Demon Laws
Chapter 17: The Knot of Death

“The mystery of the position of stars in the sky is endless. Their position will change over time. And these changes are usually thought of as clues that gods give to humans. People always thought that necromancers were just people learning the riddles these gods left behind.

But this is all wrong!

There is unlimited power in the stars. Even these forces are stronger than any storm, flood, and fire we have ever seen. So strong that I suspect.

Was this great power also created by the gods?

One more thing, it seems like these stars have been hanging in the sky since time immemorial. Long ago, long ago. Even earlier than we know. Perhaps earlier than the creation of this world.

Were these stars created by the gods? If the stars are brought up, all the books that can be found now and some religious books uniformly state that, stars are the decorations left in the sky when the gods created the world to beautify the world at night. At the same time, the gods would change the position of the stars based on their emotions and changes in the world. And these changes are often revelations given to man.

Yes, based on these statements, stars were created along with the creation of the world as accessories in the night sky. But, is it really like that?

Six years ago, when I was 34, there was a horoscope change in the sky. At night, there are stars falling from the sky. All necromancers are trying to figure out what clues the gods gave us. But I started choosing another path.

Based on the direction of the shooting star that night, as well as checking all the information that could be found, I decided to find the shooting star. I spent 3 years wandering the northern end of the plain and finally found it!”

While speaking, Semel's shadow raised his hand. One of his palms came out from the red robe, then dragged a black stone the size of a fist.

“This is the ‘falling stars’ I found. He looks like a rock. Sure, this one in my hand is just a small piece. When I found her, she was as big as a house. Moreover, the surface of the ground where he fell had become a huge hole. I could even see that there was a terrible fire there. The forest was burned to dust, the flat land was crushed into a valley. Such crushed power could probably only be achieved with a top-level forbidden spell in magic.”

Dewey sighed.

This necromancer named Semel was truly remarkable in Dewey's eyes.

At the very least, he dared to ask a question in a place that believed that the gods created all of this. In some ways, he was already very close to the truth.

“It is inconceivable that it turns out the star is just a big piece of rock. What is even more important is that this stone is completely different from any known substance in this world. He was loud and full of magic attractions. I spent a lot of time visiting many experienced magic chemists, even some old blacksmiths, but no one recognized this new ‘zat’. In other words, stars are not objects in this world.” Semel's shadow began to move, clearly a sign that his magic would soon run out. Dewey quickly raised his spirits and prayed that this magic might last longer.

“Since then I have begun to question all the statements in the literature about the gods creating this world. If the god who created this world, made this world have living beings, have day and night, the change of seasons? What god?

I spent almost a lifetime studying astrology, and finally discovered that ‘changing the position of the stars in the sky is a revelation the gods gave to man’ is a nonsensical statement. I spent ten years documenting and studying the positions of several stars that can be seen from the sky. Then in these ten years, I studied and recorded the positions of these stars every night.

Slowly, on certain nights, when dark clouds covered the night sky, I could not observe the stars with the naked eye. At this moment, I can only look for another way. I remember magic. Since magic can be used to sense all the small changes in nature, when I can't see stars, can I sense the position of stars with magic?

Lastly, I found the power of stars! If I can use this power, then I can borrow the power of a star like a magician borrowing the power of nature.

After finding a way to feel the power of the stars, I again discovered something shocking.

The power of the stars can be felt not only at night.

Even during the day, I can also sense the existence of the stars through meditation and by expanding my spiritual sensing abilities. They are in the sky, day and night. Only, their light was covered by the sunlight that was too strong during the day.

And ten years passed. I spent ten years recording the positions of the stars I observed, and discovered that even though they underwent changes, they actually changed in regularity. It's like a cycle. For example, a star on the east side in the summer would run to the west side in winter, then back again to the east side in the following year. Everything is like a cycle that repeats on a certain trajectory.

So, this was not a revelation, let alone a puzzle, given by the gods to humans. This is the law of stars repeating according to the rules. Star law!”

Semel's shadow is weakening. This was the last second before the magic power ran out.

