Holy Kingdom – Transaction (3)

“It’s simple. Make a contract with me.”

“A contract…?”

“Naturally, a contract using magic.”

A contract using mana.

As a mage, this was Ian’s most trusted and frequently used method.

However, Lena rejected Ian’s proposal without a moment’s hesitation.

“No. Absolutely no contracts.”

“Hmm… If you refuse, you must realize I can’t trust your words?”

“…Still no. Tell me another way.”

“I can’t trust you without a contract.”

“But….”

At Ian’s firm stance, Lena bit her lower lip.

Then, as if remembering something, she hastily grabbed Ian’s arm.

“H-how about this then?”

-Squelch.

In her frantic movement, Lena’s chest pressed firmly against Ian’s arm.

“Huh?!”

Ian stiffened momentarily, turned his head away, and spoke quietly.

“Unless you’re suggesting resolving this with your body… step back a little.”

“S-sorry!”

In the awkward atmosphere, Lena scratched her head and retreated.

Lena glanced at Ian, worried she might have offended him.

“Really, I’m sorry. You must hate being touched by me….”

“It’s fine. Just say what you need to say quickly.”

“Well… We could find an artifact in the Papal Chamber. Wouldn’t that be sufficient evidence?”

“That’s idiotic. Even for me, infiltrating the Papal Chamber isn’t easy.”

“You’ve been boasting about your skills since last time. Can’t you even handle this?”

“There are barriers inside the Papal Chamber. I’ve confirmed this myself. Forcing through them is possible, but I’d inevitably be detected. Besides, where’s the guarantee the Pope keeps that artifact there?”

“B-but if we just get the artifact….”

“I’m not saying your idea is entirely wrong. If we find the artifact, we could even lift the Saint’s hypnosis and turn the tables. But that’s only an option after I’ve gained your trust. You’ve got the order wrong.”

Of course, Ian was willing to gamble if there was enough evidence.

But such a reckless move was only possible with mutual trust established first.

Ultimately, Lena couldn’t argue against Ian’s logical explanation and fell silent.

“Ugh….”

“Now I’m curious. Why are you so against contracts?”

Ian’s question was valid.

Magic contracts were one of the commonly used methods.

Their enforcement power far surpassed verbal or paper contracts.

While ways to break or bypass contracts existed, they were among the most difficult to execute.

Thus, Lena’s trembling refusal seemed bizarre to Ian.

“Did you have a bad experience with contracts?”

“Haa….”

-Thump.

Lena sighed deeply and slumped to the floor, curling up.

“Yes. I went through something terrible because of a contract before.”

“Must’ve been a dangerous gamble or bet.”

“Right. Back then, I thought the contract favored me. Of course, it nearly ruined my life. Jade and Annie suffered a lot too.”

“Well, many fools have their lives destroyed by bad contracts. Seems you’re one of them.”

Despite Ian’s sarcasm, Lena only nodded without anger.

“Yeah. I’m a fool. So, is there really no other way?”

“Hmm….”

Ian crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

“I understand your unfortunate story.”

“Right? Then-“

“But I have no intention of taking dangerous risks. Not if there’s even the slightest chance of being played by the demons.”

“If I refuse here too, will you just leave?”

“Of course.”

“What about your promise to Annie? You came to rescue a comrade at your sister’s request. What will you tell Annie if you return empty-handed?”

“I’ll explain that you conspired with the demons.”

“A-are you serious? Honestly, you must know my words are true….”

“You don’t know the meaning of ‘moderation’.”

-Thud.

“Ghk?!”

Ian grabbed Lena’s throat with one hand and lifted her.

His patience had reached its limit.

“Lena, do you think this is a joke?”

“Kgh… L-let… go….”

Choked, Lena grabbed Ian’s arm and began thrashing about.

“Then stop acting like a child.”

As Ian released his grip, Lena collapsed to the floor with a thud.

Lena looked at Ian with slightly fearful eyes.

“Cough, cough. W-what was that….”

“Let me explain one last time. Without my help, you can’t escape this place. If things continue like this, you know what happens next, right?”

“Ugh….”

“You’ll live as a Fuck Toy until you die. And Jade, whom you love so much, will become the Pope’s puppet. Of course, I’ll just take Annie away.”

After Ian’s near-threat explanation, silence fell between them.

Finally…

“…Fine.”

Lena spoke first.

“A contract. A damn contract. I’ll do it.”

She’d realized Ian wouldn’t bend to any proposal.

“Good. Now we’re speaking the same language.”

Ian’s stern face softened slightly at the positive response.

“So how do we do this? Write a contract?”

“No.”

Ian shook his head.

“We don’t have a contract handy, so that’s impossible. Instead, I’ll engrave magic onto your body.”

“…Already suspicious.”

Lena squinted at Ian.

