episode_0049

next day. Today, I also take care of Ariel and absorb her magical energy.

[You can absorb demon energy. Would you like to absorb it? (However, if the user absorbs the remaining magical energy in another person’s body without harm, a physical overload will be imposed on the user.)]

[Remaining Magi: 28%.]

The hill really wasn’t far away. At this pace… I think I’ll be able to absorb all the demon energy in 2 days.

“It’s fascinating. I feel like I feel better just by having you around.”

“Haha… Is that so? If that’s the case, then that’s a good thing… Cough… Cough.”

“Go back to your room. Because you might end up sick like me. And he said he was planning to go on vacation starting in three days. Hurry up and take a break.”

I almost vomited blood in front of Ariel just now. He barely swallows the blood, bows his head in greeting to Ariel, and leaves the room.

“Cough…cough.”

‘Status window.’

[Name: Venice / Age: 19 / Male / Status: Tired]

[Unique Ability (Magic Eye): This is an eye that can see magical power. You can see the trajectory of magic power and use magic power more smoothly.]

[Unique Ability (Qualities of a Warlock): Can use a considerable level of black magic. A black magic category is created.]

[Description: The power to deny the world. Black magic. It is the power that can cause miracles by denying the laws of the world. Currently, black magic is classified as prohibited magic, and users need to be careful.]

[Black magic category]

[Unique ability (talent identification): You can identify the other person’s talent. You can see your unique abilities and potential at a glance.]

[Remaining lifespan decreases due to demonic energy erosion. (Remaining lifespan: 27 years, 213 days, 14 hours.)]

If we analyze the speed of lifespan reduction due to demonic energy absorption so far, there will never be a situation where demonic energy absorption is not possible due to insufficient lifespan.

In that case, it would be good to first absorb all of Ariel’s magical energy, thwart the warlocks’ plans, and then find a way to extend her lifespan.

‘Of course I don’t do anything like absorb vital energy.’

Of course, it doesn’t matter whether I’m a warlock or an ordinary person, if I absorb vital energy, I can somehow survive.

But… is that really the right thing to do? Are you telling me to do the same thing as the warlocks just to survive my life?

No, you can’t. If I do that, I will end up just like those warlocks. Let’s try to find another way.

I continued walking and reached my room.

“Now… there are only 2 days left.”

The time available for me to extract all of Ariel’s magical energy.

And on the third day, you must head to Snowpil Village in advance and prepare a way to stop the warlocks.

For that reason, I had told Gaju and Ariel in advance that I would go on vacation. I was worried about what would happen if they didn’t accept it, but fortunately, they willingly allowed me to take a vacation.

“….Hmm.”

An old man who appeared to be the head of a warlock meeting. His force was so great that I had to think not about whether I could fight, but whether I could survive if I encountered it.

Fortunately, at the warlock meeting, the old man said that he would not participate in the attack on Snowpil Village.

We need to conduct preliminary investigation into attacks on other villages and make preparations to accelerate the scenario of the fall of the empire, which was called the ‘Great Cause’.

The old man had been talking a lot about his plan to not go himself, but to send a warlock under him to burn down the entire village of Snowpil.

Yes… that’s fortunate. If that old man had come forward, I would never have been able to prevent Snowpil Village from falling on my own.

However, even if they were not elderly, the warlocks in the warlock gathering were strong enough. So much so that you can never let down your guard.

“If it’s right below you… you’ll be at the level of a priest.”

At the warlock gathering, we learned about the strength of warlocks and the existence of classes based on the level of dark magic they possess.

In order, they are the Pope, Cardinals, Chief Priests, Priests, and General Believers. The old man called himself a ‘Cardinal’, so he was a warlock at the level of a chief priest.

Even ordinary believers, the lowest class, are capable of trampling dozens of ordinary people.

This means that the chief priests and cardinals, who are incomparably higher ranks than him, are truly unspeakable monsters.

‘Status window, black magic category.’

[Black magic category.]

[Black magic proficiency Lv.5]

[Magic Eyes (Lv:???): The eyes of a demon god. All structures of black magic can be understood and inverted.]

[Dark Spear (Lv: 5): The most basic attack technique. Fires a spear of darkness filled with the energy of denying the world.]

[Dark Magic Manipulation (Lv: 3): Through the manipulation of dark magic, you can hide the fraud contained in black magic and make the color of the magic appear. (However, it uses 1.5 times the amount of black magic power and does not apply to black magic power that exceeds the user’s limit.)]

[Stealth (Lv: 3): Denies the world, making it impossible for viewers to capture its appearance. (However, as soon as even one person detects the appearance or pretense of popularity, the denial disappears)]

[Shadow Lance (Lv.2): Makes countless spears of negativity rise from the shadows. (However, it cannot be used if there is no shadow.)]

