DSB 135

“So it was you who declared war on the North.”

“I had no choice. The North possessed what I desired most. But I never truly wanted to wage war. That’s why I made them an offer.”

“…An offer?”

“I asked for an opportunity to meet with Lord Lebel.”

Neither Father nor Father-in-law mentioned such a thing when they saw the letter.

Since Lebel hadn’t seen the letter’s contents, he couldn’t know exactly what tone Biakin used or what he demanded precisely, but he certainly hadn’t just mentioned meeting him in those exact words.

“Even if the North accepted that proposal, I won’t contract with you.”

“…You’re quite firm. In that case, how about hearing the price I’m offering first?”

Despite the repeated refusal, he maintained his smiling face, seemingly untouched by wounded pride.

And now he was making another proposal.

“I’ve heard a demon’s contract is an exchange of equal value. If Lord Lebel would become my power, I will give you this empire.”

At Biakin’s words, Lebel could only frown. Someone seeking a contract with him for the empire’s sake was offering the empire itself?

As if he understood Lebel’s confusion, Biakin continued.

“If Lord Lebel contracts with me, wouldn’t this empire become yours? Not just the empire. If you desire, other nations could become vassals of the empire. All would be yours.”

Biakin didn’t hesitate revealing his ambition.

“That’s just wordplay.”

“Don’t demons enjoy wordplay?”

“You say it’s mine, but it’s yours. Wasn’t your aim to make the empire more powerful by targeting the threatening North? Even now, the North is a hindrance, so you started a war.”

“Didn’t I tell you? That was before. Now it’s merely a means to meet Lord Lebel.”

“Now that you’ve come face to face with me, isn’t there no need for war? Yet the Empire and the North are still fighting.”

“The war has already begun. Even if we wanted to stop, would they? With Lord Lebel here.”

Lebel clicked his tongue. Once the spark of war had spread, it was difficult to extinguish.

“War is just the lowly ones dying. It shouldn’t trouble Lord Lebel’s mind. “

“It’s not quite that simple, you see.”

As Biakin said, the deaths of humans were irrelevant to Lebel. But one person was the problem.

And Lebel was here. Knowing who had taken him away, Yutis would have thrown himself into the war without hesitation.

Lebel’s mood grew increasingly uneasy at the thought of Yutis getting hurt. Then, as if fully aware of Lebel’s feelings, Biakin brought up the North.

“Of course, if Lord Lebel contracts with me, I will reconsider our relationship with the North. I can even acknowledge our defeat in the war. Naturally, I will send you back to the North.”

In essence, he wouldn’t back down until he got what he wanted.

The North likely held significant weight in why Biakin so desired a contract with Lebel. The North grew stronger by the day and had even achieved victories against the Empire.

Yet he claimed he would leave the North alone. For him, it was the best compromise he could find.

To Lebel, that compromise was ridiculous. Aware of this, Biakin continued his speech.

“Do you know why it’s called the North? Originally, that land was part of the Empire’s territory. But the terrain was so rugged and demonic beasts ran rampant that humans couldn’t live there. The Empire abandoned the Northern Mountains, and the forsaken land soon became known as the Land of Demonic Beasts. Then, humans began to settle there. The Empire’s declaration of war on the North also stems from a desire to reclaim its former lands.”

“The Empire thinks as it pleases.”

“Humans are like that. But if I become Emperor, I will recognize the North as a fully sovereign nation. How about enthroning the head of the Hestro family as King? Since they are already the family ruling the North, it seems fitting.”

“Do you think you, just crowned Emperor, can do anything by force against the nobles’ opposition? There must be limits to who you can kill.”

“If I make a contract with Lord Lebel, what is there I cannot do? And aren’t the nobles human? They will have no choice but to move according to my will.”

Seeing him speak so boldly, Lebel wondered if any proper humans remain in the imperial palace. In the end, only ordinary citizens who knew nothing would end up supporting a mighty empire.

