I’m riding a wyvern, flying over the shimmering ocean as it reflects the light. Beside me is a man with red hair, dressed in a knightly black outfit and a deep crimson cloak, flying as well. We pass flocks of birds, soaring over countless small islands.
“Wow, we’re pretty far now! I wonder if we’re near our destination country… let’s head to land.”
I, Iriya, called out to the handsome man flying next to me.
“Indeed. Hm… glad the dragon was able to understand us. It’s likely they think you’re already dead.”
After being thrown into the sea by a sea dragon in the Kingdom of Eguardoalm, I reunited with him—my demonic contractor—underwater.
Her name is Belial.
In truth, since I had sent him for reconnaissance in advance, I’d known from the start that the target was not just a sea dragon but a terrifying higher species.
Had I fought alongside him, we could have defeated it.
However, if we had defeated a higher sea dragon, his existence would have been known to the kingdom.
I had kept my contract with Belial a secret. Even when meeting, it was usually far from the royal capital or through magical mirrors; he almost never directly assisted me with my missions.
The reason was simple. Belial had no interest in being used by the kingdom. And if it became known that I was contracted with a powerful demon, I’d likely be thrown into the front lines, used until there was nothing left of me. The court mages were nobles, always engaged in power struggles, and they needed pawns who could bring them glory.
I didn’t want any part of that.
Already, the dangerous subjugation missions kept coming my way, and their support was growing more and more inadequate. Well, if anyone tried to freely use a high-ranking demon, they might incur his wrath and bring the kingdom to ruin…
I thought it was time to make my exit.
This mission was the perfect opportunity. I would make it look as though I had perished and defect to another country. Although it would worry my mother and younger sister, if I missed this chance, I’d likely be sent on subjugation missions until my death. My father passed away when I was young, so I felt guilty that I wouldn’t be able to continue sending money, but they’d already repaired the house and bought what they needed. They should be comfortable.
Once things have settled down here and people over there assume I’m dead and stop worrying, I’ll contact them secretly. First, I need to find a place to live!
Upon entering land, the narrow coastal nation of Gruse is followed by the city-state of Valen to the north and the vast plains of the Norsanus Empire to the south.
And across the wide Tisty River lies the mountain-forested Kingdom of Chenkaslar, with its beautiful lakes.
Chenkaslar is my destination. It has no diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Eguardoalm, is surrounded by forests rich in minerals and medicinal herbs, and is blessed with clear waters. I want to open a small shop here, selling magical and healing items! It’s been my dream since childhood to sell my own magical creations. From now on, I want to work hard to fulfill that dream.
Filled with excitement, I soar over the walled city that appears to be the royal capital. Since the maps of this area from my home country were vague, I have no idea where the towns are. Ideally, I’d like a decently sized place where people come and go, where I can set up shop and have easy access to minerals and medicinal herbs.
As I lower my altitude, scanning the ground for a landing spot, I spot shadows resembling magical beasts approaching a cart.
“What? Is that cart… under attack!? Lord Belial, let’s help!”
“Tch, you noticed.”
Belial’s ruby eyes glimmered in annoyance. Ignoring him, I landed the wyvern and ran to the ground.
“Breath of the atmosphere, lodge in my fingertips! Become a bullet and strike the enemy!”
I aligned my index and middle fingers, aiming at the wolf-like magical beast leaping toward the cart.
“Aerial Shot!”
The Dark Wolf was struck down in front of a young girl who screamed in terror, covering her face with both hands.
With a loud thud and a yelp, the creature collapsed. The next two that leaped suffered the same fate.
“What…what’s going on!?”
“Lord Belial! Please, if you would.”
“Not exactly enjoyable company.”
With an exaggerated sigh, his black attire swayed as he disappeared.
In an instant, Belial was standing before the cart, his gaze sweeping over the Dark Wolves.
“Who are you!? When did…!?”
