Episode 177. The Spirit King of Life (2)
The leader of the spirits, called the apostles of nature. If one rises to the rank of the Spirit King, it is no exaggeration to say that one is in the realm of a god.
Among them, what Shaikhar governs as the spirit king is ‘life’.
You can freely manipulate the flow of all living things, such as plants and animals, and reproduce all the forces and structures of living things on this earth.
It is not for nothing that they are given the rank of spirit.
But there was an absolute law that even she could not break…
-A person who has once died can never come back to life.
The unbreakable rules set by this world.
Even if he is the King of the Spirits of Life, it is impossible to ignore his providence. In fact, calling him a god is merely a metaphorical expression to admire his existence.
If that was possible, why didn’t he bring his dead daughter back to life sooner?
However, anything is possible in a lower range than that.
As you know, humans are just one of many living beings. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to say that we can know all the information just by touching a human.
“What on earth do you mean….”
“It’s true. The blood flowing inside your body is mixed with that of the man who became the Demon King 300 years ago.”
Needless to say, my reaction to that fact was astounding, and Heidern and Tariel also gaped open their mouths.
To be honest, I was also confused about what was going on. I wanted to rack my brain to the point where I thought it might be better not to listen.
Certainly, if he is the Demon King from 300 years ago, he is someone mentioned in the main game. This is because he is the mastermind who caused the death of the great sage Dantia, who had achieved numerous achievements.
Of course, he was once human, and before becoming the Demon King, he was the Emperor of the Empire.
He was such a mischievous bastard since his days as crown prince that he even murdered his younger sister in a place that no one could see.
He has harbored a considerable inferiority complex toward Dantia for a long time. He even banished his daughter, the princess, because she admired Dantia, so that says it all.
However, the ill-fated relationship between them accelerated when Dantia accepted his daughter as his disciple.
‘Although the past story is well-organized within the game, it has the disadvantage of not being as detailed as the main story.’
It does tell how that crazy emperor became the Demon King, and what kind of politics he used to bring down the great sage Dantia.
But I couldn’t know the guy’s genealogy exactly.
‘But something’s a bit strange. I don’t remember that bastard ever having a son.’
The siblings of that scoundrel were mentioned, but their whereabouts were unknown.
I don’t know if the royal bloodline has been broken off, but according to Shaikhar, I am the blood of that damn human.
“So then… does that mean my father and sister also have the same blood as the Demon King?”
“If you’re not an adopted son, then neither are they. Of course, I don’t know whether your bloodline comes from your mother or your father.”
Are you saying that you got it from either your mother or father?
I thought they were just extras when I played the game, but what on earth is this Crawler family?
Aren’t you under a curse that no one can break? And aren’t you the blood of some ridiculous person?
『But judging by the pale color of his blood, it seems like he isn’t of the original bloodline. Well, it would probably fade after about 300 years.』
“But was there ever a precedent for the Demon King of that time to have a child? As Shaikhar said, I am his bloodline.”
Otherwise, I… no, Radon Crowler would not have been born.
It’s possible that this is the result of him having an accident with a woman in a secret place and not cleaning up after himself. He’s such a total loser, it’s entirely possible.
But unexpected words came out of Shaikhar’s mouth.
『I don’t think that guy would do that. He’s the guy who threw away his remaining humanity in order to gain power. However, even if it weren’t him, it would be possible if it were the siblings. There were three children in that family.』
“You were three siblings?”
Another thing that I didn’t know popped up.
In the game, the only mention of the royal family is of the mangnani and the youngest sister. Above all, the fact that the younger sister is called the ‘youngest’ is strange in itself.
If you’re the youngest, it wouldn’t be strange if there was another one in the middle.
『If one of those three created a descendant, it could be connected to them and you were born. In any case, since you share blood with that Demon King, there is a possibility that you will suffer disadvantages in life.』
“Disadvantage?
