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Chapter 120. [Gargaliel]

“W-Were you alright? I heard several explosions.”

“Ah... yeah, we’re fine.”

The magic knight who greeted us as we exited the ruins of the Simba Dynasty seemed really worried. As soon as she saw our faces, she let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, we did pull off a lot of reckless moves, and part of the ruins ended up destroyed… but we survived.

In the end, a lot happened, most of which was just a huge hassle. Still, what we gained made the effort worthwhile. The knowledge we acquired about the Grimoire and Claudius is something I can proudly call a tangible result. Well... as for Lucifer embedding herself in me, I’d say that’s a net zero.

The Grimoire Lucifer bestowed upon me, [Lucifer], allows me to manifest twelve radiant angel wings behind me. By the way, they don’t grow directly out of my back; they just appear there, like an external accessory.

I don’t understand the mechanism, but I can walk in the air by using the power of omnipotent light. It’s worth noting I’m not flying; it’s like there’s a foothold in the air, allowing me to walk. I wondered if Lucifer inside me was doing something, but since she refuses to answer anything she doesn’t want to, the truth remains unclear.

Exhausted from everything that happened, I somehow managed to return to Chronos Magic Knight Academy the same day. Waiting to greet me was Princess Elissa, who seemed a bit down. She probably hadn’t come specifically to meet me; we just ran into each other by chance.

“...Cutting it close to curfew?”

“I was out on a long trip.”

“To the Simba Dynasty ruins, wasn’t it? I think I heard something about you going there…”

“Did I mention that?”

I don’t remember telling Princess Elissa anything like that.

“A meddlesome relative told me.”

“Jeremiah, huh.”

There aren’t many of Elissa’s relatives at this academy. The first person who came to mind as someone who might’ve told her about my trip to the Simba Dynasty ruins was that suave, smiling guy.

“So? It seems like you found something, didn’t you?”

“I got more than I expected. But what I’d really like to know is why Princess Elissa seems so down.”

“That’s—”

[Hm? You… Gargaliel, is it? Ha ha ha! The Messenger of the Sun resides in such a weak little girl? Kuh, hahahaha! I can’t stop laughing! The people around you are truly amusing!]

“Shut up!”

Don’t start causing a ruckus inside my body!

“...I felt like I just heard a voice other than yours. Was it my imagination?”

“Let’s call it your imagination.”

[Did I choose the wrong vessel? For the leader of the Thrones, a being as powerless and ignorant as this girl... Kukuku, this is the epitome of hilarity!]

“Be quiet.”

“So, it wasn’t my imagination. And the sound’s mocking me, right?”

Lucifer suddenly started making a fuss inside me, and both Princess Elissa and I shared the same irritation—at the arrogance of this chatterbox who looked down on everyone.

[Fuu… well, don’t be so angry.]

Don’t act all calm now after laughing your head off. I’ll knock you out.

[Little girl, what is your name?]

“…Elissa Kuria.”

[Kouria… I see. Descendant of those favored by Sandalphon, eh?]

Sandalphon… that’s the name of the Grimoire held by Minister Frodil. If the Kouria royal family was favored by this Sandalphon, yet sided with Frodil… does that mean Sandalphon acknowledged Frodil as well?

[The Grimoire within you is named [Gargaliel]… the Messenger of the Sun, leader of the Thrones.]

“Gargaliel… That’s my Grimoire’s name?”

Lucifer… can this girl see even grimoires that haven’t manifested yet? If that’s true, it’s an extraordinary ability, but… is it really true? No, this arrogant angel wouldn’t laugh so heartily over a lie, so it’s probably the truth.

“Theodore, explain this in detail.”

“…Understood.”

Right… I’d completely forgotten amidst all this talk about grimoires and names, but hearing a voice in a place where only Princess Elissa and I are present—and that voice knowing the name of a dormant Grimoire—is just too strange not to question further.

“Whether what this Lucifer says is true or not, there really is a Grimoire within me, isn’t there?”

“Probably...”

[You doubt me, Theodore Anthem? You should trust me more. The Gargaliel sleeping within this girl is power befitting royalty.]

Yeah, I don’t care. Who would trust someone this arrogant, who only chimes in when it suits her and looks down on everyone else?

“[Gargaliel]!”

“...Just shouting its name won’t make it appear.”

“Teach me how to summon it!”

If what Lucifer says is true, then she need to awakens this [Gargaliel] within her. Just knowing its name doesn’t change anything; the process likely remains the same as before. Now I can hear suppressed laughter coming from inside me. This guy really has a terrible personality. Elixira’s comment that [Lucifer] looked like it belonged to someone mean was spot on.

“Well, I guess it’s good enough to know there really is a Grimoire within me… or should I think of it that way?”

“Didn’t I say before that everyone has a Grimoire?”

“Your average person doesn’t think like you.”

“Yeah, but Princess Elissa isn’t exactly average, is she?”

At the very least, someone ranked in the top ten at Chronos Magic Knight Academy wouldn’t be considered average by society’s standards. Sure, compared to people like Jeremiah, Princess Elissa might seem unremarkable, but that’s only because of who she’s being compared to. She’s still an elite by normal standards.

Of course, if I said that as someone ranked second, it’d probably just come off as condescending, so I’ll keep it to myself.