Chapter 73

"Haahaaa!"

Jiriel, wielding a sword of light, swung it down with a slash.

"Huh, what's with that movement! It's like a fly landing! Hey, Lord Lloyd!"

Indeed, it was slow.

Even in my normal state, it would be easy to handle.

I drew the sword of the Demon Absorber from my waist.

This sword is a magic sword that can absorb, store, and analyze all kinds of magic.

If Jiriel's sword of light is a type of magic, then the sword of the Demon Absorber should be able to analyze its spell structure by blocking it.

When I blocked the slash, a sharp sound and sparks flew.

"Alright! Now I can get the spell structure along with the sword of light!"

It should have worked, but something seemed off.

There was no sign of absorption no matter how long I waited.

"...I see, a materialized sword is counted as a physical object, so the sword of the Demon Absorber can't absorb it."

"What are you mumbling about! Haahaaa!"

I deflected the incoming slash and leaped back.

The sword of the Demon Absorber is a valuable magic sword.

I can't risk breaking it in a reckless sword fight.

So, I sealed it and returned the sword of the Demon Absorber to its sheath.

"What, is it over already?"

"Not at all, it's just beginning."

If I could create that sword of light myself, it would be incredibly convenient.

It's not as expensive as the sword of the Demon Absorber, and if I can summon it whenever I want, there are many ways to use it.

Since my opponent seems willing, I'll take this opportunity to test it out.

"Ah, right. Grimo, you said angels don't have a physical form, right? Who's tougher, you or Jiriel?"

"Hmm, probably about even... no, I'm a bit better, I think. ...Probably."

I see, so it's about even.

Then, a little magic shouldn't kill her.

"This time, I'll go. 'Blazing Fireball'"

I activated the high-level fire magic 'Blazing Fireball' and launched the flames at Jiriel.

"Gr! Fire magic!? Uoooh!"

A large fireball flew, but Jiriel blocked it with her sword of light and managed to extinguish it.

Hmm, the light seems a bit dull, but that sword of light can withstand high-level magic.

"Haa, haa... Not bad magic. You're worthy of stepping into the heavens. But this level won't break this 'Light Weapon'!"

"That's good. Then next... 'Scorching Flame Fang'"

This time, I activated the highest-level fire magic 'Scorching Flame Fang', condensed the massive flames into a spell structure, and launched it at Jiriel to make it easier for her to block with her sword.

"Ngh!? This, this power! It's completely different from before... Gah!?"

Jiriel tried to block it with her sword of light, but the pressure and speed were too much, and she was blown away.

The sword of light was shattered into pieces.

Oh, it's more fragile than I thought.

It can't withstand the highest-level magic...

"Guh... You're good... But as an apostle of God, I can't be defeated here! The 'Light Weapon' can be reforged no matter how many times it breaks!"

She said it wouldn't break earlier... Anyway, as Jiriel chanted, the broken sword of light began to regenerate.

If it's regeneration rather than creating a new one, it seems she can only have one sword.

But if she can create it multiple times, it can be used as a disposable weapon.

A weapon that can be used and discarded without hesitation. That's good.

"...Why do you look so happy, you?"

"Of course, because I'm having fun. Come on, Jiriel, show me more divine magic."

The properties of the sword of light haven't been fully revealed yet.

I want to see the performance of shields and armor, and whether other weapons can be created.

After that, I want to see other divine magic.

It's exciting. I can't help but smile a little.

"Hey, demon spawn...!"

That's a harsh way to put it, but I'll ignore it.

"Come on, let's continue."

I muttered and resumed the battle with Jiriel.

***

"Phew, phew... What is that magic...?"

After a while, Jiriel was panting and kneeling.

"Hey, are you done already? Let's do more."

"I'm at my limit... Do what you will with me..."

Is that so? I haven't broken the equipment generated by the 'Light Weapon' ten times yet.

The magic density didn't seem that high, and it didn't seem to consume much.

Do angels have little magic?

"Beings like us, who don't have a physical form, get weaker when we use magic. That's why we demons gather magic from the surroundings to use magic easily, but angels are bad at that."

"I see, now that you mention it, the 'Light Weapon' isn't a type of magic that releases magic power."

Once a weapon is materialized, that's it.

Healing magic spreads particles with healing properties.

Both are low in magic consumption, though in different ways.

"By the way, Jiriel, aren't you getting thinner?"

Jiriel's body, which was lying on the ground, seemed to be gradually thinning.

"...I said I'm at my limit. It seems I've used too much magic. But I have no regrets after fighting with all my strength. You'll have to step over my corpse..."

"What! Are you going to die?"

That's a problem. I haven't seen much of the divine magic yet.

It's far from enough.

"Right, if I give you magic power..."

I ran to Jiriel, placed my hand on her, and infused magic power.

Her body, which had been thinning, returned to normal.

"Why are you helping me...?"

"Why? It's natural to help someone who's about to die."

Besides, if Jiriel dies, I won't be able to learn divine magic.

"It's natural to help someone who's about to die. ...Huh, I was trying to kill you."

Jiriel smiled after hearing my answer.

What's so funny?

"...I lost. You're Lloyd, right? I'll teach you divine magic."

"Really!?"

"Yes, but to do that, we need to make a contract. Extend your hand."

I extended my hand as she said, and Jiriel smiled.

"Hehehe, this boy Lloyd has an unusually high magic power, the title of prince, and the appearance of an innocent boy. This is a good opportunity for me to descend to the earth. As an angel, I can't leave the heavens, but if I possess Lloyd under the guise of a contract, I can act on earth! And being possessed by a demon is even better! If something happens, I can blame it all on the demon. There's no better body for me! I was tired of life in the heavens, and on earth, I can meet Eisha and Saria, and many others. Nufufufu... Until now, I could only watch from afar, but now I can feel their breath up close and maybe even shake hands..."

Jiriel, muttering to herself, placed her hand on mine.

It felt a bit creepy, but I had to do it to learn divine magic.

The moment we touched, a blinding light enveloped us.

"Oooooo! My time has come!"

With Jiriel's scream, I felt something enter me. Then—

When I opened my eyes, there was a mouth on my left palm.

It had a perfect set of white, shining teeth.

It seems the contract was successfully completed.

"What the hell is this!?"

But Jiriel's scream rose.

"What's wrong, Jiriel? The contract was successful, wasn't it?"

"Impossible... I definitely possessed you. But why am I in your left hand!?"

She started muttering to herself, as if she didn't hear me.

"Ha! Hey, damn angel, it seems you missed! As you can see, this body has an unusual magic density! You can only possess a small part of the hand!"

"...I see, I thought you were a demon possessing a human, but you're the same. Even as an angel, I couldn't take control and ended up as a familiar like a demon... But I won't give up. I'll definitely take over this body and enjoy the earthly paradise freely!"

"Hah, you can't do it. I'll be the one to achieve it!"

"What did you say, lowly demon!?"

"What did you say, damn angel!?"

Grimo and Jiriel suddenly started arguing.

It's noisy and hard to hear.

But at least I got the divine magic, so I'll head back to the church.