CPSMBD Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Summoning a Demon

I hadn't misread it. The text was still telling me the same thing.

This was really a summoning circle for a demon? Impossible!

I covered my mouth and stumbled backward.

Demons. I'd heard countless stories about them.

Evil beings that should never be summoned under any circumstances.

Even in the fairy tales I'd read, demons appeared frequently.

Demons, the guardians of evil, were entities that had to be defeated - beings that should never manifest in this world.

Every form of media constantly warned about the terrible fates that befell those who summoned demons for their own selfish desires.

'But if they're that powerful, couldn't one save Friedrich and me?'

A thought I would never normally entertain invaded my mind.

'No. It's a demon. They said demons must never be summoned.'

Suddenly, the Crown Prince's screams that had been echoing ceased.

'No... surely he's not... dead?'

"Friedrich! Friedrich!"

I pounded on the door calling his name, but there was no response from outside.

Returning to the desk, I jabbed my palm hard with a pencil.

Though it hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes, I desperately wanted to keep my promise to protect the Crown Prince.

Placing my bleeding palm on the summoning circle, I stumbled through reading the text beside it.

"I, Violetta Estrisen, seek to make a blood contract with thee according to the ancient pact. Whoever wishes to remain by my side, appear before me now."

The candlelight flickered violently, then went out. Darkness engulfed everything instantly.

Silence. My last hope had been cruelly shattered.

"It didn't work. I guess I can't protect Friedrich after all."

Tears dropped onto the back of my hand.

At that moment.

The room suddenly brightened.

I lifted my bowed head.

Someone was standing before me.

Red hair and red eyes. Taller than even my father. And flowing white clothes.

The demon towering before me looked truly massive and solid.

'This man is a demon?'

But... the demons in fairy tales had looked hideous.

Not this handsome.

[Was it you? The human who called me?]

"Are you... a demon?"

[Yes.]

"An evil and wicked demon?"

[That's what humans tend to call me.]

"Could you really destroy this empire?"

[If my master wishes it.]

Oh no, what should I do? The demon was indeed an evil being, just like in the fairy tales.

"I don't want that. I don't want to destroy the world."

[Very well. Then how about we seal part of my power? Then I won't be able to destroy this empire. I dislike whatever my master dislikes.]

"O-okay, do that."

[Then will you contract with me, Velasquez?]

This was the most crucial moment.

"Can you grant my wish?"

[What is your wish?]

"Help Friedrich and me escape from here. I want to go home."

[That's all?]

"Yes. That's everything. Just grant me this."

[You summoned me, one of the four great demons, and that's all you wish for?]

"But I don't have any other wishes."

[Such a simple and straightforward wish, befitting a young master. Alright. I can grant such a wish with my eyes closed. Well? Will you contract with me?]

After hesitating, I clenched my fists and nodded. Without a trace of doubt. My mind was filled with only one thought - saving Friedrich.

"I will."

The red-haired man knelt before me.

[My master, I, Velasquez, according to the ancient pact, shall serve Violetta Estrisen as my master and obey until your life ends. As payment for the contract, I shall take your blood.]

The blood pooled in my palm was drawn into Velasquez's body.

[The contract is complete. I am now eternally yours.]

Velasquez stepped close and lifted me into his arms.

They said demons were a cruel race without blood or tears. But Velasquez's embrace was so warm it was almost hot.

***

"Friedrich! Friedrich, are you alright?"

The Crown Prince's face, lying on the platform, was deathly pale.

"What... what did you do to Friedrich?"

I turned to face our kidnappers.

But they were already unconscious, having been knocked out by a single gesture from Velasquez.

Velasquez easily lifted both me and the unconscious Crown Prince.

What had seemed like an impenetrable prison to me, Velasquez escaped from with ease.

At the Crown Prince's summer palace chambers, Velasquez laid him on the bed.

The Crown Prince still hadn't regained consciousness.

"Will he be okay?"

Velasquez nodded at my worried question.

[Yes. He's just sleeping, he'll wake up soon.]

"Really?"

[Yes, now come, master. You need to return home too.]

"But I want to wait until Friedrich wakes up..."

[It will take quite a while. This human has fallen into a very deep sleep.]

I thought of my parents waiting anxiously for me.

I'd only meant to go out briefly to see the market, but I'd been gone far longer than planned.

'I can see Friedrich tomorrow when he wakes up, right?'

I thought we could play ball in the sand and build castles together, just like we had been doing for days.

If I'd known we wouldn't meet again for such a long time, I would never have left.

"Okay, let's go."

Velasquez picked me up. My gaze remained fixed on the motionless Crown Prince until the very end.

***

"Violetta?"

When Velasquez set me down in the villa garden, I heard my mother calling.

"Mom!"

I ran to her and threw myself into her embrace.

"Violetta, what happened? Where have you been all this time?"

"Mom, well..."

My mother, who was about to scold me, noticed Velasquez and spoke.

"W-who are you? Why are you with my daughter..."

[I am a demon. I will be serving your daughter as my master from now on, so I look forward to our association.]

"W-what... what did you say?"

[You heard me correctly, human. Why do you ask again?]

"A-a d-demon! A demon?!"

Mother looked down at me with a trembling voice.

"Violetta, what is this about? Is what he's saying true?"

"Yes, Mom. But Velasquez isn't a bad demon. He actually helped me."

Mother's voice shook with anxiety.

"Please tell me... you didn't summon this demon?"

"I did summon him..."

"Oh no. Oh Artium! A demon! My daughter summoned a demon!"

Mother collapsed onto the garden ground, losing all strength.

When my father and brother arrived later after hearing the news, they too discovered Velasquez.

My brother fainted on the spot upon learning Velasquez was a demon.

Because my family was so terrified of Velasquez's existence, I sent him back to the demon realm.

'When my family stops being afraid of Velasquez, I'll summon him again.'

But that was an unrealistic thought. Demons and humans weren't meant to coexist.

Our family quickly fled back to our mansion in the capital.

My parents strictly warned me never to tell anyone about summoning a demon.

A few days later, royal investigators came to the mansion to ask about what had happened that day. I gave a complete statement about everything that happened when I was kidnapped.

Except for anything related to Velasquez.

When the investigators asked how I got home, I couldn't say anything.

"Um, well... that is..."

What should I say?

I just fidgeted anxiously, watching the investigators' reactions.