Maou no Hajimekata

Magic circles were the basis of any form of magecraft in the world.

However, most of the mages agreed on the fact that there was no such thing as a perfect circle in this plane of existence, and that no one was able to draw it either.

But even so, Mari tried to achieve that result by drawing it over and over again. Only the thing was, that no matter how long or how hard she tried, she had the impression that she was not improving at all.

Stop it Mari, any further attempts will be just as fruitless as the rest.

Aur tried to stop her from making any further attempts, because in his eyes, the magic circle that she drew was already perfect.

Logans real body was safe in the Demon World, so there was no need to go to such lengths to summon him back, and any further attempts to improve on the circle could only do more harm than good. To Aur, Maris act looked only like the postponing of the inevitable.

Logan please come out.

While casting the summoning spell on the circle, Mari held her hands together as if she was praying.

And then the circle lights up, and spiraling flames shoot out of it like snakes wrapping themselves up around their pray. They rise high like a pillar, and finally form a demonic shape.

Logan!

Four flaming arms, copper-red skin, head of a goat and hooves. There was no mistaking it, it was him.

Huh? Dont you dare calling my name so lightly, old hag! And who the hell are you anyway?!

He lashed out at Mari in a low voice that she has never heard before.

A division? What are you going on about?

Haaa, all right, since youre so confused then allow me to explain it in simple terms. Basically, a big, powerful demon like me does not send all of his power to the Human World at one time.

Sitting in the magic circle, Logan answered Aurs questions.

In my case, all my power is divided into four separate souls inhabiting one body. Each one of them is male, and they are all different.

Is what hes saying true, Lilu?

Yes. I am similar to him in that matter, but in my case my physical body is more like a well-made puppet that can be remotely controlled.

Than this is really similar to me. But thats not the issue here. The real problem is the fact that there are four personalities inhabiting a single body.

Logan said while sending disgusted gazes towards Spina, who was standing beside her master all the time.

Why are you looking at her like that? Do you remember something about her?

Ive already told you, all the personalities share their memories and knowledge. That way, there is no need for four separate contracts when Im being summoned.

Logan is an extremely powerful demon, but his contract terms seemed to be a bit loose.

But it was already quite strange of him to request only a steady supply of magical power instead of human souls as compensation.

So tell me, what happened to your original spirit?

Who knows?

He shrugged his shoulders at Maris question.

I dont know what happened to the one that came before me, because the memory synchronization occurs only when the soul inhabiting the body returns to the Demon World. As far as I know and care, he disappeared and I took his place, and thats it. I dont know how to reverse that process, and I dont intend to try.

Is that so?

Mari tightly gripped the hilt of the sword that she was holding.

Well, you dont have to worry about anything. Our battle capabilities are all pretty much the same, so we can just continue our work together like nothing happened, okay?

No, I will not allow you to work with us.

Aur answered Logan, who was genuinely surprised.

Ohhh, what was that? Wait, are you actually serious?!

Logan protests against being send back by hitting the barrier with his fists.

Wait, thats not funny, I dont want to go back there! Dont do this or youll regret this! Hey, Aur!

SPEAK NO MORE, YOU PATHETHIC FOOL!!!

Aur shouts at Logan, completely overpowering his screams.

The Logan I know would always call me master. Now be gone, unknown demon!

And then the red demon disappeared back into the magical circle.

That thing, that was not Logan.

Yeah, I think so too.

Yunis hugged Mari who was in tears.

Lilu, Spina, and Aur too. Everyone present was probably thinking the same thing.

His looks, memories and abilities were all the same, there was no lies in his words about that. But those memories were like the lines learned from a book. He said that he was the same, but in reality, he couldnt have been more different.

It was strange that he did not remembered anything about Mari at all.

He said that the memories were synchronized when he was returning to the Demon World, but not even a day has passed since his death on the Saharan battlefield.

Maybe it was something that he wanted to keep for himself, and not share it with others?

Yunis had no proof to back that theory, but for some reason, everyone felt that it was true.

But without him here, the battle is going to get noticeably harder.

As a result of their previous battle, Uzermart was visibly outraged. But he was forced to flee like a coward and hide in his Dungeon. And that Dungeon was now hidden among the sands of the desert.

In other words, it was impossible for them to take control over the surrounding territories to attack him like they did with Sakuyas mountain.

And Aur knew very well how difficult it was to capture the Dungeon that belonged to the enemy.

Besides, there is also that matter with Hoseli.

Ah, right.

Aur nodded bitterly at the matter brought up by Yunis.

Just like Hoderi, Hoseli was not exactly one of Aurs men. She was Sakuyas henchmen. That is why no spell bound her to him, and that was clearly an obstacle to them now.

