Chapter 527: One-on-One
"Awooo—"
"Conquer the Abyss! For the glory of the great Red Dragon, kill all these Abyssal bastards!"
"For the Empire! Kill them all!"
At this moment, the voices of the Abyssal Dragon Beasts and demons were completely drowned out by the frenzied battle cries of the Imperial Legions.
The Wyvern Knights swung their longswords, thrust their lances, and mercilessly slaughtered the dazed and even terrified Demon Knights. The dark purple blood of demons splattered through the air.
Meanwhile, the Wyverns and Flame Drakes fiercely tore at the much larger and more ferocious Abyssal Dragon Beasts, even leaping onto them, clawing at their chests, and gnawing at their flesh.
"Awoo~~"
The Abyssal Dragon Beasts instinctively let out agonized wails.
But under the terrifying pressure emanating from the hundreds of Cassius' bloodline warriors, they could barely stay airborne, let alone resist.
"Boom!"
"Boom! Boom!"
One Abyssal Dragon Beast after another plummeted from the sky, crashing into the mountainside, shattering rocks, causing the peaks to tremble and debris to scatter.
The corpses of the fallen dragon beasts continued to roll down the slopes, staining the mountains with dark purple blood.
The Empire's Wyvern Legion continued their dive, breaking apart the Abyssal Dragon Beast legions, forcing them into chaos. They then pulled up at the mountain's base to regain altitude.
Immediately afterward, using the fierce air currents, they rapidly ascended once more, reaching hundreds of meters into the sky.
"Victory!"
Alger stood atop his giant eagle, raising the Everburning Greatsword high as it radiated brilliant flames into the sky, as if giving the Red Dragon's shadow a pair of glowing eyes.
He looked down at the wailing Abyssal Dragon Beasts, his noble golden slit pupils filled with an unshakable resolve for victory.
The Wyvern Knights erupted into a frenzied cheer like a roaring tide. Their lances stood like a dense forest, and the red banners of the Empire fluttered high in the sky.
"Victory! Victory!"
"Long live the Empire!"
The Wyverns and Flame Drakes gathered again in the sky, flapping their wings and forming a crimson cloud.
At this moment, the connection of their bloodlines was vividly displayed. Their movements were as if they had been cast from the same mold, each wingbeat creating a perfect resonance.
"Roar—"
The Wyverns and Flame Drakes simultaneously opened their massive jaws, their roars converging into a deep, lingering dragon cry.
Below the Imperial dragon horde, the Abyssal Dragon Beasts had suffered heavy casualties in the previous charge. Nearly forty percent had fallen to the ground, while the Demon Cavalry had been completely annihilated. Even their formations had become utterly disorganized.
The Abyssal Dragon Beasts lifted their heads, their pitch-black eyes reflecting the shadow of the Red Dragon. Their bodies trembled, and low, fearful whimpers escaped from their throats.
"Gulp."
As twisted creations of Red Dragons, Wyverns, and demons, the Abyssal Dragon Beasts were infused with chaotic power, yet their essence remained that of dragons.
Ancient dragon blood coursed through their veins, and even after thousands of years, they could not escape the oppressive hierarchy of their lineage.
Almost all the Abyssal Dragon Beasts whimpered and shuddered, utterly terrified of the looming Ember Dragon horde preparing to dive down upon them.
Facing the Ember Dragons' predatory gaze, the largest Abyssal Dragon Beast was finally driven into a bloodthirsty frenzy. It let out a deafening roar and began its resistance.
"Roar—"
The Abyssal Dragon Beast bared its gaping maw, releasing a chaotic, discordant roar akin to the howling wind through a deep canyon, as foul, sticky saliva spewed from its mouth.
This particular beast was the leader of the Abyssal Dragon Beast army, and its demon bloodline was the most potent among them.
For centuries, it had roamed the Abyssal wastelands, hunting and devouring every demon or intruder that trespassed upon its territory. It had even consumed many of its own weaker kin.
Abyssal Dragon Beasts were creatures that instilled terror in others—they would never allow themselves to become prey.
Its dark red, scaly hide was covered in poisonous barbs, stretching over its massive twenty-meter-long frame. Its powerful bat-like wings flapped, the tattered membranes emitting a harsh, fiery sound like bellows stoking a forge.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast extended its neck and howled, issuing a challenge to the entire dragon horde.
