Reborn as the God-Emperor in Marvel

There are many ways to summon demons in the Toril universe, and it doesn't always require making a pact with a demon lord. Although the latter is a more convenient method, the fate of those who sign such contracts is usually grim.

Thus, Solomon opted to use ritual magic for summoning a demon. Due to the limitations of the sacrifice, the demon he could summon wouldn't be particularly powerful.

That was precisely Solomon's intent. This summoning was merely an experiment, a test to see if his magic truly had the ability to bind demons, as the Ancient One had mentioned that he possessed the power of King Solomon. Magic, however, could not be based on assumptions; careful experimentation was essential. Plus, with Bayonetta by his side, they would be able to handle the situation if the summoned demon got out of control.

Blood holds significant importance in occult practices. Most religions believe that blood retains traces of the soul. The sacrifice used for summoning demons required the blood of a humanoid creature killed within the past 24 hours because only then could the fragments of the soul lingering in the blood attract a demon.

Choosing the sacrifice wasn't difficult. Solomon spent a week in Florence, enjoying an Italian-style vacation with Bayonetta. During that time, he managed to track down some creatures lurking in the sewers—werewolves. There weren't many of them, but enough to serve as sacrifices.

Solomon chose a full moon night to perform the ritual atop Mount Ceceri. The location was suitably high and quiet. In the past, Mount Ceceri had been a quarry, and even now, not many people lived there. From the mountain peak, the lights of Florence could be seen shining brightly below. The city was not far—about a 20-minute drive away. From there, the red rooftops and centuries-old yellow walls of Florence were still clearly visible.

As the bright moonlight bathed the mountain top, Solomon slit the throat of a werewolf with a dagger. The werewolves were tightly bound with chains, even their long snouts wrapped in dense iron links.

Otherwise, they'd probably curse Solomon for being a Venetian. Florentines had always looked down on Venetians—an age-old rivalry.

These werewolves had been a "gift" during Solomon's travels. The magical power emanating from him and Bayonetta was like a feast to these creatures, and so the mage had no qualms about using them as sacrifices.

To ensure they wouldn't struggle during the ritual, Solomon had kindly given them several free bungee jumps from 10,000 meters—without the cord.

As for the accompanying filth, Solomon didn't mind. He was sure the demons he summoned wouldn't care either.

Werewolf blood flowed along the lines of the magic circle Solomon had drawn with acacia oil. The blood not only filled the hexagram but also completed the Enochian inscriptions within the circle. These inscriptions directed the summoning to specific planes and tiers of demons, as Solomon was unfamiliar with this world's lower planes. Bayonetta had provided the layer of the Abyss they were targeting.

Once the blood fully soaked the circle, Solomon tossed aside the now-dead werewolf. He had also drawn two additional magic circles beside the summoning one, using magic from the Vishanti school. If the summoned demon proved unruly, Solomon could use these to bind and attack it.

Rolling up his sleeves, he glanced at Bayonetta, who was watching with interest.

"I'm starting now, Bayonetta," Solomon said.

"I've been getting bored, Boya," the witch replied. "Go ahead and start already."

"Spurcum sanguinem off! (Offer the impure blood!)" Solomon extended his hands toward the magic circle, and the stigmata on his fingers glowed faintly. "Anima lactaberis... (Suck the soul…)"

Solomon carefully recited the incantation. Soon, the magic circle, a mix of acacia oil and blood, began to burn. The surrounding air grew humid, and he could smell a pungent mix of smoke and sulfur, along with a salty, fishy odor. Bayonetta, sensing the shift, tightened her grip on her gun, ready to attack the summoned demon at any moment.

With a loud burst, flames shot skyward, and a spider as tall as a human appeared within the magic circle. Its carapace was covered in glowing red embers, and as it rubbed its front limbs together, sparks filled the air, carrying the smell of sulfur. The spider remained quiet inside the circle—this was no great demon, just a beast from the Abyss with little intelligence.

Solomon had expected the summoned demon to be weak, as this was only a second-circle summoning spell. Still, summoning such a minor demon using werewolf blood was a bit disappointing.

"As expected," Solomon muttered, glancing at Bayonetta, who had relaxed again. He raised an eyebrow. "But it's so weak that I think it's obeying because of my magic, not my actual power."

No sooner had Solomon spoken than the magic circle flared again, and a second Abyssal spider crawled out, pushing the first one aside.

"Oh, two spiders—not bad," he said.

Then a third spider appeared, and the circle became crowded. "Three spiders? Is someone cleaning house in the Abyss?"

Bang!

"A fourth! Do you need cleaning services?"

Smack!

"Five spiders! You're all piling on top of each other! Bayonetta, could you ask Madam Butterfly if she's doing some home maintenance? Are these her spiders? This is a demon summoning ritual, not garbage collection! Stop sending more!"

"Squeak!"

"Six spiders! Are you all from the same family?"

"Squeak squeak squeak!"

"Seven spiders! Enough! I'm sending you back!"

Suddenly, a giant scythe emerged from the magic circle, piercing through all seven spiders stacked together. A creature with metallic horns and a body radiating a blue metallic sheen stood atop the pile of spider corpses in the magic circle.

"Well, looks like we've found the janitor," Solomon remarked, spreading his hands. "That must be who we were trying to summon. The spiders were probably just its handiwork. I don't think it's too happy, seeing as it was in the middle of a job. Bayonetta, what kind of demon is this?"

"Hideous," Bayonetta said casually. "A common demon."

The demon scanned the surroundings before lunging at Solomon. But just as quickly, two fiery whips materialized, wrapping around its arms and holding it firmly within the magic circle.

"Alright, time to test if my power actually works." Solomon extended his hands toward the magic circle, releasing his magic. The acacia oil-fueled flames slowly died out, and the circle was filled with golden magic. Three radiant, copper-like shackles appeared around the Hideous demon's wrists and neck, locking into place despite its struggles.

The sorcerer relaxed completely. He dispelled the extra magic circles, and the Hideous demon remained obediently within the summoning circle. The shackles were manifestations of Solomon's magic, not actual chains, but they were enough to subdue the demon.

Suddenly, the golden magic within the circle vanished, replaced by a deep crimson energy. A scarlet hand with sharp claws emerged from the magic circle.

"Oh, fck! Do demons these days pay their own travel expenses?"

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