The Demon Lord Is An Angel
Chapter 436: The High Priestess

Chapter 436: The High Priestess

Understand that the wormhole equation is a result of a bi-tensor field operation within the bounds of a dual-simultaneous cosmological constants. Within the bounds of a single light-second, it works, but the wormholes you can make at maximal distances will get smaller on either the input or output end. So don’t go thinking you can go crossing the galaxy with what I know; at worst, you’ll spaghettify yourself.

I suspect that there might be three cosmological constants operating in this universe at this time; based on the half-remembered bullshit physics I created or discovered in a state of madness, I think that means the universe might be sandwiched between at least three others. If not for the clouds, I might have tried some astronomy while trying to figure out how to get into the big blue tower.

While you’ve been out, I’ve been taking a look at some of the fundamentals. There are still four physical forces present, but there’s something else that arises and rearranges things whenever I try to apply magic. Played total hell with my initial tests because I was trying to analyze the four forces using magic, but I finally settled on some indirect methods you might replicate.

Assuming there’s some sort of interstitial mediator, one thing seems certain. That time you thought that your "domain" or whatever of magic would be reality itself is absolutely on the money. It seems stronger specifically for us, in comparison to others. That that’s because we Know the reality of the physical universe in ways no one else does. Maybe in ways no one else can in this universe. Not with magic in the way.

Working backward, I think this is related especially to why knowledge enhances magic. The closer it is to the physical laws. If you’re alright keeping my thoughts on the matter, I’ve decided to name this interstitial force Gnosis. Its manifestation is magic, and its resultant factor is Authority over the manipulation of both mana and physical laws. As far as I can tell, and I can’t tell shit past that, you’re right that imagination, knowledge, and willpower all factor into producing magic. Consciousness makes a fourth aspect. Can’t have all that without it. Four fundamental forces of life.

On a side note, before I get back to my Gnosis theories, I’m actually a little glad there’s no way to fake knowledge by using faith or some other approximation, which might explain why most mages seem to have a casual relationship with religion and worship. I’d hate to think of the assholes out there that might have drawn power from worshipping my dumb ass.

*

The demonkin put down his pen as Cassiel’s shadow fell over him, tilting the papers in his hand aside and disappearing them into what she assumed was a dimensional storage.

Cassiel had all four of her wings deployed, her magiform radiant in the gloom of a day that had begun with frost upon the ground. Her Hekatoncheries were kept all around the building but below the demon’s potential line of sight. Though he seemed capable enough to tell where they were by manasense, the demonkin seemed completely undisturbed by her presence as he met her eyes with a gaze that seemed equal parts cocky and tired.

As soon as she landed, he spoke.

"You don’t look like Rainier to me," he took a long, steamy pull from the mouthpiece of the hookah he had before him.

"What business do you have with him?" Cassiel asked, suddenly flinching as she heard a crack overhead. Her halo, which was a standard Executioner one that included recording equipment, shattered and fell to the ground. Before she could brace herself against its detonation, a small portal opened up, and the halo fell through, its fate unknown.

"First off, it was rude trying to record me without my permission. Secondly, you’ve got a little power to you, I’ll give you that, but you don’t strike me as upper management, so I’m guessing you’re just some middle-ranker sent to mop me up. Unless..." he leaned forward, inhaling another puff and casting a sickly-sweet and tart-smelling odor in her direction. "You were sent here because you know Rainier."

Caught off guard, Cassiel flinched. "Rainier betrayed Heaven. He betrayed me."

"Hmm... that doesn’t seem like him. He’s a loyal little puppy," the demonkin chuckled. "Until things get complicated. Now I wonder how things got complicated in the nation of angels..."

"That’s none of your concern!" Cassiel snapped.

"Is it not? I know tyranny when I see it."

"What Heaven does is for the good of Ayther." Keep him distracted, Cassiel thought to herself. I need to buy time for Ozzy and everyone...

Against the Grand Arch Seraph’s orders, she’d included her former squad member in the vanguard force. With his light to blind the demon, the two hundred mortal mages and mavens, along with eight other angels, would hopefully be able to unleash their full might against him.