High above, Alger sneered, "Hmph, foolish beast. I will make it regret its actions."
However, before he could react, a thunderous, impatient roar erupted from the Ember Empire's dragon horde, brimming with battle fervor.
"Awooo—"
In the next instant, a massive figure burst forth from the dragon ranks, flying to the front of the Wyverns and Flame Drakes.
It was the leader of the Wyverns, a creature personally named by the Emperor himself—an existence equal in status to an Imperial Dragonblood Marquis—Smaug!
Spreading its wings and flexing its muscular arms, Smaug proudly displayed its majestic and imposing form.
Then, it lowered its head, looking down on the Abyssal Dragon Beast with contempt. Its golden slit pupils gleamed mockingly, and it even curled a claw in provocation.
Compared to the Abyssal Dragon Beast, Smaug was slightly smaller in size, measuring just over twenty meters.
Yet, unlike the somewhat emaciated Abyssal creature, the Wyvern leader was robust and powerfully built. Every part of its body—from its torso to its limbs and tail—was packed with sinewy muscle.
If not for its bipedal form, it would resemble a fully grown Red Dragon, exuding a pungent sulfuric aura.
Alger shook his head with a helpless smile. "That guy is as reckless as ever."
"Commander, what should we do?"
Alger confidently replied, "Let's enjoy the show."
Interrupting a duel between dragonkind was considered impolite, and besides, Alger had full confidence in the Wyvern leader.
"Awooo—"
Enraged by Smaug's provocation, the Abyssal Dragon Beast roared furiously, flapping its tattered wings with great force and stirring up a foul wind as it lunged at the Wyvern leader.
Smaug, too, let out a mighty roar, then folded his wings, tightened his tail, and dove fearlessly toward his formidable "prey."
Scorching winds and rancid air intertwined.
At just a hundred meters apart, both dragons simultaneously opened their massive jaws, unleashing their respective breath attacks.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast spewed forth chaotic, black-red flames infused with Abyssal energy.
Smaug, however, unleashed a searing dragon flame rivaling that of an adult Red Dragon, imbued with the might of the Ember Emperor.
"Boom!"
The two powerful forces collided in midair, triggering a violent and dazzling explosion. Dark red and crimson flames intertwined, forming chaotic fireballs.
In the next moment, both dragons turned their heads, directing their breath attacks at each other's wings.
Smaug's flames instantly scorched through the Abyssal Dragon Beast's wing membrane, creating massive holes.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast retaliated, stretching its neck to unleash its black-red Abyssal flames at Smaug's wings.
Yet Smaug was far too strong, his agility beyond comprehension.
"Awooo!"
Smaug's wing and chest muscles bulged, veins popping across their surface.
Relying solely on his immense strength, he flapped one of his wings, generating a scorching hurricane and forcefully twisting his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the Abyssal Dragonfire attack.
Meanwhile, the Abyssal Dragon Beast's movements were beginning to falter. Its massive body wobbled in midair for a long moment before barely managing to stabilize itself.
Wind howled through the gaping hole in its right wing membrane, creating a cacophony of noise.
But how could Smaug let such an opportunity slip by?
The Wyvern let out an excited roar, spread its wings, and dove from high above once more.
"Roar—"
The Abyssal Dragon Beast repeatedly spewed black-red fireballs, trying to intercept Smaug's deadly breath attack through ambush.
Yet Smaug showed no fear. He twisted and rolled midair, dodging the Abyssal flames with ease, while retaliating with his own fireballs.
In just a few breaths, Smaug had already closed the distance to the Abyssal Dragon Beast.
"Awooo! Awooo!"
The Wyvern let out an exhilarated cry. Extending its powerful claws, it accelerated its dive, closing in rapidly on its prey.
A glint of cunning flashed through the Abyssal Dragon Beast's pitch-black eyes.
It feigned a retreat, pretending to flee, but just as Smaug was about to seize it, it lashed out with its barbed tail.
"Swish—"
Sharp barbs tore through scales, piercing into the Wyvern's flesh and injecting potent venom.
"Awooo—"
Smaug howled in pain, raising its head in agony. But instead of weakening, the venom only served to further enrage him.
After all, the Abyssal Dragon Beast's venom originated from Wyverns, making both creatures resistant to it.
