Chapter 9
A Transaction of Life
Part 3
It was the worst day ever. I had come to this country for a visit at someone’s request and got caught up in trouble.
I was asked by my Master’s friend and made to come to a country I didn’t even want to visit in the first place.
I have no intention of opposing the decisions my Master makes, and I don’t mind if trouble arises because of them. But it’s a different story if the root cause of all this is the man right before my eyes.
“If you were one of my creations, this wouldn’t have been necessary. My sincere apologies.”
“Shut up. Why would you do something like this…?”
I glared at the white-haired man before me… this human-like creature called Hal.
The magic he used earlier turned my suspicions into certainty.
I know what this guy truly is.
The fact that his soul looks human must also be due to some kind of trickery he’s employing.
That’s precisely why I couldn’t understand why he would do this.
“I had planned to put you in my debt, but my plan went awry when you, suppressing your magical power, managed to neutralize him. Ah, but this method works too, I suppose.”
“Don’t come closer. I can repair my own body.”
“But doing that would require you to release your demonic power, wouldn’t it? Given the current situation, you wouldn’t be able to leave the country immediately if you did that. Or perhaps, though I wouldn’t recommend it, you could use one of this country’s hospitals? Moreover, I’ve been entrusted with your treatment by your Master. Do you intend to disregard your Master’s will so rudely?”
“…Just get on with it.”
Honestly, even standing was painful. Breathing was difficult, and even if I tried to leave the country straight away, I’d likely need to lean on my Master’s shoulder for support. If any humans tried to take me to a hospital, that would be a real problem.
I was suppressing my magical power to avoid being sensed as a demon, but since I wasn’t using a disguise, my body was still that of a demon. If they directly examined my body, there’s no way I could hide it.
Resigning myself, I relaxed the tension in my shoulders, and magical power gathered in the palm of his hand.
After being held over me for just a few seconds, all the pain throughout my body vanished completely.
“Any pain?”
He asked with a cool, composed face, but severe injuries like broken bones normally don’t heal this quickly with ordinary healing magic. I was forced to understand, whether I liked it or not, just how formidable an opponent this guy was.
“You two are now in my debt. That means you need to repay me. ‘A debt must be repaid,’ as Ruki says, you know.”
“No way, what are you talking about, you white-haired guy? You’re the root cause of all this anyway!”
In the middle of his speech, my Master, who looked exhausted, returned.
Looking towards the square, it seemed today’s business was closed for the day, and the gathered crowd had returned home. The demons who hadn’t found buyers were being forcibly herded back into the trucks, and the aberrant demon from earlier had also been retrieved and tossed into the cargo bed.
Some staff were cleaning up the stage and the shattered floor.
“Akatsuki, is your conversation finished?”
“Yeah. Well, I got a really thorough apology, and they even covered our food and drink bills from the café. Plus, because I lodged a ton of complaints, they hooked us up with a nice hotel! Rejoice, Dia! Tonight’s hotel is a suite!”
My Master wore a tired expression but somehow proudly fluttered two ticket-like pieces of paper to show me. Apparently, they were lodging tickets, each valid for up to two people.
He really didn’t need to get one for this guy here too, but my Master is scrupulously honest like that.
“Like I care about debts or credits. Honestly, even if Mr. Hal hadn’t been here, if the opponent was a demon, I could’ve handled it alone somehow. I’m grateful for the wound treatment, but let’s call it even for ‘accompanying me in this country’ and ‘dealing with that man earlier.’ We’re square.”
“My, that is troubling. There’s something I really must ask of you two. It seems I must consider another plan.”
“…Akatsuki, I’m sorry.”
I took a step forward from beside my Master and glared at the man.
Closing my eyes and steadying my breath, I felt my anger recede slightly, allowing me to become calmer.
“A transaction. I will hear your request. In return, I want you to never involve my Master again.”
“Dia! Why? There’s no need to listen to this shady person’s request!!”
As my Master frantically grabbed my arm to stop me, I smiled and said, ‘It’s okay.’
It seems this man hasn’t given up on something yet. If that’s the case, he’ll surely try something again.
If just one thing had gone wrong in this incident, my Master could have lost his life. And since this disturbance failed, next time he might put my Master in an even more dangerous situation. While it’s unacceptable to me, this is the most peaceful and easiest solution.
It’s frustrating that this is the best solution, but my Master’s safety is the top priority.
“I am fully aware this is terribly rude, but I believe it’s more advantageous to hear this man’s request… This man is far more powerful than I am.”
When I said that, my Master’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really? Stronger than you, Dia?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
“Hehe, well, when it comes purely to destruction and slaughter, I’d probably lose to Dia-kun.”
I’m not so sure about that. If this man were to get serious, I can’t even imagine the scale of damage he could inflict on the human world.
Perhaps because I said I’d hear his request, he was visibly in high spirits. He had been smiling before too, but he now looked genuinely happy, to the point where it made all his previous smiles seem fake.
Just what is he going to ask of us?
“…I’ve been thinking this for a while, but Mr. Hal, you’re not human, are you? I can’t trust the words of someone who hides what they are, so I can’t listen to their requests either. At the very least, tell us who you are.”
“Ah, that’s right. Well then, let me reintroduce myself.”
Completely unfazed by the wary glare I was giving him, he bowed deeply and said.
“My name is Lucifer. I am an angel who was once said to be the closest to God.”
