Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4:

Five days after the day of the localized, torrential downpour, which had been accompanied by thunderclouds, Prime Minister Saion was rending his hair in his official residence. The bill for the change in next year’s elementary and middle school lunch nutrition standards laid besides him, but he did not give it so much as a glance. He could not afford to care about the brats’ meals when his neck was on the line. The committee should just tell them to take whatever was given to them.

“Kuu. How should I dig up that mountain?”

Little remained of the time given by that person. Two years had pa.s.sed since he had invested, under a borrowed name, to catch two birds with one stone: to follow that person’s orders and to earn some cash. To have failed after making a new special law and an aggressive a.s.sa.s.sination attempt, thinking that this would be it…

‘There must be a way……’

On top of that, that person had ordered two things. A goal separate from the development of the mountain, to obtain the [key] – the royal treasure given to the winner of the Royal Battle Tournament that was held every four years, as their symbol of victory. To obtain [The Holy Sword – Arantmis].

After continuously rending his hair, he bolt up from his seat with a sudden revelation.

‘What am I anguished over when there is such a simple solution?’

He did not need to try to solve everything separately, but solve them all at once. He headed to the committee’s grand library immediately. The book should be there.

An hour later, finally holding the book, he left work early and descended into the secret chamber of his private residence. Written on the book was [The Comprehensive Compilation of Summoning Demons].

“Fufufufu. Turns out I am a genius after all.”

Other than the right to wield the treasured sword for four years, the winner of the tournament is given the right to ask for one wish to the crowned head. It was tradition to grant their wish as long as it wasn’t completely unreasonable. Hence, if the person he had sent out won and wished for the development of the struggling Mount Louvre, he could solve two issues at once.

“Hahhahahaha. I could’ve done this from the start. I attempted to make the solution unnecessarily difficult.”

The issue was sending someone who would definitely win the tournament.

‘Though my original plan was to bribe every candidate who seemed like they could win,”

One brat weighed on his mind. The black haired boy that the queen had appointed overnight as first knight – an absurd position. He did not look that strong, but he had escaped, with the queen, from 300 bullet-reflecting bugs. It was probably true that he was a special agent who had received special training.

On top of that, since she had made him, who was supposed to live as a shadow, a first knight, it was obvious that he would show absolute loyalty. Bribing him would be impossible.

‘Then there is only one solution. I obtain the card that will win for certain, and send him out to the compet.i.tion.’

The Royal Battle Tournament was a martial arts compet.i.tion, not modern firearms. Although it was an event that been reduced to a festival, unlike in the past when they were looking for the strongest knight, that worked to his favour.

If it was a match that was fought using not firearms, but the weapon arts of the medieval ages, there were existences that could not possibly lose.

“Hm. I should first find someone who would sell their soul instead of me. Where would I find such a person?”

There would be an overflowing amount of people who would do it, saying that it was just a tournament, if he offered about a billion Geld.

“Is that your trump card to win the tournament?”

The Prime Minister kneeled immediately at that person’s voice, which came from the bug sitting near his ear.

“I…… It is.”

“That’s not bad. If so, you shall do the summoning yourself.”

“Pardon? But there is no need to……”

“The rank of the summoned devil is deeply related to the purity of the summoner’s soul. I will not allow an inch of negligence in this matter. It is not something you should borrow anothers’ hands for.”

“That’s……”

The Prime Minister became tearful. Even though he was doing this for his own well being, he was told to put his own soul on the line.

“Do you intend to go against me?”

“I do not. How could I possibly? I will do so.”

The Prime Minister bowed right away.

‘Kuu. It can’t be helped, then.’

In any case, it was a tournament that typical martial art masters partic.i.p.ated in. On top of that, since using magic openly would not be allowed, there shouldn’t be much soul to consume anyway. It was a sacrifice that was necessary this time, in order to protect his status.

He rummaged through the book, looking for a specific way to summon a sword-wielding demon. It would be troublesome if something specialising in breathing fire or transforming into mist accidentally got summoned.

‘Phew, it’s here. Good. That’s the way.’

A moment later, he began to draw a summoning circle with virgin blood that he had sneaked out from the hospital. Although it was written that his own blood would be better, he could not wound his precious body.

