Beyond the trees of golden fruits, Zaydas wanted to create something. Or more precisely, plant trees that produce Dragon Apples.
He recalls that Dragon Mountain is one of the few places where Dragon Apples grow naturally, which is why Tannin made a great effort to obtain the territory.
To be honest, he didn't know much about the taste of this fruit or whether it would be enticing enough for dragons from other dimensions, so he only wanted to plant four trees that could produce this type of fruit.
With all this done, he teleported directly to the cave where Veldora was sealed before.
...
A dark and damp place.
However, quite spacious and with a considerable density of magicules.
'I remember that Rimuru later made this cave his territory and created various types of rare herbs, etc.'
It wasn't a bad idea to use this place for the same purpose.
But he didn't come with that in mind this time.
He began walking toward the presence he detected, coming from a monster a few meters away from him.
A Black Snake.
"Fenrir."
Zaydas' shadow expanded, soon taking the form of a wolf as dark as the shadows. The shadow-formed wolf was ten meters tall.
Running straight toward the Black Snake, it didn't even bother to dodge when a Poison Breath was shot in its direction. Obviously, as a being made of shadow, such an attack wasn't even capable of affecting it.
'Fenrir' opened its enormous mouth and bit the Black Snake's body. While the Black Snake struggled, 'Fenrir' simply turned into a mass of shadow, completely engulfing the Black Snake.
With the Black Snake completely swallowed, Fenrir resumed the form of a Shadow Wolf and then returned to being part of Zaydas' shadow.
[Complete analysis!]
[Skill [Poison Breath (Rank A-)] and Extra Skill [Heat Source Perception (Rank B+)] acquired!]
[It is now possible to mimic the [Black Snake]!]
'I see, I see.' Zaydas touched his chin: 'Fenrir takes the form of a Shadow Wolf and attacks my target with the intent to devour, but if it can't due to size, it can simply return to its original form and cover it like a sheet, devouring it anyway.'
Well, it became an interesting and powerful skill. He didn't even need much time to consume the Black Snake, even though it was a Rank A- monster.
If he had to guess a number, Zaydas would say he currently has around 1.9 million magicules. And upon consuming the Black Snake, about 10,000 magicules were added.
Well, it was a Rank A- monster, so it's no wonder it yielded that amount of magicules.
However, Zaydas doesn't believe he will find many...
He didn't even finish speaking when he felt the presence of another Black Snake 600 meters away, coming toward him.
'Crawling toward me?'
Smiling slightly, Zaydas saw the Black Snake and used Fenrir.
...
Zaydas tested the skill 'Fenrir' a few times, and when used on smaller monsters, he saw 'Fenrir' completely swallow them without changing form and instantly analyze them, transforming the monster into magicules.
'Seriously, it feels like my shadow has come to life and become my pet...'
It was a strange feeling, but not exactly unpleasant.
By the way, he tried using the mimicry of the Black Snake and activating 'Fenrir' while assuming this form, which was several meters long. The shadow generated was larger than his human version, and what happened was the creation of a shadow wolf at least three times larger than the previous versions.
'Then, if I use it while assuming the form of Quetzalcoatl...'
Just thinking about it made a smile curve on his face.
By the way, when he tried to consume most of the remaining rare herbs, as well as Magic Stone, 'Fenrir' transformed into a kind of shadow swamp and swallowed everything into its stomach, analyzing at an absurd speed.
Now, he could do the same as Rimuru and produce healing potions.
By the way, during this time, he also acquired another skill: [Paralyzing Breath (Rank B+)] and the mimicry: [Evil Centipede].
'Okay, I tested what I wanted to test. Now...'
He thought about the elves. It was clear that they wished to become part of his Peerage. Not just them, but Benimaru and the rest as well.
So...
'Great Sage, create and link two new sets of Evil Pieces to me.'
[Warning. 2,000 AP will be required to create the Evil Pieces and 20,000 AP to link them to the Master. Do you wish to proceed?]
'Yes! And... What's with this "Master" thing?'
[I thought it would be appropriate. If you don't like it, I can change it.]
'Mm... Whatever.'
[Great. Then I will continue calling you Master. Warning. Proceeding with the replication of the Evil Pieces and linking them to the Master!]
[-22,000 AP!]
Soon, two sets of chess pieces floated before him, and then, the fluctuation of energy began to manifest as his link started forming without conflicting with the other Evil Pieces.
[Linking the Evil Pieces with the Master... Successful!]
Seeing this, Zaydas picked up all 30 Evil Pieces.
'By the way, Great Sage.' Zaydas asked, 'If I wanted someone I transformed to become a "King," would that be possible?'
[Analyzing...]
Two minutes later: [Yes, it is possible, as long as they have reincarnated as a Devil through the Master. Additionally, they will still be linked to you as your subordinates even after becoming "Kings." They would be like kings living in the territory of an emperor. Even if they become "Kings," they will continue serving the Master.]
'Is that the only option?'
[No. But I don't see why it should be done differently. However, if the Master wishes for them to be free of any connection to the Master, it is possible.]
It doesn't seem like a bad idea, but honestly, he still prefers the first option the Great Sage suggested.
Now, first, he would transform Benimaru and the rest with the new Evil Pieces, and if he deemed it appropriate, he would turn them into "Kings."
