Science!!! 8 (1/2)
*Ring-ring*
It would appear that Nagnamor could only maintain his physical form for about 2 minutes with the near 1000 MP the Mimic supplied during the possession ritual. Once that was up, he would crumble into dust and disappear.
*Ring-ring*
That seemed to be the nature of how this particular ritual worked - the demon called forth from the Beyond would have tremendous power, but his body would deteriorate rapidly after a short while. The other two Offering-type rituals the Mimic knew about would probably be the same.
*Ring-ring*
Still, even if it was temporary, a high-ranking demon’s servitude was simply a means to an end. Performing that particular ritual did wonders for its Demonology proficiency and it had plenty of troll blood leftover, so it repeated the summoning 3 more times until now.
*Ring-ring*
Xera seemed to want to complain vehemently about it each time and even Kora was trying to get their master to stop performing it for some reason. As for Nagnamor, he was understandably the most pissed off of all and complained the loudest, both figuratively and literally. However, all of them were ignored completely as the stubborn box did whatever it wanted.
*Ring-ring*
But the one thing that could not be ignored was that constant ringing noise inside the Mimic’s mind. It had been going on for the last hour or so, pretty much ever since the first time Nagnamor’s physical body turned to dust. The familiars, Nagnamor included, could be ordered to shut up easily enough, but that obviously wasn’t going to work here.
*Ring-ring*
This was different from a simple sound. It was as if something was poking at the monster’s brain, trying to get its attention.
*Ring-ring*
Well, it didn’t seem like it would just go away on its own and even a creature of near-infinite patience could only take so much damned ringing. So it made the inevitable decision to answer it.
*Ring-ring*
*Click*
“Yes?”
“Oh finally!” came the gruff, raspy voice from the Beyond. “Hey buddy. It’s Carl from Demons ‘R’ Us.”
This was the first time Demons ‘R’ Us had contacted the Mimic directly. Admittedly, this was only the third time the Mimic had spoken to them, but that was besides the point.
“Hi Carl.”
“So listen, I’m calling about the whole Overlord Nagnamor thing. We’ve been getting some troubling complaints and I need to get your side of the story. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
“I’m busy.”
“I won’t stop ringing until you answer me, by the way.”
“... Alright, I’m listening.”
“How exactly did you summon the Overlord into the physical realm?”
“I did the ritual.”
“Which one?”
“With the squiggles and the chanting and the stabbing.”
“You’re going to have to be more specific.”
Pretty much all demonic ritual involved at least one of those things. A lot of the time it was all three at once.
“It was the offering thingie.”
“So it was the Offering to Nagnamor after all, huh?”
“Yes, that.”
*Taktaktak takataktakatak*
“And how did you fulfill the ‘pure maiden stabbed in the heart’ part of the ceremony?” asked Carl.
“I told Snack to do it.”
“I’m sorry, Snack?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s that?”
“My familiar.”
“Um, which one?”
“The one with the hair and the legs.”
“Haah. The blue or red one?”
“Blue.”
*Tak tak tatatak takatak*
“Okay and how do you suppose a succubus qualifies as a ‘pure maiden?’”
“She’s a female that wasn’t poisoned or diseased. She was also clean. Before the blood, at least.”
“Oh wow… Okay, it’s starting to make sense now.”
The thing about magic was that it relied heavily on the mind. Spells had a very precise formula to them, so different people would get very similar results when casting the same one. Rituals and such, however, were more freeform and could be easily influenced by one’s perception and preconceptions. In other words, if the Mimic who didn’t know any better believed with all its might that Xera was ‘pure,’ then she would be ‘pure.’ At least for the sake of completing the ritual.
“Leave it to those fucking idiots to leave in a loophole like that,” mumbled Carl under his breath.
“Hm?”
“Ah, nevermind that. What about the heart part?”
“Made Snack grow one.”
*Taktak tak ta-*
“Huh? But succubi shouldn’t be able to change their insides to that degree!”
“Yeah. Had to show her how to make one from her skin. Because she’s stupid.”
“Wai-wai-wait, you ordered your familiar… to grow a heart on the outside of her body?”
“Yes.”
“Holy shit! I honestly have to say I’m impressed! I never would’ve even thought of that!”
*Taktak tak tak tatatatak tak*
“Okay,” continued Carl, “and what was your purpose in summoning Nagnamor in the first place?”
“I wanted Skill proficiency for Demonology.”
“What, just that?”
“Yes.”
“No kingdoms you wanted toppled or ancient beings of terrible power to suppress?”
“Nope.”
“... Hold please.”
*Boop*
An odd sound started playing inside the Mimic’s head. It wasn’t like anything else the monster had ever heard before, but it was actually pretty pleasant. Ah, this must be that music thing it vaguely knew about! Who knew sound could be so tasty?! It sat there enjoying the tune for about 5 minutes before Carl came back on the line.
*Boop*