Although... The man before Cassiel wasn’t a demon, just a demonkin, so it was likely they wouldn’t quite need everyone... No matter that his mana was so dense it formed a second shadow around his body in manasight. Like his entire being was debossed into the world.

It was terrifying, and she couldn’t even tell if he was hiding his mana, even though he clearly lacked the artifacts senior angels used to keep their mana hidden.

As she watched, a bead of mana seemed to leak from his eye and travel across the surface of his body, to pool at his feet.

"Well, isn’t that a familiar lie. But I can tell you don’t believe it. Otherwise, you would have attacked me instead of lighting yourself up like a diva before making your descent."

"Why did you ask for Rain?" Cassiel half-barked as soon as she found a pause in his speech, failing to keep the emotion out of her voice.

"Truth be told, I figured since he’s only a half-angel, he’d be front and center for going into that thing." he jerked a thumb at the blue crystal tower that had steadily and soundlessly widened to more than half the diameter of Araqlun. "A canary in the coalmine, so to speak."

"I’d never allow... A what in what?" Cassiel scowled.

"It’s a figure of speech. Means you angel-types wouldn’t risk your own hides if you could send someone else into danger first."

"You know nothing about us, demonkin."

"You might be right, but I can infer a lot more than you think. Like the fact that you definitely know Rain. Were you his guardian angel or something?"

"We were in a team. That’s all," Cassiel’s face turned red. She’d tried not to think about him after Heaven fell. She’d even managed to keep hidden the fact that he’d helped Maledict tear Heaven apart. But Heaven wanted Rain dead all the same.

"Now there’s another lie. What’s your name, angel?"

A light flashed, distant and behind the demonkin. Cassiel’s eyes flickered for just a moment. It was the signal from Ozzy that everyone was in position and the civilians had been evacuated.

"It’s Cassiel. Yours?"

"There are a few answers to that. This body, the kid I’ve taken over. His name is Kir. He’s got a bunch of fancy names and titles for doing what he does, but I’ll keep it simple for his sake. The person you’re talking to, I’m someone else."

Cassiel’s eyes widened. This was Kir? She felt a sudden urge to call off the attack, but it was too late. She couldn’t spare this demonkin... not even for Rain.

The demon smirked.

"Don’t worry, I’m not schizophrenic. The second name I have is Kiryu. It’s a name you should forget because it’s not the one that matters to this world."

"What does that even mean?" Cassiel asked.

Ignoring her question, the demonkin continued. "The name you would know me by... is Shin’Gir."

Cassiel felt the world shift. She stood there, mouth agape. Was it madness? Did this demonkin truly believe he was the Destroyer? His eyes lacked that glint, and his cockiness had faded from his face, replaced by something grim and determined.

"Tell me-"

A blinding burst of light interrupted her, and then a shout.

"Open fire!"

A voice that was not Cassiel’s rang out, one of the other angels.

"No!" Cassiel shouted, but it was too late.

Blinded, she tried to fly backward but wound up bumping up against a barrier she couldn’t escape from.

A hand grabbed her, and she tried to summon her Hekatoncheries to her aid, but nothing happened. She couldn’t even tell if they were under her control.

"Seems like someone doesn’t care if you live or die," Shin’Gir said. "As much as I don’t care about the mystery of your connection to Rain, I know that Kir and Rain would care, probably, if I let you die."

Something happened then. Like her whole body... flickered.

Utterly nauseated, she barely kept from throwing up as she blinked away the flashing lights in her eyes.

"Yeah, takes some getting used to. I’ll ask you one question since it’s the only thing I need to know before I can leave what’s left of your fascist utopia alone." He pulled her face up, the tips of his claws just brushing against Cassiel’s cheek. "How do I enter the dungeon?"

"I don’t know," Cassiel answered, her voice strained as she stared into Shin’Gir’s murderous eyes.

"I was afraid you’d say that." Kiryu let go of her with a light shove. He stood, looking to his left, at a city Cassiel didn’t recognize. "Guess I’ll have to work my way up your chain of command then. Enjoy Norneau. Ask for Chancellor Lumin. If Rain finds his way anywhere, it’ll be here... but I’d rethink my allegiances if I were you."

One moment, Shin’Gir was there. The next, he was just... gone.

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