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Beelzebub’s characteristic lies in the ability to share mana.

And right now, my body has been detached from Beelzebub’s core to create a separate form.

In other words, since this is a puppet possessed based on Beelzebub’s magic core, the properties of that magic power are heavily influenced by Beelzebub.

Except for the fact that a soul has been possessed.

To put it simply, one could say that ‘a puppet possessed by Beelzebub is being possessed.’

While I can’t use Leviathan’s power, I can still specialize in utilizing Beelzebub’s power.

And Beelzebub’s power allows mana to be shared but can also be finely controlled.

But what if the total amount of that controllable mana overflows?

“I could control each one like a hero.”

“Whoa!!”

The transformed ‘heroes’ charged forward.

On the surface, they appeared to wear full plate armor, but in reality, it was armor that weighed the same as before, not even close to the weight of full plate.

“Besides, it’s even enhanced by lightweight magic.”

Helmets, groin guards, and military boots.

The only addition was the ‘belt’ created by Mammon.

“Impressive. To be able to manage mana this well.”

“It can handle exactly up to 300 people.”

“…So it’s 300 people?”

“Yep. Originally, it couldn’t even handle 50. In the past… well, it’s a bit uncomfortable to talk about.”

“Aah, I see.”

Currently, I am the witch, the teacher to the heroes.

However, if I mentioned using the magic that the Demon King’s army’s special forces used, it would naturally raise suspicions.

So…

“…Aah. It’s enemy technology, but a magnificent technique.”

“If there’s something effective in enemy technology, it should be utilized. Wow, you must have really suffered from the Demon King’s army 500 years ago to have mastered their techniques.”

“Exactly.”

I awkwardly spin a non-explanation.

500 years ago, the magic used by the Demon Lord Belphegor is as if ‘Witch Bel has quietly cultivated and stolen enemy technology to use.’

After all, I am using enemy technology.

“I can also create a barrier that perfectly adheres to the skin. There’s no reason why it can’t be shaped like full plate armor.”

As long as one has talent and technique for magic, anything is possible.

The only issue is that doing this requires an immense effort to master.

It requires tremendous focus to fix the mana of each protective gear into the form of armor.

…And it demands a vast amount of mana and magic stones.

If these three elements aren’t all present, it would be nearly impossible.

However.

Here stands someone capable of maintaining armor barriers for 300 individuals.

And there’s someone here with magic stones that can replenishing the mana they consume immediately.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a naga. Those magic stones are no joke.”

With overwhelming power, the warriors clad in special full plate armor, the ‘heroes,’ destroyed the nagas.

The path they advanced was utterly decimated, and the nagas couldn’t overcome the heroes despite their immense size and numbers.

“Ugh, kyaah!”

The barrier is no different from armor.

It’s a situation where barriers are layered over other barriers, so even when destroyed, the inner barrier remains, making it less threatening.

“Magic King. Remember this well. Any man, at least once, longs to don heavy armor and ride a horse.”

“I think I understand what you mean. I also want to make this mobile fortress bigger and sturdier to advance.”

“…Hey.”

I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Once we’ve defeated Satan and everything is over, should I take you to a good place?”

“A good place?”

“Yeah. A place where the technology of ancient civilization is condensed. A place where the alchemy and science of the former humans still remain. It has progressed into a new form of civilization now.”

“…Does such a place exist?”

“Yeah. It’s called Atlantis.”

Also known as Belselphia.

Of course, even besides that place, I know of several ancient civilization ruins.

No.

Isn’t there another specific thing condensed with the technology of ancient civilizations?

“…If Lucius brings the Spirit Device, I’ll let you take a ride later.”

“……Oh.”

Mammon’s eyes sparkled.

“That… sounds like something to look forward to. The Spirit Device, the power that has existed in this world since the beginning of human civilization…”

“Exactly. Of course…”

I laid down the law on Mammon.

“The first to ride will be Lucius, then me.”

*

Bride Ship. Captain’s Room.

“Hmm. This is quite revealing.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the reflection staring back at me in the mirror.

“With blue hair and blue eyes, I feel like I’m not myself. Although this Marine being is essentially my clone, something feels off.”

“…What do you find off?”

“This.”

I pointed at the swimsuit I was wearing—a swimsuit Lucius had chosen for me.

“Can this even be called a swimsuit?”

“It has waterproof functions, and if you wear it while swimming, wouldn’t that make it a swimsuit?”

“…Is that so?”

I was persuaded.

Since I was in Marine’s body, I felt like Lucius had a point.

Perhaps it’s because Lucius’s mana is injected into this body.

‘Sneaky.’

Worried that there might be some issues on the way to the sky island, I put a ton of his mana in so that my clone’s mana wouldn’t disappear.

Thanks to that, I’m relieved about the mana situation and there weren’t any major issues running the Bride Ship.

“Lucius.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I’m glad that there’s more area compared to the others. Ugh, what are the others…”

Rosmas.

