Chapter 54

Thus, my settlement welcomed the Demon King and his wife. But, really, is it okay for the Demon King not to go back? Won’t his subordinates worry?

I asked this several times, but the Demon King’s response was always broad-minded.

“It’s fine. They’ll probably stretch their wings a bit in my absence.”

I want to think that the dark smile he shows is just my imagination.

The Demon King and his wife did not consider themselves guests and took the lead in participating in the work in my settlement. The Demon King himself wielded a hoe and engaged in farming, and diligently worked on building kilns with me and the Ogres. I was worried if it was alright to make the leader of the demons do such physical labor, but he seemed fulfilled, saying he could work up a good sweat.

On the other hand, Astares, the new wife, alternated between field work and hunting, just like during the decline period, and studied cooking with me. Indeed, she had the talent to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings at such a young age; she quickly mastered the use of seasonings.

Since the seasonings are only made here, I think it would be meaningless to leave this place...

Ah, they plan to purchase them from here.

Thank you very time.

The two of them, who plan to eventually return to the main base of the demons and walk the path of rulers together, seemed to be enjoying their life here, forgetting about it for a while.

However, they didn’t completely forget their duties as the Demon King and his wife.

Occasionally, I would see the Demon King and Astares sitting side by side, receiving lectures from the teacher during breaks from work.

The teacher, a No-Life King who has lived for over a thousand years, is a living encyclopedia, not just a metaphor. He has most of the world’s mysteries in his mind, and there is much to learn. Of course, the magic he uses is powerful, and it seems they are asking him to teach them various things.

...

Isn’t the Demon King being taught by the king of the undead, just in terms of the words, the most dangerous situation?

I was also influenced and started attending classes, sitting at a desk. It was good for learning the history and general knowledge of this world, but I was completely hopeless at magic training.

The gift I received from the god, 'Bearer of the Supreme,' seems to have no effect on magic. If I had a magic wand or a magic book, I might be able to become a master of magic by fully utilizing their performance, but apparently, the magic in this world is something that must be done on one's own without any such assistance.

"There are three major types of magic,"

The teacher gave me a very basic lecture, adjusted to my level. For the others, it was general knowledge, so it was a bit embarrassing.

"The magic used by the demons, the magic used by humans, and the magic used by the merfolk. There are many other types of magic, but they are all subtypes that have branched off from these three."

"Is the biggest difference which race uses them?"

"Yes. There is compatibility, and it is very difficult to master the magic of a different race. It is said that this is probably due to the difference in the gods they receive blessings from. Magic is also manifested through the interaction with the gods and spirits that protect each type."

Humans receive blessings from Zeus.

Demons receive blessings from Hades.

Merfolk receive blessings from Poseidon.

I just met one of them the other day, so it feels very real.

"Of course, the characteristics of each type of magic differ greatly. The magic used by the demons, the magic of the Underworld God Hades, has the most functions and a wide range of effects."

"Because there are many deities of Hades who protect the demons, and they can also interact with spirits. From the perspective of Hades, the god of the earth, the spirits on the ground are also lower-ranking deities."

The Demon King added an explanation.

"In contrast, the magic used by humans is quite limited. While demons can use magic through training, only a few holy people like monks and priests can use magic among humans."

Not only the number of people who can use it, but also the effects are limited.

"The magic used by demons can be effectively used in a wide range of areas, from attack and support to daily life. On the other hand, the magic used by humans has fewer spells and limited functions."

"Fewer functions, you mean?"

"Yes."

For example, the Demon King added an explanation.

"We demons were able to discover this place where the Saint resides by using a type of magic called千里眼 (千里眼 magic). It is a magic that is performed with the help of the god Iacchus, who is involved in the judgment of the afterlife, one of the deities of Hades."

"Using this, you can see any place in the world as if it were right in front of you, even from one place. Of course, it is not unlimited, and the power of the user greatly affects it."

I see.

The demons used this magic to discover the Platys living here and send Astares here.

"Can human magic not do that?"

"Indeed, so it is unlikely that humans will find this place."

I decide to take comfort in that.

It would be troublesome if humans came here while I am already dealing with the demons.

"In this way, there are many things that demon magic can do that human magic cannot. In return, human magic has some spectacular spells that surpass human wisdom."

For example, the magic to summon a hero.

The spell that brought me to this world.

"Twisting space and time to connect to another world is indeed impressive... But how useful it is depends largely on the wisdom of the user."

"Human magic tends to emphasize the authority of the gods that are the source of its power rather than helping the user, the human..."

What does that mean?

"By the way, if one gives up ordinary life like me, they can acquire the versatility of magic comparable to demon magic even with human magic. The magic used by the No-Life King is the same as the race they were in life, but ultimately, they all become the same at the highest level."

"That’s a line only those who have reached the pinnacle can say."

The teacher and the Demon King laughed together.

It was a high-level conversation.

"Finally, the magic used by the merfolk, which is better explained by the person themselves."

"Huh? Me?"

I was asked to explain by Platys, who had been with us from the beginning.

"The magic used by the merfolk is for making magic potions. That is the biggest difference from other magic."

"The effects of potion magic are all exerted through the magic potions, but the potions themselves are not magic. Making magic potions is the magic of the merfolk."

It’s complicated.

"When merfolk make magic potions, they mix their magic power into the potion. That’s what makes potion magic. Of course, the ingredients and the method of mixing are necessary, but even if humans or demons have them, they cannot make magic potions."

Because only merfolk can use the essential potion magic.

"I don’t know why the sea god Poseidon gave such a complicated magic system to the merfolk. There are various theories, such as it being more convenient for the underwater environment or to prevent them from becoming arrogant by easily handling power, but the truth can only be known by asking the god himself."

"Summon a god?"

"No way!!"

Teacher, have you been obsessed with summoning gods since you called Hades the other day?

I should try to stop it if it becomes a big deal.

"Well, that’s the basic lecture on magic. I hope it was helpful for the Saint’s knowledge exploration."

Yeah, I got it.

I might forget it soon, though.

Let’s stop studying here and get back to field work.

"Wait a minute!!"

Then Veil burst in.

"You haven’t explained the most important thing yet! The dragon magic used by us dragons! Explain it to Master!"

"The magic you use is so varied that it’s hard to explain...!"

"Dragons themselves are a mystery to other races...!"

The teacher and the Demon King both looked troubled by Veil’s insistence.

"Useless! Then I’ll explain it myself! Listen, Master! The strongest magic used by us dragons! The greatness of dragon magic! And reconsider me!!"

"We should get back to field work soon...!"

Learn well, work well.

That’s important, right?