Chapter 72
Chapter 72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Violet and the Demon of Contracts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Still the first day of the weekend, at the hour when the clock struck 1 p.m.
Near the 1st Arena, where all sorts of chaos had unfolded, in the 3rd Arena, a witch of familiar form gripped her staff, focusing her mind on a target about 10 meters away.
⚙ Demon Declaration ⚙ "Very well! I am a demon of contracts, the devil who grants your heart's desire! So wish earnestly!" As the yellow rabbit-shaped demon shouted powerfully, Violet nodded with a resolute expression and began twirling her staff.
"...I, Violet Purplecrow, earnestly wish it! Burn that target to ashes!"
The staff came to a halt, its tip pointing straight at the target. At the same moment, an enormous surge of mana erupted from the yellow rabbit, transforming the air in the arena.
⚙ Demon Chant ⚙ "Uwahahaha!! Behold and tremble then! Hell's inferno──!!!" The mana, shaped by Violet's wish into a massive black flame that seemed ready to incinerate not just the target but the entire surroundings, surged toward the target.
Gulp. Violet tensed at the terrifying sight and swallowed dryly──
Whoosh!
"...Huh?"
[...Huh?]
Violet, who had even prepared a defensive spell in case of an explosion on impact, stared blankly as the enormous black fireball merely sparked like a flint and vanished upon hitting the straw dummy, leaving her feeling utterly deflated.
"...That was a success just now, right? It was huge! Amazing! So why was the power only flint-spark level?!"
⚙ Demon Explanation ⚙ "Th-that's because you're still unskilled! Focus your mind again! The power of Hell's twelve lords isn't so easily handled!" The day before, upon learning she had contracted with the mid-tier demon Al'Miraz, Violet had been shocked at first, convinced she'd been swindled.
However, after over an hour of Al'Miraz's sweetly kind, demonically polite explanations per the contract, she had convinced herself it might actually be okay. To be of immediate help when Arthin fought, she had skipped her weekend morning reports, reviews, and previews to train in wielding her new familiar's power.
That said──
"But we've failed over a hundred times already! This has to be weird no matter how you look at it!"
After repeated attempts since morning with not a single success, even Violet, with her low self-esteem, had to admit something was off. Especially since even pushing, slashing, or burning an enemy simply──things imp demons could do easily──were failing.
⚙ Demon Excuse ⚙ "I-it's a lack of earnestness! Didn't you see the massive mana I just unleashed?!" "...True, but... even so, all that mana for flint-spark power is too much..." "If you can't handle too much mana, it just dissipates like smoke! That's the risk of the demon of contracts clan! Don't you know almighty power comes with penalties?!" And though Violet didn't realize it, the true culprit was Al'Miraz, who was chattering away busily.
In truth, Violet's talent was quite good. The terrifying black fireball just now was the result of her talent and focus.
However, demons of contracts manifested their varied powers by realizing the contractor's specific imaginings. Al'Miraz's mana quantity rivaled a high-tier demon's, but its ability to control or shape mana was worse than a beast's──making it a power hard for the demon to handle.
Like a child ordered to swing a greatsword over 3 meters long. Naturally, failing even to lift it, yet the demon shamelessly shifted the blame to Violet.
"...Sigh, this is weird. It shouldn't be failing like this."
The demon's deception worked perfectly on Violet's low self-esteem. Thus, after morning training, she was mentally exhausted, her confidence eroded.
"In my past life, I handled even Mephistopheles's power skillfully later on... Is it because Arthin isn't helping...?"
Twitch! Twitch!
⚙ Demon Shock ⚙ "Y-you've contracted with Lord Mephistopheles...?" At Violet's murmur, Al'Miraz looked at her in startled surprise. If she could read that expression, she might have suspected everything so far, but Violet couldn't distinguish rabbit faces.
"...Yeah, thanks to Arthin's help. After snatching Solomon's ring from the enemy, he gave it to me."
⚙ Demon Panic ⚙ "S-Solomon's ring?! From that Arthin person?!" As Violet reminisced with a distant look, Al'Miraz's insides burned with anxiety.
Among countless mortals, those who over eons transcended to godlike realms and stepped into ascension were called constellations. Among them, the constellation of contracts, Solomon, was special to both demons and humans.
In the human world, hailed as the great magic king who birthed the first witch, Queen Sheba.
In Hell, the most great and ruthless human who subjugated all demons of Hell at the time.
To demons, Solomon inspired both terror and awe. And demons of contracts were said to have been created by Solomon himself. It was natural for Al'Miraz to tremble in fear.
