Chapter 7: Demon of the Gem (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: Demon of the Gem (2)
“Hmm.”
I stared intently at the object that had fallen to the floor. Perhaps because the room was so dark, I couldn't see it clearly.
Groping along the floor, I reached out toward the faint red glint.
Clack.
I think this is it...
I muttered to myself as I scrutinized the bracelet I’d picked up.
This was the bracelet Veronica always wore on her wrist. It had appeared in the original novel as well, introduced as an heirloom of the House Winston.
However, this bracelet hid a massive secret.
‘To think a demon is sealed inside this.’
A demon.
Literally an evil being, an inhabitant of the Demon Realm.
In most romance fantasy novels, demons are usually portrayed as wicked and terrifying entities, but things were a bit different here.
Beings from other worlds, like demons and angels, cannot interfere directly with the human world. Thus, angels established temples to gather followers, using their faith as energy to manifest.
The demons were the same. When they were pushed out by the temples and couldn't gather followers, they devised a different strategy.
They made contracts with humans to manifest their forms in this world.
The Winston family, in particular, had needed the power of demons to survive in the barren Northern Region. The First Duke had made a contract with an Archdemon and was able to command its subordinates—one of whom was currently slumbering inside this bracelet.
‘Even so, that contract was made a very long time ago.’
The conflict between angels and demons was also ancient history. By the start of the original novel, that war had long since fizzled out, with demons staying in the Demon Realm and angels in the Heavenly Realm.
The demons sealed in gems due to the contract with the First Duke were the only ones who had ended up in a pitiful state.
‘In the original story, Veronica—driven by her obsession to harm Gloria and Marianne—eventually releases the demon sealed in the bracelet...’
Having contracted with the demon, Veronica uses its power to try and eliminate the two of them. Of course, she fails because of the male lead.
Looking down at the bracelet, I let out a sigh.
Rather than letting Veronica walk the path of ruin by contracting with a demon, it would be much more efficient for me to take the contract and put the demon to work for my own ends.
But...
‘How do I call it out...?’
The novel never detailed exactly how Veronica managed to release the demon and succeed in the contract. It simply described her as reaching the heights of wickedness after making the deal.
It was a relief that I’d secured the bracelet while everyone was asleep, but what came next was the problem.
“...Come out?”
Just in case, I lowered my head and whispered close to the gem.
“Come out, demon?”
Nothing happened. I didn't give up and continued.
“Demon? Mr. Demon? Lord Archdemon?”
Still, nothing happened.
“...”
Should I just give up? I muttered inwardly, staring seriously at the bracelet.
To make matters worse, sleepiness began to wash over me. This child’s body, awake in the middle of the night, was demanding rest. My head grew heavier and heavier.
“Ah...!”
I dozed off for a second, my head dropping forward before I jerked back up.
Ugh. My lips had even brushed against the gem in a sticky, unpleasant way. I raised my hand and rubbed my lips vigorously.
It was then.
[Hey, was it you who woke me up?]
“Huh...?”
[Hahaha! The Great Demon Desmond has arrived!]
“...?”
A booming voice suddenly erupted from the gem. Startled, I looked around.
Fortunately, no one else had woken up from the sound. I hurriedly gripped the gem tight.
“Hey, shut up.”
[Gah...!]
“Do you want to die? Be quiet.”
[It hurts, it hurts! Gently... okay...! I—I understand...]
As the voice faded to a whisper, I relaxed my grip, satisfied. Then, I heard a faint sniffling sound.
[Sob... It’s not like anyone else can hear me anyway, since I’m echoing inside your head...]
“Oh, is that so?”
[You’re mean, you’re really mean! Sniff, sniff...]
“...”
Was this really what a demon was like? He seemed like such a crybaby.
I’d told him to shut up out of panic, but I hadn't expected him to be this terrified.
‘It’s true that the gem is his weakness.’
A red gem, a garnet.
The demon trapped inside was essentially one with the stone. According to the setting, any harm done to the gem was inflicted upon the demon itself.
That was why, in the original story, when Veronica was executed and the gem was shattered, the demon perished along with it.
“You. You’re a demon, right?”
[That... that is correct. This great one is an Archdemon...]
