Contract with the Devil
“Hahahahahaha!”
Bail burst into even louder laughter. Then, instead of being crushed, he scooped up a forkful of the cake that had been mashed into a doughy mess and popped it into his mouth.
As he chewed, his brightening expression bloomed into a full smile.
“Mmm, this is a sweet potato cake infused with honey. The honey’s subtle yet exquisite flavor is perfect!”
“Ah, you recognize it…”
“And the unique richness of the sweet potato spreads across the tongue. Thank you for the fine gift!”
“Haha, it’s nothing. Ahem, Winz—go fetch another cake.”
I couldn’t let it end like this. It was supposed to be a gift, yet I’d handed over a ruined cake.
Winz pulled a sulky face.
“Yes… Hnnng.”
Once Winz left, Bail wore an apologetic look.
“Heh, there was no need for that.”
“It’s fine. More importantly, Lord Bail—won’t you reconsider?”
It was probably the most cautious question I’d asked since waking in this world.
Reconsider.
The worst possible choice.
Bail’s face changed. The cheerful expression clouded over in an instant. His eyes grew dull, as though they held every regret in existence.
“Have you ever lost someone precious? And in such a hollow way?”
Static crackled in my head. Noise flickered across my vision.
For a fleeting moment, someone appeared—a woman soaked in blood, smiling sadly at me.
What the hell? Winz? No… Wait, whose memory is this?
It was probably one of my old memories, but why did it look like this?
I pressed a hand to my forehead and answered.
“Yes. That’s why I decided to become stronger. Back then I was clumsy and powerless no matter what I tried.”
That’s how heroes worked. No one was born a hero. It was a fate decided only after meeting the right catalyst.
“I see. But power… it’s a rather ironic thing.”
“Pardon…?”
Clink.
Bail set his fork down, having finished the cake. His face was filled with nothing but remorse, as though this life held no more regrets for him.
“Very well. Will you follow me?”
“Where to?”
“The underground passage. Come along.”
I decided to follow him on impulse. After all, if he went off alone and died, I’d be screwed.
Still, the irony wasn’t lost on me.
I don’t even know his goal, yet I’m heading to his suicide spot with him. I have to talk him out of it!
I trailed after Bail. The moment we entered the dark underground passage, the atmosphere grew even more eerie. I didn’t flinch.
“By the way, you’re a hero?”
“Yes, though still a rookie.”
Only our voices echoed through the tunnel. His tone was surprisingly lively.
“Everything is difficult at first. Strange, painful… but once you push through, you can do whatever you want.”
“Haha, is that so.”
I shrugged. I hadn’t placed much meaning on becoming a hero. My goal was simply to live however I pleased. Heh.
Still, he wasn’t wrong. It had been the same when I became a hero.
“You look like a noble.”
“Not anymore. I left the family. Only temporarily, though.”
“Judging by the timing, isn’t the World Tree Conquest Festival coming up soon? Why leave? You could’ve lived comfortably.”
I quietly shook my head.
“There are plenty of things you can only learn by stepping outside. Experiences like that can’t be bought with money.”
“Hohoho, remarkable.”
“And I want to prove something. Who I am, and how the world should treat me.”
“The head of House Wednesday was quite the upright young man. Ah, he’s middle-aged now, isn’t he?”
“Well… yes. Haha.”
He was a middle-aged man, technically.
When I laughed awkwardly, Bail slowly nodded and chuckled as well.
“Like father, like son. Well, here we are.”
Being called a lion made me a little uncomfortable. I’d never thought of myself that way. I’d simply been lucky enough to inherit a good ability.
We stopped. Had we arrived?
I looked around. Even though it was an underground passage, the lights were all on. Of course, that was thanks to exploiting the dwarves cheaply. It was only possible because they were dwarves—if they’d been dwalves, there’d probably be bombs hidden somewhere.
I examined the faintly glowing walls and ceiling. High ceilings, wide passage. Nothing particularly special.
But across from us, the slightly wider corridor on the opposite side had several strands of light leaking through. The atmosphere felt completely different from the rest of the passage.
Looking closer, I spotted thick metal bars blocking the way.
Was that it?
“Don’t tell me you’re going to break through there?”
“I already did.”
“…What?”
