Blade Over Magic

Demonic Schemes

Something that bothered Xander concerning this whole assassination operation he was meant to face was the very obvious issue that was Xavier’s existence.

The Archmage had made it abundantly clear that Xander and co were under his protection, so attempting to assassinate them under his watch was, to be frank, a suicidal endeavor.

The people from the Shadow Needle Guild had to understand this, and from what he knew, they weren’t people that took any commission as long as enough money was thrown at them. No, they acted using strict methodologies, only facing foes that could actually handle.

So the fact that they still accepted Elder Zeref’s commission despite knowing this had raised a lot of brows. And thus, Xander came up with three theories.

One. They were simply delusional and were operating on hope and dreams. A very unlikely scenario.

Two. They had someone among their ranks who had enough power to actually face off against Xavier. This was also highly unlikely as if they had someone at the Archmage level a close equivalent, Xander doubted that their group would have even been let out of the Lowell Residence.

After all, the consensus is that the only thing that can resist the might of an Archmage... is another Archmage. Or something or equivalent power.

Which is what brought his third theory. That they actually did have an item, artifact, or treasure that could exhibit Archmage level power that could stall Xavier long enough for them to carry out their assassination.

This is what Xander thought. However, what Mira was showing him right now made him realize that his first two guesses were just flat out wrong, and his third guess was only half correct.

In the projection, he could see a clearly distraught Elder Zeref asking several hooded individuals for assurances. How would they actually pull off the assassination? How did they plan to get the job done with Xavier’s presence? And so on.

And in response to that, one of the hooded figures simply took out an item from his cube.

It was a black cube that only just fit in his palm. With red lines moving across its surface.

What made Xander narrow his eyes was how, surprisingly, Abscinde reacted to the appearance of this cube, as it started vibrating ever so slightly, and the only thing that could get the sword to act out unprompted was...

”Demonic item?” He looked at Mira for confirmation, and the Succubus nodded, looking uncharacteristically serious.

”Yup, and not a simple one, either. I’m actually pretty familiar with it, though I’ve never seen one used in this world before.” She pulled her feathers back and projected an image using her energy, showing off the same cube.

”Hell has authority of different domains to a certain extent, and one of the more esoteric ones is the void which embodies nonexistence and absence. What you’re looking at now is a Void Cube. When activated, it can isolate a specific region into the void, making it untouchable from the outside. External communications, long-ranged teleportation, and so on, are cut off. It’s usually used when Hell’s forces want to eliminate a high-priority target or meet in secret away from prying eyes. If someone wants to assassinate you near an Archmage, that’ll probably be their best option to be honest ” Xander frowned deeply.

The item itself was already pretty unnerving. The idea of being able to isolate an area, and everything inside, so thoroughly that possibly even an Archmage couldn’t interfere, was terrifying. However, it brought an even better question forward.

”... How the hell do they have access to something like that?” That was just it, because while the Shadow Needle Guild was an assassination Guild, it was still an organization under Solvaren’s umbrella, based in Tatonia.

So why did they have access to a high grade demonic tool?

”I had a similar question, and granted, I am a demon, and our whole tactic of infiltrating this place is creating contracts with its inhabitants. So the presence of someone who is contracted with a demon here isn’t wholly surprising to me.” Mira rubbed her chin

”What did surprise me, though, was actually the conversation itself. Pay attention to this.” She took out a feather again and replayed the same scene, however, there was sound now.

”... do you have a Void Cube?!” Zeref stood abruptly, looking at the thing with sharp eyes.

The hooded figures didn’t react. The one who took out the cube just spoke in a deep voice.

”How we have it is of no concern to you. The only important thing is the payment for the job.” The figure tilted their head. ”Also, don’t bother trying to out us now that you’ve seen this. Or you’ll be asked why you were seeking our assistance in the Palace in the first place.” Zeref’s jaw tightened.

After a moment of hesitation, he exhaled slowly.