Using teleportation, he returned.
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With everyone gathered, Zaydas finished explaining about the Evil Pieces.
"First, I will start with the Onis." Zaydas asked, "You still haven't given up? Do you really want this?"
"It would be an honor to serve by your side as part of your Peerage!" Benimaru didn't hesitate.
"Ho ho ho. If even the young master said that, there's no reason for me to refuse." Hakurou said, "Even though this old man has lived for a long time, becoming a Devil who is close to an immortal being doesn't sound bad at all."
"It will be an honor!" Souei responded more submissively.
Nodding, Zaydas said, "Then I will start with you, Benimaru. Step forward."
"Yes!" He responded, standing before Zaydas.
Zaydas extended his hand toward Benimaru, and soon only one type of piece from the two new sets became compatible with him.
"As expected... Only the 'Queen' Evil Piece is compatible with you," Zaydas said.
"Queen?" Benimaru seemed to feel strange upon hearing that.
Not only that, but Shion turned her face away, holding back her laughter.
"Oniisama, a Queen?" Shuna seemed shocked.
However, not everyone had that kind of reaction. The elves looked at Benimaru with envy.
Obviously, even those envious looks didn't seem to be something Benimaru desired.
"Zaydas-sama, this..." Benimaru scratched his face. He seemed embarrassed.
It was rare to see him react this way.
Laughing, Zaydas said, "You're all overthinking this. Especially you, Benimaru. Just because the Evil Piece is a 'Queen' doesn't mean it's only meant for women. In the end, it's just the power contained in the piece that can revive someone, and the 'Queen' is the most versatile and powerful. Of course, if you really feel uncomfortable, I can use two different pieces to revive you."
"..."
Benimaru was deep in thought.
"Why are you overthinking this, Oniisama?"
"Shuna?"
"It's obvious that you need to choose the Queen!" Shuna exclaimed and said, "Don't get caught up in something childish like the fact that you're being revived with the 'Queen' piece. In the end, as Zaydas-sama said, it's simply a kind of 'title' and the most powerful piece. It also suggests that Zaydas-sama recognizes you as someone esteemed."
"I... Yes, you're right." He turned to Zaydas, looking at him intensely. "I will follow your arrangements, Zaydas-sama."
"Don't look at me like that. Now I feel weird about this situation." Zaydas joked, making Benimaru's determination waver and causing the others to laugh.
"Okay, okay, enough stalling." Saying this, Zaydas made the Queen Evil Piece appear. Soon, it floated toward Benimaru's chest, merging with him.
Benimaru's transformation didn't take more than five seconds before a pair of demonic wings extended from his back while his aura became stronger.
"How are you feeling?" Zaydas asked.
"Mm... At first, I don't feel much of a difference, but..." He said, "I feel a new source of power, not to mention that my basic attributes also seem to have improved... Sorry, I can't quite explain what has changed."
"Haha, don't worry." Zaydas said, "With time, you'll get used to it and understand the changes. Okay, take a step back, and Souei, come forward."
"Yes!"
Standing before him with a serious expression, Souei didn't even blink.
Pointing his hand at him, just as he expected, the Knight Evil Pieces flashed.
Taking one from the second set, Zaydas made it float toward Souei's chest: "From today onward, you will be the knight of my second set of Evil Pieces, as well as a ninja."
"I am honored!"
As soon as his words were spoken, the piece was placed against his chest and began merging with him.
Just like Benimaru, a pair of mercury-black wings extended from Souei's back.
Stepping back without Zaydas needing to ask, the next to approach was Hakurou.
"I imagine I'm a Knight, just like Souei," Hakurou said with a gentle smile.
"I think so too." Zaydas pointed his hand at him, and indeed, both of them were correct. Smiling, he made the other Knight Evil Piece from the second set appear, then let it float to Hakurou's chest.
Impressively, it took only a blink of an eye for him to finish reincarnating as a Devil, with a pair of wings appearing on his back before retracting.
'I must say... As expected of Hakurou.'
Letting out a small chuckle, Hakurou took two steps back while closing his eyes.
Next was Kurobee's turn. When Zaydas pointed his hand at him, he already anticipated the result even before doing it.
"Rook." He murmured, and the Rook Evil Piece from the second set floated from his hand to Kurobee's chest.
[+99,087 AP!]
That AP value wasn't low. But considering their talent, it made sense. In fact, it could even be seen as a small amount.
"Okay, now..." He said slowly, "Rifu, Rikoto, Rize, Riri, Rita, and Risu. I imagine you still want to become part of my Peerage, right?"
""""It's all we've ever wanted!""""
Smiling, he said, "Then stand before me. I will now evaluate and see which pieces you are compatible with."
"""Yes!"""
When he tested them, all were superior to a common Pawn Evil Piece. In the end, the third set was as follows:
Rooks: Rikoto.
Rooks: Risu.
Bishops: Rize.
Bishops: Rifu.
Knights: Rita.
Knights: Riri.
Each of them displayed a pair of mercury-black Devil wings with wide smiles on their faces.
[+71,742 AP!]
'1,330,406 AP.'
With that amount of AP, he could attempt to replicate many abilities.
The problem was that, to increase the chances and reduce the cost, understanding the ability he wanted to replicate was crucial.
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