‘Since it says that virgin blood is enough. More like, this is virgin blood, right?’

Though he had searched through the database and picked the blood of children as much as possible, he was still uneasy.

‘I guess it should be okay even if it isn’t a 100%, but a little mixed.’

If it really didn’t work, he could just summon again.

After eagerly drawing the circle, he placed six freshly slaughtered mountain goats that had been air delivered around the circle. Then, he recited the summoning words.

“Mighty, almighty ruler of the devildom;

The possessor of the power that reigns over the lands;

The firmest demon king who bears inviolable authority;

With human blood, I hereby open the door to thy territories.

Creating the pathway with the lives of this land’s occupants

and creating the root with the beast of the six overlords;

I seek thy power.

With my blood, I shall buy his body;

With my life, I shall buy his power;

And with my soul, I shall buy his authority.”

Waves of strength overflowed from the summoning circle, and the dark stream of air that branched out from it flew to the Prime Minister’s right hand, engraving it. While frowning at the biting pain, he continued reciting the promised words.

“Send me one whose power splits a rock;

Whose legs cause the land to tremble;

And whose body is made of steel.

Obey the command of the root;

Lift up the suppression of the Worldstone by the law;

Come forth, beyond the worldly boundary, and devote thyself to this land!”

The ground shook once and the stone flooring smashed, its shards flying in all directions like they had been hit by an explosion. When the rampaging gravel-storm died down, the crest of a bull was engraved onto the Prime Minister’s right hand. A red-haired giant, his height exceeding two metres, appeared inside of the enchanted circle. A giant sword that looked like it could split open a bull with one swing hung from his back.

“I am Archfield, baron of the demonic realm. Who are you, summoner?”

“Ohh, a baron! It’s a success!”

The Prime Minister smiled widely. It was only fourth cla.s.s demons that used the t.i.tle of a baron. Considering that the stories in the records showed that generally, even if a human sacrificed their soul, it only resulted in summoning a strong fifth cla.s.s devil, a fourth cla.s.s was truly a huge success. Once the cla.s.s changed, the difference in power literally entered a different dimension. If a fifth cla.s.s was a dog, a fourth cla.s.s would be a lion. As estimated by scholars, its power made it a killer that could go against even the military power of a contemporary battalion armed with modern firearms. The likes of human martial artists would not even stand a chance.

“My name is Saion. I wish for your partic.i.p.ation and victory in the upcoming tournament. Can you promise that you will not lose against human compet.i.tors?”

“Hah. Are human warriors the only compet.i.tors? Are there none that have received a heavenly weapon?”

“Of course. Everyone will merely demonstrate skills using normal weapons such as spears and swords, or fight barehanded.”

“Then I will. If not for the technology of the heavens, I promise to never lose against a human.”

“Then let us proceed with the contract.”

Saion’s thoughts settled down at the demon baron Archfield’s rea.s.suring words. He was uneasy that he had put his soul on the line, but it was a fourth cla.s.s demon. The demon would defeat all the puny human martial artists without really needing his soul.

After completing the detailed contract and Archfield’s entry registration, Saion smiled broadly. With this, he could recover from his previous, failed a.s.sa.s.sination attempt.

“Hmm. Archfield……”

Yulia sank deep into thought after receiving the report that the Prime Minister had hired someone to enter the tournament. It was obvious what the Prime Minister was thinking. He was probably planning to make the person he had bribed wish for something that was all harm and no good.

‘However, that person…… His skill of handling a task is outstanding when he is moving for his own benefit.’

If the Prime Minister had hired him with confidence, it was quite clear that he would be a person who possessed incredible skills that the Prime Minister had found by searching through the whole world. On top of that, there was a good chance that he had also bribed many others, including this contestant. If so, there was only one winner that she could trust for sure.

She called one of the maids, who were always on standby right beside her, in order to serve her.

“Ferdia.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Bring Sir Kael to me. I desire to speak with him alone, so bring him to Room Setrone.”

“I will do so.”

Kael, who was enjoying his nap while sprawled across the sofa in the first knight’s office, woke up at the suddenly dropping temperature.

‘What the h.e.l.l?’

Did someone turn off the heating? No, but it wasn’t on in the first place, since the days are already warmer.

