Chapter 29

"Hey, Grimo, is it like I'm lending my body to you?"

"Completely different! Lord Lloyd is in full control here! If anything, I'm like an accessory. ... Over there, Pazuzu is taking over the body of the beast."

The demon's body, being non-physical, can apparently merge with other living beings.

Like how Grimo is inside my right hand, Pazuzu is inside the beast's body.

However, it seems that the control is entirely in his hands.

The giant bear wolf—Pazuzu—growls and approaches us.

"Stand up now! My servants!"

At Pazuzu's words, the bear wolves that had been lying down regain their light in their eyes.

As they slowly stand up, a faint black mist seems to cling to their bodies.

—Is that Pazuzu's magic?

Beasts that become magical beasts consume magical substances to grow stronger.

Once they become magical beasts, they tend to prefer eating things that carry magic to become even stronger.

Pazuzu is likely using his own magic to heal the injured magical beasts.

I've read in books that magical beast tamers control magical beasts in this way.

"Hmm, I can see it clearly now, but that's not just magic."

It seems he is changing the nature of the magic to make it easier for the magical beasts to accept.

Indeed, it's not easy for someone to accept another's magic.

So, he must be changing its nature to make it more acceptable.

The presence of someone with strong magic nearby is quite noticeable.

That's why I usually suppress my magic when I'm active, but it's quite tiring.

I see, magic can be used in such a way. Interesting.

"Growl...""Grrr..."

The bear wolves growl, and the guards step back.

The wounds on the bodies of the bear wolves that had stood up are quickly closing, and they seem to have grown larger.

"Wh-What nonsense...!?"

"We thought we had killed them..."

The shock of the revival of the magical beasts they thought they had killed.

Pazuzu roars, adding to their shock.

"Roar!"

With that, the bear wolves charge.

The guards try to defend, but they are already losing their spirit.

Moreover, there is the massive Pazuzu.

Everyone is hesitant.

Pazuzu, of course, shows no mercy, and a powerful swing of his arm knocks several guards down.

"Ugh!?"

In one swing, the guards are swept away.

The sword of a guard who tried to block the follow-up kick is broken and thrown to the ground.

One by one, the guards are being defeated by Pazuzu.

Those who were facing the bear wolves turn pale.

"Ah! So strong...!"

"That's a demon... There's no way to stop it!"

The overwhelming difference in strength is causing the guards to lose their will to fight.

The battle line is in chaos, and it seems they are just waiting to be trampled.

At that moment, a gust of wind blows through them.

"---I'll lend you my strength."

With a stern voice, Silfa rushes forward.

In her hands are two swords, likely taken from the guards' scabbards.

The twin swords reflect the sunlight, gleaming.

"Langris Style Dual Sword Technique—Rising Twin Dragons"

Silfa runs towards Pazuzu, dragging her swords along the ground.

Drawing two lines on the ground, she reaches Pazuzu's feet and leaps vertically.

As she ascends, she delivers a powerful slash.

Clear sword marks are left on his legs, torso, and shoulders.

"Ugh!?"

Pazuzu groans from the fierce slash as she ascends his massive body.

With a step on Pazuzu's shoulder, Silfa spins in mid-air.

The swords in her hands are now held in reverse grip.

"Continuing with Langris Style Dual Sword Technique—Falling Sparrows"

The twin swords pierce Pazuzu's back.

With a series of intense slashes, Silfa lands.

Her sword skills are breathtaking.

Wow, amazing. This is Silfa's true strength.

"This... little brat!"

But seemingly undamaged, Pazuzu aims a kick at Silfa as she lands.

—However, it's too slow. It hits only her afterimage.

In front of the remaining foot, Silfa stands with her twin swords crossed.

"Two Tigers—Claws...!"

Four consecutive strikes from all directions cause blood to spurt.

"!?"

Silfa's expression changes.

One of her swords is broken from a deep strike.

She immediately discards the broken sword, retreats, and returns to her position, muttering.

"...They're tough. Could everyone please lend me your swords?"

"O-Okay!"

The guards nod and gather their spare swords, sticking them into the ground.

There are twelve of them. Silfa looks at them with a slight unease but quickly regains her composure and draws the swords.

"Servant and Sword Instructor of the Saloom Kingdom, Silfa Langris. I will push forward—!"

Silfa's twin swords emit a cold light.

"Ugh... a mere woman..."

Pazuzu is fixated on Silfa, at that moment.

"Whoosh—!"

A deep breathing sound.

At her feet, a small shadow crosses her hands. It's Tao.

Lowering her hips, she twists her palms and strikes.

"Ha!"

A heavy thud resounds.

A powerful strike infused with 'Qi'

A shockwave runs through Pazuzu's leg, causing his massive body to stagger and fall.

"—'Thunderclap Break,' it's hard to land but the power is top-notch."

Tao grins, turns her palm towards the fallen Pazuzu, and beckons him with a wave of her hand.

"108th successor of the Hundred Flowers Fist, Tao Yifa. Come at me!"

Seeing the attacks from the two of them, the guards' expressions change.

"Let's go, us too!"

"Right! It's time to show our strength!"

Gripping their swords tightly in trembling hands, they face the bear wolves.

They seem to have regained their composure.

Seeing this, Alberto nods, as if making a decision.

"Everyone, can you hold on a little longer..."

Then, he looks at Pazuzu and continues.

"I will use the highest-level magic..."

...I see, I see.

But how does one change the nature of magic?

I watch Pazuzu's emitted magic with great interest.