Vol 1 Chapter 1 (1/2)

March, A.A. 2013.

The act of summoning a demon to borrow his or her magic; Kael believed that such a thing didn't exist anymore.

Until now.

He, who was sleeping soundly, was summoned into the circle and was staring blankly at the girl who summoned him.

Her height was slight, reaching only about his waist, with a tall nose, and bright eyes with a hint of silver that were clear and deep. Skin so clear that it looked tender, but a tinge of pink that gave the impressionof a white peach. Her childish look was cute, but that was not all: thin arms and legs, gentle fingers, and the elegance emanating from her figure seemed truly beautiful.

Especially her long, silver hair that barely missed the ground, beautifully s.h.i.+ning as though it was spread with a crescent moon's light after it was taken from the moon itself.

Her natural beauty alone was so breathtaking that it made her light-blue silk dress and diamond necklace - that seemed as though it was made professionally - seem like nothing.

Kael thought while looking at the young girl who had the liveliness of a child and elegance that made light of jewelry, and added to that, the deepness that made stars in the sky feel closer to get.

I wonder what happened. Is it a dream, or is it reality?

'Ah, it must be a dream.'

He was sleeping, thus it was a dream. There is no way such a wonderful girl lived in reality. And there is no way a high-cla.s.s human had reason to summon a low-cla.s.s demon like himself in this century. Didn't humans already copy almost all of the Heavenly Beings' technology, except those of ancient divine device-cla.s.s technologies? There is no way they will sacrifice their soul while trading with demonic beings. Like, who will trade in their life and soul for something that can be bought with a coin or two?

'But a dream where such a wonderful girl appears. It's not all bad. Although I don't know how I got to dream of such a thing, let's just watch with the feeling of looking at famous works of art: it is food for the eyes. If there is one thing I could wish for, it would be an older version of this girl. Even right now she has the beauty of a flower yet to bloom, and I have fun thinking about her older appearance; it is a pity that she is not of that age. Maybe I will continue this in a dream tomorrow.'

While he was feeling happiness and pity at the same time, the girl opened her mouth. Her voice was clearer than the Rainbow Crystal Bell in the Central Altar, a bell that Heavenly Beings were proud of, thus adding the happiness of sound to the wonderful being in front of him.

”Serve me, for I am your master.”

”Ah. That..... WHAT?!”

Kael, who was listening to her voice happily, was startled.

”This is the proof of contract. The sign of becoming the sacrifice that was offered on the Altar of the Six Devils King.”

The young girl showed the mark of 'The Three Swords' on top of her hand. Those three transparent swords pointed straight up, down, and middle while being entangled together. It was clearly the sign that represented Kael himself.

At the same time, indicating that she was sacrificing herself for the power of his.

While serving the summoner as master, the demons followed all the orders set by that person. And the summoner gives his or her body, soul, and life as the price of that command. It was really the master who was prey, while the demonic being was predator. That was the Contract of Soul.

”I will order your first task. Reveal your name.”

It was conversation unfit for a dream. It was a too-clear sign and the feeling that says the contract had started: language that he shouldn't have known, and this time period's, this location's basic knowledge.

There were definite signals that indicated that this was real. The smile disappeared from Kael, his mouth closing in a straight line. His eyes that were blankly staring closed slightly. Coldness and darkness overcame his eyes. The hand that closed as if it was going to rip apart the opponent stopped with very little composure. But the muscles that tightened to their max indicated that his rage stopped right before exploding. He made a cynical smile by slightly raising side of his mouth, unknowingly making that expression.

'Things like contracts.....'

Once was enough, back when I was ignorant. I absolutely refuse to do it a second time.

*   *   *

10 minutes before summoning.

The young girl looked at her left arm while holding a dagger in her right hand. The girl who wore a big backpack below long, swaying hair was s.h.i.+vering slightly. After putting the blade of the dagger on her left arm, she breathed deeply a few times. Every time she did that, her small body slightly expanded and became small again.

The skin of her arm seemed so soft, that scratching it with even a fingernail was enough to rip it. Above that weak arm, the sharpened dagger slowly approached.

