After sending out Alterra, Yuna, and Acacia as Akashi had requested, he then casually mentioned that he had something to say.
“That… I have something to ask about the Demon. Is there any way to cancel the contract?”
“I thought you were about to say something grand, but it’s just this? In short, it varies. The Tiger Goddess sometimes breaks contracts without the contractor’s request, while the melted talisman means the contract can never be severed no matter what. As for the Beautiful Demon… well, I’m not quite sure. She’s unpredictable, acting based on her mood or the situation. Why don’t you try talking to her directly?”
Akashi shrugged, indicating there wasn’t much more to say, and gestured for him to leave. If his words were true and each case was different, I couldn’t be certain if the Demon would let me go.
Considering the interest shown in Alterra and me, it might be average, but it didn’t feel like it would end easily.
—Canceling the contract? What are you talking about, child? Haven’t I given you so much? Shouldn’t I receive something in return? Though I may have been a bit harsh… hmm. Anyway, isn’t a trial necessary in a relationship between a man and a woman? It’s more interesting that way… No, when it continues, it becomes more affectionate, doesn’t it?
Just look at how annoyingly intrusive she gets when interrupting with such remarks. She clearly has no intention of letting go. In the end, the only option left is to forcibly sever it.
First, speaking of gods, the gap is unimaginable. Even if I squeezed the souls of all the Demon Tribe and the Demon King, I don’t know what would happen.
—No, no. What are you thinking? Stop it. Are you planning to cleanse the contract with blood? You’re scarier than I thought. Just because they’re demons doesn’t mean they don’t feel sorrow. How can you think of them as mere walking reservoirs of magic? And contracts are made through mutual trust. They aren’t meant to be broken arbitrarily.
It was puzzling how lacking in faith someone had to be to cling so stubbornly. But after hearing the Demon’s explanation, I understood why she clung so desperately.
—…Three people. You, your lover whom you’ve dragged into this, and that old man who won’t last long. Do you understand now how precious you are to me? Then tell me, why do you want to leave me?
‘Don’t you already know better than anyone? All you’ve done is show us how our relationship will deteriorate, and keep making moves on Alterra.’
—Of course, there must be rifts in relationships between men and women. Is that the problem? Then stop it. So stop having such disrespectful thoughts. Do you know how painful it is to only see an old man about to die?
Though I felt some pity for her after taking so much from the Demon, recalling the dark language flowing from beneath that black lake erased any sympathy.
It might help in the short term, but looking long-term, it’s a relationship that needs to end. I wouldn’t let either Alterra or myself sink to the bottom of that lake.
‘…I’ll reconsider.’
Still, since there’s much to gain, maintaining it for now seems right. After protesting this far, the goddess should have regained her senses, so I decided to restore some decorum. While following Alterra might be too much, I should still have my own role to play.
Most importantly, I didn’t think the Demon would harm me. Given her personality, there’s a good chance she’s just enjoying watching us grow stronger.
—Yes, you’ve really thought it through. Now you’ve come to your senses. Don’t you need to become stronger? You can’t stay forever in the shadow of your lover, can you? Relationships must be equal. It’s wrong for one side to control the other.
She talks well, but ultimately, she’s saying she’ll take good care of things, so please don’t think of leaving. Since the promise has been accepted, hopefully, there won’t be any more incidents like earlier.
Frankly, it was pleasant. I was thrilled to learn that Alterra might have even a little interest. Still, I’d prefer it if she chose to act solely out of her own will, without being pushed by anyone.
“Why are you standing there quietly doing nothing? If you’re done, go. Hmm? Are you trying to settle everything here and now? Impatient guy. That can wait until later, can’t it? Go. You’re hindering my recovery.”
Akashi waved his hands more vigorously and opened a grimoire. Thinking I’d be kicked out immediately after asking, I was surprised when he smoothly answered while rubbing the spot where Yuna had hit him earlier.
“Hmph, I know their circumstances somewhat, and most importantly, those who served me ended up worse than death. Thus, I helped a bit since, unlike a goddess or Gaia, I had nothing to protect. The reason I’m not interfering now… well, it’s embarrassing to watch such pitiful beings.”
Pitiful? The Demon Tribe? I was about to ask what he meant when a flow of mana enveloped me. It was the same sensation as when Alterra and I were pulled out earlier.
Before I could react, I felt a soft sensation and turned around to see Alterra. I realized I was sitting on her thigh.
“…What? Hey, wait. Where did you come from… No, get off, you!”
“Eh? Mingho? When did you appear? You weren’t here just a moment ago…? Besides, what exactly did the two of you talk about? Why are you sitting on Alterra… oh…”
Before things got more awkward, I quickly got off Alterra. Since I hadn’t worn my armor and was in casual clothes, it made the situation twice as embarrassing.
“Hold on, one at a time. Sorry, Alterra. Akashi banished me with magic, and when I blinked, I was here. Yuna, I didn’t intend to sneak up on you. By the way, did you really call the priests?”
“Uh… yes? Then I’ll… actually, I didn’t call the priests. It seemed unnecessary. Should I call them…?”
“…Call them. We need to check both physical and mental conditions.”
There was no way you could survive unscathed after hitting someone with controlled force. Especially after receiving a furious blow from someone who could effortlessly draw a bow that even Alterra struggled with.
“That… you’re right. I underestimated that. Please wait a moment…!”
Yuna hesitated for a moment, startled by the obvious point, then rushed off to call the priests.
…Is it because Alterra is lighter that the floor didn’t crack when she ran? I properly apologized for sitting on her thigh, though it was unintentional.
“If… if you want to sit… you can… if you ask properly…”
Oh.
Um. This wasn’t planned here. Considering the location and the number of onlookers, it was inappropriate. Since Akashi seems fully recovered, we’ll be sleeping together soon… ah. Let’s do it then.
“…Later. Not here. In the room.”
Saying that, I politely got off Alterra’s thigh. Still, she’s surprisingly strong. Despite being heavy, she didn’t seem bothered. I’m not exactly light either.
“Eh, uh? Okay… got it…”
—
“Are you serious? Higher? Didn’t you hear me? It vanishes through the dimensions! That’s the end. Your plan for returning and our hopes will be lost.”
The woman gazed at the motionless blue-haired doll inside the transparent hemisphere and replied to the Demon King with an air of disbelief. The doll’s abdomen was noticeably swollen, signaling the presence of a child within.
“With the current level of mana, isn’t that impossible?” the Demon King retorted.
“The current level of mana? It sounds like you’re saying it’s insufficient. Landekrihen operates without wasting a single speck of mana. To pull more power here, we’d have to divert the mana intended for the great transmission device, which you’ve already used 10% of. Are you asking for more?”
“Well, forget about that. Instead, what if we use all my spare mana and the reserves collected by the previous generation?”
“…Are you really willing to give that up? Seriously? Didn’t you say during negotiations that you couldn’t part with it? That it was needed to regenerate the Motherland?”
“Ah, about that. With the help of a few nature deities, I believe the common folk’s mana could suffice. Though forcing faith upon them would be necessary… but if it means survival, then so be it.”
The woman frowned as she looked at the confident smile on the Demon King’s face. Why does this man keep changing his mind like flipping a coin?
At first, he offered external cooperation, then suddenly asked if there was any remaining space in Landekrihen. When space was made available through forced relocation, he declared he wouldn’t cause further trouble, yet calmly overloaded three mana cannons.
Now, he’s giving away something he swore he wouldn’t.
Unpredictable, Seung thought as he accepted the proposal.
“…Damn.”
He sighed deeply.
