Avira retrieved the Holy Sword hidden in the corner of the room. She believed everything was over. The countless soul fragments of the Demon Race would completely destroy the Great Sage, turning her into a mindless wreck.
She estimated the time. Ophitia should be returning soon, and barring any surprises on her end, there wouldn’t be any issues—just different methods of resolution.
But then the Holy Sword spoke, catching Avira off guard:
“Demonic power detected. Estimated rank: B.”
Her first thought was the Demon King?
But if it were truly the Demon King, the Holy Sword wouldn’t have alerted her.
Moreover, the Demon King wouldn’t be this weak. A few more evolutions, and she would become an S-Rank wanted by the entire world.
“Are you broken?”
“New demonic power detected.” As if to prove itself right, the Holy Sword emphasized again.
Even Avira couldn’t help but glance back toward the Great Sage—
Wrapped in purple-red miasma, her church robes and stockings had been corroded away. She curled up like she was encased in a cocoon. Black and purple-red fleshy masses sprouted from nowhere, clinging firmly to the ground. Even from afar, it sent chills down one’s spine.
Finally, it pulsed like a beating heart, emitting rhythmic vibrations.
Avira reluctantly realized that this demonic power was emanating from that thing!
“Demonic power rising. Estimated rank: A.”
“Still rising?”
“Yes, still rising.”
“Huh?”
Avira sensed something was off—whether it was the incongruity or whatever, the scene unfolding was simply unbelievable.
Which meant the Great Sage hadn’t died at all?!
“Holy Sword, tell me what this thing is.”
“Great Sage, Molly.”
“Damn it…”
Avira frowned.
What she hated most were those protagonists from the Hero Squad who burst with potential at critical moments, gathering all hopes upon themselves and powering up after shouting a few lines. After the time regression, she had done everything to prevent meeting those guys, yet they kept showing up one after another and even joined her.
Now, what ground her teeth even more was that this Great Sage seemed to have inherited certain traits.
She hadn’t died.
“What is she now? Answer me, Holy Sword.”
“[Soul Devouring Demon]”
The Holy Sword seemed to have its answer ready, directly providing a term Avira had never heard before.
“She absorbed a massive amount of Demon Race remnant souls. Her consciousness was brainwashed by Demon Race thoughts, and her soul polluted by Demon Essence.”
“Holy Sword, tell me the probability of a human transforming into a high-rank demon.”
“For those with demonic power affinity only: 0.01%.”
“So how many times has this one-in-ten-thousand chance happened to you?”
“…”
Avira nearly smashed the Holy Sword into the ground.
Fine. She still didn’t know the status of the others, but this one was definitely turning into a demon.
And the rarest kind at that.
“Aaahhh—”
The Great Sage—or rather, Molly—even amid the miasma’s pollution and erosion, let out a sound. In the eerie purple glow, one could see the shadow of her voluptuous body trembling slightly. This woman had withstood the onslaught of thousands of soul fragments and even Demon Race consciousnesses!
The miasma diminished further—in fact, it was being sucked into the Great Sage’s body.
Purple tissues like the innards of a giant creature burst open, spilling transparent liquid that gradually spread toward Avira’s feet. Then, Great Sage Molly’s hand gently pierced the cocoon, and she crawled out from inside.
The miasma veiled her private parts. Her bare skin, slick with translucent viscous fluid, was etched with bizarre, bewitching patterns. Her hair had turned into a mix of pink and gold, her pupils into the vertical slits unique to evil demons, and the whites of her eyes pure black.
Her skin showed no trace of blood color. A pair of backward-curving horns extended from her head—not ostentatious, but like a black crown. A black cross appeared on her forehead, symbolizing something.
She stuck out a tongue longer than a typical evil demon’s and licked her cherry lips before walking barefoot toward Avira.
“Saintess.”
Her voice line hadn’t changed much.
In a sense, she had indeed become a being similar to her true nature.
“I’ve obtained a new body, hehe… Every moment, I feel power swelling within me. I feel amazing! This sensation… ah, like swimming in an ocean of life. It’s truly… pleasurable~”
The Great Sage’s waist bent into a graceful arc, as if stretching or mocking.
“Holy Sword, tell me her strength.”
“Considering only demonic power: approaching S-Rank infinitely.”
Was that so? Last time it was after comprehensive evaluation, but now it directly gave such a high rating?
The woman before her was extremely dangerous.
From the original plot, aside from the Demon King and the final Hero, no one else received an S-Rank evaluation. The Holy Sword’s analysis was fairly accurate.
Great Sage Molly stroked her face, tilted her head, and smiled:
“Now, with the power of the Demon Race, I’ve recovered my full strength. That War Emperor probably isn’t my match anymore~”
If they fought, Avira could still continue battling.
But then—
“Lady Avira.”
The Great Sage—or the former Great Sage, now a female demon—actually knelt on one knee, submitting at Avira’s feet.
Then, Molly believed that wasn’t enough to show her loyalty, so she kowtowed directly.
“You…” Avira didn’t know what sound to make.
“Lady Avira, I am [Soul Devouring Demon] Molly Ibynos, at your service at any time.” She lifted her head, sitting like a cat.
“…”
Avira rubbed her forehead:
“Did you take the wrong medicine?”
“I didn’t take any medicine. When I realized my body and consciousness were changing, I knew I wasn’t the strongest in this world. Demon Race… I am a member of the Demon Race, destined to serve the Demon King and the supreme demons. Sensing your power, I couldn’t wait to submit to you. For my past disloyalty, please punish me severely.”
Demon transformation was terrifying.
Avira thought that if she fully became a demon, she would probably have the exact same thoughts. That wasn’t a good thing.
Suddenly, a dragon soared through the air, circled a few times, and landed steadily beside Avira.
“Master Ophitia~”
Avira unwittingly shouted those words. Realizing her mistake, she blushed and lowered her head.
But unexpectedly—
The Great Sage also knelt on the ground and devoutly said:
“Ah~ Demon King, I am your eternal slave. Please use me as a tool in battle. Especially if it’s to kill humans.”
Damn it…
Avira’s sense of shame suddenly vanished.
She realized she was actually a bit jealous?!
I’m clearly Ophitia’s slave…
Terrifying creature, I have no trust for her!