Chapter 94

The place I ended up following the detestable man to was an abandoned ancient castle.

Located just beyond the forest on a hill slightly northeast of the fortified city, the castle offered a sweeping view of both the Kingdom of Chenkaslar and the Republic of Wastent. The castle, neglected and partially in ruins, was entered without permission by the elderly sorcerer, who now acted as though he were its rightful master.

Judging by signs of prior entry, he must have scouted the location before meeting us, intending to make it his stronghold.

I had just reestablished contact with Iriya , and it seemed she had managed to escape safely. With Ekvar by her side, it was unsurprising; though his personality left much to be desired, his skills were not lacking. Without speaking aloud, I could convert my thoughts into words and send them to Iriya , ensuring the gloating sorcerer remained unaware.

Though sharp individuals might sense the flow of magic, he was evidently not one of them.

“To think I could one day command a king…! Even that insolent commoner girl ended up serving my purpose in the end. She should never have entertained such an overreaching dream of becoming a court sorcerer!”

Laughing aloud, he placed wine and a glass on a barely wiped table, pouring and drinking alone. He seemed to have brought supplies with him in advance.

“Yes, Belial. Tell me the names of other kings of hell as well. Now that I have this, there’s no danger in summoning them myself!”

If he truly believed that, he was a fool. No such item exists that grants total control. Even if it were the genuine Ring of Solomon, its effects would be limited in duration.

For now, it seemed he could not resist such basic commands, but it was infuriating…!!!

“…Lucifer,” I uttered through gritted teeth, my voice strained. How unforgivable! This was no way to treat me.

If he went so far as to summon Lord Lucifer, I couldn’t predict what reprimands might follow later. But there was no helping it.

The man began drawing the coordinates for summoning, though compared to Iriya ‘s work, his methods were amateurish.

This is the Grand Sorcerer? What a farce. Yet, thanks to the ring’s power and his invocation of the name, Lord Lucifer appeared.

Brilliant white light filled the room, illuminating it as if a celestial being had descended. Standing there was a demon with an elegant face, clad in a white robe, his serene smile exuding a deceptive gentleness.

“Belial… What is the meaning of this?”

Silver hair swayed, and his clear, pale blue eyes glinted with an icy glare.

He was displeased. That much was obvious. And judging by his expression, quite seriously so.

“A demon…? He looks more like an angel. No matter, state your name and title!!”

“…”

Pointing the ring at Lord Lucifer and infusing it with magic, the man issued his haughty command.

At the sheer audacity of his actions, Lord Lucifer glanced at me briefly. Hurry and introduce yourself!

“…Lucifer. King of Hell. What business do you have with me, human?”

“I have no business yet. Wait there, both of you!”

It appeared he already fancied himself their master. Normally, a contract would have to be established at this point, but the fool seemed too giddy to remember. Naturally, I saw no reason to remind him.

We left the loathsome elderly sorcerer behind and walked down the corridor to another room. Since the ring’s magic allowed him to summon us instantly, he didn’t seem particularly concerned. His voice rang out loudly from behind.

“Two kings…! And I shall use them both to rule the world!!!”

How delusional. Let him enjoy his foolish dreams while he can.

“…Belial. This is the most unpleasant summoning I’ve ever experienced. What is the meaning of this?”

“…My apologies! But that thing is an imitation of Solomon’s ring. When infused with magic, even I cannot defy it!”

Lord Lucifer cast a suspicious gaze upon me.

Opening the door to a nearby room, I found what appeared to have been someone’s private quarters—a canopy bed, a table, and chairs suggested so. An oil painting hung on the wall, likely a portrait of the woman who had once inhabited the room.

“…You’ve been testing the effects of that ring, haven’t you? And you’ve used me in the process.”

Sharp as ever. It was impossible to deceive Lord Lucifer, even for me.

“That’s part of it, but… in case it comes to it, you’re the only one who can stop Iriya  without killing her. I told her not to come, but I suspect she will, don’t you think?”

“Completely bound by Solomon’s ring, aren’t you?”

He sighed, but the atmosphere grew more amicable. At least he seemed willing to listen.

Dusting off a chair, I sat down. A dull creak echoed from its frame.

“The ring’s magic, while binding when my name is invoked, lacks the force I felt when used by Iriya . Its duration is also short, making it far easier to outwit than the real thing.”

“…So that contractor used it on you? She didn’t seem to use it to control you… You’ve been up to no good again, haven’t you?”

“Ugh! No, this concerns the matter we’ve already discussed!”

I had no desire for another lecture.

Hastily responding, I caught the faint, suppressed laughter of Lord Lucifer.

“The prince of lies and deception, laid bare.”

“Ugh…”

That’s merely a title humans invented.

Lord Lucifer walked around the room, muttering how much better it would be if it were clean. His footprints left faint traces of where he had tread.

“Without a significant infusion of magic, I can’t be bound even to trivial commands. All I need to do is feign obedience to avoid revealing how much magic is required to control me.”

“…I beg you. This must end without fail.”

“Hah… It’s not unpleasant to be relied upon by you. But…”

His smile faded completely as his icy eyes reflected his rising anger.

“I will ensure any humiliation I’ve endured is avenged. That man is mine to deal with… I will not yield.”

The foolhardy sorcerer had stepped on the tail of a tiger. His end awaited, quietly and ominously, just in front of him.

…I must ensure I’m not caught up in it as well…

As I suspected, Iriya  was drawing near. Her presence was unmistakable. Still as reckless as ever.

The dense sorcerer only noticed her presence when she was quite close. He used the ring to summon us. While the compulsion wasn’t so strong that I was forced to go, I complied for now. If his magic grew stronger, it might actually force me to obey.

He still had too much faith in the ring.

“It seems they’ve arrived. Lucifer! Go to the entrance and let Iriya  through. Belial, you stay here. I’ll have you deal with that woman!”

…You fool. You have no idea what you’re saying to Lord Lucifer. His usual smile is on the verge of crumbling.

“…Well then, Belial. …I’ll see you later.”

“Y-Yes…”

Terrifying. How enviable it must be to be so oblivious. Does this man understand nothing?

Silently, Lord Lucifer left the room, leaving the two of us behind.

The room, reminiscent of a throne hall, featured a chair at its far end, with crossed banners hanging behind it. The long, rectangular space was lined with red carpet leading up to the chair. The room before us was unusually spacious, with only columns separating it from the side rooms, giving the area an open and expansive feel—ideal for a battle.

“So, the woman managed to escape… How fortunate. And yet she comes willingly to her death! Yes, capture her alive! I’ll defile her right before your eyes!! You’ve lain with her, haven’t you? Tell me, how did she taste?”

…What a vile creature.

“I have no interest in a woman like her. Do as you please. I am a demon. Who sleeps with whom means nothing to me.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

I couldn’t care less, no matter who or how many they choose to be with.

…But allowing my contractor to fall into the hands of such filth is utterly unforgivable…!