Chapter 46: Fairy Tale (1/2)

”Eheh. Don't you think you jumped to conclusions here?” Yoichi chuckled, scratching the back of his head. His companion's euphoria seemed out of control.

”Absolutely not. I'm serious! I just feel fortunate to have the honour of travelling by your side, Yoichi-Sama!” Enatsu chuckled, hanging his head.

Enatsu may be exaggerating, but... what he says is not wrong. If no other tamer in the world can know the exact evolutionary stage of his demons, I have a huge advantage. Yoichi reflected, who had not immediately realized that aspect of his unknown powers.

”Um... in the euphoria of the moment, I forgot to tell you that the level of the Inoshuma is higher than Kenji's”, Yoichi stated. ”It's more than midway to level 10” he chuckled.

”That's not so hard to understand. You didn't tame an ordinary Inoshuma. The one you fought against was a unique specimen, forged by a thousand battles”, Enatsu acknowledged, thinking back to the battle.

”It fought honourably until the last second,” Yoichi answered. ”Without Kenji's skill, I would never have been able to knock it out,” he added.

”That's one other piece of business.”

”What do you mean?” he asked.

”I mean Kenji's powers are definitely above average. I've seen other tamers fight with the Nekages during my travels, but none of them had that power,” Enatsu remarked with conviction. ”What level is Kenji?” he continued.

”Er... level four” Yoichi said. His statement gave Enatsu something to think about.

”So... a Nekage evolves once level 15 is reached, then level 35. That means Kenji is not even close to its highest level. If its powers are so strong already from this level... I dare not imagine what may happen at level 50!” Enatsu exclaimed, shaking his head.

”Is level 50 the maximum level of a demon?”

”As for the 'normal' demons, yes. Old legends tell that ancient demons were able to cross that threshold. However, not having a master, their high level made their capture practically impossible”, Enatsu explained.

”Is Valgoth an ancient demon?” Yoichi interrupted. ”I am referring to the demon that made Emperor Gonshiro immortal” he specified.

Enatsu looked intently at his friend, astonished at his keen memory. ”Correct. Valgoth is an ancient demon. You don't have to be an expert to imagine that their skills are much stronger than those of other demons”, the merchant confirmed.