On my way back, I decided to stay overnight in the town of Tenatite.
I still haven’t bought any Trent wood at all. I want materials to make talismans, but I can’t carve them… Oh, I should buy souvenirs for Alesia and Kiara. Should I also buy something for Binal, the one who introduced me to the caravan?
I walked alone through the evening streets. It seems the chaos has settled down, and compared to the day I left, it’s much quieter now. Since the fire dragon was defeated, there’s no need to evacuate anymore.
As expected, there’s plenty of Trent wood, which is often used by wizards for their staffs, so there are many items for magic users. I bought some Trent-made wooden tags and blank plates, planning to make amulets eventually.
For dinner, the inn will prepare the meal, so I bought dessert and tea leaves afterward. There were herbs that weren’t sold in Renant, so I was satisfied with my purchases. Many wizards were visiting to buy items, and the conversations in the shops were mostly about magic and equipment. Just listening to them was enjoyable.
Although, of course, the topics were mostly beginner-level.
“Iriya. Prepare the Magic Mirror.”
As I was checking my purchases in my room at the inn, Belial came in without even knocking on the door.
I really wish he wouldn’t enter like that…
“Are you going to communicate with someone?”
“Yeah… well, sort of. A signal was sent.”
His way of speaking sounds hesitant, which is unusual. It seems it’s not one of his subordinates.
The Magic Mirror, formally known as the Magic Mirror Triangle.
This magical item connects this world with another realm by placing a mirror inside a triangle marked with powerful names. It uses magic to create a connection and project illusions.
It’s possible for the magic from the other side to affect this side to some extent, just by creating the connecting line. However, it seems that doing anything without cutting the connection requires advanced magical control and is quite difficult.
“Should I prepare a Magic Circle instead…?”
“No, that’s unnecessary. It’s only for my use, so you should remain polite.”
The way he said that clearly suggests he’s a demon above even a king.
I took the Magic Mirror from my item box and placed it on a small desk in the single room as instructed. I set it up facing the chair Belial sat in, then chanted a spell to connect the space.
“Gate of the other world, open. In the name of the great, let this mirror show an illusion. Demon, emerge from hell.”
The Magic Mirror briefly shone white, illuminating the surroundings. As the light faded, small lights began to flicker and grow, gathering to form the shape of a human.
What appeared was an illusion of a young, handsome man with silver hair that reached just past his shoulders, water-blue transparent eyes, and wearing a white robe resembling that of an angel. He had a gentle expression that made him hard to believe as a demon.
Even more unusual, the full-body 3D projection was rare.
“Hey, Belial. When did you go over there?”
“Just recently. I’ll be staying here for a while, but… is something the matter?”
This is the first time I’ve heard a demon call Belial by his first name. Are they both kings…?
“It’s not just something, you summoned my subordinate, didn’t you?”
“Ah… you mean Lucifuge Rofocale . It seems I needed him more than my subordinates.”
“He was happy drinking with you… but I wouldn’t say that’s something to be pleased about.”
This gentle-looking demon may not be fond of humans. Perhaps it’s a protest about his subordinate being summoned.
But… I might get a glimpse into the situation in hell…! Ah, the conversation between demon kings…!
“Still as stubborn as ever. So, what’s the main topic?”
“Well, you’ve remained the free-spirited man I know. Lately, high-ranking beings have been frequently summoned to the human world. I’m concerned about that.”
“When I was summoned, I saw Tiamat. Has she returned?”
“No, her son said he would go look for her.”
“It would be better to leave her alone. Who could possibly lay a hand on her?”
Belial, propping his cheek in exasperation.
Tiamat is a black dragon, and if I recall correctly, she was once at the level of a “god,” part of the highest class of dragons known as the Dragon God Clan.
Long ago, a country in the southern part of the continent summoned her at a military experimental facility, and in her anger, she destroyed the facility and nearby villages, causing a great loss of life. It’s a famous incident.
Since then, there have been calls to regulate summoning magic, but many still wish to summon high-ranking beings, so the regulation hasn’t come to fruition.
Tiamat is still in this world…
“Looks like Baal (Beelzebub) went over there too.”
“What! Lord Baal…? I don’t want to meet him.”
“…You seem to have a different attitude toward Baal, don’t you?”
“That one… I’m not fond of him…”
“Heh, he must have been bored. Try to entertain him as best as you can.”
“I… understand! It was my fault regarding Lucifuge !!”
Ah, Belial is apologizing. He raised both his hands to his face in a gesture of surrender. That’s rare. He’s definitely a king above Belial, but they seem unusually casual with each other…
From this conversation alone, I can’t really understand their relationship.
Also, it seems that Belial isn’t fond of Baal. He calls him by a respectful title, so I thought Baal would be higher than Belial, but this guy seems to be above him, right?
I wonder why they talk so normally with each other…?
“By the way, that human girl.”
After nodding, seemingly satisfied with Belial’s attitude, the water-blue eyes turned to me.
“Y-Yes.”
His voice and gaze were no longer gentle, but harsh, and the air in the room became heavy.
I knelt down and lowered my head, responding cautiously.
“…Even though you are his contractor, you are not allowed to summon me.”
“I understand.”
“…Hmm?”
It seems like he doesn’t trust humans. I should probably make it clear.
“Forgive me, but I already have Lord Belial, so I have no need to seek any greater power.”
“…I see. I’ll give you a passing grade.”
Wait, was I being tested?
The oppressive atmosphere suddenly lightened, and his expression returned to its earlier gentleness.
“Raise your head. If Belial is unable to handle something, feel free to call on me. I’ll reprimand him for you.”
“Wait! That would make this girl my supervisor, wouldn’t it?!”
Belial raised his voice, and the blue eyes, as clear as the sky, narrowed coldly.
“…You, don’t you remember how you destroyed two towns in the past?”
“That was just an experiment, and as a demon…”
“Be quiet.”
“……”
Belial actually went silent. Amazing.
What was this about destroying two towns, though? And apparently, this guy didn’t like the way it was done.
“Excuses are ugly. I hope you won’t do such uncouth things again.”
After coldly saying that, his expression softened again, and he turned back toward me.
“Well then, human girl. I am Lucifer.”
He introduced himself, and as he did, he began to be enveloped in a soft light. It seemed that the communication was about to end.
“Oh, and one more thing, Belial.”
As the outline of Lucifer began to fade, he called out to Belial, his expression now resembling that of a mischievous child who had thought of a prank.
“Making your contractor call you ‘Lord’ is a bit of a poor taste.”
“I don’t make him say that!!”
The light from the Magic Mirror cut off, completely severing the connection. I don’t know if Belial’s retort reached him.
Leaning against his chair, Belial brushed his red hair in irritation.
“…Shall I make tea?”
“Would you prefer black tea? I also have herbal tea.”
“Either is fine!”
The last part was clearly teasing… This is a fresh new sight to witness.
The small pot whistled softly as it heated up, and as I took out the tea leaves, I saw Belial looking unusually sulky through the steam.
