"So, what kind of familiar are you expecting?" the middle-aged Familiar Master asked enthusiastically. "Something beautiful? Powerful? Perhaps a support-type creature?"
"The strongest," Takeyo replied with a confident smile. "I want the strongest one available."
"Oh my! Quite the ambitious young man!" The master's eyes widened with a mixture of amusement and concern. "You want the strongest? Well, there is one, but I absolutely cannot recommend disturbing that particular dragon."
"Who is that?"
The Familiar Master hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "That would be the legendary Dragon King, the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat. She visits the Familiar Forest from time to time. In fact, I saw her lurking around just a few days ago."
He shook his head emphatically. "But listen, young man, I'm only telling you this as a curiosity. After all, she's the kind of existence that even the Satans themselves would think twice before approaching."
The master's expression grew serious. Bragging about such things was one matter, but actually attempting to subdue a Dragon King? That was pure madness.
"Alright, but I won't need to trouble you further, Master," Takeyo said casually. "I'll find my ideal familiar myself. I'm quite confident in my perception abilities."
Before anyone could respond, Takeyo activated a levitation technique and rose into the air.
Since this middle-aged expert had mentioned that Tiamat was in the Familiar Forest just a few days ago, the chances of finding her today were actually quite high. Dragons had a fundamentally different relationship with time compared to humans, she could easily remain in one location for years, sleeping away the centuries.
"Takeyo?" Rias reached toward him, concern evident in her voice. Acting alone in such a dangerous place was reckless.
"Don't worry, Rias. If anything happens, I can instantly teleport back to safety," Takeyo reassured her with a warm smile.
"Rias, you should trust him," Sona said, pushing her glasses up with one finger. "Takeyo never does anything without being certain of success."
Indeed, Sona had learned this lesson well. He'd known she wouldn't refuse his advances, or even resist after that forceful kiss, which was why he'd acted so boldly in the Student Council room.
"I...suppose you're right," Rias conceded helplessly, though frustration colored her features.
Really! she thought with annoyance. Why do I feel like a mistress confronting the proper wife? I'm the one who holds his King piece! I should be his true master!
"This young man certainly has quite the personality," the Familiar Master muttered awkwardly.
He'd originally thought he'd be playing the role of a useful guide, but now it seemed he wasn't even needed for that.
Takeyo soared into the sky above the forest canopy.
Without hesitation, he activated his most powerful sensory ability.
[Black Sky Incarnation, Overlimit!]
In an instant, Takeyo's perception expanded to its absolute maximum, spreading across the entire Familiar Forest like an invisible wave!
Although the technique could only be maintained for a single moment, that was enough.
He'd successfully captured the distinctive aura of the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat.
"Rias, Sona, if I don't return within two hours, please head back first," he called down to them.
Takeyo switched to the incarnation of [Vamana the Dwarf]. With a single gentle step that transcended normal space, he vanished, instantly arriving at his destination dozens of miles away.
Gazing at the sleeping dragon before him, Takeyo rubbed his nose thoughtfully.
"Well...I wonder if I'll damage my body again this time."
If he wanted to become a dragon's contractor, he definitely couldn't use incarnations that lasted only a minute or two. What he needed was sustained suppression, not an instant-kill strike.
Although he'd nearly obliterated the Blaze Meteor Dragon Tannin in their previous encounter, this situation was somewhat different. According to his calculations, if he'd delivered that attack to an undefended Tannin, the former Dragon King would have been left with just a sliver of health remaining, enough for Phoenix Tears to revive him, which Ajuka surely possessed.
But since he intended to make Tiamat his familiar, he absolutely couldn't go all-out with lethal force. He needed sufficient endurance, at least more than a single minute of combat capability.
Fortunately, after obtaining Ophis's artifact template, he'd dramatically extended the time limit of his [World Dragon Kurimo] incarnation. Five minutes should be manageable.
Though admittedly, five minutes was still somewhat embarrassing as time limits went.
"Get up! Wake up!" Takeyo didn't waste time with subtlety. He simply shouted at Tiamat, who was curled up on the forest floor.
