LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 31
Chapter 31. Battle Results and Holy Fire
Descending the long staircase, guided by the demon butler, I exited the palace.
Awaiting me was my tutor, Sophia.
Floating idly in the air, Sophia’s face lit up as she recognized me, probably not because I had returned safely, but because she was freed from her idle waiting.
“Welcome back, Zilbagias-sama.”
Landing on the ground, Sophia bowed to me with a serious expression.
Where’s Mother? I hesitated for a moment before asking. It felt odd to inquire about that right after leaving the palace, almost like—well, like I was a child overly pampered—
“Where is Mother?”
But there was no other way to phrase it, so I ended up blurted it out.
“The lady is occupied with urgent work.”
“Urgent care, huh?”
Yes, she nodded.
“They say serious injuries from the front lines have arrived. There aren’t many mages from the Reiju tribe who can heal deep wounds with holy attributes…”
I murmured in understanding and began to walk alongside Sophia.
Holy attributes—humanity’s, and the Holy Church’s trump card. It is said to be a blessing bestowed by the gods of light, usable only by those chosen in a ritual.
Its brilliance empowers humanity and deeply wounds those who are its enemies.
And those who blossom with the talent for this attribute magic are called heroes. Typically, humans have no remarkable individual prowess (except for those monstrous exceptions). Yet, human magic warriors can stand against demon races and devils precisely because of the holy attributes they possess.
Well… it didn’t hold much meaning against a true monstrosity like a Demon Lord…
“A well-conceived curse, isn’t it?”
Antendeixis’s carefree voice echoed in my mind. Curse?
“The holy attribute, you see.”
……
What are you saying, Antendeixis? That’s a blessing given to humanity by the gods of light, right?
“Blessings and curses are quite similar, you know. And while it’s said to be granted by the gods of light—when exactly did they grant it?”
I don’t know the exact year. Even the elves didn’t know. But there have been legends of ‘heroes’ and ‘holy warriors’ since ancient times—if I recall, the oldest ones are around four or five thousand years old.
“Then the idea that it was given by the gods seems thin.”
Antendeixis chuckled softly. It was more of a derisive laugh.
“I mentioned it in the demon world, but overwhelming beings eventually become concepts and lose their sense of self.”
You said that too. You were becoming one of those, weren’t you?
“That’s right. There’s no doubt that the gods of light existed. They certainly created this world… however, it stands to reason they became mere concepts eons ago. Existing simply to cyclically uphold the world—”
The gods of light… do not intervene in worldly matters. No matter how much people suffer, nor how dark forces seek to extend their influence, it is believed that humanity can overcome these challenges through their own strength… hence they grant blessings and watch over this land…
The Pope had said that…
“Well, it’s not entirely untrue. If you were to express it as their gaze continuing to encompass the entirety of the world without reflecting anything, then that would be the case.”
I looked up at the night sky.
The moon gently illuminates the world.
…Then, what about the dark gods?
“Probably something similar. The veil of night gently envelops the world but does not save the wounded and suffering demon races.”
…It was a bit shocking, yet there were points that resonated.
“You seem more at ease than expected.”
Honestly, I wasn’t particularly devout for a hero. When my village burned down, I thought, why is such a horrible thing allowed to happen? No matter how much I prayed, no helping hand was extended. I cursed the gods more than once.
Do you know how I felt when I awakened to the holy attribute? I was angry, thinking, “It’s too late,” instead of being grateful to the gods for granting me power. Thus, it was truly puzzling—why was someone so distrustful chosen by the gods?
But, I see, perhaps I wasn’t chosen by the gods…
Then, what is this holy attribute?
“A type of curse. Not everyone in humanity believes in the existence of holy attributes, do they?”
…I guess it’s more accurate to say that it exists.
“Exactly. That is the essence of magic. By being certain that something exists, the nature of the world changes. Usually, such a thing can only be done by someone with great magical power and will. However, humanity, being numerous, excels at consolidating power—”
—Just like how human soldiers bundle their weak individual magical defenses to form a strong shield.
