The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

Chapter 431: An Uncertain Outlook

The Army of Twelve. The Twelve Signs.

That part of the Prophecy Monument, which was assumed to add up to a total of twenty-four individuals, left Pochi quite grumpy about her exclusion.

While I am mentioned directly by one of my names, there’s no trace of anything Pochi in it

What could this mean? None of us seems to have any idea.

Still, I think it’s safe to say that everything else lines up…

…Actually, no…

“The content of the prophecy.. specifically, the part where it says ‘Thou shalt love God, and shalt obey His word’… It feels kind of odd.”

In response to my observation, Lylia sat down on a nearby bench and answered,

“It IS odd — this might have sounded perfectly fine in the past, but now the power of God is almost nonexistent. While most parts of the prophecy align, there are definitely ones that don’t make sense — for instance, one would assume that God’s power is supposed to play a significant part in all this.”

If only God still had his power, we might stand a chance against Devil King Lucifer on equal footing… Well, I mean, that’s precisely why the Devilkin worked so hard to strip away God’s power in the first place. And they did that probably because they knew about the prophecy.

The Black and White Chain… though it no longer exists in the same way, now that we’re looking at a battle for humanity’s survival, I’m reminded quite strongly that it’s functioning quite effectively. For the Devilkin, of course.

“For now, let’s leave the uncertainties aside. It is a fact that Asley’s magic that could counter Devil King Lucifer is complete — shouldn’t we confirm its effectiveness through some experimentation?”

Everyone showed their agreement with Irene’s statement. 

Then, learning that Tūs was in the south of Eddo, we proceeded to gather there and, with me playing the role of the Devil King, started testing out the effectiveness of the spell.

“All right, by standing on this fixed position spell circle, the invocation condition will become certification-based.”

“Master, are you sure this will be all right?”

“Don’t worry. At least according to the calculations, it’ll work out.”

“Ah, I see, and many other esteemed mages have determined that… I guess it should be fine, sir!”

“Wait wait wait, I already said it’d be fine — why’d you make it sound like they’re more credible than me!?”

“You see, both in terms of public trust and accomplishments, most of the others ARE more credible than you!”

“But why would you say that right before we try it out!?”

“It’s only common sense to consider what happens if it fails! Especially before we use it, sir!”

“YOU have common sense!? Now that is a surprise!”

“I don’t think you have any either, Master!”

“I’m someone who doesn’t confine himself to norms!”

“It’s probably the norms that are avoiding you, sir!”

“I AM the Devil King, after all — at least for now!”

“That’s absolutely not happening, you fool!”

“Now you said it, you furball!”

We argued until both of us were out of breath.

I really have to thank everyone who silently watched over us…

“…Are you done now?”

“That lasted forever.”

Warren and Irene remarked nonchalantly, causing my face to twitch in surprise, and Pochi’s in shock.

Fuyu, Lina, and Tifa let out a dry chuckle, while Natsu and Lala yawned.

Reluctantly, I turned to look at Pochi.

“Teamwork is hard.”

“You’re the Devil King, sir, so couldn’t they have just cast it at you without warning?”

Pochi narrowed her eyes, clearly having fun teasing me about my situation.

Ugh… She’s getting too confident just because we’re in front of everyone!

As I was contemplating a way to get back at Pochi, Lina raised her hand, looking troubled.

“By the way, what’s the name of the spell, again?”

Warren placed his hand under his chin and answered,

“…Actually, it doesn’t have one. No need for one, either — It’s certification-based, so it doesn’t have voice recognition… But I suppose we do need a convenient way to refer to it. Asley, do you have something in mind?”

“Huh, I thought we’re already calling it ‘Magic Break,’ though?”

I mean, the creator of the magic spell decides its name — that’s just the way things go. In fact, sometimes, people would even start with the name and develop the magic from there. Not giving a magic spell a name despite it being completed — that’s something only a third-rate mage would do.

Just as I was thinking that, an unexpected voice came from my side,

“LAAAAAAME!”

“Wha–!? What the hell, Tūs!? What’s so lame about ‘Magic Break’!?”

“We’re usin’ this on the Devil King, y’know! It’s gotta be more AWESOME! Something like, ‘Galactica Atomic Falldown’ — how ’bout that!?”

Shit, that sounds super awesome!

“Hey, you don’t get to call the shots even if you come up with a pretty cool name!”

“Uh, that doesn’t sound cool at all.”

“WHAT!? Dammit, Lylia! What’d you mean, my Galactica Atomic Falldown doesn’t sound cool!?”

