Chapter 256: Ignias Chooses A New Apostle

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"Tsk! I know you’re talking to me!" Vladimir hissed, glaring at Ignias without the slightest intention of letting her intimidate him. His voice carried a sharp edge of defiance as he stood his ground. "If you want the Kobold King’s arm back, I am not giving it!"

"That’s fine," she replied with a calm yet intrigued tone. "You’ve defeated him fair and square. It is your prize to keep. And I am more than anything incredibly intrigued about how you managed to graft his arm into your body and, even more impressively, assimilate the dragon bloodline he inherited from me. Do you know what that means? Come closer."

"..." Vladimir hesitated for a brief moment before walking forward to stand in front of her. He could feel the weight of her ancient presence pressing against him. "What does that mean?" he asked, looking a little embarrassed as his earlier bravado wavered. "W-What do you want from me?!"

She raised one large claw and gently touched his forehead. A soft pulse of heat spread from the contact point. "You are already connected to me through that arm. I am in dire need of someone to carry on my power — something like an Apostle who can help restore what I have lost."

"And why don’t you just ask Riven for that?!" Vladimir demanded, taking a half-step back.

"I’ve already tried, but he’s simply too strong for me right now. My Divine Power has decreased greatly since my earlier battles," Ignias sighed, a rare note of weariness in her voice. "Plus, it would be rather awkward to make him my servant when he is already my master. Don’t you think?"

"H-Hah?!" Vladimir’s eyes widened as he took another step back. "Wait a second — I don’t want to become your servant!"

"Ignias needs someone to carry on her remaining power so she can gradually regain it through Faith," Riven explained from the side, his tone practical. "You really don’t need to do much other than continue working hard the way you already do, Vladimir. Just accept it. You will become stronger because of this."

"I don’t want— Agh!" Vladimir’s protest turned into a scream as Ignias’ aura suddenly flared and enveloped his entire body in intense heat. "Gaaaaahhhhhhh!"

For a moment it looked as though he had been burned to a crisp. Charcoal-black layers of burned skin cracked and fell away in large pieces. Underneath, his body was being remade. Fresh, glistening, healthier skin appeared in its place. Every old scar vanished completely. Even the blind eye he had carried for so long recovered, turning a vivid crimson red that glowed with newly awakened draconic power.

His already blazing red hair burned even brighter, like living fire. Deep within his core, Vladimir felt a much stronger and more refined draconic power taking root. It began working in harmony with his existing Werewolf abilities, combining into something greater than either force alone.

"You are an amusing vessel for my dragon bloodline," Ignias spoke with a surprisingly gentle voice. "Your Werewolf transformation has already connected to the Kobold King’s arm and fused with it, granting you reptilian and dragon-based transformations. Although the result is still chimeric and somewhat mismatched in form, it possesses a great capacity for further growth and evolution."

Without his conscious will, Vladimir’s body transformed under Ignias’s influence. He became a much more refined fusion of werewolf and dragon. A pair of blazing wings unfurled from his back as pure power surged through him. He could feel his strength growing massively in real time. He had already surpassed his former peak some time ago, yet this felt like an entirely new level.

"You will be the first of your kind — a Drakoryth, Child of Beast and Dragon," she declared. "With this... I am done."

She settled back slightly, looking a little tired from the effort of transferring so much power. Vladimir stood there staring at his large claws, the red scales that now mixed with his fur, and the new wings that flexed experimentally behind him. "I can’t believe it... what is this? I...! I’ve become so strong. Why would you give me this much power for no reason?"

"There was a reason," she answered quietly. "Perhaps it is a form of apology. And maybe it is also a way to offer you a new path forward. I’ve heard from Riven about your past and the man you used to be, Vladimir. This is a chance you cannot afford to miss — a genuine chance for redemption."

"..." Vladimir said nothing for several long seconds as those words settled heavily on his shoulders. Then he nodded once and let out a long sigh. "Thank you..." He did not get angry. He did not scream or insult her. For once, Vladimir chose to be honest with himself.

Ignias nodded in return. "You’re welcome, my child."

Riven stepped closer and patted Vladimir firmly on the shoulders and back. "You did it. Well done."

"I didn’t really do anything!" Vladimir barked, though the anger in his voice lacked its usual edge. "And why are you praising me out of nowhere? We’re still enemies, and we still have a score to settle one day, Riven Claymore... I won’t forgive you."

"Hah, that’s the spirit," Riven smiled and gave him a light smack on the back of the head. "I wouldn’t want you any other way, friend. It would be boring if you started getting all soft and mellow after everything."

The two of them glared at each other with the clear intent of one day fighting to the death. Before the tension could escalate further, Label interrupted their rivalry.

"Um, Riven? Ignias? It’s done. Let’s start things up!"

"That fast?!" Riven walked toward her with raised eyebrows. "Don’t you need me to help with anything?"

"Yes, actually. Can you infuse your Psychic Energy and large quantities of Spiritual Energy into the formation?" she asked. "I plan to use the Noosphere as the main fuel, transmitter, and synthesizer."

"T-The Noosphere?" Ignias asked, tilting her head slightly. "What is that?"

"It’s a special kind of ’atmosphere’ that exists within our planet," Riven explained. "It is born from the accumulation of all intelligent thought and collective consciousness across the world."

"Hm, interesting..." Ignias nodded thoughtfully. "I believe my own planet had something similar at one point... though it is long gone now. I’ll step into the formation. The ten nodes are ready and set, correct? The core... it will be Riven, as we discussed, with Vladimir acting as the secondary core."

"Wait — we’re cores?!" Vladimir asked, his voice rising in alarm.

"I guess that’s how we’re helping," Riven laughed lightly. "We’re the main ingredients."

"Wait, what?! So this was all your plan all along?!" Vladimir roared, already looking ready to turn and run.

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