Demonic Tool

The group gathered around as they studied the tied up bandits. They had just finished scouring the village for any clues about the demons, but ended up coming out empty-handed. Even the demonic energy that should have still have been present was nowhere to be seen.

“Should we kill these ones too?”

Glenn was the first one to speak up as he glared at the bandits. Mateo shook his head and spoke out against this suggestion.

“No, I say we take them with us to the next village. I have a hunch what we’ll find there.”

“You think there’s going to be more of them?”

“I think there’s a lot more of them. A lot more to them too.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think it was just a coincidence that they ambushed us.”

“Are you sure you're not overthinking this?”

Helen was the one who spoke up next. She gave Mateo a concerned look.

“I know it sounds paranoid, crazy even, but these bandits just aren’t normal.”

Noah walked closer to the bandits and invoked a divine power that showered the bandits with a starry shower of light.

“They’re human.”

“Just because they’re human doesn’t mean there’s not more to this.”

Mateo was about to debate the matter more but stopped when he saw the strange looks directed his way. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure about his own argument. He only wanted to direct the attention of his party towards this bandit group.

The reason for this was to ruin the plans of his classmates from launching a sneak attack upon the demons. They will have to reveal themselves to take out the bandits. His only worry was what the demons would do. It would be all for nothing if they end up just fleeing. No, he had to get in contact with the demons.

“I still say we should take them with us to the next village.”

The others finally conceded on this point and agreed to their party leader’s suggestion. They tied the rope binding the bandits to Kyle’s horse as they continued on to their next destination.

Their pace slowed tremendously, and had to stop once night fell. They also needed to have two people keep watch at any time during the night now, with everyone needing to pair up. Mateo and Noah sat together, Noah watching the bandits and Mateo kept an eye on the surroundings.

“Hey, that spell of yours, can it tell if someone’s made contact with demons?”

“Hmm? You mean detect evil?”

“Is that its name? Then yeah, that one.”

“Well, contrary to the name, it’s not really an identification spell. It rains down divine power upon the target. Normally it does nothing, but when it comes in contact with demonic energy there’s a reaction.”

“What kind of reaction?”

“The divine light turns black and red.”

“Any combat capabilities?”

“None.”

“So about my earlier question.”

“It doesn’t work that way. It only works if it comes in contact with a producer.”

“Producer?”

“Anything that produces demonic energy. Otherwise, it would have a bunch of false flags when used on people who fought against a demon. It’s also not like demonic energy just attaches itself to anything near it.”

“What about lingering demonic energy in the air?”

“That’s a different case. That demonic energy is produced by the attacks of a demon in the way we produce mana or divine energy through spells, arts, and divine powers. It’s not like we constantly radiate mana and divine energy. Lingering is not unique to demonic energy. All these energies dissipate, but they may remain in the environment for some time.“

“What happens to the lingering energy then?”

“Well it depends. Divine Energy returns to the Gods, Mana disperses into the air and ground over time. As for Demonic Energy, it converges and creates new demons.”

“Wait, that’s how demons were born?”

“Didn’t you already learn this?”

“Well, I thought demons were born from the Demon King’s Demonic Energy.”

“Those were the first demons. All other demons were born from the first demons, or rather their demonic energy.”

“What’s the point in fighting and killing demons if it just gives birth to new ones then?”

“That’s where priests come in, we purify demonic energy.”

“Does that mean the reason there is no demonic energy at the village is because new demons have already been born?”

“No.”

“Then it was purified?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’m confused.”

“It hasn’t been long enough for demons to be born, not with how much demonic energy there should have been. As for purification, it’s possible, but it makes no sense. There should be an order for priests to leave the demonic energy alone so as to not impede on tracking the demons.”

“Could there be a rogue priest then?”

“That’s not a thing. All priests gain their divine powers from the three gods. We would lose it should we leave the church.”

“So, what other options are there?”

“There’s two of them. First off, another demon could have absorbed the demonic energy.”

“Wouldn’t they do that to remove traces then?”

“The only way for a demon to absorb demonic energy is for them to kill the original source.”

“Then what about the original source?”

“That is possible, but it’s not easy for them to do. First off they can’t reabsorb it right away. The demonic energy would fall into an unstable and chaotic state after use at first. After a few days they would be able to reabsorb it.”

“Then there’s our answer, it’s been more than a few days since the raid.”

“We would be lucky if that were the answer. The easiest time to ambush a demon is when they return to absorb their expelled demonic energy. I have no doubt the knights would be laying in wait for such a moment. The absorption process is also a lengthy process.”

“Anything else?”

“Divine and Demonic Tools.”

“Like your book?”

“Not exactly. It would be a Divine Tool with the sole purpose of sealing demonic energy. Paladins carry this so they can contain demonic energy and bring it back to the church for a priest to purify.”

“The second thing you said, Demonic Tools. Are they like the demon version of Divine Tools?”

“Yes and no. While Divine Tools are filled with divine energy by the gods, Demonic Tools are instead capable of absorbing the demonic energy in the air. In fact, they are also used by Humans to kill demons.”

“Is it something we could use too?”

“Sure, if you want to go crazy. You need to remember Demonic Energy is poisonous to humans, that includes us.”

“Wait, but we’re not created by the Gods.”

“We were summoned by the Gods though. The process fundamentally altered our bodies. Unfortunately, it gives us the same weakness. Actually, this is a good thing. The alternative is being corrupted by demonic energy.”

“So what would happen? Do we get sick when we use it?”

“Yeah, sick in the head. While it wouldn’t corrupt you, it will make you go crazy with prolonged use. The final fate for all those who use Demonic Tools is that of a crazed psychopathic murderer.”

“Why use it then?”

“Why does anyone desire power?”

“Wouldn’t you grab such an item with both hands if we were in our own world?”

Mateo couldn’t help but be silenced by this question. While the statement did resonate with Mateo, it was not for the country Noah had in mind.

“So do you think a Demonic Tool was used to absorb the demonic energy?”

“Yeah, and out of all of the options, this one has me the most worried.”

Noah glanced over towards the bandits and frowned. The implication was clear for Mateo to understand. Mateo’s interest in the bandits shot up. Now he had even more of a reason to direct the attention of the party towards them.

Noah’s earlier remark lingered in his thoughts. Why do people desire power huh? He knew the answer all too well.

“Wait, we didn’t find anything like that on them though.”

“We probably missed it. These tools can absorb demonic energy almost instantly. These ones probably only stayed behind to loot the place.”

“Do you think bringing them was the right choice?”

“Are you worried we might have missed our chance at the next village?”

“Yeah.”

“I hope we do. You’re underestimating what a Demonic Tool can do. Honestly, I think we shouldn’t even bother visiting the next village and make our way to the city. Running into the owner would almost be certain death if it’s just the six of us.”

“Then why haven’t you said anything?”

“Because I have no proof. Everything I’ve said is just pure speculation. There is also a suspicion of mine. It’s possible the Demonic Tool hasn’t absorbed that much demonic energy. If it had, the bandits wouldn’t act as they are now. I suspect they got their hands on the Demonic Tool but never had the opportunity to fill it. It’s only now that Demons have appeared that they’ve made their move.”

“So what does it mean for us if it is weak?”

“It means we could escape.”

“Not win?”

“Maybe if it were Gerard.”

The two of them chuckled at the remark. They continued to chat a little more before the next watch came to replace them.