“It’s my spell! I’ll call it Magic Break!”

“If it was up to me, I would give it the name ‘Magi Zero.'”

“WHAT!? Yeah, that’s what a GRANDMA would come up with!”

“It’s simple and concise! There’s no better name than this!”

Lylia’s spell name made both Tūs and me flinch.

It’s not bad, really, BUT this is my magic spell! MINE!

“Everyone! Let’s not be unreasonable here! I suggest ‘Pochi’s Fury’ as the name!”

“Where’d that even come from!? And besides, this spell has nothing to do with you at all!”

Seeming to realize that our argument was about to start again, Irene clapped her hands to signal us to stop.

“This is a magic spell we cast together, you know? As the representative of The Resistance, I suggest ‘Zodiac Attack.'”

“Just mixing in the zodiac signs isn’t good enough! Why’re you butting in, you mini hag?”

“Wha?! Your Galactica-whatever was nonsensical from the first letter!”

Ngh!? Irene’s spell name is quite compelling too!

B-but… wait! It’s a magic spell cast by twelve of my comrades, not me. Yeah, this isn’t about me! And without the cooperation of the former Duodecad, this spell surely wouldn’t have been completed! So, should I take Irene’s suggestion…!?

She’s got the backing of the Resistance — is there no choice but to back down!?

“I would like it to be called ‘Black Emperor.'”

“What the– Warren!?”

This can’t be…! The Resistance is splitting into two factions!?

And wait, isn’t he just using one of his titles as the magic spell’s name!?

“Listen, Listen! I got something! Uh… ‘Fantasy Heaven’!”

Damn, Natsu, what a fearsome name you’ve come up with!

“I want ‘Super Namul’! Sounds stupid good!”

Now, Lala, that’s a food! But I see… it fools the enemy into thinking that the spell doesn’t have arcane energy-depleting effects! I’ve gotta keep an eye on what spells these new-generation mages invent next!

“Hehehe… Hornel Adams!”

Holy hell, how narcissistic can his boy get!?

“No, no… it’s gotta be ‘Parun Purun Barun’!”

What the hell is even that supposed to mean, man!?

“…’Tarawo Bomb.'”

So you’re finally turning your Familiar into a bomb, eh, Tifa!?

“I’m sorry, Master Asley, but how about ‘Wings of Deathly Glory’?”

Damn it, even Baladd is joining in now!?

“Would ‘Maple Sugar’ be a good contender?”

It sounds like it would give all of us diabetes, Fuyu!

Damn it, I can’t… I can’t afford to lose here!

“Magic Break!”

“Galactica Atomic Falldown!”

“Magi Zero!”

“I said Zodiac Attack!”

“Hahaha… no, it’s Black Emperor.”

“Nah! I want Fantasy Heaven!”

“One vote for Hyper Namul!”

“Lala, that’s not what you just suggested! And no — it’s got to be Hornel Adams! Doesn’t it sound cool!?”

“Nothing beats Parun Purun Barun!”

“Tarawo Of The Dead.”

“T-Tifa! Tarawo’s fainted!? Hey, hey, Tarawo, ‘Wings Of Deathly Glory’ sounds cool, right!?”

“Maple Sugar! It’s definitely sweet and delicious!”

“The Great Pochi’s Divine Hammer! That’s definitely the best of them all, sir!”

Because everyone is involved in this magic spell — and because everyone is so stubborn — our back-and-forth exchange of naming feels like an endless game of musical chairs.

While we continued to debate, Lina, who had been observing our interactions with a helpless expression, raised her hand again, striking me with a sense of déjà vu.

“Um, well… If we’re going to use this to defeat Lucifer, wouldn’t a name in line with that be… a better fit?”

For a brief moment, everyone froze.

But that moment was, indeed, brief.

“Lucifer Magic Break!”

“Galactica Atomic Lucifer Down!”

“Lucifer Zero!”

“Zodiac Attack At Lucifer!”

“Black Emperor At Lucifer.”

“Then… what about Fantasy Heaven At Lucifer?”

“Hyper Namul Lucifer… Yeah.”

“Lucifer Adams! Wait, actually, no…”

“Parun Purun Balucifer! Yeeeah, perfect!”

“Tarawo And Lucifer Of The Dead.”

“Uh… Wings Of Lucifer’s Deathly Glory?”

“Maple Lu-sugar! It’s got a little added bitterness!”

“The Great Pochi’s Divine Lucifer Hammer! How about that, sir!”

Shit! We’re gonna be here all night!