ALL NOVEL Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Proof of Bloodline
There were other things to do; I left the detailed explanation to Sophia and rushed out like a storm.
In the room, only Sophia and I were left.
“……Um…”
I hesitated on how to speak to Sophia, who stood there in stunned silence.
I felt like our relationship had changed because of Antendeixis.
It was awkward.
Super awkward.
Like running into the older kid at the orphanage getting scolded for wetting the bed. Come to think of it, I can’t even remember that kid’s name or face…
As I got lost in these distressing memories, Sophia suddenly turned around.
“—Then, Lord Zilbagias. Let’s start studying magic.”
With a serious expression, she adjusted her monocle while saying this.
She was changing her mood…!
“Got it.”
Understanding her intent, I silently took my seat.
“I too wish to listen.”
But then, Antendeixis showed up— since there were no chairs, he simply sat on my lap. Sophia’s legs began to tremble as she maintained her serious face.
“Stop it.”
It’s pitiful. I slapped Antendeixis lightly on the head, and he began to twitch dramatically, saying, “How dare a mere mortal like you strike my head…! What an unprecedented humiliation…!”
This guy… he’s less of a pervert and more like— no, I won’t go that far. By the way, it seems my own power slightly increased. Maybe it was because I broke the taboo of slapping the head of a Demon God… Sophia, who witnessed the whole thing, looked like she was about to foam at the mouth from shock.
Antendeixis, you should just sit this one out. This isn’t going to be a proper class at all.
†††
Now, about magic.
“When we say ‘magic’, it includes everything from spells to miracles, but here we will refer to them all as magic.”
With Antendeixis out of the way, Sophia regained her rhythm and began to explain clearly.
“Lord Zilbagias will eventually learn various kinds of magic. But what’s needed right now is the family’s inherited magic—what’s called bloodline magic.”
“…The magic inherited through blood?”
“Yes, it is the magic passed down through generations of the family.”
Humans have that too, like a miracle that shouldn’t be shared or secret arts.
“Can all demons use such specific kinds of magic?”
“Not necessarily everyone. It is generally reserved for families with tradition and history.”
The Antendeixis within me scoffed, “Hmph.” He probably knows that demons were just barbaric tribes until a few hundred years ago. Yet, calling themselves ‘noble families’ is quite the joke.
“The family of your wife, the Reiju clan, falls into that category of ‘noble families’. Of course, Demon Lord Goldgias is also from a noble family.”
“—Proof of bloodline. So, I need to master both bloodline magics passed down from both clans.”
“Correct.”
Good. I had thought I was blessed with a noble bloodline, but being capable of wielding two unique magics from the demon race is quite fortunate. It will greatly help when fighting the Demon Lord’s family.
“So… what kind of magic is it?”
I tried to ask calmly, suppressing my eagerness.
When I battled the Demon Lord during the raid— unfortunately, he had barely revealed any of his tricks. Especially, he didn’t need to use any magic that looked like magic. With his magical resistance, he bounced off all our interference and easily overwhelmed us with pure violence.
“The bloodline magic of the House of Orgi, from which the Demon Lord hails, is called 【Naming】.”
What’s that?
“It’s a magic that enhances oneself by declaring one’s name before battle.”
Ah, he shouted, “I am Demon Lord Goldgias!” before engaging us heroes. So that’s what that was… I noticed it amplified his intimidation factor, but…
He had revealed a bit of his hand without us realizing it.
“The 【Naming】 magic will be learned with instruction from either the Demon Lord or a member of the Orgi clan. I, too, indeed don’t know how it is inherited.”
Sophia seemed a bit frustrated. I suppose for a knowledge demon, wanting to know about the inherited magic must be incredibly tempting.
“Next, the bloodline magic passed down in your wife’s Reiju clan— actually, the Reiju family is highly regarded in medicine and treats the demon race in the Demon Lord Kingdom.”
!?
Medicine!?
Is Platiphia a doctor!?
Dark beings supposedly can’t use healing miracles, can they!?
“Supporting that is the bloodline magic 【Teleportation Spell】.”
