*

When Constanz led the reinforcements across the ridge, the remnants of the first wave of conflict were already suppressed beneath the writhing belly of the serpent army, which spread throughout the mountains and valleys. However, this time on the side of the Ninth Legion, inspired by the presence of the virgin Sandra, they still launched the assault proactively. The horn resounded once again, marking the beginning of the second phase of the Battle of Anganar

Even though the elite forces had been decimated in the first encounter, this unit composed of the old and the weak still displayed high morale and managed to push the "Immotral" army back by fifty paces before the front line stalled. However, Constanz, observing the progress of the battle with his clear blue eyes on the right flank, had no illusions about it. He knew that despite the seemingly advantageous situation, the tide of battle would quickly turn as their strength waned.

He turned and nodded to the virgin, and in response, the silver armor knight raised her arms high. Two tongues of blazing orange fire rose into the sky, intertwining and forming a burning fire cloud. A winding fire tornado descended from above, engulfing Constanz who stood waiting with his head held high. He let out a furious roar amidst the storm of flames, but his voice gradually lengthened and deepened, eventually transforming into a terrifying roar that didn't belong to any human or creature.

Everyone on the battlefield heard this terrifying roar, but no one dared to release their intertwined spears from their hands. Above the soldiers engaged in a life-and-death struggle, a dark shadow swept across, blocking out the sun. When the shadow returned, it unleashed a devastating inferno upon the ground. Even the Immortals, protected by their thick scales, were turned into charred remains or exploded due to the trapped gases in their abdomens. Leaving behind a wide crimson scar in the frontline, Constanz, the fire dragon, folded his wings and descended heavily among his allies, once again unleashing his dragon breath that would incinerate everything towards the enemies ahead.

On the left flank, at the other end of the battlefield, Capillata, wearing a conical helmet, struggled at the front line with his heavy bastard sword in hands. His instincts screamed at him to retreat and leave the dangerous position to other capable warriors, but he knew all too well that if he hesitated now, he would sever the slim chance of finding his comrade Vasili.

Finally, with a thunderous roar and the appearance of the dragon, the situation in the center and right flanks changed. The warriors on the left flank took advantage of this concentrated assault and broke the stalemate. After the linear formation collapsed, the battlefield descended into skirmishes between small groups of troops. Capillata, lowering his stance to avoid being caught in the melee, infiltrated the enemy ranks, searching for that black whirlwind, the sharp and serrated fangs, and the ghostly blue eyes.

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However, in the end, amidst a trampled field covered in blood-soaked filth, a broken flame-bladed sword he found.

Capillata felt an overwhelming gaze and lifted his head, as if isolated from the surrounding battle, facing a colossal presence that defied description. It was a dark serpent coiled around a wooden pole, undoubtedly the true form of Legion Commander Seraphina. If her plump body were fully extended, it would rival the dragon form of Constanz.

Capillata had a feeling that the iron thorns would be utterly ineffective in pinning her down, as it was nothing more than her willingly accepting the self-imposed torment. The Holy Serpent concealed her head behind the coiled body. Her nictitating membranes over the bright yellow eyes are closed. On the segment of the body cradling her head, fresh traces of prey's blood remained.

Within her neck, one could still see a lamb-sized bulge, gradually descending along the esophagus as each rib joint loosened. A chill ran up Capillata's spine as he raised the bastard sword, and his feet moved forward on their own. Seraphina did not misinterpret his message; she lifted her tail from the wooden pole and slammed it heavily onto the ground, then slowly extended it toward Capillata's feet.

The youth raised his sword and forcefully stabbed into the rock-like scales. Scalding putrid blood sprayed out with a foul-smelling steam, but the Holy Serpent still kept her head hidden within her body, revealing only a single yellow eye. Capillata raised his sword again, this time aiming to cleave with the blade, but it deflected and slid off, leaving only a shallow dent. The snake tail wrapped around Capillata's ankle, pulling him down to the ground, dragging him across the surface, and finally, with head down and feet up, she raised the prey before her.

"Oh, young swordsman, what do thou seek in thy pursuit?"

Seraphina lifted her head from her coiled body. Her lips didn't move, yet her gentle and serene voice directly transmitted into Capillata's consciousness.

"Art thou searching for thy trusted friend, the raven-locked(haired) swordsman? Or dost thou covet the divine flames, seeking to seize them? Fret not, for thy seeking heart shall rest once thou merge with the chaste maiden."

She tightened the grip that bound him. Each exhale squeezing the air out of Capillata's chest. Soon, his heart began to falter, and his consciousness grew hazy.

"Thy golden form, perfumed with flesh and blood, doth emit a captivating fragrance."

The giant serpent hissed, its forked tongue moistly licking Capillata's cheek.

"Fret not, When I partake thy flesh and blood, desire shall be forsaken. Thou shalt unite with the pure maiden and be reborn in mirth(joy)."

She lifted Capillata high, opening her bottomless blood-filled maw. Dizzy and disoriented, Capillata wildly swung the sword in his hand. One strike tore through the flesh of the serpent's tail, causing putrid blood to spray and intensify the writhing. The colossal serpent then seized Capillata's golden locks, tearing them with a pain akin to the rending of scalp, causing the young man to nearly faint. But he gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength, and severed his waist-length hair that was being held up, letting him fall to the ground with a resounding thud.

As Capillata crashed heavily onto the ground and coughed up his churning stomach acid, struggling to stand in the dim vision, the giant serpent descended upon him, devouring him from above.

His senses plunged into a damp and encroaching warm darkness.