Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Please
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“It’s not all that rare for remnants of demons to manifest.”
Atalante began like that.
“The revival of a demon’s true body came to an end with the exploits of the hero who last wielded the holy sword, but their remnants are still scattered throughout the world.”
Fragments of demons scattered across the world when their true bodies were torn apart.
Most exist in the form of lingering thoughts, attaching to objects or places, but the most dangerous ones seep into humans as ‘vessels.’
Once all the ‘conditions’ align perfectly afterward, the fragment manifests through that vessel.
Just like the Gray Devil’s fragment had manifested through Elnor before.
‘The problem is...’
Once a demon fragment manifests through a vessel like that, the other fragments of demons have the property of gathering back around that human.
By a compulsion that could almost be called forced inevitability.
That’s why the vessel is the most important and dangerous. They essentially become the medium for a demon’s revival.
“...”
I let out a wry smile inwardly.
In the same vein, Elnor, who has already had a demon manifest once, will probably undergo some major change soon.
It’s highly likely to manifest as an extreme amplification of certain types of ‘emotions.’
Guiding that in the best possible direction is my job.
“Every fragment of a demon that manifests in the material world inevitably causes catastrophic disaster.”
Yeah. I know that.
There’s something similar in the scenario right now.
The Night Raid Incident. An accident where a human possessed by multiple fragments of the ‘Red Devil’ manifested them all at once.
It’s also the accident that wiped out the family of Eliya, the current hero candidate.
“...”
One of the Red Devil’s authorities is ‘Karma Fire,’ which manipulates flames near infinite in scale.
Of course, even with a few fragments, it couldn’t replicate that properly.
But even so.
It hadn’t hit home when I saw it as game CG, but if it happened in reality, the horror would be beyond words.
One human.
Had erased several cities from the map entirely.
In just one night.
“So when the erosion phenomenon—a authority of the Gray Devil—occurred on a massive scale through the Tristan Duchess this time, I rushed here at full speed. We have to suppress it as quickly as possible to minimize the damage.”
At the time, Atalante had been filled with desperate resolve, apparently.
Not just any fragment, but one of the ‘Gray Devil.’ The strongest among Pandemonium’s rulers.
Its power would make even a millennium-old eternal predict death.
No, more than that.
“...Did you know Elnor was the medium for the manifestation?”
“I suspected. I was certain this time because the evidence was so clear.”
Atalante smirked as she replied.
“The Holy Empire and the heresy inquisitions they dispatch within the Empire are remarkably competent when it comes to this. They may not pinpoint exactly who the ‘vessel’ harboring a demon fragment is, but narrowing it down to candidates is trivial for them.”
The sentence continued with a sigh.
That’s impressive.
By setting, demon fragments seek out their own targets.
They go to great lengths to hide for long periods undetected, choosing hosts who can inflict the most catastrophic damage upon manifestation.
Thanks to that, they acted as random variables in the scenario—who got which fragment was entirely random.
In other words, they’ve gathered info detailed enough to compile candidate lists that even I don’t know.
Definitely a big help.
“But because of that nature, all the ‘vessels’ carrying demon fragments are people you can’t touch carelessly.”
Whether by social status or personal strength, most vessels are humans who’ve achieved great heights.
These people’s affairs are tangled up complexly with the politics of various nations, making them hard to touch recklessly, and if you mess up and the fragment inside truly manifests, it becomes an instant disaster.
So the standard approach to such vessel candidates is observation, neglect, and light management.
“Yes. But this time, the conditions aligned perfectly, and we succeeded in summoning all the prime candidates to this academy.”
That’s impressive too.
Even one potential vessel is someone who could cause massive fallout if mishandled.
“The timing was right, the targets were right. Heaven’s luck was with us. And among them, your very existence is the greatest stroke of luck.”
“...Pardon?”
“The demon fragment that manifested through the Tristan Duchess ‘helped’ you. Even using up all the time permitted to itself.”
“...”
Well, yeah.
So she knew the manifested Gray Devil helped me.
Given the circumstances, it’d be weirder if she didn’t.
“It’s strange. It must know that exposing its existence is a weakness in itself.”
There’s a reason.
My opened Special Gift, ‘Fatal Charm,’ had built up extreme favor toward me.
Doesn’t seem like any other reason.
“That’s the key point.”
Atalante continued, still smiling.
“The demons are unnaturally favorable toward you, Dawood Campbell.”