And he failed to see the problems she might cause because he was so blinded by the strength his forces received with their inclusion.

Only losing Logan now made him realize how careless he was up until then. But fortunately for him, he was not alone in this.

Yunis, Lilu, Spina, Mari, everyone who was present here with an expression of anguish on their faces. Those were the people whom he knew he could trust with his whole heart.

At that time, someone has knocked on the door from the outside.

Come in.

The one who walked through the door was Hoderi. The look on his face told Aur everything he needed to know.

He knew that his sister committed the sin of betrayal against Aur, and was prepared to take responsibility for it. Instead of his usual black attire, he was wearing a white kimono and carried a shortsword in his hand. He bowed before Aur and assumed the kneeling position with his hands placed firmly on his knees.

I cannot do anything about my sisters shameful act but to offer my heartfelt apology. Please, master, accept my humble apology and allow me to wash away the shame of my sisters transgression.

He said so as he rubbed his forehead against the floor.

You dont have to do this. No one here blames you for what happened.

I give you my heartfelt thanks for you kind words.

He raised his face, and took up the sword from beside him.

Yunis reflexively grabbed her sword, but she felt no hostility or murderous intent from him. If he wanted to attack them, he wouldnt be kneeling on the ground in the first place.

As they were all watching him, he loosened his kimono and stabbed the sword into his belly.

Wha?!

Was it some kind of misunderstanding, or did it had some deeper meaning?

As they were all standing dumbfounded, Hoderi cut his own belly open horizontally, and then proceeded to do so vertically.

What the hell are you doing?!

Aur asked Hoderi as blood began to spill out of his wound, but he received no answer.

Hes committing suicide!

As Lilu approached him, his balance was broke off and he fell onto the floor.

Lilu, Yunis, Sharl must still be somewhere in here! Go search for her and bring her here, on the double! Spina, Mari help resuscitate him!

Aur shouted orders left and right as his mind was racing rapidly.

Resuscitation magic was not always effective. Its success rate depended on three factors.

The first was the skill of the caster. This is self-explanatory I think. The better the caster is at this kind of magic, the better his chances at performing it successfully. Aur was good at it himself, but Sharl, who specialized in defensive and recovery magic could be said to be the top-class healer among his whole group.

The second factor was the state of the body. The worse its condition, the smaller the chances of success. Fortunately, all that Hoderi did was to cut his belly open, so it wasnt all that bad. Several of the vital organs were spilling out of him and were badly damaged, but in the past Sharl Managed to resurrect someone who was left as a skeleton after his death.

And the third, final factor was the life force of the one the magic was being used on. Hoderi, was somewhat old, but he could be called a top-class warrior, so his body was not going to give up that easily. However

His spirit apparently lost all the will to live.

He was not being manipulated by anyone. He himself decided that he was going to die to atone for his sisters sins. But they werent just going to give up on him, and after a grueling effort, they managed to save his life.

Why am I alive?

He was tied up to the bed so that he wouldnt try anything stupid anymore.

You had us seriously worried for a while there. Why would you try to do something as reckless as that?!

Because I know no other way of apologizing for a crime of treason.

Whatre you talking about? Are you touched to the head?!

Lilu asked him in astonishment.

Who in their right mind would do something like that to apologize?

So how do you want me to take my own life?

Cut that death crap out! What is wrong with you Yamato people?!

Aur breathed deeply. To him, something like that was incomprehensible.

You offered to be my sword, and now you wanted to break that sword without permission?

I

You dying would accomplish nothing! At all! If you want to make your sisters mistake right, then live and work to set her back on the right path!

Haa.

Aur ordered Yunis to untie the ropes.

Did you knew why your sister betrayed me?

No, I had no knowledge of her motives to do such a despicable thing.

If thats how it is, you will no longer decide whether or not you will live or die. I will be the judge of that.

He declared that with a frighteningly low voice.

Just who made you like.. no, thinking about this now accomplishes nothing.

Even Sakuya said she does not know the identity of the Gods who cursed Hoderi and his sister.

But someone with the power of omniscience would surely know. Maybe hed even know how to reverse it.

But it could also be a simple bait.

And if Aur didnt misunderstood anything, this situation was his own fault, and his alone. Because he said that he does not mind their beastly forms. Woman, no matter how battle-hardened, are delicate creatures. He should have promised to embrace their beastly natures instead. If only he did that, then maybe this whole situation could have been avoided.

No that he knew that, he couldnt find it within himself to be angry at her.

Speaking of betrayal, theres one thing that I want you to do.

He stood up and gave Lilu his next order.

Bring Zana here.

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