Droniel.

Both of them were prancing around in outfits that could barely be called swimsuits, made of just strings.

Yan?

He was just wearing the blessing of divine power.

I couldn’t even begin to describe what was behind him.

Compared to those three, this outfit could be considered quite modest.

But.

“Lucius. You look quite happy even after pulling an all-nighter with those three, huh?”

“Now I can handle a 1:3 situation easily.”

Currently.

The time is dawn.

Lucius came up to the captain’s room for some early morning training after putting the party members to sleep.

The three were asleep, and outside, Marines were busy organizing on the bridge, leaving only Lucius and me in the captain’s room.

And despite looking like he should be exhausted, Lucius seemed unusually energized.

Though physically and mentally fatigued, he felt like he was holding on by focusing on something other than that.

“You look pretty tired, so it might be best not to do the morning exercise today. Follow me. Instead, I’ll do something else.”

“No, I—I can handle anything…”

“Enough. Just come with me.”

I pointed outside to Lucius, who awkwardly got up from his seat and followed behind me.

“This kid.”

After working hard against those three, he must surely be sore.

So, it was time to loosen those stiff muscles.

Where?

In a warm, soothing facility.

“Master, where are we…?”

“The bathhouse.”

Inside the Bride Ship.

It’s not quite like a swimming pool, but there’s a place filled with warm water.

The space is quite small, and sitting down would keep just your neck above the water.

The structure allowed for two people to fit comfortably inside.

“Get in.”

Splash.

I entered the water and slowly submerged my body.

As soon as I did, my magical energy pouch unintentionally bobbed up, but it wasn’t a big problem, so I just relaxed in the water.

“What are you doing? Get in.”

“……Master.”

“What?”

“Entering here to relieve my stiff muscles means that it’s significant to have my body touched by the warm water to warm me up, right?”

“Right?”

“Then wouldn’t it be more efficient to go in completely naked?”

“…That’s true.”

Swish.

I took off my swimsuit.

Since it’s only strings, and it easily unfastens with a button at the front, I quickly removed it.

Thinking about it, this isn’t even naked.

It’s not a human body at all either.

Not even a puppet.

Just a shapeless mass of mana.

If I had to describe it, it would be like slime.

“What are you doing? Get in.”

“…….”

“Could you turn your eyes away for a moment?”

“…Hmph.”

I obediently closed my eyes.

Lucius rustled about for a moment before eventually entering the water, and I faced him, keeping about a 2-meter distance between us.

“Lucius.”

“Yes, Master.”

“How does it feel to leave behind the comrades you fought alongside during the Trial of the Holy Sword?”

“…….”

Lucius remained silent.

“The other three probably didn’t discuss that part at all.”

“…That is true.”

I left my comrades behind.

Left my comrades.

Although the situation came to that, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“I wanted to fight alongside them. I thought if I wielded the Holy Sword, I could save at least one more person. But…”

“Don’t place blame on the empire.”

I warned him firmly.

“What you should blame and think negatively about is not the empire but the Demon King’s Army.”

“…….”

“Don’t think too negatively of the empire. They are merely…. consumed by the power of the Spirit Device.”

“The power of the Spirit Device?”

“Yes. A power stronger than the Holy Sword. The empire possesses Spirit Devices. To be precise…”

I pointed to the ground.

“The system of the empire includes the Spirit Device. However, nobody can use it. Not even the Emperor who wields the Holy Sword.”

“Is that possible? How does that work?”

“Because the Spirit Device has fallen. Ah, describing it this way might make it a bit hard to understand. To simplify it, it’s like the spirit Celcius has fallen and rampaged.”

“……The will of the Spirit Device has rampaged, causing the empire to go mad?”

“Exactly. The humans living in the land where the influence of the Spirit Device extends live in a very ‘human-like’ manner.”

Not a life of being human.

A life that is human-like.

To metaphorically put it, they are like crumbs of bread.

“For convenience’s sake, let’s say it’s the Earth Spirit. The Earth Spirit desires the downfall of humans.”

“…Why is that?”

“Because they think humans harm nature. They want humans to perish on their own. They incite human desires and ultimately drive human selfishness to lead to their doom.”

“…….”

It must be overwhelming.

“I’m not sure about the Wind Spirit. Whether the Wind Spirit will adhere to its function as a Spirit Device or hold any thoughts of its own remains to be seen when you ride it.”

Grrr.

The Bride Ship began to lift upward.

Thanks to it being set on autopilot, the Bride Ship was racing towards its destination.

“Lucius. You’re going to gain the power to save humanity. So even as you detour a bit to help others suffering on that path, you don’t need to worry too much about it. Got it?”

“…Thank you, Master.”

“Yep. Then… shall we practice a bit?”

“…Practice?”

“Yep.”

I leaned back against the edge of the tub and extended my feet forward.

“Massage.”

 

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