Chapter 81

### Sacred Magic

It is, by nature, a magic that has nothing to do with demons.

This is because sacred magic is a type of magic that is activated by borrowing the power of angels.

Angels and demons are entities that stand at opposite poles.

Yet, why was Malakias able to use sacred magic?

Even if Malakias was a fallen angel, the moment he fell, he should have lost the power of an angel.

The answer lies in the overwriting of magical properties.

If one's magical properties are close to those of a demon, then overwriting them with those of an angel would suffice.

It sounds simple, but the process is highly advanced magic.

Malakias was able to manipulate sacred magic by overwriting his own magic with that of an angel.

Thanks to learning the extremely complex spatial magic from Seere, who was ranked 70th, my understanding of magic construction deepened significantly.

That's why, by seeing the barrier Malakias set up and deliberately receiving the light arrow, I was able to grasp the mechanism of sacred magic to some extent.

However, I couldn't fully understand the trick that allowed a demon to use angelic magic, so I ended up forcibly imbuing myself with Malakias' magic to perfectly replicate sacred magic.

### The Present

In front of me stood Malakias, who seemed to have lost his spirit and become docile.

"It's my complete defeat. Do with me as you please, whether you boil me or roast me."

"No, I won't do either..."

"Master, the large pot is already prepared."

"Focalor, you can't be serious!"

"But, Master, this one tried to harm you."

"I don't care, so there's no need to do it."

"Norman-sama, if you want to punish Malakias, boiling him in a pot isn't enough!"

"Croessel, don't join in!"

By the way, Croessel's consciousness was still inside me.

"Still, Master, you look even more beautiful than usual."

Focalor said this, looking at my appearance.

"Ah, this is—"

I explained that my appearance had changed slightly because I had summoned Croessel's magic more than usual.

"Tch, it was that fallen angel's doing, huh."

As soon as he realized it was Croessel's fault, he made a visibly unpleasant face.

"Sorry, this Focalor seems to have let his emotions show. Usually, I try to keep a stern face like an angel."

He tried to cover it up, but it was too late for that.

"I will leave my fiancée to you."

Malakias suddenly said this.

For a moment, I didn't understand what he meant, but then I remembered that Malakias had called Croessel his fiancée.

"Norman-sama, I have something to say to this stalker, so please summon me!"

"That's fine, but—"

However, summoning a new demon meant that one of them had to leave.

"Sorry, Focalor..."

"...There's no other way. If Master asks, I can't refuse."

Focalor reluctantly agreed.

So, I dismissed Focalor and summoned Croessel.

At the same time, I released the magic of Croessel that had been inside me, so my appearance returned to normal.

"So, Croessel, you have something to say, right?"

"Yes!"

Croessel clenched her fists and was ready to speak.

"Oh, my fiancée. You look even more beautiful than usual."

Malakias said this the moment he saw Croessel.

Indeed, it seems Malakias really likes Croessel.

"Malakias, I have something to say to you."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"I have Norman-sama. So, from now on, don't come near me at all. I've always found your stalking behavior very unpleasant!"

Croessel declared this while hugging me.

"O-Okay... I won't come near you anymore..."

Malakias said this with a dazed expression.

He might be a bit pitiful, but it's their personal issue, so I don't intend to interfere.

"Hey, Malakias. Are you willing to cooperate with me from now on?"

"I have been completely defeated. Therefore, you are my master. Command me as you wish."

It seems he recognizes me as his master.

If you call it straightforward, it is.

"Then, I have one question. Malakias, what is your wish?"

I had been wondering about this.

As soon as he was summoned, Malakias tried to fly to heaven.

I was curious about his true intentions.

"I wanted to become an angel again. I thought that if I could use sacred magic, even as a demon, God would recognize me. But even now that I can use sacred magic, God has not saved me."

He wanted to become an angel again.

Croessel also said something similar when we first met.

"Therefore, I vowed to go to heaven and take revenge on God with my own hands. That is my holy war."

That's quite an extreme idea.

I sympathize with his betrayal, but attempting revenge is a bit too far-fetched, I think. Maybe it's just because I'm human.

For a demon, this might be a normal way of thinking.

"Do you still hold that belief?"

"...No, I realized my arrogance in this battle. If I were to go to heaven now, I would likely accomplish nothing."

"I see."

Still, heaven.

I only know that it's a place where God and angels live, but I can't even imagine what it's like.

"What kind of being is God?"

I asked this out of curiosity.

"I do not know."

Surprisingly, Malakias said this.

I looked at Croessel, thinking she might know something about God since she's a fallen angel.

"Many angels have never seen God. Only some of the higher-ranking angels might know what God looks like..."

I see, that's how it is.

Well, there's no point in worrying about the true identity of God.

"Through this incident, I have realized my arrogance. I think I should go on a journey to improve myself."

"Um, good luck. And, if I need your help in the future, would that be okay?"

"If my power can be of use to my master, I will assist you."

"Thank you."

Hmm, how should I put it?

I'm a bit bewildered by how obedient Malakias has become.

Do demons really change their personalities this much?

Still, if I can rely on Malakias to use sacred magic in the future, that's a good thing, I suppose.

### Evaluation, Please!

I want to return to the top five in the genre rankings!

And from next time, the long-awaited "zamaa" (comeuppance) arc.

Please look forward to it.