The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 86
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 86
“Yes! There are places where the writing changes every single time, and places where it doesn’t.”
I couldn’t imagine it at all. A notebook whose text changed every time?
Since the Demon Clan Members were said to be proficient in dark magic, it might be something created through dark magic.
“Should I show you?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Okay!”
Bunny bounced down and scurried out of the room.
Kiriel waited with his arms crossed, and it wasn’t long before Bunny came bounding back into Kiriel’s Room.
Since the Adjacent Room was Bunny’s Room, it was only natural.
In Bunny’s hands was a small leather notebook. It was only about half the size of a typical book, but even that seemed somewhat large in the hands of the diminutive Bunny.
The front of the black leather notebook was covered with incomprehensible symbols and writing.
“Here it is!”
The moment Bunny bounded in and handed the notebook to Kiriel’s hands—
Crack—
Crack—
The instant Kiriel’s hand touched it, violent sparks erupted between his hand and the notebook.
Crackle—!
As Kiriel furrowed his brow and refused to let go, the sparks intensified further, and soon a pitch-black aura began to consume his hand.
Kiriel furrowed his brow and began purifying his hand using holy power.
Then…
Crunch, crunch!
“Huh…?”
The notebook began to warp grotesquely, and a dark crimson substance seeped out from it, beginning to seep into Kiriel.
Bunny’s eyes widened as she watched it intently.
“No, stop!!”
Bunny jumped in place and quickly bounded over to cling to Kiriel’s arm, dangling there as if suspended like a pig hung on a tree for roasting.
The moment Bunny embraced Kiriel’s arm, the violent energy of the notebook suddenly subsided, and soon it became calm as if nothing had happened.
“Phew…”
The moment Bunny let out a relieved sigh and bounced down from Kiriel’s arm—
Crackle—!
“Eek!”
The notebook began to rage violently again. Bunny tried to cling to him once more, but Kiriel simply dropped the notebook onto the bed.
‘…This is.’
Kiriel’s expression as he gazed down at the notebook had become rigid.
As Kiriel stared at the notebook in silence, Bunny quietly picked up the fallen notebook and hugged it tightly to her chest.
“You’re not taking it away…?”
“…No.”
Kiriel quietly nodded after taking in Bunny’s expression for a moment.
He gazed at his own hands, darkened and singed as if addicted to demonic energy, then lightly brushed them clean and used holy power. Pure white light swiftly permeated his body, pushing out and purifying the demonic energy that had seeped within.
“When did you receive this?”
“Luri said it was a gift from Bunny before going on a big mission for the King. Luri gave it on Bunny’s behalf.”
“I see….”
Kiriel gazed silently down at the notebook.
The foundation of dark magic is equivalent exchange. In other words, a price was required.
The life of something, the death of someone, a soul obtained through contract, not power drawn from nature but power drawn from the negative emotions of others—malice, impurity, suffering and the like.
That is dark magic.
Power drawn from negative emotions, and because it sometimes demands life as its price, the power of dark magic is extraordinarily potent.
It would not be an exaggeration to say it stands at the apex of all magic.
‘…An artifact.’
This was a Demon Clan artifact.
Demon Clan artifacts all possessed terrifying power. And there was one condition for something to be classified as an ‘artifact’.
The use of a sentient being’s soul.
Among the commonly known Demon Clan artifacts was a demonic sword.
An artifact that merely by grasping it in one’s hand summoned endless power and murderous impulses, one that had greatly shaken the Empire long ago.
A patriarch of the Yudia Family from several generations past had recovered it, and it now lay sealed deep within the Holy Temple inside the Udiah Duchy.
Long ago, there was a Demon Clan member obsessed with creating new weapons.
He honed his sword using blood instead of water, and after completing it, he pierced himself with that very blade, melting his own soul into the weapon.
This notebook was similar.
Though he was not versed in magic, the leather wrapping the outer surface of this notebook appeared to have numerous magical circles and other inscriptions carved into it.
And above all….
