episode_0038

There are two types of demons that delve into dreams.

Succubi, who feed on men’s vitality and live.

And demons who enjoy tormenting by causing nightmares, making it impossible to distinguish between reality and dreams.

The demon within the saint was more like the latter.

In other words, it resided ‘inside’ her body and seemed to have a clear view of the outside situation.

So, unlike demons who return to their ‘nests’ after a contract, he whispered to her, contemplating how to torment her further even while the saint was in reality.

If his dominance increased and he could manipulate her body at will… well,

If a demon, having accumulated a vast amount of magic power within, were to resurrect through the saint, the worst possible scenario would unfold, with a demon of at least the rank of a legion commander being resurrected.

“…Ugh,”

The saint, waking from sleep, roughly pushed back her white hair, her expression furrowed.

Even though she was a saint, it wasn’t painless.

After severing the contract with the demon, the gradually returning divine power allowed her to endure during the day, but before falling asleep or during, she suffered excruciating pain as if insects were gnawing at her body.

Severe vomiting, stress, insomnia, and various other problems. These symptoms had diminished due to Ian’s measures.

Receiving such a strong curse that an ordinary person would die immediately from it, it meant that the opponent’s demon had grown to that extent within the saint’s body.

She was only alive because she was a saint bestowed with ‘truth.’ If she hadn’t completed her awakening, she would have died.

The saint quickly got up from the bed and searched for the medicine bottle.

Limping to the table, she reached the medicine bottle lying on the desk, grabbed the half-fallen table, and swallowed the pills.

However.

[ You shouldn’t keep taking the medicine like that. It shortens the vessel I’m going to occupy. ]

“…Ugh… Ugh.”

Her breath choked.

With the demon’s whisper, a hand emerged from the void and threw the medicine bottle to the ground.

Blinking incessantly, unable to resist properly due to the trauma deeply embedded in her body, the saint’s eyes contracted once.

“…This can’t be. How could it be to that extent.”

Struggling against the devil’s grasp, the saint staggered and collapsed to the ground.

The demon, which would have been unable to interfere elsewhere, was now clearly revealing its existence, indicating that the “fairy tale” was nearly over.

Even if the contract had abruptly ended, there might still be a demon ready to burst forth from her body at any moment.

[ You agreed to the contract. I am merely taking what is due, and killing as much as I gain. ]

“Shut… up. Deceiving me, making me kill people under the guise of justice… and claiming it’s all for everyone’s sake?”

[ Hm? Is that so? Sacrificing the small for the greater good is only natural, isn’t it? You have no ability to obtain anything without sacrifice. Your kind’s way of thinking is truly incomprehensible. ]

“The nonsense of a devil…!”

[ Fine, then ask. Did I force the contract? Moreover, I simultaneously stated the gains and losses of what I said. And it was you who agreed to it. Saving a country invaded by an enemy by sacrificing one village. Did I lie to you about the information? ]

The collapsed saint gnashed her teeth.

He’s probably sneering behind his mask even now. He knows she’s particularly sensitive to such questions and spits out these words to get under her skin.

He only hopes to see her waver.

It would make it easier to take over her body.

Ignoring him completely, the saint opened the door.

‘…Him. If it’s that man. He could… treat me again.’

Leaning against the wall, her staggering figure as she walked away was pitiful.

The demon followed behind, smiling as if finding even that pathetic.

[ Are you relying on that man again? He’s nothing. Even if your plight reaches the ears of the Holy Kingdom, it won’t be easily resolved. ]

“Quietly. It is unforgivable to defile my lord’s face.”

[My lord, a god… Hmph. Are you treating that person as a god, formed by a mere coincidence? How amusing. Your reliance on others due to the feebleness of your own spirit, since the voice of heaven does not reach you, is quite comical. Even the one you are dealing with knows well that you are in such a state. Yet my contractor continues to demand more. If it were me, I would have dismissed him immediately.]

“Do not compare… me with someone like you. That person is not… comparable to you.”

From Isabella’s lips, a grinding sound of clenched teeth accompanied her enraged voice. She must be angry because she realized the devil was undermining him for some purpose.

The saint belonged to the Holy Kingdom and was practically the face of the people. It was certain that once they realized that such a person was turning away from the revered deity to focus solely on another human, it would become a significant problem for the Holy Kingdom, which valued “faith” above all else.

Those who considered receiving enlightenment as “grace” were all the same—viewing the subjects as expendable. They were insane creators who worshipped and fell for curses that could inflict eternal suffering on the very subjects they adored.

Finally arriving at the door, in a moment when he was about to take a deep breath before grabbing the doorknob.

-….

Ian’s room was locked.

Only a single letter was left in front of the door.

