The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 26: Demon Summoning

[Hey hey, Luka.]

One evening.

Lilith, floating above my head, suddenly called out to me.

“Hm? What?”

[You’ve been training magic all the time lately, but aren’t you going to try other abilities?]

“Other abilities? Curses or summoning magic?”

[That’s right.]

“I don’t feel there’s any benefit right now.”

[Benefit?]

Lilith tilted her head. What an adorable gesture. I almost forgot she was technically a god.

“Do you remember when I fought that student Aiden?”

[Aiden… who was that again?]

“The blond male student. The guy I fought in the first class.”

[Ah. There was such a kid too.]

So from Lilith’s perspective, the original protagonist wasn’t worth remembering? Well, the scenario had only just begun. Aiden would get stronger from here.

“That guy had mastered three types of abilities: aura, divine prayer, and magic. He probably could use curses too.”

[So what?]

“If you remember even a little, you should understand that training multiple abilities simultaneously is inefficient. The number of cards you can play in combat increases, but the overall growth rate decreases.”

[So basically, if you try this and that, there isn’t enough time?]

“Exactly.”

With my current ability, both my aura and divine prayer were still mediocre. I was nowhere near ideal. On top of that, I was also working on magic—I didn’t have time to devote to any more unnecessary powers.

If it meant I could become dramatically stronger, that would be different, but steady training was a bit much.

[Hmm. Personally, mastering aura is the quickest way!]

“As expected of a wild god. Those don’t sound like words from someone who got beaten after mastering that aura.”

[Why do you say such things?! That was because there were multiple opponents…]

“That’s exactly why.”

[Eh?]

“Anticipating multiple opponents, I need to acquire various powers. I said I’d help with your revenge, but it’s not like I can kill other wild gods right away.”

At least I couldn’t properly face them until I reached twenty years old. If I clashed with them now, I’d definitely be killed instantly.

While mastering aura was certainly the quickest path, that would make me the same as Lilith. I needed to become stronger than even Lilith.

[Buu… I understand what you’re trying to say. I won’t interfere strangely. As long as Luka has a clear vision.]

“Of course I do. Right now, enhancement aura and magic is the biggest issue. Divine Prayer is usable as it is, and curses are out of the question. You can’t demonstrate proper power unless you at least contract with a demon.”

[Demons? Those are insidious bunch]

“Seems like it. They lie without hesitation, kill people, and bring misfortune. They only acknowledge hierarchical relationships. Interesting, isn’t it?”

[

‘Only someone like Luka could call that interesting after knowing all that…]

“Not really. My brother seems to be researching various things about demons.”

[Luka’s big brother? That damn cheeky brat?]

“Not Kamren. A guy named Ilario who’s also a legitimate wife’s child like me.”

[Don’t know him. Who’s that?]

“A guy with aptitude for curses whose combat ability is trash-level, but he seems really devoted to demons.”

I’d heard recently that he was only reading books about demon summoning.

My brother had a mediocre aura and not-very-useful curse aptitude. I had almost no interest, but there was something I wanted to ask about demon summoning.

I was just about to go meet him.

I headed toward the empty classroom that Ilario frequently visited while doing magic control training.

☆

In a corner of the silent, empty hallway. Ilario was in a dimly lit empty classroom where even sunlight was blocked by curtains.

When I knocked on the door with a kon kon, I heard a frightened male voice from inside.

“Wh-who is it?”

“It’s me, Ilario nii-san. How are you doing?”

“Luka?! Wh-why are you here…”

“People are watching more than you’d expect. Some student I don’t even know told me.”

“N-no! Don’t come in! Right now is important—”

“Excuse me~”

I ignored Ilario nii-san’s words and opened the door.

When I entered, a large number of books were scattered on the floor. Every single one was about curses or demon summoning. Seems like he was studying properly as rumored.

I picked up one of them, a book about demon summoning.

“Ilario nii-san, are you knowledgeable about demon summoning?”

“S-so what if I am? It’s none of your business.”

“Actually, I have an aptitude for curses too. I wanted to hear a little about demon summoning.”

“Curse aptitude?! Don’t mess with me! Why do you alone have such…”

Ilario nii-san clenched his back teeth.

He had a frustrated expression, but there was nothing I could do about it.

Then, Ilario nii-san suddenly lifted the corners of his mouth and laughed. He showed an eerie smile.

“No, not yet. I haven’t lost to you yet.”

“Huh?”

What was he talking about? I didn’t think we’d been discussing winning or losing.

I directed a dubious gaze at Ilario nii-san, whose behavior was strange.

Immediately after, nii-san took something out from his pocket. The moment I saw it, I made a “yuck” expression.

“How about this! With this, I can summon a great demon!”

What Ilario nii-san confidently took out was a blackened, disgusting right hand.

That was a cursed item that didn’t appear in the original work. I’d seen it before in a book at the Salvatore ducal mansion.

A demon’s hand.

I didn’t know how he’d obtained such a thing, but it was certainly suitable as a catalyst for summoning demons.

Looking closely, there were faint red lines drawn at Ilario nii-san’s feet. Figures resembling magic circles were drawn.

I see. He was about to summon a demon.

“Are you going to summon a demon?”

“Yeah. I’ll summon a high-ranking demon and become the strongest! Kukuku… you’re jealous, aren’t you?”

“Not at all.”

“What?!”

Ilario nii-san’s expression twisted.

Sigh, I said while exhaling.

“Even if you summon a mere demon, demons can only use curses and magic at most, right? Even if you contract with one, you can’t become the strongest.”

You could probably become explosively stronger, but it was too early to claim to be the strongest with that level of power. Don’t underestimate being the strongest.

“Besides, with nii-san’s current curse power total and control ability, I think you’d be killed by the demon you summon. I don’t really recommend it.”

“Guh! D-don’t make fun of me! I can do it if I try! Everyone looks down on me…! I’ll prove it!”

Even after receiving my warning, Ilario nii-san didn’t stop.

He began flowing curse power into the figure at his feet. And in the center, he placed the demon’s hand that would serve as a catalyst.

Eventually, the magic circle began to activate. It glowed red and ominously.

The figure that had absorbed a large amount of curse power emitted an especially bright light—and black mist generated around us.

From within the mist, a woman appeared.

Swaying beautiful white hair that reached her waist, pale purple eyes stared straight at Ilario.

Eventually the black mist cleared, and she smiled gently. She opened her mouth.

“Hello. Are you the one…. who summoned me?”