In normal circumstances, Belial nor any demon would accept giving their true na.
The reason was quite simple. While it was true that hearing pretty and cute things was sothing twisted for a demon.
Like when a normal person hears about atrocities or witnesses them.
In fact, you could say the disgust is sothing 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 na, as he would save himself that tornt.
Moreover, Belial knew it wasn’t that easy.
He was aware that so few humans, of great wisdom, had discovered a property in demons’ nature: their na.
Their true na 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 na, which similar to a magic code allowed its owner to acquire cognitive and thought freedom.
That’s why, revealing that na was like undressing and revealing what they truly were.
Soone with enough knowledge and ability would then be capable of using that na 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 na.
The eye embedded in the hilt remained fixed on Lloyd for so 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. Sowhat ssy dark hair, still small build, features that didn’t quite fit with the idea of soone dangerous.
And yet...
There was sothing more.
Belial wasn’t oblivious to it. From the mont he had awakened, he had noticed it. That boy knew things. He didn’t speak randomly, didn’t improvise. Every word that ca 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.
Sothing 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 ti 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 adornnts. 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, rembering the combat, Belial noticed how actually, Lloyd never seed to feel threatened.
Still, that didn’t make him soone worthy.
Not necessarily.
Knowing wasn’t the sa as understanding. And understanding didn’t an power.
The eye narrowed slightly.
No, no. It was absurd. Ridiculous, even. That such a brat could handle a true na... 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 ti, wasn’t comparable to a brat with vague knowledge about demons.
Yes. Surely Lloyd didn’t understand how acquiring a na really worked.
But there was a problem, when Lloyd realized he couldn’t do anything with his na, 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 as soon as you get what you want?"
The chains emitted a faint clink when the sword tensed barely, as if that sa doubt made it uncomfortable.
Lloyd didn’t react imdiately.
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 sothing like that.
It was an understandable reaction, distrust, but he also deduced Belial thought he couldn’t really use his na.
Sothing that suited him enormously.
His green eyes t 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 soone affirming sothing obvious.
And yet, the effect was imdiate.
Belial’s eye widened slightly. As if not expecting sothing like that, but at the sa ti, it didn’t seem to be enough.
Mara’s na wasn’t sothing 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 na. 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 na 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. "Co 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 sothing?"
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. "Sothing that shouldn’t exist in this world."
There was a brief pause.
"And, well, I can’t say they’re wrong."
The tone beca colder. Sharper.
"We weren’t created by Mara," he added, with an almost dry clarity. "So tell ... why should I care about an oath made in his na, coming from sothing 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 extrely harmful to demons. So swearing in his na makes no sense."
Silence settled in the room again.
Lloyd’s erald 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 na, demons feared breaking a promise made in the demon gods’ na.
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 na is..."
*********
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