Well, he must be a busy person; he might have left even at night.

But…

[Hmm, I saw it last time too. That man falling into vampirism and ecstasy. But aren’t you also harboring feelings for him? If you wish, I can personally use my power to help you obtain what you desire. Yes, I can make that man yours.]

“…No, you can’t. Absolutely not. I cannot interfere with my lord’s happiness.”

As the devil looked at the resisting saint with various expressions, he spoke with an expression that seemed to say, “Right.”

Your maid, Ian, seems to possess a commanding power over dragons, doesn’t she? Baphomet is clearly displaying great desire for ownership and dominance over her.

The demon spoke while gazing directly at the saint. “If you hand that woman over to me, there will be nothing I can’t grant you and him. Even if he resurrects as a mere shell after being devoured, in the end, he will be my subordinate. I was convinced of this before. If I could make the magic held by that maid entirely mine… I might even reach the conclusion that I could usurp Baphomet’s position. It would be a shame to offer such potential on a platter.”

“…You, with your futile ambition, are joining in the god’s senseless ambition, thoughts, are… ugh!”

The saint collapsed in front of the door once again, gradually curling up in increasing agony.

Ian’s maid is someone particularly precious to him. Just looking at her changes his expression. There have been times when he entertained the futile delusion of receiving such a gaze from her.

One must not harm others for one’s own benefit. A person whose life has been saved is not so shameless.

Presumably, the ‘body’ in the demon’s plan is crucial. Depending on how much of a demon he revives as, his position will surely change.

He must have noticed the power of the 1,000 demons and dragons that Uriah controlled not long ago. And then, using their feelings and hers, he aims to meddle further, even in Ian’s relationship. The saint could not be unaware of this.

The pain felt in her shoulders intensifies. If she does not heed her words, it means she will do it forcibly, if necessary. So, cooperate quickly.

“…Honestly, I didn’t want to listen to that maid’s words.”

It’s truly as they said.

If you hear the demon’s whisper, tear up the letter placed in front of my room without hesitation.

This was also heard from Ian. At least, if the demon has exerted this much control, there is no other option but what he mentioned.

“What good is enduring more pain than this? It’s meaningless. Hurry…”

“Okay.”

“…”

The demon, who had momentarily relaxed, smirked and spoke.

[ Do you agree with me? ]

“Yes. I will follow.”

[ … ]

“I will no longer move as you wish…”

[ Is it so easy to give up your life and the life of your master whom you serve so devotedly? ]

The saint said no more.

She tore the letter that had been placed in front of Ian’s door into pieces.

[ ??? Demon Summoning (Level 1) ]

[ Target: ???????? ]

Even if it’s a demon not yet fully manifested, if it has grown within, even an exceptional priest cannot intervene. Unless it’s a power cultivated directly by the empire, one that is beyond that, hidden within the body, won’t be easily killed alongside the saint. They couldn’t be completely killed because they hadn’t diminished enough to die simply from purification or holy water. The demon knew very well that there were no knights she could trust. Even if there were, those knights didn’t possess the strength to kill her. However, there was an ‘out-of-the-blue’ force the demon had not considered. A woman with the power to handle ‘ice’, the only one capable of capturing the demon’s essence. And she was attached to Ian. Suddenly, with a bang from behind the door, the figure of a woman emerged, shattering the door at the same time.

[ ????? Divine Protection (3rd Tier) Level 3. ]

[ Reveals the demon’s essence to the user. ]

The special energy flowing from her gloves focused directly on Rachel, capturing the demon.

[ ….! ]

-Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The demon’s body began to freeze at a terrifying speed, to the extent that the entire area where it was pinned to the wall froze over.

“You’re a demon.”

Someone who had regained consciousness expressed their anger.

Of course, this did not cause significant damage. It only restrained movement for a very short time. However, soon after, she began to understand why the woman who suddenly appeared did not kill her immediately. It was all for buying time. Pretending to feel pain, pretending to waver in her words and actions, until finally, at a completely unexpected moment, she acquiesced.

Captivating.

Lurking for a moment of complacency.

Allowing this strike.

And spreading an increasingly tremendous energy, there was ‘someone’ moving around, leaving roots of immense power.

The monster, sensing the change here. The time it takes to approach.

The demon knew well who that monster was.

Above all, it was a vessel that had eagerly sought to make the choice to abandon the saint.

The demon, feeling something approaching around him, realized that his situation was now exposed.

“Life, it is. Yours. That… cannot be easily taken. However, you too will have to walk.”

[ … ]

In the eyes of the demon,

a maid with bright white moonlight soon appears.

With crimson eyes. A vampire.

“A trespasser has come to my master’s room and seen….”

“Of all creatures, it had to be the one I despise the most, a demon.”