[Memory Reading (Lv.1): Can read the target’s recent memories. (However, it cannot be used on living targets.)]

[???(Lack of skill.): ???]

[???(Lack of skill.): ???]

.

.

.

Well… I’ve gotten a lot stronger. I think I was able to grow so much by killing so many warlocks and absorbing a huge amount of black magic.

Ironically, when I absorbed Ariel’s magical energy, my lifespan decreased and my dark magic increased at the same time.

Lifespan is shortened, but at the same time, it becomes stronger, which seems like a double-edged sword.

“…Now that I think about it, the warlock I met in the well at that time said that I was a priest or something.”

A village I went to when I was searching for warlocks alone without Ariel. The warlock I saw down the well clearly said that I was a ‘chief priest’.

Also, the warlock who will come to Snowpil Village is the chief priest. What does that mean?

“You can never lose.”

I have a counter skill that is ridiculous for a warlock who can reverse dark magic with my magic eye.

A warlock who is much stronger than me, maybe that old man, or a priest who is similar to me or a little stronger.

It could really show an overwhelming and one-sided deal exchange.

‘Still, you must never let down your guard.’

Because it is impossible to predict what actions a group called warlocks will make.

There was a very high possibility that they would either hold the village itself hostage or present me with a choice I couldn’t avoid.

“…Whew. Well then, let’s go look for the warlocks again today. Because you can’t lose your senses.”

Looking at the time zone, it is almost time for everyone to go to bed. The time when everyone is asleep. The night crow wakes up.

Let’s hurry up and take them out, then predict the situation in Snowpil Village and think about how to respond.

***

Time passes and the last day arrives.

After doing her best to absorb demon energy, there is now only about 12% of magic energy left in Ariel’s body.

good. I think I will be able to absorb all of Ariel’s magical energy as of today. I pulled out as much as I could yesterday too.

“Miss Ariel, today again…”

“Huh, Mr. Venice? Weren’t you on vacation?”

“….Huh?”

When I woke up in the morning, quickly finished grooming myself, and headed to Ariel’s room with light steps, the person who greeted me was not Ariel, who was indifferent as usual, but the maid who was cleaning Ariel’s room.

….What about Ariel? I have to absorb all the demon energy today, right?

“Ah, Lady Ariel said she had urgent business to attend to, so she headed to the Imperial Palace.”

“….Yes?!”

“The matriarch, the hostess, Jake, and Kyle were all going together. I think the imperial family called me.”

‘The head of the house and Miss Ariel told me to tell them to go on vacation and rest, and to rest well!’ The maid’s lively voice did not reach me.

Now I just quietly walk towards my room in a daze.

“….this.”

I see a small letter in the small mailbox in front of my room door. It seems that when he went out, he carried his back and was not seen.

The imperial family has to urgently call my family and go see them. I have a vacation starting tomorrow, so just get some rest starting today.

After you rest, come to the academy. Because I’ll be waiting.

It was an indifferent yet neat handwriting that seemed to reflect Ariel’s personality.

Why…why did I have to go to the imperial palace today? There is tomorrow… and the day after tomorrow.

“Damn…damn!”

Was that why it was noisy from early in the morning?

I need to head to Snowpil Village tomorrow and prepare in advance. I don’t have time anymore…

“Going to the imperial palace right now…”

Of course it is impossible. The imperial palace is a place where even the most powerful nobles bow down and bow before entering, but as a commoner, I will not even be able to enter the royal palace.

My hair turns white, I break into a cold sweat, and my heart is pounding. Like this… we can’t save Ariel.

“No… let’s calm down. Calm down.”

After saving Snowpil Village, go to Ariel and absorb the demonic energy as soon as possible.

day. Because I think it will take just one day. Magi doesn’t have much left now, so Ariel has been given some time, so it’ll probably be okay.

“First… let’s go to Snowpil Village.”

Let’s not be in a hurry. First, resolve the situation in front of you.

Trying to ignore the nervousness that wouldn’t go away no matter how hard I tried, I headed toward Snowpil Village with my bag in hand.

***

Throbbing-

“…….?”

“Why are you doing this, Ariel?”

“…It’s nothing.”

While heading to the Imperial Palace in a carriage, Ariel felt a slight pain near her heart, but did not think it a big deal.

I thought it was all better now, and it wasn’t painful enough to worry about.

‘…bothered. I just want to see Venice quickly.’

Ariel lets out a small sigh and looks out the window again.

Throbbing…

Still unaware of the presence of bugs that are gnawing at him without disappearing deep inside his body.