Episode 11. Fate (1)
The demon beast was visibly shaken.
Though the absurdity of a mere human attempting hierarchy enforcement was unbelievable enough, more than anything - this power!
It wasn't human strength.
Nor was it ordinary demonic energy.
'A higher-order demon.'
And not just any higher-order demon.
The highest rank! Or perhaps beyond!
The demon beast that had tried to crush the Skeleton King's walnut-sized skull hastily retreated in panic.
Though its fearful demeanor was evident, it lasted only momentarily.
-How dare a mere human!
As the demon beast grew furious instead, the Skeleton King arched an eyebrow.
Normally, that should have ended things.
Did the intimidation falter because I used actual eyeballs instead of empty sockets this time?
'Hmm. Drawing more magic here risks exposure.'
We stood before priests, after all. I'd been deliberately operating in power-saving mode.
But with the temple already saturated by a superior demon's energy...
The Skeleton King's lips curled. He drew out slightly more magic than before.
If his previous output was smaller than a millet grain, now it reached bean-sized proportions.
Then came the miracle.
Flash!
Brilliant holy light erupted from the Skeleton King's body - brighter than any previous manifestation.
The knights and priests sent to rescue him rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"D-Demon-Purging Sacrament...?"
The panicked demon beast tried to strike first, but the Skeleton King denied it.
He laughed derisively instead.
How presumptuous.
Their eyes met in that instant - the Skeleton King's gaze piercing through the murderous demon.
'Why won't you die when told to discard your core?'
-!!
Crack!
When the Skeleton King revealed a sliver of his true nature, the demon beast froze.
Soul-rending terror.
Finally broken, the demon fled as black wind through temple cracks.
The paladins gaped.
"The demon beast retreats!"
"Don't pursue deeply! The Saint candidate takes priority!"
"By Imperial Decree!"
Most knights bowed while two gave token chase. Priests approached with mingled suspicion and awe.
"Why would such a powerful demon flee?"
"Shadow Liches never retreat without carnage...!"
Imperial Knights defending the Skeleton King's sainthood cried passionately:
"Who else but His Grace could drive it out? You witnessed the light!"
"The Demon-Purging Sacrament!"
"Wait! That requires Fifth Circle mastery!"
"How could a child wield high-tier sacraments?!"
As priests dismissed their claims, the knights reddened.
"Then why did it flee?!"
"The Saint's divine favor!"
Not given but stolen, the Skeleton King mentally corrected. And not through sacraments but simple intimidation.
His frown stemmed from different concerns.
'Fleeing without surrendering its core?'
The being who'd casually ordered suicide cocked his head.
That strange light during the confrontation...
'Unmistakably holy energy.'
Yet unconnected to his usual thefts.
Far surpassing what he stole from wet nurses or bishops.
His arm suddenly sagged.
'!'
Strength drained away.
'My magic reserves...!'
He'd cast nothing! Why was his mana completely depleted?
Instant realization struck.
'This body converts magic to holy energy?!'
The Skeleton King gripped his nape in frustration.
He'd meant to study this vessel later, but clearly it wasn't an ordinary Saint's body.
'Of course. It must counter demons supremely.'
Saints symbolized anti-magic.
They could convert enemy energy into their own.
'Advantageous, but...'
This meant using holy power without divine supplication.
The problem?
'I already need hundreds-fold more magic than others! If it keeps converting...'
When will I cast actual spells?!
I need higher magic tiers to slaughter those bastards!
As he seethed, a shout echoed:
"What trickery is this brat scheming?!"
Chaos erupted as the bishop stormed through the temple.
His bloodshot eyes glared while clutching the Skeleton King's collar.
Priests and knights stared aghast.
"Your Eminence!"
"What madness is this?!"
"Madness?"
The bishop's eyes shone with conviction.
"I confirmed it! This whelp summoned that Shadow Lich!"
"Truly?!"
The temple erupted in murmurs.
Imperial Knights looked disgusted.
"His Grace summon demons? He expelled one!"
The Emperor watched incredulously, but the bishop desperately pressed:
"Your Majesty! Believe me! This creature is demonkind! The light when he struck me was magic! He awoke the totem's demon! He wields infernal power!"
The Skeleton King merely raised an eyebrow.
Naturally suspicious - he'd been the only one hit by that magic-imbued rattle.
The bishop must have sensed matching energy from the unsealed totem.
Of course he'd investigate.
Seizing the infant, the bishop snarled:
"How dare demons infiltrate the Holy Empire! Masquerading as Saint candidates!"
"Bishop."
"I'll expose your true form for execution!"
Meaning to dismember the babe.
