DSB 127

“G-god, really? A demon…!”

When the retainers saw the demon, their eyes widened like lanterns. Anticipating their impending reaction, Lebel preempted them.

“I can do some unusual things.”

“This is beyond just being unusual…!!”

“If it helps, that’s all that matters. Why overthink it? Seems my magic works well against demonic beasts and demons.”

Annoyed, Lebel cut off the retainer’s words. He then signaled to Merick. The latter composed his expression.

“So it was true… the master of the holy sword has been born.”

“A demon is now…”

The retainers were astonished even to hear the demon’s voice. Merick, though threatened by the holy sword, raised his head defiantly.

“So, what do you intend by summoning me? Sorry, but I only need my contract partner’s soul. I have no interest in the North.”

“Jorsen’s soul…!”

Harvan jumped to his feet, choked up, but couldn’t bring himself to say more and sat back down. Lebel looked at Jorsen.

He couldn’t even lift his head. As the contracted demon revealed himself and his sins were laid bare, he trembled.

“There is something you must do.”

“Do you think the world is yours just because a mere human obtained a holy sword?!”

Merick frowned and shouted loudly at Yutis’s words. As the demonic energy spread through the room, the air grew heavy, and the retainers felt as if something was pressing down on their shoulders.

“If you could have escaped, you would have done so long ago. But you haven’t. Isn’t it because you fear the holy sword?”

[Who do you think you are shouting at?]

Lebel warned Merick telepathically. Hearing the voice echoing in his mind, Merick looked behind Yutis and saw Lebel standing there.

A chill ran down his spine. What made him tremble with fear wasn’t the holy sword that could sever a neck, nor its wielder.

It was Lebel, whose face was barely visible, hidden behind Yutis’s massive frame.

[You wouldn’t dare antagonize me just to claim a single human soul, would you?]

[How could I… but in front of humans, I should at least show a demon-like behavior.]

[He is my husband. Do not be rude.]

[Understood….]

Merick’s eyes widened in surprise, but upon seeing the holy sword Yutis held, he realized something.

For Level, threatening an angel to get a good weapon for a human was no trouble. Lebel was the pinnacle of demons, and even angels couldn’t stop him.

In other words, Merick had no choice.

“Don’t you value your life?”

Merick watched the holy sword draw even closer, then clicked his tongue.

“I’ll admit that holy sword is threatening. But you shouldn’t expect much more. I’m always ready to stab you in the back. Never show me your back.”

Merick chuckled nonchalantly, despite being restrained. At the same moment, Lebel’s expression twitched.

I warned him, so why is he acting like this?

Seeing Lebel’s expression, Merick wiped the smile from his face and asked Yutis seriously.

“So. What do you want me to do?”

“Do you know about the demon that appeared in the Empire?”

“I know. That bastard is famous among the demons here. Unlike others who can appear before humans through contracts, he came directly from the Demon Reall to the human world without any restrictions.”

“If that demon’s words are true, does that mean the Emperor isn’t his contract holder?”

“It seems that demon doesn’t care whether he makes a contract or not. But since he joined hands with a human, he must have made a contract.”

The humans, who had been frozen in tense silence, began chattering nervously once they saw the demon couldn’t move against the holy sword.

“Father-in-law, you do intend to plant this demon as a spy, right?”

“Yes.”

“You heard him? You can do it, right?”

Merick wasn’t the type to take dangerous risks. So even after hearing Lebel’s words, he had no intention of siding with Norman.

But I need to show them it’s safe.

[Father, it would be wise to inform the lords that Merick cannot harbor any other intentions.]

Edmund startled and looked at Lebel. When asked what to do, Lebel replied flatly.

[Use Luceris.]

“Luceris, I’m counting on you.”

[What do you want me to do…?]

Luceris grumbled reluctantly, but at Edmund and Lebel’s urging, he approached Merick. Then, glancing back, he asked Lebel.

[What now?]

You don’t have to do anything. Just reassure the humans. Merick will obey my orders. Well, sort of…]

Lebel, who had plenty of experience giving showy speeches, gave an example, and Luceris nodded in understanding.

[I like this land. How could I stand by and watch a human I care about be in danger? Therefore, I shall place a restriction upon you.”

