Chapter 93: Tales Of Demons (And Familiars) (1) (1/2)

Ergthen focused on the black cover book sitting atop the stone pedestal for a short time then opened it's pages.

”This is the Chronicle of Demons. It is a record of all demons who have ever come into existence in this world. From the moment you are inscribed within these pages your deeds will be inscribed.”

”Really? It...looks like a normal book -- minus the creepy cover of course.” Agni remarked.

”Indeed. But it is a living artifact. It's abilities and powers transcend that of a normal object.” Ergthen explained as the book's pages began to flutter without his intervention.

”Is that like a living weapon?” Agni asked curiously as she stepped closer to the pedestal. Ogthin and Vivian stood behind her, looking on. What was to come was in no way foreign to them, so their interest was purely on the specifics.

”Yes. Have you encountered one? Living weapons are quite rare--and expensive.” Ergthen responded. Agni nodded her head and mentioned Katrin's Grimoire.

”I see. This book also serves another purpose. May I see your hand, young Leviathan?” Ergthen extended his hand and awaited Agni's confirmation. As she reached her outstretched hand to meet his she felt a slight prick against her pointer finger.

”Ow!” Agni said, mostly on reflex as the tiny wound barely hurt. Instead a bead of blood appeared on the tip of her finger.

”Drip three beads of blood on the book's pages. The Chronicle will do the rest.” Ergthen directed, and thus Agni did as he said. She watched with bated breath as the first drop of blood fell into the book's fluttering pages. From the second her blood touched it's pages the book opened to a blank page. With the second drop of blood it's pages began to glow and text began to form on the empty pages. With the final drop of blood the book began to shake gently as it levitated upwards from the pedestal and positioned itself so that it's pages were directed at Agni.

”Good. Now, you should see a magical circle. Place your hand against it and infuse some mana into the magical circle.” Ergthen next directed.

Agni did as he suggested, closing her eyes the moment her palm touched the page, mostly because it felt appropriate to do so. She found it rather difficult to infuse the page with her mana, however. She only intended to use a small portion of her magic power at first but she felt stifled and oppressed, she could only explain the sensation as a weight pressing down on her mana itself. She gritted her teeth slightly and forced her mana further, raising the pressure with each passing second until finally she was forced to push with all of her might. At this time she felt the sensation of ”weight” fly away and her mana flowed freely into the book.

Agni opened her eyes at this key moment and discovered that the book was now shimmering with particles of red light energy. The words on her page continued to form as the book set itself on the table once more. After a few seconds the writing on the page was complete and within the magic circle a hexagram was formed. In the center of this hexagram was a small, black coin with the insignia of a demon's head at the center. Agni recognized this coin as the same item Vivian used to earn entry into the Demonic Chapel.

”Take it, it's yours. The coin before you is a special item. To bind it to you, you must flow your mana into it. With it you can enter the Demonic Chapel, as long as you possess it.”

Agni picked the coin up from the open page and inspected it more closely. It seemed to be made of a metal comparable to the same black material as the building. She did as Ergthen said and used some mana on the coin, which was about the size of a walnut in diameter. The coin assimilated itself directly into her body, sinking into her palm and alerting her to it's new location within her inventory.

[Black Coin Acquired. This item will allow you entry into the Demonic Chapel of Kirlunst. Can also be used as a favor.]

”This can be used as a favor? What does that mean?” Agni asked.

”It allows you to gain the chapel's assistance with a problem of your choosing.” Ogthin responded.

”Hmm..”