Do the people or the temples even know the emperor of the empire is using demonic power?

“In the end, things are going your way. The North has already proven its strength. This time will yield the same result.”

“Didn’t Lord Lebel wish for peace in the North ruled by the young master? If you just sign the contract, I’ll provide full support for grain, demonic beasts, and any other issues.”

Lebel remained silent. Then, Biakin spoke in a polite tone.

“I understand your displeasure. But without this approach, Lord Lebel wouldn’t have met with me, nor would you have considered a contract. I’m simply explaining the benefits you would gain from contracting with me.”

“You know I can achieve this without contracting with you.”

“It would take time. Many troublesome matters would arise. While the Empire currently blocks the North’s expansion, other nations are also watching the North closely. Though you may not have intended it, your actions were too flashy. A god and a dragon? How could other nations not be wary?”

“Didn’t you consider the opposite? I was telling them to know their place and not touch it.”

Biakin drew in a hollow breath before replying quietly.

“…I see. My thinking was short-sighted. However, my proposals aren’t bad. The Empire will shield the North against threats.”

Lebel valued peace. Relinquishing the throne in the Demon Realm to another, building a castle in a secluded place, it was the same principle.

By that logic, they certainly weren’t bad proposals.

He could dump all the troublesome matters onto the Empire and live peacefully in the small space of the North while Yutis was alive. That’s exactly how he’d done it in the Demon Realm.

But could the North truly be considered safe for life just because the Empire acted as its shield?

If the Empire grew stronger, the North might become a nuisance to them in a few generations. Humans can betray you at any moment, depending on the situation.

A contract is absolute, but the contracts humans discuss are not absolute. Especially since Biakin won’t live forever.

So, it’s only valid while he reigns as the Empire’s emperor.

In the meantime, if the Empire builds immense power and conquers other nations, a future where the North naturally becomes part of the Empire will come.

However, that was entirely a matter for the descendants of the North to handle in the future.

“You understand me better than I thought. For a human, that is.”

His obsession with demons was something worthy of recognition. He even grasped Lebel’s way of thinking well.

Lebel cherished the people of Hestro Castle in his own way. The reason was very simple.

It was the same context he once spoke of to Luceris. Because Yutis cherished them. He would grieve if they died, so he simply hoped they wouldn’t die.

But fundamentally, they were humans whose deaths mattered little.

The only human Lebel cherished was Yutis. Demons were inherently self-centered. Even if they adjusted their standards for others, their nature didn’t change. They just didn’t show it.

“Then…”

“It’s merely not a bad proposal, but it’s not a good one either. Demons only make contracts that are advantageous. If you contract to use my power, you’ll only end up bothering me.”

He was already this bothersome. It was obvious.

Yet, as if this was within his expected range, Biakin didn’t stop his persuasion.

“It won’t take much of your time. Killing humans is easy for you, Lord Lebel. A few human years are but a fleeting moment. Invest that time, and you can live peacefully in the North with the young master.”

So even if he leaves the North alone, he intends to invade other nations.

“Even that bothers me. And I have reasons to consider the North’s future.”

“Why? You only cherish one human.”

“That will change in a few years.”

Lebel said with a soft smile. Biakin frowned, he couldn’t understand.

As a demon, he would spend all his time living as a human on Yutis. The shorter the time they could be together, the greater the regret.

Therefore, wouldn’t it be far better to bring the Empire to his side rather than maintain hostile relations and live in constant tension?

Even if only for the sake of the young master who would one day rule the North.

If he simply made the contract, the Empire would shoulder all that troublesome work.

Lebel could personally bolster the North’s strength, but human society is complex, and not everything can be resolved by force. And the young master would not shirk his responsibilities; he would step forward and fight for the people of the North.

“Yutis and my child. Shouldn’t I protect the place where they’ll live?”

Hearing words he could never have imagined, Biakin’s eyes widened like lanterns. Lebel, amused, burst into laughter.