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Chapter 118. Grimoire And The Heavenly Race

"Claudius is a being created by humanity eons ago, and it continues to torment humankind to this day—a primordial sin."

"Hold on a second! Humanity created... that?"

"Indeed."

Whoa, whoa... If Claudius is the creature depicted in murals and ancient texts, how could humans have created such a monster? It’s beyond the scope of lost ancient technology or anything small-scale like that.

"Originally, Claudius was made by humans to stand against the Heavenly and Demonic races. At that time, humans couldn’t wield magic, nor did they possess any special powers. In the grand scheme, they were nothing but weak beings with high reproductive abilities."

The Heavenly and Demonic races... So humans were mere creatures, reproducing like wild animals to survive in a world dominated by those two species. If that’s true, it’s ironic that the Heavenly race no longer exists, and the Demonic race has dwindled and been pushed aside.

"Frankly, the Heavenly and Demonic races underestimated humans. They assumed such a pitiful race, capable only of speech, would inevitably go extinct."

"Isn’t that a fact, though?"

"But it didn’t turn out that way. Humans used their wits and bared their fangs at us... that was Claudius."

Uh... Seriously?

"Claudius became a destructive force born from human hatred and obsession. Initially, Claudius couldn’t win against the Heavenly and Demonic races. But by absorbing the flesh, blood, and resentment of fallen humans, it gradually transformed into a more formidable entity... and eventually devoured the world."

The words are vague, but to put it simply, humans created a being from corpses to counter the Demonic and Heavenly races, and then it got out of control and started consuming everything. I want to say it’s humanity’s fault for creating such a troublesome entity, but ultimately, it’s because they got dragged into the conflict with those races.

"Its birthplace is a tiny island east of this continent."

"...Wait, no human or demon has even ventured to the east of this continent, right?"

"What? Demons originally came from that island, you know?"

"Never heard that."

I don’t even know what’s out east, so how am I supposed to just nod and agree?

"That’s not important... Anyway, that’s all I know about Claudius’s origin and story."

"Wait a second. Does Claudius have a will? Also, tell me why it attacks humans."

"Ah, right. Claudius attacks humans simply to strengthen itself. It devours the flesh and resentment of those it destroys, growing stronger. When it periodically attacks, it’s merely considering the rising human population... To it, we’re just livestock."

So we’re just cattle meant to enhance its power? What a vile monster humans created and left unchecked.

"As for whether it has a will... I don’t know!"

"Huh?"

"I’ve faced it only three times, but it views us as weaklings to toy with. Who tries to converse with livestock?"

"I... guess not."

Seriously, don’t say ‘I don’t know’ so confidently; it’s infuriating.

"That’s enough about Claudius. Now, answer my question."

"...Fine."

First, she asked how long it’s been since Claudius last appeared. I wonder what she’ll ask next. I can’t predict her questions at all, so I hope it’s something I can easily answer.

"To the woman possessing the power of [Raziel]."

"Me?"

"Yes. Have you ever spoken with [Raziel]?"

"Huh? Speak with [Raziel]? What are you talking about?"

"I see. That’s fine."

She... definitely knows something about Grimoires.

"Seems you have a question?"

"Tell me more about Grimoires."

"Specifically?"

"Humans believe they manifest from the soul and reflect the shape of the individual’s soul... But there are inconsistencies. If I believe what Vanessa says, ancient humans didn’t have Grimoires, yet every modern human does. Where did they come from?"

Is it true that everyone possesses a Grimoire? I’m skeptical.

"I’ll answer! Yes, everyone has a Grimoire."

Seriously?

"However, only a few, like the woman possessing [Raziel], are granted special names."

"Everyone else has unnamed powers?"

"Correct. And as for where Grimoires came from... they’ve existed since the Heavenly race made souls equivalent to humans."

Souls... equivalent?

"Theodore, you’re an exception."

"My [Raziel] was originally a power of the Heavenly race?"

"Yes. Your soul holds the power of a Heavenly being granted the rank of Third Soloné, who wielded the magical book [Raziel’s Grimoire], recording every spell."

My head hurts... So humans merged with the Heavenly race’s souls? The Heavenly race didn’t go extinct but instead fused with humanity?

"Humans use magic through their soul’s connection to the Heavenly race. They absorb magical essence from the air, transforming it not with their bodies, but through their souls."

I’ve heard a lot that turns everything upside down. But it doesn’t sound like a lie. The abilities of Raziel and the capabilities described by Lucifer match, so it makes sense.

"It’s not that humans develop powers based on their personalities..."

"The soul’s nature shapes the personality. Cause and effect are reversed."

I see... Even if the body changes, as long as the soul remains, the personality stays the same.

Wait. If humans have Grimoires, then why do demons have them too? Vanessa mentioned some demons possess Grimoires.

"Now, my question."

Ah, cut off again.