Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Dog Collar

Dog Collar
Chapter 66. Dog Leash
— Darling.
Sitri’s lips twitched.
— Are you crazy?
From her mouth, not even the fake laughter she used to pour out emerged.
— Do I look like someone who lost his sanity?
— Did you go to the north for a moment and come back with the idiot virus lodged in your lungs? Or are you under the illusion that you’ve fallen in love with me just because I call you darling?
There were many humans who harbored that kind of illusion.
But Ferda was not that type.
For that reason, this was the first time Sitri looked so baffled.
— I know your fatal secret.
— Though the only thing that suits the modifier ‘fatal’ on me is my charm, you know?
The greater a secret is, the less it is shown.
The more critical a country’s state is, or the more threatened the leadership of power is, the more meticulously it is handled.
Demons were the same.
The law of secrets could not be avoided by demons either.
— There is a story that goes like this.
A story from the distant future.
Ferda was gathering all kinds of information for his magical research.
Among it, there were records about Hell.
Records that reflected on the moments when the Seven Great Demons of Hell were threatened.
A compilation that recorded their fatal mistakes and their weaknesses.
Demons called it the Devilromicon.
It seemed to deal with grave matters, but in reality it was a book that humans could read as well.
The reason was simple.
A firm will not to repeat the same mistakes and, at the same time, a trap for foolish people.
Those who peeked into the Devilromicon to catch a demon’s weakness always ended up harmed in the process.
It was the result of acting with the arrogance of believing themselves different.
But Ferda was truly different.
The story of Ferda reading that demonic history would happen fifteen years later.
And what he was reciting now was the story that took place in the interim.
— The absurd story of how one of the countless children born to the Great Demon Sitri, who played around promiscuously as usual, stole a Vessel of Life.
— What kind of nonsense is that?
Sitri tilted her head.
— You don’t know this story?
— Of course not. I can’t even guess what the hell my darling is talking about.
— Is that so?
As expected of a seductive demon, her acting was good.
Ferda watched her face leisurely.
Waiting solely for the moment when that mask would crack.
— Then I suppose I’ll limit myself to taking Penelope to the Magic Society.
— The Magic Society…?
— You guys know well how much those bastards hate demons. And if I hand her over to them, what do you think will happen? Not just a demon, but a demon capable of catching the Great Demon Sitri’s weakness!
Ferda spoke as if singing.
— Then they will inspect Penelope’s body meticulously. It will take time, but eventually they will reach the truth. And when that happens…
— Stop.
Sitri cut off Ferda’s words.
The atmosphere completely overturned.
Until a moment ago, the sensation of silk threads seducing Ferda had transformed into cold thorns.
— Who was it?
Sitri’s mask cracked.
— Which son of a bitch gave you that secret?
Sitri’s gaze was sharp.
It felt as if she were struggling to look inside Ferda.
— For now, it doesn’t seem to have been our daughter. If that stupid girl had said it or given a hint, she would have already returned to my hands.
— What about the possibility that I discovered it myself?
— I’m not underestimating you. But I’m not overestimating you either. It’s impossible for a mere human to know a story that not even the Grand Dukes know yet.
— You don’t call me darling anymore. Impatient?
— Yes, I’m getting impatient. Answer quickly. Unless you want to avoid an eternity burning in Hell.
Sitri threatened him with her long nails.
— Don’t threaten me. Do you want to turn into a fly in Hell too?
Demons in Hell have rules, and the higher the rank of Great Demon, the stricter they become.
Ascending is hard, but falling is a matter of a moment.
— Do you think I can’t do it?
Her sharp nails dug hard into Ferda’s skin.
— You violated the terms of our deal. You asked me to hand Penelope over to you, and you’re trying to screw me over with that?
Ferda replied:
— You asked me to rescue Penelope. And I rescued her.
— No, I clearly said to send her to me. This is a breach of contract, Regent.
Ferda sneered.
— Didn’t you violate it as well?
— What?
— You said you would send ‘all of us’ back safely. But I couldn’t escape from there. What about that point?
— Obviously I should have killed Penelope. Sending her back to Hell through a reverse summoning would have put an end to everything.
— If I hadn’t known that, what would you have done? You set the rescue as a condition. And I rescued her safely. Rather, the one in breach is you.
— Are you going to play with words?
— Isn’t that what you guys like most?
Demons’ wordplay.
How many people had been tempted and died from that wordplay?
— If it bothers you so much…
Ferda crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair.
— Let’s hold a trial.
When contractual issues arise, they can be resolved in the Demonic Court.
And Sitri would definitely win.
But would she really take the matter to trial?
That was impossible.
If the words Vessel of Life came out of that mouth…
Her shame would be exposed before the world.
Sitri closed her mouth.
