Summoning a [Primordial Demons] from hell.
In itself, that wasn’t especially difficult.
As Guy Crimson’s case proved, even a human mage who had surpassed a certain level could manage to call one forth.
So the real problem wasn’t summoning a [Primordial Demons], but making that demon remain in the material world permanently.
By giving them a powerful body capable of containing the rank of their soul.
"I’ve already found the body you’ll use."
After saying that to Ria, I pulled the Homunculus I had obtained through my earlier Contract with Ermesia out of [subspace].
This Homunculus, designed solely with durability in mind as a vessel capable of containing the rank of a soul, was the method I had chosen to free her from this hell.
There had also been the option of using someone with a strong body as the vessel, but no matter how you looked at it, I couldn’t call that a good method.
"This body... a Homunculus?"
"Yeah. It’s a body made using the magitech of the High Elves in the material world. For a [Primordial Demons], this should be more than enough, shouldn’t it?"
Since it had been made by a High Elf said to be unmatched in magitech, this Homunculus was superior even to the mass-produced bodies that slime would create three hundred years later.
It could automatically reproduce the appearance a spiritual life-form had possessed back when it was still an astral body, and once magic power was activated, it became harder than orichalcum. It could also stably contain an enormous amount of magicules. It was, in every sense, an ideal body.
As a vessel for containing Ria’s power, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
"Can I really use a body like this? A Homunculus of this level won’t be easy to get again..."
Ria, who was deeply knowledgeable about bodies demons could use, including Homunculi, trailed off as if asking whether this was really all right.
For demons, a body was especially difficult to obtain, so it seemed she couldn’t accept it so easily.
Through our souls, I could feel her worry that this might be too much of a burden on me.
But that was needless concern.
"Of course. I prepared this body from the start as a gift for you, so you don’t need to feel burdened by it."
The price I had asked of Ermesia from the very beginning had been a body suited for Ria.
Once I reached the material world, I had [the body of a sage], and now that had evolved into [the body of a saint], so I had no need for another body like a Homunculus.
"And there’s still one more gift left. If you’re already feeling this burdened, I’ll feel bad bringing it out."
When I said that with a wry smile, Ria tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"One more?"
At her question, I fell silent for the briefest moment as I thought over the plan I had prepared, then let out a light breath and slowly opened my mouth.
If the first gift, a body, was something every demon desired,
then the second gift was something all monsters longed for as a cherished wish.
Whether weak or strong, it was something every one of them wanted without exception.
"Ria. I’m going to give you a [name]."
For a monster, there was no greater gift than a [name].
"...!!! A name... that’s—"
"That’s right. Normally, it would be almost impossible."
To bestow a name on Ria, I would need a rank of existence that surpassed a [Primordial Demons].
Just as Guy Crimson had given names to Rain and Misery after reaching [Devil Lord] in the material world.
'If I were still the old me, like Ria thinks, then yes, it would definitely have been impossible. But—'
It was true that with the rank of a [Divine Demon], surpassing the rank of a [Primordial Demons] was utterly impossible.
But what if it was the rank of a [Deva Lord]?
'—Then the me of now should be more than capable of it.'
Now that I possessed a rank equal to a Saint, I could feel it instinctively: I had risen above the rank of a [Primordial Demons].
Of course, the difference wasn’t large. Only a very slight margin.
But even that was enough.
Because I could now make up for whatever was lacking through the power of Odin, [King of Inquiry], which had become an [Ultimate Skill].
'Can I leave it to you, [Odin]?'
"Of course. I can directly regulate the amount of magicules consumed for [naming]."
Just like that slime’s skill, I now had a skill that could coordinate my abilities for me.
Its range might be inferior, but when it came to optimizing me alone, its performance was enough to surpass even those supposedly mighty angelic skills.
That was why—
"Ria, trust me. I won’t fail."
I was sure of it.
"—...Hehe."
And perhaps because she realized I truly meant it,
Ria, whose eyes had gone wide, soon smiled as if she had no choice.
As though she were saying, "That really does sound like you."
"..."
I smiled back at her silent answer.
Then I stretched one hand forward and slowly began releasing the vast amount of magicules engraved into the body.
The name I would give her,
the very first name I would ever bestow,
I had already decided on it long ago.
Long before I left hell... before I had even become her servant.
"...From this moment on, your name is—"
Because the way I had addressed her since the day we first met suited her perfectly as a name.
"—Ria."
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