Chapter 78

"Well, I want to learn sacred magic."

After returning home, I asked this in front of Croisel and Focalor. Incidentally, Orobas was sent on a shopping errand alone.

"Sacred magic, huh..."

Croisel said.

"Yeah, since Croisel used to be an angel, I thought you might know a lot about it."

"Right. Of course, I have the knowledge, but I lost the power of an angel the moment I fell. So, I'm sorry, but I can't use sacred magic."

"That's why fallen angels are..."

Focalor chuckled.

"Ugh, I have the power of the water goddess, so that's fine."

Croisel retorted, not to be outdone.

"So, do other fallen angels also not use sacred magic?"

"Yes, I think Varak can't use it either."

"Thinking about it, it might be difficult to learn sacred magic from a demon."

Hmm, I really wanted to learn sacred magic, but maybe I have to give up.

"No, there is one demon who can use sacred magic."

"Really?!"

I couldn't help but raise my voice at Focalor's words.

A demon who can use sacred magic. If I could learn from that demon, maybe I could use sacred magic too.

"Yes, I believe the name is—"

"Ah, I don't think you should summon that one!"

Croisel interrupted.

She looked like she had a bitter experience with that demon in the past.

"Indeed, that one has a troublesome personality like Croisel."

"I don't think I'm troublesome."

"No, you are."

"Ugh."

"Anyway, I want to know about the demon who can use sacred magic."

I guided the conversation back to avoid a fight.

"It's the 35th ranked demon, Marcius."

Marcius. What kind of demon is he?

"So, what kind of troublesome personality does he have?"

"Well, first of all, he's very aggressive."

"He attacks you just by seeing you, that guy."

"Yes, and he seems to hate the gods a lot."

"But he says he wants to become an angel again."

"That's true for you too, Croisel."

"I used to, but I don't think that anymore! In fact, I prefer being a demon."

"Indeed, I understand it's troublesome, but I still want to summon him."

"Yes, I think it should be fine with you, Master, but it's best to be cautious."

"Understood. Thank you."

With that, the conversation was settled, and we moved on to the usual issue of who would leave.

"Lord Norman, can I leave this time?"

Unusually, Croisel offered to leave.

"Um, it's fine, but why?"

"I don't want to see Marcius..."

Croisel said, looking away.

I see, there must have been something between her and Marcius in the past. As fellow fallen angels, they might have been closely involved.

"Alright. If that's the case, I'll dismiss Croisel and summon Marcius."

With the decision made, I immediately took action.

I dismissed Croisel and began the incantation to summon Marcius.

"By the name of Norman, I command you solemnly. Appear swiftly like the wind, show yourself in the magic circle. Come here from wherever you are in the world, and answer all my questions rationally. Appear peacefully without delay, and make my wish a reality. I summon you. The one whose name, when heard, makes the four great spirits tremble, the wind shake, the sea flee, the fire extinguish, the earth tremble, and all the spirits of heaven, earth, and hell quake. Come—35th ranked, Marcius!"

The magic circle glowed, and a figure appeared.

The information that he was a fallen angel was correct, as angelic wings were visible.

"Hahaha, it seems I have been summoned to the earth!!"

The one who appeared was a long-haired man with wings. His androgynous features made him look like a woman at first glance.

"Truly, a good opportunity to strike back at the gods! Let's go!"

With that, he flapped his wings and took off into the sky, the wind pressure making my hair stand on end.

"Uh..."

I was speechless.

I didn't expect him to ignore my presence.

"I can't let him go."

Looking up at the sky, I said.

"I'm sorry. I should have stopped him."

Focalor bowed his head.

"It's fine. There was no way to predict that."

Still, I couldn't just let him go.

"Focalor, can you fly, right?"

"I can fly, but... to be honest, I'm not very good at it, so I don't think I can catch up."

Focalor has gargoyle wings on his back. According to him, he took them from a gargoyle and attached them to himself.

Since they are not his original wings, he can't handle them well.

"I see."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. I'll go alone."

I have a demon's power that allows me to fly.

I should be able to catch up without any problem.

"Come, 59th ranked, Oriax."

Saying that, I channeled Oriax's power into my right side.

Oriax's power is astrology.

Astrology is a magic that manipulates the power of the stars, and the two main abilities are repulsion and attraction.

By repelling the ground and myself, I can fly.

◆

"Hahaha! Just a little more, just a little more, and my wish will come true!"

Marcius was flying high into the sky.

To reach the heavens where the gods reside, he needed to not only go up but also transcend the dimensional barrier.

To do that, he needed to fly at supersonic speed.

So, he kept accelerating.

"Stop."

Suddenly, he heard a voice.

Instantly, it felt like brakes were applied to his entire body. He could have struggled, but the weight on his body made it difficult to increase his speed.

This made it impossible to reach the heavens.

"Who are you! Who dares to interfere with my holy war?!"

Marcius turned around, enraged.

What he was about to do was a holy war. Therefore, no one had the right to interfere.

"Norman. I'm the one who summoned you."

"What?!"

Summoned? Ah, I see. That's why I was able to come from the demon world to the earth.

The joy of being on earth made me forget about that.

"Hmph, even if you summoned me, you have no right to stop me—"

He couldn't finish his sentence.

Who is this guy—!?

The one in front of him looked like an ordinary human.

Except for the fact that he was floating in the air.

Still, with advanced magic, a human could fly, so that wasn't too strange.

The reason Marcius was intimidated was only one.

Is this the evil aura emitted by a human...!?

The soul and the magic power that leaks from it have different properties for each person.

And a demon like Marcius could discern the nature of a soul.

The nature of the soul of the human in front of him was as dark as evil.

It didn't seem like a human's soul. It was like that of a demon king.

The demon king, an ancient title given to the one who ruled all demons. The human in front of him reminded him of that demon king.

"What's wrong? Do you have something to say?"

The human's words. Just hearing them made his soul feel worn out.

Just being in his presence was terrifying.

But—

"Hmph, even if you summoned me, you have no right to stop my holy war."

Marcius overcame his fear.

"Holy war?"

"Yes, the holy war between me and the gods."

"I don't understand, but more importantly, I want you to teach me your magic."

"Haha, what are you saying? If you try to stop my holy war with such nonsense, I will eliminate you."

"..."

The human looked troubled.

Seeing that, Marcius had an epiphany.

"Ah, I see. Is this a trial given to me by the gods?"

"..."

"Alright. If this is a trial, I will accept it."

"What are you talking about?"

"If I need to defeat you to challenge the gods, I will accept it."

Saying that, Marcius prepared to fight.

"Well, maybe it's best to fight and make you submit."

The human smiled faintly.

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