. Because if Ling and Ryuutarou were to let their guard down, they would be completely captivated by her, without any sense of "something wrong" or "fear."

In other words, this state can be called "Super Miss Tio·Dragon King Mode", and the effect is definitely "heartthrob".

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