"As you know, I've lived for hundreds of years. It's a long time to live for any creature. Not every demon can live past 100 years, just like humans. But I can live up to this age because I am a high-ranked demon." Morgbitt explained.
"So you think you will die soon?" Ben asked.
"It's not an assumption, it's a fact. You might not know that a magical creature like a demon can feel when their time is near. That sense will get stronger for a high-ranked creature or a strong mage. You will know it when you're old because you are strong, even for your age. You can still grow and keep getting stronger. So you will understand it in the future." Morgbitt said.
"But you won't know the exact time, right? After all, it's just a feeling." Ben said.
"It would be better if that was the case. Too bad that I know exactly when I will die of old age. A high-ranked demon like me has." Morgbitt said.
"When?" Ben asked.
"13 days, that's my time limit. So I have a selfish request for you." Morgbitt said.
Ben nodded.
"Can you stay until that time and bury me next to Audrey's grave. That's the only thing I can hope for. You can take everything here as payment." Morgbitt said.
"I will still do it even without payment, you know. We might've only known each other for 3 days, but you are my first demon friend. So I will fulfill your final wish. Besides, it will take time to explore this whole area. So 13 days is not a long time." Ben said.
Morgbitt's eyes widened when Ben said that they are friends. He never thought Ben would see him like that because he is a demon while Ben is a human. Their kind have always been at odds and have killed each other for ages, so it's very surprising to hear Ben consider him a friend.
"You sure are a strange human, kid." Morgbitt said with a smile.
"I don't judge someone based on their race and species, but by their attitude towards me. Just like what you said to me, not all humans are good and not all demons are evil. Everyone has a different personality and I can't judge everyone to be the same." Ben explained.
"You will be a great mage, kid." Morgbitt replied with a smile.
After that, they leave the cave and resume their exploration. Ben didn't take the magical items for now and focused on the exploration while Bella took a ring and put it on her tail because it was too big for her finger.
The ring was made from rainbow-colored crystals. It is shaped like a plain ring but it had an eagle carving on it. The ring has a usage to reduce the user's weight so it's very suitable for Bella and will help her fly easier.
They explore the mountains one by one with Morgbitt's guidance. There are many interesting spots but there's no treasure to take. Ben also fought some strong wild creatures that they encounter on their way.
Morgbitt is very impressed with Ben's strength and magic. Ben always used his Devil Slayer Magic in front of Morgbitt. He doesn't want to shock the old demon by showing him his Dragon Slayer Magic.
The Sun Devil Slayer Magic is enough to impress Morgbitt. And as an old demon, Morgbitt knew that there was only one demon who had Sun Magic in history. But he didn't ask Ben how he obtained his Devil Slayer Magic.
Everyone has personal secrets and Morgbitt didn't want to ask because it would ruin their friendship. Besides, he doesn't really care about it and just wanted to enjoy his final days. There was no need to think about anything difficult because he was about to die.
Ben also introduced Morgbitt to Wendy and Carla when he called them. Both of them were afraid at first, but they get along well because Morgbitt is very friendly. It's a good result because Ben wanted to teach them that they couldn't judge a book by it's cover.
Days passed and it had been 10 days since Morgbitt told them about his remaining days. He only had 3 days left now, but he is still as lively as before. But Ben knew that he was dying because A.I Chip had scanned his body and he was weakened significantly.
With Morgbitt's guidance, Ben and Bella can cover the mountain range faster. They finished covering it on the 11th day while it would take a month for them to do it by themselves. Now they have 2 days left to enjoy their time together with Morgbitt before he dies.
"Kid, you know about Devil Slayer Magic, but do you know about Curses?" Morgbitt asked.
"I know. In fact, I want to learn about it after finishing my journey." Ben answered.
"How long will it take?" Morgbitt questioned him.
"11 months. I need to finish this journey before I turn 17 and I've been gone for almost a month. So I still have 11 months left of this journey." Ben informed Morgbitt.
"That's too long. You need to use this journey to temper yourself and become stronger. So why don't you learn about Curses and train it along your journey?" Morgbitt suggested.
"Hmm, I think that's a good idea. But I don't know much about Curses. I only know the basics and don't know any spell or type of Curse. So I will need to make my own Curse from scratch." Ben said.
"Then, do you want me to teach you?" Morgbitt offered.
"Are you sure? Curses are a demon's secret technique, right?" Ben asked.
"It's not. Curses are never a secret technique. It's just that demons, especially Etherious are better at using Curses. Humans learned about it in the past, but they could never be as good as demons at it." Morgbitt informed him.
"Because it utilizes negative emotions?" Ben asked.
"That's right. Demons and humans have negative emotions. I know many humans that are even eviler than demons, but that's not the problem. The problem is that demons can control their negative emotions better than humans. That's why they can utilize Curses to the max." Morgbitt explained.
Morgbitt then started to explain Curses in more detail than the books. Clearly, the books can't explain everything like the user. Ben obtained more information about Curses in an hour from Morgbitt than his 6 books combined.
They learn the theory behind Curses later that day. Then they try some Curses out the next day. Morgbitt just used simple Curses so Ben understood what he was doing.
But even if the Curses were simple, Ben still had a hard time trying them. The biggest problem is controlling the negative emotions in his heart. It's not like he doesn't have negative emotions, but he can't control them and utilize them for the Curse.
"Don't worry. You will be able to do it if you keep training it. Try to meditate every day to control your emotions. It will help to not only control the negative but also positive emotions. That way, you can strengthen your magic too." Morgbitt said with a pale face.
Morgbitt sat on the ground with Bella sitting on his lap while playing with her goblin doll.
"Alright, I will try to do that. Tomorrow is the last day, I think." Ben said with a solemn expression.
"Yeah, that's why I want to enjoy this day to the fullest." Morgbitt replied.
"Do you have another wish before it ends?" Ben asked him.
"No, having friends at my side on my last day is enough for me. At least I won't be alone when I leave this world." Morgbitt answered.
Ben just smiled softly while Bella had a sad expression. There's nothing they can do, so they just keep him company. Morgbitt had waited for his death all his life so he can reunite with his wife.
They trained until the afternoon and Ben took Morgbitt to see the sunset one last time. That's the least he can do for Morgbitt before the old demon leaves this world. Finally, the next day, Morgbitt breathed his last at noon.
Ben buried his body next to Audrey's grave like he wanted. Bella cried in his arms because it was the first time she lost a friend. Ben was also sad, but he can hold his emotions in and part with Morgbitt while smiling.
"Goodbye, my friend. Our meeting was short, but you've given me a lot in our short time together. I hope you find happiness there." Ben said before walking away to continue his journey.