“I’m just hesitating. If I open this, I don’t know what will happen. I worry a disaster might befall everyone because of me.”
He seemed genuinely conflicted. It was suicide, after all—only a monster wouldn’t hesitate.
I pleaded with him however I could.
“It’s not too late, sir.”
“It is.”
“No. The fact that you’re still hesitating means there’s still a will to live inside you. Am I wrong?”
“…I have no reason to keep living. Have you ever had a nightmare?”
Huh, sudden question. I didn’t think I’d had any proper dreams since waking in this world. I nodded anyway. I must have dreamed on Earth.
“Sometimes.”
“And how do you feel after a nightmare?”
“Relieved. Because it’s over.”
Bail smiled contentedly, yet his eyes looked utterly hollow.
“Mine never ends. When I close my eyes, it’s a nightmare. When I open them, an even worse one continues. This territory… this life… is nothing but shackles to me.”
Bail gave a bitter laugh. He mimed gripping a sword, then shook his head.
“I used to cut down anything in my path, yet I couldn’t sever my own weakness. Pathetic, isn’t it?”
“You can do it, sir. The candle of hope hasn’t gone out yet. For someone as upright and unwavering as you to be this tormented—I can tell how much you’ve suffered.”
Persuasion after persuasion. Bail hummed thoughtfully.
“I’ll only tell you this. I… made a contract with a demon.”
“What?!”
Why was a demon suddenly involved? And that line felt strangely familiar—wait a second.
Ziiing.
A faintly glowing red tattoo appeared on the back of Bail’s hand. Just like a successor’s mark.
“You’ve heard, haven’t you? My skills have declined quite a bit.”
“Sir, what on earth…?”
An ominous aura emanated from Bail—similar to a knight’s aura, yet something felt off. Too alien. This wasn’t the feeling of someone about to commit suicide. It was more like watching a person on the verge of pressing a button that would launch a nuclear missile.
Bail spoke in a gloomy voice.
“Now I’m certain. I’m going to erase this entire territory.”
“Sir, then…?”
“Hm? Didn’t you come knowing? Open that door and leave the rest to the monsters. Let those who dragged me and my daughter Justitia into the abyss dance together in hell!”
Bail cried out, his entire body trembling, eyes brimming with emotion. The man standing before me was no longer a gentle, upright elder. He was a vengeful spirit who had made a pact with a demon, carrying every grudge and hatred in the world.
He intended to annihilate the entire territory.
Damn it, so he wasn’t trying to kill himself? What the hell!
“No, shit! Are you out of your mind? That’s absolutely not—!”
“It is.”
“[Succession: Vista Galamein!]”
⟨ Succession? My section! O protagonist of light and darkness! ⟩
And the successor ability activated.
Vista Galamein? That crazy hero said to rival Yur Phoenixia?
A hazy figure appeared before Bail. When he swung his arm once, the figure dissolved into smoke and was absorbed into him.
Bail transformed, now clad in a refined silver robe.
I couldn’t understand it. Bail hadn’t been a successor to begin with. I found myself panting without realizing it.
How did he have successor power? This didn’t make sense!
I have to run.
For the first time in my life, my instincts were screaming at me to flee.
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists, refusing to be cowed by his presence. I shook my head.
No—I have to stop him. If this continues, everyone will die!
Bail, his hair now dyed red, slowly approached me. The shadows of the underground passage seemed to follow him like clones.
“Don’t worry. Once every hateful actor is dead, I’ll destroy the Life Tree last and die myself.”
“Bail…!”
I had to stop him. I had no choice but to stop him. I wasn’t prepared, and I was injured, but I had to. Even if it killed me.
Huff, tatatat!
I charged. Bail casually sidestepped.
I struck empty air and spun to face him.
[Origin Divine Art – Shunbo]
Whoosh, shashak!
In an instant I was behind him.
“Cut it out, you bastard!”
I poured energy into my fist and swung.
Or tried to.
Bail turned and slashed with his hand blade. The moment our attacks collided—
Baaang! Shish, shishashashashak!
Between my fist and Bail’s hand blade, several lines appeared. They sliced like blades, carving through my entire body in an instant.
“Aaaaargh!”
I was flung backward helplessly. The cold wall of the passage caught my body. Strength drained from my limbs.