Today, Iriya is working on item creation.
I have entrusted the guard duty to Ekvar and decided to spend the day as I please. Although I will be vulnerable during item creation, someone needs to be around for protection. If it’s that man, despite his personality, there should be no issue with his skill.
I’ve become thoroughly familiar with this town. While I can’t quite get used to the culture of buying food from street vendors and eating while walking, it’s part of the charm here.
While walking down a narrow alley with few people, a woman from the opposite side calls out to me.
“Excuse me, could you tell me where the Adventurers’ Guild is?”
“If you go to the next major street, you’ll find it. There’s a large road ahead, and it intersects there. You should be able to find it easily.”
The woman wears an B-rank adventurer’s badge. She’s dressed in a robe, so she’s probably a mage adventurer.
“…Are you someone who has made a contract?”
“I have. Pity, though.”
So she approached me knowing I was contracted. There are also others who haven’t made contracts, but they are fewer. It’s a safer choice than summoning demons recklessly.
“Such a pity. You’re such a wonderful person, I wish we could travel together.”
I am, of course, the most aware of how wonderful I am.
I’ve grown tired of women who look at me with such flattering eyes.
For the sake of mood, I enter a nearby café and look around for a seat.
Huh. There’s someone here who is even more unpleasant. Why are they in this town?
I walk over to the table beside the man with shoulder-length blonde hair reflecting the light, sit with my back to him.
“…It seems you’ve made a contract with someone. That’s rare.”
The sound of a glass being placed on the table echoes.
“…I thought I sensed a strong demon’s presence. To be the King of Hell, you’re being quite subdued.”
“I could say the same about you. I expected you to attack me as soon as you spotted me.”
“What an ignorant fool.”
Just then, the waiter arrives, and I order a herbal tea.
The man behind me appears to be drinking a carbonated beverage.
On the table, there’s a paper with a picture of meat dishes, labeled as the daily special.
“I make this town my base. It’s unpleasant to have someone like you here.”
“This is not your town. Besides, I’d rather not be in the same place as you.”
“Well, that’s fine.”
“Thank you for waiting.”
The herbal tea is delivered, and I take a sip. The transparent red liquid has a pleasant tangy scent. This man is someone who speaks little.
After that, the silence continues, with no further conversation.
When my cup is almost empty, a man in a robe enters the café and walks calmly toward me.
“Uriel-sama, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Shall we go?”
So this man is the contractor? He looks to be in his thirties, a quiet and serious-looking mage. He has a gloomy air about him.
“…Let’s go. Next time, I’d like to meet you on the battlefield, Belial.”
“I’d rather avoid such troublesome matters.”
Since his wings are folded, humans with weak magical power wouldn’t recognize him as a celestial being. The man stands up and, as we pass each other, drops a single remark.
“You’re the most deceitful of the Kings of Hell.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Among celestial beings, you are the most foolish.”
“…Shut up.”
One of the Four Archangels, Uriel, who is of the earth attribute. He glanced at me, then turned without looking back.
Fighting between high-ranking demons like myself and top-tier angels is prohibited, so it won’t escalate into a battle unless something extraordinary happens. We are still in the stage of avoiding the final war.
However, conflicts are not a problem among lower-ranking beings. In fact, some engage in them actively.
But Uriel was known to despise human power struggles. I wonder what kind of contract he’s made.
When they leave the café, walking past the narrow path next to my seat, I overhear their conversation through the window.
“Uriel-sama, you’re drinking carbonated drinks again? It seems you really like it.”
“The sensation that hits my throat is aggressive and interesting.”
What a strange comment. His contractor chuckles awkwardly.
What on earth does he expect from a drink?
As I walked outside the town to get some fresh air, I heard something large approaching from behind at high speed. It landed with a thunderous impact. Until it was almost upon me, I couldn’t even sense it.
There’s only one person it could be. I wish I’m wrong, though…
A man with deep green hair tied back, the ends fluttering behind him, wrapped in a long white cloth that reaches his ankles. Around his neck, a silver ornament gleams, and his coat is embroidered with silver threads matching the color of his hair.
“Belial! You’ve hidden your power well. If I hadn’t asked Lucifer-sama, I wouldn’t have known you were here!”
What an unnecessary thing to say! What a poor excuse for a friend!
“…It is an honor to meet you, Lord Baal. May you be in good spirits and may I gaze upon your respected face.”
“Talk like that to Lucifer-sama. Why do you call this man your friend? I don’t understand it at all!”
Do you really need to say that in front of him…?
“Well, that’s not why I’m here. I had a palace built for my banquet. The opening ceremony will be in ten days, and you’re invited. …You will attend, won’t you?”
His sharp, malachite-colored eyes are fixed on me. It’s clear from his tone that he’ll kill me if I refuse. I suspect he would kill me with little hesitation… or maybe just injure me severely. He probably wouldn’t kill anyone before the great war, but I’m not sure he’d hesitate if he lost his temper.
“Of course! It would be a great honor to attend!!”
“…Wise decision.”
He grins wickedly.
“And where exactly is this place? It seems you’ve made a contract with someone, so perhaps you should take them along!”
“It’s in the southernmost country. I had them prepare an invitation for you here. As for the contract, it’s just a non-aggression pact with the king of that country. It’s just a warning: my forces won’t harm them.”
What a clever king. If Baal-sama made such a contract, even those not directly under his command would find it difficult to act against him.
After all, he’s the first among the kings who serve the Emperor of Hell, Satan. Of course, that’s excluding Lucifer. I, too, wish to avoid trouble.
“It’s a well-thought-out plan. I certainly accept.”
“Asmodeus will be there too. If you want to fight or argue, go ahead, but if you scratch the palace even a little, I’ll kill you. Keep that in mind!”
“I understand…”
Such a violent and terrifying person as always.
And to say “go ahead and fight,” as if there’s a chance we won’t leave a mark on the palace… What is he thinking?
“I’d like to invite Lucifer-sama too, but I can’t find the right mage. I can’t trust anyone with such an important task. I gave him an invitation anyway, but…”
Hmm? He hasn’t mentioned Iriya ? I thought he complimented her skills… Could it be that he plans to escape without her? He’s got a calm face, but he’s a scheming one! But if I mention it now, what kind of retaliation would I face? Grrr! He holds grudges, that one!
“That’s… unfortunate.”
“Indeed. By the way, about your contractor…”
“…What?!”
What’s this now? What does he know? He’s such an unreadable person!
“So you tried to drag her into bed, but she slapped you and kicked you out? Well, you’ve got some guts. I’ll introduce you to her sometime! I have business right now, so it’s a shame.”
Lord Baal laughs heartily!
Lucifer, you bastard!!! What kind of expression are you using? I can feel nothing but malice! Why is this even a topic of conversation?!
“No, I don’t think there’s any reason to meet her… She’s a cheeky girl and has been disrespectful to Lord Baal…”
“Don’t worry, she’s probably not as unpleasant as you.”
In that case, please don’t invite me to your banquet!!
However, Lord Baal is completely unconcerned with my frustration and is already gazing into the distance as if deciding his next destination.
“Well, let’s get going. Don’t cause trouble for Lucifer-sama, Belial.”
“Of course not! Such a thing will never happen!”
“…I’ve never trusted you, you know. Why does Lucifer-sama put up with you?”
Again with this? You keep pretending you don’t understand and making a show of it.
Lord Baal takes off just as suddenly as he arrived, disappearing into the distance in an instant.
I wish he wouldn’t come back.
What a tiring day…
