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176th Chapter. Spirit King of Life (1)

After Muto’s meal, a headache is inevitable.

Since the memories of the consumed target are transferred straight to me, the longer the life he has lived, the more pain I endure.

Thanks to that, when I devoured Enviel, I almost lost consciousness, and when I consumed that Royal Guard called Slave, it was a level of pain that, while not as severe as Enviel, felt like my head was splitting apart.

`Back then, it was only manageable because I consumed the Raindrops of Myriad Souls. But now…`

Oddly enough, I felt fine.

Of course, it wasn’t as if I felt perfectly well; upon waking from sleep, there was a mild throbbing akin to a hangover.

Compared to before, I could walk around without much hindrance. At this level, I shouldn’t need the Raindrops of Myriad Souls.

『Congratulations. You’ve now reached a level where absorbing memories causes you no problems.』

`So my effort to endure for 30 minutes was worthwhile.`

It seems my mental defense level has increased due to my prior experience. With this, attacks that cause brainwashing or headaches won’t likely work on me anymore.

『But I think it’s too early to celebrate.』

Whiiiing—

‘That’s true.’

It wasn’t even evening yet, and the full moon began to rise.

Even though it was only 12 PM, the world was slowly becoming engulfed in darkness.

Fortunately, the moonlight illuminated the area, allowing us to see, and both Tariel and Heidern were tense, realizing that day had turned to night in an instant.

“I didn’t think… it would appear this quickly.”

Tariel murmured in disbelief at the unexpected phenomenon.

Even an ordinary person would instinctively know that this wasn’t a good omen.

Anyone knowledgeable about such matters would tremble in panic at the thought of an otherworldly being descending upon this land, beyond mere premonitions.

『This isn’t the time to gawp! We need to quickly find someone capable of communicating with the Spirit King! If not, we could all be wiped out!』

“Damn.”

For whatever reason, Shaikar was extremely furious with humans.

Seeing humans as the enemy of his daughter, he could wipe us all out on sight.

There was someone here who could communicate with that disaster of a being.

Thanks to this person, the prisoners could safely ask Shaikar to extract their mana.

“Mary! Have you seen Prince Totema?”

“Who?”

“Prince Totema. Don’t you remember?”

“He’s probably sleeping over there.”

When I said we should find him and wake him up, Mary hurriedly began to help.

But as she did…

“By the way, who is Prince Totema?”

“….”

That guy’s presence is astonishingly faint.

Or is it that Mary is just clueless?

Anyway, he was a memorable person in my mind, so I could find him quickly, and Mary tried to wake Totema up with magic.

But then—

『There’s no need for that.』

At those words from above, both Mary and I froze.

The spirits guarding Mary suddenly bent their lower bodies and lowered their stances.

And the spirits floating beside me also remained frozen, unable to move.

『I’ve been watching your fight from start to finish.』

We slowly raised our heads towards the direction of the voice. Finally, we could see a woman gracefully descending from the air.

Her long hair shimmered in a subtle green hue. Dressed in a pure white gown, she radiated a divine aura, resembling a goddess descending from mythology.

The emerald eyes of the beautiful feminine Spirit King swept over us once.

『Even though I was away, you all seem to have lost your fear. How dare you make my domain into this mess?』

It was easy to see, just from her words, that she was furious.

After all, what we had done was akin to barging into someone’s home, tearing the ground apart, and causing chaos.

According to human laws, this would warrant a prison sentence, but with the energy of the Spirit King, who could say?

So I subtly pinched Prince Totema’s cheek.

Please wake up.

『Haven’t I said there was no need?』

The Spirit King Shaikar, noticing my action, approached me and Mary directly.

When she said there was no need, it almost implied she had no intention of forgiving us.

Swoosh—

At that moment, Shaikar gently stroked my head and said,

『You are cursed, aren’t you?』

“What?”

『It’s so convoluted that even I can’t lift it. I don’t know how you ended up under such a curse, but what a pitiable child you are.』

What on earth is she talking about?

I expected her to pluck my head off in that state, but instead, she was oddly intrigued and analyzing me.

I dumbly asked, “Excuse me, but do you need something from me?”

『Not really. I just felt a curse I hadn’t seen before and touched you out of curiosity. It seems you’ve made that your stepping stone for power, but it doesn’t mean your life isn’t in danger. So don’t let your guard down.』

Don’t let my guard down? She looked like she was seriously warning everyone to be cautious.

Seeing as Shaikar harbored a grudge against humans, it was understandable for everyone else to feel uneasy around her.

『But why have you come to my domain? It doesn’t seem like a mere coincidence.』

“Can I explain?”