The girl stopped breathing after closing both eyes and mouth, and boldly slashed her arm with the dagger.

”Ah.”

A small scream leaked out of her closed mouth. But that was it. While frowning, yet not shedding a tear at all, the girl raised her arm to the bowl. Just like that, blood filled the bowl. The more her blood filled the bowl, the paler she became. Even while that happened, she stood up while not even showing a crying face, nor stopping the blood. Although her leg shook a bit, she stopped the bleeding only after filling the bowl completely with her blood.

”Yulia. Think again. You still do not know what it means to control a demonic being.”

Her backpack spoke with a voice like a human's.

”Pristine. Do you know that you have said that 29 times already?”

”Not only 29 times, I will say it 290 times. It is not too late. Stop.”

”Then I will say for the 29th time: is there any other way?”

Yulia wetted a quill with her blood and started to draw shapes on the floor. After drawing a circle big enough for a person to stand, she wrote numerous words in there. Every time she wrote a word, smoke came from that word and left purple residue.

She wrote the taboo language of high-cla.s.s demons without stopping.

”Although you are right… that is still not right. Do you think that the Devil King of Darkness' measure will give you much price for your soul? At most, it will be a 5th-cla.s.s demonic being. In this age, those beings can't even compare to a single tank.”

Pristine tried to stop Yulia even while knowing that Yulia was getting annoyed.

It might have been different in the past. In the time where soldiers armed themselves with spears and arrows, even 5th-cla.s.s demons were strong. But in this time, summoning a 5th-cla.s.s demon, using a soul as the medium? There was nothing more foolish than that.

”If you can get that tank to me right now, then I will stop this ceremony.”

”But...!”

”Stop and close your mouth. I have to escape from here and go to the meeting. For that, I can sacrifice anything. Even my soul.”

Yulia declared clearly after backing off. Her posture of raising her head high with that adorable body type of hers showed a mixture of cuteness and high cla.s.s.

”Yulia.....”

Pristine understood why Yulia hurried. Yulia was currently locked in her mansion where she came for summer vacation. This secret chamber was unknown to the enemies, but it was only matter of time. Her army was annihilated a long time ago, and it was impossible for Pristine, who was only a backpack, and Yulia, who was only 8 years old. The contact to the outside army was somehow cut off, and any kind of signal was stopped.

Even though she was the Queen of Nesland, Yulia was nothing more than a powerless child.

In this critical situation, coming up with the idea of contracting with a demon can be said to be ingenious, or a final strategy.

”Then only bet your life on it. Don't use too much power and sacrifice even your existence. Even if contracting with a demon dirties the soul and disrupts your next time, there will at least be a next life. But at this rate....... your existence can be erased from the world entirely.”

”I know the danger this poses. I am doing this knowing that danger, so shut your mouth and keep it that way.”

Yulia stubbornly finished the summoning circle. Pristine continually tried to stop her, but she was only a backpack. Although she was an all-knowing backpack, it couldn't stop her physically.

After finis.h.i.+ng the circle, Yulia smiled.

”And who knows, maybe I will get lucky and as a service, get a 4th-cla.s.s demon instead.”

”Let's say it is a 4th-cla.s.s demon. But selling your soul for the power of, at most, a troop? You are wasting too much. There are at least seven at the Castle!”

”If only any one of those seven troops can come here, that is. Now I am going to start the ceremony, so any kind of disturbance will not be allowed. Now close your mouth.”

Yulia took off Pristine and put it in one of the corners of the room. Although said harshly, the hand that put it down was worried of Pristine.

”But....”

”Be quiet. I said be quiet.”

Showing slight irritation, Yulia hit the mouth part of the backpack few times. Although, it was with strength that can't even tickle it.

After hitting it a few times, Yulia stood up as if she was satisfied.

”I will not tolerate any disturbance from this point on. Why are you so agitated, when this body that has to bet on the soul, feels nothing?”

Yulia turned and faced the summoning circle. In front of the circle, she started to chant the words of contract from ancient time.

