Before Astaroth revealed her identity, Asti, who she was pretending to be, was a timid and scared girl.
The fact that she approached me in a completely different manner than I had originally expected meant that the situation I had hoped for had arrived.
I deliberately pretended to be surprised and spoke to her.
"Asti...? What's going on?"
"But these days, there's a rumor going around among brides. Frax, they tell us to come to church every night and repent of our sins. "came here because I was curious about whether this was true," he said.
"I didn't know you would be interested in such rumors. I heard that you don't show interest in anyone or get close to people. But this is completely different from the rumors."
"Well, it was just an act. Besides, I'm quite interested in you. A fool who fell madly in love and threw away his honor!.Is there anything more fun and ridiculous than this?"
she said animatedly. The words in her lively voice were sharply cynical.
"So what is your request?"
"Don't you want to have Aris?"
she asked me in a sly whisper. It was a secret temptation, but I didn't care because I already knew her motives.
In fact, it might not be a bad idea to show that you have fallen into her trap.
"...Is there Aris?"
"Yes. I could do that."
"Why would you do such a thing? Aris already likes Ruslan."
"Well, who knows?"
Her ambiguous laugh. Even though I already knew who she was, there was no need for me to publicly admit that I knew her identity.
Because it's when she shoves the contract in front of me that it's revealed that I know who that person is.
"If you're going to play a game, get lost. I'm not in the mood for puns."
"This is not a game. I can make Aris fall head over heels for you."
"Well, can you control someone's mind to your will?"
"Something like that."
"...Then you are not an ordinary person. I have never heard of magic that can control a person's mind."
"Aren't you surprisingly calm? you're right. I am the devil."
"I don't think you're the type of person to move quickly around a church full of holy relics."
"Are you comparing me to those who are killed by such simple items? I am a much bigger devil than you think."
Of course I know. You are quite something. After all, you are Astaroth, a high demon.
"Yes. Okay. So can you show me what powers you have? It's hard to believe that. It's hard to believe that the devil is walking around out in the open."
"That's a valid point. You might think I'm crazy. Hmm. So… this is enough, right?"
Suddenly, red light poured out from her eyes hidden under her bangs. At that moment, a huge wave of magical power began to surround us.
My body trembled from the overwhelming wave of magic. Even in churches where it is particularly difficult to manifest magic.
Astaroth, who noticed my trembling, removed the spell and continued speaking.
"How was that? I think this is enough evidence."
"right?"
"Do you have a question."
"What is this? Please continue."
"Why me? No matter how I think about it, I don't think there's any reason for a demon of your level to be interested in a human like me."
"That's not true. Your background alone is quite attractive to the devil."
"...is it."
"Yes. Because you come from the most influential family in the empire. To demons, you are quite attractive prey."
"Ha. So, you want to make a contract with me and enjoy my bloodline to your heart's content… What does that mean? Unfortunately, I am only an heir. Even if I wanted to, I can't give in to what you want."
"I know, that much is it. If that's all there is to it, there would be absolutely no reason to approach you. But you know... I'm a bit of a devil."
"A special devil?"
"I am a devil who feeds on emotions."
"...You live off of emotions?"
"Right. I felt very strong feelings for you and thought it would fully satisfy my hunger, so I came to you."
"What kind of feeling…"
I called it a win. As I said, it was because it portrayed the situation I wanted perfectly. It didn't necessarily have to be affection.
"Fear and love, for Aris, love is an emotion. I don't know what you're afraid of, but if it tastes good, I don't think I need to know."
I was a bit skeptical. love? To Aris? I was surprised to hear something completely unexpected.
But the doubts did not last long. Because I realized why I felt love from myself.
In the end, it was I who wrote this novel. So it's impossible not to feel for the main character. In other words, I was worrying about trivial things like fear.
Anyway, it doesn't matter as long as I get over it.
Watching me sigh and move on, she whetted her appetite.
"So are you going to make a deal? If you want, you can make Aris Winslet fall madly in love with you. Of course, I can give you more power than you can imagine."
"Aris..."
I deliberately muttered Aris' name and pretended to be in pain. It was necessary to show that I was tempted by Astaroth's offer.
"What are you going to do? I don't have much time. If you don't like it, say it clearly. Of course, if that happens, some of your memories will have to be erased."
"It's okay. I'll accept your offer."
"okay okay. Then shall we proceed with the contract?"
With a wave of her hand, she levitated a piece of magical parchment.
"contract...?"
"The contract must be clear."
But I knew very well that what she had just said was a lie. The tribe known as the 'Devils' is one of the most cunning tribes.
They don't use their real names when they sign contracts. So-called pacts with the devil usually follow this process.
The devil writes contracts and offers overly generous terms to the contractor. The contractor, mistaking the devil's name for the devil's real name, falls in love with the sweet terms and writes his name on the contract, inevitably becoming bound by the contract.
The original contract is a fraud.
The devil is not obligated to honor the terms of the contract because their real name is not listed. However, the contractor must comply with the contract after entering a name that can prove its existence.
What they call a contract is itself a fraud.
But it's okay. I can make this contract equal, or even make it more advantageous for me. Even high-ranking devils cannot resist a real contract with a real name on it.
That is the rule I have set for the world.
The law states that the moment the devil does not fulfill a contract with his real name, the devil's very existence becomes unstable.
It was a mysterious setting that was subtly inserted while watching an exorcism movie.
