“Ell, I’ve been thinking all night about how to make you believe that I will never abandon you. But, for now, I haven’t figured it out. What do you think I should do?”
No matter what is said, Ellyad would still harbor doubts, which frustrated Thrett. So, he decided to throw the question back to Ellyad.
“Sorry, but even if you ask me, I don’t know how to answer.” Thrett felt ashamed of himself for being so troubled by this. If Ellyad could let go of his doubts, Thrett wouldn’t have to worry about such matters.
“Hey, hey, don’t apologize. This is voluntary on my part. Don’t look so downcast.”
Thrett comforted him and casually picked up a book, noticing the spine reading “Establishment Ceremony and Regulations of the Contracted Demon Tribe.”
Thinking about how he impersonated a contracted demon while actually understanding nothing about their regulations, he curiously flipped through a few pages.
It mentioned that a contracted demon referred to “any demon who forms a magical contract of peace, mutual assistance, and non-aggression with any reputable human public authority.” Approval of the contract could then be granted, and a contract certificate issued.
The so-called “magical contract” was a very cautious and solemn ceremony for demons. It wasn’t only used when becoming a contracted demon but also when making agreements with others.
Once a contract was made, magic would bind the contractor, preventing them from violating the terms. If there was resistance or a breach, the contract magic would kill the demon who made the oath. This was the primary reason why humans could trust contracted demons—violation meant certain death.
To humans, a demon with a noose around its neck posed no threat at all.
“Ah, this is it!”
Thrett closed the book with a loud “snap,” and Ellyad turned his head, puzzled, asking, “What’s going on?”
Thrett didn’t explain; he simply hurriedly gestured for Ellyad to turn and face him, then immediately crouched down, kneeling on one knee.
“What are you doing?” Ellyad, caught off guard by Thrett’s sudden action, was focused on trying to pull Thrett back up.
“Let’s make a contract,” Thrett said. As soon as the words were spoken, the surrounding scenery was instantly engulfed in pitch darkness. Ellyad could see nothing but an endless void, unsure if he was still standing on solid ground. His body felt weightless, floating in nothingness.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Pc atlr rqjmf, bcis Ktgfaa jcv Siisjv fwlaafv j ojlca tjib.
Ktgfaa qijmfv tlr ifoa tjcv bnfg atf mfcafg bo tlr mtfra, gjlrfv Siisjv’r tjcv klat tlr gluta, jcv rjlv, “Qlat lcolclaf ilof jr j rjmglolmf, kf rkfjg tfgf—”
Cr atf ijra cbaf ofii, j wjrrlnf wjulm mlgmif jqqfjgfv ecvfg atflg offa, fzqjcvlcu gjqlvis lcab atf reggbecvlcu vjgxcfrr klat atfw ja atf mfcafg. Ktf wjulm mlgmif mbcalcefv ab ugbk klatbea qjerf.
Inside the circle, runes shimmered with countless dazzling colors—golden, icy blue, sunny orange, crimson, silver, emerald green, indigo purple. Geometric shapes and lines, like ripples, rotated like gears, seeking their positions in harmony. For a moment, the magic circle overflowed with radiant and vibrant light.
Ellyad had heard that demons would reveal their magic circles when making contracts, and each demon’s magic circle would differ based on the strength and attributes of their magic.
Having never witnessed a demon’s magic circle before, Ellyad couldn’t determine Thrett’s specific demonic attribute. The only certainty was that the grandiosity of this magic circle overwhelmed every observer’s thoughts.
This represented the potent magic power hidden within Thrett. Unfortunately, Ellyad had no other point of comparison, so he could only affirm that Thrett’s magic was undoubtedly formidable.
Thrett gently lifted Ellyad’s fingers and began reciting the covenant oath, “From now on, no matter where you are, as long as you call my name, I will come to your side in the name of ‘—.'”
There was a sudden pause in Thrett’s words, representing the “true name” spoken in the language of demons, something humans couldn’t hear. Thrett’s true name was “Demon King,” not just a title, but an actual name for demons.
After finishing the oath, Thrett brought Ellyad’s hand towards his lips. Ellyad, in surprise, was about to withdraw his hand, but Thrett beat him to it, offering a light kiss on the ring and pinky fingers.
“Ah!” Even though Ellyad couldn’t see his own expression, the warmth in his cheeks hinted at the embarrassment spreading from his neck to his ears.
“The ring finger symbolizes constraint, and the pinky signifies agreement; the contract will bind me, preventing me from leaving you, and I will never violate our agreement.” Thrett finally stood up, asking, “Can you believe me now?”
The magic circle and the dark space instantly vanished, and the scene returned to the original library, between the rows of bookshelves.
“You… isn’t this a bit too extreme?” Ellyad tried hard to conceal his blushing face, turning his head away and awkwardly responding.
Seeing Ellyad’s embarrassment, Thrett smiled and said, “I’d be willing to do this if it earns your trust.”