“...Pardon?”
But the words that followed.
“There’s only one hypothesis that explains it.”
I couldn’t help furrowing my brow.
“I’ve lived nearly a millennium, and it’s a phenomenon I’ve seen only a handful of times—countable on one hand.”
Atalante affirmed it.
The cause is unclear, but such phenomena have occurred a few times in history.
“Humans toward whom all demons show obsessive fixation. To the point where beings whose goal is the material world’s destruction sacrifice themselves. There have been those born with such a soul’s nature.”
The other party continued.
“Those fated to be loved by all evil. Yes. To me, you’re one such human.”
“...”
Is my ability really at that level?
-That’s a talent far more powerful than you think. How you wield it is up to you.
The angel uncles had said something like that to me before.
Now, things like Atalante’s talk of the ‘world’s fate’ started making sense.
If everything this person is saying is true.
Then just my existence lets me exert influence on every single entity forming the axis of evil in this world view. Monstrous.
“Personally, it’s my first time meeting someone born with that nature, so I’d love to study you and uncover the principle, but there’s something more urgent right now.”
Atalante swept her face with a sigh.
She didn’t look like she was about to share pleasant news.
“Those born with that nature inherently draw demons to them by fate. No matter what life they lead, they’re bound to get entangled with demon vessels. No exceptions in recorded history.”
“...So that means.”
“Yes. You’ll inevitably get entangled with this generation’s demon vessels too.”
The story that followed was in that vein.
“Of course, most humans like you didn’t meet good ends. As you’d expect.”
Most vessels aren’t ordinary humans, and demons by nature stir up turmoil, always dragging tragedy and disaster in their wake.
No single human could withstand them all charging in.
“But.”
But.
Atalante, who’d brought that up, gave a slight smile.
“There was one instance.”
A man and woman, one a vessel harboring a demon fragment and the other with a soul like mine, met.
And bloomed true love, surviving to the end.
It must’ve shattered miracle-upon-miracle odds.
“What do you think happened?”
“...”
“The demon fragment harbored in the vessel completely vanished from the material world.”
As a result, the demon with no ‘medium’ to manifest through became essentially permanently sealed.
No vessel meant even other fragments couldn’t gather.
“The exact conditions aren’t known. Some say the vessel must die in love’s embrace; others say it only happens with intensely true love. It only occurred once, so no specifics. But that ‘loving relationship’ itself is undoubtedly key—no disagreement there.”
A beautiful story.
True love erasing the seed of destruction.
Yeah.
“...”
But why does my nape keep feeling chills?
“Do you know, student?”
Atalante grinned.
“The vessel candidates we’ve identified so far, well.”
A truly creepy, drawn-out grin.
“By coincidence, they’re all women.”
“...”
My nape chills even more.
Unless I’m an idiot, I can see where this is going.
“...So.”
“Yes.”
“You want me to seduce them all and make the demon fragments vanish?”
Atalante smiled gently.
“It’s a heaven-sent opportunity. That you’re the one born with that nature—a real catch. Swaying a few women’s hearts should be easy.”
“...”
“Of course, it won’t be easy. Demon worshippers aiming for revival will target you relentlessly, and the vessels aren’t ordinary either. But.”
Atalante bowed her head politely.
“Please, Dawood Campbell.”
“...”
“The demon fragments are steadily gathering through the vessels. The more time passes, the more accumulate. If this continues, humanity’s extinction is inevitable—just a matter of time.”
“...”
“I earnestly implore you. Please. We’ll help with everything we can, full force. This old body will do anything possible. So.”
Save humanity.
Those words echoed softly through the office.
●
Opening her eyes, the first thing Elnor saw was a pristine white ceiling.
A familiar sight even for her. She’d been forcibly shown it recently after lunging at Dean Konrad.
“...”
Elpante’s infirmary. Not the outpost where she’d lost consciousness, but inside the academic complex.
Which means.
‘Dawood?’
What happened to that man?
At the first question that came to mind, she abruptly sat up.
“...!”
Of course, she immediately regretted it.
Not a fitting action for a body wrecked beyond words.
With the ensuing agony, she let out a silent scream—
“...Hm?”
Elnor’s eyes widened slightly as she looked down at her body.
It didn’t hurt much.
Some pain lingered, of course, but compared to her injuries, this was a mere breeze.
‘Recovery... sped up?’
As befitting a daughter of a swordsmanship house, she had considerable physical prowess.