"Mmm...zzz...mmm..." Tiamat seemed to hear nothing, a thin line of drool trailing from the corner of her mouth. She appeared to be sleeping soundly.
"Well, well, it seems I'll need to use rougher methods."
Takeyo shook his head. In his right hand, a magnificent sword glowing with divine light materialized, radiating an aura of salvation and holy power.
Simultaneously, countless golden ripples spread through the space around him.
[Three-Phase Blessing, God's Arsenal!]
[Dragon Slayer Configuration!]
Unlike the mixed-attribute divine tools he'd manifested before, this time every single weapon possessed dragon-slaying properties! While he hadn't activated their full Noble Phantasm releases, the inherent anti-dragon attributes of these legendary weapons would inflict more than enough pain.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Dozens of dragon-slaying artifacts pierced through Tiamat's scales and embedded themselves in her body!
"ROOOOAAAARRRR!"
The next instant, a deafening dragon's roar echoed throughout the Familiar Forest!
The Chaos Karma Dragon Tiamat had awakened!
"ROAR! ROOAAAARR!"
From that roar, one could clearly hear her considerable anger.
"Alright, alright, stop being upset."
Takeyo switched his incarnation to the World Dragon Kurimo, simultaneously releasing his overwhelmingly powerful dragon aura without restraint!
Although his spiritual power registered only at the High-Class Devil level, his dragon authority, his very existential weight, completely crushed hers, instantly sobering the furious Dragon King.
"What the, ! This aura!" Tiamat felt the oppressive pressure emanating from the being before her. She hastily turned toward Takeyo's direction.
"My name is Takeyo Kagutsuchi. Hello, Tiamat," he said calmly. "How about becoming my familiar? You have the qualification...and you should recognize that I have the qualification as well."
Takeyo stated his purpose directly. If she agreed to become his familiar, then as her master, wouldn't it be perfectly natural for him to do various things with her?
If possible, Takeyo genuinely didn't want to overuse his incarnations. The physical damage caused by excessive incarnation use was irreversible, it could only be healed with time.
After forcibly completing Tannin's trial, Takeyo estimated it would take at least two weeks for his body to fully recover.
Although the damage didn't affect his combat capability, the constant pain was deeply uncomfortable, the kind of persistent ache that couldn't be reduced through mental manipulation or simply ignored. It was like a dull throb that permeated his entire being.
So Takeyo believed that with the combined pressure of his [World Dragon Kurimo] incarnation's authority and the temptation of a Rook chess piece, he could subdue Tiamat through negotiation rather than force.
However...Tiamat's response aligned exactly with his expectations.
"Roar! You clearly don't understand how to properly subdue a dragon..." Tiamat moved away from the Rook piece Takeyo offered, though longing flickered in her eyes as she gazed at it.
Then, she spread her massive wings and transformed into human form.
In her human guise, Takeyo found himself face to face with Tiamat. Her snow-white, delicate legs seemed to shimmer with dazzling light. Her figure was absolutely perfect in every proportion, momentarily capturing Takeyo's full attention.
"So...you want to be beaten into submission?" Takeyo shook his head with a resigned sigh. Completing the Dragon Knight sign-in quest won't be so simple after all.
"Ah! I couldn't ask for anything better!" Tiamat licked the corner of her mouth with anticipation. "To fight against a dragon of your caliber and authority would be my honor."
She was indeed suppressed by Kurimo's dragon soul authority, but that didn't mean she was the weaker party in actual combat strength. Her raw power exceeded Takeyo's current capabilities.
At least...that was the case under normal circumstances.
"Very well! Then let's do this...Dragon versus Dragon!"
[World Dragon Kurimo Incarnation, Activate!]
[Sacred Artifact: Sacred Heart of the World Dragon, Release!]
A gem glowing with white and golden radiance manifested on Takeyo's chest. Azure armor partially covered the area surrounding the jewel.
[Sacred Artifact: Sacred Heart of the World Dragon!]
Effect: While wearing this artifact, the host's lifespan becomes unlimited (immortal unless killed). Spiritual power/magical energy recovery speed increases by 50,000%. Defense, attack power, and spiritual power are each enhanced by 200%.
