A Demon's Bet

I lay sprawled on Ji-yoon's lap, staring up at the warm glow of the Sanctuary Cradle. The girls were huddled together in a cozy circle, the pocket dimension shielding us from the biting night chill outside. No need for a stuffy tent when we had this perfect sanctuary.

Ji-yoon looked down at me, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow, you really found her. You've been through a lot, oppa."

I let out a small sigh. "Through a lot? The real hardship is only just beginning."

"So, what did the guild master say?" Si-eun asked.

I recalled my conversation with Lee Su-a.

"... So the guild master accepted your protection?" Ji-yoon asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. She accepted it."

Si-eun's voice grew worried as she listened to Lee Su-a's rather intense words. "The Hero seems incredibly determined to end this game. But that's not what you or any of us want..."

"Exactly. That's the biggest problem. Protecting the Hero so she doesn't die is one thing, but if she gets insanely strong later and actually slaughters the Demon King... that wouldn't be what I want either."

"If it comes to that, we could always do what Master mentioned before—cut off her limbs and keep her alive..."

I stared blankly at Ji-su. She quickly lowered her head, avoiding my gaze. Hmm. Well, Ji-su was never exactly a good girl to begin with.

I reached out and gently stroked her hair. Only then did her expression soften with relief.

"I did consider that, but... after thinking it over, it seems a bit risky. If I cut off the Hero's limbs and keep her alive, and then when the Demon King descends I can't handle him... we'd still end up losing."

"Ah... I see."

"No matter how you look at it, I can't lay a hand on the Hero. I just have to protect her so she doesn't die, help her build her strength, make sure she doesn't surpass the Demon King's power but also doesn't fall too far behind... Sigh. It's not easy."

"... It would be nice if the Hero agreed with our goals... but that's probably impossible, right?" Si-eun asked.

I shook my head. "Yeah, it seems difficult. The Hero is filled with incredible rage toward this game itself. It took away her only family—her sister and brother-in-law. All she wants is to make this game disappear as soon as possible. Though I suppose that's what most people feel, not just the Hero."

"I see... This really won't be easy."

I flopped back down onto Ji-yoon's lap. "Well, we have time. Let's not rush things. The Demon King will need quite a while before he can descend anyway. We'll come up with a good plan by then."

"Hmph. What a foolish idea. Trying to balance the scales between the Demon King and the Hero? It's absolutely impossible."

The cynical voice made me sit up from Ji-yoon's lap and turn toward its owner. Juniel flinched for a moment under my gaze, but quickly met my eyes head-on.

"If you have something to say, say it properly," I told her.

At my words, Juniel straightened her chest and continued boldly. "It's exactly as I said. Master's plan is completely ridiculous. The Demon King's primary goal is the elimination of the Hero. The Hero's primary goal is the defeat of the Demon King. You really think you can stand in the middle and mediate between those two, dragging out the fight without ending it? Do you honestly believe that's possible? Even if the sky falls, I don't think it could happen."

Why is she suddenly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠acting like this? Normally, Juniel wouldn't butt into our conversations like this. I looked at her with curiosity.

"What if I somehow change the Hero's mind and get her cooperation? Wouldn't that make it possible?"

Juniel snorted. "Change the Hero's mind and make her help with what you want to do? That's impossible. Let me make a prophecy. The Hero will eventually fight the Demon King. And in that fight, she'll lose her life to him. The game will end in victory for the Demon King's army."

Hmm? She's even throwing in some clumsy provocation? Seriously, why is she doing this? Fine. I'll play along.

"You really think so? Alright. Then I'll make a prophecy too. The Hero will change her mind and help me make sure this game never ends."

"Ha, as if that's—"

"Remember when we first met? I clearly told you that you'd end up pinned beneath me, whimpering and crying. And what happened? Weren't you pinned beneath me, whimpering and crying?"

Juniel flared up. "I-I wasn't crying!"

"Oh, really? Then let's say you weren't crying, just whimpering. Anyway, I'm the guy who made something you thought was absolutely impossible happen. You say this is impossible too... but I think I can pull it off."

"H-Hmph! This time it really won't work. Fine. If you're so confident, Master, how about a bet?"

"A bet?"

Ha. Juniel, who usually stayed quiet, had been unusually talkative today. So this was her goal all along? It was obviously a clumsy scheme... but kind of cute. I'd play along.