In response to her question, Heidern began to elaborate on our situation.

Once we explained why we had come and how we had been unharmed by the spirits’ attacks until now, Shaikar smirked.

『What? You want to offer me your mana? Is that what you’re saying?』

“Yes, that’s correct.”

『And you came all this way trusting in the sleeping boy over there? You certainly have impressive intuition, reminding me of my child from long ago.』

After those words, Shaikar emitted a strange energy.

We instinctively realized who that child was, causing our bodies to freeze further.

『You all know very well, but I despise humans. I think there’s no need to elaborate on that, right?』

“….”

『Knowing that, you’ve chosen to intrude upon my domain? Even after I’ve warned you for 30 years, you remain unchanged.』

Shaikar had severed all ties with humans.

That was the warning she had passed down after the death of her daughter, Maria.

If humans intrude upon her domain, there would be no guarantee of survival. The spirits under her command only attacked humans at her command.

However, as long as they didn’t provoke them, they wouldn’t become enemies. If we managed to adhere to that, we would be safe, but right now, we had violated that rule.

『Especially you there, the little brat. You’ve turned my right hand, Triton, into a mess.』

“…!”

At that remark, Mary broke out in a cold sweat and bit her lip.

While the term “little brat” nearly caused her to lose her rationality, she was managing to maintain her composure.

That’s how overwhelming the position of the Spirit King was, even for Mary’s talents.

However, the fury emanating from Shaikar gradually diminished.

『If I had my way, I’d make all of you into plant nourishment… but I’ll let you go this once.』

Suddenly, Shaikar turned around and snapped her fingers.

Then, roots began to rise from the ground on their own, transforming into a large table, with five chairs similarly provided around it.

Shaikar, seated at one, looked at us blankly and said,

『What are you all doing? Come, sit down.』

As if a light had been switched on, the moonlight illuminated the table. I didn’t know what was going on, but I sat down anyway.

Just as Mary was about to take her seat…

『That’s not your place there, little girl. You’re the shortest, so you should sit in the high chair.』

There indeed seemed to be a chair that looked unusually high.

Understanding the implication behind it, Mary clenched her fist tightly, trying to suppress her anger.

“Excuse me… I’m 17 this year. I’m definitely not a child.”

『No, you’re a complete little brat in both body and mind. Face reality. Everyone else is the same age, yet here you are wearing clothes for a little kid. You’ll be considered an adult later, but due to your height difference, you won’t even be able to borrow a picture book at the library.』

“Stop… stop it…”

Mary’s frustration twisted in her gut, clutching her chest like she had been stabbed.

But still, Shaikar showed no mercy.

『This is all for your own good. If I lower the chair’s height, your face will be covered by the table, making you feel isolated, you know? I wouldn’t want you to dismiss my efforts to accommodate you for a little runt like you!』

“I’m… I’m not… short! Waaah!!”

Eventually, Mary rushed into my arms, crying and clinging on to me.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

『Hmph. If you keep this up, your future husband will have to bend down during your wedding. I can just imagine a groom stooping over to match your height for a kiss. A wedding ceremony that nobody has ever seen before will be born.』

“Ugh… cough!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Mary hyperventilated and finally collapsed into my arms.

It’s terrifying to see such brutal and factual violence reducing her to a state of half-death. It was scary, devoid of compassion, while also oddly satisfying.

I felt that the words I had wanted to say all along were being spoken for me by Shaikar.

As Mary lay unconscious, Shaikar turned to the main topic.

『As I mentioned earlier, I watched you fight. I witnessed the demise of that captain of the order who cried for justice. That’s why I found you agreeable.』

“Was our action truly significant enough to catch Shaikar’s attention?”

As Tariel questioned in confusion, Shaikar pointed towards something.

Then, the Holy Sword Rozaria, resting far away, floated through the air to the table.

『It bothered me that such worthless trash was wielding the sword that ‘that child’ used. And also, the fact that it was the descendant of those ruffians who killed my daughter.』

As a human, it must have felt like blood boiling.

It’s insane to think that the offspring of those who killed his daughter was misusing her heirloom.

『During the process of eliminating that trash, you acted out what I wanted to say and do. It could be seen as coincidence, but it might also mean I was fortunate to find a desire to converse with you.』

“Thank you very much.”

『You should say that to me.』

But we mustn’t forget.

Considering that Shaikar had closed her heart to humans, this was an extraordinarily fortunate opportunity.

However, we weren’t making unreasonable requests of her.

『In short, you’ve come here to offer me the mana of those prisoners?』

“That’s correct.”

