Chapter 67

The S-rank swordsman who served as the leader of everyone, Celestan Le Nan. He is not from a noble family but seems to be the son of a wealthy merchant.

Pavari, an A-rank who uses light attribute magic and is equipped with a mace. She is said to be skilled in earth attribute magic in the Four Elements.

After introducing themselves briefly, everyone initially discussed and aligned their information. Once that was done, Celestan was having a discussion with Ekvar, and I was enjoying my conversation with Pavari.

“Humans who use light or dark attribute magic for attacks and defense are few, you know. Especially dark magic, it’s quite rare.”

Pavari spoke with a delighted expression; she had a somewhat stiff demeanor, but she seemed like a good person. Belial was sitting next to me, quietly drinking tea.

“That’s true, there’s no one to talk to about it. I suppose it’s because of the high mana consumption.”

“That might be part of it, but there’s no opportunity to learn either. Within the light attribute, especially the holy type, those who fight demons tend to want to learn it, but there are few who choose dark magic. I apologize for this, but it has been very educational.”

He apparently studied under a teacher who specializes in light magic, particularly the holy type. The teacher had fought demons and contracted with angels. Because he mainly keeps his doors closed, it was difficult for him to become an apprentice, he told me.

“Ciel Judgment has high mana consumption, but it’s quite a useful spell, right?”

“That’s right! It’s essential for fighting demons! What spell was it that blocked that?!”

“Was it Slethe Etandor? Although it didn’t completely block it. That spell is based on a myth where one must pass through seven gates to the land of death, removing enchanted accessories along the way to reduce mana… In the end, it should have completely dissipated, causing dark energy to fill the area.”

“I see… But even with the help of the S-rank person, I was still reduced like that. It was completely my loss.”

While declaring defeat, he was smiling. Indeed, I too couldn’t normally engage in such magical battles, so it was very interesting. Next time, I would like to try being on the side that uses light magic.

“Moreover, with lightning and ice magic, you’re really a versatile person…! That ice magic was also magnificent. I never expected to have my defense broken!”

“That one, I focused the mana on just the central pillar. Since everyone assumes the three pillars are of equal strength, it tricks them. It’s a pretty easy spell to use.”

“…I’m really curious!! What have you all been doing?!”

Ekvar was standing next to our table, where we were facing each other on the sofa. Behind him, Celestan was chuckling.

“She was handling both S-rank and A-rank magicians on her own. She even easily broke a barrier spell—what immense knowledge she has!”

“Ilya… She was supposed to be in the Dead Sea, but the results are strange.”

Ekvar sighed, not understanding, at Celestan’s explanation.

“Oh, that’s right. It was the Dead Sea. Let me give you a souvenir before I forget.”

I handed Ekvar a black scale.

“Thank you… but a scale? I don’t really use it… huh? …Hmm??”

It seemed he noticed something unusual. I had purposely given it to him without prior context. Belial was also enjoying the situation.

Ekvar took the scale in both hands, checking its hardness, thickness, and weight by shaking it up and down.

“No, this scale… it’s black… could it be from a dragon? This seems like something extraordinary…”

Pavari, sitting across from me, was staring intently at the scale.

Celestan touched the scale from the side, examining its texture.

“Hard… A black dragon? Could it be… Yormungand?”

“No, I harvested that one recently, so I know it’s not that. This is… this is something much higher, isn’t it!?”

When Pavari heard this, she pointed at it, trembling with excitement.

“…The sea!! It’s the sea’s magic! This… this is Tiamat’s scale!?”

“Ah… haha! Indeed, it is Tiamat’s!!”

Belial laughed joyfully.

The three of them were wide-eyed, staring in disbelief.

“What!? How did you get Tiamat’s scale in the Dead Sea? Did you fight her…?!”

“Fool! There’s no way we would fight someone with that kind of catastrophic power!!”