“You’re not an Archdemon. Why are you trying to scam me?”
[...I’m sorry.]
The Archdemon had contracted with the First Duke. There was no way a subordinate sealed in a gem would be an Archdemon. I looked down at the gem with cold eyes.
“If you lie again, I’m leaving. I won’t make a contract with you.”
[Wha—what? Wait! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve met a potential contractor!]
“Then you’ll listen to me, right?”
[Ugh...]
This demon’s name was Desmond.
Given that Veronica had lost even after contracting with him, he probably wasn't a particularly impressive demon. Still, he would be useful. For instance, he could send a letter to the Ducal Family while avoiding the male lead’s eyes.
“You’re taking too long to answer. I guess the contract is off—”
[Wait, wait! Just a moment!]
“What?”
[Ugh... Fine. I will follow your every command! In exchange...]
“In exchange?”
[Give me a physical vessel to manifest in! It’s too suffocating inside this gem...]
“Hmm, manifestation.”
Come to think of it, Veronica used to carry the demon around by putting it inside a cat. But I couldn't exactly go out and find a cat carcass right now.
Looking around, I spotted a teddy bear nearby and picked it up.
“How about this?”
[What is that...! Isn't that just a stupid-looking stuffed doll!]
“This is all I have right now.”
[I refuse! Not that thing!]
“Really? Then it’s a shame, but the contract is—”
[Aaaah, wait, wait a second...]
The sound of his whining echoed in my head. I pressed a hand to my throbbing forehead.
After a moment, a completely defeated voice spoke again.
[...Fine. That bear... doll is fine.]
“Good.”
[But you must...! You must change my body later!]
“Hmm, sure.”
Well, I didn't specify a deadline. When I’d change it would be up to me.
I swallowed my true thoughts and nodded. A sense of satisfaction radiated from the gem.
[What is the contractor’s name?]
“Yu... no, Claudia.”
I almost blurted out my name from my previous life and hurriedly corrected myself.
Then, a cheerful voice shook my mind.
[Very well, Claudia! My name is Desmond. As your contractor, I shall fulfill everything you desire!]
Flash!
As soon as Desmond finished speaking, the gem glowed a deeper red. Simultaneously, a cluster of light burst from the gem and was sucked into the teddy bear.
‘The bear got redder.’
The teddy bear, which was originally a light brown, felt like it had taken on a reddish tint. I scrutinized the doll and slowly opened my mouth.
“Is it done?”
[It is!]
“Oh...”
The teddy bear sat bolt upright. Then, it waved its arm at me.
A moving teddy bear. It was a bit creepy, but also cool. I watched the doll inhabited by Desmond with intrigued eyes.
“Then what about this gem?”
[Even if my body has changed, my essence is still that gem! I would like my master to keep it on her person and protect it at all times!]
“I see.”
I nodded and stroked the bracelet. As if responding to my touch, the gem let out a low hum.
“Mmm...”
“...!”
Just then, Veronica, who was sleeping in the bed, shifted.
There was no more time. I lowered my head and whispered quickly.
“I’m sorry to do this right after the contract, but there’s something you need to do.”
[What is it, Master?]
“It’s...”
And so, in the dawn while everyone else slept, I, having secretly contracted with a demon, quickly relayed my instructions.
*
“My little Dia, it must be so stifling for you to stay in this room all the time, isn't it?”
“Mmm-mm.”
I shook my head as I scooped up some ice cream that had been served for dessert.
Veronica looked at me pityingly and stroked my hair.
“It’s okay. You’ll be able to go out soon.”
“When?”
“That’s...”
Veronica couldn't readily answer my question.
It had been about three days since we were confined. Perhaps because of her many worries, Veronica’s face looked more haggard than before.
However, I wasn't particularly worried. Wasn't that why I was comfortably stuffing my face with dessert?
Even though that jerk of a male lead was keeping us here against our will, the meals came regularly and were delicious. I was quite satisfied with that part.
“Really, very soon... Huh?”
Suddenly, it became very noisy outside. Veronica, who had been squeezing out words to reassure me, widened her eyes.
They’re finally here.
I set my spoon down and let out a secret smirk.