“It was the work of ancient human sages. Whether intentional or coincidental, they noticed this trait of humanity and bundled people’s will and faith into such a form. They then selected wielders of power through rituals. If the blessing were distributed to everyone, it would only result in weak power, but concentrating the bundled force in a few—”
Even a fragile race could gain enough power to stand against a mighty one…
“The ritual is… set up to ensure that worthy individuals are chosen. Like—”
Many of the royal families and the pope’s lineage have wielders of holy attributes—
“Especially individuals with strong will or those harboring great hatred towards rival races—”
That’s me.
So that’s what it was… so that’s how it is.
“You were greatly shocked, I take it?”
Casually, you’ve transformed my world this way. But I’ve come to terms with it.
“And it seems you aren’t disappointed.”
Regardless of who this ancient sage was, I respect the one who created this mechanism.
In fact, without this power, humanity would likely have perished long ago. And I also understand that it is unnecessary to explain everything behind the scenes to everyone.
Mystery enhances the effect of magic… right?
Just… Antendeixis, I have one question.
On what basis can holy attribute magic be used?
Is it the body, or the soul?
I was convinced… that since I had been reborn into one of the dark ones, I wouldn’t be able to use any of it as the gods of light would have forsaken me.
“Why not give it a try? …Just discreetly, later.”
—I glanced sideways at Sophia, walking beside me.
“Is something the matter?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
As I lowered my voice, Sophia immediately expanded her magic and snapped her fingers. The surrounding air became taut—a soundproof barrier.
Thinking that I also needed to learn this type of magic, I continued speaking.
“I want to know the detailed battle histories of all the other Demon Lords.”
“All of them?”
Sophia blinked in surprise.
“Yes, all of them. Not leaving out even the smallest of battles.”
For instance—destroying a small village on the outskirts of a tiny country.
I had a faint hope.
Maybe I could even remember the name of my hometown, which had fallen to decay.
“It will be a massive amount of information.”
“Is that difficult?”
Sophia wore a mischievous smile.
“That was a considerate statement for you, Zilbagias-sama. As for those records—well, at least the ones compiled in documents—”
Tap, tap, she tapped her forehead with her finger.
“They’re all right here. Except for the latest ones, of course.”
…So I won’t even need to investigate.
“But it would be difficult to convey orally… We’d need a significant amount of paper. May I take some time?”
“Of course.”
That was actually what I was aiming for. If they leave the room, it would be just right.
In the residential area of the Demon Lord’s Castle, I joined Garunya. Sophia went to fetch paper, and I retreated into the room.
“Garunya, I need to talk to my demon for a bit. Please step out for a moment.”
“Understood!”
Garunya’s straightforwardness is a relief in these moments… The door won’t be able to block her hearing.
“I can’t let it slip out.”
That’s right. Even if I just recite it in my heart, I should be able to use a faint power.
I raised my right hand—no, just in case, I raised my left hand too. I concentrated magical power in my fingertips.
“……”
My heart started racing as if it were happening again.
Knowing that the “blessing” of the god I thought had abandoned me wasn’t bestowed in vain, and that I might be able to use it again. I feared that expectation might be betrayed again.
No, there’s nothing to fear.
No matter what anyone says, I am a hero. Hero Alexander.
[Gods of Light, bear witness.]
Chanting it within my heart, this phrase felt hollow.
However… it’s not a lie. The gods’ gaze is indeed directed toward this land.
At the very least, I hope to imprint it upon those eyes that reflect nothing.
[Holy light, come to me.]
A small glow appeared on my fingertips.
It was almost too easy.
A silver light.
And then—at that next moment, an intense pain assaulted my fingertips.
“Ugh…!”
I bit back a scream that threatened to escape, so that Garunya wouldn’t burst into the room. I immediately dissipated the magical power and smothered the holy light.
“I see, so that happened…”
Antendeixis mused with keen interest.
Holy attribute magic was based on the soul. Therefore, I could still use it.
However, my body was that of a demon. I was one who posed a threat to humanity.
――That’s why my fingertips were scorched.