That reminds me of Clark’s sickening smirk before he shattered into a million pieces of ice. Right, Clark’s still a problem. He’s chosen to stay with Analia even after learning the truth about the Demon Lord’s magic circle. Fighting him is unavoidable.
“Speaking of Clark,” Serenial adds, “it was his homunculus that came with us to this village, right? I didn’t think there were any sorcerers capable of making such elaborate creations…”
“I’d venture a guess and say that he copied the formula used to make the DemiOracle,” Julius answers. “The DemiOracle is a homunculus as well. Some of the magic circles in the inner sanctum referenced the formula to make it. Copying that formula should result in a refined and elaborate homunculus.”
I didn’t know there was a magic circle like that inside the magic sanctum. Then that solidifies my theory…
“Hey, Julius? Is it correct to assume the DemiOracle is a homunculus created by the sorcerer who drew up the magic circle controlling Analia?”
“You can bet on it. Whoever it was, they were a terrifying sorcerer capable of crafting thousands of complex magic circles…,” he says in a scandalized whisper.
I completely agree. And with that knowledge, my theory has become conviction. Aela is probably—
“I want to know more about these homunculi. Elle, you said Lylish is one of Clark’s creations, right? Can you clarify that for me?” Guido says, tossing out the most important question yet.
Oh yeah, I need to explain that part, too. But it’s not easy to tell them. How do I break the news? I sneak a glance at Aela.
Talking about this will likely hurt her more than anything. Her complexion is already a sickly white, and she’s definitely depressed. But I can’t skip this piece of information. I have to bring it up.
I harden my resolve with a deep breath and breach the topic. “Lylish was one of Clark’s homunculi. I’m fairly positive she is how he located Elle Village. Your mission with the messenger brought her here by coincidence, and she reported our presence back to Clark right away.”
“That can’t be…!” Aela cries out, breaking her silent brooding. “Why would he send me a homunculus? Lylish was full of life, a cutie, and always there to save us! She granted me these saintly powers! Lylish taught me about God’s power!” She speaks all in one breath, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I think it’s probably because you share the same blood as the Demon Lord—his descendant. The Demon Lord I’m talking about is the sorcerer who established Analia and left behind that appalling magic circle.”
After I give that explanation, Aela murmurs with a stunned look, “The Demon Lord’s…descendant?”
“Your healing is a special power that runs in your bloodline. And it’s a sure bet the Demon Lord used that power, too. The proof is in the DemiOracle he made using a similar style of healing magic, though it’s nowhere near your level, Aela,” I explain, trying to make it as easy for her to understand as I can. “Then you have what Clark said. With the power coursing through the Demon Lord’s unique bloodline and an infinite supply of magic, a miracle resulting in the Demon Lord’s resurrection will occur. This is just a guess, but I think your healing spells have the potential to revive the dead if your magic supply is infinite.”
“No way. I can’t revive the dead…”
“You might not be able to right now. But what if you got hold of an infinite supply of magic and learned how to bend it to your will?”
I know what no one else here does. In the manga, Aela gains more and more power throughout her battles with strong enemies. It’s a real possibility for her to become powerful enough to pull it off.
I look at the saint weighed down by sorrow and confusion and force her to face reality. “In order to awaken your natural powers and mature them, Lylish brought you the plausible goal of subjugating the Demon Lord so you had a reason to gain experience. She wanted to make you capable of casting several miraculous spells in a row.”
Thinking back on it, Lylish was often the driving factor in the manga. Imagining the ending of my favorite story sends shivers down my spine. What if Aela, not knowing any better, came to the Demon Lord’s castle to defeat him by sacrificing my heart and using the exact spell that revives him?
“Lies! Lylish wasn’t like that…!” Aela bursts out, another waterfall of tears spilling over. Guido puts his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
Aela isn’t the only one hurting. Lylish was a friend to both Golem and Guido. They aren’t outsiders to the pain she feels. It hurts me just watching them, and I only know snippets of their relationship from the manga.
“To sum it up, the magic circle controlling Analia is trying to use Aela’s power to revive the person who made it. To make that happen, this Clark guy sent Lylish to her. That’s the gist of it, right?” Guido quietly inquires, hugging Aela to him and stroking her hair with a comforting rhythm. His eyes are as hard as nails and downright scary.
“You’ve got it.” I nod and feel Sereniel’s cutting gaze pierce into me.
“Okay, I get this whole thing about the Aela girl’s powers, but, Elle, I want to know why they are after your heart. Can it really produce an infinite supply of magic?”
I consider answering her by saying it really can, but I’m not all too sure about it myself. The whole thing is sketchy. Julius did tell me that I have the potential to become a perpetual magic generator…
“Elle definitely possesses the ability to put out an endless supply of magic,” Julius answers in my place when I spend too much time overthinking. “Back in Analia, she was conducting constant experiments to measure her magic. It’s safe to say the magic circle sleeping within the inner sanctum has confirmed that she can become a perpetual magic generator. It seeks her heart for that precise reason. The heart is the source of magic. The magic circle is planning to offer up Elle’s heart as the power source for Aela’s magic in order to revive the Demon Lord.”
A dark, dismal expression clouds his handsome face as he mutters in a barely audible voice, “But…”
I look up at him, waiting for the rest, but when our eyes meet, he shakes his head, insisting it’s nothing to worry about.
What was that about? Does he lack confidence in what he has to say? That’s not like him. I’m curious now. But I can’t follow up because Sereniel exhales louder than a huffing bull.