Chapter 596: Chapter 596: Chimera’s Choice

Chapter 596: Chimera’s Choice

Storm Highlands, Chimera’s Nest.

The biting wind swept in from the north but was blocked by continuous mountains. The area was rugged, filled with lush trees, and multi-headed monsters appeared from time to time.

Within a hundred-mile radius was the Chimera’s Nest, a breeding ground specially set by the Ember Empire. The most loyal Chimera lived here with more than ten female counterparts, forming a sizable community.

The male Chimera was officially titled "King of Chimera" by the empire, becoming the local ruler.

A combination of dragon, lion, and goat traits led the adult male Chimera to claim a ten-mile territory, hunting freely within.

Thus, only female and juvenile male Chimeras lived here; even adolescent males were driven out to hunt on the wasteland, eventually joining the empire’s Wyvern Legion.

The Chimera territory had become a steady source of powerful monsters for the Ember Legion.

At this moment, inside the spacious cave atop the mountain, a nearly twenty-meter-long, unbelievably huge Chimera was sprawled on a stone platform, flapping its wings. Hot breath emanated from its three massive heads.

"Roar."

Suddenly, a low, hoarse voice echoed through the cave, causing the Chimera to emit a threatening growl.

"How can you let those mongrels step over your head? Haven’t you noticed? They already see you as a mindless beast!"

"Esteemed King of Chimera, you’ve followed the emperor for over a decade. You deserve the highest status in the Ember Empire. The ogres, hobgoblins, and that mongrel should stand aside!"

A gloomy humanoid creature smiled slightly at the corner of its mouth, dressed elegantly, appearing like a loyal steward beside the Chimera.

His short hair was slick, goat-like horns protruded from his forehead, eyes blood-red, feet resembling split hooves, and a fierce, dark-red tail emerged behind him.

Evidently, this humanoid creature did not conceal his identity: a devil from hell.

"Roar—"

The Chimera’s dominant dragon head growled impatiently again, yet its stubborn, malicious goat head appeared intrigued.

The devil spread his arms, pacing the cave like a bard reciting lines.

"Mighty King of Chimera, look how vast the empire’s territory is, yet you’re confined to this small wasteland. Don’t you feel it’s unfair? Clearly, you were the emperor’s earliest follower. You deserve at least the entire Storm Highlands!"

"Albert, you’ve crossed the line! This is the master’s decision, none of your concern!"

Finally, the Chimera’s red dragon head spoke again, its thunderous voice shaking the cave slightly.

After years of bloodline enhancement, this "King of Chimera" possessed strength comparable to an ordinary red dragon, with wisdom nearing human levels.

Albert, the devil, chuckled lightly, recognizing the Chimera’s anger.

"But...are you truly content being subservient, reduced to a pathetic breeding machine?"

"Devil, you’re courting death!"

"Boom!"

A giant lion paw slammed down, causing the devil to vanish into smoke. The ground exploded, scattering debris everywhere.

"My lord, you startled me, but with such power, are you truly content to remain trapped in this wasteland?"

Pretending to panic, the devil patted his chest, still speaking, even pulling a parchment from his pocket.

The dragon head irritably said: "It’s none of your concern, devil."

The lion head echoed: "I am the king of Chimera, hero of the empire, not a prisoner of the wasteland."

But the goat head stared greedily at the contract: "Wait...what is this?"

Sensing the goat head’s familiar emotion, the devil became delighted, addressing the Chimera: "Esteemed King of Chimera, do you know—why the emperor doesn’t value you?"

"Why?"

This time, curiosity emerged even in the lion and dominant dragon heads.

Under intense gazes, the devil pointed to his temple, feigning depth: "Wisdom, my lord, you lack wisdom. Do you know why that ogre, despite following the emperor later, stands above you? Because he possesses wisdom."

Observing the Chimera’s hesitant gaze, Albert stepped forward respectfully, presenting the blood-red contract.

"Esteemed King of Chimera, this hellish contract grants you wisdom rivaling a mage, in exchange for a trivial favor. My master, Bael, ruler of Avernus, excels in betrayal, deception, and ambush—always a step ahead."

"Enough, what are you implying?" the dragon head roared, spewing hot sulfuric smoke and sparks.

"Roar—"

The lion head roared fiercely, shaking its fluffy mane.

Albert hastily shielded himself with a black cloak, resisting the intense gusts, yet continued speaking: "My lord, I’m not suggesting rebellion. Think carefully, King of Chimera. Are you truly willing to be trampled by newcomers?"

Albert smiled gently, wrapped himself in the cloak, and vanished, leaving only infernal smoke and seductive words: "Mighty King of Chimera, if you’ve decided, I’ll return."

Chimera breathed heavily, watching the dissipating smoke, each head displaying different emotions.

The dominant dragon head exhaled smoke, saying sternly: "No one reveals the devil’s visit. The emperor is forever our master."

The lion head also cursed: "Hellish mongrel!"

Yet, greed shone in the goat head’s eyes, whispering: "But the devil said we wouldn’t rebel, just a small favor could grant us the ogre’s status..."

But soon, the majestic image of the emperor appeared in the dominant dragon head’s mind, causing it to tremble instantly, unable to harbor any other thoughts, only submission.

Gritting its teeth, it muttered softly, "No, we cannot take such a risk."

The goat head argued again, "But... the contract doesn’t require us to betray the emperor."

The dragon head directly seized full control of the body, ignoring the goat’s protests, and moved deeper into the cave, "Enough, that devil is not trustworthy."

