Ch.179179. The Second Trial (2)

“Magic?”

Someone muttered those words.

They probably recognized it faster than anyone else. The Inquisition and the Holy Empire are the most sensitive to this energy across the entire continent.

“…Everyone prepare.”

With those words, everyone present pulled out a ritual object from within their clothes.

Holy water, sacred objects, and protective gear made by mixing the relics of saints.

‘…The Lightbearer’s seal.’

Elia gritted her teeth as she saw the seal engraved on its surface.

If it’s that, it makes sense why they would charge at a human who can handle demonic energy.

These are considered among the most precious protective items in the Holy Empire, believed to be effective even against a demon’s true form, albeit only once and briefly.

It would be especially effective against an opponent handling magic that is clearly much cruder than the original.

“…They don’t seem to be Serath’s people.”

Darwood muttered as he looked them over.

“They seem like external personnel who just received equipment from the Holy Empire. Am I right?”

“…”

Of course, no fool would open their mouth to acknowledge that.

But Darwood, who had brought it up, simply nodded quietly instead of continuing.

“Not the Crescent Moon covenant but with this level of skill… must be Apostles of the Sun.”

“According to our intelligence, they can’t directly exercise demonic powers, but they can imitate them. Be especially careful.”

“Were they sent by Archbishop Luminol?”

“Everyone. Prepare to attack. We move at once on my signal.”

“…Please hear me out.”

Darwood spoke with an awkward expression, but the humans surrounding him didn’t even blink.

Their leader did sigh and open his mouth to answer, however.

“…Do you think we don’t know you’re trying to buy time by talking? Pathetic trick.”

“…”

His words are certainly aggressive.

But it’s clear he’s trying to comfort Darwood who looks so awkward.

This person, for an assassin, has unnecessarily high empathy.

Perhaps he’s actually quite a good person…?

“No, if you know, you could at least play along. Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“…”

In contrast, there are also humans who can say such unconscionable things without blinking an eye, even after receiving such consideration from their opponent.

While Elia was thinking this, looking at Darwood through narrowed eyes.

“If you don’t give me time, I can’t control myself.”

“…What?”

“It’s my first time using this.”

Darwood placed his hand on his chest with a sigh.

“If you die, it’s not my problem, okay?”

With those brazen words.

Gray and white magic instantly enveloped the surroundings.

“…!”

Those who witnessed this simultaneously raised their ritual objects.

But the next moment.

-!

The ritual objects touched by the gray energy instantly “crumbled.”

Very easily.

Like rocks heavily “eroded” by moisture that shatter into pieces at the slightest impact.

“What…!”

Before someone’s exclamation of shock could even finish.

The white demon’s magic penetrated through the gaps in the broken ritual objects.

Then.

-!

A pure white flash enveloped the area.

●

“…Teacher.”

“Hmm?”

“What was that just now?”

Elia asked with a groan as she looked at the humans sprawled around them.

“…I got lucky.”

“…”

Elia fell silent at his answer.

If the Holy Empire knew about this, the entire country would be turned upside down.

No, not just their country, but the entire continent would be in chaos.

Even though it’s said to be less powerful than the original.

What these humans brought out were items modeled after the Lightbearer’s barrier that suppresses even the “true forms” of demons in the Void Zone.

To break through them instantly.

Just successfully imitating the power related to the “Lightbearer” is already considered to provide absolute protection against demons.

But.

Even though it’s said to be much weaker than the original, the fact that it could break through even such protective measures implies a great deal.

It means he’s a being who can handle demonic energy more “irregularly” than normal.

As if.

He’s a being that exists at a “higher” level than such entities.

“…”

This person.

Perhaps he’s becoming more of a… “monster” than she thought.

Elia thought as she looked at Darwood.

Meanwhile, he was whispering something to the expressionless assassins.

As if trying persistently to “implant” some fact, he kept repeating something over and over.

“…What have you been doing all this time?”

“Brainwashing.”

“What?”

“Laying groundwork to use later. These people are still useful.”

He explained calmly that he was using the White Demon’s power of “seduction.”

His demeanor was calm and collected.

As if being attacked by these humans was all part of his calculations.

“…”

Come to think of it, this person always seemed to dwell in a realm she couldn’t catch up to.

She thought she’d caught up a bit after training with Authority and awakening the Eye of Truth, but this person had gone and acquired another ability like this, making the distance between them feel vast again.

“…You’re really annoying, Teacher. You know that? While others struggle so hard here, you just casually breeze through everything.”

She put her hands on her hips and spoke in a playful tone.

“I got lucky. If I had made a mistake, it would have been quite difficult.”

“…”

Elia’s eyes narrowed as she heard his calm response.

Huh.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

But has he changed a bit?

‘…He used to come across as a bit annoying sometimes.’

Elia thought, tilting her head.

She already knew he was the type of person who maintained an attitude of already knowing everything and handling things smoothly in advance.

Even though he was saying the same things now, that discomfort was somewhat lessened.

It doesn’t seem like he’s being humble.

How should she put it?

He’s dry. Extremely so.

As if he feels absolutely nothing.

A sense that his “emotions” have become even fainter than before.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, normally you’d do something difficult for others and then have that infuriating attitude like ‘This much is only natural…’—”

“…What exactly do you think of me?”

An incredulous response came back, but Elia continued to stare at Darwood with narrowed eyes.

Her expression was even more serious than before, enough to make Darwood more flustered.

