Chapter 118: Advent of the Archdemon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 118: Advent of the Archdemon
‘Didn’t everyone oppose that, saying it was dangerous?’
[In this situation, it seems there is no other choice.]
Desmond’s tone was one of resignation, as if he, too, believed they were out of options. I nodded.
‘Fine. What do I have to do?’
[We will handle the process. Master, you must call upon the Archdemon the moment your body grows.]
‘What?’
[Only His Excellency can resolve this crisis! If it is you, Master, you should be able to summon him!]
‘But how am I supposed to—’
[There is no time! We are starting now, so keep your wits about you!]
As the needle touched my arm, Desmond shouted urgently. Simultaneously, something exploded inside my body.
“Ugh!”
Sensing the threat, the Empress Dowager hastily retreated. A low growl echoed from her shadow. However, I couldn't afford to pay her any mind.
“Gasp.”
I had no idea how the Body Growth Sorcery actually worked. I only vaguely realized that while the price was high, it didn't seem to require an immense amount of mana or physical strength to trigger.
“Aaaagh!”
An agonizing pain shot through my hands and feet. At the same time, my head began to spin.
You never said the growth sorcery would hurt this much! I cursed inwardly even through the pain. I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.
“Haa, haa…”
I looked down at my trembling palms. There, I saw hands that had grown larger, just as I had seen in my dream not long ago. They weren't quite as large as my adult hands from my previous life, but they were significantly bigger than before.
“What in the world…”
Even the Empress Dowager muttered in bewilderment. I didn't even glance at her as she stood there warily.
I tried to focus, letting the savage cries of the Ancient Demon fade into the background. The voices of the demons continued to ring in my head.
[Hurry, call him!]
[With your current state, Master, you can manifest Lord Lucifel!]
“Whew.”
Lucifel, the Archdemon.
The leader of the gem demons and the great demon who had contracted with the First Duke of Winston.
Listening to the demons' cries, I made a powerful wish in my heart. I had no gems, no magic stones, and no sorcery or magic formulas prepared. But my very existence was the symbol of the contract.
As one who inherited the Winston blood and contracted with the five gem demons, I was certain I could call the Archdemon.
Filled with confidence, I snapped my head up. I glared at the Empress Dowager and shouted.
“Archdemon Lucifel! I, a descendant of Winston and the contractor of the five gem demons, command you! Appear before me this instant!”
“...!”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes wavered. She seemed deeply shocked by the identity of the demon I had contracted with—something she hadn't even considered.
“The Winston gem demons? And the Archdemon Lucifel?”
The rumors surrounding House Winston were famous. It seemed the Empress Dowager knew a fair bit about them. However, since there hadn't been a Winston capable of contracting with the gem demons for a long time, she must have assumed the demons I held were of a different sort.
“Nonsense! That’s impossible!”
The Empress Dowager screamed and reached out toward me. Her eyes shimmered with an emotion I couldn't quite grasp.
“The Archdemon was a being even I couldn't dare approach! For a mere brat like you—no matter if you carry the Winston blood, you're nothing but a half-blood...!”
The Empress Dowager, screaming like a madwoman, began to change. The Ancient Demon within her shadow started to consume her body. As if synchronized with her rage, the pitch-black monster let out a thunderous roar.
“Aaaah!”
But the Empress Dowager couldn't reach me. She shrieked as if burned and recoiled. Crimson flames were scorching her body as it merged with the demon.
Is it Desmond?
Controlling fire was Desmond’s ability. That was my first thought.
But the sensation was different from the flames Desmond produced. It was an aura that defied description.
“The Archdemon...”
I whispered unconsciously. Then, a heavy voice filled the room.
[How unpleasant, for something so filthy to lay a hand on my child.]
“...!”
It was an incredibly low, dignified voice. Dollens’ voice was husky, but this was far more masculine and solid.
I really did summon the Archdemon.
With the realization of my success, the strength left my body. My knees buckled, and I slumped to the floor.
[Desmond, Demon of Death, greets Lord Lucifel.]
[Bibi, Demon of Envy, greets Lord Lucifel.]
I had never heard Desmond or Bibi speak in such a serious tone. Even as I struggled to breathe, I felt a sense of awe.
[You used the forbidden sorcery in the end.]
The Archdemon spoke with a hint of regret. It seemed he, too, disapproved of the Body Growth Sorcery. I barely managed to lift my head.
Like the other demons, the Archdemon appeared only as a faint, hazy form. In this world, demons could not maintain their true shape without a medium.
While the other demons resided in gems, the Archdemon had no such vessel. Yet, his presence was so overwhelming it felt suffocating. I swallowed hard, my nerves on edge.
“Please... help. The Empress Dowager...”
I spoke through my trembling. The Archdemon’s hazy form drifted closer to me.
[Do not exert yourself so. That filthy thing can never harm you. Child from another world.]
“You... you know I’m a possessor...?”
[Of course I know. For it was I who brought you here.]
“...!”
My eyes widened at the Archdemon’s words. I stared at him in disbelief.
“What does that... then, my death was also...”
[No, your death in that world was an unchangeable fate. I merely took a soul that was meant to be reincarnated.]
“Why would you do such a thing...?”
[It was what my contractor desired.]
“Contractor? The one contracted with you now is...”
But I soon understood the meaning behind his words. A flash of realization hit me, and my lips parted.
“Could it be... the First Duke of Winston?”
[Indeed. He is long dead, but the contract remains.]
“Ha, then... was I just being used by all of you?”
Anger surged through my aching body. Trembling now for a different reason, I glared at the Archdemon. A low chuckle escaped him.
[Heh, used? If that is how you feel, then I suppose so.]
“You... you jerk...”
[But the result isn't so bad for you, is it? Since your wish has been granted.]
“My wish?”
I frowned at his words.
A wish. Something I had wanted all along.
Something I had never told anyone, something I couldn't even tell the person involved before I died—a secret I alone held.
To think the Archdemon knew it. I stared at him with trembling eyes.
[Yes. Did you not wish to be happy with your mother?]
“That’s... but, Veronica is...”
Veronica isn't my mother.
I couldn't bring myself to say the words, but the Archdemon seemed to understand perfectly. His leisurely voice continued to echo in my ears.
[To think you still haven't realized. I suppose it makes sense, as that child lost all her memories, unlike you who retained yours perfectly.]
“No way... no way... Veronica is...”
I couldn't breathe. I gasped, reaching up to claw at my constricted throat. My mind was a mess.
No, even for a demon, such a thing shouldn't be possible. But he's the Archdemon. If he brought me to this world, why couldn't he do the same for Mom?
But if that's true, then Mom...
“Did Mom... die?”
[...]
“Did Mom... die there, too?”
Before I knew it, hot tears were streaming down my face. The Archdemon’s form became even hazier than before. Yet, I forced my eyes wide and stared at him.
[If you cannot believe it, I shall show you myself.]
“Ah.”
With the Archdemon’s words, the world before me turned pitch black.
Unable to bear it, I squeezed my eyes shut.
*
‘This place is...’
I was standing in a space that was both foreign and familiar.
My vision gradually cleared. The surrounding scenery came into focus.
The large house felt desolate and cold. The bleak home, devoid of any furniture, was the place where I had lived in my previous life. It was so empty that I didn't recognize it at first.
‘Mom!’
Soon, I saw a familiar back. Having found my mother, I hurried toward her.