118. Last Days
"As you know, I've lived for hundreds of years. It's a long time to live for any creature. Not every demon can live past 100 years, just like humans. But I can live up to this age because I am a high-ranked demon," says Morgbitt.
"So you think that you will die soon?" asks Ben.
"It's not an assumption, it's a fact. You might not know that a magical creature like a demon can feel when their time is near. That sense will get stronger for a high-ranked creature or a strong mage. You will know it when you're old because you are strong, even for your age. You still can grow and will keep getting stronger. So you will understand it in the future," says Morgbitt.
"But you won't know the exact time, right? After all, it's just a feeling," says Ben.
"It will be better if that's the case. Too bad that I know exactly when I will die of old age. A high-ranked demon like me has " says Morgbitt.
"When?" asks Ben seriously.
"13 days, that's my time limit. So I have a selfish request for you," says Morgbitt.
Ben nods and Morgbitt says, "Can you stay until that time and bury me beside Audrey's grave. That's the only thing that I can hope for. You can take everything here as payment."
"I will still do it even without payment, you know. We might've just known each other for 3 days now, but you are my first demon friend. So I will fulfill your final wish. Besides, it will take time to explore this whole area. So 13 days is not a long time," says Ben.
Morgbitt widens his eyes a little when Ben said that they are friends. He never thinks that Ben will see him like that because he is a demon while Ben is a human. Their kinds are always at odds and have killed each other for ages, so it's very surprising that Ben sees him as a friend.
"You sure are a strange human kid," says Morgbitt while smiling.
"I don't judge someone from their race or species, but by their attitude toward me. Just like what you've said to me, not all humans are good, and not all demons are evil. Everyone has a different personality and I can't judge everyone to be the same," says Ben.
Morgbitt smiles and says, "You will be a great mage, kid."
After that, they leave the cave and resume their exploration. Ben doesn't take the magic items for now and focuses on the exploration. While Bella takes a ring and puts it on her tail because it's too big for her finger.
The ring is made of rainbow-colored crystals. It is shaped like a plain ring but has an eagle carving on it. The ring has a usage to reduce the user's weight so it's very suitable for Bella and will help her fly easier.
They explore the mountains one by one with Morgbitt's guidance. There are many interesting spots but there's no treasure to take. Ben also fights with some strong wild creatures that they encounter on their way.
Morgbitt is very impressed at Ben's strength and magic. Ben always used his Devil Slayer Magic in front of Morgbitt. He doesn't want to shock the old demon by showing his Dragon Slayer Magic.
The Sun Devil Slayer Magic is enough to impress Morgbitt. And as an old demon, Morgbitt knows that there's only one demon who has the Sun Magic in history. But he doesn't ask Ben on how Ben got his Devil Slayer Magic.
Everyone has their secret and Morgbitt doesn't want to ask it because it will ruin their friendship. Besides, he doesn't really care about it and just wants to enjoy his last days. There's no need to think about difficult things when he's about to die.
Ben also introduces Morgbitt to Wendy & Carla when he calls them. Both of them are afraid at first, but then they get along well because Morgbitt is very friendly. It's a good result because Ben wants to teach them that they can't judge a book by its cover.
Days passed and it has been 10 days since Morgbitt told them about his remaining days. He only has 3 days left now, but he is still as lively as before. But Ben knows that he is dying because AI Chip has scanned his body and he is really getting weakened significantly.
With Morgbitt's guidance, Ben & Bella can cover the whole mountains range faster. They finish it on the 11th day while it will take a month if they do it by themselves. Now they have 2 days to enjoy their time together with Morgbitt before he dies.
"Kid, you've known about Devil Slayer Magic, but do you know about curse?" asks Morgbitt.
"I know. In fact, I want to learn about it after finishing my journey," says Ben.
"How long will it take?" asks Morgbitt.
"11 months. I need to finish this journey before I turn 17 and I've gone for almost a month. So I still have 11 months left for this journey," says Ben.
"That's too long. You need to use this journey to tamper yourself and get stronger. So why don't you learn Curse and train it along your journey?" asks Morgbitt.
"Hmm, I think that's a good idea. But I don't know much about curse. I only know the basics and don't know any spell or type of Curse. So I will need to make my own curse from scratch," says Ben.
"Then, do you want me to teach you?" asks Morgbitt.
"Are you sure? Curse is demon's secret technique, right?" asks Ben.
"It's not. Curse is never a secret technique. It's just that demons, especially Etheriouses are better at using curse. Even humans learned it in the past, but they could never be as good as demons at it," says Morgbitt.
"Because it uses negative emotions?" asks Ben.
"That's right. Demons & humans have negative emotions. I know many humans are even eviler than demons, but that's not the problem. The problem is that demons can control their negative emotions better than humans. That's why we can utilize Curse to the max," says Morgbitt.
Morgbitt starts to explain Curse to Ben with more details than the books. Clearly, the books can't explain everything like the user. Ben gets more knowledge about Curse in an hour from Morgbitt than all of his 6 books.
They learn about the theory behind Curse that day. Then they try some Curse spells in the next day. Morgbitt just uses simple spells so Ben can follow him.
But even if the spells are simple, Ben still has a hard time trying them. The biggest problem is controlling the negative emotions in his heart. It's not like he doesn't have negative emotions, but he can't control them and utilize them for the Curse.
"Don't worry. You will be able to do it if you keep training it. Try to meditate every day to control your emotions. It will help to control not only the negative but also positive emotions. That way, you can strengthen your Magic too," says Morgbitt who now has a very pale face.
Morgbitt sits on the ground with Bella sitting on his lap while playing with her goblin doll.
"Alright, I will try to do that. Tomorrow is the last day, I think," says Ben with a solemn expression.
"Yeah, that's why I want to fully enjoy this day," says Morgbitt.
"Do you have another wish before it ends?" asks Ben.
"No, having friends on my side on my last day is enough for me. At least I won't be alone when I leave this world," says Morgbitt.
Ben just smiles softly while Bella has a sad expression. There's nothing they can do, so they just accompany him. Morgbitt also has waited for his death all his life so that he can meet his wife again.
They train until afternoon and Ben takes Morgbitt to see the sunset for the last time. That's the least he can do for Morgbitt before the old demon leaves this world. Finally, the next day, Morgbitt breathed his last at noon.
Ben bury his body beside Audrey's grave just like Morgbitt asked. Bella cries in Ben's arms because it is the first time she lost a friend. Ben is also sad, but he can hold his emotion and part with Morgbitt while smiling.
"Goodbye, my friend. Our meeting is short, but you've given me a lot in our short interactions. I hope you find happiness there," says Ben before he walks away to continue his journey.
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