263 Discovery of an Elder Seed Artifact
Kino suspected that Aleph’s control over Eren’s body was a case of demonic possession.
After all, Aleph’s presence within Eren aligned with the characteristics of such possession. However, such occurrences were typically reserved for demonic rankers who had forged Faustian Contracts with their respective demons.
As far as Kino knew, Eren was not a demonic ranker. This made Aleph’s seizure of Eren’s body all the more perplexing and mysterious to her.
“A demon, huh?” Aleph chuckled upon hearing Kino’s question. “Well, something along those lines. Though technically speaking, I’m far beyond the likes of Demon Princes,” he replied playfully, a mischievous tone in his voice.
In the blink of an eye, he materialized beside Kino, extending a hand and wearing a friendly smile. “Ah! How rude of me. Acting all mighty in front of a lovely lady like yourself and unintentionally scaring you. Please, allow me to assist you up,” Aleph spoke politely, and the atmosphere around him underwent a sudden transformation.
His once suffocating presence turned warm and inviting, and his aura shifted from demonic to divine. It was a complete shift in persona that left Kino bewildered. She wondered if the Aleph who had commanded Tiamat’s submission with a mere gaze and the Aleph standing beside her were truly the same person.
Confused, she raised her hand and grasped Eren’s hand, using it to rise to her feet. She noticed that Aleph’s threatening presence had vanished, which was equally unsettling because such dread shouldn’t disappear without reason. It meant that this fearlessness she felt was also orchestrated by Aleph.
The power to manipulate a soul’s intentions and evoke a range of emotions in an instant. This was Aleph’s power—or just one of many.
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“Your… your name?” Kino stood upright in Aleph’s presence. Her voice tinged with hesitancy. Subtly and almost imperceptibly, she adjusted her clothes and tidied her hair.
For some reason, she felt the need to present herself positively to the man currently inhabiting Eren’s body. It was as if she had reverted to her teenage years as a human, feeling conscious in the presence of someone she liked.
Aleph noticed Kino’s nervous gestures and smiled gently. He turned away from her, pacing as he spoke. “Names and titles, keke. I have many. But for simplicity’s sake, let’s go with Aleph,” he said.
Eren provided Kino with reassurance, both through his words and his demeanor, alleviating any concerns she had about their safety. He assured her that his intention was not to cause harm, explaining that his possession of Eren’s body would be temporary, lasting only a few minutes.
Furthermore, he openly acknowledged that this act of possessing Eren’s body was actually detrimental to him in the current situation, emphasizing that it was a desperate measure he resorted to only when there were no other options available.
Kino’s keen observation revealed a subtle transformation in Eren’s appearance as a result of Aleph’s demonic possession. The piercing blue of his eyes now carried a captivating emerald green hue at their core, while intricate tribal tattoos, indicative of Aleph’s demonic possession, adorned his body.
As she continued to gaze upon Aleph and absorb his presence, an undeniable fascination took hold of her. She found herself captivated by his every action and hanging onto his every word.
Kino couldn’t help but recognize the influence of Aleph’s demonic charm, which subtly affected her thoughts and emotions. However, on a deeper level, she also acknowledged her own yearning for power, freedom, and something more profound. Though transformed into a homunculus, her womanly soul remained authentic, unafraid to admit the allure she felt towards someone like Aleph.
As Eren spoke, he maintained his dominion, preventing the strange and overwhelming force that had emerged from collapsing his sphere of influence. However, Eren’s flawless execution of this task went unnoticed by Kino and Tiamat. They watched him intently as he continued speaking.
“I’m afraid I don’t have much time for idle conversation. This possession of the lad’s body was an unintended accident. Nevertheless, since I find myself here, I suppose I should make the most of this opportunity,” Eren cryptically stated before closing his eyes.
In an instant, Aleph extended his Divine Sense, enveloping the vast world of Gilaahan in his search for something specific. Ignoring everything else, he focused solely on locating a peculiar item he had been eagerly anticipating.
“Kekeke. It’s here. Without a doubt, an Elder Seed Artifact!”
Aleph murmured to himself, confirming the existence of something truly extraordinary, a one-of-a-kind treasure. A peculiar laughter escaped Aleph’s lips, filled with jubilation at the confirmation of the Elder Seed Artifact’s presence. His mind raced with countless thoughts, calculating the likelihood of Eren obtaining the artifact.
The more he pondered the various possibilities, the wider his smile grew, a sign of his optimism in securing the Elder Seed Artifact. “Excellent,” he exclaimed with excitement, shifting his gaze back to Kino.
“Kino, my dear, are you familiar with the Beast Companion Technique?” Kino was slightly taken aback by Eren’s question. She lowered her head, deep in thought, before raising it again to respond, “I believe Master Illvar mentioned an Amazonian technique of otherworldly origin by that name. It requires a Spirit Contract as a prerequisite. Are you referring to that technique, sir Aleph?”
Aleph’s nod conveyed his agreement, and he proceeded to elaborate, his voice carrying a sense of conviction.
“Precisely. Given that Eren and Tiamat have already forged a Spirit Contract, the Beast Companion Technique will further amplify their collective power with remarkable efficiency.
While the Spirit Contract allows them to share their elemental accomplishments, the Amazonians’ Beast Companion Technique goes beyond that, enabling the exchange of mana, inherent spells, and a host of other benefits,” Aleph explained, his tone underscored by a genuine seriousness.