”... Fine. What do you need for payment?” A figure next to the one with the cube answered.

”We do not desire money. Rather, we want limited access into the Mage Tower’s Enlightenment Chamber.” Zeref’s eyes widened slightly.

”The Enlightenment... But even if I could give you access, there’s a strict limit on how old one needs to be to use it, unless you intend to send your younger ones there?” The High Mage was clearly skeptical, but the hooded figure just shook their head.

”What we intend to use it for is not your business. That’s our price. If you cannot offer that, then there will be no deal.” Zeref hesitated.

”... Can you guarantee your success?” He asked carefully, and that just earned him a head tilt.

”If you weren’t confident in our abilities to get the job done, why would you have contacted us in the first place.” That shut Zeref up, and Mira ended the projection there.

Xander was silent for a beat before speaking.

”I’m assuming the odd thing you noticed had to do with their request for access to the Enlightenment Chamber?” Xander asked.

The Enlightenment Chamber was a special treasure that belonged to the Mage Tower and was publicly known. Usually it was used by the younger generation, specifically individuals who showed great promise in magic, and used as a reward more often than not.

”That’s right. Even I’ve heard of it, and if I’m not wrong, one of its defining traits is the insane Mana density within. Correct?” Xander nodded. While he hadn’t ever been there himself, enough stories about the treasure had surfaced that it really wasn’t a secret.

Mira’s voice got careful.

”As I said, one domain hell has some authority over is, is the void, so Void Demons are a thing. And one thing they are popular for is using the concept of nonexistence to apply demonic corruption in a manner where its practically untraceable and undetectable. And those guys also have a Void Cube.” Xander’s pupils constricted as he suddenly saw where she was going.

”... You mean to say that those guys want access to the Enlightenment Chamber so they can secretly plant Void-based Demonic Corruption, so anyone who makes use of the Chamber thinks they are getting the usual benefits when, in reality, they are also getting silently corrupted.” He theorized.

”I’m almost certain that’s the case. It’s actually a pretty common tactic employed when invading other words. What I’m surprised by is how early such a step is being used. Typically it’s used when a world hell is invading has been encroached to a certain level. And this world is nowhere near that point. It seems oddly hasty...” Mira trailed off, and Xander digested those words.

’Hasty... First the Wraiths left in a hurry, and now even Hell seems to be accelerating its plans. Why? Will Hell also be affected by whatever is coming?’ He looked at Mira who appeared thoughtful.

”What about the assassins themselves? Did you glean anything from their dreams?” Mira made a ’half-and-half’ gesture.

”I gleaned how they intended to carry out the assassination with the Void Cube as well as what they intended to do with the Enlightenment Chamber. However, I couldn’t discover the identity of Demon involved. When I tried, all I found was, well, a Void. Meaning their memories were tampered in preparation for something like this.” She smiled with some confidence.

”That said, Void Demons are rare, even in Hell. So the number on this world can’t be that high. It shouldn’t be too difficult to do some reverse-searching and discover their identity. In fact, the faction behind me would probably help, too, since this is valuable info, even for them.” Xander nodded.

”You do that, I’ll continue to make my own preparations.” He lingered, then added. ”Good job, by the way.” Mira seemed surprised by the praise, then she smiled softly, an act that would have caused anyone else to unravel right then and there.

”Hey, guess I’m kinda entering your good graces since I got a compliment.” With that, her figure faded away.

Once it did, Xander looked at Mia who had been watching the conversation calmly.

”What’s your take on this?” The short girl tilted her head, as though deliberating, then she answered.

”I told you that I’d deal with anything you can’t handle. Also, don’t underestimate Xavier. Proceed with your plans as normal.” Xander nodded slightly while noting Mia’s choice of words.

Not ’Don’t underestimate Archmages’, but ’Don’t underestimate Xavier’. He might have been looking too deeply into it, but he decided to hold unto that statement closely.

Sighing, he took out his sword to perform his nightly training. Tomorrow would come when it came.