This is unexpected (2)
Even the elders, who were rarely shaken, were startled by the fierce flames.
No, "startled" didn't even begin to describe it.
They looked at the spirit with eyes as if witnessing the end of humanity itself.
Good heavens, who would have thought we'd actually get to see that with our own eyes!
"That spirit summoning circle! Isn't that a King-Class spirit?!"
There was no mistake.
Its human-like appearance and the immense power it radiated.
It matched perfectly with the descriptions of the highest-ranking spirit said to have appeared only once during the Great War against the demons.
Even popes and high-ranking priests might go their whole lives without seeing such a rare being.
The problem was, that thing wasn't exactly friendly toward humans.
Just look at how furious it was the moment it was summoned!
Fwoooosh!
"Gah!"
The spirit's flames cracked and split several pillars.
The elders, utterly horrified, turned to the family head.
"Family Head! Even so, summoning a King-Class? That's taking it too far! Are you trying to burn down the entire Duchy of Eshua?!"
"This is unfair. I didn't summon it."
"What?!"
"It was that guy who summoned it."
What?
That guy… surely he meant Isaac?
"What are you… wait—take cover! Aaagh!"
BOOOOM!
Terrifying flames roared up to the ceiling.
Whisper cheered at the sight of the raging fire.
[Ooooh! Isn't summoning a high-ranking spirit something only the truly gifted can do? To summon a King-Class and drag it in by the collar—Master, you're incredible!]
Whisper was thrilled, but Isaac looked utterly dumbfounded.
What the hell.
Why the hell did a King-Class come out?!
Of course, Isaac knew.
No matter which orb he chose, it would summon a spirit.
After all, that damned family head had drawn a "spirit summoning circle" on every orb.
'This was a test to see if I could figure out whether the treasure vault incident was Shuri's doing or not.'
There were three summoning circles, but only one of them was a "subjugation" circle.
The other two were just one-time use mercenary contracts.
Once summoned, they'd disappear.
'And they weren't even that good.'
So the correct answer was the flame one.
It was the only "subjugation-type" summoning circle.
Only the spirit summoned by that specific circle could be made into a true possession.
In short, it was a test of discernment.
But come on, as if the Demon King, someone even archmages sought wisdom from, wouldn't see through that?
'Summoning circles are a form of magic too. That brat really underestimated me.'
Anyway, the spirit in question was one even the gods paid dearly to have by their side for use in the .
The higher the rank, the better—but this was still the beginning.
'Even a mid- or low-tier one would've been fine for now.'
So Isaac, trying to be humble, had added extra holy power into the circle.
That way, he'd at least get a mid-tier for sure… but what the hell was this?
King-Class?!
Isaac couldn't help but be flustered.
'What the actual hell! If this much power brings out a King-Class, what gets summoned if I go all in?!'
What am I going to do next—summon an actual god like the Pope? This insane holy body, seriously!
Not that he really wanted to find out, lest he end up cursing the heavens themselves.
Meanwhile, the elders had completely changed their tone.
"Has there ever been a case where a King-Class was summoned through a contract circle?"
"Well… maybe the child of the Faith of the Hundred, or someone from the Pope's lineage during the founding festival…"
"Pfft! Are you seriously comparing that to this? That was just a temporary clone during a brief event. This is the actual body summoned through a subjugation contract! That means we can keep a lower deity in the family!"
"And that kid is the one who summoned it?"
"Does that mean what happened in the treasure vault wasn't Shuri's doing?"
"...!"
Stop staring, you old geezers. Your eyeballs are about to fall out.
Anyway, fine.
I get it. That thing is so powerful it's got the whole Holy Faction shaking in their boots.
But how am I supposed to contract something like that?
[Simple.]
What?
[You beat it up.]
…Straightforward enough, I guess.
[No matter the faction, the method of making someone your lackey isn't all that different. The gods probably know more precise methods, but asking them would just get you disintegrated.]
True enough.
Though trying to beat that thing up would probably end with me getting wrecked.
"Gah!"
"Elder!"
Sure enough, the spirit grabbed one elder by the collar and threw him like a rag doll.
[Insolent whelps. Still wet behind the ears, daring to use sacred spells before me?]
"Elder, are you alright?!"
"Urgh… I was just trying to cast a barrier on the temple to prevent a collapse…!"
[And who do you think you are, trying to stop my destruction? You got a death wish?]
Is that thing really a spirit, or a demon in disguise?
The family head was just staring silently at Isaac, but one thing was clear: the summoned spirit's personality was terrible.
But who cared about personality right now?