A girl’s confused voice sounded from the driver’s seat.
He raised his hand, and with the slightest movement, the Dark Wolves attempting to close in were thrown back.
“Is that… magic? How is this happening?”
“Begone, weaklings.”
With just a glare from Belial, the Dark Wolves ceased their growls, recoiling in fear. One by one, they fled.
A girl with a chestnut ponytail looked between the retreating wolves and the man standing before her.
“Are you okay?”
Finally catching up, I called out, and the girl turned toward me with a start.
“Huh? Oh…”
She still seemed unable to grasp what had happened, so I decided to introduce myself.
“My name is Illya, and this is… my companion, or rather, my contracted demon, Lord Belial. And you are? Why travel by cart without a guard?”
“Oh! Thank you for saving us. I’m Alesia, and this is my sister Kiara. We were peddling goods, but we didn’t sell as much as we hoped, so we couldn’t afford a guard…”
Looking closely, I noticed a young girl, also with chestnut hair, clinging tightly to her sister’s sleeve.
“Thank you!”
Alesia quickly added, making me laugh.
“No need to be so formal.”
“But you defeated magical beasts so easily, and you’re contracted with such an incredible demon… You must be a great mage, right?”
“Hmm, I wonder. I contracted with him by chance, and anyone can learn magic with enough effort. I think you’re more remarkable for running a business at your age.”
I really meant it. They’d already achieved the dream I was just beginning to pursue!
Alesia blushed, murmuring shyly,
“Remarkable? Not really… It’s embarrassing to be praised by such a wonderful lady. Our business hasn’t even taken off yet.”
“Oh, my sister’s trying her best! She became an adult at 15 last year, so a villager sold us this old cart cheaply, and we started working. I’m helping too!”
Kiara cheerfully interjected in support of her sister.
How cute… Now that I think about it, I’d only been surrounded by men—knights, mages, and troublesome nobles. I wanted a friend to go out with! But what do girls even talk about for one or two hours?
“By the way, where are you two headed?”
“Oh, um… where, indeed? Actually, we just arrived in this country.”
I wanted to convey that I was unfamiliar with this land, hoping they’d tell me about the towns.
“You came from another country!?”
Kiara’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, from a country far to the north called the Kingdom of Egdoarm.”
“All the way from there? Is there a reason… or is it too personal?”
Alesia covered her mouth, looking concerned. I wonder what she imagined.
“Uh… something like that, or maybe not…”
As I fumbled for words, Belial chuckled behind me.
“This young lady was pursued relentlessly by an unpleasant man. A powerful figure, too, so she had to flee her homeland.”
Calmly and smoothly, he wove a lie in his cool, melodious voice. I had to be cautious with him—if summoned, he must swear to tell the truth. Otherwise, he could lie at will.
“How awful! I understand. With beauty, magical skills, and a demon contract, even nobles would want to keep you close.”
Alesia seemed to take his words seriously and offered a sympathetic look.
“And where are you two headed? We need to find lodging for the night. Do you know of a good town nearby?”
Ah, he hated sleeping outdoors, and if it came to that, he’d insist on returning to his realm.
“We’re heading to a town called Renante. Would you like to join us? The back of the cart is all we can offer, though… but it’s the largest town nearby, with inns and places to look for work!”
“The back of the cart, you say…”
Oh, he didn’t look pleased. Well, he is a high-ranking demon.
“Renante, right? Thank you. We’ll make our way there and meet up near the town.”
“What? On foot? It’s still two hours away by cart!”
“No, we have a wyvern waiting nearby. We’ll follow from the air.”
“A wyvern!?”
The sisters cried out in harmony. It might be especially rare for a woman to ride a wyvern. Even among men, it wasn’t common.
After confirming the cart had started moving, I mounted my wyvern again, and Belial rose slowly into the air.
Kiara looked up and waved energetically.
I set a new goal for myself: to become friends with them and spend time together.
