Marvel Magic Case Files.

Chapter 49 Demon Summoning Experiment

There are many ways to summon demons in the Toril universe, not just by making a pact with a demon lord. While the latter method is very convenient, the fate of those who make the pact is generally not good.

Therefore, Salomon chose to use ritual magic to summon demons, and due to the limited number of offerings, the demons that could be summoned were not very powerful.

This was also Salomon's purpose. This summoning was merely an experiment, to test whether his own magic truly possessed the ability to bind demons. Even though the Venerable One had said he possessed the power of King Solomon, magic could not rely solely on speculation; cautious experimentation was essential. Furthermore, Bayonetta was with him this time, so if the summoned demon went out of control, Salomon and Bayonetta could quickly regain control of the situation.

Blood holds immense significance in mysticism, with most religions believing that the soul resides within it. Offerings to summon demons are the blood of humanoid beings killed within the last 24 hours, as only in this way can the remaining fragments of soul within the blood attract the demon.

Choosing the sacrifice wasn't difficult. He spent a week enjoying a trip full of Italian charm in Florence and Bayonetta, during which time he found some creatures living in the gutter. That's right, werewolves, though not many, but enough to serve as sacrifices.

Salomon chose a full moon night to conduct the ceremony atop Mount Ceccherie, a place high enough and quiet enough. Mount Ceccherie was once a quarry, and even now, few people live there. From the summit, one can see the brightly lit city of Florence, not far away, at most a 20-minute drive. Here, the red rooftops and the centuries-old, rough yellow walls of Florence are still clearly visible.

As the clear moonlight shone on the mountaintop, Salomon slit the throats of the werewolves with his dagger. These werewolves were tightly bound by chains, unable to move, and even their long snouts were wrapped with dense chains.

Otherwise, they would definitely call Salomon a Venetian. Florentines have always looked down on Venetians; it's a tradition.

These were all spoils from Salomon's travels. The magic he and Bayonetta possessed was as delicious as delicacies to these creatures, so the sorcerer accepted these offerings that had come to him without any qualms.

And to prevent them from having the strength to struggle during the ceremony, Salomon gave them several free bungee jumps at 10,000 meters high, the kind without ropes.

As for the filth that followed, Salomon didn't care much; he believed that the demons he had summoned wouldn't care either.

The werewolf's blood flowed along the magic circle he had carved on the ground with acacia oil, filling not only the six-pointed star Salomon had drawn, but also completing the Enochian phrases within the magic circle. These were directional terms, specifically indicating which plane and level of demons to summon. Since Salomon was unfamiliar with the lower planes of this world, the abyss level he indicated was provided by Bayonetta.

Only after the blood had filled the magic circle did Salomon toss the dead werewolf aside. He also inscribed two additional magic circles next to the summoning circle; these were Vishanti magic circles. If the summoned demons were disobedient, he could use these two additional magic circles to bind and attack them.

He rolled up his sleeves to his elbows and glanced at the witch who was standing to the side, looking on with great interest.

"I'm about to begin, Bayonetta," Salomon said.

"I'm getting impatient, Boya," said the witch. "Let's get started."

"Spurcum sanguinem off!" Salomon stretched his hands towards the magic circle, the stigmata on his fingers glowing faintly. "Anima lactaberis (sucking souls)..."

The sorcerer carefully chanted the incantation, and then the magic circle, a mixture of acacia oil and blood, ignited. The air around him slowly became humid; he seemed to smell the pungent smoke and sulfur, and feel the salty, fishy stench of the damp air. Bayonetta also became slightly more serious, holding a gun, ready to attack the summoned demon at any moment.

Flames shot skyward with a roar, and a spider as tall as a person appeared within the magic circle. Its carapace was covered in crimson embers, and as it rubbed its forelegs, sparks carrying the scent of sulfur drifted out. The spider remained quietly within the magic circle; it wasn't some great demon, but merely a beast living in the abyss, possessing little intelligence.

Salomon had anticipated the weakness of the summoned demon, since it was only a second-level summoning spell, but he was still somewhat disappointed that he had only summoned such a small demon using werewolf blood.

"As expected." Salomon glanced at Bayonetta, who had relaxed again, and raised an eyebrow. "But she's too weak. I think she's obedient entirely because of my magic, not because of my magical power."

As soon as Salomon finished speaking, the magic circle erupted in flames again, and another abyssal spider emerged, lifting the first one up.

"Oh, two, that's acceptable."

Then another one appeared, making the magic circle a bit crowded. "Three spiders...is someone doing a thorough cleaning in the abyss?"

boom!

"Four! Do you need housekeeping services?"

Snapped!

"Five! You're all piled up together! Bayonetta, I need you to ask Lady Butterfly if she's doing housekeeping. Are these her spiders? This is a demon summoning ritual, not a garbage disposal service! Don't come any closer!"

"Squeak!"

"Six of them! Are you a family?"

"Squeak squeak squeak!"

"Seven! Stop, I'm going to send you back."

Suddenly, a giant scythe emerged from the magic circle, piercing through all seven spiders stacked together from top to bottom. A creature with metallic horns and a blue metallic sheen stood atop the magic circle, stepping on the spider corpses.

"Alright, now we've found the housekeeper. Looks like this is the one we need to summon. Those spiders must be its work. I doubt it's in a good mood, since it's at work." Salomon shrugged and asked Bayonetta, "What kind of demon is this?"

"Hideous," Bayonetta said casually. "A common demon."

The demon glanced around, then lunged at Salomon. But two whips made of sparks suddenly appeared, binding its hands and pinning it firmly within the magic circle.

"Alright, now we need to test whether my magic is effective." Salomon stretched out his hands and released his magic into the magic circle. The burning acacia oil slowly extinguished, and the magic circle was filled with golden magic. Immediately afterwards, three gleaming bronze shackles appeared on the hands and neck of the Hideous Demon, and despite the demon's struggles, they were forcibly fastened.

The sorcerer completely relaxed. He removed the two additional magic circles, and the Hideous Demon still stood obediently within the summoning circle. The shackles were a symbol of Salomon's magic, not actual shackles, but they were enough to control this demon.

Suddenly, the golden magic in the magic circle disappeared, replaced by a deep red magic, and a deep red hand with sharp nails emerged from the magic circle.

"Oh, F*uck! Do demons these days like to pay for their own travel expenses?"

Could you please update a little later tomorrow? I'm so sleepy; gastroenteritis is really unbearable.

(End of this chapter)