'Solomon's artifact in hand, friend to Lord Mephistopheles... Just what kind of being is this Arthin Ludwig?'
Already, awe and fear sprouted in Al'Miraz's heart toward Arthin as a potential second Solomon. Worried about future rudeness, the demon struck the most polite pose a rabbit could manage and asked Violet.
⚙ Inquisitive Demon ⚙ "Um... that human, Arthin... what kind of person is he?" "Oh, you're curious about Arthin too?"
⚙ Demon Deflection ⚙ "Y-you've mentioned him so much, it piqued my curiosity. They say curiosity kills the demon!" Tilting her head as if wondering if she'd talked that much, Violet couldn't help smiling happily at the thought of Arthin.
"Well, Arthin's amazing. He's not strikingly stronger than others, nor strikingly smarter, yet he accomplishes the impossible when everyone else gives up."
'Turning impossible to possible... an almighty being...?'
"He's always kind and caring. At first, I saw him as a friend of a friend, but before I knew it, he'd burrowed deep into my heart."
'Demonic charm that infiltrates hearts... strong enough to enchant Lord Mephistopheles... what power...?'
"And he always seems so precarious, making you want to stand by his side and help. I think everyone feels that way, not just me."
'Leadership that draws people in... surely a great being with royal or imperial blood in the human world...!'
Unaware of Al'Miraz's delusions, Violet strangely felt her anxiety ease just thinking of Arthin. Always reliable, reassuring just to recall──natural, since she was in love.
"So when he confessed first and asked to date, I was over the moon. Now I'll work hard to be of help to him."
⚙ Demon Horror ⚙ "Indeed... he confessed first? Lovers...?" Al'Miraz, mulling over Arthin's greatness, made a shocked face at Violet's words.
"Hmm, dating? Hehe, more like engaged? He confessed so passionately."
At her lively, lovestruck reply, Al'Miraz recalled Mephistopheles's words before coming here.
-"Right. If you learn what Arthin is up to now, tell me. Hearing of my friend's tales is delightful entertainment for me."
...The face of a girl in love. Al'Miraz was certain the command's intent wasn't purely friendly curiosity. But engaged?
⚙ Demon Advice ⚙ "Engaged is too sudden, isn't it? Starting with dating slowly is healthy and beneficial for peers that age, I think." "Uh...? Healthy and beneficial dating...?"
⚙ Demon Sermon ⚙ "Miss Violet isn't an adult yet! Talking lifelong commitment like engagement is too soon!" As the panicked Al'Miraz lectured on healthy teen romance, Violet seriously wondered if she'd summoned an angel instead of a demon.
"True, it might seem sudden to others... I need to tell Grandma too..."
⚙ Demon Agreement ⚙ "Yes! Exactly! So start slow!" "But Lin Shaomei and Agnes Ermengarde started with engagements too... I can't fall behind! Yeah! Dating's fine, but since I didn't confess first like them, I'll just be extra good to Arthin!"
Al'Miraz barely suppressed blurting out, Who the hell are Agnes and Shaomei, you bitches? and thanked itself for the restraint.
'Just how many women has that guy claimed...?!'
As Al'Miraz tugged its rabbit ears in worry over how to report to Mephistopheles upon returning to Hell, Violet stood up refreshed.
"No more moping around sitting here──let's grab a drink! Want something, Al'Miraz?"
⚙ Demon Denial ⚙ "This isn't the time for drinks! What kind of situation is this...!!" "Rabbit, so carrot juice? A friend who loves carrots told me about this cafe with great carrot juice and carrot cake!"
⚙ Demon Surrender ⚙ "Carrot juice? I'm in." The rabbit's tiny brain, tormented to its limit, craved sugar. As Al'Miraz nodded vigorously, Violet scooped it up and headed to the cafe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The cafe 'Happy Time' near the student cafeteria was famed for its delicious carrot juice and cake, a frequent stop for the group with Unicorn.
⚙ Demon Delight ⚙ "Such a fine place! Carrot juice XL size, please!" "Hehe, got it. One carrot juice XL and one pumpkin juice L, please?"
"Yes, 4 silver."
After paying, as Violet looked for an empty seat while waiting for drinks, she spotted a familiar face at an outdoor table.
"Oh? Isn't that Arthin over there?"
⚙ Demon Alarm ⚙ "L-Lord Arthin?!" "Yeah, see that cute red-haired boy? That's Arthin!"