Even written contracts were hard to trust in this situation.

Ian’s proposal to engrave magic only deepened her suspicion.

“I’ve never even heard of contracts without mana contracts… Are you trying something shady?”

“Ha. Do I look like someone who plays such tricks? As long as you don’t deceive me, there’ll be no issues.”

“Ugh… Fine. I guess I have no choice anyway. Do as you please.”

Tired of arguing, Lena shook her head vigorously.

“But promise me this-once this is over, you’ll cleanly terminate the contract.”

“Naturally.”

Ian nodded as if it were obvious.

“So what do I need to do now?”

“Just lie down.”

“Like this?”

Lena sprawled on the floor, limbs stretched out straight.

Naturally, her voluptuous chest and intimate areas were emphasized.

An excessively defenseless posture for a woman before a man.

“Ha… This is maddening.”

Ian wiped his face with both hands.

But Lena frowned in disbelief.

“…Why the sigh? What’s the problem?”

“At least cover yourself with this.”

Ian picked up the priestess’s discarded clothes and threw them to Lena.

-Thud.

Catching them, Lena looked puzzled.

“Huh? Now you’re giving me clothes?”

“It’s exhausting to keep looking at your naked body.”

“After seeing everything already. And you dislike seeing my well-maintained body that much….”

Hearing Lena’s muttering, Ian grabbed the clothes she held.

“If you don’t want them, give them back.”

“N-no! I’ll wear them.”

Lena yanked the priestess robes and hurriedly put them on.

-Tap.

“Eek?!”

When Ian’s finger touched her left shoulder, Lena jerked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just… nervous.”

Seeing her obvious tension, Ian reassured her.

“Relax. This contract will only reveal if you lie to me.”

“Right, Mr. World’s-Best-Pride Ian wouldn’t lie.”

“….”

Ian remained silent, watching Lena’s back. His eyes flickered quietly.

Unaware, Lena urged him on.

“Come on. Hurry up.”

“Beginning now.”

Ian’s finger moved, blue energy flowing from its tip.

-Ssss.

The mana began engraving something onto Lena’s left shoulder.

Moments later.

Ian removed his hand and lightly brushed Lena’s left shoulder.

-Tap, tap, tap.

“Done.”

“Hmm… A rose?”

-Swish.

Lena rubbed the small rose-shaped tattoo on her shoulder.

“Surprised you have such aesthetic sense.”

“Stop flaunting your ignorance. Balance and harmony are crucial in magic. The shape significantly affects its efficacy.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it. …But I don’t feel any different.”

Lena swayed side to side, feeling no immediate change.

“Naturally. This contract doesn’t cause physical changes.”

“Will it hurt if I lie?”

“The contract ensures you don’t lie in my presence. If you lie while physically touching me, I’ll know. The tattoo glowing and slight pain are bonuses.”

“Should we test it?”

Lena grabbed Ian’s arm.

“Here. I’m a man.”

“…That’s a lie.”

Ian shook his head, sensing the fluctuating mana.

At that moment.

“Ugh?!”

Lena clutched her left shoulder from an intense, stinging sensation.

“Works well.”

“That hurt…. Still, this seems reasonable. I’m almost ashamed of my earlier refusal….”

“Then I’ll test something too.”

This time, Ian grabbed Lena’s arm.

“Huh? What will you te-“

“[Fall asleep.]”

-Thump.

Lena collapsed to the floor.

**

Leaving the welfare facility, Ian walked toward Annie’s room.

-Tap, tap, clack.

Suddenly, Ian stopped and called out to the empty hallway.

“Show yourself.”

But unsurprisingly, no response came.

“How bothersome.”

Though faint, someone was definitely watching him.

Ian spread his mana to scan the surroundings.

1m. 5m. 10m.

He expanded his detection magic’s range continuously, but…

His mana only registered Grand Temple staff going about their duties.

Contrary to his expectations, no one was surveilling him.

“…Must’ve imagined it.”

Ian tilted his head and resumed walking.

**

-Tap. Tap.

Daniel sighed in relief as he watched Ian’s retreating back.

“Phew….”

‘His instincts are sharp. Almost got caught.’

He’d hidden using a Holy Spell meant for ambushing demons, evading detection magic. Without it, things could’ve gone badly.

‘So he did contact the sinner Lena.’

Daniel had seen Ian emerge from Lena’s confinement.

This meant Ian likely conspired with Lena-no, certainly had.

‘If they join forces….’

Ian belonged to the Magic Tower, currently conflicting with the Holy Kingdom. He had ample reason to help Lena.

If Ian-a powerful mage and the Tower Lord’s disciple-allied with Lena… His Holiness the Pope could face serious trouble.

This had to be prevented.

‘I must report to His Holiness immediately.’

-Fwoosh.

Daniel’s figure vanished from behind the pillar.