Dragon King: Throne of Demons and Gods
Chapter 146: Baptism

Chapter 146: Baptism

Sienna’s body twisted sharply, muscles bulging as her skin tore and reshaped. Bones cracked loudly as her body quickly changed.

Her limbs became longer and stronger, covered in dark, shiny scales tinted in deep violet and black.

Her fingers stretched into sharp claws, and her teeth grew into deadly fangs. On the ground, a glowing pentagram appeared, burning with the Mark of Destruction.

A powerful wave of energy exploded outward from her body. Her eyes opened, now draconic, glowing with shades of gold and red, her pupils slits.

She released a powerful roar that shook the air.

Then, the chaos stopped.

The energy faded, and Sienna gracefully settled onto the ground, sitting calmly in a poised seiza posture.

She stared blankly at the sky, her gaze seemingly lost. Scales covered beneath her eyes and down her neck, arms, and thighs. Her hair was now darker, streaked vividly with strands of red.

Bel watched with curiosity and mild surprise, when suddenly, a message appeared before his eyes:

[Subject Analysis: Complete]

Type: Wyrm(lvl1)

Rank: Imp

Bel studied the message floating before him. A Wyrm? He remembered clearly that it was the state he had first inhabited, the earliest stage on the draconic path. It seemed weak compared to what he had become.

Another prompt appeared, catching his interest:

[Would you like to grant this demon a name?]

Intrigued, Bel glanced toward Sienna, noting her vacant gaze, eyes wide yet...

"Sienna?" he called softly, receiving no reaction.

He turned his attention back to his army stats:

[Authority of Destruction]

Level: 1

Demonic Essence: 0 / 2,000

Destruction Army: 0 / 25

Domain: Not Established

A realization struck him. She wasn’t part of his army yet.

With that, it was clearer.

If he didn’t name her, it would mean abandoning her, transforming her only to cast her adrift. That would be unacceptable.

Not just because it would waste his 2,000 essences, but also because it reminded him of Mammon, who created a demon only to abandon her without guidance. Bel refused to follow that path.

Resolute, he decided she would become his responsibility. But what name to give? ’Sienna’ again seemed insufficient. This wasn’t merely a casual naming; a name was in the mouth, but this name would be in the system.

It was more like defining her identity.

Just as he had evolved from Bel to Belzerion, she deserved a draconic name worthy of her new being. The first pawn of Destruction, his first arm.

He focused deeply, imagining a star frozen in time, its light dimmed and dying.

But then, by some miracle, it broke free, erupting in a cataclysmic explosion, and became the brightest light in the world.

After a moment of thoughtful silence, he spoke.

"Novaria."

The name was validated.

At once, light began to gather around Sienna—no, Novaria.

A warm glow covered her body, wrapping her. The system responded instantly:

[New Demon Registered] [Bond Level 1 Activated] [Calculating shared attributes...]

Bel frowned.

"More mechanics? What is bond?"

A new window opened.

[Bond System – Overview] A link between Demon Lord and subordinate. Power, experience, and growth bonuses are shared based on the depth of the bond. The stronger the bond, the faster the subordinate evolves.

He barely had time to reflect before Novaria’s aura surged. Her body pulsed with new life, more draconic traits surfacing, her scales gleamed, a pair of horns grew slightly, and her claws sharpened.

A soft, golden glow radiated from her chest as her body responded to the power, more likely the localization of her draconic core.

A sudden flash of blinding light burst from her.

[Novaria – Level Up!]

[Novaria – Rank Up: Lesser Demon]

The system updated again:

[Destruction Soldier]

Name: Novaria

Race: Dragon

Type: Lindworm

Rank: Lesser Demon

Level: 1

Attribute: None

Skill: Bond Lv. 1

As the light faded, Novaria slowly lowered her head, her eyes finally closing.

Though the process should be over, she was still unconscious.

A new message blinked in Bel’s vision:

[Choose Novaria’s Attributes]

He ignored it for now. These were her personal stats, and before taking a decision, he wanted to deal with something he was now able to feel.

He stood silent for a moment. Then, with a soft exhale:

"Novaria... wake up."

As if the command reached her very soul, every cell in Novaria’s body ignited. Her eyes shot open, brilliant, glowing with red and yellow light.

Novaria watched the world for the first time, her eyes filled with life and confusion.

She blinked rapidly, her body trembling slightly as if waking from a long, suffocating dream.

Her gaze darted around, taking in her surroundings, then stopped on Bel.

He stood calmly, silent. An appearance slightly different, but the same unmistakable face features.

She stared, and stared longer.

Then suddenly, she gasped and scrambled backwards.

"B-Bel?! Wh-why are you naked?!" she blurted, covering her eyes with her forearm.

Bel didn’t even consider it. He simply exhaled and said gently.

"You’re safe. Take your time."

Hearing his voice, her confusion only deepened. She peeked through her fingers, saw him again, and froze.

Something inside her ignited.

Her breath hitched. Her heart beat faster. Without warning, a strange, overpowering joy surged through her.

Her body moved before her mind caught up. She almost lunged toward him, then stopped herself, barely, trembling.

Instead, she dropped to one knee in front of him, her head bowed.

"M... my... ing," she whispered, as if the words had been waiting in her chest for an eternity.

Bel’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

"... What?"

Novaria blinked again. Her own expression shifted into bewilderment.

She looked up at him with wide, emotional eyes, something old and new swirling within them.

"It’s not... No... I’m not confused... It’s you," she said, her voice cracking under the weight of emotion.

She began to tremble more visibly, then whispered again, broken and breathless.

"The King... My... King..."

As the words escaped her lips, she slowly reached forward, tears pearling in her eyes, and placed her hands on Bel’s feet.

Bel watched in stunned silence, frozen, as she quietly wept, caught between confusion and devotion.