Ch.132Social Interactions and Cults (7)

Let’s be calm.

I repeated to myself.

In truth, this unpleasant intuition struck me the moment I heard the creature’s “career.”

The mental parasite recalled becoming self-aware sometime during the mythic era. From this point, the list of suspects who could have created the mental parasite becomes limited.

If the parasite had primarily dealt with divinity in a manner fitting its birth era, that would be one thing, but it claims to possess abilities perfectly suited for using “magic.”

Magic is the creation of the Archmage King.

Unlike primitive arts like spirit techniques or shamanism that are treated as ancient esoteric arts, the modern Ten Towers system of established magic always traces back to the Archmage King as its source.

If the parasite’s birth had occurred at the end of the mythic era, around when the Divine Name Order and the Archmage King began their full-scale conflict, we might consider suspects other than the Archmage King.

But the parasite was born and sealed before the war between the Divine Name Order and the Archmage King intensified—more precisely, before the name “Archmage King” was even known.

Isn’t it absurd? An organism optimized for magic existed before the word “magic” was even created.

The most convincing hypothesis, in my opinion, is that the Archmage King created the parasite before revealing himself fully.

To maximize damage to the Divine Name Order’s capabilities and destroy their internal cohesion before initiating war.

He meticulously prepared to bring down the Order from the shadows of history, and he actually succeeded.

‘And even then, he implanted an instinct to destroy the Divine Name Order at the racial level to prevent its reconstruction.’

Truly, it was a concept of staggering scale.

I thought I was quite good at stirring up trouble, but I clearly fell short of the lofty reputation of the original protagonist.

‘Automatic trouble-making continuing for thousands of years…?’

A malicious deed that would exhaust even a hundred administrators. This mad Archmage King had reached a level where even his mischief ran on auto-farm.

And when the number of unblocked troublemakers exceeded a certain threshold, he would use them as sacrifices for his resurrection. How could anyone even conceive of such a thing?

However, this was advantageous news for me right now.

‘Because I’ve obtained a clue to prevent the Archmage King’s resurrection.’

I slowly gripped my sword and stepped forward.

***

Ortes. The youngest of his kind and also the most cruel approaches.

“Your life has been worthless. The years you’ve spent are sins proportional to their length. If you serve the Creator, disappear quickly.”

Can one whose reason for existence has been denied have a reason to live? The mental parasite couldn’t answer its own question.

The lack of purpose after metamorphosis wasn’t because metamorphosis was the final stage of life…

‘It was because the Creator abandoned our species.’

The mental parasite tried to self-destruct as Ortes suggested. The joy of their life was to follow the mission bestowed by the Creator.

If the Creator had withdrawn that mission, it was only right to return one’s life. The parasite was about to surrender to emptiness.

It let go of everything. Releasing attachment and obsession allowed it to view the world more objectively. Finally, it looked at the Creator’s messenger who had come to demand its death.

‘Huh?’

The mental parasite realized something strange. Its species’ Creator-given trait of detecting mental activity could sense all types of cognitive abilities, from the five senses to spiritual perception and even magical power.

It was thanks to this ability that it first noticed Ortes’s strange cognitive activity. Overwhelmed by that bizarre sensation, it couldn’t think properly, but…

The mental parasite slowly analyzed Ortes’s cognitive activity. The five senses that any human would naturally possess.

Spiritual perception that communicates with spirits and other souls. Even the ki-sense from fighting spirit that knights use, though carefully concealed.

And that “incomprehensible cognitive ability” that even it couldn’t understand. Adding everything up.

‘There’s no magical power?’

“…You.”

“Use magic.”

***

Damn, I’ve been found out.

***

“Magic? You’re so behind the times that you can’t even sense my magical power—”

The mental parasite regained its vitality.

The attempt to evade the situation with such suspicious words without demonstrating magic was proof enough.

“You! You weren’t one of our kind!”

Ortes sensed magical incantations from five locations. Each one was meant to kill. A brutal attack leaving no room for further words.

Tsk.

Ortes clicked his tongue once and leaped from his position. The ground flipped over as tree roots resembling spikes shot up to impale him. He swung his high-frequency blade to cut off their tips.