"What kind of bet?" I asked, looking at her.

Seeing my interest, Juniel's face lit up as she explained. "Exactly what we just talked about. You'll bet that you can change the Hero's mind and control her as you wish. I'll bet that it's impossible. The time limit... let's say six months. Simple, right?"

"Hmm, six months feels a bit tight, but... alright. Since it's a bet, we'll need stakes. What are you putting on the line, Juniel?"

"I... I'll bet my heart."

Bet her heart? What did that mean? I tilted my head. "Bet your heart? Explain in detail."

Juniel's expression grew serious. "As you know, Master, even though my body belongs to you, my heart never will. You know that, right?"

Of course I knew. I'd heard it before. Her body had no choice but to submit to me, but her heart belonged to the one she called 'that person.'

When I nodded, Juniel continued. "If you manage to change the Hero's mind within the time limit, I'll offer you my heart as well. I'll devote both my body and soul to you, serving and worshiping only you with complete sincerity. I swear this on the name of Junieles de Guz, former Third Legion Commander of the Demon King's Army. I will absolutely keep this promise."

Hmm. Offering her heart completely. I knew full well that Juniel's heart wasn't mine. Just look at her usual rude attitude. Was that any way to treat her owner? Of course, as her master I could torment and train her body however I wanted... but that would only push her heart further away.

Someone with Juniel's personality would rather have her heart completely shattered than give it to me. But precisely because of that personality, if I really won this bet, she'd throw everything she had into keeping her word. That was just how Juniel was.

Besides, changing the Hero's mind was something I absolutely had to do anyway. There was no reason for me to refuse this bet.

"... Alright. Sounds good. Then what if you win? If I can't change the Hero's mind within the time limit and you win, what do you want from me?"

Juniel's eyes sparkled. So this was what she wanted. That's why she'd interrupted our conversation and steered things toward a bet.

She stared at me for a moment before speaking. "... Give me freedom."

"... Freedom? You want to leave me and return to the Demon King's army? To that 'person'?"

Juniel shook her head. "Even if I left you and returned to him, that wouldn't be freedom. I'd still be your thrall, after all."

"Then..."

"Terminate the thrall contract."

Juniel looked at me with resolute eyes.

"... Do you understand what it means to terminate the thrall contract?"

"Of course I do. It means returning to death."

... Ha. So living as my thrall was that unbearable? Enough that she'd rather return to death? Considering Juniel's personality, I could understand it to some extent, but as her master, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I was definitely going to win this bet. I'd claim her heart too, and thoroughly reshape her mind until she found happiness in her life as my thrall.

I glared at her. "Fine. I understand. If you win, I'll do that for you."

In truth, I had no idea how to terminate a thrall contract. But if Juniel truly wanted it, I'd tear her body into pieces beyond regeneration and let her return to death. Since she wanted it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that badly.

But that would never happen. Because I would absolutely, without fail, change the Hero's mind.

At my answer, Juniel's face lit up with obvious joy. So things had gone her way? Seeing her look so pleased was honestly a bit annoying.

I spoke to the delighted Juniel. "As your master, I've accepted this bet according to your wishes. So until the bet ends, you will do your best to fulfill your role as my thrall. When I give an order, don't grumble with that rude attitude of yours."

"W-when have I ever been rude... Ahem. Understood. For the next six months while the bet is in effect, I'll do my best to help you, Master."

Juniel looked like she wanted to snap back but finally nodded. I stood up, looking at her.

"Good. Then let's get started right away."

"Started? What are we starting?"

Juniel stared at me with wide eyes.

"You agreed to properly fulfill your role as my thrall. And didn't I promise earlier? That I'd restore your stats to the 200 points you wanted."

Juniel's face stiffened at my words.

"What does it mean to be faithful in your role as my thrall? It means getting stronger quickly and being a big help to me, right? Isn't that right, girls?"

"Yes, of course, oppa."

"Master is right."

"Yes, oppa."

Si-eun, Ji-yoon, and Ji-su all answered in unison. How adorable they were.

Juniel stammered in panic, eyes wide with confusion. "W-wait, let's not rush—"

"Come on, let's hurry. I need to visit the shop too."

I smiled brightly at Juniel.

"Take it off."