Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

776  Chapter 776- Mars (3)

Simon answered looking up. Although he was staring at the ceiling, his gaze was in fact much higher up, at the tower town located right above his dungeon.

"You know that's not what I was asking" Irene shook her head telling him that she was not asking about Cynthia.

"What I meant was, was it alright to send it up there? Haven't you just recently given it a name? It hasn't even adapted to its new strength yet, aren't you worried that his new powers might…"

 "Don't worry, I have known him the longest. Other than the Twelve Heroes, I have the strongest bond with him. That guy is the very epitome of loyalty. He would give up his life but he would never do something that would cause me any harm"

 There was not even a trace of doubt in Simon's voice as he said that. The being he sent up there to aid Annette and the others was one of his most loyal subjects and his first companion after he reincarnated in this world. Other than the Twelve heroes, he knew him the best.

"Even I was surprised at first when it came to me with that request. However, it all worked out in the end. The Naming Ceremony was a success. I can't wait to see how he will grow in the future".

That's right, the being who came to Simon to give it a name the other day was none other than the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse.

 "It was a good thing that you had ranked up or else there was a high chance that the Naming Ceremony would have failed" Irene mentioned, she was there during the naming ceremony.

"That's right master, sometimes you do the most dangerous of things. Was there a pressing reason as to why you had to give it a name after you had just ranked up? Couldn't you have waited after your rank increased again?" Bea added, her face still carrying traces of concern from that event.

 Simon laughed to relieve their worries and answered "That's right I had a compelling reason. When I saw it approach me, I could see the determination and resolve in its eyes. It had very much made up its mind"

When Simon saw those eyes, he knew that the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse wanted more power. Lately, its growth had stagnated and with him summoning more and more powerful subordinates, it felt like it had lost its place as one of the most trusted subordinates of its master.

Even though it knew that Simon still cared about him, it wanted power. The Bloodthron Demonic Warhorse wanted to become his strength, the subordinate he could rely on the most. That was its goal, to become the most powerful subordinate of his.

Seeing through its determination, how could Simon back down? Even though there was a risk of him getting severely injured and the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse dying if the naming ceremony went wrong, as a man he couldn't back down.

11:00

Seeing through its determination, how could Simon back down? Even though there was a risk of him getting severely injured and the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse dying if the naming ceremony went wrong, as a man he couldn't back down.

Just like Irene and Bea had said, it was true that the success and the risk would have been much less had he ranked to Demon Duke or higher before using the Naming Ceremony. However, had he waited that long then he would be slighting the determination and goal of the Bloodthron Demonic Warhorse.

Fortunately, the rank of Demon Marquess did not let him down. The Naming Ceremony was a success and the Bloodthron Demonic Warhorse became more powerful than it was before.

What's more, after receiving a name, it even ranked up and unlocked a new form. On the other hand, after giving it a name all of Simon's mana disappeared and he was in a mana drain state for a whole day with it not showing any signs of recovery.

It was so severe that he was at a risk of dying. It needs to be mentioned that after becoming a Demon Marquess, Simon's MP was well above 600,000. Yet all of his mana was absorbed bestowing just a single name.

Had he given a name to a different being, it wouldn't even have made ripples in his huge mana pool much less strain. However, all of his mana was drained just to bestow a name to the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse.

It made Simon wonder how much stronger it had become.

"Still, master I wonder why you chose to give it that name? Is there a special reason behind it?" Bea asked.

"Hmm? Yeah, I gave him the name of a fearsome fictional warrior who once mowed down the Impenetrable fortress of Helldor and slaughtered an entire army on his own. His name is…"

.

.

 As the figure slowly turned around, one could almost feel its robust and powerful aura almost bursting out of its body. Each step that they took, echoed with the sound of heavy armour, and their imposing stature resembled a battle hardened warrior.

If demonic might could seamlessly blend with the traits of a fierce warrior, then the figure in front would be the result.

No matter who it was, if they saw him for the first time, they would be overwhelmed by his appearance. The warrior was the living testament of the terror it strikes in the heart of its foes.

Blake who saw it for the first time was no exception; however, his reason for getting overwhelmed was different.

The creature looked different but there was no mistaking it. Blake was sure of it that it was the nightmare he had encountered that year inside the dungeon.

 The creature who seemed like they galloped out of the depth of the abyss, the paragon of destruction that obliterated his guild. Although it possessed a humanoid appearance now, how he could forget the terror and despair that it brought?

Even until now, he was unable to forget it, the appearance of that demonic warhorse was etched in his soul.

"Hm? How did you come till here?" the warrior opened his mouth and questioned in a deep sonorous voice. Though more like a question, it was talking to himself.

"Who… who are you?" Blake snapped out of his trauma and asked.

"Me? Why do I have to introduce myself to you? However, since you have asked, let me tell you the name my lord generously bestowed on me."

It might be just his imagination but for a second there, it seemed like the warrior was smiling.

"My name is Mars, you would do well by remembering it. Now then, let me ask you. Are you with them" The warrior named Mars, pointed at the members of the criminal organisations fighting the monsters in the distance.

"You don't remember me?"…

 "Is there a reason why I should know you? Forgive me but I am not very good at remembering faces, especially the ones I have no interest in" Mars declared brusquely.

"Kuh!!"

 Blake was shocked. What was this guy saying? After crushing him and his entire guild, it was saying that it did not even know him. Haha, this was not even funny anymore.

Blake was devastated, disgusted at himself and outraged by his lack of strength. If only, if only he had the strength to protect his teammates back then.

Blake grit his teeth, gathering all his willpower, he tightly gripped his sword and pointed it at the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse.

"Hoh? Since you are pointing your blade at me, then it means that you are one of them. Very well…"

The Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse now named Mars, did not mince any more words either and got ready for battle. The instant he got serious, it was as if the very air had become heavy as if some kind of invisible mountain was pressing down. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N(o)vel(F)ire

Cracks started running down on all sides of the the Adventurer's Sssociation building that they were standing on.

Mars lifted his hands and brought it near his head. At that instant, one of the two crimson horns on its head, suddenly stretched out, extending as far as eight feet long.

The next second, he casually snapped the horn from his head and held it between his hands. The horn previously on his head had now become like a spear, dreadful and sharp.

Alarm bells started ringing inside Blake's head, he who had experienced the menace of the horn also known as Bloodthron first hand, knew how terrifying of a weapon it was.

He increased his guard further.

Whoosh... Wind blew—in that very second, the opponent disappeared from his view. Almost at the same instant, the piercing noise of air being split apart, came from his side.

There was not even any time to think, Blake instinctively moved his sword to the side barely blocking the attack.

CLANG… An intense metallic noise rang out and he was thrown back. Not good… now airborne he was susceptible to attacks.

 "Heavy Armour"

Quickly, he used a skill that increased his weight to land faster. Having gained his footing again, Blake activated all of his augmenting skills.

[Super Enhanced Strenght], [Super Enhanced Agility], [Ultra Enhanced Agility], [Ultra Enhanced Endurance], [Rock Skin], [Fortress] [Body Enhancement], [Superior Shield Guard], [scorching Armour]:— [[Solar Protector]].

At this moment, Blake erupted with a powerful yellowish red light. He seemed to have merged with his armour as his size ballooned becoming bigger and bigger until he was as big as the Abyssal warrior in front of him.

It has been more than two years since that incident, Blake was not the same weak him back then. He has levelled up a lot since then and has gone through a class change. His previous rare class [Crimson Guard] has now become the even rarer, [Solarblaze Protector].