The severed root tips faced the fireballs rushing from behind. Not enough to block their path, but sufficient to reduce their heat momentarily.

What Ortes pulled out was a magic-engraved drive. The lowest tier water-attribute spell, Water Ball, activated.

“Ha! That water play can’t block this level of firepower!”

But what Ortes had been waiting for was another lightning-attribute spell aimed at him. The thunderbolt, drawing a yellow line as it flew, followed the water’s path. Ortes’s eyes captured the instant.

The lightning traveled through the water and reached the fireball.

Three attributes momentarily fused. The haphazardly mixed magical powers of different attributes caused a repulsion.

“You bastard!”

Explosion. Flash, mist, and thunderous sound swept through the night streets of Algoth City.

Ortes concealed himself within the confusion.

The mental parasite gritted its teeth. To be fooled by such a creature and decide on suicide—truly, it would have been a disgrace to its species if it had fallen for that silver tongue.

“Did he escape…?”

Ortes had disappeared into the darkness of Algoth City. Given that being’s bizarre cognitive abilities, once hidden, it would be difficult to find even with all the parasite’s power.

The parasite slowly reviewed the situation. Who would impersonate its kind and dishonor the Creator’s will?

‘The Divine Name Order!’

Indeed, that would make sense. The sudden growth of the declining Order.

If that silver-tongued being was behind them, it would be understandable. Even the extraordinary cognitive ability, if it involved divine power…

No. Even divine power couldn’t explain such an ability.

‘Divine blessing or the intervention of a powerful sacred artifact? This ability can’t be explained at that level. It’s too bizarre for the category of saints or holy spirits. Unless…’

Unless it was a demigod directly inheriting divine blood. The mental parasite recalled the ancient oddities, the former rulers who stood at the pinnacle of the human world.

The mental parasite was satisfied with its deduction. Even if Ortes wasn’t a true demigod, he was clearly a comparable threat. It was rational to assume he was the most powerful being imaginable.

‘Just as we follow the Creator’s will, do our ancient enemies follow some ancient monster?’

A nameless demigod revived from antiquity. The Divine Name Order following his guidance. Achieving metamorphosis despite their interference.

The mental parasite was filled with a sense of mission.

***

Hidden in darkness, observing the parasite’s thoughts, I almost habitually sighed.

Fortunately, I realized that making a loud noise might alert it and barely suppressed the urge.

I wish it would let its guard down, but it’s overestimating me too much.

‘Who’s manipulating the world with their silver tongue? Does it think I’m some kind of shadowy mastermind from a comic?’

If I had such ability, I would have long since retired without worrying about things like the Archmage King.

Things have become quite complicated. Right now, I have no way to completely eradicate that parasite’s mind.

If I cooperated with Carisia, burning all physical bodies in this city would be simple, but if by chance it had hidden even one body in a distant location, finding that one would be uncertain.

‘Let’s think calmly.’

It’s wary of me as much as I am of it. Even now, it’s gradually moving its bodies to escape from here.

I close my eyes as much as possible and reduce my ability field. It would be troublesome if the escaping creature noticed me.

Since it’s difficult for the other side to take immediate action as well, I should have some time to refine my plan.

I confirmed it had disappeared and was finally about to sigh.

“What are you doing?”

Eek.

A voice more terrifying than the approaching threat of the mental parasite. A voice that seemed to stab directly into my spinal cord whispered behind me.

Grabbing my ticklish left ear, I quickly turned around.

“Boss?”

“I don’t recall sending you to a place like this.”

“Just a moment, Boss. I can explain everything.”

I see Carisia with her arms crossed. A clear presence even in darkness. Her gleaming golden eyes somehow seem sharp.

“While the boss is personally running around handling competitors, I wonder what the chief of staff has been doing.”

Carisia’s questioning was half playful. Which means the other half was serious.

Cold sweat forms on my forehead, threatening to trickle down.

But before that, an inspiration flashed through my mind.

Carisia outsourced—though that’s not the right term since we’re in the same company—the investigation of Arguirion suspects to me. Because my eyes have abilities suitable for that field.

Then, for the slaying of false gods…

Couldn’t we subcontract to the Divine Name Order, with their abundant god-slaying experience?