Chapter 30

"O raging flames, dancing flames, pouring flames, all equally destroy everything. Come, come, come—"

Albert begins his incantation.

That's the incantation for the highest-level fire magic, 'Blazing Flame Fang,' isn't it?

I thought Albert couldn't use high-level magic, so when did he learn it?

It seems he can't do the high-speed incantation with spell bundles, so he's using the regular incantation.

Each time the spell is woven, a magic circle appears around Albert.

Beautiful patterns float and disappear vividly.

With spell bundles, all of that is skipped, making it a bit bland.

Still, I remember the full incantation being quite long.

During the incantation, Tao and Silfa are supposed to hold down Pazuzu.

"Haah!" "Yahh!"

Their attacks aren't hitting properly.

Well, they are causing some minor injuries, but they heal immediately.

It seems that a half-spiritual entity like a demon is hard to damage physically.

"Lord Lloyd, no matter how high-level the magic, it won't affect a demon!"

"Yeah, you mentioned that before. But you seemed to give up pretty quickly."

"Well, when you get hit by something like that, you can't help it, can you!?"

I inwardly point out the contradiction.

"Anyway, let's move on. Is Grimo good at changing the nature of magic?"

"Are you still talking about that!?"

What do you mean, 'still'?

It should be the top priority.

"Ah, demons are good at changing the nature of magic. I know how to do it... but isn't it a bad idea to teach it while they're still over there?"

Grimo glances at the battling Albert and the others.

"It's fine. I've been casting healing magic on them for a while now."

If they can recover, so can we.

I had already sent magical imprints to everyone earlier.

These are like markers that automatically cast magic, so once they're attached, there's no need to aim again.

I'm using the healing magic 'Recovery Breath,' which heals wounds gradually with each deep breath.

It works well with magical imprints because it heals slowly over time. Plus, it's less likely to be noticed.

Healing magic is all high-level, so it would be troublesome if it were discovered.

Those who were injured and lying down gradually recover and stand up.

Yeah, this way they won't be so easily defeated.

"Anyway, let's continue the conversation."

"Ah, I understand... *cough* Changing the nature of magic is done when generating magic, not in the spell formula. By adding something to the magic as it's generated, you can change its properties."

"Wow, I never thought about that."

I had been generating magic without much thought.

Now that I think about it, the ancient magic Grimo used changed colors and the shape of the magic waves, which must have been due to changing the nature of the magic, not the formula.

I thought it was meaningless, but magic is indeed deep.

"First, start with changing the color. Want to try it?"

"Of course."

"Imagining is key in changing the nature of magic. You need to strongly imagine the colored magic. But it's not something you can do overnight..."

Imagining. Like the transformation magic 'Mimic Form.'

I'm good at that. Imagining, imagining.

I strongly imagine blue and generate magic from my palm.

A faint blue magic begins to overflow.

"Wow! Is this changing the nature of magic?"

I change the color to red, white, green, and so on, as I wish. This is fun.

As I play around, Grimo looks shocked.

"Wh-what? Just by hearing it...!?"

"I can also make it move. It doesn't seem to have much meaning, though..."

When I send the image of movement to the generated magic, it moves, changing colors.

Grimo watches me control it freely, his mouth agape.

I see, Pazuzu adds smells and tastes to it, making it appealing to magical beasts.

"---Gather, flames, and become fangs that crush everything. ...'Blazing Flame Fang'!"

While we were doing this, Albert's incantation seems to have finished.

Silfa and Tao immediately take a step back from Pazuzu.

Immediately, burning flames rain down on Pazuzu and the others.

"GAHAAH!?"

The flames engulf the area, and the Bearwolves scream and fall one by one.

"Great job! Amazing power!"

"Truly, Lord Albert. This should prevent him from getting back up."

The two cheer.

On the other hand, Albert's expression is clouded.

"I hope so..."

Albert kneels, his breathing ragged, and his body trembling.

He's showing symptoms of magic exhaustion, his face pale.

"Lord Albert!?"

"Are you okay!?"

"Haha... I've used all my strength... My magic is at its limit. If he's still alive, there's nothing more I can do..."

Tao and Silfa, supporting the weakly smiling Albert, are already exhausted.

Healing magic can heal wounds, but not magic or fatigue.

Naturally, the guards are barely standing.

Everyone watches the flames with a prayerful look—

—The ground shakes with a thud. A massive shadow flickers in the flames.

"Hehehehe... Not bad for humans."

Parting the flames, Pazuzu appears, unscathed.

Behind him, the Bearwolves are also getting up, albeit unsteadily.

Everyone's faces are filled with despair.

"Wh-what...?"

Seeing Albert's shocked face, Pazuzu smirks.

"You're too naive. I am a demon. Human magic doesn't affect me."

Pazuzu laughs, and a black breath is exhaled.

Before we know it, it envelops the area.

"Ugh...!?" "Guh...!"

The guards groan and fall.

Tao and Silfa, too.

Everyone collapses one by one.

"Hahaha! Those who continue to absorb my magic will lose their will and become puppets, no matter who they are! You humans have lasted longer than expected, but that's it. Don't worry. I'll use you as my servants from now on!"

Pazuzu's laughter suddenly stops, his face stiffening.

His gaze is fixed on me.

"Wh-what!? Why are you still conscious after absorbing my magic!?"

"Huh? I don't know..."

I tilt my head in confusion at the flustered Pazuzu.