"You pest! Lick my feet!"
"If you've got the guts, stick them out! I'll lick them raw!"
"Dare to let me out?"
"Nope, can't handle you. My bad."
As Lucius continued toward his destination, he bickered mentally with the loli demon.
"Excuse me, sir, are you a tourist visiting here?"
Just as the human and demon were in the midst of their lively spat, an elegant, magnetic male voice interrupted.
Lucius froze for a moment before quickly recovering, flashing a polite smile. "Yes, I'd heard Rome is a city steeped in history. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
"A guest from afar, it's our honor that Rome satisfies you."
The man beside Lucius was an Italian, middle-aged, tall, and rugged, dressed in a somber black suit that gave him an imposing air.
The only thing slightly out of place was the instrument case slung over his back, clashing with his stern demeanor.
He extended a hand, speaking fluently in another language. "Your homeland is also a place I admire, rich in history, so it's a great honor for an Italian like me to hear praise from a visitor from there."
"Just stating the truth. 'Glory to Greece, greatness to Rome'—those words are even recorded in our history books." Never one to turn down a friendly gesture, Lucius didn't mind engaging in some mutual flattery.
"It's our privilege." The Italian man smiled with a hint of pride, though his expression soon turned regretful. "However, I must regretfully inform you that the area ahead is off-limits for leisurely exploration."
"That's the Temple of Mars, currently under restoration. For the temple's protection and to ensure visitor safety, it's temporarily closed to the public."
"I see." Lucius nodded, showing understanding. "But I've always been fascinated by the Temple of Mars. After all, it played a crucial role in Rome's rise and fall. Would it be possible to view it from the outside? Coming to Rome and not seeing the Temple of Mars would be a real shame."
"As long as you don't enter the temple, that's fine," The man said after a moment's thought, nodding with a trace of pride. "However, since the temple is under restoration, please stay cautious even on the outskirts. And keep some distance to avoid any misunderstandings."
"Of course."
"That guy was probably from some magical association," The loli demon remarked.
"No kidding. Dressed like a mafia boss with an instrument case on his back? I don't buy that he's suddenly taken up music. That case is probably hiding weapons," Lucius replied, his face impassive. "Who else could he be but someone from the mystical side?"
"Tch." The demon clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I can sense it—the Sword of Mars is right in the center of the Temple of Mars. Looks like these mages are using the temple's power to keep the artifact pacified."
"Can I try absorbing its power from this distance?" Lucius asked. "Since the temple's guarded, it's probably best to stay as far away as possible."
"As an ordinary human right now, if they catch me scheming against the temple, I doubt those mages will be as friendly as that guy."
"This distance is close enough."
The demon spoke casually, her eyes narrowing as her gaze seemed to pierce through layers of obstacles, landing on the ancient sword enshrined on a stone altar.
"Hey, can you feel it?" Her face lit up with a slightly eager smile. "That sword… and the power within it."
"Now, try guiding that power to you."
Humanism, which holds that all things arise from humanity.
Theocentrism, which insists gods are the origin of everything.
And… the dualistic view that acknowledges both.
Which did this world belong to?
Following the demon's instructions, Lucius cleared his mind and closed his eyes.
Through their shared perception, he could sense the dangerous aura radiating from the divine sword in the temple.
Yet, for some reason, within that dangerous artifact, he felt a strangely familiar presence.
As if responding to Lucius's pull, something inside the artifact trembled faintly, beginning to flow outward.
Sensing this, Lucius's face broke into a delighted grin.
He knew this was the accumulation of emotional memory within the artifact—the power of faith.
A power born from humans, trembling with joy at the prospect of returning to a human's side.
But the next moment, the seemingly unremarkable Sword of Mars erupted in a blinding glow of divine power.
A piercing sword hum echoed faintly in the air.
Alongside it came a faint, almost imperceptible roar.
As if encountering its natural enemy, the power within the sword, which had been stirring, suddenly stilled, refusing to respond no matter how Lucius called to it.
"How'd it go?"
Opening his eyes, Lucius was met with the demon's sly smile.
"You already knew the outcome, didn't you?" Lucius's tone was flat, devoid of emotion. "The artifact's sentience stopped the power from flowing out."
"Don't make it sound like I'm the bad guy," The loli demon said, flashing a small fang in a playful grin. "You gaining power means your safety, which isn't bad for me either. It's just that we got unlucky this time—the first target we picked happened to be sentient."
"And if you'd just use my power, a mere sword wouldn't be an issue."
"Even if you don't want to free me now, I'll still do my best to help you get stronger. After all, that's our deal—you get power in life, I get freedom in your death."
Lucius shook his head. "I'm finding it a bit hard to trust your sincerity."
"Don't worry, I'll do my absolute best—" The demon started, but her expression froze.
Then, under Lucius's puzzled gaze, she broke into a smile.
"Well, what a surprise. A loss in one place, a gain in another…"
"What do you mean?"
"I've sensed another divine artifact," She said, a mysterious glint in her dark golden slit-pupil eyes. "If I'm not mistaken, this one hasn't developed sentience and can be absorbed by you."
"Once you absorb this artifact's power, you should have enough strength to handle the Sword of Mars, right?"
This artifact…
The loli demon's lips curled into a meaningful smile as she glanced at the temple ahead—the Temple of Mars, Roman god of war.
This artifact, it seemed, was modeled after a tooth.
***
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