Luseris tapped his forehead. A bright light flared forth and then faded. The retainers looked around, wondering what had just passed.

“My lord, what did the guardian do?”

“As you heard, he placed a restriction. 

That demon will no longer harm the North. Moreover, it will aid us.”

“But… it’s a demon. Using a demon is still…”

“That’s a rather obvious point.”

“Pardon?”

The retainers turned to look at Edmund at his calm remark.

“Didn’t the Empire call the North a den of demons? 

They were the ones who first spread the rumor that the Hestro family was of demon blood. We’re merely wielding demon power as befits that bloodline. What’s the problem?”

It wasn’t only the Empire that branded the Hestro family with the stigma of demon blood. The North did so too, so none of them could say anything.

“God is with us, and so is the guardian. There’s no problem. “

[Did I do well?]

Luceris flew over to Edmund and asked quietly, and Edmund silently stroked his head. Lebel watched the two getting along and felt satisfied.

“The North will not back down. Prepare yourselves. It will be fiercer than last year. I will not tolerate any objections.”

“I will follow the lord’s will!”

“I wonder if it will be alright…”

Some shouted boldly, others were consumed by worry, but since the Empire had declared war, it was an unavoidable battle.

“Everyone, prepare the nation’s strength and stockpile food in anticipation of the Empire’s invasion. The Palma territory, bordering the Empire, is most likely to be attacked first. They’ll try to reclaim what was once their land. Randol, Maven, lead your knights to the Palma territory immediately and stand by! Dismissed! Further orders will follow.”

The once bustling meeting hall grew quiet as the crowd dispersed. Merick remained kneeling, and Jorsen still couldn’t lift his head.

“Yutis, is this one any good?”

“…Are you referring to Jorsen?”

Lebel asked, pointing at Jorsen. Jorsen’s shoulders flinched.

“War has broken out. Every bit of strength counts.”

“…He’s an exceptional knight. I consider him a comrade I can trust to guard my back during battle. He distinguished himself in the last war too.”

“Hmm, really? That Harvan fellow seemed strong too. Though he seems to have withered away lately, worrying about his child.”

It would be troublesome if such a man couldn’t exert his strength in war. And wouldn’t it be good to create a little debt for a man like that? This fellow before me seems destined to become a lord someday too.

“The contract. Shall I annul it?”

“… Yes?”

“Didn’t you make a contract with a demon against your will, just to survive?”

“Ah, y-yes! I never dreamed that whisper was the voice of a demon… ugh!”

He was startled, moved roughly, and the wound must have been irritated, causing him to groan. Harvan, who had not been able to go out due to worries about his son, was also startled and replied.

“Is breaking the contract possible?”

“It’s not difficult. You haven’t actually harmed the North.”

“Please, I beg you. He’s my only child.”

Lebel indifferently looked at Harvan, who was kneeling and pleading, he said to Jorsen.

“It’ll hurt a bit.”

Unlike the light touch, Jorsen bowed his head under the searing pain in his heart. But it lasted only a moment; soon, the agony vanished as if it had never been.

And when Lebel withdrew his hand, the demon’s mark had disappeared.

“Good. Check for yourself.”

The contract was successfully dissolved, and Merick was still right before his eyes.

Jorsen hurriedly examined his chest where the contract mark had been. The reason he’d been cautious even about changing clothes alone after signing the contract was gone. With the mark that had tormented him for a full year vanished, Jorsen wore a dazed expression.

“Th-thank you…”

“In return, don’t covet Yutis.”

Jorsen lifted his head, only to find behind the calm expression, the eyes of a predator quietly watching him.

“Of, of course!”

“Good.”

Lebel tapped Jorsen’s head lightly. Unlike the affectionate gesture, the weight carried by that touch quietly squeezed Jorsen’s breath. 

It was a warning, and at the same time, a mercy for that very purpose.

“My lord, what shall we do?”

“Release him. The demon is already under our command.”

The chains that had bound Jorsen were loosened. Staggering to his feet, Harvan supported him.

“I shall never forget this kindness.”

Harvan bowed respectfully to Lebel and exited.

“Was it necessary to terminate the contract so conspicuously? Won’t he figure out Lebel’s true identity?”

Bron watched Jorsen and Harvan’s retreating figures with a worried expression.