Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Indefinite Contractor Receives Compensation (4)
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“Daniel. It worked!”
“Congratulations, Daniel.”
Titania and Elena, who had been waiting, welcomed Daniel warmly.
She must have been worried about the possibility of failure, but thankfully, everything had gone smoothly.
“So you're the demon who contracted with Daniel.”
Titania turned her gaze to Gorgo perched on Daniel's shoulder.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Titania, Daniel's superior. Looking forward to working with you, demon.”
“Looking forward to it, huh...”
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing. It's just... this situation is a bit amusing.”
Gorgo glanced back and forth between Daniel and Titania.
“I've heard about it from my master, and even seeing it with my own eyes, it's hard to believe. White mages and black mages, who used to be too busy labeling each other enemies and fighting, are not only working in the same organization but actually getting along. It's truly astonishing.”
“Heh heh. Is that so?”
Titania laughed.
More than anything, she liked Gorgo's remark that she and Daniel got along well.
“To change this much in just a few hundred years. Humans really are fascinating.”
“I told you, Gorgo. I'd show you all the fun stuff.”
“Heh heh. Indeed. Looks like this summoner is a winner.”
“Were there duds among the masters?”
“A few idiots tried to use me as a slave.”
“Idiots.”
“Yes, total idiots. My master is the opposite case, so I'm quite relieved.”
Gorgo nodded in satisfaction for a moment before asking Daniel.
“Master.”
“Yeah?”
“I'd like to see that promised reward now.”
“Ah, that? Of course.”
Daniel turned his gaze to the side.
“Elena, Grade 5?”
“Yes. Please wait a moment. I'll bring it right away.”
Elena left the room briefly.
When she returned, she was carrying a box.
She set the box down and began carefully placing its contents on the table one by one.
They were bundles of ancient documents reeking of dust and mold.
“Ooooh!”
Gorgo flapped its wings excitedly and hopped onto the table.
Gorgo's red eyes sparkled like stars as it peered down at the ancient documents.
“Incredible! The scent is intoxicating! A delicious aroma you could never savor in the demon realm!”
Gorgo buried its head in them.
Not in the documents themselves, but to devour the knowledge written upon them.
Gorgo's expression as it deciphered the ancient script on the yellowed parchment was... indescribable. In a word, ecstatic. Like,
'The face of a chicken high on drugs is precious.'
Daniel shook his head.
'Doesn't matter. The important thing is that Gorgo loves it.'
Watching Gorgo go wild with joy in its scholarly frenzy, Daniel recalled some knowledge he'd seen recently.
The demon encyclopedia in the Infinite Archive had this to say about demons:
『Demons are born with an innate thirst.』
『The ways to quench this thirst vary.』
『Some demons feed on human mana.』
『Others on human souls or life force.』
『While some satisfy it purely with blood and violence, others, much like humans, relieve it through music or reading.』
『If you wish to contract with a demon, you must understand their inclinations well.』
Among the countless demon inclinations listed in the encyclopedia, the entry for the demon Basiliskos noted a thirst for knowledge—and it was spot on.
Gorgo devoured everything in sight like a starving beast.
The only difference was that it was eating documents—or rather, the knowledge inscribed on them—not meat.
“Hmm?”
“What's up?”
“Something's off. The script is definitely from the Pallion Kingdom 500 years ago... but there are too many unfamiliar words. Dialect, maybe?”
“Wow.”
“Amazing. You can even tell that?”
Daniel and Titania let out exclamations of admiration.
Translating ancient documents in real-time at the speed of reading a book in its native tongue.
The more they watched, the more impressive Gorgo's knowledge and abilities seemed.
“Do you know where this was found, Master?”
“Hold on. Elena, Grade 5?”
“According to the records, it's from ruins near a lakeside in the Portina region.”
“Lakeside? Then it's probably southern dialect. Anyone know that dialect? If we pin down the dialect, I could translate the whole thing.”
“Elena, Grade 5.”
“I'll put out a request immediately.”
“That's what she said.”
“Splendid!”
Gorgo flapped its wings vigorously.
“When can I meet them? I'd love to see them right now!”
“Calm down, Gorgo. These things take time. Just wait a bit.”
“Wait? How long?”
“Who knows?”
Daniel pointed to the other ancient documents.
“At least until you've gone through all those, I bet.”
“...! Right. They're so delicious, I forgot. Plenty more to read! Thanks for the reminder, Master.”
“No big deal.”
Gorgo's eyes shifted to the other documents.
The three watched with pleased smiles.
Unaware that each was smiling for different reasons.
Gorgo sat atop the ancient documents, humming a little tune nonstop.
Its chicken-foot talons flipped through the pages as it devoured them, looking just like a student totally absorbed in studying.
The only difference was that this one was so excited it showed no signs of stopping.
“So this is research on magic stones and notes on the mines where they're extracted?”
“That's right.”
“Wait. Does that mean there was a magic stone mine there?”
“If the notes are accurate, it was quite large.”
“Wow. We need maps from that era. What's the research about?”
“The manufacturing method for core stones used in golem production.”