She had been properly cornered.
— You said it. That if you properly put a leash on demons, they become good dogs.
Ferda flashed a slight mocking smile.
— It seems demons can become good dogs too.
— Hehe…
Sitri let out a laugh.
— Hehehe! Hahahaha!
Sitri burst out laughing.
Had she gone crazy?
— You know what, oppa?
— …Oppa?
— Oppa, you’re super sexy right now.
Unlike the fake seduction and previous atmosphere.
— So what are you going to do?
— Fine, I’ll do it. It’s true that I traded with Abel Silverwind. Anything else?
She wet her own lips with her long tongue.
She panted as she spoke.
— I’ll do whatever for you, oppa.
An even creepier sensation than when she had turned cold.
— Get out.
— Hehe, acting so blunt. Is even playing hard to get this charming?
Sitri stepped back obediently.
— So what is the answer to my question?
— What question?
— The informant who gave oppa the information.
Who gave what and all that.
This was a story I knew from the distant future.
Naturally, there was no way to explain it.
So I replied like this:
— Barbatos.
One of the 7 Great Demons of Hell, Barbatos.
The Demon of Shadows and Schemes, and the demon most likely to have a connection with Ferda.
— Barbatos… how strange. I never thought that name would come up.
Sitri murmured like that.
She didn’t look like someone who had found an answer.
But whatever, the reaction was the same.
— See you next time, handsome oppa. Until then, make sure to hold onto that dog leash tightly.
Chu.
Along with a kiss blown into the air, her body completely disappeared.
Dawn arrived.
— —
“Kkeueuk…”
Dark Elf.
Given that she had used emergency escape magic, only her body had shifted here.
“Damn it…”
She had barely found a place to hide, but she couldn’t avoid the cold.
Even for an elf with high physical resistance, enduring a snow-covered high mountain region was not easy.
The cold wind seeping from outside the cave grazed the Dark Elf’s consciousness.
Amidst that, she woke up startled.
Someone was coming this way.
— Who is it?!
All she had was a stone in her hand.
With a face full of abundant venom, she threatened the intruder.
What was revealed from outside the cave was a frame that covered half the entrance.
The Dark Elf’s eyes saw it clearly.
He had red eyes and sharp teeth.
— So you were here, Research Director Linne.
— …
That man scanned Linne’s body and spoke:
— I received information that there was a commotion, and seeing you, it seems it’s all true.
— You demon bastards are insidious to the core. Are you also one of those lining up to see an elf’s body?
— Useless chatter.
— If you know it’s useless chatter, give me clothes. I will freeze to death at this rate.
The demon man held out his hand.
Large, bulging reddish muscles were threatening.
— The journal and samples first.
— You see me in this state and still want to find them? Naturally, they are out of my hands.
— Then that means they are in the hands of those bastards.
— Yes, I failed.
— You know well what happens to those who fail, don’t you?
Linne growled:
— And so? Are you going to summarily execute me just because I failed?
— You will be transported from research director to prisoner. And you will face a trial.
— Try that damned trial all you want! All the research is in my head. The only one who knows how to remake that sample, how to make the real thing work, is me.
— There are those among us who handle necromancy. Extracting what is in your head is nothing.
— Those idiots? Ha! Will those gloomy pseudo-intellectuals mess with my head and just how perfect will the thing they can make be? I can see them making a few children’s toys and then regretting it!
The man simply looked at her in silence.
She forced her mouth to move.
She forced her mouth open and spat out words in the deadly cold.
— You only saved me while my kin died. That day, did you say this? That among them, the only useful one was me. Are you going to execute the most capable one here?
— …
— So give me that damn coat right now.
The man stared at her blankly, and then threw the clothes to her.
Linne wrapped herself in the coat.
The inside was warm thanks to heat magic.
— Was it Ferda Valdrova who left your eyes like that?
Linne gritted her teeth and nodded.
— I never imagined I would lose to that brat.
— I heard he is more outstanding than ordinary humans. His name is even coming up at the Round Table now.
— Don’t dismiss him with a simple ‘more outstanding than ordinary humans’. Even that is enough to make you underestimate him.
— Then how would you evaluate him?
Linne clutched the coat tightly.
— Throughout all of history, a guy like him was unprecedented.
— You are afraid.
— I’m just speaking objectively. I felt it when he struck my blind spot.
After the Lightning Bolt pierced her eyes…
She remembered Ferda’s appearance that had entered her vision.
What showed was a gray-haired youth.
Blue eyes with indecipherable intentions.
In those blue eyes, she felt something familiar.
— That bastard is an absolute madman who has fought against magicians stronger than himself countless times.
Eyes of giant hunters who compensate for lack of power with technique, read several moves ahead, and overwhelm opponents.
