Chapter 171 - A Mans Contract 4 (1/2)
Chapter 171 - A Man's Contract (4)
Artpe didn’t know who and when he’ll make a contract with.Therefore, he always carried around Soul Contracts.
The Soul Contract required mutual consent, but it could be used by anyone with a soul.It could be human to human, Demon to Demon, human to Demon, human to spirits, etc.There was nothing more reliable than a Soul Contract.
“However, there isa downside to the Soul Contract.If the one signing the contract possesses too much magical energy, the power of the Soul Contract will have a hard time enforcing its terms.In such instances, the contractor’s Mana is used to punish the other side.If one is short on Mana, a thorny situation occurs.All your Mana gets sucked into the otherside.”
“I see.”
Maetel signed at the bottom of the long contract.She nodded her head.
“That is why everyone in our party is signing the contract.We are co-signing the contract, soour Mana will act as auxiliary in case of emergency?”
“Our Maetel has become a lot smarter.”
“Compliments.Give me more compliments.”
[······.]
As a gifted Demon, Petra had wanted to fuck over Artpe using this feature of the Soul Contract.However, Petra could only watch in silence as Artpe’s whole party signed the Soul Contract.They cooperated to complete an excellent Soul Contract.
He didn’t know about the others, but Petra knew that he couldn’t win against the massive amount of magical energy possessed by Artpe and Regina.Moreover, there was the girl with the cat ears.She seemed be from an anthropomorphic race, and he was having a hard time sensing her magical energy!
“Good.Let’s go over the contract once again.Until Petra completes this contract, he cannot directly and indirectly harm those that are designated to be allies of Artpe.Moreover, he cannot lie to them.Artpe will make the judgement if the terms are broken.”
[This in an unfair contract!]
“Why are you complaining when you’ve already signed it?”
[Koo-oohk······!]
He could no longer run away.Petra had put a noose around his neck when he acted out on an impulse.Petra let out a groan.Artpe had a cheerful expression on his face as he read the rest of the contract.
“Petra will guide Artpe and his party to Etna.He will protect her from any external factors that might influence her decision.If she refuses Artpe’s offer of accompanying him, Petra will be released from the contract.However, he will not be able to attack Artpe’s party in this eventuality.If Etna makes it known that she will follow Artpe’s will, Petra will carry out the will of this contract.He will follow Artpe’s orders.Mmm.It is a great slave contract.”
“Artpe likes freedom.Is it ok for you to coerce someone like this?Is it ok to make him submit to you?”
“I believe that those, who are capable of thinking and acting for themselves, should be free.However, this guy doesn’t deserve to think and act for himself.He is trash.”
“As expected of you, Artpe.”
Petra had been the one to suggest the contract, yet why did he feel aggrieved?Petra gritted his teeth as he had this thought.
‘Anyways, you’ll be able to see Etna for yourself, and you will be able to hear her willAs a result, I’ll have the chance to be freed from this contract.There is nothing for me to lose here.’
[I was released from the Absolute Control, but I am not sure if she was freed from it too.You realize this fact, right?]
“Of course. However, it won’t be a problem.That won’t get in the way of us being able to confirm her wishes.”
Moreover, he had completed his research for the purpose of freeing her.It was a collaboration between Artpe and sunbae-nim.He was able to create a type of reclamation magic.
Petra had no idea as to why Artpe was so confident in his answer.However, he had come to a conclusion that they were talking past each other, so Petra decided to drop the conversation.
[I guess I’ll have to guide you to Etna.She hasn’t returned after leaving for Glacia.We’ll start our search there.]
“We already know about Glacia.As expected, you won’t be of much help.”
[That’s not all.I can trace her tracks using my magic!]
“You are a stalker.”
[Koohk······!]
Artpe thought about the time he had met Etna in Glacia.
She had been searching for the sculpture made out of the world’s first ice.However, she had to wait outside the ruin, so she had left the rest up to Artpe.It happened when the party cleared the ruin.They were about to head out when a powerful Demon had attack the ruin.At the time, Artpe’s party decided to retreat, and they had headed towards the underground world.
At the time, Artpe assumed that Etna would team up with the newly arrived Demon.Both were of the Demon race, and Etna still had her shackles on.From what Artpe was hearing from Petra, it seemed he had assumed wrong.
[After Etna carried out the Demon King’s orders, she was given a vacation, and she was supposed to be left alone.It happened during that time.It is as you’ve said.The previous Demon King’s forces made contact with her.I believe they had made some plan that would make sure that she headed towards Glacia.At the very least, they baited her there.She would be weakened in the northern continent, so they would be able to subdue her easily.]
“Damn it······.”
The previous Demon King’s forces had secretly baited a Four Heavenly king out of the Demon realm.They planned on subduing her.The purpose of this plan was to weaken the Demon King’s power.Basically, the past Demon King’s forces was locking horns with the current Demon King’s forces.
It meant Artpe should have gone out to help her fight the other Demon!He had blindly assumed that the Demon would be on the same side as her.He had been an idiot!Of course, his assumptions had made sense at the time!
‘No.At the time, I hadn’t perfected my reclamation magic.I took the preferable path.We were able to take care of the Evil Heart thanks to the Winter Queen, and I was able to complete the reclamation magic.It isn’t too late if Etna remains unharmed.’
Artpe decided to stop beating himself up, and he focused on Petra’s words.
[However, she won’t fall so easily.]
It was easy to discern why Petra thought that way.Artpe’s party had arrived on the northern continent with impeccable timing.The Demon, who had come to subdue Etna, had become confused by his party’s presence.
‘He had to destroy the Winter Queen’s ruin on top of subduing Etna.He failed by attempting to accomplish both task at the same time.When Etna saw the Demon, she probably realized what was going on.’
He finally had a full picture on what was going on.He just had to work under the assumption that the Demon realm was split into two.It couldn’t be more clearer than this.