‘It felt similar to when I grasped the demonic sword out of childhood curiosity.’
That meant it was at least an artifact, or something of comparable rank.
In other words, there was a high probability this notebook was also made by melting a soul into it.
Kiriel stared at the notebook in silence for a moment, then roughly rubbed his face.
‘They gave something this dangerous to a child?’
The thoughts of the Demon Clan were utterly incomprehensible. Yet he could not take it away—Bunny was already clutching the notebook to herself, regarding him with an anxious expression.
“Are you angry…?”
“No, I’m not angry.”
“You almost are….”
Bunny blinked and made a small protest.
It was nearly impossible for someone with negative emotions to hide their heart from Bunny.
The Demon Clan were those who detected the scent of negativity faster than anyone else.
And Bunny was the one who stood at the very pinnacle of that.
“…Bunny, don’t think only you understand this. Luri only tells Bunny good things too.”
At Bunny’s words, Kiriel made an effort to soften his rigid expression and nodded.
Even well-intentioned lies did not work before the child. Bunny keenly sensed his negative and unpleasant emotions.
“What good things?”
“That Bunny is becoming a wonderful adult!”
“Is that so? What does Luri mainly talk about?”
Kiriel drew Bunny into his embrace and gently patted her back as he asked.
At Kiriel’s softened demeanor, Bunny’s face brightened instantly and she opened her mouth eagerly.
“Father doesn’t hate Bunny and excellent adults are kind, or because Bunny is helpful, later when I become an adult everyone will like Bunny, and Bunny doesn’t wish for love so I’m a remarkable child and Father won’t notice me….”
“….”
“And Bunny is useful, so I’ll tell you about the really great things and tell you not to do the not-great things. I’ll warn you ahead of time if people might get hurt.”
With each word Bunny spoke, a strange ache bloomed in one corner of my heart.
Something swelled up to my throat, and my rigid expression refused to soften.
Kiriel tightened his arms around Bunny. The child seemed delighted by even this, bursting into giggles as she rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“Why….”
He barely managed to move his lips.
“Yes?”
“Why would that person named Luri say such things?”
“Hmm.”
At Kiriel’s question, Bunny awkwardly crossed her arms and tilted her head to one side.
After making strange sounds for a while, Bunny broke into a bright smile.
“Bunny is different from Father. Bunny is a Demon Clan Member. Demon Clan Members are hated by humans. They tell us to die, they hit us, they throw garbage at us.”
Thump!
At the sensation of my heart plummeting, I suddenly drew in a sharp breath and held it. My mind went completely white.
“…Has that happened to you?”
“When Bunny was very, very small. Luri’s hood flew off and my horns were exposed. That’s when it happened. So I have to be a useful child. If I’m not useful, humans don’t keep children.”
“….”
“It’s easy to use me.”
Bunny, nestled in his arms like a small child and swinging her legs, laughed brightly.
Kiriel stood rigid, unable to speak, staring blankly at the child.
“So, Bunny will listen well, so please don’t abandon me until you’re done with me.”
“….”
“Then Bunny will go woof woof and become a great Demon King and make you rich! And I’ll teach you lots of ways to become rich too!!”
Bunny stretched both arms wide, drawing a large circle in the air as she shouted.
Kiriel simply stared at the child in a daze, blinking slowly. The words coming from her mouth were impossible to believe.
“And Bunny is a genius, so I can speak Ancient Elvish too, and I can read ancient languages. And I speak Demon Clan language! Bunny has learned all human speech now, and I can count up to 100!”
So….
Bunny pressed her racing heart down with both hands and burst into laughter, giggling.
“Bunny will leave when you’re done with me. Because Bunny is a special child and I have to stay here when I’m young. And also, um… it’s hard to find a new father….”
Bunny gripped my clothes so tightly her small fists turned white, then whispered in a voice that grew smaller and smaller before pressing her forehead gently against my chest.
“So… even if Bunny becomes sad, could you bear with me just a little?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Aww my poor Bunny 🥺