Abused?

"Because he was wise. He knew after he left his kingdom, his children would fight each other for territory, making the family filled with tragedy. 

That is why he gave it to five other people and then gave a warning to their children: if they wanted to continue his kingdom, they must gather all five artifacts first."

"That makes sense. This way, his descendants would put conflict aside and try to cooperate to first get these artifacts. 

But with how strong the item is, won't his family still be massacred in the end?"

Suiyin shook her head. "No, each holder of Ars Goetia had a tragic end. Some got scammed by the demons, others got attacked by those who wanted the artifact.

In the end, as time passed, it's said the artifact was destroyed and split into many pieces. 

Some of the demons also escaped back to hell; only some are still sealed there."

"A tragic end like what?"

"For example, a loving couple sought the ring to heal their sick child. 

The child was cured and grew up healthy. But with the power in their hands, the couple started to change from loving to greedy. 

The demon kept whispering into their ears, growing their inner desires."

"I see. Amplifying people's inner desires will certainly destroy everyone. 

After all, who has never thought, 'This person is better dead,' or 'What if I do something different?'

The thought may be momentary, but since the demon kept whispering about it, I could see how the couple became twisted."

Suiyin nodded, "That is why I love reading these myths; they show what a human really is."

"Very philosophical. Are you even my age?" Rafael asked with a chuckle.

Suiyin frowned for a moment, thinking about what Rafael said. Then she realized what he meant.

Normal people her age wouldn't care about things like this. They are too busy dealing with their raging hormones to think about the world.

"I am your age. At the same time, aren't you the same? You are talking on the same topic as me."

"My sister often calls me an old soul," Rafael replied with a chuckle. He then added, "So what happened in the end? Did they kill each other?"

"Worse, they became so consumed by desire that they became a menace. 

In the end, their own kids killed both of them, then killed himself. The demon just laughed as the artifact fell to the next target."

"I don't think the demon does this just for fun. It would be too much work to completely corrupt someone. 

They also need to give them some of their power to entice them. I believe none of the artifact holders were capable of really using it. 

They were just put under the illusion that they could."

"Hmm…" Suiyin thought about Rafael's remarks. She then realized it was probably true; otherwise, why else would the holders be so easily enticed?

The artifact should be protected from this. It's not like Solomon wouldn't go crazy if 72 demons whispered in his ear non-stop. Even with a strong mind, he would still be stressed and unable to sleep.

The thought made a small smile appear on her face.

"What is so funny?"

"Nah, I am just thinking, if the artifact couldn't block the demons' whispers, then King Solomon wouldn't be able to even sleep. 

Like, can you sleep when 72 demons keep whispering in your head non-stop to do this or that?"

Rafael let out a chuckle. "That is true, haha. I never thought of it like that. Then who is the last artifact holder?"

"I don't know. I haven't read that far, but so far, it's only tragedy after tragedy. 

Some of them do start with success, like those parents, but it always ends up with tragic death."

"Hmm… I wonder, do the demons feed on this negative emotion, or do they need their souls or something?"

"Soul? Haha, the demons in Ars Goetia don't work like that."

"What do they eat then?"

"They are demons; they could survive for a long time even without eating. 

Based on the explanation I have read so far, each demon has its own food preference. 

Some do feed on emotions, but there are also those that eat normal meals."

"Normal meals? Don't tell me you read about a demon eating pizza?"

"I hope I could say no, but yeah, that is right. Well, it's not really pizza, but just normal food like what we eat. Some of the demons are also gourmets."

"You mean they like eating at restaurants and fine dining? Alright, now you are just lying," Rafael said with a laugh.

Suiyin frowned at the comment. "I am not." She opened the book and pointed at one of the paragraphs.

Rafael didn't even need to read it since there was an illustration shown on the page. A man with horns was eating a culinary dinner.

"What part is this?"

"This one tells of a demon that escaped from the ring and decided to possess a human and live here, not returning to hell."

"Aren't they afraid of getting captured again?"

"Well, with more demons breaking out, he is not worried. Or he just plans to have his fun and then quickly return in case something happens. Anyway, I don't know since I haven't read that far."

"Hypothetically, if you get the artifact, what will you do then? Will you take it and try to use the power for yourself?"

"No way, not like I believe things like this exist. But even if they do, I will stay away from it." Suiyin's eyes then turned complicated. "Also, demon or not, I know firsthand how it feels to not have control over your own life."

Rafael could see there was a deep story behind her words. 'It seems her life is not easy. Did she get abused by her parents?'

Suiyin then looked at the clock on the wall. Seeing the time, she quickly stood up. "I am already late. See you again, Rafael. It's nice talking with you."