“Kimejes-sama, please take care of this.”
“Ah, of course.”
Kimejes, a marquis-class demon with brown hair and eyes. It’s a bit strange to have a demon other than Belial next to me. We’ve been together ever since we came to Chenkaslar .
“Hannes-sama also wanted to come, didn’t he?”
“That guy doesn’t have much interest in Sabbaths, but Lucifer-sama is coming, right? He must be curious! There’s no way he wouldn’t be… I never thought Lucifer-sama would…”
It seems like he’s really happy that Lucifer is coming.
“Do you still admire him?”
“Of course! This isn’t Hell, and he’s so close by! If all goes well, I might even get a chance to speak with him…!”
It doesn’t feel like something I could say, considering how often I’ve met him. It’s a reminder of how amazing the person I’m talking to is. But Kimejes tends to slip up. Is it really okay to speak to him directly?
The Sabbath takes place in the woods, as expected. The shadows of the trees are thick under the full moon, and the sounds of birds or some sort of magical creatures can be heard. The atmosphere is perfect for a demon gathering.
We showed our invitations at the entrance. The person at the reception hurriedly called the organizer and first greeted Kimejes.
“Marquis! Welcome! Everyone is looking forward to your arrival!”
“How thoughtful. But, Lucifer-sama will be here, right!? I’m looking forward to it too!”
Kimejes is clearly excited.
I also greeted the organizer and looked around the venue. Quite a few people had gathered, and I could feel their excitement. Everyone seemed eager for Lucifer’s appearance.
“Um, may I begin the summoning?”
“You’re the summoner! Of course, please proceed!”
Kimejes, who had overheard our conversation, looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“…Hey, you’re the one summoning him?”
“That’s why I’m here as your guard, isn’t it?”
“…Belial-sama…! Why didn’t you tell me something so important…!!”
He wasn’t told!? That’s so typical of him.
I have to perform the summoning ritual under everyone’s gaze… This is nerve-wracking.
“I will be summoning Lucifer-sama today. My name is Iriya . I’ve been instructed by Lucifer-sama to show the correct summoning ritual, so though it may be clumsy, I’ll attempt to demonstrate it here.”
Applause erupted! How embarrassing!
Kimejes was standing a bit farther away, observing the situation.
First, I used tools to draw the coordinates, confirming the directions with a compass, then drew the pentagram and added four names in the cardinal directions.
Next, I prepared the protective magic circle, a defensive magic circle for the summoner.
This was unrolled from a piece of paper. A square was drawn at the center, and hexagrams were marked at the east, west, south, and north, along with powerful names and magical characters densely written. I made sure everyone could see it clearly before laying it down on the ground.
Then I took out the summoning staff.
“By the great name, descend into the circle.”
I chanted, turning first towards the east and using the tip of the staff to draw the pentagram from the lower-right corner.
“My voice shall become the key to the Eastern Gate.”
Next, I turned to the south, west, and north, then back to the east.
“In glory, I too shall enter.”
This is how all the gates were opened, entering the magic circle.
“Answer the call. Open the closed gates of the other world, emerge from the void. In the name of the supreme, show your form, the great king of Hell, Lucifer-sama.”
Suddenly, a platinum light erupted from the coordinates, blinding my eyes, forming a pillar that seemed to reach the heavens.
From within, a beautiful demon with silver hair reflecting the moonlight and translucent aqua eyes appeared gracefully. His white robe made him resemble an angel, exuding a divine beauty.
As he advanced towards me, he touched the magic circle’s wall.
“I see, it’s solid. No wonder it repelled Belial.”
There was a slight crackling sound from where he touched, but the circle wasn’t broken. I could feel Lucifer’s magical power increasing, so I quickly strengthened the defense.
“It is both the beginning and the end. In the name of the sacred Tetragrammaton, the wall of the magic circle, reach up to the highest mountain peaks.”
“…!”
A high-pitched sound echoed, as if something was resonating but also repelling. Lucifer’s hand quickly pulled away.
“Your defense is aggressive. I shouldn’t have made a careless move.”
It seems he was trying to break it but stopped. A small explosion might have resulted from that.
“My apologies. I was worried it might break, so I acted hastily.”
“No, it turned out to be a good ritual. Now, come out.”
He stepped back while still facing forward, closing the gate by drawing pentagrams in all four directions. The summoning ritual was complete!
Then a tremendous round of applause and cheers erupted! Oh, how embarrassing!
“What a highly refined technique…”
Kimejes praised me too.
The Sabbath began with Lucifer’s speech.