”O, powerful ruler of the Six Demonic Worlds.

O, the rulers of the demonic world that stands against the G.o.ds of Heavenly Beings.

This here right now, I open the door to contract with my blood.”

Pristine was worried about Yulia, who boldly spoke the words from memory. If she was not a backpack, but another human, she would be sighing numerous times by now.

'Saying she is okay with it.....'

Short height, tight shoulders, thin arms and legs, and a small stature made Yulia's bold action look as if she was taking it easy. But if observed closely, it was different. A small back that seems like it was unfit even to wear a backpack, was drenched with sweat. Legs that seem like they can be bruised just by touching a corner, shook. Although her dress hid those things, for this backpack that felt but had no sight, it was laid for all to see.

Even while like that, she did not show it in her outer appearance. She spoke clearly without error. Her raised hands stopped on air without any movement. She even had a confident smile on her face. Only her hair that almost touched the floor shook without any control.

'For such a smart kid, she should know better about the consequences.'

Pristine was saddened. It was a condition where, if she was human, she will say that it is the wrong thing to do or something like that. In truth, Yulia should be scared as much as she knows. But proceeding with the taboo of ceremony while smiling confidently, this 8 years old kid was acting like an adult way too soon. She is only a kid.

”Creating the path with my life.

Creating the beacon with my soul,

I wish for the contract of yours.”

The correctly proceeded ceremony awoke the power of olden times. From the magic circle created with blood, rose the dark red smoke that seemed ominous.

'So she is finally… summoning.'

Pristine was disappointed in that she wanted to make this event nothing after Yulia failed the summon. Yulia was a genius in that she could memorize all the contents of the book after reading it just once.

And because they were ”old existence”, the words of contract were not of the language that people of this time used. But not only memorizing all the content, but also perfect p.r.o.nunciation, if she was a little less smart, this ceremony would have had been a failure.

”With my blood I will buy your body.

With my life I will buy your power.

With my soul I will buy your authority.”

The smoke that had been coming out filled the surrounding air and from the circle came a wave that shook the place. Inside of the circle became a place that cannot be called something from this world.

”At this place, become my faithful servant.

Send me the Knight of Contract that will protect me.”

The summoning circle was encased in darkness. From that darkness came a shackle that came and grabbed Yulia's right hand. As if heated steel were burning her hand, smoke came from the point of contact. Ever-white skin became red as if burning, then became empty and black. A sizzling sound filled the room. As if marking the cow, darkness stamped on Yulia's empty darkness. She bit her lip upon experiencing sharp pain, but not only did no sounds of pain leak from Yulia's mouth, she also finished the final words of contract.

”Receiving the words of origin.

Pulling apart the Worldstone's restriction by the rule.

Come forth to this place over the wall of the worlds!”

Darkness filled the room. There definitely were a few lights that shone in the room, but nothing was left on now. The warm room suddenly became cold. It was cold like how it is in the middle of winter. In the next moment, the temperature rose and exceeded that of a desert in summer. It became so hot that it felt like breathing would burn the inside of your mouth.

After that, the darkness disappeared and came forth a light that was so bright that it felt like it was going to burn the skin. Light disappeared again and the darkness returned. After that came the sharp wind that made a mess of the room. The chaos that ignored all logic filled the place.

When she started to wonder about when this will end, the sequence stopped. Everything became normal, as if the things that happened were nothing but a lie. But one thing definitely changed. An existence similar to a typical stranger sat in the middle of the circle with a dumb look on his face.

He had slightly disarranged, short black hair. Although older than Yulia herself, he still had faint childishness in his jaw line. With a height approximately between 170-180cm, he had manliness in him, but not so much so that it was noticeable.

But he wasn't all feminine. His sleepy black eyes of were stupefied, but sharp, and a cynical feeling was given by both eyes and mouth.

Except for how he looks like he was from an Asian country, his appearance was that of a human.

But Yulia smiled while looking at the 'crest' on top of her right hand. The ritual was successful. Although the man in front of her looked human, he surely was not a resident of this world but a demon who was born with ancient magic instilled in him.