Al'Miraz, cradled in Violet's arms fantasizing about sweet carrot juice, slowly turned fear-filled eyes toward her pointing finger.
"..."
"..."
And at the end of that finger sat a red-haired boy awkwardly slurping deluxe chocolate milk across from a woman radiating unsettling holy power.
'...That's Arthin Ludwig? Looks like an ordinary human.'
Al'Miraz's assessment of Arthin Ludwig was thus. Yet awe and fear lingered. Possessing Solomon's artifact, friend to Lord Mephisto──one couldn't judge by appearances.
"They seem close, but did they fight? Atmosphere's weird."
⚙ Demon Query ⚙ "That woman across? Is she Shaomei or Agnes?" "No, that's Unicorn. Pureblood unicorn, contracted with Arthin."
Unicorn's just unicorn, what's pureblood mean? Al'Miraz thought but held its tongue. Besides, their vibe was too awkward for friends.
'Moreover, by this Al'Miraz's insight, that unicorn's gaze is no ordinary...'
That blushing side-glance. Not a friend's look, but a female eyeing her crush. Just how far did that man's powers extend, claiming three women and still loved by a unicorn?
"Hey, Al'Miraz. You're a demon of contracts, right? Can grant any wish."
⚙ Demon Confusion ⚙ "...Yes? Why suddenly?" As Al'Miraz pondered Arthin Ludwig again, Violet tossed an abrupt question, prompting a puzzled response.
"Arthin's face looks down... Can you cheer him up?"
Violet thought of the witch's blessing from old tales, using familiar power to bring light luck or happiness to a target.
She didn't know the situation, but their serious faces suggested a grave issue. A pure wish to surprise him with good fortune.
⚙ Demon Affirmation ⚙ "Hm, with pure desire and earnestness for a loved one, yes, possible." Al'Miraz nodded. Setting aside baseless confidence in mana control, the goodwill for a loved one felt through the contract was purer than Violet's hostility toward the dummy.
⚙ Demon Instruction ⚙ "Then call my name! I'll deliver modest happiness to Arthin Ludwig per your wish!" "Y-yeah! Got it!"
This time, success felt certain. Clenching her fist, Violet tossed Al'Miraz into the air and earnestly shouted her heartfelt blessing for Arthin.
"──Al'Miraz!"
Purple mana slowly enveloped the yellow rabbit at Violet's bright call. At this unseen reaction, both were convinced of success.
"Finally, success!"
Pooof!!
...And wrapped in light, Al'Miraz vanished in smoke before their eyes.
"Huh? Al'Miraz? Where'd you go?"
Did it fail and return to Hell? As despair set in──
-"Kyaaah! What is this! Arthin! What are you doing?!"
"That voice? Unicorn?!"
At Unicorn's scream from outside, Violet hurriedly looked out the window.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Kyaaah?! Why am I in this form in your arms!?"
"Arthin!! Don't tell me lust overcame you and you made a beastkin homunculus!! With me here, how could you!!"
──Suddenly appearing from thin air, a fluffy-furred rabbit beastkin made Arthin lose his sense of reality for a moment.
'What the fuck just happened?'
The beastkin of this world he knew were just humans with animal ears, mere pseudo-beastkin. So why did this one drop from the sky into his lap?
As incomprehension led him to wonder if it was a dream, Unicorn's full-force punch aimed for his face.
"Gah!!"
He barely dodged, but rolled across the ground, smashing the outdoor table to bits. Unjustly punched out of nowhere, he looked up aggrieved to see the yellow rabbit beastkin──like a female Bugs Bunny──screeching and covering herself.
"Where are you looking...! Staring through a naked woman like that! Are you a beast without shame, Arthin?!"
"No, what does nudity even mean for a fur-covered beastkin!"
"Kyaaah! Stop staring at my naked body! Pervert! Lecher!"
"I'm not some pervert getting aroused by beastkin like you, you crazy rabbit human! Who do you think I am, a bestiality freak!?"
As he yelled desperately, the shrieking yellow rabbit beastkin cowered as if scared of him, sniffling.
"D-don't be so harsh..."
At the same time, Unicorn gazed at him with inexplicably hurt eyes.
'What's wrong with Re even?! What the hell is this mess?!'
The once-quiet cafe turned into pandemonium, leaving him frustrated to the brink.
"...Big Brother?"
Then, a familiar voice called from behind, accompanied by a thud of someone collapsing.
Turning hurriedly at the voice and term, he saw Lin Shaomei tearfully staring at him.
'Fuck, this is insane.'