So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Hell magic 'Corruption'.

As with all magic.

The more unfamiliar the concept, the more likely it is to be high-level magic.

However, 'Hell Magic' is quite distant from ordinary magic systems.

When you spread out all the magic in the world, it draws a picture like a spider's web.

If there is a tree called elemental magic, branches like fire, water, earth, and wind split from it.

But hell magic is different.

This is because it exists separately from the great trees that spread out centered on magicians.

Take hellfire, for example.

It's magic that spews terrible flames that burn everything.

It sounds like it would be in the same system as 'Elemental Magic: Fire'.

But in reality, it's completely different.

Even a magic layman would know.

That terrible conflagration.

The earth splits and hell appears.

Because you can feel the terrible magical energy as if the fire demon there is flicking its tongue.

'Corruption' also runs on a different track from ordinary mental magic.

There are those who study mental magic in the world.

Unfortunately for magicians.

And fortunately for everyone else.

Magic like 'complete brainwashing' that might appear in novels doesn't exist.

In other words, 'permanent and complete mental domination of an individual' cannot be achieved through magic.

If it could, a magician who mastered mental magic would have become the emperor of the empire.

Mental magic has more trivial effects than the terrifying impression its name gives.

However, Corruption is different.

So how does that magic work?

We can see it in the anecdote of the past grand mage Ebatium, who dealt with hell magic by contracting with demons.

Ebatium once encountered the Fire Altar Knights alone.

Thirty devout holy knights.

And one demon contractor facing them.

Given that the knights' holy magic was the antithesis of hell magic, Ebatium had no chance of winning.

There, surrounded, Ebatium used 'Corruption'.

According to the testimony of a farmer who observed it from afar.

The holy knights all 'went mad' at once.

Some dismounted and wept loudly, while others swung their swords at their companions.

And Ebatium took out a dagger and stabbed all the holy knights to death.

The next day, Ebatium also died.

That anecdote was clearly a true story recorded in history.

It was shocking even to magicians who knew about hell magic and 'Corruption'.

"You can't do something like that with Corruption magic alone. No matter how high the level of that magic might be. There must have been definite demon intervention."

Pelerian added that even after explaining the anecdote.

"Among hell magic, Corruption is typically a magic that has backlash on the caster."

Corruption is magic that can break down a person's mind.

It's possible to turn a devout priest into a madman who insults their god.

"Ebatium probably amplified his magic by contracting with a demon. Even so, he died because he couldn't overcome the backlash. The demon would have snatched up that stupid mage's soul."

Such terrible magic.

Isil used it.

I could understand what the 'backlash' was.

Pitch-black magical energy was generated around Isil.

However, Isil gobbled up that magical energy.

Is it because they're a rare magical beast called the Demon Hunter's Vine?

Being able to digest even the backlash of hell magic, isn't that too overpowered?

This talented plant!

Then what happened to the Margrave who was hit with Corruption lv1?

When someone who's already gone mad from having their head filled with turbid energy gets corrupted...

The Margrave opened his mouth wide and drooled.

His pupils were wide open.

I was so scared that I rushed to the Margrave.

'Wake up! Wake up!'

Isil, attached to the Margrave's head, happily shook their leaves.

I tried to lift the Margrave.

I hoped the Margrave would at least say 'ababa' or something.

But he wouldn't listen at all.

'Of course he won't listen...!'

No choice. Let's use the Crown of Connection.

Since he probably still won't listen, I tried using the Crown of Connection enhanced by consuming Majesty.

「The connection target's consciousness has been tainted by magical energy.」

「Magical energy is invading.」

「Due to the trait 'Indomitable', you are immune to mental attacks.」

What is this!

And to make matters worse, something strange happened.

「Temporarily 'perfectly connected' with the connection target.」

At that moment,

I felt completely unified with the Margrave's senses.

I just desperately wanted him to get up.

Crack!

To think the Margrave would suddenly stand up, breaking the ropes on his hands and feet.

'Uh, uhh...'

I felt dizzy.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Feeling like I might fall, I steadied my posture.

Then the Margrave really moved his feet to keep balance.

Wait, what did I just do?

Surprised, I touched my face.

The Margrave raised his hand and touched his face.

Only then did I understand the meaning of 'perfect connection'.

I made the Margrave's body move.

I can control the Margrave!

"Wh-what's happening!"

Dana and the others returned in surprise.

"Saaak!"

I said through the Margrave's mouth.

Meaning 'Can this be counted as humanization?'

==

"I am Margrave Sareb. I am the empire's ambassador and inspector-saat!"

Such pompous words erupted from Margrave's mouth, echoing through the chamber with an unmistakable hint of theatrical flair. His chest was puffed out like a proud peacock, and his hand gestured dramatically toward himself.

It was precisely the kind of grandiose line the real Margrave would proclaim, down to the exact wording - but the tone was completely different. Where the true Margrave's voice carried natural authority and calculated restraint, this impersonation rang hollow, like an amateur actor overdoing their part.

You could feel the snake's silliness radiating from every syllable and gesture. The way he swayed slightly as he spoke, the exaggerated emphasis on each word, the gleam of mischief in those borrowed eyes - it all betrayed the serpent's true nature beneath the stolen face. Moreover, the ending was the real problem. That childish "saat!" tacked onto the end of such a formal title - no proper imperial official would ever dream of using such a frivolous suffix. It was like watching someone try to pass off costume jewelry as precious gems, not realizing how obvious the deception was to any careful observer.

"Remove the exclamation mark."

"I am Margrave Sareb. I am the empire's ambassador and inspector, verily."

"What's with 'verily'?"

"I tried to make the tone more solemn-saat..."

"Just do what you're told."

"S-sorry..."

The Margrave, no, the snake apologized.

The snake was moving the Margrave. Moreover, it seemed able to manipulate his voice too.

"Ah..."

At that moment, the Margrave's slightly unfocused eyes regained their clarity.

"Ubaba?"

Though similarly foolish, his focus was definitely more scattered.

A paper fluttered up.

「Ah, battery died.」

The snake showed the miracle of controlling the Margrave like its own body.

But it seemed it couldn't maintain it for long.