I was with Colonel Clement, the only one who could understand me. The other zodiacal dragons were monsters like Demodragon.

I was in human form, next to him. And he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Ivan, it's war and it's cruel but it's like this... It's a trap, but are you sure you want to surrender?"

I lowered my head. I'm nothing without my darlings... Argentrix has our eggs and Hirrax may have mine in her belly too.

Clement blushes a little.

"Look at all those men... They're like you...they're deprived of their family, their loved ones and they understand your grief. You mean more to us than anything else and we won't let you down..."

I was touched, and that gave me some comfort.

"Clement... Without ranks, man to man, I can't take it anymore... I don't know who I am anymore... I was a child, then a dragon... and now a hydra or an arch-demon... I don't know what... Tomorrow I'll be what?? a slime???"

Clement smiles. "Listen, if you have to go, do what your heart tells you to do, but think it over. Don't forget that we also indirectly defend our families. If you fall into their trap, will you still be able to save Argentrix? Don't forget that you have children and if the choice is monstrous, I'll choose to protect the children at any cost."

It's true that I had to think about not throwing myself into the lion's den.

Yes, that's it... it's Navarre challenging me to a duel. But I'll have to go there sooner or later. I must settle the score once and for all.

Clement: "According to our information, Navarre is a hero. "He is over-powerful and will tear you to pieces. He's got a cone of blast ice of primary cold, it's like a disintegration ray. And if you surrender, you'll be at best, sealed up forever... like your dragon mama."

"..."

. . .and then he said:

"Navarre underestimates the war potential you have. They laugh at you and play on your goodness. They need to be taught a lesson."

"Such as what?"

Demodragon came up behind me. "Finally you wake up, how many of your loved ones will be taken from you before you react?

I suggest a massacre of a major city and taking the population hostage. The unicorns will be forced to react and they'll be kidnapped for you know what..."

I was disgusted... with more blood.

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The circle of violence must stop.

I turned to Demodragon, Clement hiding behind me.

"You've just given me an idea..."

I pulled one of the rocket train's nuclear warheads out of my inventory and took a picture with a countdown timer.

I also took a picture of a second nuclear warhead surrounded by mana crystals from the portal.

The equivalent of an H-bomb.

"You will place the first charge here and the second there."

By the time they return fire, we'll have evacuated. Now that cable production is complete, load the super carriers.

Helldrakes' squadron will prepare for half phosphorous charges and firebombs and the rest of... what they prefer for duck shooting.

If they don't return within 24 hours, blow up the first bomb.

The next day, the second and the same day, raze the ivory tower. Don't overestimate yourself and survive... the zodiacal dragons will support you.

During the raging battle, it will be a diversion and you will start drilling at the cathedral.

At the slightest sign of Metatron, activate both towers and pulverize their orbital station. The towers will resist their counterattack. They are particularly strong. If you lose the battle, take refuge there or in the underworld that Demodragon knows.

With that, farewell!"

I took my best military salute and returned to my hydra form, taking my spy gear from the academy into my personal space.

I'll go and free my wife myself.

I took a jeep from my personal space and some useful odds and ends, including a sniper rifle and rope, lots of rope.

FLAP

FLAP

FLAP.

So I left my base. Torn between my mission to save my mother but also to save her two little girls. It was more important. I knew it and the demons wouldn't mind being brave.

I arrived in the middle of Kanda'ar territory and I recognized the paths I was traveling, as a young man. And I decided to go to the city.

As a human again, having moved at night, I took the jeep and arrived at the city of Magestia, the city of the ivory tower.

It seemed smaller, more fragile, but it was a construction twice as high as the Eiffel Tower.

With the jeep in order, I was dressed humbly like a peasant and I remembered my escapades from the time when I was nicknamed "the weasel"...

Of course, security was tightened and in addition to Japanese electronic surveillance, they had installed facial recognition cameras. In addition, they had magic creatures that were supposed to spot invisibility devices and other tricks.

I could feel Hirrax's aura and his guilt for luring me into a trap.

"Hirrax???? Hirrax? Can you hear me?"

I had a telepathic response, a strong bond had been built between us.

"Nooo Ivan, run away, it's a trap, it's my fault. Think of Argentrix and your eggs..."

"Hirrax, I know you're expecting a child from me in your belly and you don't dare tell me..."

I received tears in return...

So it was true... All the more reason to save her...

"Hirrax: Describe me where are you?"

"I don't know, but I'm in the basement and the foundation's a huge block."

Shit, she's under the ivory tower. If they bomb it, it's the end...

Hirrax: "Be careful, Navarre is here all the time. He's waiting for you at the only entrance.

Everything is lit and the walls are white. There are no shadows."

They had prepared everything very carefully. But I had something to offer too.

I blended into the shadows and avoided the central cylindrical hall swept by an intense light that could seriously burn me. The goal was to find sewers and drains big enough for 2 humans, finally 1 human and a shrunken dragoness...

The ideal passage should be through the stream that runs through the tower in its central garden at the base. The creek is used to cool the light-receiving crystal. The energy was redistributed to serve as a permanent shield against any form of bombardment.

Simple and effective.

And good for me.

At night, I took a boat, like countless fishermen crossing the tower, made for everyone...

The boat was covered with a large rag and I hid under it.

When I got to the support arches, there was a trompe l'oeil corner and I jumped on it and hid inside.

In the meantime.

Navarre had climbed to the top of the tower and gave his report to Magestia.

"I have captured his wife, General Hirrax. She offered no resistance for fear of reprisals against Ivan. "For half a demon, she still has a pure heart..."

Magestia: "You've done well. Will he surrender? And end this war?"

Navarre: "It takes more than a hostage romance to end a war. You risk provoking his wrath."

Magestia: "He'll wear himself out, I know him..."

As they were far from reality...