“Thank you for the invitation. Recently, magic has become popular, and I’ve seen too many people using trivial summoning techniques. Despite that, there are many voices calling for the summoning of higher beings, which I find deeply concerning. Just like the ritual you witnessed tonight, I wish for everyone to perfect the true summoning art and ceremonial magic. I hope you will all hone your skills. Now, enjoy the evening.”
He’s praising me too much!
I never expected to be praised like this by the king of Hell. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even look up.
I had thought Lucifer might dislike humans, but it seems that’s not the case. He simply dislikes humans who summon recklessly, without skill or consideration.
As the Sabbath continued, many people came to congratulate me on the summoning and ask about the techniques. While being praised is a bit embarrassing, I’m thrilled to talk about the rituals!
People showed me their magic circles, and I pointed out the mistakes in their inscriptions, offered advice on names and symbols, and helped with practicing the correct procedure. Many didn’t seem to know how to properly enter the magic circle, so I made sure to explain it and have them practice. The main topics of conversation were the staffs and items used in summoning.
Some were particularly interested in my staff. It’s not one that amplifies magic but rather gathers magic and converts it into control. It’s simple but effective.
I rely on talismans and robes for amplification, though I didn’t use a talisman tonight.
Kimejes, however, seemed unable to speak to Lucifer and was watching enviously as people approached him with compliments. Of course, there were also people approaching Kimejes, wanting to exchange pleasantries with him, as he’s a marquis.
Since Lucifer’s arrival was a big event, a grand stage was set up, and there were performances of song and dance. Everyone seemed eager to catch Lucifer’s attention, so the costumes were extravagant.
By the way, since Lucifer dislikes noise, there were no percussion instruments, only calm, melodic music with string and woodwind instruments.
And then, as the atmosphere reached a peak…
“It’s a disaster! Dragons! Two of them!”
One of the men shouted, pointing toward the mountains.
They were two large dragons—one an upper-class Fafnir with hard scales and poisonous breath, and the other a mid-level Earth Dragon! Of all times, upper-class dragons at the event…
“Should we flee, or fight?”
“I’ll take care of the upper-class dragon. It’ll be a good diversion.”
Lucifer whispered softly to the trembling organizer. The demon king’s idea of a diversion is on a whole different level!
As I stood up from my chair to check the situation, Lucifer turned to look at me.
“Human girl. Let’s make a contract. I will defeat the upper-class dragon, and in return, you will slay the mid-level one.”
Demons can’t fully unleash their power unless they make a contract. In other words, this is a temporary contract for the purpose of releasing their power. And a contract with Lucifer is not something you can easily form! There’s no reason to refuse!
“I gladly accept!”
“Then, the contract.”
When Lucifer said that, a parchment appeared in his hand. It was a royal contract scroll, rarely seen! Signing this would be an honor for anyone who summons a demon or makes a contract.
Well, even though it’s called signing, it’s done through magical power, so you don’t actually write on it.
“My contract is different from Belial’s. There’s no deception, so don’t worry.”
…Is his contract a scam, I wonder…!?
Come to think of it, he mentioned something about a broad interpretation. It seems like there was some sort of trick in the contract that trapped him when he made a contract with me…
I don’t clearly remember from when I was a child, but apparently, I told him not to fight. That statement was interpreted as “don’t kill anyone without consent,” and the contract’s broad interpretation meant that even if they were from the Catfolk or Dragonfolk, as long as they were “humans,” he couldn’t kill them. However, if I were in danger, it was a different story.
In the end, it worked out for me.
Once the contract was made, the parchment shone white and was firmly sealed.
“…By the way, I don’t defend against breaths, so everyone should handle that. Also, Kimejes, protect the contractor of Belial.”
“Y-Yes! I understand and accept your orders!”
I set the condition to defeat the mid-level dragon, but it seems he’s being considerate. And despite being told all of this, Kimejes looks really happy.
Nodding as if to leave it to Kimejes, Lucifer floated gently in front of the massive dragon.
“I’ll handle the defense against this dragon’s breath.”
“No, I don’t think one person can possibly defend it all…!?”
As I said that, the host, a man, panicked and looked around. He was probably checking if anyone else could defend against the breath. A couple of people offered to help, but I decided to leave it to Lucifer.
The dragon opened its large mouth and unleashed a poisonous and violent storm breath. A massive torrent of wind surged out with tremendous force.
Lucifer took the direct hit from close range without seeming to care at all. Truly, one of the strongest among the kings of Hell!
“Protect us from the scorching sandstorm’s heat, from the glaciers’ cold that carry us away, from all calamities. O air, grant us a soft membrane, an invisible wall. Suful Defense!”
Kimejes stood in front of me to protect me, and the breath was completely blocked by the defensive magic. The breath, coming in a wave, split and felled trees, but there was no impact on us thanks to the barrier.
Frightened screams echoed around, but they soon subsided and turned into murmurings.
