After the yakiniku party, everyone was full and satisfied. It was then that it happened.
Bish!
A Gate appeared in the sky above us.
“Hohoho! I am Nozomi Itoiro! The brother of Mikoto Itoiro!”
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Nozomi Itoiro
Race: Demon Race (Duke Class)
Level: 6000
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The Itoiro clan had come for revenge.
Just like with Kieryuu, Nozomi Itoiro resembled a canine demon, a color variation of Mikoto.
His face looked like that of a Shiba Inu, complete with a distinct brow.
With the appearance of the demon, the Goddess Statue activated.
Gogogogogo! The demon grew larger.
“It’s futile! Stretch! Extending Ladle!”
The ladle in Nozomi’s hand elongated. It wrapped around the Goddess Statue, tightening its grip before crack! it shattered.
“Hohoho! How about that! The power of my ability, Ruyi Jingu Bang!”
What can I say? An enemy with a knack for retorts had arrived. However, it seemed strong enough to destroy the Goddess Statue, which served as our demon-repelling device.
“Mika-sama, allow me to handle this!”
Luciel stepped forward in front of me.
“I have been entrusted with Mateo by the Supreme God. Protecting this place is my duty! Watch closely, Mika-sama! I will defend it splendidly!”
And then it happened. Paaaah! A beam of light descended from the sky.
Before Luciel, a massive weapon appeared.
“W-What is this!?”
Luciel gasped at the sight of the weapon.
“It seems a Divine Familiar Weapon has been bestowed upon you!”
Morrigan explained with a smug expression. She had fully embraced her role as the explanation officer.
A Divine Familiar Weapon is a special weapon granted to Familiar Gods, just like Lisia-chan’s Book of Omniscience (Minerva) and Dorako’s Claws of Omniscience (Fafnir).
“But Luciel isn’t a Familiar God, is she? Why has she been given a Divine Familiar Weapon?”
“When the Supreme God bestows favor, even lower gods can receive Divine Familiar Weapons.”
Wow… I had no idea. I didn’t know anything about gods, nor did I have any interest in researching them, so I was grateful to have Morrigan explain.
“Ah…! I am doing something beneficial for Mika! I can feel Mika’s joy with every fiber of my being!”
…Let’s set aside the pervert for now.
So, the Divine Familiar Weapon granted to Luciel was…
“The name is straightforward! Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison)!”
The Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison)… What a cool name. However…
“Hey! Mika-sama!?”
Luciel shouted while gripping the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison).
“This! No matter how you look at it, it’s a Harisenn!”
What she held was undeniably a gigantic Harisenn.
It was made from large sheets of white paper folded together, and that was the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison).
“Are you mocking me, you scoundrel!?”
Nozomi retorted. It seemed Luciel, the God of Retorts, couldn’t stay silent, and a vein bulged on her forehead.
“You’re the one who’s mocking me!”
Bashu! Luciel immediately activated her divine skill, Purifying Retort.
It was a skill that weakened the opponent.
“I’ve heard about this from Mikoto’s last words!”
He left behind last words, huh…?
“I’ll go for a quick finish! Stretch! Extending Ladle!”
Nozomi activated his ability, Ruyi Jingu Bang. The ladle shot out at high speed, aiming for Luciel.
Luciel gritted her teeth. “Fine! If it’s come to this, I’ll do it…!” She gripped the Harisenn—I mean, the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison).
“Even though the ability is called Ruyi Jingu Bang, the thing stretching is a ladle! How confusing!”
Bashiiin! Luciel struck the ladle with the Harisenn.
Crack!
“W-What!? My ladle returned to its original length!? This means… the ability has been canceled!?”
～～～～～～
Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison)
→ A Divine Familiar Weapon of Luciel, the God of Retorts.
Can also use Purifying Retort on non-human entities.
～～～～～～
Purifying Retort is Luciel’s unique divine skill. It weakens the opponent while strengthening allies.
