The Founder's POV

Chapter 9: The Commandment of sloth

Although I found the monk's reaction somewhat exaggerated, I could understand.

This monk is one of the most prominent figures in human history and one of the first to awaken.....

This temple was established and isolated approximately 350 years ago. He's been waiting for an heir all this time.

The person before me was a shadow of himself when he was at the peak of his life. For him to have lived this long is considered an achievement in itself...

He probably sacrificed a lot to prolong his life.

I might be generous in saying he currently has a tenth of his original power.

Anyway, I looked at the man in question's back and followed him with some concern. I still felt pain while moving, but it probably wouldn't last long...

We didn't walk much, just two minutes, and I found myself in front of a training field made of nature...

A tree affected by the signs of autumn rose high, and its branches fell to the ground.

Its leaves lie continuously on a flat circular square. The square is surrounded by small stones well planted in the ground.

I heard the sound of leaves crunching under my feet, and I smelled the scent of the various flowers surrounding the square.

I found it to have at least a calming effect, but another effect was so well tucked in I hardly recognized it.

As a former skilled pharmacist, I felt it.

I inherited his skills and learned about the impact of scent after a bit of thought.

I frowned a little, and the monk smiled when he saw my expression. Well, maybe I should start calling him by his name now.

This man's name was lost in long history, and people called him "Belphegor the Devil Slayer."

The name Belphegor belongs to the leader of the Sloth Demon Clan, Belphegor VII. This monk killed him and took his name.

The name Demon Slayer embarrassed me; it is very vulgar, but I couldn't complain. I gave him that name myself.

I didn't think about the names much since I didn't think anyone would see the game world, and I was right.

Anyway...

Belphegor noticed my distorted expression and smiled weakly.

"You seem to have noticed... clever!"

Well, it would've been strange if I didn't notice. Even someone who didn't know would notice after a little while.

This scent has a powerful sleeping effect. Anyone who sleeps here may not wake up for a few weeks. I did not know why he put this scent here...

"Since you followed me here, you have accepted to inherit this art."

I looked at him and nodded, frowning at what would happen next.

"Of course, nothing in the world is free, and you know that,"

Belphegor spoke as he took out a Soul Vow from nowhere.

"Before you die, you must build something similar to this temple. Leave your mark on this art no matter what, and say the same to those who learn from you."

Belphegor spoke strangely as if he was sure I would learn the art entirely without any problem.

"These conditions will only be binding if you master the art 100%. I would rather have the art disappear than a defective version of it spread."