In those eyes, Linne sensed defeat.
That was why she gave up fighting and used an emergency escape scroll to get out of there.
The man cast a glance outside.
The weather that had been fiercely pouring snow had calmed down somehow.
— It’s time to move soon.
The man stood up, but Linne’s steps faltered.
— My punishment… can I not avoid it?
— You know that very well, don’t you?
The man replied coldly.
— You’ll just have to hope that ‘absolute madman’ evaluation works at the Congress.
All demon bastards were like that.
Emotionless, guiltless.
So they would only weigh her life based on calculations.
“The only thing I can do is prove how capable I am.”
Linne gripped and hugged the coat.
“I… will survive.”
Survival.
It was a promise she had made to herself ever since she touched Godwin’s blood.
— —
The peaceful central-east of the Serdes Continent.
The Rosnova Territory was also progressing tranquilly.
The head of the family, Erembalt, was old, so he had retired, but his two sons continued the household and flourished.
Suddenly, a bombardment fell upon that house.
Not that actual cannons or catapults flew there.
No, it was a situation where that would have been better.
— Hello, Family Head. You know who I am, right?
In front of Erembalt was a girl.
She asked him brazenly and in a young voice.
Normally, Erembalt would have yelled first, saying how a brat with milk smeared on her mouth dared to speak to him informally, but…
— Yes. I know well.
But Erembalt did not dare do that to her.
Because what was visible was not everything, and he knew that this little girl in front of him had lived far longer than his own age.
— You are the Model of Great Mages, Erdes-nim, aren’t you?
— My, my, model! You don’t need that flattery. I know I’m known as the Pretty Girl Bully to you guys.
Hard to react.
Bully was correct, but pretty girl was not.
— What business brings you to this humble place?
Erembalt was curious about her purpose.
Erdes is an existence similar to a storm.
She appears out of nowhere, turns everything into a mess, and leaves.
Depending on the case, things can also disappear.
Erembalt could end up like that too.
— It’s not a big deal. I have no intention of turning this place into a wasteland, so relax.
— Yes, yes. Naturally I had no such worries.
— But depending on the case, I will.
Erembalt swallowed hard.
I’ve run into a real lunatic.
As Erdes waved her finger, a map unfolded across the table from her lap.
— What do you think this is?
— A map… isn’t it?
— Correct. A map engraved on mana paper. The people of our magic tower use this map to observe the flow of mana.
With a simple explanation, she pointed to a spot with a small staff.
— Where do you think this is?
— According to the markings… it says Count Consillus’s Castle.
— Correct. And this marked place?
— Mmm… a mountain in the north… isn’t it?
— Specifically.
— That… is the Silverwind Domain.
— Correct! How nice. If you were clumsy like our Blue, I would have gotten a little annoyed.
She smiled brightly and pulled back her staff.
— What do you think is the reason I pointed out those two places?
— Huh? Uh, that means…
Erembalt looked down at the map.
He couldn’t raise his head.
That subtle smile. He lacked the confidence to face head-on what dwelled in those eyes.
— I apologize. My clumsy head cannot understand…
— Whatever, it’s fine. You’re not a mage, how would you know? And unlike Blue, at least you know you’re foolish, right?
Erembalt realized at that very moment that a grim reaper had been standing behind his back.
Every time his words, actions, and choices went wrong, Erembalt would die.
Why?
Why did he feel this way?
The reason was simple.
— Bent Bridge magic occurred here. A Bent Bridge passing through Hell.
Because of black magic.
Her hatred toward black magic was renowned.
— Is… that so?
— But I don’t think Count Consillus used it.
— Th-then?
— Use your head a bit more. If it wasn’t Count Consillus, who? His relatives or his children? Or… someone higher than him?
— Someone higher than him…
Then he felt the connection.
Why this bully mage had come to a family of knights like his.
— Ferda…
His third son, whom he had disowned.
Because of that guy, this happened.
— There are traces that Regent Valdrova contacted demons.
Erdes Roton.
He knew how strong her hatred toward black magic was.
Those who contacted black magic faced family extermination at the very least.
That meant the extinction of House Rosnova.
— P-please, spare my life!
Erembalt fell to his knees.
The brave family crest crumbled.
— I swear I have no relation with that bastard! From the moment that bastard left here, we have been strangers! We haven’t even contacted each other!
He rubs his hands desperately, begging for his life.
Erdes watched that scene, still smiling.
— I know. That a nobody knight like you wasn’t involved.
A tone of understanding.
But it wasn’t reassuring.
There is no mercy in her wrath.
Only this fact was enough to exterminate House Rosnova.
But today, she wouldn’t do that.
— So tell me.
The only wish she wanted.
That single wish was simply too big.
— About that bastard Ferda.