And this, was Barto Hell.
However, David's actions soon baffled them once more. In front of a squirming mass of flesh, David swiftly eliminated the Barban Demons that were tormenting the newly spawned Inferior Demons. Then, he pulled the two completely deformed Abyssal Iron Greatswords from his back and used them as shovels to begin digging a hole in this Maggot's Nest.
At first, Attilicia and the others had no idea what David was doing. Exhausted as they were, they simply followed instinctively.
Only after they had dug a hole large enough to fit a house, amid the shrill howls of countless Soul Shells, did David turn to Attilicia and ask, "Dad, do you know the Modengken Mansion Spell? Otherwise, it's going to be noisy."
Attilicia thought David was also tired and planned to rest there temporarily while simultaneously avoiding the pursuit of the Flying Fortresses.
"...I only know a low-tier version of the Mansion Creation Spell."
"Then cast one. As long as we can live in it, it's fine."
Tania opened her mouth, wanting to suggest finding another place, but her instincts told her this was indeed a good refuge.
A short time later, a seemingly plain house, yet large enough to accommodate them all, had been stuffed into the interior of the Maggot's Nest.
But when they crawled inside, David had no intention of following. He threw the corpses of the Barban Demons he had silenced into the house and then began plastering the excavated Soul Shells back onto the walls, as if they were mortar.
Attilicia made a move to come out, but David glared him back. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on n0velfire.net
"You all stay here. In your current condition, following me would be a burden. It's better to stay here and serve as our backup."
Including Attilicia, the group of dragons didn't want to admit it, but it was an undeniable fact.
Having lost the continuous nourishment from hunting demons in Blood War combat, they, who had overdrawn their strength countless times, possessed little remaining combat capability and urgently needed a 'long rest' to recuperate.
Without giving Attilicia a chance to refute, David pointed the tip of his tail at his father's paw, which was imprinted with the demi-plane's Magic Circle, and said, "If you receive my message, or if you encounter guards from the Bronze Citadel, sacrifice our savings to the Chromatic Dragon Queen immediately. Do not hesitate."
"Okay...." Attilicia sighed.
This world was truly fantastical. Over the years, the money he and his father had scraped together, originally intended to repay Pafila's 'debt,' was enough to use the Resurrection Spell to bring all their kin back to life hundreds of times over.
It was also enough to please a Dragon God.
As for why they hadn't simply sacrificed their treasures on the battlefields of the Blood War to seek salvation from the Chromatic Dragon Queen from the very beginning?
Due to the rules of the Blood War, where every move was critical, the Queen's personal involvement could trigger unexpected chain reactions—a major taboo.
Consequently, Tiamat, who had also once held the title of Duke of Avernus, would likely only go as far as accepting this treasure and guiding their souls back to Her Divine Realm.
That would be tantamount to bowing in submission to the Chromatic Dragon Queen.
This was not what David wanted, nor could he accept it.
Just as he had been under his mother Pafila's watchful eye from the moment of his birth on the Old Continent of Skanis, so too, now holding the Protection of Tiamat, was he undoubtedly under the Chromatic Dragon Queen's gaze the instant he stepped into Barto Hell.
Yes, Tiamat... She's always watching me!
And what he had to prove was that, like his mother Pafila, he possessed the strength to approach Her on his own terms.
Not like a timid, incapable, pitiful worm, constantly seeking Her protection.
He believed this was also what She wished to see.
For this, She remained unmoved, even if the Styx River were to change its course and vast swamplands spread for miles.
After David had journeyed an unknown distance through the hollows beneath the Maggot's Nest—
He burst forth. Looking up at the horizon, where the Dragon Cliff rose like a celestial chasm, seemingly severing all land routes, he took a deep breath. A smile touched his lips as he murmured to himself,
"Well, now, Your Majesty...