But even so, this recovery speed was abnormal.
“...”
Come to think of it, the sinister energy always lurking menacingly in her heart felt far quieter than usual.
Rewinding her memory a bit, before blacking out, something inside had felt like it was corroding her whole body.
‘Something’s changed.’
She tilted her head, gazing at her body.
As if her body’s very makeup had completely shifted.
Like the energy once confined to her heart had now influenced her entire body.
“P-Patient’s awake! Call the attending physician!”
Lost in such thoughts, one of the nurses spotted her and cried out in shock.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only one thinking the injuries shouldn’t have healed this fast.
At the same moment, the infirmary door burst open.
Before she could even think the doctor arrived quickly, the curtain by her bed was yanked aside violently.
“Hey, you okay?!”
Beatrix, her face full of urgency, bombarded her with questions.
“You remember? Body moving right? How, how are you even...!”
“...Calm down.”
Elnor sighed, soothing her.
“I’m perfectly fine. All my memories are intact.”
Beatrix panted, scanning Elnor up and down.
Indeed, she looked fine. Voice, appearance—everything.
“Yeah? You sure?”
“Positive.”
And the moment Elnor answered, Beatrix’s palm smacked her back.
“...”
Not a strong hit, as befitting a bureaucratic-born girl.
Then Beatrix continued, nearly teary, huffing.
“Worrying me like that, seriously! Hey! You really, I seriously thought you were a goner this time...!”
“...That bad?”
“I thought I’d see you straight in the morgue!”
“...”
Yeah, she had been pretty wrecked.
“More importantly, Dawood Campbell? Where’s that man now?”
But her own state took a backseat; he was the priority.
Elnor asked urgently, and Beatrix shot her an incredulous look.
“Almost dying yourself, and that’s your worry? If that guy dies, you’ll cause some huge incide—”
Beatrix cut off mid-sentence.
Because the light vanished from Elnor’s eyes the instant she said it.
A chill raced up Beatrix’s spine at the sudden realization it might actually happen.
“No! He’s not dead! Not dead, so calm down!”
“...His condition?”
“Fine! Way finer than you, so relax!”
Only after those words did light return to Elnor’s eyes, letting Beatrix exhale in relief.
“...Jeez. Total chaos. Almost time to set up housekee—”
Beatrix stopped again.
This time, Elnor was frowning at her words.
No, not offended by them exactly.
But an atmosphere that shut her mouth for a different reason.
Seriously pondering the remark.
“...Hey?”
“...”
“Why’d you go quiet all sudden. It’s creepy.”
“No, someone else said something similar before.”
Elnor replied with narrowed eyes.
“Two people saying that means it’s not coincidence.”
“...”
No.
It’s coincidence.
You’re just interpreting it your way.
‘Isn’t this a bit weird?’
Truth be told, it was.
She’d always paid Dawood plenty of attention before, but fixating on him right after waking like this felt off.
There’d been hints before, but this was...
‘...My obsession’s getting worse?’
Was there some trigger? It worried her a bit.
Beatrix thought that, running a hand through her hair.
Of course, worry aside, there was urgent news to relay.
“Stop overthinking. Things are tough enough already.”
“Must’ve been rough while I was out.”
“Rough? Hellish. Someone barged in out of nowhere.”
“...Barged in?”
Beatrix sighed.
“Two of them. Two absolute heavyweights who’ve got everyone rattled.”
Elnor tilted her head.
Beatrix was a seasoned student council secretary, inured to meeting big shots.
Who could rattle her this much?
“First, the Saintess. She’s coming next semester, but suddenly next week? The Holy Empire pushed so hard the Empire caved in panic.”
“Reason?”
“They say they have something that absolutely needs investigating. Figure a Saintess can do it flawlessly.”
“...”
“That mess with you and Dawood Campbell. The heresy inquisition’s eyeing it too. Total panic.”
Seeing Elnor frown silently, Beatrix sighed.
Definitely not trivial.
The Holy Empire’s Saintess was continent-famous.
God’s proxy. No real power like the Pope or archbishops, but in ‘symbolism,’ she held unparalleled legitimacy.
No one would welcome such a figure barging in to ‘investigate.’
Thus, Beatrix hesitated before the next news.
“And this—I was gonna tell you later, but since it came up.”
“What.”
“Your father’s coming to the academy. Sir Gideon.”
Sparks flew from Elnor’s eyes.
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