『Well, it can’t be a bad thing. You’re essentially asking me to do the same as those who stumbled in here without understanding anything. But what benefit will that bring to you? Is your mana a ticking time bomb?』

“Well…”

『No, I won’t pry too much. I’ve decided not to concern myself with what happens to you humans. But it seems there’s a genuine time bomb in my presence.』

With another gesture, Shaikar lifted Mary and laid her out on the table.

In the middle of all this, watching Mary faint, eyes spiraled out, was quite an odd sight indeed.

『Ha, being small makes her perfectly fit on the table. She could even use it as a bed.』

“….”

Once again, a tremendous insult echoed, but this time, Mary was completely unable to resist.

At this point, she seemed like the one responsible for the lessons to be taught.

However, the moment she spoke, a chill ran through the air.

『If there’s anyone here with a grudge against the Demon King, raise your hand. I will give you the chance to grasp Rozaria and behead the Demon King.』

“What?”

A sudden opportunity caused us all to swallow nervously.

Even Heidern let out a question that wasn’t even a whisper.

And when it seemed someone had raised their hand, my heart began to tighten with anxiety.

That someone was none other than Tariel.

『I know about the Four Saints who were active in the sect 30 years ago. They were the top powers of the sect who faithfully followed ‘that child’, but were brutally slaughtered by the Demon King Beelzebub. Of course, one of them survived.』

“….”

Shaikar already knew about Tariel.

With Tariel standing quietly, Shaikar urged him further.

『Your comrade’s enemy is right before you. You raised your hand for that purpose, didn’t you?』

“That’s true. But…”

Tariel lowered his hand as if lifeless and continued.

“I won’t wield a sword.”

『Why not? You must have seen it. Observed how I controlled that overwhelming number of insects to trap my Triton.』

Three of the Four Saints likewise perished in similar fashion.

That scene must still be vivid in Tariel’s mind, yet the fact he would not seek vengeance piqued Shaikar’s interest.

“That’s true. Every time I get a chance, the Demon King’s presence emerges in my dreams. However, she is not the Demon King. She is the daughter of the Master White Tower and a genius wizard. Mary Ryudshiel, second year student of Aligieri. That is her true form.”

『….』

The moonlight continued to shine down on the table.

In contrast to the dark surroundings, a girl lay at the center of this table, glowing with the vitality of a flower.

She radiated purity unlike anything else.

“The Spirit King Shaikar has despaired of humans once. I too felt something akin to the loss of the Saint. However, not every human is so foolish as to be blinded by such ill omens.”

Those blinded by fear became rioters and ultimately drove the Saint to the brink of death.

Unfortunately, the number was so great that it led to the prejudice of believing it was ‘all humans’.

However, Tariel wanted to prove that this wasn’t entirely the case.

『Is that your answer?』

“Yes.”

Rather than admonishing him, Shaikar smiled instead.

She felt that the opportunity presented in this conversation held value.

『Indeed, as you said, this child cannot be the Demon King. At least, I have never witnessed any case of an individual who desired to become the Demon King.』

Becoming the Demon King isn’t a goal one strives for, but a destiny predetermined by fate.

Referring to the lore I know regarding this world’s settings.

『Just as sunlight descends from the heavens when a Saint is chosen, the Demon King is born with darkness within. Just a difference in yin (陰) and yang (陽). Do you understand what this signifies?』

That’s right.

An existence born periodically throughout the ages, wielding immense influence.

Just a difference in color. The Demon King can also be viewed as similar to a Saint.

『Though it’s unfortunate that this child has been chosen, it’s still a relief that her heart remains pure. Compared to the Demon Kings I faced in the past, she stands in stark contrast.』

“Are you referring to the Demon King from the past?”

As Shaikar looked back on some unpleasant memories, she clenched her fist and replied.

『It’s a story from 300 years ago. The Demon King chosen back then not only accepted power but embraced it for their own pleasures.』

I well know the name of that Demon King.

That very Demon King nearly drove the Great Sage Dantia to her demise and led the Empire to ruin.

『But strangely, is it perhaps a matter of fate?』

“…?”

Shaikar, with a serious expression, focused her attention on me.

As I grew tense, she spoke.

『There’s someone here related to that being. You may not realize it, but…』

“What do you mean by that…!”

Everyone naturally felt shocked.

They were all quite certain that it couldn’t be true, and I was among them.

But…

『You there, boy.』

“Yes?”

『When I stroked your head a moment ago, I was able to discern your lineage. For me, the Spirit King of Life, recognizing a human’s blood is like drinking water.』

What followed was a shocking revelation that made me swallow hard.

『The blood flowing through you is identical to that of that being back then.』

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.

 

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