LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 67
Chapter 67: A New Breeze Arrives
Well, it’s me, Zilbagias, having learned the transformation magic and feeling a bit too excited about it.
“I heard a voice; what’s the matter?”
Without even knocking, Sophia flung open the door. Apparently, my magical power had weakened due to the transformation, and the soundproof barrier had broken.
“Oh! …Heh, congratulations on mastering it!”
Sophia blinked at my appearance, quickly turning away and bursting into laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“N-no… you just look kinda weak, and I couldn’t help it…”
Have I really become that weak? If you think about it, it’s like I suddenly turned into a cute little guy in human terms!
“Have you finished your conversation?”
“Oh, Master has turned into a human…”
Before I could respond, Viene and Garunya returned to the room noisily. There was no longer anything confidential to discuss, so I figured it was fine. Garunya seemed a bit shocked, which made me want to laugh.
I checked the flow of my magical power.
…Weak. No, it’s probably stronger than an average human, at least at the level of a decent mage.
I tried casting a protective spell, but it felt significantly more unreliable than usual.
“How is it?”
In response to my question, Sophia strode up and suddenly punched me with a “Hmph!”
With a crack, my protection shattered.
“If my usual strength is a steel wall, that’s about a thin sheet of iron.”
Hmm. Well, at least it can still block a stray arrow, so having some protection makes a huge difference.
Still, my magical power has dropped drastically. Unlike Virosa, demon magic is quite strong, so even in doll form, she can still use magic.
The soundproof barrier must have dissolved because my magical power weakens and can no longer cover the entire room. At this rate, I might only reach the range of an outstretched hand.
“That’s interesting. It reminds me of the time before my horns grew.”
I placed my hand on my head and released the magic. My horns sprouted out. The world regained its contours and felt vibrant again. I’d completely gotten used to being able to sense magical power now…
“Not long ago, I just grew horns, didn’t I, Zilbagias…? Can I also learn the transformation magic?”
Sophia looked curiously at Leila.
“Uh… I-I don’t know. I’ve never tried it on a demon…”
“Zilbagias-sama, can I try?”
“If Leila is okay with it, then go ahead.”
Well, Sophia wasn’t just going to stand by, drooling at the unknown magic. This time, she planned to hurt her hand with a knife so Leila could provide some blood.
“Hmm… So, that’s the source of it…”
As Leila took in Sophia’s blood, she made a face like she was forced to see something shocking. Does that mean she understood it and learned the magic? I carefully watched as she treated Leila’s hand.
“Um… Okay, I’ll give it a try. Hmph!”
Sophia’s figure blurred—her previously whirlwind-like magical energy shrank and transformed into a small “living thing.”
There stood a very ordinary girl wearing a butler uniform and glasses. Her reddish skin looked rather average for a human, and the horn on her forehead had vanished.
No way… Even demons can transform into humans…
“Uh… Huh?!”
As she patted her own face in confusion, Sophia looked around, flustered.
“W-what is this… Living in a state like this with no sensations?! Ugh, ugh…!!”
Her body trembling, she hugged herself and collapsed to the floor.
“Are you okay?”
I carried her over to the mirror. She felt the weight and warmth of her flesh. Gazing intently into the mirror, she mumbled, “Is this me…?”
Since demons have bodies constructed from magical power, losing her senses would be like having her sense of touch sealed—no wonder it felt so strange.
“This is quite fascinating.”
Then Antendeixis popped out. Leila was startled, thinking the girl looked just about like me.
“Well, I should introduce myself. I’m Antendeixis, the demon contracted to him. Usually, I’m just lazing around inside him.”
“Lazily is unnecessary. Hey, Dragon Girl! Give me some blood. I want to try too.”
“Antendeixis, are you sure it’s okay for you to transform? The contract and all…”
“Don’t worry. Changing species doesn’t break a demon contract.”
Well, that’s good to know.
“By the way, Leila, your hand seems seriously cut—are you okay? You can say no if you want.”
“I-I’m fine! I’m honored to be of help…!”
Leila cut her hand without hesitation and offered her blood to Antendeixis, smiling shyly, “If anyone else wants to try… If you don’t mind my blood, I can give more…” but unfortunately, no one else seemed interested, so we treated her hand.
Well, you need quite a bit of magical power to even use this magic in the first place.
So don’t be down, Leila…!
“Nuh!”
Antendeixis also shrunk into her human form. Her brown skin remained, but the horn on her forehead vanished, and she became an ordinary girl.
“What… is this…?!”
With wide eyes, Antendeixis trembled and plopped down gently.
“C-cold…”
“Cold?”
“Scary…!”
Scary…!?
“I can’t see anything. I can’t sense anything! Everything feels like it’s constructed of mere matter…! I feel terrible right now!! This sensation is totally new…!!”
As she spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she began to fidget with excitement over the unknown fear! Don’t tell me you are getting excited about this! What are you, invincible?!
“Hey! It’s scary, isn’t it?”
Sophia approached Antendeixis, half-collapsed.
“Indeed… For those without magical power, the world is thus… harsh and desolate…”
“It’s incredibly intriguing… How can you live in such a state?”
“You are the same! Just flesh! An inferior being!!”