『To put it simply… should I call it a ‘curse’?』
The moment I heard those words, a chill ran through my entire body. If I could piece together the circumstances of that past, I would know why I was under the Liar’s curse.
If our Crowler family was unjustly cursed due to our ancestors’ mistakes, then it’s pretty much true.
Besides, I remember what Muto said before. That it was a curse that was 300 years old.
If so, then the time zone matches exactly as well.
`But it’s been several years since the curse manifested on the Crowler family… Why?`
If it was tied up 300 years ago, why wasn’t it expressed since then, and why did it only manifest in recent generations?
Although it is still a mystery, it is a relief to know what the root of it is.
“Then is there a way to solve it?”
“Hmm. It looks like you’re talking about ‘that’ thing that’s already hanging.”
“….”
Shaikhar had already figured out what I wanted, but she couldn’t give me a clear answer either.
『Unfortunately, it seems that this is not something I can solve. Look at this. Isn’t the way you speak so strangely that even I can’t interfere?』
Even she, the spirit queen, could not avoid being silenced.
I was reminded again that this was a curse that could never be broken.
『But you can’t just assume that it’s impossible to solve. If you think about it, you’re pretty lucky.』
“Really?”
When I showed a bright reaction with my eyes sparkling, Shaikhar drew a line at the corner of his mouth and said.
『Hehehe. But it won’t be easy to achieve. I heard that two saints were born recently? Unless you take those girls to your side…』
… it can never be achieved,” Shaikhar tried to taunt.
“Ah, those two are already friends. They’re seniors and juniors at the academy.”
“What!?”
For the first time, I could see Shaikhar’s surprised face, and then a laugh escaped her mouth.
『Hahaha! Then it’s no different from solving everything. If it’s the Eternal Flame created by Dantia, then you’ll be able to obtain it when you graduate.』
Shaikhar, who already knows what I am receiving with my diploma.
It sounded like the curse could be lifted with just that flame and the saintess.
“But there’s one more thing you need to prepare for that.”
“yes?”
There’s one more?
A question escaped his lips at that fact, but this time Shaikhar smiled and said,
『Hehehe. But you already have those supplies in hand.』
Then she pointed to Mary, who was lying on the table.
The moment I saw her, looking so beautiful today under the moonlight, I understood at once.
“no way…”
『To lift that curse, not only the power of the saint but also the power of the Demon King will be needed.』
What kind of miracle is this?
I was obsessed with the power of the saint, clinging to the prejudice that holy power could lift the curse.
Even though I never considered the power of the Demon King important… I didn’t completely ignore it.
The moment I remembered that all the time I had spent with Mary had not been in vain, I was filled with admiration.
“Uhhh… buddy… do you trust me…?”
Mary, who moves her hands and calls someone in her sleep.
There was no guarantee that she would have called me, but I still held Mary’s cute hand.
Then, looking at her smiling face, I said to myself.
-Of course I believe it.
『However, that is only when this child properly controls the Demon King’s power. There is a possibility that he will go out of control. Am I wrong?』
There was no one who denied it.
Among them, Heidern, who knew Mary well, nodded his head.
『I also hate the fact that things like 300 years ago and 30 years ago are happening again. So I will put a limit on the Demon King’s power so that he doesn’t go out of control.』
“Is that true?”
“But then…”
“What? Do you think I’m going to ask for a price?”
Shaikhar, who knew exactly what we meant when we asked him so excitedly.
It left us speechless, but Shaikhar wasn’t as ruthless as we expected.
“Don’t you already owe me something? Take it as repayment.”
Shaikhar spoke while pointing at the sleeping prisoners. We understood his meaning and bowed our heads to the Spirit King.
“thank you.”
* * * * *
In the realm of the Spirit King, we were able to remain safe.
It made her feel good, but the danger in that area was only caused by the spirits under the suggestion. Shaikar had not completely lost faith in humans.
Shaikhar had extracted all the prisoners’ magical powers. Now, Heidern and the others were no different from ordinary people, but no one regretted it.