Of course, Astaroth was humming and writing the contract with a magic quill. As you might expect, she thought I could be easily fooled.
"Okay. Read it."
The contract that Astaroth magically conjured up for me contains the following:
- Asty will not cause harm to Frax Lansel, a party to the contract.
- Asty will make Aris Winslet love for Frax Lansel within a year.
-Asty immediately transfers some of her powers to Frax Lansel.
-Asty follows Frax Lansel's orders.
- In return, Frax Lansel will provide Asty with the monthly asking price and provide her with a safe haven away from the eyes of the Church in the near future.
"price?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Like I said, it's about your feelings."
"Then I have to explain, right? At first glance, this contract is not an ordinary contract... Wouldn't it be difficult for me if it wasn't clear?"
You should always be careful when signing a contract. The 'price' is an item that Astaroth can change at will, and you must make that clear in order not to be deceived by him.
And it was essential to maintain strict conduct. This is because Astaroth does not want to choose a fool who did not properly review the contract as a contractor. In fact, Farx in the original researched the contract very thoroughly.
However, because the contract itself was a fraud, he had no choice but to end up in the plight of Astaroth's slave.
"Are you really thorough? okay okay."
She smiled and adjusted the nib of her pen to correct the last verse.
-Instead, Park Lancel will provide Asti's sensibility to her and provide her with a safe haven out of the Church's gaze.
"Safe haven? Wouldn't it be okay to stay in the dorm?"
"It's true that I'm still anxious. Honestly, I want to live in peace with humans, but while living in a dorm, the priests call me every time I'm bored, which gives me a headache. Why are there so many prayer meetings? Honestly, it's breathtaking. In the end, I don't necessarily have to use the academy's dormitory, I just want to live somewhere comfortable."
"That is possible. However, this contract seems to be very advantageous to me. Will you give me strength and obey my commands?"
"Aren't these good terms for you?"
"So I doubt it. The conditions are very favorable. I heard that demons are a cunning race."
Even if it is a trick, it will be thrown hard. She knew this, but she wondered what her intentions were.
"Fool. If you don't get stronger after the contract and die early, it can only be a problem for me. Good prey like you are rare. Besides, the devil has an obligation to be loyal to the contract partner."
all right. Is that so? It wouldn't be a problem for her if I died suddenly. There would be no problem for high-ranking demons just because one human contractor died.
If you're going to bluff, make it believable. She was clearly lying to seduce me.
"Anyway, have you checked everything? here!"
As soon as I accepted the contract, I pretended to think it over and changed everything that said 'Asti' to 'Astaroth' in the contract, and even deleted the information about Aris and the compensation she would demand from me.
This is because Aris is a character who must be connected to Ruslan in the first place.
There were not many provisions in this temporary contract, so there were not many areas to modify.
The important thing is that it doesn't matter who writes this contract.
In a demonic contract, it is important to just write down your name, and once you fill out the signature field, the demonic contract will automatically take effect.
The problem is how to divert her attention. Even if it doesn't change much, if you do something useless while holding a quill, you are bound to be suspicious.
Of course, Astaroth's personality is set to be lax in strange places, but even if she is lax, it is clear that she will be wary of me touching the contract with a quill.
It's not just laziness, it's outright recklessness. To dishonor the name of a high-ranking devil.
So... then I had to ask her a reasonable question. While holding the quill and thinking about it... a pretty good question came to mind.
"I have a question."
I moved my hands as if I was flowing. It didn't matter if I pressed hard enough to create light strokes, as long as the ink stuck to the contract.
Even if I move my hand to this extent, I don't think it will arouse her suspicions.
I spoke with her very carefully while adjusting the contract.
"hmm? what's this?"
"What exactly would you do to sway Aris's heart? Do you have a charm spell or something?"
"It's similar, right. There is a potion that a succubus can make. It's often called a love potion."
"Love potion?"
"Yes, it definitely works. I have had a lot of fun with it."
She seemed satisfied and described her exploits with medicine. Honestly, it wasn't very fun. Because I already knew everything.
As I worked on the contract, I pretended to be absorbed in what she was saying. Add an appropriate response such as "Oh, I see." This creates a moment for her to become more passionate about her story.
And in that brief moment, Astaroth did not scrutinize my actions... That was enough time for me to manipulate this pathetic fraudulent contract to my will.
Sweat poured down my back like bullets.
I would have been dead the moment I was caught... Fortunately, I was able to write the contract perfectly without being caught.
The moment I engraved Astaroth's real name and my name in the signature line, the contract immediately glowed and hardened like a fossil.
It was announced that it could no longer be used.
Asti leisurely accepted the contract and began to read it slowly...
As soon as she saw her name, her movements suddenly stopped.
she asked me, turning her head with jerky, almost robotic movements.
"....how?"
"Are you surprised that the scam didn't go as planned? Great Demon King Astaroth."
roar!
Her attitude changes immediately. Astaroth exerted tremendous power to trap me, but her magic disappeared like smoke before me.
It was because of the clause written at the top of the contract.
Astaroth will not harm Frax Lancel, the party to the contract.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Well, what are you curious about?"
I answered as vaguely as she did. Astaroth's bewildered expression deepened, and her head went into confusion. Because the contract was complete, she could no longer fight against me.
And would you believe me if I told you who I am?
That I am the creator who created this world.