Ramiris of [Labyrinth].
Normally, she was evaluated with all kinds of truths and fabrications mixed together: the undisputed weakest of the [Ten Great Demon Lords], one half of the childish [Demon Lord] duo, a fool who had fallen from a spirit into a fairy, and so on. But as the first [Arbiter] personally created by the [Creator God] Veldanava, she was not, even now, such a weak [Demon Lord].
Of course, compared to her prime as the [Spirit Queen], when she could stand on equal footing with Guy and Milim, her current power was incomparably smaller. Even so, compared to a fledgling [Demon Lord] like Clayman, she still possessed absurdly vast knowledge and outrageously unfair authority.
"Even with Sarion's magitech, this was a golem that couldn't be fully completed. And yet you somehow finished it using only the parts."
"Hmph! Of course I did. I am the [Spirit Queen] who established spirit engineering, and the strongest [Demon Lord] of this age!"
Apparently eager to show off the [Elemental Colossus], Ramiris began explaining spirit engineering theory that nobody had even asked about, fluttering around Adelio with an excited expression.
"This golem needs a [Spirit Magic Core] at its center, one that can operate multiple elemental spell systems in real time in addition to spirit-based magic techniques, so that the entire body can function perfectly—"
"—Right, right, that's enough for the lesson. I already know that golem is special, even if you don't explain every little detail."
Cutting off Ramiris before she could chatter on forever, Adelio pointed to his young disciples behind him, their eyes sparkling brightly.
"I told you once before, didn't I? These are my new students. I came here today so they can form contracts with spirits."
From Kenya to Ryota, Gale, Alice, and Chloe.
After looking over all five children, Ramiris slowly opened her mouth, turning back to Adelio with the same kind of fascinated gaze the children were giving her.
"Adelio, are all these kids otherworlders? The magicules flowing through them are seriously unstable."
"They are. Just like you said, I'm trying to have them contract with spirits because of that instability unique to otherworlders. The most effective way to stabilize the magicules inside them is for them to become [Spirit Summoner]s themselves."
Just as Shizue had controlled the enormous amount of magic overflowing inside her body through a contract with Ifrit, a [High Spirit], the principle was the same this time as well.
"So I need your help, Ramiris."
[Labyrinth], before being a [Demon Lord], was originally the [Spirit Queen] and [Arbiter] charged with protecting humanity.
Certain that she would not refuse his request, Adelio held out his hand to Ramiris.
And Ramiris—
"...If you're asking me like that, then all right. I don't know whether the spirits will answer well, but I'll do my best!"
—though she had taken the form of a child, had not forgotten her duty as the [Spirit Queen], and granted the wish of a [Hero].
**
Fwaaaash...!
Once again, space twisted along with a brilliant light, and soon a gigantic pillar and a path stretching out like the Milky Way appeared before them.
"Here we are. This is the deepest part of the [Labyrinth], the true [Dwelling of Spirits]."
A dwelling overflowing with vast natural energy and countless magic crystals blooming like flowers.
As befitted the residence of the [Spirit Queen], who had once rivaled the level of [Catastrophe], this place held absurd magical power on par with Veldora's cave. Even now, it fully retained the grandeur worthy of being called the greatest [Labyrinth] in the world.
"You just need to call the spirits here. If you can draw them out somehow with words they'd find interesting, like 'Help me' or 'Let's play together,' then you've succeeded."
After lightly explaining how to call spirits while drifting around the children, Ramiris hopped down onto Adelio's head.
She had sat there for a while before they moved here, and apparently it had been more comfortable than she'd expected.
"All right, then. Let's begin."
Ignoring Ramiris perched on his head, Adelio led the children along the path to the top of the pillar. Then, seeing the tension gradually showing on their faces, he spoke with a calm expression as if to tell them there was nothing to worry about.
"I'll be calling them with you from the side, so don't be too nervous. Just call out to the spirits however feels natural to you."
"...Yes!"
"...I'll do my best!"
"We're counting on you."
Soon, the children lined up in front of Adelio, each beginning to call for spirits with closed eyes, either praying or making wishes in their own way. Adelio kept his calm expression as he looked up at the sky.
"......"
'As expected, the only spirits showing any interest in the children as they are now are [Lesser Spirit]s.'
To control the children's magicules, they needed contracts with spirits at least on the level of [High Spirit]s, like Ifrit. But those [High Spirit]s, who rarely showed interest in anything, were never going to appear this easily.
'At least Kenya seems to be drawing a little interest from a light [High Spirit], but the others aren't getting any attention at all.'
Originally, the plan would have been to gather the many [Lesser Spirit]s surrounding the children and combine them into new [High Spirit]s using Shizue's [Degenerate] and Rimuru's [Great Sage]. But since Shizue had not been eaten by Rimuru, that method was unavailable. So Adelio brought out the second method he had prepared for this moment.
Ruuuuumble...!!!
'Come.'
Then, as golden magic power burst from Adelio's [Hero's Egg] and shot high into the sky—
—...This feeling...?
—...A [Hero]??
—It's a [Hero]!
—A [Hero] for the first time in 200 years!
—Is a new [Holy Spirit] finally going to be born?!
—I want to become a light [Holy Spirit]!
—Me! I want to be the new [Holy Spirit]!
—from [Lesser Spirit]s to [High Spirit]s, an enormous number of spirits, easily numbering in the hundreds, rushed over the children's heads in an instant.
Every single one of them had their eyes fixed on Adelio, drawn by curiosity and interest.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register