“Are you awake?”

In that spot stood the maid who had made him uncomfortable earlier by offering to serve him while he bathed, her rectangular gla.s.ses s.h.i.+ning. The source of the chill was none other than her. The temperature definitely dropped wherever her gaze pointed.

“Y…… yeah.”

Kael shuddered. She had not shaken him awake, nor had she emitted any killing intent, but had made him wake up out of coldness; could this be her own special magical ability?

“Her majesty calls upon you. She wishes to see you in Room Setron.”

“Okay……”

Kael swallowed the words he had wanted to say: tell her to come herself, because I’m too lazy. This maid was also somewhat frightening, in a different way from Sestina.

He entered the room that the maid led him to, grumbling. Yulia was sitting inside, and the door shut quietly behind him.

“Art thou here? I have prepared some refreshments, so feel free to eat.”

“You probably didn’t call just to offer me food. What’s your business?”

“Is it not acceptable to call thee because I wanted to hold a sweet, momentary tea time with just the two of us?”

“As if you’d do that.”

Kael sat down, scoffing. After pouting, pulling back her lips, and puffing out and sucking in her cheeks a few times, Yulia fixed her posture once again. She spoke with a queenly, dignified expression.

“Soon, there will be a tournament hosted by the royal house.”

“So?”

Kael picked his ear.

“It is a very traditional tournament; thus, even now, it is a contest in which contestants exhibit their fighting skills solely using old weapons like spears and swords, or parts of the body, such as fists and feet. In other words, since no modern firearms are included, it is a battleground where thy power will easily be absolute.”

Yulia’s eyebrows twitched. Kael blew on the earwax that was on his fingertip.

“So?”

“The winner of the match can ask me for one wish, and it is the tradition from the olden days to grant it as long as it is not absurd. However, this time, the Prime Minister hired a player on his side and sent him out to partic.i.p.ate.”

Yulia’s hand trembled. Kael now picked out whatever was underneath his fingernails.

“So?”

“Aargh! Thou wouldst have noticed by now! I am telling thee to enter it and win it. I do not know what others would wish for if they win. Especially if he is the one bribed by the Prime Minister.”

Yulia finally jumped up from her seat and pointed her finger at him.

“Yaawn. So if I enter and win, say that it’s good for you because you don’t get any weird wishes; what good comes for me?”

“Couldst thou not pry into such things and just say something like yes, if it is for your majesty?”

“Wow. Now you wanna exploit me with no pay?”

“There is a great amount of reward money for the one who seizes victory.”

Yulia said prudently, bringing down her finger and gathering her two hands. That pose was closer to that of a young princess than a queen, and it had a cute taste to it. Of course, Kael blew it off.

“My pay is already too much – so much that it’s hard to take care of.”

“If thou win, thou can use the Holy Sword, Arantmis, for four years. Speaking of that sword, a long time ago – “

“My current sword is good enough. Also, it’s not like you’re completely giving it to me. Just four years would be even more annoying, because I gotta make sure not to lose it.”

“As I have already said, the winner can ask me to grant a wish. In other words, thou may also wish for one.”

“Ooh, then you’re gonna void the contract?”

“I have already told thee that absurd wishes are not granted.”

“Then I ain’t got no business either.”

“Thou may also ask me to give thee a congratulatory kiss.”

Yulia’s eyes sparkled. She swept her hair behind her head as if certain of her victory, and even smiled elegantly.

“Whoa, you’re not even gonna put effort into it?”

“Hnng. I’m saying that if thou would wish for something like please protect the vivid forestry of Mount Louvre after winning, I could completely halt the Prime Minister’s ambitious construction!”

The facade of a prudent princess shattered in the end. Yulia rolled up her hand into a fist and repeatedly struck the armrests.

“Just what are you going to do by protecting that mountain? Haven’t you already stopped him from taking away the medical budget?”

“Separate from that, I wish to preserve that mountain.”

After catching her breath, Yulia once again fixed her posture. However, this time her gaze turned a little more serious and grave, which made her look slightly closer to a queen than a princess. In reaction to that, Kael started to pick his other ear.

“Why? To keep it as your vacation place?”