His voice became very serious. “The temple tells us that the stars are riddles and revelations given by the gods, as a result I found that the positions of the stars change in an orderly manner, having nothing to do with gods and riddles; the temple tells us that the stars are decorations left by the gods in the night sky, as a result I discovered that stars exist not only at night, but also during the day. Although they cannot be seen with the naked eye, they exist; then the temple tells us that this world was created by the gods, as a result I discovered that the star substance is a stone never seen before. He does not belong to any substance that exists in this world.”

This great necromancer finally raised his head and said his final conclusion. “I'm beginning to suspect whether the stars are gods' creations. And finally I started to suspect god.”

Compared to those who only concentrated on believing in ‘God created everything’, women who dared to ask and question authority, as well as spend a life researching this more made Dewey feel respectful.

“My research while living is hidden in this room. The rows of cabinets here are the things I left for you. And the other door outside is the mystery I left behind. If I did not pay attention to the clues I left about astrology, then the person who entered could only reach the false door outside of it. Behind that door were only a few worldly treasures. While here is the true legacy that I left in this world.”

A beam of light suddenly flashed, then it began to dim. The appearance of the female astrologer slowly became blurred. His voice also began to weaken. “Last reminder, the oil painting in the workspace is a magic creature I made. I sealed him in that oil painting, he'll be your guide to learn everything. You need his help and guidance while studying all the objects in this room. For safety's sake, I didn't leave the star magic spell I made on the paper. I left it to the magic creature. You have to get it off him.

My son, although I do not know how many years later you have just discovered this place, I believe that the great Rollin family will have the descendants of geniuses in the field of magic. You should understand that my research and discoveries have questioned the authority of the gods. This is definitely unacceptable to this world. Especially by those who represent that authority. They'll think of any way to destroy all this. I can't leave it open, it can only be hidden like this.

I'm reflecting on that magical creature. He could only come back to life every night, and fall asleep during the day. Like a star that cannot be seen with the naked eye during the day. Moreover, only people with strong spiritual power could see its existence at night. I believe that you who can get here, must have enough spiritual power to become a great magician. I can hand over the star magic I created to you. Remember one spell. You can unseal the oil painting outside with this spell. After being freed by this spell, he will obey your orders unconditionally. Next time it all depends on your efforts.”

The female necromancer slowly chanted the final spell. He said each word clearly, his finger also squeezing out a few fingerprints. Dewey tried hard to remember all this. Then.. hush! The light suddenly disappeared.

Room was back dark. Dewey lit a candle and checked the room. Thinking nothing could be done for a while, Dewey then returned to his original path carefully, following a secret path.

When he returned to the study, Dewey's body was full of dust. But, fortunately there was a pile of dusty accounts, so it was not difficult to explain the dust on his body.

Closing the door on the bookshelf, Dewey walked in front of the oil painting. “I've logged in and seen everything, including his last message.”

The two eyes in the oil painting seemed to sigh, then showed a plea.

Dewey understood his point, then smiled and said, “You want to ask about how to unseal you? Oh, I found him. He left a spell. But, there was a little mistake.”

Dewey smiled bitterly.

The first clue Semel left behind was an oil painting on the wall. The one who could see the oil painting must be the one who had strong spiritual power. People with strong spiritual power will definitely become magicians. If not, then you can learn magic.

Semel is a star magician, so it requires a witch to learn and be inherited. So, he left the end like this.

The one who could not see that the oil painting was moving, meant that his spiritual power was not enough. I have no magic talent.

The one who could see then could learn magic, then could unlock the seal with the spell Semel had left behind.

But, the intelligent Semel might not have expected that a few centuries later, the Rollin family would have as strange a descendant as Dewey.

He obviously had tremendous spiritual power, but had no talent in the magic senses.

In other words, Dewey was unable to use the seal-opening spell Semel had left behind. Cannot unseal on oil painting.

Without the magical beast Semel left behind, he might not be able to learn the star magic Semel inherited. Because all the spells are recorded by the creatures in this oil painting.

Drowning in a dead knot, isn't it?

Dewey smiled bitterly.

Clearly having a great treasure, even the door had opened for him, but he was unable to enter. It feels really helpless.

Dewey's eyes suddenly sparkled. Didn't I catch a witch?

The man can use ‘instant’ skills with the lowest level magic ability. Who knows….