Chapter 113
Chapter 113 - Let's Talk About Devils
「Hmm, what's the best way to define a devil . Well, they're monsters that bind human souls with contracts to obtain them . 」
Louise explained to Kazane .
As Kazane had requested, Louise called Kazane to a corner of the deck to explain the situation . The other members weren't called because it would reveal Minaka's personal circumstances .
「They bind souls with contracts?」
After Kazane's question Louise started to speak with「For example . 」
「A devil receives a wish from a human being and attempts to fulfill their desire . After that desire is satisfied the devil gets the contractor's soul」
「I see . 」
「Once a human being becomes a contractor, also known as a devil user, the devil's power can pass through to them and increase their strength . This young lady contracted with a devil to try and strengthen herself . 」
「I'm sorry . 」
Minaka hung her head with a despondent expression . She was currently in a reflection seiza .
「Well, since she contracted with an incubus, she didn't become abnormally strong . At best her magical power and physical ability were slightly increased, so naturally becoming the strongest fighter in the world was an impossible dream . However, there is something like a loophole in devil contracts . For example, even if it is different from the contract content, as long as the contractor is fundamentally satisfied the conditions can be fulfilled . 」
Louise looked at Minaka with reproachful eyes . Guessing the intention Minaka's face became even more red and her head fell further .
「Ah, you mean addicting her to night practice?」
Kazane drew a conclusion from the situation, and Louise replied「Correct . 」
「That's how it is . After a little more time this girl's purpose would have switched over . Her body would have been taken over by the devil, and her soul would have been forfeit . 」
Minaka trembled from Louise's words .
「Well, but now that devil is inside this . 」
So saying Louise took out a dagger . It was wrapped in a cloth with incantations written on it . It was likely for devil sealing, since it was similar to how they had wrapped Diablo's remains .
「It seems this guy was sleeping with her day after day . 」
Louise said while shaking the sealed dagger, and Minaka's face and ears became bright red . Undoubtedly she was remembering the past . What was done was unknown, but there was no mistake that things happened .
「Well, think of this as learning the hard way that you shouldn't take shortcuts, but instead get stronger through diligent training . That way you can now do your best, because your grandpa is expecting that . 」
「Yes . I am very sorry . And thank you for everything . 」
Minaka deeply bowed her head and thanked Louise after her remark .
「Well, I'll be sticking around because of the tournament, so I'll give you another massage if you need it . 」
Louise's continuing words made Minaka suddenly blush .
「Err . . . . . . that, please take care of me . 」
It seemed she remembered something in the middle of saying that because her eyes briefly became intoxicated . Massages were scary .
「Yeah . So you said devils are Astral-type monsters?」
Kazane left Minaka alone and asked something she was wondering about .
「That's right . However, strictly speaking they aren't monsters . They don't have a core . 」
「They're not monsters?」
That was the first time Kazane had heard that .
「Properly said they are an aggregation of human souls . A devil's personality is from the highest ranking soul, which dominates the assembly of souls . The history of devils is ancient, and I am told they have existed longer than the gods . 」
「That's a very long time ago . Or perhaps I should say how could the story of them being older than gods even be reliably handed down?」
「The gods said it . 」
(Ah, that's right, there are gods)
And Kazane remembered what she had heard a little while ago .
「However . Considering that their personality is only because all the other souls are inferior to them, if they were to eat a stronger soul they would obviously be taken over, right? That's why they make contracts; it is a necessary measure to establish a pecking order before they steal a soul . 」
「If it is done that way they won't be taken over?」
「It seems that way . Diablo had already stockpiled an extraordinary number of souls, so in the end I couldn't kill him and had no choice but to seal him . 」
So Louise said, but Kazane remembered that she had unexpectedly obtained Diablo's skill . At that time he should have been killed with the instant death magic of her second character . However, Kazane thought that Diablo hadn't really been killed because of Louise's judgement that if the astral body didn't disappear he wasn't really dead .
(Perhaps the instant death magic killed the highest-ranking soul Diablo with pinpoint precision, so maybe if Diablo revived it would actually be a different person?)
Kazane thought, but at the moment he was completely sealed, so there was no way to check that .
「So I'm assuming there are benefits to stealing souls?」
「There are . If Minaka's soul were stolen Minaka's swordsmanship could be used . If it was a magician their magic could be used, or if it was a bowman the devil would be able to skillfully use a bow . Naturally the person's knowledge is also obtained . Well, in order to avoid synchronizing consciousnesses too much a certain amount of probing seems to be necessary . 」
「Hmm . Doesn't that feel a little similar to my ability to steal Skills?」
To Kazane's words Louise replied「Maybe so, but since you only get Skills isn't it different?」
「Mu, that's true . 」
Kazane replied . Strictly speaking she obtained experience points as well . But that was the same for Yumika, and the same thing happened when one of Tiara's controlled summoned creatures killed something . But maybe I'm doing something similar to obtain Skills? . . . . . . Kazane thought . Well, even if she thought about it there was no way to reach a conclusion .
Right after they talked a voice could be heard saying「We are arriving . 」It seemed they had finally reached Resurrect City .
◎ Resurrect City - Noon
They disembarked from the Dragon Boat riding the Thunder Chariot pulled by Hippomaru-kun, and as usual its appearance was also conspicuous in this town . People still raised a commotion at that jet black figure, but the noise was a little different from other cities and was full of favorable voices .
「Hey now, some kind of big shot must have come . 」
「They were saying this year's Grand Tournament gathering was poor, but doesn't this mean a terrific person came?」
「Hey, isn't that the Fang Spear Soldier?」
「Is he coming back ten years after winning the prize? He's also carrying outrageous spears, seriously dangerous . 」
And, well, since the masses thought a big shot came to participate in the Grand Tournament they became very excited . By the way, just like they said Jinrai won the Grand Tournament ten years ago .
「I'm glad there's such liveliness . 」
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