[Master! This fire—is it really?!]
Yes.
'This is the Flame of Antimagic!'
A fire that purges demons.
It made sense that Whisper, who was pure mana, would be the first to react.
But Isaac, looking into those flames, was grinning from ear to ear.
Why?
'That thing's a treasure.'
He'd seen it so many times in the Divine Realm to recognize it instantly.
"Well, it felt like the gods were forcing me to treat them, so I even mixed bird poop(?) into their food.
Anyway, there are rare ones among the holy spirits.
And while most demon species would faint and run away at the sight of it, well… who knows?
[Wouldn't the current master actually be of great help?]
Yes!
You're quick to catch on!
That's exactly it!
The reason why the holy faction is obsessed with 'Anti-Magic' attribute holy spirits is that they can convert magical power into holy power.
And what is the most important step to reach the Transcendent rank?
It's 'purity'!
Whether it's holy power or magic power, the less impurities there are, the stronger it becomes, so purging impurities is essential!
That's why there are dirty magical powers that have to be discarded.
There were so many of them, and it was a waste, but if that guy is around?
'Just convert useless magical power into holy power, right?'
Isn't this perfect recycling?
If magical power is a spear, holy power is a shield!
To defeat the gods, holy power needs to be strong too.
[That's not all! That guy can burn only the impurities with fire! Depending on how it's used, you can even consume magical power that would normally have been discarded!]
Yes! It's a unique attribute that rarely shows up, and it's even at a king level!
In short, if I don't capture that guy here, I'd be a fool!
A guy of that level won't come out through a again!
Right, right!
If it weren't for my feud with the gods, I would have made him my subordinate by now, damn it!
'That guy can't be contracted.'
Isaac grabbed his head as if he was about to cry, frustrated.
In fact, he had no choice.
'King-level holy spirits are all connected to the divine realm!'
Holy spirits are the representative forces of the holy faction!
The lower they are, the closer they are to humans, but the higher they are, the closer they are to the divine realm.
And my subordinate would be hanging out with my enemy?
He'd be pissed, right?
Especially if that subordinate introduced his friend to the gods, bringing them all over?
He'd be furious, right?!
More than anything, Isaac had no intention of getting involved with the gods until it was absolutely necessary for his own benefit.
So, a sigh naturally escaped.
'What a waste of ability, but for now, it can't be helped.'
Since the guy is connected to the divine realm, it's a huge waste, but for now, asking to replace him with a lower rank…
"Ai, my lord! Please send him back quickly! Now that I see it, isn't that the guy the gods gave up on!"
At the elder's words, Isaac's head snapped around sharply.
What? Gave up?
Did they just say they gave up on him?
"Gave up? Are you talking about that mutant, the king-level one who hates the gods?"
Right.
So, this guy, who was abandoned by the gods, is now a poor outcast, right?
Meanwhile, the elders grabbed the back of their necks.
"Out of all the king-level holy spirits, why did this rude one have to show up?"
"Well, if it's about the hair color, I'd probably cut ties with the gods too."
"My lord!"
The elders sighed.
'Of course, if you just look at his abilities, he's the strongest.'
The Anti-Magic attribute is something all five major religions are desperately trying to summon.
In fact, if the rumors spread that they managed to summon one like this, Esua's status would rise even higher.
Since the gods themselves highly evaluated his abilities, they would be happy to hear that the followers tamed him.
But yes, only if we can control him!
"This guy's a god-hating bastard… a disrespectful one. The gods must have been so desperate that they abandoned him and made his younger sibling, who doesn't even have the Anti-Magic attribute, the leader…"
[Shut up! You worthless humans!]
"Ugh!"
The holy spirit, who sent the elders flying with nothing more than a shout, glared at the lord.
His eyes made it clear he'd turn the land of Esua into a barren wasteland if the answer wasn't to his liking.
[Elai Esua, the leader and guide of the Blue Tribe, answer me. Why did you summon me through such a summoning circle?]
He wasn't summoned through a one-time contract summoning, but a subordinate summoning circle?
This was a clear intent to make him a human's subordinate.
Naturally, it looked like the lord was asking for trouble, but he remained shameless.
"I didn't summon you."
[What do you mean? You forced me to come out using the lord's authority! Using the power of the list!]
"I didn't."
[Stop lying! Who else but you could summon me…!]
"He summoned you."
[Him?]
When the lord pointed at someone, the furious holy spirit quickly turned his head.
[How dare some insect…!]
"Daya (Did you get abandoned)?"
Somebody did…
"Daya ya (Did you get dumped)?"