As he roughly yanked the Skeleton King's collar-
Thud! Clatter!
The keen-eared knights instantly noticed.
"That's..."
Poison.
A red pill rolled across stone. Imperial Knights swiftly examined it.
After sniffing and tasting, their expressions darkened.
"Holy Poison?!"
The substance destroyed holy energy and clergy. Deadly to priests.
Possessing this in the Holy Empire...
Their gazes shifted dangerously.
"Bishop Berit. Why carry this to meet a Saint candidate?"
"Planning assassination?"
The bishop forced a laugh.
"Preposterous! Why would I-?!"
He actually hadn't - an accomplice poisoned the milk.
But all poison was supposedly used! None should remain!
He accidentally glanced at his spy among the knights, who looked equally panicked.
The Imperial Knights pounced:
"Why look at us, Bishop?"
"Implying His Majesty possesses this?"
"Never!"
Damn!
Admitting nothing.
Accusing the Emperor meant church-state war.
To survive, he needed to blame the crown, but couldn't outright say so.
If he misspoke, his family and cardinal backers would burn.
Yet...
Where did this poison originate?
'Could it be...'
The bishop glared at the Skeleton King.
'You?!'
Meeting his gaze, the infant smirked.
'Yes. My creation.'
The Skeleton King chuckled. The bishop's three totems:
One revived the demon to cause chaos.
The true purpose?
'Needed time to make poison.'
Holy Poison required magic cores lethal to clergy.
While all watched the rampaging demon, he'd consumed cores from remaining totems.
Crafting poison with the last one.
A trap for the bishop.
Holy Poison - ironic for a demon.
'Apologies, novice. I've endured this until rotten.'
The rest was simple.
When the bishop investigated, drop the poison as if he'd carried it.
Unless the bishop showed saintly restraint after being beaten.
He'd leaked magic traces to bait him.
'Trapped humans grow predictable.'
The magic-tinged rattle attack.
Matching energy signatures on totems.
All calculated.
He'd never be sloppy enough to get caught.
The Skeleton King stared back openly.
No pretense of infancy.
Just a mocking smirk.
Enough for the bishop.
His face twisted at the insult.
"You damn demon spawn! What did you do?!"
Knights restrained him.
"Assaulting a child?!"
"Child? This monster?!"
"Your Majesty! This demon crafted the poison! Can't you see the taint?! He summoned that creature!"
The Emperor looked equally exasperated.
"Claiming this infant resurrected the dead?"
"Even the Demon King couldn't!"
"And instantly brewed Holy Poison?"
"Top mages need months!"
"Exactly, Your Majesty!"
The crowd eyed the bishop strangely.
Even priests found him deranged.
The Emperor's expression hardened.
"Take him."
"Your Majesty!"
"Shamelessly blaming an infant. Unbefitting a bishop."
"But it's true!"
His protests died as Imperial Knights dragged him away.
"Negligent totem guardianship. Endangering Saint candidate and royalty. Smuggling Holy Poison. Expect lengthy interrogation."
"Your longed-for heresy trial approaches. We'll inform the Papacy to appoint your successor."
Biting his lip, the bishop realized:
Panic made him speak rashly. Any defense now seemed excuses.
One last attempt:
"Don't be fooled! That's a demon! Use Purification Sacrament!"
Demons disguised as humans would reveal themselves.
But...
'It won't work.'
He's reborn, not transformed.
The Skeleton King's angelic eyes curved wolfishly.
No matter the sacrament, this human body wouldn't change.
He chuckled - all according to plan.
The troublesome assassin was disposed of.
'Stop blathering about Papal trials.'
Had they not tried killing him...
The bishop was finished. Escape impossible.
Originally provoking the crown over imperial succession.
Now caught red-handed?
The Emperor's suspicion would expose his spy. In the royal temple no less.
Worst case - executed for framing the crown.
Or dragging the Papacy down.
The bishop knew.
'At least kill Esuha's heir!'
The Papacy's ancient enemy!
His family might survive.
Drawing holy sigils, murderous intent bloomed.
Attack-type sacrament.
A golden wolf erupted from his feet.
Snarl!
It lunged for the infant's throat.
The Skeleton King narrowed his eyes.
'Damn. Summoning beasts recklessly?'
With depleted magic...
Fatal? Could he survive?
Then-
Rustle!
Azure light scattered before him.
Thwack!
The wolf's head flew skyward.
Blue-armored knights materialized as protectors.
A woman with cerulean sash demanded:
"Who dares touch Esuha's bloodline?!"
The atmosphere shifted. Priests gasped.
"The Azure Faith!"
"Esuha!"
The Skeleton King blinked.
His family's retrieval squad had arrived.