“Teleportation Spell? Is it a curse?”
“It’s a powerful curse. It transfers the injuries of oneself or someone else onto another person—a type of sympathetic magic.”
So that means—it’s not so much healing but—
“You’re saying it’s pushing injuries or illness onto someone else?”
“Exactly.”
…Makes sense.
Far from being some miraculous ‘healing,’ it’s an appropriate curse for dark beings…
“But if such a convenient curse exists, why couldn’t the first Demon Lord receive treatment?”
The first Demon Lord, Raougius, was actually slain by a human hero.
Caught off guard on the battlefield, he was stabbed with a blade full of holy attributes, and that wound ended up being the reason for his demise.
But why couldn’t Raougius be treated? Maybe holy wounds couldn’t be transferred even with the Teleportation Spell?
“The Teleportation Spell can only target individuals who are inferior in rank to oneself, those strongly bound by curses, or creatures under one’s control,” said Sophia.
“At that time, the entire Reiju clan attempted to heal the first Demon Lord, but none could intervene with him. Even if the Demon Lord himself wished it, every curse would simply bounce back,” she continued.
…The Demon Lord’s overwhelming magical power. His high magical resistance must have obstructed it. Unlike miracles, it has its limits.
Serves him right.
“Or if the Demon Lord himself could use the Teleportation Spell, then he could have healed himself without issue.”
If that were true, then a Demon Lord capable of reflecting all injuries back to the attacker would have been born…
…Hmm?
Isn’t that pretty strong? If they’re from the Reiju clan, don’t they have a chance at doing something similar?
“Is the Reiju clan, like, really strong?”
“Yes. They’re one of the most powerful families in the Demon Lord Kingdom.”
Sophia straightforwardly affirmed.
“The warriors of the Reiju clan hardly ever lose to lesser races with weak magical powers. Though in battles against equals, unless the opponent accepts it or makes immense magical efforts, curses generally won’t pass through.”
Magical efforts, huh…
Hey, Antendeixis.
‘It looks like there’s quite an interesting way to use it…’ the Demon God smirked with a sinister laugh.
“However, the Reiju clan fell into a bad situation because they couldn’t treat the first Demon Lord.”
Ahh.
I can easily imagine that.
Other clans probably jumped at the chance to criticize them.
“Because of that, Platiphia’s marriage was considerably delayed. Considering the contributions of the Reiju clan to the Demon Lord Kingdom, it wouldn’t have been surprising for her to be the head concubine.”
…So they were unfairly sidelined because of the first Demon Lord’s failed treatment.
The reason for Platiphia’s unusual obsession is starting to become clear…
—Clack, clack, clack, the sound of footsteps echoed.
“Zilbagias! I will grant you the bloodline magic!”
Speaking of the devil, Platiphia reappeared.
“Did you receive an explanation from Sophia?”
“Yes, Mother. About the Teleportation Spell and the Reiju clan.”
“Good. Being the smart one you are, you’ve probably realized the potential of our family. As a descendant of the Reiju clan, and with the blood of the Demon Lord, you have the right to become the strongest Demon Lord!”
Platiphia firmly closed the door, filled the room with her magical power, and began muttering incantations.
With a snap, it felt like the air was being pulled taut.
“This is a soundproof barrier.”
Now, Platiphia drew out the magical spear from her belt.
“Inheriting the Teleportation Spell is simple… Just receiving the curse, that’s all.”
While caressing the sharp tip of the spear, Platiphia wore a reminiscent smile.
“Though it’s a bit early, the time has come for you to experience the pain of battle.”
…I have a bad feeling about this.
A little pain? It’s not like I’m scared of that anymore.
But still, nobody likes that! Of course!
“Brace yourself.”
Before I knew it, Platiphia pressed her palm against the tip of the spear.
With a squelch, that grotesque sound resonated as the blade pierced completely through her hand.
However, Platiphia’s smile didn’t falter, not a single bit.
“That looks so painful, Mother.”
“Yes. But you can endure it. —【Transfer】.”
In the next instant, my right hand was pierced with searing pain.