“No, but you are a lump of flesh right now!”
Somehow, they started pulling each other’s cheeks. It seemed like the demons were bonding in a way us mortals couldn’t quite understand. Antendeixis’s usual pompousness was subdued a little, while Sophia, now an inferior being, was acting a bit bold.
But let’s not call each other inferior beings just because magical power is weak, okay?
I, a former human, and Garunya the beastman, we’re feeling very complicated about that…
Thus, we learned that even demons can transform into humans—
“I can’t imagine any demon would willingly do this.”
Returning to her original form, Sophia bluntly stated the obvious.
“Not sensing magical power is… an indescribable sensation; if you were to ask whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, there’s no doubt it’s unpleasant, and the very fragility of existence makes you uneasy…”
“However, if one were to remain in this world, it might save magical power. Thanks to existing in this form, as long as they stay still, they won’t consume any magical power.”
Lounging on the sofa, Antendeixis pointed out the advantages—still, she had not returned to her original form.
“Nevertheless, that would mean we’d need to consume food regularly to maintain the body, right?”
“Compared to replenishing magical power, it’d be much easier, you know. Oh, I might as well try eating something, too. I also want to try drinking alcohol.”
“Alcohol, huh? That’s supposed to alter your mind, right? I’m rather interested.”
“Exactly! Plus, since we’re at it, maybe some mysterious drugs or poison—”
Stop!
Don’t you dare take risks as casually as smoking a cigarette!
Having a drug addict demon is not something I can just laugh off, and I absolutely won’t allow it!!
“Viene. And inform the other Night Elves as well. Should this one request any potions, use my authority to stop it.”
“Understood.”
“Why, though?! I could try all sorts of things!”
“No way! I sense doom lurking!”
Alcohol and drugs aren’t all that different! Antendeixis protested, but I overruled her. Frankly, I don’t even want demons to drink alcohol…! Who knows what could happen?
…Well, if they’re transformed into humans, getting drunk probably won’t cause much harm, right? I guess I can allow moderate alcohol, but not any addictive drugs.
“Oh, right! What happens if I transform while keeping my horns…? What are the limits on changing skin and hair color…?”
“Honestly, with how cramped this mundane world is, a human body isn’t exactly ideal. This level of discomfort might become an addictive habit…”
Here are two demons who willingly want to turn human…
Sophia is testing the limits of the magic out of curiosity, while Antendeixis is twitching with the constraints of her magical power.
The other servants look on with expressions that say, “What on earth are they doing…” but honestly, such scenes occur regularly in our household.
Meanwhile, Leila, unable to keep up with the rapid pace of events, stands there stunned.
“Well, that’s how they are.”
I shrugged and turned back to Leila.
“I want to thank you anew for granting me this new magic. Although she, Leila, was transferred to me as a slave—”
I glanced down at Liliana, who was sitting cutely at my feet.
“I want to treat her not as a pet, but appropriately.”
“What kind of treatment were you considering? It would differ depending on if she’s a soldier, a guest, a servant, or a close aide…”
Viene asked politely on behalf of Sophia, who was deeply absorbed in the new magic and thus unreliable.
To be honest, I wouldn’t mind treating her like a guest, essentially a pet.
“Um… If there’s anything I can do, I’d do anything!”
However, Leila clenched her fists tightly, full of determination.
“Okay then, what are you good at?”
“Uh… Um…”
I asked casually, thinking I’d ask her preference, but she suddenly shrank in energy.
“Uh… I’m good at cleaning…”
“Cleaning…?”
“Oh, and ironing…”
“Ironing…?”
We exchanged glances—what kind of treatment was this girl receiving before?
“How about paperwork?”
“Uh… I’m not good at reading…”
“How about magic?”
“Other than transformation… I haven’t learned anything…”
“…How about as a dragon? Breathing fire or flying…?”
“I breathed fire a little when I was small. Since I grew up, I haven’t dared to do it… and as for flying…”
Leila gripped the hem of her skirt tightly as she spoke, appearing smaller by the moment.
“I can’t fly… I was put under the Shrinking Wings curse… so, um, I’m really sorry…”
She looked about ready to cry, as if terrified of getting scolded.
So she was simply allowed to live, huh?
But of course, that’s only natural when you think about it.
Who among those dark dragons would kindly teach this girl the essential knowledge for dragons…?!
Something was welling up inside me—
If I were to describe it in one word: righteous indignation.
“Leila.”
“Y-yes…!”
“From today onward, you are my subordinate. Therefore, the dark dragons’ intentions no longer concern you.”
I crouched down to meet her eye level and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“And since you’ve come to me, I’ll ensure you become a magnificent dragon, one I wouldn’t be embarrassed to present anywhere…!!”
“Y-yes?!”
Leila’s eyes widened in shock.
“First off, about that Shrinking Wings curse! Liliana!! I’ll blow it away!!!”
“Woof!!”
And while I’m at it, even any strange curses inflicted by the dark dragons should be completely cleansed!!
…I certainly won’t say that out loud, though.
My responsibility to make Leila a proud dragon, so that if she wishes, she can leave the Demon Lord Kingdom and live independently.
That, I believe, is my duty after slaying Faravgi.