Passive Ability: Immortal Dragon Body, All injuries sustained will automatically regenerate over time. Unless the heart is destroyed, death is impossible.
Active Ability 1: King of All Dragons, The host gains absolute dominion over all dragon-type creatures. Any dragon below the Host Dragon level will unconditionally submit.
Active Ability 2: Balance Breaker Forbidden Form Available, Kurimo Dragon Balance Breaker (Uroboros-Ophis-Scale-Mail).
A brilliant azure light erupted from Takeyo's body as white radiance mixed with golden brilliance enveloped his form.
After the light dissipated, a small dragon covered in azure armor with platinum gems embedded throughout appeared hovering in the air.
[Sacred Heart of the World Dragon, Forbidden Form!]
[Kurimo-Dragon-Balance-Breaker!]
[Forbidden Release: World Dragon Armor (Uroboros-Ophis-Scale-Mail)!]
Takeyo had already activated the Balance Breaker state when he first obtained this sacred artifact, thanks to his exceptional talent.
"Oh! Such magnificent dragon power! This is the strength a dragon should possess!" Tiamat's eyes gleamed with excitement.
She could sense that the spiritual energy of the being before her had only reached High-Class Devil level, yet he was releasing fluctuations approaching Maou-Class power!
Is this the true might of a high-ranking dragon?!
She felt genuine joy and exhilaration. It had been far too long since she'd encountered such a powerful dragon!
"But! That's still not enough!" Tiamat unleashed a devastating dragon breath capable of annihilating meteors falling from the sky!
"I know it's not enough, but you don't need to hold back this much with testing attacks, do you?" Takeyo shook his head. Does she understand the concept of gradually building up intensity?
"Tiamat, let me be clear," he continued, standing perfectly still as her dragon breath crashed against the World Dragon Armor, leaving only a shallow mark that rapidly regenerated. "If I win, you're going to help with dragon reproduction. After all, I can't exactly challenge Ophis or Great Red yet, so you're my only option."
"Oh? So I'm merely a substitute for those two?" Tiamat's eyes narrowed dangerously, her dragon aura intensifying. "What a bold statement!"
Although she was indeed inferior to Ophis and Great Red, being underestimated like this was genuinely infuriating!
Moreover, even if Ophis preferred a female form, was Great Red also female? She was hearing that particular gossip for the first time.
"Whether it's bold or not isn't for you to decide..." Takeyo smiled slightly, then his expression shifted completely. His eyes displayed unprecedented sharpness!
"Let me show you...what a true dragon looks like."
A terrifying aura erupted from the Sacred Heart of the World Dragon embedded in his chest! An overwhelming dragon presence coiled around Takeyo's body like a living entity!
Within this vortex of spiritual power, the World Dragon itself descended!
[My Power, Release!]
[I am the origin that bears the world...the dragon among dragons...]
[World Dragon of existence, ascend to the pinnacle of dimensions, ]
[We who transcend the end shall eventually cross beyond all endings, ]
[Lead me with your brilliant radiance and galactic might!]
[Descend!]
[Kurimo-Incarnation-Overload!]
[Kurimo Incarnation: Overlimit (Tyrannosaurus Form)!]
The head, legs, and wings of the World Dragon Armor fully extended as Takeyo transformed completely into dragon form, assuming the World Dragon's true appearance!
"ROOOOAAAARRRR!"
With the draconic transformation complete, the true battle between dragons could begin! The so-called...Dragon versus Dragon!
Now, Takeyo's power had reached Maou-Class! By virtue of his superior authority and overwhelming strength, he could suppress the Heavenly Dragons and dominate the Dragon Kings without difficulty!
[World-Stopping Mystic Eyes!]
[Balance Breaker!]
Crimson light blazed from Takeyo's eyes, instantly freezing Tiamat in place!
For Takeyo, achieving Balance Breaker for divine tools was as simple as eating or drinking water, child's play.
The World-Stopping Mystic Eyes, now elevated to Balance Breaker level, completely immobilized the Chaos Karma Dragon!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest...