“It is because that mountain is fundamentally the habitat of many protected species, and because it has also been reported that there is an extremely dense worldstone buried in it. However, as thou also knowst, the ground where the worldstones are dug up turns into a wasteland. It will not recover, even if it is given fertiliser.”

“Well, that can’t be helped. There’s no way for a land that has lost its guarding power to be able to keep its blessing of life, can it?”

Kael held himself back from blurting out why are you talking about something that a seven-year-old wouldn’t comprehend. His partner of conversation was also merely eight.

“That is correct. There is no choice but to dig out the worldstones in order to operate the machines, but… seeing that it is not originally a wasteland like deserts or the polar regions, I believe that it is not right to touch a place where nature is so luxuriant.”

“Such a petty thing to worry about. Now you’re unsatisfied by poor citizens and concerned about the squirrels in the forest?”

“It is as thou sayst.”

She nodded, slightly lowering her darkened gaze, which slightly shaded her eyes. Kael took slight damage as Yulia responded seriously to his sarcastic remark.

‘I thought she’d be p.i.s.sed around this point.’

“Although our lives have become as enriched as those of the heavenly beings’ after getting our hands on Heaven’s science, I am still anxious about the thoughtless waste of worldstones. I believe that even humans will not be safe where nature is destroyed. On top of that, another thing that concerns me is the warning of the scholars, which predicts that, by the way things are progressing now, the worldstones on earth will all be used up in three hundred years.”

Her silver eyes that sparkled wisely were looking at something that no typical people could see.

“Well, all’s fine. I get your concerns and your worries, but why are you asking me to stop that?”

“What didst thou hear until now? Have I not told thee that thou art the best candidate to win the tournament?”

“Nah. Go search for some other human. I’m too lazy. I’d rather sleep.”

“Nnn.”

“Or command me by using your soul. Then I will obey. You know that that’s how our relations.h.i.+p works.”

“Thou didst it for free last time!”

Yulia held up her fist. Kael bobbed his leg, as if to say hit me if you wanna.

“That’s because it was your first time. Did you perhaps expect me to keeping giving you a sample? What do you say; you can’t, since you don’t want to waste your precious soul to order me to do something like this, right?”

She shook her fist, then brought it down and fixed her posture.

“All is fine. Then, I shall pay the price.”

“Huh. Really?”

Kael, who was being sarcastic, was taken aback. Had he pushed her too much? He was aware that she was hot-tempered, but he did not expect her to actually gamble her soul.

‘W…… What do I do?’

He felt as if he would be held by his weakness and she would use the same method in the future, should he tell her not to do so at this point, and that he would just do it for her. However, if he really forced her to order him by using her soul…… If these instances repeated and stacked a few times, one day, her soul would actually be devoured by him and disappear. He refused to go through that horrible experience for a second time.

To think that he had pushed her into a corner, yet had been cornered himself in a single move.

‘This is bad. To think that she would offer her soul just because she didn’t want a mountain to be dug up……”

He knew that she was a kid who could not make heads nor tails of a situation, but he did not know that she would be this stubborn.

Yulia raised her hand just like that.

“S…… Stop that.”

“I have already decided.”

As she said so, she undid the straps of her dress.

“Eh?”

Kael stared, dumbfounded, at her who, instead of invoking the seal of contract, was revealing her white undergarments by pus.h.i.+ng her dress down to her waist. What the h.e.l.l was she doing?

She approached him and pushed her chest towards him. Although it was small and flat, it suit her white undergarments, making her look cute and adorable. After clutching her hands together and confirming her determination, she stiffened her neck and threw her gaze straight at him as she announced,

“Here, thou may touch my chest as thy pleases.”

“What?”

For a moment, Kael wondered if his eardrums were malfunctioning.

“Thou dost not need to refuse. I have already learnt that men take pleasure in touching a beauty’s chest. I offer thee the chest of a queen that not anyone can touch. Aren’t thou satisfied?”

“…… So you’re telling me to partic.i.p.ate and win in the tournament because…… you’ll let me feel your chest?”

“Precisely so.”

Her cheeks were tinted slightly pink, as if to show her embarra.s.sment. However, the manner in which she kept her back straight and refused to avert her gaze, as if to say that she was willing to give up anything for the country, was truly dignified. Even so, the ends of her hair trembled gently and cutely. In front of her, who showed firm resolution towards an absurd idea, Kael momentarily lost even the energy to tackle her words.

