"What a bastard?!"
"Didn't he just want to steal our hard work!"
"They are all so deceitful!"
The dragon might appear like a beast, but not all of them were stupid since many also embarked on a civilization, especially those who were under Tannin's rule.
Frankly, many things had happened on Tannin's territory, especially after his loss to Riser.
Yet, they couldn't stop such horrible news as some of them were true.
Nevertheless, no one expected that everything would be this serious.
After all, Tannin wasn't the most horrible Lord, as there were many horrible Lords in the Underworld. It was also due to this that the Great Four Satans faction was popular as it gave hope to those who were oppressed.
However, unlike those horrible Lords, who were pure-blooded devils, even if they were horrible, their lineage was noble, and their lands had been ruled from their ancestor's time, so all of those low-class devils had gotten used to being treated horribly. Instead, being treated horribly was something normal for them, and it was their fate, especially when those devils were born weak. If they wanted to live, then they needed to serve their Lords well.
It might seem like a nihilistic place without a dream or hope, but when they weren't the only ones who lived miserably, they huddled together, and the world became warm.
Nevertheless, Tannin was different. He wasn't a devil, and he was a dragon, so his focus had always been on the dragon, and he didn't care much about the devils, causing this problem.
Still, the announcement on television during Riser's promotion caused unrest in Tannin's territory.
The devils, who lived on the Tannin's territory aside, the dragons were in terrible news as their king was viewed as a tyrant and horrible Lord in the media. However, what made them even more dissatisfied was the fact that their king didn't say anything and just kept silent without even refuting the malicious news.
"What's the king is doing?!"
"If he doesn't do anything, then this bird bastard might do something horrible to us!"
"Even worse, he might take the Dragon Apples..."
"...."
When someone mentioned the Dragon Apples, everyone fell into silence. After all, this was the real reason why the dragons decided to follow Tannin to the Underworld.
Without Dragon Apples, some of their races were unable to live and might die. It was also due to this that even though they were known as a prideful race that wouldn't bow to anyone, they decided to bow down to the devil and became a reincarnated devil.
Nevertheless, it didn't mean they were stupid. They knew how powerful the devils were. After all, if the devils were weak, Tannin might just lead his followers to conquer the Underworld for themselves.
Still, their observer was Riser Phenex.
If it was someone else, they might be able to do one or two, stopping this conspiracy by themselves, but Riser was different.
Everyone was clear about how strong Riser was, especially when he could defeat their king.
So, at this moment, they waited anxiously for their King's response.
Nevertheless, Tannin was also anxious and contacted his Master directly. Similar to others, as a reincarnated devil, he had his own master, someone who turned him into a reincarnated devil.
Still, the relationship between them wasn't like a master and a servant. Instead, their relationship was like a business partner.
"Mephisto, can you help me?"
Mephisto Phelex.
The legendary devil who formed a pact with Johann Georg Faust.
This was Tannin's master.
After forming a pact with Faust, he remained in the Human world even after Faust died and quickly rose to the top of the Magician organization, Grauzauberer, becoming the director of the Magician Council. At some point in time afterward, he reincarnated Tannin as a member of his peerage as well.
"This time, you have caused me trouble, Tannin."
"I am sorry. I thought I didn't think about how much trouble that it had led."
Tannin knew how arrogant he was previously, and it might also be the reason why Riser was angry at him. Moreover, even though his peerage members weren't killed, he roared that he would kill Riser.
With all of those things linked together, Tannin was already pictured as the bad guy.
Frankly, Tannin thought that it was just a small conflict, but suddenly, it had become so huge that he was helpless.
As a master, Mephisto had never forbidden Tannin to do anything, and he let him do whatever he wanted to do.
"I will try, but I didn't expect that Zekram-sama would be involved in this matter."
If it was only Riser, Mephisto, who was an old devil, didn't think too much, but Zekram was a devil. While he had heard the rumor about Riser, the time Riser became famous was short, so he didn't pay much attention to Riser.
Yet, this young man whom he ignored suddenly became a thorn in his powerful queen.
Still, instead of rage, Mephisto suddenly became curious. After all, unlike the Gremory Clan, who felt affectionate toward their servants, his feelings toward the others were like business.
Everything was an equivalent exchange.
The reason why Mephisto let Tannin become his servant was due to the power of Tannin.
It was also why Tannin chose Mephisto, as he knew Mephisto wasn't someone who would treat him like a follower, subordinate, or, even worse, a slave.
"Thank you."
Tannin sighed in relief as he shuddered as he recalled Riser's abyss-like eyes. Riser's eyes were so dark and sticky that they would pull him into eternal darkness.
Yet, as a dragon, courage was the last thing that he lacked.
"Next time, don't get involved in this kind of problem."
"I know."
Tannin also started to regret when he thought that he should help Sirzech, thinking that he might be able to gain the favor of Sirzech.
Yet, what did he get?
It was nothing but trouble.
Moreover, even though Sirzech had promised nothing would happen even after his match with Riser, it was nothing but an empty promise.
While Tannin sighed, rubbing his horns, which had recovered after they were pulled by Riser, he could still feel the pain of Riser's ruthless method, but then he walked out from his house, trying to pacify his followers that everything would be okay, especially when he had talked with his master, Mephisto Pheles, and gained the friendship of Sirzech.
Hearing those words, all the dragons that were anxious also felt relief.
"That guy mustn't dare to do anything when Sirzech-sama is involved."
"Yes, there is also a Mephisto."
"Hmph! He is going to say sorry for causing so much trouble for us!"
The trouble caused by Riser was many, and naturally, they didn't have a good feeling toward him, but as expected in front of overwhelming power, even a dragon was in awe of his might.
However, more importantly, they were afraid.
After all, not every dragon could be so brave.
Many were quite lazy and cowardly, so if a conflict could be avoided, then they would be happy; however, when everyone thought they had moved in a good direction, bad news suddenly fell before them when Riser came to Tannin's territory.
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Question:
If Tannin becomes a Sacred Gear, what kind of shape and ability do you think it will have?
Could you give me a surprise?