"Ever since the incident with Father Augustus, I feel frightened every time I see you show up here so early."
This was the first sentence that Shad, holding Mia, said when he came to Dr. Schneider's psychological clinic early Friday morning, with his hands covering his forehead.
"Doctor, this is a psychological problem. You should get yourself some treatment."
Shade teased, following the doctor into the study.
"Detective, what are you doing this time? You're here so early, you're probably not taking a walk."
"Of course not. I want to ask you about demons."
As Xia De closed the door of the study, the doctor leaned on the desk and frowned:
"A few days ago you asked me what would happen if I drank the devil's blood, and now you're asking for information about the devil. Detective, don't be like me and have too many interactions with the devil. It's very dangerous."
"This is just an accident, doctor, listen to me."
Xia De held Mia, who was full and in high spirits, on the sofa, and then briefly explained to the doctor how he got the Demon Hunting Seal. Finally, he detailed what he saw and heard in the belly of Mount Xikar last night. The doctor was very surprised, even extremely surprised:
"Why do you always run into such weird things?"
"Doctor, what I saw yesterday, was it an alien demon or an evil demon from the Third Epoch?"
The "demon" itself is just a powerful alien creature, while the so-called "evil spirit demon" is a terrible and twisted existence born in the Third Age. The latter has no specific image, but from a certain period of the Third Age, it borrowed the appearance of alien demons and appeared in physical form. Therefore, the word "demon" usually refers to both creatures at the same time, and the means to fight demons can also work on both "demons" at the same time.
In fact, the circle magician community believes that in today's Sixth Age, the alien demons and the evil spirits of the Third Age can be regarded as the same creatures.
"From your introduction, I think it should be all of them. That is an evil demon that you disguised as an alien demon. It is very famous. Yes, the arsonist Sokephis."
The doctor covered his face and said:
"Shad, you really brought a big surprise this time."
After rubbing his face, the doctor continued:
"Its appearance is that of a very famous alien demon. You will probably know what it is when you come across the list of dangerous aliens in the third grade. The naming of this demon is complicated, but it has a famous abbreviation. This monster has been recorded in the heroic epics of ordinary people."
"What's the abbreviation?"
"Flame Demon."
Seeing that Shade looked terrified while holding the cat, the doctor quickly added:
"Don't worry. The one mentioned in the heroic legends and the epics of the bards is the 'Ancient Balrog'. According to your description, the one you encountered should be just an ordinary Balrog. Although this evil spirit itself is ancient, it is far inferior to the Human Pus. It was even seriously injured and was still sealed."
"Ballan... So what level of ring sorcerer is needed to deal with a normal Balran?"
Xia De asked carefully, and the doctor thought for a moment:
"At least a high level, and with special weapons. You are facing an evil demon, which is almost impossible to kill. The most effective way to deal with them is to seal them. I heard that there are many demons sealed in the Zaras Academy of Literature."
Xia De lowered his head and thought for a while:
"So, I'd better not touch the sword, and not disturb the seal set by the high-level sorcerer eight hundred years ago?"
"No, that's a relic-level weapon. Wouldn't it be a shame to give it up?"
The doctor said doubtfully:
"Detective, you have no interest in this kind of relic?"
"But I'm not sure if I can successfully deal with it. Although I have friends who are high-level sorcerers in Midhill Castle, without the sword, they may not be able to seal the demon again. Rather than risk letting the Balrog escape, it's better to let it stay quietly in the mountains. Midhill Castle is already in chaos... Maybe I can consider it again when I become a high-level sorcerer."
"Oh, so that's what you think."
The doctor waved his hand and said with a smile:
"For others, sealing it is the best option, but for me, wouldn't it be better to 'swallow' it while it is sealed? According to your description, it can't even leave the bonfire too far now, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to retreat unscathed last night."
"Doctor, although the opponent is sealed, he is not like the human pus who has no power to fight back."
Shade reminded.
"It's okay. If it was a complete evil demon, I would have told you to never get close to it. But I am a professional in dealing with demons in this state."
Dr. Schneider nodded confidently, and Xia De chose to believe the doctor:
"Well, I'll buy you a train ticket to Midhill Castle. Doctor, are you used to a window seat or... forget it, just go to first class. Otherwise, the journey will be very tiring."
As he was about to get up and leave, he was stopped by the doctor:
"Wait a minute, it will take at least half a month to travel back and forth between the two places, but as the leader of the team, I cannot be away for so long without applying. If no one finds out, it's fine, but if I'm found out, it will be a big trouble."
But the doctor cannot apply to the college to go to Fort Midhill. Now Fort Midhill involves the third selected person. The college will not approve the doctor's application without a valid reason.
"What should we do then?"
"If long journeys are not possible, then take short journeys. Shad, didn't you also use the relics provided by the academy to go from me to St. Byrons in an instant?"
"You mean the old, torn world map?"
The relic was classified as dangerous and has been kept at St. Byron's.
"Yes, although we don't have this relic, we can lower the standard. I don't need to stay in Midhill Castle for a long time, a few minutes will be enough. And Tobesk happens to have a relic that can achieve long-distance and short-time space transfer."
The doctor smiled, as if encountering a demon was a good thing for him:
"It's in the correspondence course group of the Zaras Academy of Literature. At least it was still with them this spring. I think if I go to borrow it, they should be able to lend it to me. Today is Thursday, let me think... I'll go to borrow it tomorrow, and I'll tell you the result when you come to my place for a meeting the day after tomorrow afternoon. If it can't be borrowed, we'll think of other ways. This time there is such a good opportunity for me to devour another demon, Shade, I actually care about this matter more than you do."
"Well, let's make it a deal."
Xia De was about to say goodbye and leave, but then he thought of something:
"I plan to go to Midhill Castle on Sunday to meet with Father Augustus. We haven't met since he gave me the thaumaturgy information. Doctor, is there anything I can tell the Father?"
"Just tell Father Augustus to be safe."
The doctor waved his hands and twisted his neck:
"I originally thought that Tobesk was dangerous enough this summer, but I didn't expect that there would be so many things happening in Midhill Castle. Tell Father Augustus to be safe, and you should be safe too. Don't run into the mountains if there is nothing to do. I'm afraid you will encounter something even weirder."