The headaches came by naturally.
Guy: 「Ah, life...」
I don't even think I'm sane anymore.
Sariel was an absolute menace. With the way he went out on how he dislikes fighting and shit, his sudden action was uncalled for.
Reviving thousands of people in public display, all in one go...
What the hell?
He was practically screaming, "I am your God!"
I knew he always wanted the favor of the humans, but this was unexpected.
Normally, I wouldn't even give a flip, but with how delusional humans can be, it wouldn't be shocking if they intended to use Sariel to deal with this new council of demon lords.
But does he give a damn? Let me think—Yeah right. He doesn't.
In fact, if I were to guess, he probably also intended to give me trouble.
With this, I'll have to send Misery to launch an attack on the Western Union to demoralize them, erasing any thought of rebellion.
There may be more work in store for me with this act alone.
*Sigh*
And the most annoying thing is that he might not even be aware of all this!!
But on the other hand, my curiosity was peaked.
To revive thousands in a span of a few seconds,... just how crazy could he get...?
He didn't even seem fazed. That enormous amount of energy used... and the level of control, alongside the mastery he has over souls...
He is really interesting. I have to admit that such analytical abilities were something I was not capable of.
Not to brag, but my intellectual ability is quite high for a demon, but what he showed was on par with the ultimate level or even beyond.
And he said he didn't have an ultimate skill... what a load of bullcrap.
He definitely did. But a sudden question like that could arouse suspicion.
It was unwise of me to go straight to the point.
He was extremely unpredictable force, but I still expected him to at least show a bit of a reaction to my sudden question.
But the way he acted like it was foreign to him; he had concealed the truth with an unsuspecting mask of secrecy.
The poker face he used was just too convincing. How sly...
With this, he had made his place in the world as a face. The humans would now view him as a godlike existence.
Perhaps that was his goal in the grand scheme of it all.
He has set his goal, and it is left for me to accomplish mine.
To crush that blockhead and tell him what's reality.
◇◇◇
Sariel: 「Look. I'm sorry, alright!? I won't do it again. Just let me off this once!」
Rose: 「Hmph!」
Sariel: 「Oh come on!!」
I now had to deal with a grumpy Rose. Well, it's all my fault, but still...
Kalisha: 「You were so focused on a perfect exit that you forgot a beautiful girl behind. How do you plan on getting laid with that type of charisma?」
Sh-Shut up!! It just had to be perfect! I mean, look at that!
It was like the coolest thing I have ever done in my life!! I couldn't ruin it no matter what!
You can't blame me! I'm a victim, too!!
Kalisha: 「Whatever you say, boss. You know it all.」
Why are you guys so cruel to me...?
「....」
Sariel: 「Please, just forgive me already. I mean, didn't I look so cool back there!?
Imagine if I said something as cringe as, "Hey Rose, let's get out of here" or "Wanna go somewhere and do stuff?" That would definitely be a scene killer!
Please understand me! Was I not cool back there!?」
Rose: 「I'll admit, you look kinda sick back there...」
Sariel: 「See!!?」
Rose: 「See—my ass!!」
Sariel: 「Wait, really? Sweet!」
Rose: 「Fuck you!」
Sariel: 「Pfft-Hahahahahaha!!」
I've never succeeded in getting her this flustered.
She's now like a blushing fury queen. She's so mad, her face is now red in anger.
Damn, good work for me!
Kalisha: 「I must admit, that is an achievement.」
I know, right? Well, let's forget about that.
Sariel: 「Alright, I have something to do. Let's get serious.」
Saying that, I turned to face Lunax, who silently watched our playful exchange.
Sariel: 「Now that the kid is awake, can you bring him to me?」
She nodded and headed out. The kid is gonna be homeless now, considering his parents are dead.
With the whole destruction thing, there's no way he has a house to stay at.
I at least have to make sure he's safe before leaving him to be on his own.
As my mind drifted somewhere else, I didn't notice Norana approaching me.
Norana: 「Hey Sariel-sama. How have things been since I slept off?」
Sariel: 「Oh? You're awake!」
She nodded slightly, looking at me with a complicated gaze.
Sariel: 「What?」
Norana: 「Nothing.」
Girls are so weird...
Sariel: 「Moving on, how are you feeling? Is everything okay?」
Norana: 「Yeah. I feel stronger than before. I can now safely use magicules without having to purify them.」
That's cool. Unlike me, who's affected by holy energy, she can now wield both safely.
In my case, I would contaminate holy energy due to my dense amount of magicules.
If the holy energy used on me was greater than my magicule count, I would be purified.
That's just how it works. I can use holy magic, but I can't circulate it in my body.
The neutral state of spiritrons could be used, but that wouldn't be as powerful as holy energy.
She now must be immune to holy-demonic attacks.
I already have a resistance skill for that, but that is just a skill.
She is now natural immune to them, making her a force to be reckoned with.
My chaos magic may not work on her to some degree, but its infon-erasing effect would.
That's what makes my magic so deadly.
It seems like the hierarchy of power is now clear.
Norana is definitely more powerful than Lunax.
She may be as strong as Feldway, or perhaps even stronger.
「That deduction can be considered flawed.」
Eh? How so.
「Watching from your interaction with the individual Feldway, it has been deducted that he was severely holding back.」
Eh? That's unlike him. What am I saying. That's definitely something I can see him doing.
But everything seemed so real. It looked as if he really had no way of defeating me.
「That statement is completely flawed. He most likely has a way of dealing with you, which is why he doesn't consider you a threat.」
Oh? Am I being heavily underestimated, or is this simply a fact?
「Unfortunately, it is a fact.」
I see. I thought I had gotten so strong, but there's still that one person capable of swatting me aside.
