Chapter 103 - Even if We Look Different from Each Other 6 (2/2)

Regina was there.Thankfully, he had sensed her with his Read All Creation ability.If not, his heart would have stopped from being surprised.

“I quietly waited here until you finished talking.He rejected the older woman.I’m impressed by his attitude.He cut her off like a knife.”

“You don’t even bat an eye now as you spout bullshit.”

“I’m talking to Pipi.”

“Who is Pipi······ Hey.”

Regina carefully extended the Demite towards him.It floated above her two palms as it let out a bright light.There was a ribbon decorated around the body of the Demite.Was the Demite trying to look pretty? Artpe was truly puzzled by it..

“Name.Pipi.”

“Hell no.”

“Pipi.”

“You probably just want to give it a pretty name, but I have to use it when I chant my magic!I’m the one that’ll be embarrassed!”

“I don’t care.Pipi.”

It was truly unfortunate.When Regina spoke the word Pipi each time, the Demite twirled in the air as it let out a brighter light.It seemed the name had been imprinted.If he knew it was going to turn out like this, he would have named it before handing it over to Regina!

“The right relationship between the Demite and a magician….I heard it from Pipi.”

“······yes.What do you think about it?”

After he resigned himself to the situation, he put Pipi away.Regina slightly nodded her head as she gave an explanation.

“Demite’s Gemstone is unable to think and act on its own.A high ranking magician can refine it.The contract between the two starts at that moment.”

“That’s right.”

“The refinement of the Demite is a form of contract.Demite receives this service, and in turn,a partnership is formed.The magician supports the Demite, and the Demite supports the magician.”

A Demite couldn’t do much by itself.It couldn’t move freely.Moreover,it was hard for them to make specific decisions and movements.This was why a contract was made when a magician refined a Demite.It allowed a Demite to experience the world alongside the magician.It allowed their Record and Level to grow..

“It recognizes freedom.The partnership between a magician and a Demite…..Freedom.”

She was correct.The Demite couldn't do anything by itself.The magician finding and refining a Demite was already a huge boon for the Demite.

The Demite had exited the palace when Silepennon had escaped the palace.Until that moment, the Demite had lived a lonely existence within the darkness for several hundred years.That was why the Demite was eternally thankful to Artpe for finding and refining the Demite.

“Pipi likes you.”

“Are you able to accept it?”

“I accept it.”

Regina didn’t hesitate as she nodded her head.She was finally able to understand that the the fate of the Demite and her had changed in many ways thanks to him.Moreover, Pipi was living the correct life of a Demite.It was enjoying its freedom.

“I started off wrong.It was a mixture of greed by the humans and my ignorance.My situation was the worst..”

“Still, they did refine you, so you were able to think and act for yourself.They gave you a great amount of freedom.You probably felt thankful, and you would have formed a contract with the magicians in order to help them…..However, they did you wrong by trying to control you through the magic of suggestion.”

“I labored for 200 years.I did enough.I’m free.”

She took the lives of her masters to balance the sheets.It was a very brutal calculation.However, when he saw the smile appear on her face, he became indifferent to her methods.

“Well, it is time for you to give me an answer regarding my proposal.”

“Refused.”

Huh?He thought the two of them were in a good place, yet she had refused him!It seemed he had timed it wrong!

“My ability to make decisions is still lacking.I don’t want to make a rash decision.Not possible.”

“······I see.”

From knowing her sense of value, he thought she would willingly join the hero’s party.However, Artpe wanted to respect Regina’s free will.That is why he didn’t argue any further.

“It can’t be helped.I understand.I’ll give up.”

After landing on Aedia, he had gone through a lot of trouble as he travelled through Daitan, Tiata and the Forest of Eternity.At that moment, one of his biggest goals for traveling to these places had gone up in smoke.However, Artpe didn’t look too devastated.

‘I’ve completely removed her restraints.When the Demon King’s army mobilizes, she will inevitably join our side.At the very least, she won’t become enslaved by the Demon King’s Innate Ability if she knows about it.’

Why did he purposely reform her consciousness to bring out her free will?First, he wanted to free her from the shackles placed on her by Aedia.After enslaving the Demon race, the Demon King was trying to turn humans into DemonsThe Demon king was trying to rule over everyone, and Artpe knew what Regina would do when she found about it!It was the ultimate strategy where he would be able to kill multiple birds with one stone.

“Instead, I want a contract.”

“Huh?”

He thought she wanted nothing to do with him, so the words coming out of Regina’s mouth were a bit unexpected.

“I want a form a contract with you like Pipi.I’ll support you with my power.I want you to to help me grow mentally and physically. Mutual dependence.”

“That is a bit…..”

“Contract.”

Artpe was about to reject her cleanly, but he saw the worried look on her face.He shut his mouth.

‘······I see.’

Regina had just been freed from her bondange from the humans.However, her sense of self had yet to be ripened.Her power was much greater than her mind.

Maybe she was afraid?

If she made a rash choice, the consequences of her actions would be massive.She was well aware of this fact.In truth, her most recent actions exemplified this.She had easily killed the king of a country.

“Contract.”

“······all right.Let’s form a contract.However, if you think I’m wrong, you should learn how to speak up.”

“Agreed.”

“Of course, I’ll probably ignore you and do what I want.”

“Hate you.”

Artpe lightly evaded Regina’s punch, then he extended his hand towards her.For a brief moment, Regina didn’t understand the meaning behind his gesture, so she tilted her head in confusion.Soon, she carefully extended her hand, and she grabbed Artpe’s hand.A little bit of color appeared on her pale cheeks.

“Your heart is breaking to touch me.I’ll allow a little bit.”

“You can just go away.”

This was how the hero’s party forcefully united Aedia and Tiata under the rule of Daitan.The mess within the Forest of Eternity was put to sleep, and they were successful in bringing the Archmage Regina into the hero’s party.

The process was so bumpy that his thigh was figuratively bruised.However, he was able to end the Quest cleanly.

“Maetel, why did you wait up for me…...”

“Artpe, come lie next to me.”

“Hey, wait a moment.I did nothing wrong.”

“I know everything.Just lie next to me.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

The night in the Forest of Eternity came to an end as Artpe had overcome a minor crisis where his virginity could have been nearly lost.