“What the—high-level intel keeps pouring out. Hold on. I'll grab a new notebook.”
“Bring something to drink while you're at it.”
“Got it.”
It was late at night, with the moon high in the sky.
All the staff had long since gone home.
Daniel was the only one left in headquarters, pulling an all-nighter.
Anyone who's worked while others sleep or rest knows.
How tedious and frustrating overtime can be.
Most people grumble and scowl through it, but Daniel was different.
Just seeing the volume of documents Gorgo hadn't read yet meant all-nighters were a given.
Yet even as he helped Gorgo with the extra work, smiles kept creeping onto his face.
'If overtime's this fun, I could do it for days.'
Daniel hated overtime too. Who in their right mind likes it?
But when there's a reward, it's a different story.
Daniel thought back to his time in the north, where he'd volunteered for overtime just to indulge in marshmallows as a reward.
This was no different.
He watched Gorgo immersed in deciphering the ancient documents.
'Worth flexing for that demon possession spell.'
Daniel had burned through a hefty amount of magic stones for this contract, but he didn't mind.
He had a desperate reason to shell out big for a high-class demon like Gorgo.
First: bolstering his forces.
The northern dispatch had ended without injury, but it wasn't without crises.
This job made him realize he needed to strengthen his lineup, and for a black mage, there's only one standard way.
Contract with a powerful demon.
But high-risk, high-reward gambles weren't Daniel's style.
He wanted guaranteed returns, even if pricey. His research pointed to one perfect match.
Demon possession contract.
That's why he'd dug into related info in the Infinite Archive.
Second reason: to blow through magic stones.
Sounds crazy, but it was serious for Daniel.
“Daniel, got any spare magic stones? Just a tiny bit short for this research.”
“Invest in my family, and I'll pay back double later.”
“I'm in a pinch here. I'll repay you for sure. Come on... don't you trust me?”
'Damn. Intense. It's not like I left them with me or anything.'
He got mages approaching for the sweet magic stones.
But outright going 'gimme magic stones, nom nom' like this? No way.
He couldn't fathom their thinking and didn't want to.
'That's why lotto winners hide their wins.'
Daniel learned this unwanted lesson firsthand and made a decision.
If there's a problem, eliminate the cause. So, get rid of the magic stones!
With that, he bought all materials for the demon possession contract with magic stones instead of cash.
Total spent: a whopping 10kg.
Mages eyeing his stones would wail and gnash their teeth at the madness, but Daniel didn't care.
'So what? Crime to spend my own money? Nah.'
Easy come, easy go—not a huge loss.
Though he had no plans to waste the rest like that.
Third reason. Actually, the biggest one.
'Damn, it gets work done. Good. With those skills, office work's no issue.'
For office duty.
More precisely, for his health.
'Didn't expect my stamina to drop this much.'
The northern dispatch drove it home. His stamina wasn't what it used to be.
In his twenties, he could handle business trips, camping, all the hardships.
But in his thirties? Different story.
He'd felt the strain vaguely before, but the expedition confirmed it.
All because age caught up, stamina declined.
'Can't fight age, huh? Spot on.'
He'd thought he managed his health decently, but age wins.
His takeaway: one thing.
'Gotta take care of my body from now on.'
First word that came to mind: overwork.
Not quite at 'death' yet, but health isn't something you control on a whim.
Neglect it, and it tanks fast, sending you to the grave.
Daniel knew this better than most. So he'd cut back on winter field trips, stick to Magic Tower work.
Problem: office work needs specialist skills.
Daniel lacked those skills—and time to learn them.
But he had something else.
Money (magic stones)!
And money solves most problems with absolute power.
'Can't fly? Buy a plane.'
No office skills? Hire a partner with them—for a price.
Daniel dubbed the solution 'demon possession contract.'
“You madman! You blew magic stones like water just to stay healthy and do demon possession?!”
Other mages would scream that and hurl stones at major league velocity.
But Daniel stood tall.
“Only those who've experienced death by overwork may cast the first stone.”
Death by overwork survivor.
One-of-a-kind achievement holder.
For such a Daniel, overwork and health were top priorities.
Mage circles, fame, promotions, wealth? Secondary.
A man who could spend big to dodge overwork and guard his health without hesitation.
That's Magic Tower Indefinite Contractor Daniel.
“Drink up, Gorgo.”
“Hm? What's this?”
“Coffee. Best drink for all-nighters.”
“Oho. Nice aroma and flavor. This what modern humans drink? More knowledge gained.”
“Glad you like it. So, what's in that one?”
“Diary of some mage. Big fan of Grand Archmage Shirona, apparently. Wanted to replicate her signature spell but couldn't, so settled for a downgraded version.”
“...Any magic formulas written down?”
“No. But it lists the theories and spells combined.”
“I see... Thanks, Gorgo.”
“Hm? For what?”
“You'll see.”
Daniel smiled, preparing to jot down the new info Gorgo shared into his notebook.
Thinking he'd spend the cold, snowy winter cozy in the office.
And so time passed... winter arrived.