With this, the situation can be solved. Even if the method is by using the Knight of Taboo who will eat her from the inside.

Demons desires human souls, because they are the most potent catalysts for demon growth. But because human's souls are their property, it is impossible for demons to take it away from humans. Even if the demon was the Six Devil's King, the pillar stone of demon society.

So, demons 'contract' with those humans. As the price of using a demon's power, humans give the demon the rights to their soul. And when human gives 100% right of their soul to the demon, that human's existence is erased and becomes food for the demon.

A food chain that is actually opposite of what it is, that is what a contract with a demon is.

But as the demon's powers exceeds all technologies and knowledges, there were many people who gave nearly their entire soul to use those powers. And there were also many who accidentally exceeded that limit and lost themselves to the demon.

Until the Science Revolution.

”Serve me, for I am your master.”

I can't look easy to use. Yulia raised her nose further while tilting her head back by about 15 degrees. She stood tall and pushed her hair aside as if to show it to him. Although of small stature, she was one country's Queen.

”Ah, that… WHAT?!”

She creased her forehead while looking at the demon who still had a confused expression. Although she didn't know what kind of status this demon had, she wasn't sure if he was slow at understanding, or just dumb in general.

”This is the proof of contract. The sign of becoming the sacrifice that was offered on the Altar of the Six Devils King.”

She asked his name while instilling in him who the master and servant were.

”I will order your first task. Reveal your name.”

The tattoo on top of her hand glowed ever so slightly.

In a short moment, Kael's confused look became truly wild. He became sharp like a fierce predator, like a wolf who just removed his sheep disguise. But as long as the contract is finished, the control over the demon was absolute, the master's order being prioritized over the demon's own consciousness. Changing to a formal posture, Kael knelt down regardless of his own thought or will. Bowing his head, his mouth spoke without him wanting to. The wildness in Kael's expression had disappeared.

”My name is Kael, my master.”

”Kael, you say… Hmm. It is a name I have not heard of. Well, it is understandable for I only know the name of 2nd-cla.s.s demons and some 3rd-cla.s.s demons.”

Yulia dropped her raised hand and lowered her head. A small sigh leaked from her mouth. Under her long eyelashes, she became disappointed.

”Well, it cannot be helped.”

Although she knew by Pristine's advice that it will be 5th-cla.s.s, and at most 4th-cla.s.s, she still had hope for a higher cla.s.s demon to come out.

Although 1st-cla.s.s devil kings or 2nd-cla.s.s high demons were impossible, 3rd-cla.s.s demons who were known for their high attack power could have been better, but it was an impossible dream to begin with.

About the time she put away her disappointment, Kael let out a dry laugh and stood up. The body that moved despite his intention was definite proof of contract. This was not a dream.

”Ahaha… Ahahaha. Is… is that so? I got summoned.”

He couldn't have known that there were any more people who still summoned demons. Even more so by this little kid. Although he was surprised for a moment, his head finally started to move.

'No, it's still not too late.'

He was too excited. This is not a situation where being emotional can solve it. As of now, it is still the pre-contract state. It was still possible to cancel it with relative ease. Let's end this by explaining nicely.

”Hey kid, it seems like you did something because of an old-time story.”

He put his hand on top of her head and started to pat her. Her long hair gave off a slightly pleasant feeling on the tips of his fingers.

”Kneel before me!”

”Yes, master.”

Stopping his motion, Kael knelt down immediately.

”Whose hair do you think you are touching!? I am the Queen of Nesland, Yulia D. Beatrice Scachiel.”

Raising her forefinger and pointing at herself, Yulia raised her voice and declared. It was an act full of dignity. Even if her fingers were small and thin.

”…Did you say… Queen?”

Kael opened and closed his mouth. He thought she was some kind of princess because of her wonder and beauty, but a Queen? Natural impact that was followed by the act, mannerism, and stare. Despite the age, everything she did had dignity in them.

But at that age, not 'future queen' but 'current queen'.

”Just how old are you…”

”I am 8 years old. Surely you are older than me, but I am your M.A.S.T.E.R. Mind your manners.”