“To think she can defend it all by herself. She’s quite skilled with magic,” Lucifer said with a smile as he directed his hand towards the dragon, which had finished releasing its breath.
Suddenly, an extraordinary magical power condensed in his hand, forming a massive ball that glowed silvery.
The ball struck the dragon’s skin and pierced its stomach. A tremendous explosion occurred at the dragon’s side, sending a powerful beam of light far ahead.
With a single strike, the upper-class dragon, Fafnir, let out a dying scream and collapsed.
“Now, it’s my turn,” Lucifer said.
“…Are you sure, daughter? It’s a mid-level dragon, you know? Should I attack first? A little support should be allowed,” Kimejes said, concerned for me.
Lucifer and the other demon lords had asked me to take care of it. If I even received a scratch, it would be a huge responsibility, so his concern was understandable.
“Thank you for your concern. But I want to try my magic first, so I’ll give it a shot!”
Besides, if it’s a mid-level dragon, I can end it with a single spell if I choose the right type.
“O fire, flowing through the earth, rise from below. The tower of blazing fire, burning the clouds, shall become the execution platform for my enemies. Ascend the stairs, for there is no retreat. The one who steps forward will be a pitiful captive, burned to nothing, returned to oblivion. Red within red, crimson within crimson. A flame born of the crimson lotus to meet them.”
As I began chanting, small faint flames appeared around the Earth Dragon. They popped up one by one, aligning themselves and forming a circle around it.
“Strange. This chant is unfamiliar even to me, but it feels like I’ve seen it before…” Lucifer muttered as he approached, intrigued by the spell.
Of course, it was my new creation!
“Blood of the circle, flow. Draw the red path. Create heat that melts even rocks. Activate! Explozion Lav!”
A red line connected the evenly spaced flames, creating a circle. The crimson glow connected the flames, and as the lines stretched, the flames grew fiercer. It surrounded the perimeter like a defensive spell, then stretched toward the sky.
On the ground, a hexagram formed from my will to supplement the magic. In the next moment, the center of the circle ignited with magma-like fiery flames.
The Earth Dragon’s pained screams were short-lived as it collapsed, charred beyond recognition.
“Success! I created a new magic!” I cheered.
Lucifer whispered to me with a serious expression, “…Could this be Belial’s cursed magic? The ‘Flames of the Execution Platform’—that unpleasant name… Did he teach you this?”
“No, I saw it twice, so I recreated it through magic. He didn’t even teach me the activation words.”
Belial is stingy like that.
The mid-level dragon was completely charred. It was in a Verdant state, so it was most likely dead. I don’t know how well my magic would work on an upper-level dragon.
I’m sure that with mere imitation, it wouldn’t produce that kind of output.
“…This is… an incredible talent. I’m glad I didn’t show him my cursed magic… It’s a matter of royal dignity.”
Did I make a mistake by imitating it!?
“…I never thought you’d reduce a mid-level dragon to such a miserable state…”
“…By the way, would it be alright if I take the Dragontear of the upper-class dragon?” I interrupted as Lucifer and Kimejes were talking seriously. It might be first come, first served!
The Dragontear of an upper-class dragon increases the effectiveness of items and the success rate of crafting!
“Come to think of it, humans do use dragon materials. Take it. You can divide the scales among those who want them,” Lucifer said, and the crowd began to buzz with excitement. It’s a wonderful souvenir! The people who came to this Sabbat were truly lucky. Even those who wouldn’t use the scales could sell them for a pretty penny.
I decided to take the upper-class Dragontear and give the mid-level one to anyone who wanted it. I might take a scale too.
By the way, the scales of the dragon I defeated are burnt to a crisp, so they’re unusable.
“You really do like materials that can be used for potions, don’t you?” Lucifer said.
“Yes!! Upper-class ones don’t appear often, so I’m very happy. They’re needed for the Philosopher’s Stone too,” I replied.
“…Now, where do I even begin to comment on that?” Lucifer said with a smile, but there was a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere.
Kimejes responded seriously.
“I believe you should comment on both the expression ‘doesn’t appear often’ and the casual mention of the Philosopher’s Stone.”
After seeing Lucifer off, we returned home.
Kimejes, who had seriously escorted me home, seemed happy when Belial, who had already arrived home, thanked him.
Then, at home, I proudly showed off the Dragontear and scales of the upper-class dragon to everyone.
“…Iriya ’s souvenirs are always strange, aren’t they?”
“Why on earth would she bring back the Dragontear of an upper-class dragon and dragon scales from a Sabbat!? I should have gone too…”
Belial stared longingly at the transparent Dragontear, frustrated.
I’ll keep quiet about how I imitated the cursed magic…