“Until now, Luciel could only activate her skill on humans. However, with the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison) equipped, it seems she can weaken weapons and abilities as well.”
Weakening weapons and abilities. It seems that if an ability is weakened too much, it can be canceled entirely, just like that.
“S-Spectacular…! It may look ridiculous, but it’s an incredible weapon…! Thank you, Mika-sama!”
Luciel expressed her gratitude. I felt a bit guilty…
I wish they could have given her a cooler weapon. I don’t know the selection criteria for Divine Familiar Weapons, but still…
“Damn it! This must be some mistake…! Dieeeeeeeee!”
The ladle stretched and multiplied, charging at Luciel. Luciel readied her Harisenn and swung it.
“You forgot your catchphrase! Your character development is sloppy!”
Bashiiin! Luciel retorted, or rather, used Purifying Retort.
As a result, the ability was canceled.
“You all! Follow me!”
Luciel shouted to her allies. Purifying Retort activated for her allies, enveloping the Half-Elves in Battle Aura.
“Wha!? A Half-Elf can use Battle Aura!? Unbelievable!”
Luciel charged forward, retorting as she swung the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison).
“That’s why your character development is sloppy!”
Bashiiin! Luciel directly used Purifying Retort on Nozomi.
Shuuuu… The Battle Aura that had enveloped Nozomi was canceled.
Not only that, but his level had significantly dropped as well.
“Follow the God of Retorts, Luciel!”
“The God of Retorts has cleared the way!”
“Don’t waste the efforts of the God of Retorts!”
The Half-Elves chanted the name of the God of Retorts.
“W-Wait! The God of Excrement!? How filthy…!”
A vein bulged on Luciel’s forehead.
“If you have complaints, take them up with the Supreme God over there who gave me such a confusing name!”
Bashiiiiiinn! The Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison) swung again.
Well… sorry, it wasn’t me who named it…
I know it’s confusing, I’m sorry…
“Nozomi has shrunk so much…!”
“With that, we can win…!”
The Half-Elves drew their knives and pointed them at Nozomi.
“Magic Slayer Spell «Byou de Kieryuu»!”
“Still a lame name for a spell…!”
As Luciel activated Purifying Retort, the Half-Elves’ magic was maximized.
Countless spells aimed to slay the demons were unleashed. Dododododododododod…!
The magic, enhanced by divine power, riddled Nozomi’s body with holes.
“W-What…? Just a Half-Elf…? A Duke Class demon…? Losing… to this…?”
Nozomi’s body crumbled apart.
“I’m sorry… Mikoto… I can’t keep my promise with you… That day, we made a vow…”
“Yeah, I don’t care about the flashbacks of a weak enemy.”
As Luciel activated Purifying Retort, Nozomi completely vanished. Ah, well…
“Cruel…!”
“Yay! Our leader is amazing!”
“We don’t need to show mercy to the enemy!”
The Mobeel cheered. Good, good.
“With this, I can confidently leave Mateo in your hands.”
If any demons appear, with Luciel, the God of Retorts, the Half-Elves should be able to handle it.
“You’re amazing, Mika…!”
…Morrigan started to stroke my head again.
“To be able to strengthen your subordinates to the point of defeating a Duke Class demon! You truly are incredible, Mika!”
I remained silent. Why, you ask?
The God of Retorts, wielding the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison), smacked Morrigan on the head.
“Stop wasting time here and hurry back to the Heavenly Realm! What about your work!?”
“U-Ugh… Mika… I’m sorry… I’ll go back…”
It seemed she had lingered longer than she should have and reluctantly returned to the Heavenly Realm.
I placed my hand gently on Luciel’s shoulder.
“Thank you, and I look forward to working with you, God of Retorts.”
I gave her a thumbs up. Luciel replied, “If possible, I’d like my title changed…” with a complaint.
After all, being called the God of Retorts is quite confusing… I’m sorry…
By the way, when I tried to change her title with Let’s Become Familiars, it was rejected. I don’t understand.