Chapter 80: Interrogating Belial.
In normal circumstances, Belial nor any demon would accept giving their true name.
The reason was quite simple. While it was true that hearing pretty and cute things was something twisted for a demon.
Like when a normal person hears about atrocities or witnesses them.
In fact, you could say the disgust is something greater. It’s a very unpleasant sensation for them, at a supernatural level.
But, while it could be considered torture for their ears, it stays there. In a repugnant and twisted sensation, even painful, but that’s it.
In combat it would serve as a distraction, but wouldn’t serve to defeat the demon in question.
However, that wasn’t a conventional situation. Belial was tied up, vulnerable.
Lloyd was threatening to continue, and who knows how long he would be torturing him.
Maybe a year, maybe ten, who knew. But one thing was sure, it wouldn’t be fun or pleasant.
Seeing it that way, it was more logical to give his name, as he would save himself that torment.
Moreover, Belial knew it wasn’t that easy.
He was aware that some few humans, of great wisdom, had discovered a property in demons’ nature: their name.
Their true name was like a magic code, the formula of their essence. Though only demons with consciousness and intelligence had one.
But that intelligence and will, was a cause of that name, which similar to a magic code allowed its owner to acquire cognitive and thought freedom.
That’s why, revealing that name was like undressing and revealing what they truly were.
Someone with enough knowledge and ability would then be capable of using that name to rewrite the demon’s structure and consciousness.
However, you had to know how to do it! It wasn’t that simple after all.
What’s the use of obtaining a program’s source code if you don’t even know about computing?
It was very likely Lloyd didn’t even understand what he was going to say. Therefore, it wasn’t that risky to give his name.
The eye embedded in the hilt remained fixed on Lloyd for some long seconds, without blinking, as if trying to pierce through him, to dismantle him piece by piece with its gaze.
A child. That was the first thing anyone would see. Somewhat messy dark hair, still small build, features that didn’t quite fit with the idea of someone dangerous.
And yet...
There was something more.
Belial wasn’t oblivious to it. From the moment he had awakened, he had noticed it. That boy knew things. He didn’t speak randomly, didn’t improvise. Every word that came out of his mouth had intention, direction... purpose.
Not for nothing had he achieved the feat of freeing Alice from his control. In a risk situation, in full combat, Lloyd managed to understand and discover how to save Alice.
Something that had never happened before. In fact, Belial had never seen anyone escape his control.
And moreover, there was the most uncomfortable detail of all: he had managed to keep her contained.
Of course, it wasn’t the first time Belial was contained. That sword was proof.
But the feat was still notable, besides now he was doubly locked up.
Gleipnir’s chains weren’t simple adornments. That was a real prison. Ancient. Effective.
Belial knew those chains weren’t normal. And of course they weren’t, they were the tool with which the primordial fire was sealed for eras.
Though Belial didn’t know that fact.
And the fact that boy was sitting in front of her, calm, without trace of fear, as if everything were under control... didn’t fit.
In fact, remembering the combat, Belial noticed how actually, Lloyd never seemed to feel threatened.
Still, that didn’t make him someone worthy.
Not necessarily.
Knowing wasn’t the same as understanding. And understanding didn’t mean power.
The eye narrowed slightly.
No, no. It was absurd. Ridiculous, even. That such a brat could handle a true name... made no sense.
Belial had heard stories. Ancient dragons who had managed to rewrite and manipulate demons at will.
However, a dragon, immortal by nature, and even knowing the beginning of time, wasn’t comparable to a brat with vague knowledge about demons.
Yes. Surely Lloyd didn’t understand how acquiring a name really worked.
But there was a problem, when Lloyd realized he couldn’t do anything with his name, how would he react?
First, he had to deal with that small detail.
"Mmmm..." Belial’s voice resonated with a thoughtful tone, though charged with suspicion. "I could do it... maybe."
There was a brief pause, as if savoring the idea before destroying it.
"But, how do I know you’re not lying?" he continued, fixing his gaze on him with skepticism. "How do I know you won’t keep torturing me as soon as you get what you want?"
The chains emitted a faint clink when the sword tensed barely, as if that same doubt made it uncomfortable.
Lloyd didn’t react immediately.
He didn’t tense, didn’t get offended, didn’t show impatience. He simply shrugged with an almost irritating naturalness, leaning on his chair as if that conversation were nothing more than a trivial exchange.
He already knew what Belial thought. He had predicted it, and he didn’t need to use Leviathan’s pupil to predict something like that.
It was an understandable reaction, distrust, but he also deduced Belial thought he couldn’t really use his name.
Something that suited him enormously.
His green eyes met the sword’s reddish eye without hesitating.
"I swear by Mara that I will keep my promise," he finally said, quite calmly.
He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t dramatize, there was no solemn gesture or theatricality. He said it like someone affirming something obvious.
And yet, the effect was immediate.
Belial’s eye widened slightly. As if not expecting something like that, but at the same time, it didn’t seem to be enough.
Mara’s name wasn’t something used lightly among humans. Even the most skeptical avoided invoking it without reason.
There was a deep-rooted fear, almost instinctive, of the consequences of breaking an oath made in his name. Stories of misfortunes, falls, twisted destinies... superstitions, yes, but deeply rooted superstitions.
Humans believed in that. Enough not to risk it.
Even those who committed horrible acts preferred not to risk pronouncing that name in vain.
But Lloyd...
Lloyd didn’t quite fit into that category.
Belial had noticed it from the beginning, for his single eye it was almost obvious.
Lloyd was part demon. In fact, Belial thought his absorption of demonic energy was his demonic trait.
Though it wasn’t really so.
"Do you really think I’m going to take seriously the oath of a disgusting half-breed?" he finally spat, with a tone charged with contempt. "Come on... look at yourself."
The eye looked him up and down, with an implicit grimace in his voice.
"You have demonic blood running through your veins. You think I had forgotten that or something?"
The chains vibrated softly, as if responding to the growing tension.
"According to the church, you’re an aberration," he continued, with an almost amused tone. "Something that shouldn’t exist in this world."
There was a brief pause.
"And, well, I can’t say they’re wrong."
The tone became colder. Sharper.
"We weren’t created by Mara," he added, with an almost dry clarity. "So tell me... why should I care about an oath made in his name, coming from something that isn’t even part of this world’s natural order? Mara already hates you, I’m sure if you receive divine energy head-on you’ll understand. Divine power is made to maintain the established order, that’s why it’s extremely harmful to demons. So swearing in his name makes no sense."
Silence settled in the room again.
Lloyd’s emerald green eyes rested on the sword, analyzing it.
There was no doubt in his expression. Not a bit. That clearly hadn’t affected him.
In fact, it was the reaction Lloyd expected.
"Tch, you really have to make things complicated," he declared with false annoyance, while rolling his eyes. "Alright, alright. I swear by all the demon gods, happy?"
Belial’s eye twisted subtly, as if having tried to raise a nonexistent eyebrow.
It was true, impure demons worshipped the demon gods. Or well, at least that’s what they said.
And yes, just as humans feared swearing in Mara’s name, demons feared breaking a promise made in the demon gods’ name.
However, the condescension with which Lloyd had sworn was unconvincing.
On one hand it felt like defeat. As if Lloyd had been caught and accepted swearing for real.
However, it was still condescending.
Too much.
Could he really trust that oath?
The truth is it mattered little, because anyway, Belial didn’t have too many options.
"You know what? Alright... I’ll decide to believe you," the sword finally said, with a defeated and tired tone, as if not wanting to dwell on the matter anymore. "My true name is..."
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