The Successor of the Saint Does Not Fight - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Echoing Song from the Other Side Part 2

In this case, the town that reported damages caused by demons is the coal mining town of Luzgarta.

Just ten years ago, it was an uninhabited wilderness, but it rapidly developed into a thriving city after large coal resources were discovered.

Currently, in that town, there have been a series of children going missing.

From infants to teenagers, children of all ages have disappeared.

According to parents, their children vanished in the blink of an eye, just for a moment when they looked away.

What they have in common is that the children heard a mysterious “song” just before their disappearance.

The missing children all claimed to hear an unheard “song” before disappearing, and then they were gone.

In the Church’s database of past eradication records, there are several similar cases of this “song,” which they collectively term as the “Song of Temptation.”

It would be quite troublesome if demons could resurrect. For example, even though I plan to dispose of this white wolf properly at some point, it would be unbearable if it were resurrected afterward and came to thank me for what I did.

As I broke out in a cold sweat, my mother tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm… it’s a bit different from resurrection. It’s like exterminating cockroaches; even if you get rid of them, if the house remains dirty, they’ll quickly reappear. It’s not the same individual, and their consciousness doesn’t continue, but similar pests with similar ecology may reappear…”

“Hey, Death God. Don’t lump us together with pests like that.”

The white wolf retorted, glaring.

In response to the wolf’s blunt remarks, my mother chuckled and waved her hand, saying, “I know, I know. Wolves like you aren’t that kind of demon, right? Animals that have lived a long time naturally gain special powers, right? Once you thoroughly crush that type, they won’t reappear, which is why I like them so much.”

“That’s not a flattering compliment.”

The wolf replied.

“Oh, sorry if that was rude.”

Listening to the exchange between my mother and the white wolf, I gradually became confused.

“Hey, Mom. Are there different types of demons?”

I asked, prompting the white wolf to turn to me with a puzzled expression.

My mother, looking troubled by the question, smiled wryly.

“My dear daughter, did you not know anything about our existence until now?”

“Uh, well, um, yeah.”

I stammered in response to the wolf’s question, but my mother came to my rescue.

“Meril, ‘demons’ is a term that lumps together all ‘mysterious beings that don’t exist in the Church’s doctrine.’ As far as I know, there are various types of these mysterious beings, so it’s not wrong to say there are different types of demons.”

To be honest, I’ve felt a bit relieved after successfully getting through the last two demon exorcisms unscathed. Until now, when I thought of demons, I imagined them as crazed monsters that would attack humans on sight. However, it turns out they can be quite manageable with just a silver tongue. If there are various types of demons, then perhaps they’re not all necessarily vicious.

Of course, my perception of them as loathsome and terrifying beings remains unshaken.

“I see. Perhaps ignorance does have its advantages… My daughter, you’re fine just the way you are. It’s only by shedding unnecessary preconceptions that one can truly see the world…”

Indeed, even now, the white wolf seems to be nodding along and overestimating me for some reason.

Although it’s called a demon, I sometimes wonder if it’s a bit more foolish than an ordinary dog.

“But, Meril, you shouldn’t underestimate the [Song of Temptation] this time — it’s definitely not a demon as easygoing as the wolf.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

With that, my mother gave me a chillingly serious look.

“Because this type is the most demon-like demon of all.”