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SO : 19 Another Cosmology
🕑 Added 2024-09-07 03:14:48 +0000 UTCAya Tokoyogi's eyes widened in shock as she watched the devil, who identified itself as Zarathustra, suddenly appear behind Natsuki Minamiya.
In the witch's understanding, devils were not entities with self-will. Unlike demons, the term demon race referred to the various non-human races that actually existed in the world.
Vampires, werewolves, ogres, dragons, and even elves—whether numerous, scarce, or extinct—were collectively known as the demon race.
Devils, however, were different. They were not a race but more like a conceptual aggregate, akin to a mechanism of contracts, existing as a kind of established rule in this world.
Witches made pacts with this mechanism, selling their souls in exchange for powers beyond human capability.
In return, witches had to adhere to the terms of their contracts. The devil's power would manifest as a familiar hidden within the witch's shadow.
When the witch followed the contract, the familiar devil became part of the witch's power, obeying her commands as the guardian of the witch.
However, if the witch breached the contract, the guardian would instantly turn into an executioner.
These guardians would transform the witch into a true monster, stripping her of her human form and humanity, leading her to death after prolonged torment.
Witches could not resist the devils bound by their contracts because their souls were already in the devils' grasp.
The shock and disbelief Aya Tokoyogi felt came from seeing a 'guardian' behind Natsuki Minamiya with self-awareness. Historical records of witches had never mentioned a guardian with self-will, nor had there ever been an account of a devil with self-awareness.
Devils were merely operational rules, and because they were rules, there were loopholes. Aya Tokoyogi knew a secret method to lend her guardian to others and forcibly make a pact with them.
"Natsuki, what on earth is going on?"
Aya Tokoyogi eyed Saigou warily, her graceful figure in twelve-layered kimono taking a few steps back, prepared to summon her own guardian for battle at any moment.
Hearing Aya Tokoyogi's question, Natsuki Minamiya hesitated.
She understood that Aya Tokoyogi was essentially asking why her guardian had self-awareness.
Natsuki Minamiya didn't know how to explain. She knew that the lord of death and darkness she had encountered was not the devil that witches typically thought of.
She hesitated whether to reveal the horrifying existence she had faced to Aya Tokoyogi.
Sometimes, knowing less was safer; less knowledge meant fewer troubles.
Taking a deep breath, Natsuki Minamiya composed herself and said in her halting voice, "...It's nothing, Aya. I've just encountered a bit of trouble."
Seeing that Natsuki Minamiya was unwilling to elaborate, Aya Tokoyogi inferred that she was currently facing some unspeakable difficulty.
After casting another glance at the gentlemanly, courteous devil of flames, Aya Tokoyogi nodded slowly, indicating her understanding.
At the same time, Aya Tokoyogi's curiosity and intrigue towards that devil were piqued.
As the High Librarian of The Library, Aya Tokoyogi, like the other members of the Library of Criminal Organizations, had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
She was equally eager to explore the peculiar nature of Natsuki Minamiya's guardian.
This devil, formed from dark flames, was entirely different from the guardians of witches. Compared to the witches' familiars, this creature seemed more like the devils described in tales and folklore.
000
"Perhaps we should catch up later, Natsuki Minamiya, and you, Aya Tokoyogi."
"...It seems I have inadvertently interfered with the contract, causing some issues with the mechanism that seeks to reclaim the contract."
Both Natsuki Minamiya and Aya Tokoyogi were baffled by Saigou's cryptic words.
But the next moment, they understood the meaning of his statement.
The ritual circle used by Natsuki Minamiya to forge a contract with the devil began to emit an intense, almost tangible brilliance.
Before their eyes, the magical circle materialized a towering figure, a knight entirely composed of mechanical gears and bathed in a golden hue!
"This is... a guardian? No, it's a true devil!"
Aya Tokoyogi's face turned pale as she recognized the true nature of the golden knight.
The non-human magical aura and the knight-like form were reminiscent of the appearance of all witches' guardians.
However, the magnitude of the aura emanating from this guardian was so immense that it surpassed Aya Tokoyogi's understanding of guardians.
"This level of magical power is almost on par with the Primogenitor's familiars... No, even a single Primogenitor's familiar does not possess such formidable power!"
Although Aya Tokoyogi was astonished by the immense magical force of the golden guardian, she did not hesitate to position herself in front of Natsuki Minamiya, ready to protect her.
Aya Tokoyogi knew that Natsuki Minamiya, having just become a true witch, was still inexperienced in wielding witchcraft.
What puzzled Aya Tokoyogi was why a new guardian was appearing here when Natsuki Minamiya already had one.
Although the Primogenitor's familiars are formidable, their terror is almost catastrophic.
Yet, they are not invincible.
If the three Primogenitors themselves were present, Aya Tokoyogi would certainly be no match for them. However, if the situation only involved a familiar with Primogenitor-level magical power but lacked self-awareness, Aya Tokoyogi could still protect Natsuki Minamiya effectively.
Combat is not merely a contest of magical power; it requires skill and experience. Even if a Primogenitor's familiar were commanded by an ordinary person, that person would likely be unable to stand up to a skilled offensive mage, except for using the familiar to cause destruction.
Conversely, a proficient offensive mage could leverage various external factors to defeat such an ordinary person.
'This guardian, or rather, this devil, should be the one Natsuki Minamiya was meant to make a contract with.'
'...Has my appearance inadvertently intercepted the contract, causing an issue with the ritual? Is that why it has manifested to kill me and reclaim the contract?'
Saigou could clearly see that the golden knight was targeting him.
'Aya Tokoyogi mentioned that this guardian possesses magical power comparable to or even surpassing that of the Primogenitor's familiars. He now has a rough understanding of their level of power.'
A single Primogenitor's familiar is roughly equivalent to an elite monster in the Yggdrasills.
Not to mention him, any of the guardians in the Great Tomb of Nazarick could handle it.
The only troublesome aspect, according to Saigou's knowledge, is that Primogenitor's familiars possess substantial destructive power and a broad range of damage.
However, if a horde of such monsters appeared, it would indeed be a headache.
He wasn't unfamiliar with facing hordes, but those were mindless NPCs, similar to the guardian before him.
If these familiars were controlled by someone, such as a Primogenitor, they would indeed present a more challenging adversary.
'In the past, we always fought such groups as a team.'
Saigou sighed softly, lamenting that the members of Ainz Ooal Gown were no longer around.
Perhaps if he were to become the complete form of the Demon of Aging, he could easily sweep aside these so-called Primogenitors.
Unfortunately, he was still in the growth phase, merely beginning to gain the ability to absorb nutrients.
'Well, for now, let's deal with this so-called guardian.'
With a thought, Saigou intended to use his abilities to address the threat. An entity without self-awareness was not to be feared.
But then, an idea struck him. Instead of taking immediate action, he retrieved a book.
It was the Another Cosmology—Avesta!