For some unknown reason, a trace of ruthlessness appeared faintly in the golden vertical pupils of the red dragon head.

"Roar—"

Outside the cave, dozens of Chimeras eagerly howled, flapping their wings and circling gracefully in midair, displaying their strong and elegant bodies.

The Chimera King emerged, pointed at the youngest female Chimera with its claw, and took her deep into the cave to unleash its reproductive desires.

Soon, rapid, fervent beastly cries echoed from the depths of the cave, spreading throughout the territory, letting every creature within several miles know the Chimera King was exercising its supreme authority.

Night fell, and fierce winds howled, echoing through the valley like a beast’s roar.

Deep within the cave, the colossal creature with dragon, lion, and goat heads sprawled on the stone platform, snoring like thunder. Even the female Chimeras dared not approach, as this symbolized the king’s authority.

Suddenly, the goat head opened its eyes, its pitch-black pupils shimmering eerily in the darkness.

Immediately after, a flaming hexagram appeared on the cave wall, sparks swirling to gradually form the devil’s tall, slender figure—Albert.

The devil bowed slightly and whispered softly, "Esteemed King of Chimera, have you made your decision?"

The goat head quickly nodded; after accumulating several days of mental strength, it had barely managed to seize partial control of the body during sleep.

Gaining the devil’s wisdom was not only about empowering the tri-headed Chimera but also about gradually letting the goat’s personality become dominant.

After receiving dragon blood, all three heads became smarter, and the Chimera became immensely powerful, but the dragon head grew excessively domineering.

"Excellent."

Albert lightly clapped his hands, eagerly stepping forward, holding out the flame-flickering parchment from hell.

The goat head tried to read carefully but didn’t understand Common or Infernal, so it could only pretend to nod knowingly.

Albert explained, "Good. The contract states you assist me once at a critical moment, and in return, I shall grant you... the devil’s wisdom."

He pointed to the bottom of the contract, smiling, "Right here, mighty Chimera, stamp your claw print."

"Stamp it, and you’ll gain boundless wisdom, claiming everything you deserve," the devil’s tempting voice echoed.

The goat head mobilized its power, expending nearly all its energy to barely control the Chimera’s right arm, slowly pressing onto the parchment—

"Boom!"

Instantly, thunderous explosions filled the cave, accompanied by ancient calls from the River Styx.

The sinister lines of text flickered repeatedly, magical patterns burst forth black mist, and countless sparks erupted from the contract.

"Roar—what are you doing?!"

The dragon head woke suddenly, seizing control immediately, glaring angrily at the goat head and devil with golden eyes.

"Hahaha, excellent, wonderful!"

Albert spread his arms, laughing wildly, hellfire engulfing his body fiercely.

The devil stared at the Chimera with pitch-black pupils, an eerie smile stretching almost ear to ear.

He extended a finger towards the goat head, "King of Chimera, devils never break promises. The contract is sealed; you now possess—the devil’s wisdom!"

Ecstatic, the goat head opened its mouth viciously, "I am the true controller of this body!"

"Damned traitor!"

The dragon head roared, biting towards the goat head, but they were one entity, intertwined mentally, unable to harm each other.

The next moment, the devil transformed into menacing black smoke, roaring into the goat head’s open mouth.

The goat head froze, its black pupils glowing, nostrils exhaling hellish smoke, its expression becoming fiercely sinister.

"Hahaha! Chimera, this is the devil’s wisdom I promised, though... it comes at a price!"

The "devil’s wisdom" in the contract was acquired by seizing control of the Chimera’s body, which did not violate the contract.

Although physically powerful, the Chimera couldn’t compete mentally and spiritually against a devil who had consumed countless souls over millennia.

"Such a powerful body! Let me delve deeper!"

The goat head extended its long tongue, licking its lips, the hellfire representing demonic mental strength spreading rapidly, fiercely contesting the dominant dragon head.

The dragon’s will was stubborn compared to the goat, but for a soul-manipulating devil, it was merely a slightly challenging obstacle.

Yet at this moment, the dragon head revealed a cunning smile, ceasing resistance and surrendering control, allowing the devil deeper into its dragon-blooded domain.

"Hehe, just a beast after all."

As the devil’s soul wandered the Chimera’s consciousness, it mused.

"Still, as expected from the emperor’s bloodline, astonishingly powerful. It should be used more effectively..."

"Wait, what’s that?"

Abruptly, he looked up in terror. A massive red dragon, thousands of meters tall, appeared in the Chimera’s consciousness, wings blotting out the sky.

Even worse, the dragon seemed to notice the insignificant devil, lowering its head, golden vertical pupils glittering with... mockery?

The dragon slowly opened its mouth, releasing a prolonged roar, "Roar—"

Albert felt his consciousness battered by a torrential flood, nearly dissolving, and desperately fled back into the goat head to escape.

Yet he soon realized he was trapped, like a bird caged in a dragon, unable to escape the goat head!

"This is a trap!"

Terrifying pressure descended, even more dreadful than the greatest devils, causing Albert panic, twisting the goat head wildly.

Yet the dragon head, fully in control, folded its wings, knelt respectfully, "Master, I’ve eliminated the rebellious consciousness as commanded."

The devil instantly realized who was arriving, helplessly watching.

The pressure intensified, space twisted, forming burning cracks from which a massive red dragon claw emerged, accompanied by a deep voice:

"Tsk tsk, Bael’s subordinate dares trespass without my permission and attempts theft of my servant.

In that case, stay in this head, devil, and truly become the Chimera’s ’wisdom.’"