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“…Don’t change too much, okay?”

She wasn’t sure why she said that.

But somehow.

This person, lately, seems to be moving further and further away from being… “human.”

-If I seem to be doing something strange again, you need to keep me balanced.

He said something like that recently, so he must be aware of it too.

But if this continues, and continues.

At some point, this person might completely transform into “something else.” That vague anxiety is real.

“…”

Darwood looked at her silently after hearing those words, then let out a small laugh.

“…Thanks for worrying. But I’ll be fine.”

“…”

“I’ll try my best to stay vigilant so that doesn’t happen.”

Hearing his response, Elia pursed her lips in dissatisfaction.

She’d heard this before.

But that alone isn’t enough to convince her. It’s hard to feel reassured.

“…This won’t do. I need to put some reins on you in advance so you’ll listen to me…”

“Huh?”

Darwood looked puzzled when he saw her muttering something, but instead of explaining further, she got up from her seat.

“…Let’s get moving.”

She seemed to have made a firm decision.

“I’ve already found a good spot for camping.”

●

< System Message >

[ You have attempted to synthesize the magic of ‘Grey Demon’ and ‘White Demon’. ]

[ The synthesis has ‘critically failed’! ]

[ The effect ends with the energy of ‘Grey Demon’ and ‘White Demon’ becoming conventionally stronger! ]

[ The magic of ‘Grey Demon’ and ‘White Demon’ cannot be used until recharged. ]

“…Hmm.”

I scan through the message window with narrowed eyes.

The “I got lucky” I told Elia earlier wasn’t just empty words.

Though it looked like I subdued them easily on the outside, I’ve also suffered quite a bit of damage.

It’s clear that if those ritual objects had been even slightly more powerful, I wouldn’t have been able to break through them.

‘…Was this even a technique where success or failure existed in the first place?’

I think with an incredulous expression.

If I had known such probabilities existed, I wouldn’t have used it so casually.

Especially with a penalty that makes it completely unusable until somehow refilling the energy of the White Demon and Grey Demon.

I don’t even know how to do that refill.

“…Sigh.”

I dismiss the window with a sigh.

But it’s not all bad.

After all, even with a failed technique, it was powerful enough to neutralize the trump card the opponent had prepared.

Which means.

‘…Then what happens if it’s a great success?’

Clearly, the return would be beyond imagination.

It’s probably not suitable for regular situations, but it would be appropriate as a gambling move saved for the very last moment.

For now, it’s best to think of this as a trial and error to figure things out.

As I organize the situation in my mind, I throw another armful of dry firewood into the crackling bonfire.

Doing this inside the “Dreamlike Forest” where the second trial takes place would normally be suicidal, but there are always a few safe spots.

Right now, the “Phantom Trees” growing abundantly nearby automatically hinder perception. Probably not just magical beasts but even other hero candidates would find it difficult to approach here.

That’s why we can leisurely light a fire in an environment teeming with dangers.

That kid, she did well finding a place like this. When she led me here saying we should spend the night, I wondered why.

“…”

But that aside.

‘…Why haven’t you said hello when we haven’t seen each other in a while?’

I look down at the Soul Linker as I think this.

The person who would normally have been the most noisy as soon as I regained consciousness is now the quietest.

‘Calivan?’

[Shut up.]

‘…’

I close my mouth at the gloomy voice that comes back.

For some reason, I can feel intense anger toward me in his voice.

What I can guess is.

‘…Did something happen while I was gone?’

As soon as I ask, a sigh comes first.

Then words continue in a gloomy voice.

[Shut up.]

“…”

No.

This response makes me uneasy.

“…No, at least tell me the reason…”

[…There’s a lot to talk about.]

Calivan continued in a somber voice.

[It’s just that tonight’s situation itself is hell.]

“What?”

[I’ve seen all sorts of disgraceful sights of my little sister for days. I feel like today will be the peak.]

“…?”

Why.

At most, we’re just spending one night here today.

‘…Hmm?’

Only after speaking did I realize something was strange.

‘…Huh?’

Come to think of it, that’s right.

I’m sleeping together, right?

Just the two of us?

With Elia?

“…”

I’ve been involved with all sorts of women until now.

But have I ever been exposed to a situation where I’m alone with someone for a long time like this…?

As I’m thinking about this.

“…Excuse me, Teacher.”

Suddenly, a voice that sends chills down my spine is heard.

It’s Elia, who had briefly left saying she was going to get more firewood.

“…”

But.

If she brought firewood, she must have exercised.

Why does she smell nice instead of sweaty?

It seems like she showered somewhere. Her hair is refreshingly flowing.

As if.

She’s meticulously groomed herself in preparation for “something.”

“…Yes?”

“We’re alone. Just the two of us.”

The face of the person saying this is strangely flushed.

“…Huh?”

“Thanks to the Phantom Trees, no one will find us here, and we have to spend the night together, just the two of us, until tomorrow.”

“…S-so what?”

Elia smiled brightly.

In response, the cold sweat pouring from my face increases a bit more.

“Teacher.”

“…”

Suddenly, I realize one thing.

Why Calivan has been quiet without saying anything.

“I hope nothing happens. Right?”

“…”

You.

Why.

Are you speaking in a tone that suggests something will definitely happen…?

[Hey.]

Calivan spoke in an almost sobbing voice.

[Please do it where I can’t see.]

“…”

I’ll say it after a long time.

Shut up.

Please.

●