Thanks to Shaikhar’s touch, Mary was able to become a body that could no longer go berserk. Like Jenny’s Chain Silver, it was made so that it could only output power in a way that did not cause it to go berserk.
Of course, if your own abilities are improved, you can fully draw out that power without going berserk. If this happens, it means that there will be no need to ascend to the final boss of Chapter 5 like in the main story.
“Before I go out, I have something to tell you.”
Shaikhar’s words were not over yet. Her last words were about the ‘afterlife’.
She was always interfering with the afterlife to find traces of her daughter, but she said she sensed a bad omen there.
It’s as if the spirit of trying to forcibly revive the dead has been detected somewhere.
If it was just an ordinary person, it might not have been noticeable, but what stood out was that the person who could be revived was a powerful person.
Prince Totema also wanted to know that, so he said he would stay in the Spirit King’s domain. It seemed like there was no need to worry about his sensitivity.
So we headed outside.
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Shaaaaaaaah-
The wall blocking the exit was torn open with a loud bird-like cry.
The mercenaries and our cadets were finally able to return to the real world.
But as soon as I got back, the first thing I saw were the knights of the Empire. As expected, it seemed like that guy Rutis had deployed extra troops when he came.
Of course, countermeasures have already been prepared.
“The captain has returned!”
As one of the knights hurriedly reported, a knight who appeared to be an executive approached him.
Even though we got out safely, the executives didn’t suspect anything because ‘Chief Ruthie’ was right next to us.
“Are you back, Captain?”
“Yes, all the prisoners have been captured. And there have been virtually no casualties among our forces.”
In fact, it wasn’t just us who escaped. As Rutis said, the soldiers he led escaped as well.
First of all, all the prisoners are being dragged out wearing magic-limiting handcuffs.
All the soldiers who were supposed to carry it out were knocked unconscious by Mary’s hypnosis, but she was able to convince them as soon as they woke up.
Through Ruthie here.
“Transport the prisoners first. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“But weren’t these people traitors? I heard they betrayed justice and joined evil.”
The executive shoots him a suspicious look. It seems that this person also has the same disposition as Ruthie.
But there was nothing to worry about.
“Actually, that was a misunderstanding. These guys are also like-minded people, so you can rest assured.”
“Is that true?”
The executive, his eyes glaring more sharply, gave Ruthie a hand sign.
If he couldn’t take it, it would be someone’s disguise, but Ruthie took it with a suitable sign without any hesitation.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You were right, Captain.”
“Anyway, hurry up. We’ll be back in the capital by tomorrow or the day after.”
“yes!”
Then the officer led the remaining troops out of the forest. The soldiers next to him also followed along, leading the prisoners.
Now there was no one in sight who could be called an Imperial soldier. Then, Rutis’ face turned into a piece of wood.
“They’re all gone. Well, if this is Shaikhar-sama’s order, then I have no choice but to follow it.”
There was no way that Ruthie, who was already dead, could come back.
The being that disguised himself to play that guy was none other than Shaikhar’s direct spirit, ‘Sprite’.
“Thank you so much for your help.”
“Thank you, I couldn’t have done this on my own without you in the first place. Radon Crowler.”
As Sprite said, even if you can disguise yourself as someone else, it’s impossible to copy their memories and genes.
However, since I had absorbed Rutis and acquired all of his memories and genes, I was able to disguise myself as Sprite.
“The memories of that disgusting knight commander you devoured are all engraved in my head. And I even have his fingerprints. Radon Crowler, this is all your work.”
“But is that okay? For the time being, you will have to live as Ruthie Saintly.”
“Since it is Shaikhar’s order, I will gladly follow it. And I heard the Empire has been suspicious recently? Well, that’s a good thing.”
Sprite, who had disguised himself as Ruthie again, led us out of the forest.
There we could see the railroad illuminated by the sunset, and the sunlight was naturally welcoming us.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