“Originally, it is something that should only be allowed to my husband; however, I have already devoted my body to this country. There is nothing that I cannot give thee.”

“No, hey……”

He placed his hand on his forehead. It was definitely a better development than being commanded with her soul on the line, yet, why did his head hurt so much?

“What you’re saying ain’t wrong, but do you think that you have a chest to touch?”

Yulia flinched. Her ears slightly leaned backwards and returned.

“Tch. Is that so? Dost thou not like the shape?”

After a short moment of thought, Yulia picked up two apples from the fruit basket that was set on the table. When she shoved them into her undergarments, the place swelled up. Although, of course, its shape was clearly different from real b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

However, the person herself seemed satisfied by the created curves; Yulia leaned back her head about fifteen degrees and turned up her nose.

“Here, art thou satisfied now?”

“Don’t play with food.”

Kael leaked out an empty laugh and pulled the apples back out. He bit into one, since it was in his hands. It was crunchy and sweet, fitting for a product supplied to the royal family. Yulia’s eyes opened wide. Her pupils grew with them.

“Aah. How dare thee bite into my breast so aggressively.”

“Kuk, Kuuk.”

A piece of apple got stuck in Kael’s throat.

“Kuk. Kuuuuk.”

“How clumsy. Thou art not a child, yet what is this?”

Yulia clicked her tongue as she patted his back.

“Phew. I almost died. Anyway, I’m not doing it, so take that! Just recruit another guy from the guards and send him out!”

“Art thou planning to back out after eating my b.r.e.a.s.t.s?”

“Don’t say slander that could bury a demon! The story’s over, ‘cause I’m not gonna do it.”

Kael proclaimed clearly and ran away from the spot. It would be troublesome if he stayed and Yulia really brought forth the command of soul.

‘Well, she’ll understand and give up, since I’ve gone to such measures.”

Kael, who had believed that, regretted his naivety as he read the newspaper the next day.

[First Knight Sir Kael officially registered to partic.i.p.ate in the royal battle tournament. Just what level of fighting skill could he, a former special secret agent, possess?]

Articles with such headlines were reported everywhere, on every newspaper.

‘Gaaaaah. This kid.’

He had clearly said that he would not do it. Honestly though, how could all of the females around him share the exact same quality of not listening to others and pus.h.i.+ng things forward one-sidedly? Did they take pleasure in him inevitably going along with their decisions, after deciding to hold back his anger?

Huffing, he burst into Yulia’s office right away.

“Ah, your excellency……”

The guards who were guarding the office were taken aback, but could not stop him due to his aggressive manner. Yulia and the Minister of Justice, who were talking inside, turned to face the entrance.

“Your majesty! I have something that I must tell you, just between the two of usss!”

Although, it was certainly an act of rudeness that severely violated the code of conduct within the royal court, the maids and guards nearby only observed the atmosphere and did not dare to speak up. Yulia scolded him sternly, turning her gaze away. However, for some reason, the corners of her mouth were raised in a slight smile.

“Now is not a convenient hour. I am currently receiving the regular report from the Ministry of Justice.”

“In that case, I shall wait.”

“Then we shall do it like this: let us meet in front of the clock tower in West Fallen Square at seven tonight. Wait for me there, in disguise.

“That would be great, your majesty. I will do so.”

Kael ground his teeth. He would not be tricked in the same way anymore. He would make sure to discourage her this time.

Half past six in the evening. Kael arrived early, and waited in front of the clock tower, wearing a hat and a pair of sungla.s.ses. On top of that, he was wearing a t-s.h.i.+rt and jeans instead of his uniform. Due to way he was dressed, n.o.body really recognised him as the figure of interest in the recent newspapers.

At seven on the dot, Yulia appeared in front of him, wearing a brunette wig over her silver hair. She had also changed her eye colour into gold by wearing colour contacts. The yellow polka-dot blouse and the short pink skirt that she wore instead of her dress were also pretty, suiting her young body well. The backpack, Pristine, that she wore on her back was also unfittingly oversized, and that, in turn, created a cute atmosphere. On top of that, the smiling rabbit-shaped pendant that she wore around her neck instead of her pearl necklace was truly an eye-drawing point.

