Sebastian looked up at the child with a chubby expression.
Due to the blood flowing from his head, the view wasn’t clear, but upon seeing Sekina, a certain thought crossed Sebastian’s mind.
‘Interesting.’
A smirk formed on his lips, curving upward.
Sebastian Torja.
He is an intermediate demon.
Originally, he should have entered the demon lord’s castle and joined the legion.
However, that wasn’t the case. No, he didn’t want that. Why waste his life in such a dull, strict, and desolate place?
Even without going to the demon realm, life there was boring due to not being able to freely use his abilities. It was better this way. Playing with humans was more fun.
So, he sent a lower demon he had known in the demon realm into the castle in his place, and he escaped outside the castle. It was genuinely good. It was an opportunity to live with humans outside the castle. For decades since then, he had been making the most of this chance.
Dark magic, magecraft.
Magecraft, a type of dark magic, is a magical technique that involves using magic stones to create tools.
Of course, magical items created with magic stones are abundant in both the human and demon realms. Not only practical artifacts and scrolls but also decorative items designed to showcase one’s wealth.
However, creating such items requires a tremendous amount of magic stones and the magical power of a high-level human mage. Hence, they were not only expensive but also quite rare.
However, what Sebastian created was a bit different.
Magic stones as small as dandruff, and magical power, just a tiny bit.
Nevertheless, its performance was outstanding. Just by looking at the doll moving its limbs throughout the year, one could tell.
This was purely due to his use of dark magic. Magical items created using dark magic, even if they were small dolls, were remarkably excellent.
However, dark magic wasn’t forbidden without reason.
Magical items created with dark magic are dangerous. They drain the magical power of the user who possesses the item and use it as a power source. In other words, it means killing the owner.
Why make such things?
‘Because it’s amusing.’
Humans, opening their eyes wide in wonder at something they’ve never seen before, were truly amusing. They cherished the items without knowing they were things that sought his blood.
So, he created even more. To frustrate humans, to exploit them.
As a result, he got caught like this.
However, he wasn’t overly anxious.
‘I won’t die.’
He knew they wouldn’t execute him for something as trivial as this.
‘If it was exposed as dark magic, it might be a different story, but this should be fine.’
If he had been caught practicing dark magic, the Assistant, Lyat, wouldn’t have bothered bringing him here; he would have killed him right on the spot.
No matter how capable Lyat was, there was no way he could immediately recognize the forbidden dark magic that had been sealed a thousand years ago.
If it was dark magic, it wouldn’t be execution but… tasting hell. Sebastian shuddered, recalling the days of torture he experienced in the demon realm prison in the past.
But it’s okay. As long as the Demon King doesn’t see the dark magic, no one will know. No matter how advanced the demons are, they’re all just pretending. So, I just had to spend a few years in prison.
‘Too bad.’
It’s not regrettable to be thrown into prison.
What’s regrettable is just not being able to share the ‘amusing things’ this little kid in front of me is about to show.
A trace of bitterness crept into Sebastian’s emerald-green eyes.
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, greenhead.”
The little kid who had approached suddenly spoke.
“You…”
The kid spoke in a very soft voice, probably not audible to Lyat, who was still sipping his tea.
“Did you use dark magic?”
“…..”
Uh…
This isn’t good.
***
I sighed quietly, looking down at Sebastian, who was sweating cold.
This guy, really. He thought he wouldn’t get caught.
I glanced discreetly at Lyat.
Judging by Lyat’s relaxed expression, he also seemed unaware that this guy had dabbled in dark magic.
If Lyat knew, he wouldn’t have brought him here but would have executed him on the spot.
‘He probably got caught up in this mess because of distributing strange items.’
In other words, the use of dark magic is known only to this guy and me.
A smirk involuntarily formed on my lips.
“H-How could you know that…”
“How I know? I’m more curious about how you’re going to explain yourself.”
“N-No…!”
“Did you want to explain about that or not?”
His face crumpled as if he could collapse any moment.
“No answer? Really…”
“Wait a moment!”
However, Sebastian’s exclamation was faster than my words.
“I-I’ll do anything! Anything you ask!”
He crawled toward me, kneeling.
“Really! Anything! I’ll do it even if you don’t ask! I’m really quick on the uptake, you know? I’ll figure things out on my own! Just think of me as a servant!”
He laughed brightly as if his lips were tearing apart.
This guy seems like he’s been through this before. Shouldn’t keep him around.
Oh, what should I do?
I clenched my fist, lost in thought.
Sebastian’s continued words broke my contemplation.
“I will enter into a master-servant contract.”
His words left me no choice but to stiffen.
“You are my master! I am a slave! A smart and capable one who can do anything!”
A master-servant contract is a magical agreement where the one who becomes the paper (contract) cannot refuse the orders of the one who becomes the master. However, it is hardly, if ever, used. Why?
‘Because it makes no sense for this arrogant and reckless demon to serve under anyone.’
But he wants to serve me?
My mind raced.
Originally, I thought about using dark magic to shut this guy’s mouth. But doing that would burden me as well.
”A master-servant contract might be useful.’
It could keep him quiet about dark magic and potentially be useful to me.
I smirked.
“Uncle.”
So, I spoke towards Lyat.
“This guy is a bit strange.”
“Oh, really?”
With a thud, Lyat set down his teacup and casually raised his hand. Immediately, Sebastian’s body floated in midair.
“Ah! Wait! Gulp, gulp!”
Sebastian’s neck seemed to be in danger of snapping. It looked like he would run out of breath in no time.
“But, you see, he has some use.”
With an intentionally relaxed attitude, I addressed Lyat.
“Let’s keep him around for a few days. When the priest returns, we can reconsider then, alright?”
The reason for this is simple.
To make Sebastian aware that I’m receiving favors from Lyat.
To remind him that he’ll die instantly if he entertains any other thoughts.
My current state is incredibly weak, but well, can’t I just use Lyat?
Thinking that way, I gave Sebastian a sly smile.
“Cough! Yes, yes! I’ll do everything as you say for the next few days! I can do it!”
Lyat glanced back and forth between me and Sebastian, then casually flicked his finger.
“Do as she says.”
Thud!
Sebastian’s body fell to the ground from quite a height.
“Cough! Ouch!”
Despite the considerable distance of the fall, Sebastian’s face was filled with a smile, as if he found the current situation ecstatic.
‘….. This is really weird.’
Is it really okay? I briefly considered changing my decision.
“Then, deal with him on your own. The priest is coming later, so if you can finish by then, it should be fine.”
“Yes. Understood.”
However, there was immediate work to be done, so I decided to wait for a few days.
I nodded, and Lyat, after briefly smiling at me, suddenly became serious. What’s with him?
“I’m a busy person.”
I hadn’t asked… If I say that, he might get angry, so I forced a smile and adjusted my jaw.
“Yes. Take care.”
Then, with a sudden realization, he added,
“And thanks for the food. It was really delicious today.”
Lyat, who was about to leave, turned his gaze sharply toward me. He stared at me with a stern face, then reached out and pinched my cheek.
“Hung?”
Satisfied with touching my cheek like it was slime, he soon smiled and left.
“……?”
I really have no idea what he’s thinking.
[SYSTEM]
‘Lyat Noah’ considers you as a ‘Reasonably good homunculus.’ That’s a progress!
This is a good deal, but…
Ignoring the subtly mocking system message, I approached Sebastian, who was still sprawled out.
“Isn’t we have anything left to discuss?”
