Chapter 30: The Moon’s Incarnation

Within the Mandorn Empire of the Demon Race, lay Tamos Town.

Serving as a substantial relay point halfway between Falmond and the demonic capital of Irushiel, this sizable town bustled with life.

As the in-game time of “Light of Mysteries” mirrored real-world hours, this was precisely when most players logged on for their evening sessions.

Amidst the boisterous clamor of the brightly lit tavern, a wealth of crucial information was being exchanged.

Whether it was dungeon locations, trigger conditions for special events, monster spawn points, leveling maps, or rare items, virtually anything could be gleaned from the tavern’s whispers.

Beyond the players, there were also NPCs who made their living by selling information, though only the system and the game company truly knew if they were mere data constructs or genuine inhabitants of this world.

Knight Aaron, having procured two glasses of juice, made his way to a secluded corner.

He placed one glass on the table before Mao Ning, the “Sword Monk,” then settled himself unbidden across from her.

For those seeking tranquility, this overlooked corner proved an ideal retreat; one would scarcely notice the innermost table without a careful glance.

“……”

Mao Ning, her spirits heavy these past two days, remained silent.

She removed her helmet, revealing a delicate, maidenly face, and lowered her head to sip her drink in small, quiet mouthfuls.

The “Sword Monk’s” true appearance was a closely guarded secret online, yet with her ID hidden and her high-level ‘Stealth’ skill, Mao Ning was virtually imperceptible to others.

Observing Mao Ning’s despondent state, Knight Aaron sighed.

His arm, thick as a stone pillar, rested on the table as he prepared to ask her about her future plans, when a system notification abruptly chimed.

“…Hmm? Your friend ‘White Wolf’ has come online?…Hey, hey, hey, wait for me!”

Before Knight Aaron could fully register his surprise at the message, Mao Ning abruptly rose, her steps resolute, and strode out without a backward glance.

***

In a suburban manor outside the demonic capital of Irushiel.

The golden-haired demon lord sat cross-legged in her master bedroom, using the calming effect of incense to quell the restless stirrings of dragon blood within her.

Her breathing was deep and measured, like the exhalations of a colossal beast.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open.

Turning her head, she gazed into the distance, her sight passing through the window to alight upon the full moon and the Demon King’s castle observatory.

She fixated on the aura emanating from that direction, and the desires she had painstakingly suppressed now surged with even greater intensity.

It was like the tumultuous churning of magma or the relentless crash of ocean tides.

“A dragon…it’s a dragon! A true dragon! Hahahahaha!”

Silvya, the Dragonfeeder, could no longer contain the wild ecstasy within her.

Her lips stretched into a maniacal grin, and her crimson-gold dragon eyes glittered with unbridled craving and excitement.

“I thought it impossible, yet it’s truly real! In that case, how can I not rebel?”

“My Lady.”

Her subordinates, too, perceived the strange life energy, its moon-bright aura striking them with considerable astonishment.

“Guards! Assemble the army! Our target is the Demon King’s castle!”

Silvya’s wild laughter echoed throughout the entire manor, and the already prepared officers, fully geared, began to rally their troops.

***

By the time Letitia, sensing an ominous turn of events, abandoned her dessert box and rushed to the observatory, the ritual had already concluded.

The pure white holy light receded, leaving only an immaculate, pristine white egg silently standing at the center.

“Your Majesty, Demon King.”

Astolfo, her expression grave, hurried after Letitia to the observatory.

Behind her, the maids and court mages, having sensed the abnormality, followed closely.

Without Letitia’s direct command, even the personal guard could only wait outside the Demon King’s central castle.

“Everyone, withdraw.”

Letitia’s tone brooked no argument.

Standing at the forefront, she prevented anyone but Astolfo from entering the observatory, her face grim as she advanced step by step towards the dragon egg.

The closer she drew to the dragon egg, the more potent the pure moon essence became, making Letitia feel as though she were approaching a gentle, benevolent being akin to a goddess of salvation.

Yet, she had experienced a similar sensation before: the potent aura surrounding Noah the night before last, when she had just fused with the essence of the moon.

Letitia recognized the magic circle etched on the ground.

It was a forbidden ritual, one that used dragon blood as a medium to elevate the self into a nature spirit, originally intended to purify one’s magic, forge a more perfect body, and enhance one’s potential.

Its forbidden status stemmed not from violating any immutable laws, but rather from its immense difficulty and the exceptionally high demands it placed upon the caster, rendering it a ritual that existed solely in theory.

It was akin to a formula that was theoretically sound but practically impossible to execute.

Letitia could not fathom why Noah would undertake such a ritual to purify herself, nor why she would alter the ritual’s process, using dragon blood as the catalyst for her ascension.

Treading cautiously, she reached the side of the dragon egg.

Her delicate hand extended gently, her full attention focused, as if fearing to disturb the person slumbering within.

The instant her slender, jade-like finger brushed against the dragon egg, an almost imperceptible crack appeared.

Following her fingertip, the fissure rapidly expanded until, finally, the egg shattered into pieces.

A vast and pristine energy instantly erupted, and Letitia, being closest to the center, was thrown back a dozen meters by the shockwave.

As she slowly lowered the arms that had shielded her face, she beheld a sight so beautiful it left her utterly stunned.

A maiden of pure white slowly rose from her slumber, her slender wing membranes unfurling gracefully like her own body.

Her fluffy white dragon tail swayed gently against her thigh with her every movement.

The maiden possessed dazzling moon-white hair, exquisite features, and lithe limbs, all gleaming resplendently under the moonlight, as if she were the very embodiment of the moon itself.

Her flawless form shimmered with a creamy, milky-white glow, appearing as the Creator’s most perfect masterpiece, endowed with proportions and limbs beyond mortal reach.

Her beautiful eyes were slightly narrowed, her pale blue irises like pure jewels—cool and ethereal, as otherworldly as a secluded lotus blooming in a forgotten valley.

Crowning her head were rugged, moon-white horns, carved like jade, symbolizing her draconic identity.

The maiden took a deep breath, causing the exaggerated swell of her chest to subtly rise and fall; even the air she exhaled seemed to carry a hint of coolness.

“Are you…Noah?”

Letitia felt a flicker of uncertainty, yet simultaneously, an undeniable conviction that this was reality.

Indeed, the maiden’s facial contours bore a striking resemblance to Noah’s, and the imposing scale of her ‘weapons’ remained undiminished in the slightest.

Letitia was certain that even without seeing her face clearly, she could easily identify Noah in a crowd simply by her chest.

The maiden cast a glance at her, and the coolness and arrogance in that gaze made Letitia feel as though she faced not the kind and gentle saint she knew, but a Demon King equally noble and haughty as herself.

Straightening slightly, she began to adopt a combat stance, preparing to face the maiden before her.