After folding her arms, she threw her head back by 15 degrees and pushed her chest out as much as she could have. She emphasized the word master while looking down at Kael with strong-willed eyes. She seemed like a purebred cat that was showing off.

”… 8 years old…”

Kael's head began to hurt. Yeah, she seems to be like that. It was a good age to make trouble because of curiosity.

But the trouble was not at the cla.s.s where the house was burnt down because she was playing with fire. Well, that was trouble too, but to summon a demon like him...

And out of all the demons, him.

'I was having good sleep too.'

”Ah, yeah. Yulia. Do you know that if you control a demon like me, you will exhaust yourself and lose your soul?”

'Let's scare her so that she will stop. Controlling a child should be easy.'

Kael set the heavy mood and lowered his voice. His black pupils contained deep darkness while not letting any light out. Eyes that were unlike that of a human, but an animal, were there. But Yulia laughed with her nose and threw her head back further.

”Ha, do you believe that I summoned you without knowing that? Pristine explained it numerous times, and I knew beforehand. I was prepared for the consequences, so there is no need to explain.”

”You… knew? No, wait. Then why did you summon me even though you knew? Didn't you say you are a Queen? There should be a lot of subordinates.”

”I needed a force that could fight for me right now.”

Kael changed the tactic. This kid was not easy to fool. Trying to scare her off won't work; then she needed to be treated like an adult instead of a child and talk her out of it.

”Maybe you misunderstood while reading old stories, but the demons from the book that fought against G.o.d's warriors are at least 3rd-cla.s.s, and most 2nd-cla.s.s demons. You can find strong ones around that cla.s.s. But I'm a 5th-cla.s.s demon, I'm nothing special.”

Kael touched the sword that he wore on his side.

”And also, I'm a 5th-cla.s.s warrior demon. A little bit stronger and faster than the average human, but that's all. If a human trains properly, he can fight against me just like that.”

”5th-cla.s.s warrior…”

Yulia frowned. Although, it was beautiful in a different kind of way.

”That's right. It's power that's so far behind today's technology. What's a person who can wield a sword, when placed in front of scientific weapons? If they shoot from a little afar, I'm dead. It's like a sand castle in front of hail, when it comes to a tank. There is no point in contracting me, so let's just say that this meeting never happened. Okay?”

Kael waved his hand while smiling. He will be happy because he will go back to his NEET life, and small Queen will be happy because she won't lose her life. It was two birds with one stone.

”I shall command your ability to see your own limit.”

Yulia smiled softly and tapped his shoulder as if she was proud of him.

”But there is nothing to worry about. I summoned you because even that kind of power is precious at this moment. Right now, take me outside of this place. I will treat you with a reward when I get to the palace safely.”

She put strength on her hand that was on top of his shoulder. Although Kael thought it was only enough strength to break an egg.

”Just a minute, maybe you don't understand. I said that using your subordinates will be better than using me.”

”Those subordinates you mention do not exist within this castle.”

”Why?”

Only then did Kael realize that she was in a grave situation.

”They all got killed by giant bugs of unknown origin. Guns didn't work on their armor. Although this room is a secret room under the castle, it's only a matter of time for them to find me.”

Yulia, who was trying to look bigger while putting strength in her neck, started to look down while talking. Hands softly grabbed each other as if to pray for those who died for her. Her voice while talking about the dead couldn't hide the trembling. But as if to say nothing can be done by being sad, she raised her head again.

”Thus, you are my last H.O.P.E.”

She emphasized the word ”hope” while looking at Kael's black eyes with her clear, silver eyes.

”Bugs with armor that can deflect bullets?”

Kael c.o.c.ked his head. Such a thing didn't exist in the demon world, no less in Heaven.

”Do you understand? I'm not telling you to kill all of those bugs. I just need you to get me to the palace with the secret escape method.”

She explained as if she was kindly explaining things easily, but the tips of her hair shook.

”Well.....”

Kael noticed that although she was putting on a brave face, her back was wet with her sweat. She must be scared. She, who ran away while her subordinates fought against bugs of unknown origin, must have summoned a demon as a last hope under the terror that was slowly creeping upon her.