Sona and Rias, who had been playing chess to pass the time, suddenly noticed an abnormal disturbance in the distance.
"This is...dragon aura? Such powerful draconic energy?!" Sona adjusted her glasses, using the enchanted spectacles Takeyo had given her. Through them, she could perceive two massive waves of power, both clearly belonging to dragons.
"Could it be...are two Dragon Kings fighting?!" Rias exclaimed in shock.
Since there were no Heavenly Dragon-level beings currently active in the world, only Dragon Kings below that tier and Dragon Gods above it existed. This level of power could only come from Dragon King-class combat.
"Two princesses, please don't go there," the Familiar Master cautioned urgently. "That's the aura of the Chaos Karma Dragon, Tiamat. It seems a battle between dragon-kind is taking place."
"But! Takeyo went in that direction..." Rias's heart clenched with worry. She spread her Devil wings, preparing to fly toward the battle site.
"Wait! Rias!" Sona grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"Sona? Aren't you worried about Takeyo?" Rias asked anxiously.
"No, I'm not worried. I believe in him," Sona replied firmly, pushing her glasses up. "Takeyo never does anything he's uncertain about. He has spatial transfer abilities, if he were in real danger, he would definitely return on his own."
"If you go there and put yourself in danger, won't that just distract him?"
Sona's reminder was logical and measured. Although both she and Rias were High-Class Devils, she understood perfectly well that High-Class Devils were like insignificant insects in a Dragon King's eyes.
"But! Still..." Rias hesitated, torn between worry and reason.
The difference between Sona and Rias manifested clearly in this moment, revealing their fundamental personalities once again.
From Takeyo's perspective, he definitely didn't want Rias, or anyone, approaching that battlefield. However, he also understood that Rias's concern for him stemmed from genuine emotion.
After all, Rias belonged to the Gremory family, known for being deeply emotional and passionate, while Sona was far more rational and strategic in her thinking.
"Rias, I'm just as worried as you are," Sona said with a small sigh. "But that's not a reason for us to rush in blindly. We need to let Takeyo fight with full confidence."
"Yes, two princesses," the Familiar Master added nervously. "I understand the power of the Dragon King Tiamat. Since this is a battle between dragons, it's better not to interfere."
His expression grew grave. "Do you remember what happened when the Three Factions interfered in the battle between the Two Heavenly Dragons? High-ranking officials from all three sides were instantly killed."
Middle-aged Master was genuinely terrified. He desperately wanted to flee the area entirely.
While others might not fully comprehend the Dragon King's terror, he, as a professional Familiar Master, understood it all too well!
Several minutes later.
"This isn't normal! This isn't normal at all!" the Familiar Master couldn't help but cry out.
"What's abnormal?" Koneko asked curiously, tilting her head.
"There is indeed something strange," Sona agreed, pushing her glasses up thoughtfully.
"Usually, battles between dragons are extremely prolonged affairs, lasting at least several days. How could their auras disappear so quickly?"
"If there's still no movement after two more hours, let's investigate," the Familiar Master suggested, stroking his chin nervously.
He found the situation bizarre. A Dragon King-level battle had clearly erupted moments ago, yet how could it possibly end so quickly?
This defies all logic!
"Alright..." The others reluctantly agreed.
They didn't yet know that the battle had indeed concluded, because Takeyo had already subdued Tiamat.
After all, if he hadn't subdued her, he would have needed to retreat immediately.
Two hours later.
Rias and her group ventured into the depths of the Familiar Forest. The Familiar Master had been dragged along despite his reluctant expression.
"Look at this! These are the scars left on the earth by dragon-level power!" Even in the outer areas affected only by the battle's aftershocks, Sona and Rias could feel the residual terrifying energy lingering on this battlefield!
"Where is Takeyo?! Such a devastating battle occurred, could something have happened to him?" Rias's voice trembled with concern.
"Everyone, spread out and search! We must find Takeyo!" she commanded her peerage.
Searching together would undoubtedly be faster and more efficient.
Unfortunately, they were searching in entirely the wrong location.