"Father York?"
Archibald looked back with gratitude.
[Two points of magical power used]
[Magic Power: 132/134]
York nodded, patted his shoulder, and retreated to his original position.
"Continue!"
Archibald took a deep breath and continued to demand the demon's real name.
However, although Malen seemed extremely uncomfortable, constantly howling, he still did not reveal his real name. Instead, he responded to Archibald's questioning with roars and mumbled words.
"Ah, ahhhhh!"
"I am the blasphemer of gods!!!"
"I am the nightmare!!!"
"I am your nemesis!!!!"
"..."
The entire room echoed with the demon's roar.
Archibald began to feel the pressure, visible in the fine sweat covering his forehead. However, his only option was to keep questioning.
Therefore, Archibald looked towards York again.
"Father York, shall we continue?"
York nodded.
"Alright."
With no other option, Archibald took out a cross and a Bible, holding the cross in his right hand and the Bible in his left, and started reciting the Bible facing Malen.
"..."
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
"..."
As expected, Malen became more uncomfortable due to the content of the Bible, but while writhing, his increasingly blood-red eyes were fixed on Archibald.
"Bug, you have no power over me! On the contrary, I know everything about you!!"
"Hehe!"
"I will definitely kill you!"
"..."
York's eyelids drooped as he looked at the sweating Archibald.
"The power the demon can utilize is getting stronger."
"..."
After finishing Ephesians 6:12-13, Archibald's forehead was covered in more sweat. He looked at Malen, gritted his teeth, and continued.
However, Malen suddenly propped up his upper body and, with even more blood-red eyes, glanced at York, then stared at Archibald.
"Your name is Archibald Grant! I finally know your name! Hehe!"
Archibald was startled and instinctively stopped reciting the Bible.
York sighed internally. "Ah, that's a breach, you silly boy."
As expected, Malen, with his blood-red eyes, continued to reveal more information about Archibald.
"Have you forgotten? Archibald, the cat that died in your car?
Do you know that cat was everything to someone's heart?
"Oh my, there are so many people you owe apologies to."
"..."
Malen kept talking, getting clearer and more detailed, including things from Archibald's childhood.
Archibald's forehead sweated even more, and his face grew increasingly pale.
York, like a bystander, let Malen slowly break through Archibald's mental defenses, his gaze resting on him, silently measuring his score.
If Archibald could resist the demon's erosion and verbal pressure, and steadfastly continue reciting the Bible, then he would pass in York's eyes.
A mature exorcist typically has a strong mental fortitude; otherwise, just the shock of the bloody scenes and the heavy mental pressure would be unbearable, not to mention facing the demon's direct spiritual erosion.
But honestly, York could empathize with Archibald's feelings. It's one thing if a demon targets you, but involving innocent family members is unforgivable.
"My goodness! There was even a girl who died because of you? Archibald? Was this girl's name Yvette?" Malen continued, his smile as twisted as a clown's.
Hearing the name Yvette, Archibald, who had been somewhat in control, suddenly looked up and stared fiercely at Malen, grinding his teeth.
"Shut up!!!!!"
Malen tilted his head back, his voice tinged with emotion.
"Oh, my, she died in front of you?"
Archibald's eyes were fixed on Malen, a hint of pain appearing in them.
Malen continued in a mocking and sarcastic tone.
"I'm curious, what did you feel holding Yvette that day?"
At this, Archibald completely broke down, glaring at Malen and gritting his teeth.
"You know nothing! You damn devil! No! All of you demons from hell deserve to die!"
Malen's mouth corners abruptly dropped, his blood-red eyes staring at the fiercely enraged Archibald.
"Archibald, I am eternal! I know your nightmares and will soon become your nightmare."
His shrieking voice fell, and the whole room seemed to undergo a change. Archibald stood still, staring at Malen, his eyes struggling. But the Bible and cross in his hands fell to the ground, his face showing pain.
"Hehe!!!"
Malen twisted his head to look at the indifferent York, arrogantly laughing.
"..."
"Has he entered an illusion..."
York ignored Malen's terrifying smile and victory roar, glanced at Archibald trapped in the illusion, and started to put down his backpack, whispering to the trembling elder.
"Mr. Mark, do you have pigs on your farm? I saw your pigsty when I came."
"Yes...yes..." The elder's trembling voice responded.
"Could you sell me one?" York turned around, shielding the elder's view with his broad chest, and smiled.
"If possible, I'd like you to bring one here."
The elder stared at York, asking cautiously.
"To bring it here?"
Malen on the bed continued to roar, asserting his presence.
"I am your nightmare!!!"
"..."
The noise was too loud and the dark erosion too strong, so York simply used magic to shield the elder's ears from the dark erosion, keeping him unaffected.
[One point of magical power used] [Magic Power: 132/134]
"Yes, Mr. Mark." York nodded and smiled. "The Lord is with you."
Suddenly unable to hear the frightening roars, the elder looked seriously at York, bit his gums, and quickly left without looking back at Malen.
"My beloved father is scared?" Malen laughed arrogantly.
"Yes, he's scared!"
York glanced at Malen, responding casually, and walked over to the dazed Archibald, raising his right hand and slapping his forehead.
With a snap and a mechanical sound [Four points of magical power used], Archibald's body trembled as if struggling. His eyes suddenly regained focus and began to concentrate.
Hit by the magic power, Archibald came out of the demon's illusion. He blinked and saw the priest, who loomed over him like a mountain.
Archibald's forehead was covered in sweat, his expression ugly and pained.
"Father York, I..."
"It's okay, you just need more experience." York interrupted Archibald, patted his shoulder, and didn't inquire about the illusion and Yvette, who had broken his final mental defense.
"The rest is up to me. Actually, demons are not as scary as you imagine. On the contrary, once you learn the technique, they are weaker than you think."
Archibald looked at the legendary priest in front of him, took a deep breath, and his expression gradually stabilized. Maybe because of the illusion or anger, his eyes had a bit more determination.
"I understand, Father York."
York smiled, patted the young man's shoulder again, casually picked up a chair, and while looking at Malen, controlled the distance and sat beside the bed.
"Is it your turn to show up, you damn bug!" Malen, free from the torment of holy water and recitations, lay comfortably on the bed, looking at York.
"Your smell is even worse than this rookie's!"
"Is that so..."
York looked at Malen, pinched his nose as if smelling something, silently moved the chair back a bit, and then sat down again.
The entire action was not very harmful but was extremely insulting, causing Malen's blood-red eyes to freeze for a moment.
"What's going on today!"