Damn. Is this something I can fix by acquiring more power?
「Analysis on him may be necessary.」
I see. No matter how powerful one is, if the opponent is smarter, there is definitely a possibility of failure on the powerhouse's part.
I see what you mean, Raziel-san. I'll take your word for it.
Even if I get stronger, there is still a chance of losing if nothing is known about the enemy's strength.
Ignorance is not just an excuse but also a doom factor.
I'll need to thread carefully from now on.
Keeping a mental note on the matter, I decided to change the topic.
Sariel: 「That's cool. Well, everything's been dealt with, so you can relax.」
Norana: 「Ah, I see. That's good.」
Sariel: 「Also, you did very well in your job. You even went as far as to handle two troublesome matters all on your own.
I don't know how to say this in a better way, but I'm very proud of you. I really appreciated the help.」
As I said this, she looked at me for some time and was dazed by my statement before giving me a bright and gentle smile.
Norana: 「You're welcome, I guess?」
Sariel: 「Haha! Don't be so tough. Relax. I just want to find a way to show my appreciation.」
Norana: 「If you say so.」
Rose: 「I've been forgotten again, huh....?」
Our lighthearted conversation went on like that before Lunax's appearance made us shift focus.
Lunax: 「He's here, Sariel-sama.」
I turned to look at the new individual to be introduced.
In all honesty, he was quite the looker.
A slightly tan complexion with violet hair. Sharp eyes that seemed too mature for a kid his age.
He looked at me with an analyzing gaze, as if deciphering my intentions.
He seemed quite mature, so I wasn't gonna treat him like a kid.
Sariel: 「So, what's up? Are you in a better condition?」
「Yes. My name is.... *Sigh*」
Hm? That's strange... Does he not know his real name?
Sariel: 「What's wrong? Have a problem with your name?」
「Yes sir. The people who died under the disaster were not my real parents.
My real parents died upon my birth. I never got to know my name as I was taken in by others.
I was given another name for reference, but I was never really attached to it.」
Hm. I see. That's quite sad. The same goes for me.
In actuality, I never really knew my true name.
I lost my parents at a very young age. Ever since then, I was never told my real name.
The name "Fubuki" is actually a name given to me by Makime.
I don't know why, but she said it fit my personality.
Well, I don't see how that fits me in any way.
Fubuki just means blizzard or snowstorm. It doesn't really go with me.
Women and their tastes...
She did say something like, "You are a really cold and scary person when provoked. And you would always lay heavy judgments on those who oppose you."
That is definitely an excuse she thought up for giving me a name that doesn't rhyme with my personality.
But now, I am bearing an angel's name in a demon's body. Stupid world...
「I heard you wanted to speak to me.」
Ah. I don't really have much to say to him. I just felt a little bad for his loss and wanted to at least help him out before leaving him be.
Sariel: 「Well, I felt a little bad for you.」
「Ah. Don't bother. I already understand that this world is a difficult one. It was a loss—yes, but one I'll learn from.
I just have to get stronger to prevent such things.」
W-Wow. He's so adaptive! He's already experienced the cruelty of the world and has nothing to lose.
How a young child was turned into this cold-hearted being because of how the world is...
Remind me. What was I doing when I was his age again?
Kalisha: 「Probably trying to fix a circle into the triangular hole of a shape box (wonder box).」
Ah, right. So embarrassing...
Sariel: 「Well, in that case, I can only do this much. State what you wish.
Considering the request, I may be able to fulfill it. Just make the demands reasonable.」
This would normally be considered as naive, but it was well thought out.
I mean, I did state my condition in a secretive fashion.
If the demand was beyond the scope of reasonability, I would decline and refuse any attempt to make more requests.
However, if it was a reasonable but unfulfillable request, I could just say that it was a wish that could not be granted and give him another chance.
Well, there is a flaw, but it was also put into consideration.
「Note: Can you guess what the flaw is? If you don't get it, forget it.」
But let's put that aside. Wouldn't want him to use that against me.
「A demand ey? Very well...」
He looked as if considering the world of possibilities from such an offer,seemingly weighing the pros and cons of any wrong decision.
——And after a while–
「Please train me to become stronger, Primordial Silver Sariel!!」
Eh? What just... happened...?
Haha! That's it! I definitely smashed my head against a mountain on my way coming!
「No you didn't.」
Kalisha: 「Yes you didn't.」
Okay....? If that's true, then what is this?
He just wasted a whole world of chances on this.
Sariel: 「What's up with that request?」
「I feel I am too weak to achieve anything. The difference between those truly at the top and those who hold on to their positions as the weakest is strength.
Without strength, your ideals can never be realized, and the goals of individuals who could change the world would be crushed to non-existence.
But with enough power and authority, all this is possible. This world is indeed messed up, but I believe that I can change the world through the power of will alone.
I aim to make my ideals become reality. To do that, I need the necessary strength and support. So please take me as your apprentice!」
This kid....
Sariel: 「I.... I accept. Just... be careful, okay?」
「Eh?」
Sariel: 「Forget what I said. All you need to know is that I have accepted your request. Get a break for now. We'll commence training after a week's time.」
Saying that, I decided to leave.
He really had it rough. It's not my fault, but one can only sympathize with him.
He had me there for a second, but I chose to ignore all the intense feelings and move on.
With that, a long period of time passed by.
—————————————————————————————————
「Note: Sorry, guys. I really wanted to make a longer chapter, but also I wanted to make a timeskip, and I didn't even know what to write next. I had no idea for the story with no way to continue.
Hopefully, when I'm prepared to write the next chapter, I'll be back with more energy to make things way more interesting.
Thanks for always reading my works. See ya!」