CHAPTER 95……………………………
At Esther’s words, a faint crack appeared on the man’s face.
He fell silent for a moment, then soon wore a calm expression.
[When are you bastards ever going to fix those dog-like manners of yours?]
[Your mouth is still as filthy as ever, Agreas.]
[Well, this great one can at least tell who’s worth speaking to. For the likes of you, it’d be proper to speak in a beast’s tongue—but alas, even a genius such as myself hasn’t mastered the language of animals.]
At those cutting words, the man froze, then exhaled a long sigh.
[I thought I said I wanted to have a talk.]
[Return my mother’s belongings, and maybe I’ll listen.]
[That would be difficult.]
[Why, is it because I’ve worked faster than you expected?]
[…I can’t deny it. I thought it would take at least fifty more years.]
[Oh dear, how unfortunate. Though, if it were you, fifty—no, even a hundred years would still be too soon.]
That short, mocking figure was so infuriating that Samael—no, Mikael Enoch—couldn’t help the twitch of his lips.
[Watch your tongue. You’re not even at my feet—]
Thud!
Before the words were even finished, black energy surged around Esther.
Hidden wings unfurled; small horns sprouted; her ears sharpened slightly.
Her golden eyes turned blood-red in an instant. With that face, Esther grinned brightly, childlike and cruel.
[Not at your feet… but that’s what you wish were true, isn’t it? This great one is already at your waist.]
[What—!]
As Mikael Enoch flinched and stepped forward, a black magic circle spread beneath his feet.
After all, this was a constructed space of his own making—
which meant there was no one to see them.
Naturally, Esther felt no need to hold back.
She leapt lightly into the air, landed gracefully on Mikael Enoch’s shoulder, and pressed down with power charged in her right foot.
[Kugh…!]
With crushing force that seemed ready to shatter bone, his knees began to buckle.
[Ordinarily, a god’s descent requires restriction, doesn’t it? You must’ve left at least half your power behind.]
Boom!
Mikael Enoch’s body slammed into the ground. Esther stepped on his back, giggling.
[Oh dear… then I must be standing on your head right now.]
[Pathetic trickery…!]
Flash!
A burst of white light erupted. Red flame caught onto Esther’s fingertips.
She narrowed her eyes, flicked her hand, and the fire vanished instantly—
leaving nothing but a faint trace of soot.
When she looked up again, Mikael Enoch was rising to his feet, teeth clenched.
[If you grant me two favors in the future… I’ll return it.]
[Why should I? I could just crush you right now and be done with it.]
After all, this was only a descended form—killing him would end it,
retrieve the item, and give that smug Mikael Enoch a good beating.
Two birds with one stone!
As expected of a genius, her own idea pleased her greatly.
Mikael Enoch’s fist clenched.
[This human body is still alive! I merely borrowed my devotee’s vessel and slightly altered its form.]
[So?]
Esther tilted her head.
[If you kill him, that’s selfish. But if you descend and he dies from the strain, that’s holy and glorious? What kind of logic is that?]
[I had his full consent.]
Esther narrowed her eyes.
“Yeeep! Then Esther got permission too, so I can slice-slice now!”
She chirped like a lisping child.
“What nonsense are you—”
Ugh, even talking to her gave him chills.
“So what’s your wish, huh? Whatever it is—just know, if I grant it, you’re my dog. Got it?”
“A—a dog?! How dare you call a god—!”
Mikael Enoch’s temper flared.
Boom!
Boom!
BOOM!
Rumble…
The barrier cracked with deafening noise. Esther’s eyes widened.
[Who dares to—]
[Esther.]
Someone forced their way through the cracks from outside.
That voice… she knew it too well. Esther froze.
“…Siderius?”
What was he doing here?
Wasn’t he supposed to be at the mansion? She was sure she’d left him there…
“Esther, you were here. You disappeared, so I came to find you.”
“Oh… right.”
Why did he sound so casual, like someone looking for a lost friend?
“Why are you here…?”
“You didn’t tell me where you were going. I didn’t want to be abandoned again.”
“Oh… I see.”
Esther replied awkwardly.
As Siderius pried open the rift with one hand and smiled brightly, a strange chill ran down her spine.
“How can a normal human even see this barrier…?”
Mikael Enoch’s shocked voice trailed off as Siderius knelt before Esther and smiled gently.
“…Esther, you’re hurt here.”
His gaze brushed the faint soot on her fingertips.
“It’s nothing…”
“Should I kill him?”
Siderius stood, drawing his sword, and leveled it at Mikael Enoch.
“Uh… no?”
Well, technically she could let him kill him—but the question came so naturally that she instinctively refused.
“You want me to leave the one who hurt you alive? Then maybe just an arm?”
He asked quietly, almost sulking.
“How did you even get in here?”
“I tore it open.”
Siderius’s voice was cold now—almost another person entirely.
[How dare you—]
“Umm, wasn’t Samael supposed to be my dog?”
What, was he seriously about to announce he was a god?
He flinched, clamped his mouth shut, then bristled again at her words.
[…Who are you calling a dog—]
“Esther, do you need that man? Why not let me be your dog instead?”
What—why was he volunteering now?
“You’re my contractor… candidate, remember?”
“Can’t I be both?”
“Hmm… not really. A dog can’t be a contractor.”
I have my pride, after all.
At that, Siderius’s eyes widened, then he nodded as though understanding.
“Ah, right. That was thoughtless of me. Okay, I’ll back off…”
He drooped his eyes, looking pitifully disappointed—for reasons she couldn’t fathom.
[I— I am no one’s dog!]
[I’m not the one who’s disappointed.]
[…]
Mikael Enoch shut his mouth tightly. He clenched his fists but said nothing more.
Well, Esther thought, that sounds like consent to me.
A deal for two small favors in exchange for one obedient servant?
Not bad at all.
At last… my very own slave.
Esther smirked.
Time to have some fun.
[You’d better wag that tail with everything you’ve got, Mi—no, Samael.]
At her teasing tone and sly smile, Mikael Enoch shivered as though ice crawled up his spine.
He turned toward Siderius—and froze.
Siderius was gazing at Esther with eyes dripping with honeyed adoration.
Damn you, Agreas!
Nothing had changed, even now.
“You say you love this great one? And what of it?
If you wish to please me, then wag that tail of yours with all your might.
Don’t think that pretty little face of yours will get you anywhere near my feet.”
From the very first meeting—legs crossed, smirking arrogantly—
that expression had been no different from the one on this child’s small face now.
“Anyway, I’m going to eat. Bye.”
Esther stepped lightly and vanished into the air.
“Chiffon! If I eat, you’ll give me dessert, right?!”
Then she ran off, beaming like an innocent child.
Siderius followed right behind her—without sparing Mikael Enoch a single glance.
“…What makes you so different, so special…?”
Left alone, Mikael Enoch clenched his fists.
Indeed—nothing had changed.
People still gathered around her, just like before.