Ellyad glanced at Thrett’s smile, feeling overwhelmed by the embarrassed atmosphere. He didn’t know how to respond and was also confused about what value he held that made Thrett willingly go to such lengths for him.
—
As the afternoon approached and the sorting came to a close, Ellyad was organizing historical borrowing records at the counter, while Thrett found a seat to read a book. Thrett flipped through the pages quickly, appearing quite accustomed to reading.
Even sitting quietly, Thrett looked graceful, like a painting. Ellyad discreetly observed Thrett from the counter and felt that Thrett, engrossed in his book, exuded an atmosphere of serene solitude, not to be disturbed.
Ellyad looked down at his left ring and pinky fingers, where the warmth and sensation of Thrett’s lips lingered. A faint smile involuntarily appeared on Ellyad’s face.
“Thrett, I never expected to find you here. We’re really an odd pair. I’ve been looking for you all morning, thinking you might have left. It got me really worried,” a lively female voice echoed in the tranquil library. Ellyad recognized the voice from yesterday—it was Lofisso.
“I didn’t finish what I wanted to tell you yesterday. I was thinking that the two of us get along well on our journey, so how about officially forming a bounty hunter team with me? Of course, your companion can join us too.” Noticing Ellyad’s gaze from the counter, Lofisso flashed him a friendly smile.
“No,” Thrett replied with a smile. He quite liked seeing other people’s smiles, although as the Demon King, he should prefer the sorrowful and desolate faces of people.
“Well, that’s great… Wait, did you just say ‘no’?! It doesn’t have to be a team; the three of us traveling together would be fine, right?” Lofisso was greatly surprised and quickly adjusted her proposal, noticing Ellyad’s gaze from the counter.
In the past, although Thrett was indifferent to other companions, he rarely rejected her suggestions, making her feel that her position in Thrett’s heart was significantly different from those other people.
“Ah, no, not that either,” still smiling, Thrett continued to reject the idea.
“Why? Having me with you two would be advantageous. I’ll cover my own travel expenses, and even if we encounter tough monsters, I’ll definitely be an asset. You know my strength, Thrett,” Lofisso felt a sense of embarrassment and awkwardness. Although there were no other people in the library, being directly rejected twice wasn’t very considerate towards a woman.
“Besides, you and I—” she hinted, pulling the fabric of her clothes tighter around her breast, implying something.
Lofisso had the impression that demons were loyal to their desires. However, she oversimplified the Demon King, perhaps because she hadn’t considered Thrett’s actual status as the Demon King. What differences existed between the Demon King and ordinary demons?
Demons have limited lifespans, and their loyalty to carnal desires is for reproduction but mostly for self-indulgence. The Demon King, however, has an infinite lifespan, and desires are controlled by emotions. For example, just because Thrett dislikes food, he can choose never to indulge in it. This means that if Thrett is not interested, Lofisso’s attempts to seduce him hold no appeal.
“—How about you and me?” Thrett suddenly wore a different smile, maliciously curling his lips. Thrett repeated, “Tell me, what about you and me?”
He felt bored, fed up. Lofisso clearly saw his sentiments in Thrett’s expression.
It was this unpredictable temperament that had made his former companions angry and leave. Thrett never considered anyone else and believed there was no need. Group actions were burdensome for him, and he felt no sentiment, whether someone stayed or left.
Intense sorrow tightened Lofisso’s infatuation, but she couldn’t give up. She said to Thrett, “If we can’t travel together, at least give me a farewell kiss. You won’t refuse that, right?”
‘Since convincing him with words is difficult, let’s try concrete actions.’ Once desire is stirred within him, perhaps there’s a possibility of changing Thrett’s mind.
Putting all her hopes into this passionate kiss, without waiting for Thrett’s response, Lofisso took the initiative. With half-closed feathered lashes, she leaned forward, one hand pressing down the long ponytail cascading over her shoulder, and the other resting on Thrett’s shoulder. This posture fully showcased the unique charm of a woman.
“Ack!”
Before Lofisso could get close to Thrett’s face, a blood-red broadsword suddenly flashed before her eyes. The wide blade separated the two, with its sharp tip deeply embedded into the wooden bookshelf behind.
“Please maintain quietness and good manners in the library,” Ellyad’s hand still on the sword hilt, his expression very serious.
“It’s you again. What do you want?” Lofisso exclaimed angrily, drawing the short sword from her waist and swinging it towards the broadsword.
“Clang!” A harsh clash of blades echoed, and sparks flew as the two swords collided. With a forceful twist of her wrist, Lofisso managed to deflect the giant sword with her short knife. Ellyad, alert, immediately retracted the Sword of the Hero.
Given Lofisso’s title as the “Warlance Queen,” acknowledged by fellow bounty hunters, she undoubtedly possessed the strength to stand tall. The only reason she endured this silently was simply to avoid damaging relations too early with Thrett’s “current” companion.
Ooh girl 😬 Clear some things up and stop dilly-dallying Thrett!
<3