There was a short pause between Malron and Ugluk before they resumed their conversation. Ugluk did not want to duel with Malron; he knew he would be defeated.
After all, Marlon was one of the highest-ranking demons. Ugluk didn't want to take that chance.
Ugluk shook his head. "I can't help you."
In frustration, Malron even grabbed one of Ugluk's arms. Malron's gaze seemed to devour the demon standing before him. "What do you want me to do? You can't just leave me like this!"
"Malron." Ugluk tried to free his arm from Malron's grip. "There is no other way. Either the child must release you, or he dies as part of the ritual."
A natural death, something Malron had waited for who knew how long.
"The agreement should be between me and the previous man. This is like interfering with the ritual..."
"Nowadays, they call it a glitch," Ugluk nodded diplomatically.
"Oh, really?" Malron looked sarcastic, suddenly feeling old-fashioned. "Basically, I got a system because of that glitch. Have you ever had a system?"
"What are you talking about, Malron? I don't understand."
[Warning! It is forbidden to talk about the System]
[One point of Demonic Power is converted to Angelic Power]
Malron's eyes widened in shock. "WHAT?"
"I said, I don't understand what you're talking about. Are you going deaf now?"
But Malron needed to concentrate on Ugluk. He felt his body heating up, as if shocked, more like tickled.
[Violating the system will hasten the curse]
[This is expected to be a special attention to The Damned One]
[Please fulfill your duties to the end.]
[Hell always awaits you]
Malron could only resign himself, cursing in his heart.
"Does the child know about your agreement?" Ugluk asked suddenly.
"No. Kieran doesn't know about our agreement, only with the man before him."
"Wow, this is really complicated."
"What's complicated?"
Ugluk explained briefly. The agreement was between Malron and his master, so the master would undoubtedly become Malron's slave in the demon world.
But because Kieran suddenly interfered with the ritual, Kieran gained an advantage. The child would not become Malron's slave in the human or the demon world.
Instead, Malron would become Kieran's slave while in the human world. This meant that Malron couldn't influence Kieran, couldn't hear the child's inner thoughts, or even know what he was thinking.
"The child can do whatever he wants to you," Ugluk concluded.
Malron sighed heavily. "I feel like I'm being humiliated right now."
Malron found it challenging to penetrate Kieran's 'aura' defenses. There was a feeling of worry in Malron's mind because Kieran's orders would be a seal he would have to obey as well.
A loud whistle sounded, indicating that the next train was about to arrive. The train to Albuquerque. Malron looked at the tracks.
"I have to go," Malron said hastily.
"Where are you going?"
"To throw myself at the train so I can return to the demon world!"
Ugluk shook his head diplomatically. "No, it doesn't work that way for us," he said dismissively.
"I don't want to be the slave of this kid..." Malron's voice sounded desperate.
Ugluk patted Malron's shoulder. "Just do your duty. Maybe you'll find a way."
"Ugluk, I really need your help."
But Ugluk ignored Malron's plea. "Goodbye, Malron."
Then Ugluk stepped back, blending in with the station personnel as they approached the edge of the tracks. A green light pierced the ceiling and disappeared; Ugluk was gone. Malron felt like doing the same, disappearing and leaving Kieran to fend for himself.
Kieran quickly approached Malron, his face beaming with happiness. Of course, the young man was about to be reunited with his uncle's family. Malron hoped that Kieran would release him soon.
"You look full of energy," Malron commented sarcastically.
"Of course, I'll be going home soon." Kieran nodded happily.
"Then you'll set me free, right?" The words came spontaneously from Malron's lips.
Kieran's reaction was instant confusion. "I'm not tying your hands or feet, sir. I'm sorry, but what have I done to make you feel tied to me?"
"Nothing."
Malron realized that Kieran was being very naive. The boy's heart and mind were so pure that they bordered on being incredibly stupid. So, Malron had to work hard to keep Kieran from realizing it.
Suddenly, an idea came to Malron. He rushed over to one of the station hands who was helping to unload the train.
"Sir, do you have a pen and paper?" Malron asked.
The attendant nodded, then pulled a notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. Quickly, Malron wrote a statement on the paper in the notepad:
I RELEASE YOU FROM THE OBLIGATION TO SERVE ME. WITH ALL MY HEART, I SPEAK EACH WORD TRUTHFULLY.
Malron deliberately wrote the words in capital letters if Kieran had trouble seeing them. In essence, Malron wanted to minimize any possible mistakes.
The demon tore up the paper, folded it carefully, and handed the note and the pen to the station guard. Malron remembered to thank him.
As he boarded the train with Kieran, Malron was still in a state of shock. How could he have said those words?
"Is something wrong, sir?" Kieran asked when he saw Malron's pale face.
"I was saying thanks to the stationmaster."
Kieran looked confused. "Was that wrong?"
Malron didn't answer; he just sat down next to Kieran. Malron did this on purpose because when Kieran made his vow, they would have to look at each other.
Malron quickly handed the boy the paper he had written, hoping Kieran would read it aloud. Malron had already imagined that he would return to his world and Kieran to his family.
It would be foolish for Kieran to live a sad life on Earth.
"I have something for you," Malron said and handed the folded note to Kieran.
"From whom?"
"From me, of course, you idiot," Malron snapped.
Kieran seemed clueless and even smiled. "Oh, that is so sweet of you, sir. Thank you."
Sweet? Please, sweet, My Ass, Malron muttered in his heart.
When Kieran unfolded the paper and read the contents, Malron's heart raced. Kieran remained silent, staring intently at the writing on the paper without saying a word.
Three seconds.
Thirty seconds.
Malron wanted to pull his own hair out.
"What did you write, sir?" Kieran asked suddenly.
Malron's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand your written language, sir."
So shocked that he almost snatched the paper out of Kieran's hands Malron's eyes barely blinked as he looked at the note he had written:
ΣΕ ΑΠΑΛΛΑΓΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΥΠΟΧΡΕΩΣΗ ΣΟΥ ΝΑ ΜΕ ΕΞΥΠΗΡΕΤΗΣΕΙΣ. ΜΕ ΟΛΗ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΡΔΙΑ ΜΟΥ ΛΕΩ ΚΑΘΕ ΛΕΞΗ ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ.
"IDIOT!!!" Malron roared.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"YOU'RE AN IDIOT, MALRON!"