'What should I do.....”

The contract is not finished yet. So if he, who was summoned, refused the contract officially, then the contract will be broken. Although, it is after the summoner accepts the act of breaking the contract.

But what will happen to this kid after he leaves? Probably this weak and young body will be eaten by those monster bugs.

'Tsk.'

That leaves a bad aftertaste.

'But…'

”It might be hard to understand, but it is not right to bet your soul. You can't use your soul for just this one moment.”

Kael stared at Yulia with calm eyes. Annoyance from a moment ago disappeared and Kael spoke with calm and serious feeling.

”I understand the fear of immediate death, but the death of the soul means that you can't even reach the afterlife and your existence will be gone forever. Do you understand me?”

”I shall reply because you are telling me in all seriousness. I still need to go back to my castle. Soon, the vote on cutting back the medical welfare budget for the bottom 2 percentile in order to excavate Louvre Mountain will be held. If it does not stop, then 300 thousand poor citizens will not be able get treated even if they are hurt.”

Medical welfare, vote. The words that an 8 year old kid don't even need to know flowed out of Yulia's mouth. She held her hand above her chest. Her eyes reflected the worry and uneasiness that she felt. On top of her shoulder, there was an illusion of the big burden she held.

”Resurrection is good, and the afterlife is also good. But right now, I hold the responsibility of those who live in this land. I did not call you for the sake of myself.”

Kael became irritated after hearing her say that.

Those kind of heroic speechs bring out his allergies. This kid who showed bravery and haughtyness, showed her weak self only with words like budget and responsibility. Kids should worry about kid's things like getting a teddy bear for her birthday.

”Ha? Hey, idiot.”

Does this kid even know what kind of meaning her words held? No way. She must be brainwashed by those around her about what it means to be a queen and stuff. She was beautiful and graceful, but she was too young to think for herself. Although she mimics what she needs to say, she doesn't even know what she actually wishes for.

”You will perish, and that will be the end. Now THAT is what's similar to world ending.”

The world where you don't even exist; she won't even be remembered in such place. There is no meaning to it.

Hearing the scream of despair of a holy-maiden-wannabe after finding out such truth; once is enough. A second time is not acceptable.

He ferociously stared at her. The impression of a weak, thin male disappeared after the appearance of his eyes that had 'carnivore of humanity' written all over it.

But Yulia did not step back. Actually, she stared back at those sharp, dangerous eyes with her clear, deep, silver eyes.

”Even so, I have things that I must protect even at the cost of my existence.”

”Even though you are a kid who doesn't know anything?”

'Are you mimicking a story about a hero of holy maiden?' Kael ground his teeth. If not for the rule that prevented any harm to the summoner, he would have hit her a few times already.

”There is no more time to argue. We have to move before we can't get out anymore. Come out of the circle immediately.”

”Hou...”

Kael calmed down after sighing deeply. He became too heated against a child. Children are children because they act without thinking much. If they acted while doing so, they are not kids anymore.

Even if she is a queen, she is still 8 years old. It is the age where someone's story will attract them more so than truth of the world. He has to understand that.

'What to do…'

Although she believes that the contract is complete, it is not. He himself can resist the contract. Things like demons rejecting the contract, she shouldn't know that it exists because it is not widely known.

But even if he rejects, she will summon another demon and try to get out of the fort. Maybe she will get killed by the monster bugs while attempting to summon another demon.

”It can't be helped. I will help you just this once, kid.”

If something like that happens after he disappears, it will leave a bad aftertaste.

Yulia frowned even though Kael said so in good intention. She held her fist and hit Kael's stomach a few times, although it weakly bounced back.

”Shut that mouth of yours!”

”Eh, why?”

As Kael asked back curiously, Yulia held up her hand. Holding up that final weapon with an angry face, she recited about 1.5 times faster than usual.

”Eyy! It is the second order! Do not call me a kid!”

The sign on top of her hand flashed again. That order suppressed Kael in absolute rule.