The Demon and the Witch (3)
The Demon and the Witch (3)
“Condition?”
“Yes, a condition.”
“This is a trade where each gives and receives what they want. It’s a simple exchange, so what condition could there be?”
The contract about to be made was not skewed to either side. It was a fair exchange, nothing more. Yet she mentioned a condition. It was something Johan found hard to accept.
“It’s simple. I want to change the item in the trade. That’s my condition.”
“Instead of the Key to the Abyss, you want to receive something else?”
“That’s right.”
“What do you want?”
Illea smiled brightly.
“Release my father’s soul.”
Johan furrowed his brow without answering.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not a baseless demand like earlier. It’s literally just a clause change.”
Just a moment ago, Illea had told him to show sincerity if he wanted to trade with her. Her demand was the release of Gaf’s soul.
It would have been an unacceptable request.
Now it was different. She wanted her father’s freedom instead of the Key to the Abyss.
“Is it possible?”
Johan tapped the round table lightly with his index finger. Lost in thought, he finally opened his mouth.
“Impossible.”
Illea showed a strange smile.
“Are you afraid of me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with being cautious.”
The moment Gaf’s soul was freed, the leash controlling Illea would also disappear.
What would a free witch do?
She might torture Johan to find out the location of the Forbidden Archive. She might also force him to come under her.
He had prepared countermeasures, but it would come with heavy losses.
He would have to open the jewel box he brought from the Forbidden Archive.
The jewelry chest of the Great Witch Rahel. The moment it was opened, it could entrap Illea. Of course, it would shatter their relationship, turning them into irreconcilable enemies.
It was not a wise choice.
“You understand well. It’s a matter of life and death for me.”
“Knowing that, you continue to make unreasonable demands.”
“I can’t help it. It’s extremely important to me as well.”
Johan frowned, clearly annoyed.
“I have no intention of letting Gaf go. Even if it means this deal will fall through.”
“You’re quite firm. Fine, let’s find a compromise.”
Illea pretended to think for a moment, then clapped her hands softly.
“What if I take my father’s place?”
“What are you saying?”
“My father is bound by the contract to protect you. I will take over that obligation.”
At the unexpected proposal, Johan’s lips curled with interest.
“You will protect me?”
“That’s right. I will become your demon contractor.”
“I don’t particularly mind.”
No, it was rather good. The girl before him would one day rise to the pinnacle of this world. To be protected by such a person while also binding her with the shackle of a “contract” was beneficial.
Johan had no reason to refuse her proposal.
“One thing bothers me. I don’t understand why you would go this far.”
“As a daughter, my father should be my top priority. You may call it the hypocrisy of an unfilial child.”
She had come to the lord’s castle under the guise of being kidnapped, bringing despair to a father who lived only for his daughter.
The reason Gaf made a contract with the demon was, ultimately, because of Illea.
Was the witch feeling guilty about that?
It was hard to clearly read her true intentions.
“This is quite unlike a witch.”
“You seem to know witches well.”
“They are a race that seeks practical gain above all else. I can’t see that in you right now.”
“Who knows? This may also be connected to practicality.”
She paused briefly before adding.
“Now, Johan, please give me your answer. Will you accept my proposal?”
Johan fell silent, lost in thought.
‘Suspicious.’
What scheme was hidden behind that innocent smile? Having read the original, he found it difficult to lower his guard.
“Fine.”
But this was an opportunity. It felt unpleasant, but he could not kick away a pumpkin that rolled in on its own.
Johan decided to boldly take the dangerous shortcut.
“I will annul the contract with Gaf.”
Illea curved her lips in satisfaction.
“I am now Johan’s guardian.”
“Come closer.”
As Johan beckoned with his index finger, Illea stood from her seat and moved close to him.
Blue eyes and crimson glows stared into each other. Their gazes flickered to peer into each other’s hearts, but outwardly, they remained calm.
“I will annul the contract with Gaf. From now on, you will protect me, and provide the mana and sacrifice needed for the heretic array. The collateral will be your soul. Do you agree?”
“Before that, let’s clarify one thing. When will my father’s soul be released?”
To annul the contract, mutual agreement was necessary. He would have to face Gaf to finalize it.
“A week should be enough.”
“Alright. Let’s make the contract.”
At the same time, black smoke rose from Johan’s body. The haze rippled in the air and entered Illea’s breathing passage.
A foreign sensation settled in both of their chests.
If the promise was not kept, the miasma lodged in their hearts would take their lives.
“We are now on the same boat.”
Illea extended her hand for a handshake.
“So it seems.”
Johan grasped her white hand.
“When can I expect to see Betra on the heretic array? The sooner, the better.”
Activating the heretic array was directly linked to Johan’s growth. If possible, he wanted to urge her to hurry and get to work.
“I will bring her within the day.”
It was an answer to his liking.
Johan said with a satisfied expression.
“Then tomorrow, I will have the Key to the Abyss ready.”
“You’re giving it for free?”
A look of doubt crossed Illea’s face.
She had chosen her father’s soul’s release over the Key to the Abyss. Though she had become Johan’s guardian in the process of changing the trade item, that was only a preceding step to modifying the contract.