Ekvar’s response made sense. I still don’t understand how a scale from Tiamat ended up with me…

“Is it really Tiamat’s!? …I… I want it…”

Celestan’s voice trembled. Anyone who uses dragon scales for armor would desperately want one, especially Tiamat’s, which is not only hard and excellent for defense but also highly resistant to magic. Though, it’s a bit heavy.

“Apparently, Belial-sama was friends with Tiamat’s son and received it. We only met by chance, and I only have one piece, though.”

“Friends, you say? That’s a rather vague expression.”

It seemed he wasn’t happy with that description. I couldn’t think of any other way to put it.

“…Could it be that this Belial, the demon, is actually a duke or even a king in hell…?”

“Did you not realize? I am the ‘King of Flames,’ I thought you would understand.”

“Really!? I still would have fought even if you were a king—what a reckless challenge!” I thought to myself. Pavari, who asked the question, and Celestan, who finally understood, were both trembling in shock.

Because of what we had just done to the king of hell…

“I am a direct servant of Emperor Satan of Hell, and I am a king who commands fifty legions. Remember that. Ah, and do not speak of that matter. It’s not something to be shared with mere humans.”

That was quite a nonchalant introduction. It seems the “Dark Ruler” is something that shouldn’t be revealed.

“More topics that make me curious…! Ah, I really should have gone!!”

Ekvar, for some reason, held the scale up to his face and repeatedly tapped it on his forehead. Since it was pretty hard, I wondered if it hurt.

“In Chenkaslar , it’s rumored that the duchess’s mage contracted with a marquis-class demon, and that was the highest rank. But I didn’t expect someone higher.”

Everyone calmed down a little, and Pavari spoke up, her voice heavy. It seemed the weight of the situation had finally sunk in.

Belial was enjoying the situation, so it didn’t seem like an issue.

“The ‘King of Flames’ is just a title. I didn’t think it was actually a real king.”

Celestan scratched his head with a big hand. Mistaking the demon rank could be a huge disadvantage in battle, as even a single rank difference can make a significant difference in power.

Though, normally, you wouldn’t expect someone to contract with a king-class demon…

“It can’t be helped! More importantly, that barrier was quite interesting. I was impressed with the Alectoria stone you used!”

“Ugh… when I think about it again, I feel like I messed up…”

She had meant to praise it but sounded negative!

“By the way, what was that talisman? I caught a glimpse of it.”

Celestan seemed unconcerned about things that had passed, but it was impressive that he had spotted the talisman through that dark mist. He must have good eyes.

“That’s a planet talisman. It’s higher than a talisman.”

“…Ilya, I don’t mind if you use it, but please don’t teach anyone how to make it. It’s a secret technique.”

“I won’t teach anyone. Explaining it is quite a hassle, you know.”

The sofa had two seats, and Ekvar was leaning over the backrest behind me.

Beside me, Belial had a cool expression as he ate a cookie.

Celestan hadn’t known about the planet talisman, but Pavari’s eyes were wide, staring at me intently.

Seeing her interest, I took out the talisman I had used and showed it to them.

“This one.”

“An actual… planet talisman!! Amazing, I never thought I’d see one in person…”

That was a bit over the top. Is it really that rare? Creating one requires considering the influence of the planets to maximize its effects, so it’s a hassle to make and only produced at limited times.

“While it’s very useful for situations like this, making a universal seal would be more versatile and better.”

“Neither of those can be made easily!!”

“Please, Ilya, don’t talk about these things so casually!”

I was scolded by both Pavari and Ekvar. Belial was grinning.

Now that I think about it, there was no guest bed in my house.

The two of them planned to stay at an inn and visit the duke tomorrow with Ekvar.

We were planning to go as well, but that night, something strange happened, and we ended up heading in that direction. It was confirmed that the protective magic in Belial’s gem had been used.

It was the bracelet I had given to the elf Yustus earlier. Apparently, something happened in the elf forest. I had reflected a bit on giving it to him, but I’m glad I did. If it turns out not to be a big deal, I’ll try negotiating for some mandragora as a side benefit.