Chapter 99

A few minutes after Margs left, the Ordie Monastery collapsed.

Margs watched the scene, his hands sweating with excitement.

Noticing that the sweat was being absorbed by Zoromonia's staff, Margs hurriedly placed the staff on the ground and wiped his hands on his sleeve. He then wiped the sweat from his forehead. After that, he savored the joy of obtaining Zoromonia's staff.

"Ah, ah, Zoromonia! Grant me your great wisdom!"

Margs picked up the staff, breathing heavily.

『Sashbhalok』

Suddenly, a voice came from behind Margs.

Turning around, he saw a child floating in the air with blue skin. The whites of the eyes were black, and the pupils were golden, giving the impression of a terrifying beast rather than a human. The child was wrapped in pieces of cloth with magical symbols at the chest and waist, and a magic array was tattooed on the abdomen. Black wings, resembling those of a bird, extended from the back.

"Z-Zoromonia! Could it be, you came out of the staff...?"

『That is not the case. I am merely showing my form to you, the owner of the staff.』

Zoromonia shook her head and spoke in human language. For a demon of Zoromonia's high rank, understanding and speaking human language was easy.

If the adventurer support office's ranking system were applied, Zoromonia's danger level would far exceed A-rank. In terms of power, wisdom, and magic, she was on a level that humans could not reach.

『First, let me express my gratitude. It has been a long time since I could come out of that underground.』

Hearing these words, Margs's face lit up. However, in contrast, Zoromonia furrowed her brow.

『But you, don't get too familiar. Don't touch me too much. And call me Lady Zoromonia.』

"Forgive me. Great Demon of Wisdom and Destruction, Lady Zoromonia!"

Margs bowed his head to the ground, prostrating himself. Zoromonia snorted in derision.

『Well, it's fine. ...Hm, you. For a mere human, you have a decent amount of magic power. You pass the test. I will use you as my hands and feet until my seal is broken. In return, I will lend you my wisdom and magic. How does that sound? It should be a great honor for a magician, right?』

"Oh, oh! What a generous offer! It is a great honor for me to be favored by the great demon, Lady Zoromonia!"

Margs blushed and looked up at Zoromonia from his kneeling position. To serve a great demon, to influence history, to leave a mark on the world, and to be remembered—Margs believed there was nothing more fulfilling for a magician.

『Kudur is... still asleep. Yes, yes, that's a relief. Before that troublesome one wakes up, we need to prepare countermeasures.』

"Kudur? Could it be, the god Kudur...?"

『Don't rush. I will explain the history of the world to you in order... Hmm, he is close.』

Zoromonia spun in the air and landed on the ground. Then she gently closed her eyes.

『Hey, do you have any plans? If not, move south.』

"South, you say?"

『Yes. Far to the south, there is a city.』

"South from here... Lugart? Marfilia?"

『No, deeper.』

"Romane?"

『Yes, that's it. Head there. For some reason, an old friend of mine is hiding there. Despite being well disguised, the千里眼 of the demon of wisdom cannot be fooled. Also, I sense strange magic from that city and want to investigate.』

Zoromonia opened her eyes and smiled, revealing her bicuspids.

"Of Lady Zoromonia's! So, it's a great demon! This Margs, I must meet them!"

『Hehe, that's the spirit. I'm glad the one who broke my seal is someone who understands.』

"To hear you say that is an honor!"

Margs was completely elated.

Originally, Margs was a magician who had become obsessed with evil experiments and demon worship, leading a life with few understanding companions. By the age of five, he was already an outcast in his hometown, and at ten, his parents kicked him out of the house, fearing it would interfere with his sister's marriage. Even when he joined a slightly eccentric group, Margs was far more eccentric than the others, leading a lonely life. At twenty-eight, Margs had no lover and not a single proper friend.

To receive the words "I'm glad it was you" from the great demon Zoromonia, whom he had long admired, was a great honor. Moreover, Zoromonia's avatar, though in the form of a child, possessed a beauty as if constructed by measuring the eyes and nose. Margs was completely overjoyed.

『However, Margs. Why did you use the petrification curse? It takes too long to activate. Moreover, if you, the caster, suffer strong damage, the curse can be broken. There is also the risk that it can be undone if analyzed.』

"To make the existence of myself and Lady Zoromonia known! Those whose loved ones were petrified will chase me to undo the curse! I will subdue them using Lady Zoromonia's power! The whole world will target my life! But I will turn them all to stone! My name will soon spread as a terrifying great magician! The world will be terrified! Yes, of my existence!"

Margs spread his arms wide and laughed loudly. Initially, he used formal language, but as he became more excited, his speech became more casual. Initially, he said he wanted to make their existence known, but by the end, it was all about himself. To reiterate, Margs was quite twisted.

『... ...So, that's it.』

While responding, Zoromonia was slightly taken aback.

From Zoromonia's perspective, drawing too much attention was a bad move, but she decided not to interfere, judging that it was better to keep her owner, Margs, in high spirits.

By sharing her power, it was almost impossible to be cornered. Besides, the assault on the monastery would eventually become widely known, sooner or later.