Of course, such a thing did not distract Kael, who was enraged.

“Hey, you.”

Kael was about to firmly express his complaints when Yulia spilt hers first.

“It is our first date; couldst thou not have paid a little more attention to thy attire?”

“Wait, what?”

Forgetting the main topic, Kael reacted to the very dangerous word.

“Couldst thou not have……”

“No, not that. Before that.”

“I said our first date.”

“What’s a date, what!”

“Didst thou not say that thou wished for some time to ourselves? I was actually quite delighted by thy enthusiasm.”

Yulia smiled brightly, clasping her hands together. Her eyes sparkled beautifully, without so much as a single flaw.

“Still, do make sure that thou get the timing better next time. There are watching eyes. Of course, I am not necessarily saying that I dislike aggressiveness; however……”

She slightly lowered her gaze, rubbing her index fingers together. Kael staggered, his legs having lost their strength.

“……That’s not it……This isn’t a date……”

“It is, is it not?”

“Who asked you out on a date?! I went to you to complain about how you advanced this matter all on your own!”

Kael held up a newspaper right in front of her nose.

“What dost thou mean on my own? Thou have already received the payment for it. Dost thou mean to back out now, after biting my chest?”

The people around them, who had been watching them because they were quarrelling with their voices raised, began to earnestly whisper amongst themselves. Kael realised that this was not a good place to argue.

“Don’t say such dangerous things. Who are you trying to get ostracized?”

It would be the end of him if someone filed a report and the police came.

“Did I ever talk about something that never happened?”

“F……First……let’s move to somewhere else……”

Why did he have to be conscious of others when he was the one who should have been complaining? It was incredibly unfair.

“That is indeed a good idea. Dost thou have a restaurant in mind? An outdoor cafe with a pleasant atmosphere is fine, as well as street food. Try leading as thou please.”

“No, I said that wasn’t the case.”

Should he first clear up the misunderstanding that this was a date, or complain about the tournament partic.i.p.ation registration? Or……

[Underage relations.h.i.+p……]

[s.e.xual a.s.sault on a child……]

……should he do something about those whispers?

Kael, who was agonising over his options, suddenly woke up at the trace of [magic] that emanating from the other side of the square. Just now, when he sensed the other, the other also sensed him. The ability to sense each other that only those who could use magic could feel.

One thing got caught in that sensation. The existence of another demonic being that should not be here, above the ground.

It would have been a relief if it was Dewey, but it wasn’t. However, it wasn’t an unfamiliar magical power, either.

“Yulia.”

“Shh. Thou must be careful when addressing me by my name where there are many people present.”

“Listen carefully. If something happens, run straight to the hospital where Sestina is. Calling the likes of the police will not solve this. Dispatch a battalion……no, a regiment just to be safe.”

His eyes settled down and turned cold as he stood between her and the direction of the approaching magical power. His palm, which he had placed on the sword that was hanging from his side so that he would be able to draw it at anytime, became drenched in sweat.

“What is the matter?”

At the same time as Yulia asked that anxiously, after noticing the grave atmosphere, the owner of that magical power appeared in front of the two. A muscular giant who was more than two metres tall and holding a huge guitar case.

“Ah, he is the tournament partic.i.p.ant that the prime minister hired……”

“Baron Archfield. Did you come as well?”

“Ufufu. Your face was on the photograph that my summoner showed me, saying that this was the opponent that I must definitely win against.”

“Is that so.”

“My goodness. Since we have met like this, it seems like a good idea to trample on you now, without having to wait until the tournament.”

“How about controlling yourself, since this isn’t the demonic realm? Your summoner would probably want that as well.”

Kael flashed a cynical smile. However, Yulia saw a drop of sweat roll down the nape of his neck. He, who had faced hundreds of bugs and confidently dashed through them, was tense with nervousness. Not to mention, to be called baron……

Although it was a position which only remained as a t.i.tle in their country, Nesland, it was the symbol of power that revealed his status as a 4th cla.s.s in the demonic realm. On the other hand, Kael himself had said that he was a 5th cla.s.s demon. That meant……