The original trade item, the Key to the Abyss, had been erased from the contract.
“There is no such thing as free in this world. The Key to the Abyss will be the price of a new deal.”
“You want quite a lot from me. So, what will I need to give in return?”
“We will discuss that tomorrow. For now, Betra comes first.”
“Understood. Then, I will take my leave for today.”
Illea took a step back and smiled softly.
“I’ve found a good trading partner. Let’s continue to get along well.”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
Johan’s expression remained indifferent.
“We will see each other often, young master. I look forward to it.”
Raguel flinched and responded.
“Y-Yes. I was rude before. Please forget it.”
When he had insulted Illea as a witch a few days ago, her reaction had been terribly cold.
That voice, cold enough to chill, remained stuck in Raguel’s mind like a thorn.
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t take it to heart.”
“S-Still……”
Johan clicked his tongue.
“A man should not cower like that. That’s enough, so lift your chest.”
Then he looked at Illea.
“You may go now.”
“Understood. See you tomorrow.”
She lowered her head slightly before turning around.
The floating flames disappeared one by one.
The library was once again engulfed in darkness.
Softly, softly, her footsteps receded into the distance.
Just as Johan was about to resume reading the Chronicle of Kazan, Raguel spoke.
“……Um, Johan.”
“What?”
“I-I’m saying this not because I’m worried about you. If something happens to you, I won’t get my sight back. So……”
“Stop beating around the bush and say it.”
Raguel cleared his throat before speaking.
“About your relationship with Illea. It seems well-settled, but I think differently. Don’t let your guard down.”
Having lived a life of reading people’s moods, Raguel was good at sensing others’ feelings and the atmosphere.
That ability had just sent him a signal. From Illea’s calm voice, he sensed a hidden intent.
“You think the witch has a scheme?”
“N-Not exactly……”
“Well, your guess is probably not wrong.”
Illea using her own life as collateral for Gaf? Anyone who had read the original would only scoff.
There must be another scheme.
Several hypotheses popped into his mind, but Johan decided to put them all on hold. It was too early to confirm anything.
He would simply remain vigilant.
“It’s good that you know. You must stay alive until you keep your promise with me.”
Johan let out a small laugh.
“Don’t worry about unnecessary things, and shut your mouth now. It’s about to get interesting.”
Johan resumed reading the Chronicle of Kazan.
The demon’s narration settled into the dark library.
***
On the spiral staircase connecting the library and the first floor, the old hag spirit’s laughter echoed ominously.
“Master, what a brilliant scheme this is. That foolish imp has completely fallen into the trap. It will never escape.”
The creature even whistled as it kept babbling.
“Now, all we need to do is go to Gaf and tell him not to annul the contract with the imp, and it will be over.”
Illea spoke with a blank expression.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, isn’t the condition of the contract between the master and the imp the ‘release of Gaf’s soul’? Therefore, if Gaf refuses to annul the contract, the imp will pay with its life for violating the pact. Ha ha!”
Illea let out a small sigh.
“Has your brain shriveled from age? Or were you just always stupid?”
“M-Master, did I misunderstand something?”
“Everything, from beginning to end. I have no plan to kill Johan, and even if I did, I wouldn’t use such an irrational method as you. If Johan dies because of my scheme, what happens to me and father?”
“T-That would be……”
“According to the contract, we would pay the price for failing to ‘protect’ Johan. Are you telling me to commit suicide?”
No matter how Johan died, Illea would have to bear the responsibility. They were now bound together in fate.
The old hag spirit spoke in genuine confusion.
“Then you have put a shackle on your own leg. Why did you do such a thing? Could it be that you truly wish to protect Gaf?”
The Illea the old hag spirit knew was not someone who would be swayed by emotions or filial piety. Only practicality and efficiency moved her.
Now, she seemed slightly different.
“Protecting my father, huh. It would be nice if I were allowed such sentiment.”
“Emotions are weaknesses for a witch. You know that well, so why…….”
Illea’s expression calmly sank.
“The Mother of All Evil. Johan seems like a fitting candidate for a vessel.”
The old hag spirit let out a horrified scream.
“M-Mother of All Evil! How could a newborn imp ever be that!”
“Did Johan seem ordinary to you?”
A newborn less than a month old, yet possessing a white horn. Bold and clever, defying his age.
That was not all. He knew the location of the Forbidden Archive and Illea’s objectives precisely.
To anyone, he would appear to be an odd existence.
“I-I admit his efficiency, but……”
“Efficiency? To evaluate him with such a word. If your brain is a problem, your discernment is even worse.”
Shrinking, the old hag spirit spoke in a crawling voice.
“Then, will you protect him until he grows into a vessel?”
“I will watch. If he continues to meet my expectations, I will remain his protector for as long as necessary.”
“He may disappoint you.”
“Then, I will exploit the loopholes in the ‘protection.’ There is no such thing as a perfect contract.”
Illea added with a smile.
“Of course, for now, it’s my turn to meet his expectations.”
She intended to fulfill Johan’s demands perfectly.
The sacrifice for the heretic array. She would capture the prostitute Betra and place her on the altar.
“Enough chatter. Now, shall we go see mother?”
Illea headed straight for Betra’s quarters.