Smaug's eyes burned with fury as he seized the Abyssal Dragon Beast's wings with his massive claws, pressing its body toward the mountain ahead.
"Boom!"
With an earth-shaking crash, the two colossal beasts slammed into the mountain, entangling in a brutal and bloody melee.
Though Smaug was slightly smaller, his body—suffused with Red Dragon blood—was far stronger than the Abyssal Dragon Beast's.
He pinned his foe beneath him, tearing at its flesh and sinking his blade-like teeth into its throat.
Dark red scales were savagely ripped away, exposing large swathes of darkened flesh. A gaping wound appeared on the Abyssal Dragon Beast's neck.
"Awooo—"
The Abyssal Dragon Beast let out a pained shriek as its highly corrosive purple-black blood splattered across Smaug's body.
It struggled violently, lashing at Smaug's hind legs with its barbed tail and clawing at his head with razor-sharp talons.
Its maw gaped wide, preparing to unleash Abyssal flames at close range.
But before it could act, Smaug's superior strength prevailed. With his right claw, he pinned the Abyssal Dragon Beast's throat, rendering it unable to even utter a sound, let alone breathe fire.
With his left claw, he widened the wound, tearing it open to the beast's chest, plunging his talons inside and mercilessly twisting its internal organs.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast convulsed violently, struggling desperately, but its strength was already drained.
Ordinary Wyverns were typically leaner to facilitate flight.
But Smaug was different. Having undergone multiple Dragonblood blessings, his body was armored with muscle like a living fortress, possessing strength far surpassing that of most dragons.
Finally, Smaug grinned wickedly, lowered his head, and clamped his jaws around the Abyssal Dragon Beast's thinner neck. Then, with all his might, he bit down.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of shattering bone echoed.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast twitched a few times before its head slumped to the side. Its wings, once raised in defiance, now lay limp on the ground.
Its gaze turned dull and lifeless. The foul stench of blood and saliva seeped from its jaws—it was completely dead.
Just like that, the Abyssal Dragon Beast perished.
A supreme predator of the Abyss, a dragon that fed on demons, had died in disgrace on the Prime Material Plane.
Smaug stood atop its lifeless skull, firmly planting his powerful feet, spreading his wings in triumphant exhilaration.
"Awooo—"
He extended his neck and let out a victorious roar, as if declaring his unmatched might to the entire world.
Seeing their leader's still-warm corpse, the remaining Abyssal Dragon Beasts in midair were thrown into complete panic, left without a leader.
That was their strongest Abyssal Dragon Beast—one that had devoured countless demons and kin alike. Even seven or eight of their own together would struggle to match its might.
Yet now, before their very eyes, a monstrously powerful Wyvern had slaughtered their leader in single combat and even stood atop its head in mockery.
It was terrifying!
Amidst this growing fear, the Abyssal Dragon Beasts scattered in retreat, howling in distress as they frantically flapped their wings toward the Abyssal portal.
Unfortunately for them, the sky was still teeming with hungry dragons, and they had no mercy for these Abyssal creatures.
Alger lowered his gaze, watching the fleeing figures with a satisfied smirk.
"Did they think they could come and go from the Empire as they pleased?
Since they foolishly stepped onto Imperial territory, they must now pay the price for their choice."
Alger slowly raised his longsword, pointing its tip toward the Abyssal Dragon Beasts, and ordered in an indifferent tone:
"Slaughter these Abyssal vermin to the last."
Within the Ember Dragon horde, whether Wyverns, Flame Drakes, or the Crimson Scaled Conquerors, their eyes gleamed with excitement—especially the players.
To the players, these weren't Abyssal Dragon Beasts at all; they were free loot, contributions, and gold.
After all, when enemies exposed their backs in retreat, cavalry units like them could unleash their full potential, easily butchering routed foes.
Now, even though these enemies were Abyssal Dragon Beasts, the outcome would remain the same.
"Charge!"
"For the Empire!"
"Kill all these Abyssal Dragon Beasts!"
"Awooo—"
Accompanied by resounding dragon roars, hundreds of Wyverns and Flame Drakes dived down like an unstoppable crimson torrent, engulfing the Abyssal Dragon Beasts.
Soon, massive twisted corpses plummeted from the sky, forming countless bloody craters across the wasteland.
The Abyssal Dragon Beast army, once the demons' secret weapon, was now utterly annihilated.