That time I got reincarnated as a female true dragon

Chapter 22: The Betrayal and the Battle of the True Dragons

As the Demon Lords, Velriza, Veldora, and Velgrynd began to leave the grand hall after the intense Walpurgis meeting, a palpable tension still lingered in the air. Each was deep in thought, preparing for the looming battle against Michael and Feldway. The stakes had never been higher, and now, with the alliance between the True Dragons and the Demon Lords, they stood a chance to thwart the enemy's plans.

However, just as they were about to exit, Dino, who had remained relatively quiet throughout the meeting, spoke up, his voice breaking the silence.

"Hey, wait up!" Dino's tone was uncharacteristically serious, drawing everyone's attention back to him.

Guy, narrowing his eyes, turned to face Dino. "What is it, Dino? You haven't been yourself lately."

Dino chuckled, scratching the back of his head as he stepped forward, but there was something off about his demeanor. "Yeah, well, there's one last thing I forgot to mention. It's important."

Everyone stopped in their tracks, focusing on Dino. Rimuru crossed his arms, his gaze suspicious. "Dino, if you have something to say, just spit it out already."

Dino's smile faded, his expression turning cold and blank. The next words he spoke sent a chill down the spines of everyone in the room.

"I've been working for Michael all along."

The room froze.

"What?!" Milim shouted, her eyes wide with shock.

Velriza felt a cold dread settle in her chest as she turned to look at Dino, her instincts screaming that something was horribly wrong.

Dino's body began to glow with an eerie light, his eyes vacant, as if his very will had been overridden. "I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't want it to come to this, but... I'm under his control. Michael has been using the Regalia Dominion on me for some time now."

Rimuru's eyes widened in disbelief. "Regalia Dominion?! Dino, you've been...!"

Before Rimuru could finish, the air in the room shifted violently. A powerful, oppressive aura filled the hall, making everyone stiffen. It was unmistakable—Michael had arrived.

The doors to the hall burst open, and in walked Michael, his golden eyes gleaming with cold calculation, followed by Feldway, his trusted lieutenant, and finally... Velzard, her once proud and fierce eyes now lifeless, under the full control of Regalia Dominion.

Velriza's heart sank when she saw her elder sister like this, her body moving like a puppet under Michael's will. Velzard, the Ice Dragon, once the most powerful of the True Dragons, was now reduced to a mere tool for Michael's twisted ambitions.

Guy growled, stepping forward, his aura flaring. "So, you've finally shown your face, Michael. And you brought your whole gang, huh?"

Michael smiled coldly. "It's time for this charade to end. You've all been a thorn in my side for far too long. I won't allow you to interfere with my plan any longer."

Feldway crossed his arms, smirking at the assembled Demon Lords and True Dragons. "Your little alliance won't last. We will tear you apart piece by piece."

Rimuru glared at Michael, his aura rising. "So this is what it's come to. You've even taken control of Velzard. You won't get away with this."

Michael's expression remained unreadable. "I've already won, Rimuru. I have what I need. Velzard's core is just the beginning. Soon, I'll have Veldora's, Velgrynd's, and Velriza's as well. With their power, I will bring Veldanava's vision to fruition."

At the mention of Velriza, her eyes sharpened, and she stepped forward, her aura flaring with a mix of rage and determination. "You've gone too far, Michael. Velzard is my sister! I won't let you use her like this!"

Michael barely acknowledged her, but Feldway smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think you can stand against us, Velriza? We've already beaten Velzard into submission. You'll be no different."

Velgrynd, her icy blue eyes blazing with fury, stepped up beside Velriza. "Don't underestimate us, Feldway. We'll take back our sister and end this madness."

Before anyone could react, Velzard, under Michael's command, lunged at Velriza and Velgrynd. The clash between the True Dragons shook the very foundation of the hall. Velriza barely had time to defend herself as her elder sister's icy breath filled the air, freezing everything in its path.

Velgrynd countered, her flames melting the ice, but even she seemed to be struggling against Velzard's relentless assault. The power of Regalia Dominion had made Velzard stronger than ever, and her attacks were merciless.

Velriza, her heart heavy with sorrow, dodged her sister's attacks. She couldn't bring herself to hurt Velzard, but she knew there was no choice. "Velzard... Sister, please, snap out of it!"

Velzard's expression remained blank, her attacks unrelenting. There was no trace of her true self left—only Michael's control.

As the battle raged on, Velriza realized that her usual attacks weren't enough. Velzard's power, amplified by Michael's control, was overwhelming. It was then that she felt something stir deep within her.

Azura... The name of her new Manas skill echoed in her mind. She could feel Azura growing stronger, almost sentient, as if responding to her need.

Velriza clenched her fists, focusing on the power of Azura. "I have no choice... If I'm going to save Velzard, I'll need to rely on you."

The voice of Azura echoed in her mind, calm and confident. I am ready, Velriza. Together, we can break through Michael's control.

Velriza nodded, determination burning in her golden eyes. She unleashed the full power of her Ultimate Skill, [Genesis Draconic Deity: Alaya], and Azura emerged from within her, taking on a radiant, ethereal form.

Velriza's aura intensified, and with Azura's power, she felt her strength multiply. "Azura... Let's save my sister!"

With newfound power, Velriza charged at Velzard, her attacks now much faster and stronger. Velzard tried to counter, but Velriza was relentless, her movements precise and fluid. She was no longer holding back—she couldn't afford to.

"Velzard!" Velriza shouted as their blows clashed, ice and fire swirling around them. "I won't let you stay under his control!"

Velgrynd, who had been fighting beside her, noticed the shift in Velriza's power and smirked. "You've really gotten stronger, Velriza. Let's take her down together!"

As the two sisters fought side by side, Velzard began to falter. Despite the control Regalia Dominion had over her, she couldn't match the combined strength of Velriza and Velgrynd, especially with Azura boosting Velriza's power.

Velzard unleashed one final, desperate attack, but Velriza was ready. With a surge of power, she unleashed Azura's full might, breaking through Velzard's icy defenses and shattering the chains of Regalia Dominion.

In that moment, Velzard's eyes flickered, and for the first time, there was a spark of recognition.

"Velriza... Velgrynd..." Velzard's voice was weak, her body trembling as she struggled to regain control.

Velriza, tears in her eyes, rushed to her sister's side. "Velzard! We're here! You're free now!"

But before they could fully celebrate their victory, a cold, mocking voice filled the room. "It seems I've underestimated you," Michael said, his expression unchanged. "No matter. You've only delayed the inevitable."

Guy, who had been battling Feldway, growled. "We're far from done here, Michael."

Michael smirked. "You think you've won? This is only the beginning. Armageddon is upon you."

With a snap of his fingers, Michael summoned thousands of lesser angels, their wings filling the sky outside the castle. The true battle had only just begun.