The holy spirit fell silent for a moment and looked at the lord.
[…Who summoned me?]
"That guy."
[Who?]
"This guy (You're busted!)"
"Yeah, that guy."
[...!]
The holy spirit looked as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
No way. This little brat who can't even tell his ass from his elbow?
This doesn't make sense.
No matter how much Esua is a family that produces saints, even so!
[Elai! What the hell are you doing experimenting with a boy instead of creating saints!]
"I didn't."
[Didn't, my ass! Look at his face, it's completely messed up!]
The baby with his eyes spinning wiped his saliva.
'What? His abilities are good, but damn, he's an enemy of the gods?'
What is this? A fish with the bones picked out, placed on a hot bowl of rice?
Whisper chuckled.
[What a fine meal. It'd be a fool to let something like this go.]
"Yeah, that's it."
But whether it knew it or not, the Holy Spirit let out a faint laugh.
[Of course, it was probably you, Eli, doing something foolish, pretending to give a gift to the child. You wrote that kid's name on the contract list and even did the summoning for them.]
"Hey, you never believe what people say."
[Shut up. I'll check it myself. If that really is the summoner who called me, they should be able to withstand my attack according to the rules of the .]
Lilai was startled.
"Please wait! Even if they can withstand it, it doesn't mean it's without consequences! It's too reckless for a child… Kugh!"
Lilai tried to go get Isaac, but before she could, the fire demon attacked Isaac.
"Isaac!"
Fwoosh!
Even Goel, who had hoped for Isaac's death, was shocked. But Isaac, engulfed in the flames, was smiling.
Isaac had once severed the neck of a king-class Holy Spirit.
This was because a close human friend had died, and the one who caused it was that very spirit.
So, Isaac knew better than anyone just how powerful a king-class Holy Spirit was.
But that one?
'Is it strong?'
He could tell just by feeling it.
It was probably someone with quite a reputation among the many Holy Spirits.
And though it was a little hot, was this really a big deal?
'This guy isn't just some filter; he's a top-tier slave now.'
The Holy Spirit, seeing Isaac's eyes, was astounded.
[Did you guys even give him the special drugs used for training saintesses?]
"What?"
[Look at his eyes! Something's wrong with him! That kid is hurt but still smiling!]
At this level, it seemed like he had taken a drug meant for saintess enhancements, and the side effects had kicked in!
[Even though Eschua's curse caused the extinction of girls, a boy shouldn't have this kind of reaction!]
"I told you, I didn't give him anything. And they weren't extinct."
[So, you're saying that kid really called me out?]
"I've been saying that."
[...!]
The head of the household thought this was actually a good thing.
'There hasn't been a family that summoned a demon spirit of anti-magic power in the last thousand years.'
The last time someone had summoned one was during the peak of the Divine Camp's golden age.
And if Isaac, who seemed to have a fire attribute, were to make a contract with one, what kind of monster would he become?
Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn't curious.
So, would he let that spirit go?
The head of the household's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Now that you're convinced that this child is your summoner, you have two choices. The summoned spirit must make a contract with Eschua's direct line unless there's a special reason to reject it. You either make a contract with this child, or break the blood contract and face punishment."
The Holy Spirit was dumbfounded.
Indeed, the spirits were bound by blood contracts with the five great families.
It was an agreement, as they were the leaders of the Divine Camp.
But the Holy Spirit sneered.
[Yeah, that treaty existed. But that treaty was only for the high-ranking spirits. It doesn't apply to king-class spirits…]
"Why? There's no clause in the contract that says king-class spirits are excluded, is there?"
This punk?
The Holy Spirit glared at the head of the household as if it were ready to kill him.
But after a moment, it burst into laughter.
[Fine. I don't care if you ignore me. Punishment? Do you think a king-class spirit would fear something like that? It's perfect that I've been summoned here. I'll destroy this Eschua land and enjoy my freedom.]
"Freedom."
[Oh, are you really going to attack me? According to the treaty, you can't attack me. As a spirit, I can ignore the treaty, but you mortals have to follow the rules set by the gods. You foolish, wet-behind-the-ears fools.]
Isaac sniffed.
What's with this kid constantly mentioning age when he's younger than me?
'It's true, he's pretty strong though.'
[Well then, goodbye, you stupid whale guys.]
The head of the household spoke.
"Well, if you can go, go ahead."
[What…? Ugh!]
Suddenly, the Holy Spirit screamed.
But it wasn't just the Holy Spirit who screamed.
"Isaac!"
Isaac had caught the fleeing Holy Spirit and shoved it into his mouth.
[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]