"A-angels?"
For most of the people, angels were just a myth.
Creatures like monsters and demons may exist, however, there were no traces of angels until now.
Even if someone saw an angel and reported it, they would just laugh it off.
"To be honest, I still don't comprehend why I can wield a heavenly relic even though I'm a normal human."
"That voice in your head... What was it called? System? Didn't it explain anything to you?"
Mika shook his head.
"It would always ignore those questions or switch topics. Even after ten years, I still don't know anything about the system." he said defeated as he shrugged his shoulders.
"I see..."
Ophelia still looked like something was bothering her.
"There is still something I would like to know..."
She clenched the sheet tightly as she looked determined as well as nervous in Mika's innocent eyes.
"The person with the halo and golden hair was you, right...?"
"Yes." he replied firmly without hesitation.
"Then, tell me... What was that form?"
"..."
He appeared a little gloomy as his eyes shifted downwards.
"Truth be told, my memories are still hazy... I just know that the system and I call this Autopilot..."
"Whenever I lose consciousness, the system can turn on Autopilot, which takes control over my body." he added.
"But there's more to it, isn't there?"
The image of Mika using some kind of arrows made of light was one of the many images burned inside Ophelia's mind.
"For unknown reasons, as long as my body is in that state it can use the power of an angel." he stated sternly.
Ophelia covered her face with her hand as she looked at the ceiling.
"Haha..." she started laughing wryly.
After having heard so much information about angels and Mika's mysterious contract, breaking any kind of logic, she could only laugh.
"Sorry, I need some time to digest it... I will go outside... I will be back in a few minutes..." she said as she left the room while holding her head as if she had a headache.
"..."
Mika waited until she left the room.
And as soon as the door was closed, Mika grabbed his chest tightly and covered his mouth with the other hand.
He began to cough hard and in pain as blood slipped through his fingers.
"Haa... Haa..." he gasped for air.
His throat still stung and still felt warm from the blood he had to spit out.
In addition, the area around his chest felt painfully tight.
"I thought we agreed on not using Autopilot anymore..." Mika said exhausted and irritated.
[...]
"I told you that I don't want to go into that state..."
He was still desperately gasping for air.
While Ophelia was present, he managed to hold back as he did not want to worry her.
However, he reached his limits.
The recoil from using Autopilot was yet to stop.
[I had no choice.]
"No choice...? Don't dare to pretend like you don't know..."
[...]
"Every time my body enters that mode, my lifespan will be cut in half..."
[I know.]
"Is that so...? Then, say it... How much longer do I have?"
Rather than exhausted, he sounded more irritated now.
[A little bit more than two years.]
Mika pressed his clenched fists on his legs.
He gritted his teeth.
He was frustrated and angered.
However, his mood changed suddenly.
"I see..." he said with a carefree sigh.
Since forming the contract, he knew that his life would not be a normal life.
He faced ridiculous quests.
He faced enemies, who should be usually above his league.
He possessed a power so strong it could be considered a gift from God.
He received rewards everyone would dream of.
He received punishments everyone would be scared of.
Having one's lifespan shortened could be considered as some kind of punishment, too.
A little bit extreme, but nonetheless a punishment.
Mika accepted it as such.
Just like he accepted everything from the system without many questions.
From an early age, Mika followed its instructions.
Thus, as much as he complained, he would still do certain things if the system ordered it without doubts.
Therefore, he did not question the reason for turning on Autopilot any further.
However, Mika himself still did not realize that he turned him into something akin to an obedient dog.
"Hey system, what will happen if we use Autopilot again?" Mika asked as he blankly stared at the door.
[If your body activates Autopilot again, then you will certainly die.]
"..."
He somehow expected this answer.
"I see."
He chuckled lightly with a wry smile that did not reach his eyes.
[Don't worry about the shortened lifespan.]
"How encouraging..." Mika said deadpan as he was in the bed again.
With his eyes directed at the ceiling, Mika was thinking.
"You warned me from talking about you and the contract, but why exactly?"
[...]
Nothing was heard until the system heaved a sigh.
[I suppose I can tell you now.]
For a moment, Mika's eyes widened.
He did not really expect the system to answer his question after it always dodged them.
[I... No. We cannot risk the possibility of our enemies to catch wind of us for now.]
"Enemies?"
[Yes, our enemies. The ones opposing us since we began to exist.]
It was the first time, Mika heard of its enemies.
[Our enemies are none other than demons.]
"W-what...?"
[If they know about us and especially Excalibur, then you would be their greatest target.]
"W-wait a minute! Why would I be their target?!"
[Because Excalibur is in your possession currently. Their goal is to get Excalibur. And in their eyes, you are just a small fry. Taking it away from you is easier than stealing candy from a child.]
"Don't screw with me! Do I have to live so secretive for the rest of my life?! It may just be two years, but still!"
[That is why I am here. Since the day we met, I was determined to turn you into the strongest.]
"Huh? Strongest? What are you talking about now?!"
Mika was still confused and irritated.
[I will turn you into something, whom even demons would fear.]
"W-wouldn't I be some kind of monster then...?"
[...]
"Hey, say something!"
Whereas Mika was trying to get an answer out of the system, said enemies were holding a meeting.
Somewhere, in a different realm far different than the human's.
The ground was rotten and dyed in blood.
Trees and any kind of vegetation were on the verge of drying to death.
Bones of monsters were scattered everywhere.
Flying monsters were in the clouded crimson-red sky as they screeched strident.
There was a sinister dark castle, which was high enough to reach the monsters in the air.
It had multiple towers and among the towers, the one in the middle was the biggest.
In that main tower, certain entities were talking.
"So Zantar was killed, huh?"
A man on the throne was talking.
"Yes, my liege!" another man, who was on his knees, reported enthusiastically.
His gaze was directed to the ragged red carpet leading to the throne.
"Pardon my rudeness, however, that's what he gets for crossing realms without permission!" he added.
"Wow, that's harsh. Weren't you two brothers?"
"We were indeed brothers, but if he gets in the way of my liege's plan, then I no longer consider him a relative of mine!"
The man on the throne sighed.
"Whatever... Just tell me when the next portal will be opened."
"With pleasure!"
Then, the one who seemed like the man's retainer took out a document.
"According to the information we received today, they can open a portal in a few months again. In addition, the person stated that the portal would be more than enough to transport an S-rank demon."
"I see. Guess, we will just do that and send one of them to their realm."
"My Liege! Pardon my rudeness again, but may I get permission to cross realms with my men?"
"Hm? What's your reason? No, let me guess, it's because of your brother, right?"
"Yes... I sincerely apologize for this foolish display..."
"I thought you abandoned him a few minutes ago?"
"Yes... But I cannot accept that a mere human killed him..."
"So it's revenge?"
"No. I could care less about something as trivial as revenge. I just want to restore my blood's pride. To think that a human killed someone, who shared my blood, hurts my pride as a demon..." he said disgusted.
"Well, fine. Do what you want. But don't forget the initial plan."
"Of course, my liege! I will return with good news!"
"Good, you can leave now."
Content, the retainer stood up and vanished in the darkness.
"..."
The man on the throne still had a smirk.
"Those stupid angels must be still thinking that we have our eyes on Excalibur..."
His grin widened.
For a long time, demons crossed realms through a portal.
The angels thought that they were searching for Excalibur.
"But they couldn't be more wrong."