Serapholl tried to understand what had happened. So, she had been summoned through a leaflet. Such a redirection had occurred because of the enormous amount of energy that had been put into the ritual. In addition, she noticed traces of a circle that would amplify the call even more. There was a feeling of coolness in the air and something else she couldn't quite place, which made the woman frown. Cryomancy? Or was it a temperature disturbance caused by the large release of magic in this place? However, that could wait.
"I'm sorry, I think I missed that. Could you repeat your request?" Leviathan put her cheerful smile back on her face while her brain tried to remember if she had seen or heard anything about this young man. After all, powerful mages are usually well known among many factions. But no, she didn't remember anyone with this appearance.
"I wish for a planet with a functioning ecosystem, close to Earth, for meditation, peace, and scientific research. The size of Earth itself," the young man repeated in such a calm voice that for a moment Serafall thought she was looking at a robot.
Leviathan sighed and looked up at the sky. This was reality, not auditory hallucinations caused by overwork.
"What kind of person are you?"
This question now seemed incredibly serious. For a mage, this guy was wrong. Usually, mages were more lively, emotional and... down to earth, if you could put it that way. And they usually wore all kinds of robes, staffs and artefacts, but this guy had nothing special: just the clothes of an ordinary person. This guy didn't look like a powerful sorcerer! What's more, she doesn't even sense any magical power from him! Just some otherworldly coolness of a summer night. That's the only thing she could latch onto, but it's so incomprehensible that it can't be proof of anything! What should she say to him? "You smell like the night, give me information!" Everyone would laugh at her! And reputation is important to any girl wizard!
"So, the words on the handouts are lies?" Serafall looked at the boy in surprise, whose eyes suddenly began to glow even more brightly. And now this! Glowing eyes! This was clearly a sign that he was no ordinary person! She could, of course, use her power and force the answers out of him, but no. It was unethical, not in the spirit of sorceresses and diplomats. And the conversation... She didn't know how to find the right words! Azazel would definitely laugh at her now! Well, well, let Leviathan see the conversation between the fallen one and this mage.
"Well... Technically..." She smiled guiltily because she couldn't help it. What else could she do? Try to justify herself when she couldn't fulfil a wish?
"Indeed," the mage added coldly, then sighed. His smile remained on his face. Serafall felt a little uncomfortable with that smile. It was as if the guy saw a joke that no one else understood except him.
"Fine! As a licensed girl wizard, I am obliged to grant your wish!" Leviathan quickly pointed her finger at the blond man, who raised an eyebrow. "I am obliged to fulfil the contract! It took so much energy to summon you, and I can't leave you without your secret! What do you want, mortal soul?!"
Fast-talking and positive witch mode activated! It always works in situations like this, especially against the most impenetrable opponents! At least, it works in most cases, allowing her to steer the conversation in the direction she wants. But the woman didn't like the couple of seconds of silence, and her smile began to twitch, as did her left eye. The guy looked at her as neutrally as possible with the same cold smile. She couldn't see anything behind those icy eyes! Despite all her experience in diplomacy! Even more questions she wanted answers to!
"Your gaze is frantically trying to find some kind of answer in my features," Serafall blinked when the mage suddenly began to speak. "And your mind is rushing to find any explanation for what is happening. Questions come one after another, theories arise and disappear in an instant, but no logical or reasonable conclusion can be reached.
Leviathan continued to smile, not allowing surprise to get the better of her. This blond man had managed to read her confusion with such ease, even though she had given him no reason to! Where did he get such insight? Who was he anyway? Damn it! The woman had thought that interesting personalities had long since died out, but no! One such person was standing right in front of her!
"My enemies often ask me: What are you? Why do you exist? Why do you interfere? Why do you fight at all?" For the first time since they met, the guy's smile faded. "If they knew that I don't know the answers to those questions either, they wouldn't ask them."
"However, healthy curiosity is characteristic of all intelligent beings, and I don't blame you," the Lord, to put it mildly, was taken aback for a moment. She hadn't heard such a manner of speech in a very long time! A very long time! Cold, complex, and logical. No unnecessary emotions, just a statement of facts. Where had she seen this before?
"In the mirror. A long time ago," Serafall did not allow a sigh to escape her lips. Yes... The times of revolution in Hell had greatly affected her and her friends.
"It was curiosity that led to our meeting," the guy continued with a smile. She listened silently, trying to glean as much information as possible. But how difficult it was! Her interest was slowly beginning to outweigh any diplomacy or tact.
"I wanted to see the local demon lord to understand how powerful you are. And also to dispel the deception written on the leaflet," his icy eyes stared straight at her. The woman just smiled a little wider. Well, excuse me! Advertising slogans are just advertising slogans! And usually you can talk people into something else! And yes, normal people don't behave like this! It seemed impossible to find a way to get through to this mage. Her instincts and experience told her that any attempts would be futile.
"At least I was able to fulfil your little wish! That's what people expect from a demon!
"I won't give you my soul, but I can satisfy your curiosity," the guy's smile grew warmer, and her eyes sparkled. "Really?!" "But first, you have to do something for me. It's not difficult, but it requires certain abilities.
"What does your soul want?"
"Cheese pizza. Go get it on foot and bring it here. Then we'll talk.
***
"Partner, tell me, do you often send Demon Lords out for pizza?"
"I usually send them back to the abyss. But this one caught my attention with his behaviour and appearance."
The Lord stared at him intently, eating a piece of pizza, not refusing his offer to share his snack. Castor himself looked distractedly at this... woman. Ddraig was right that the local demons were human-like, but Brinel didn't think they were that human! Of course, her figure was disproportionate (her hips and breasts were too large in relation to her height), but otherwise she was almost indistinguishable from a human. Even the rich blue colour of her eyes did not stand out much — there were mutations that gave this effect. But if you were a mage and could sense energy... Yes, she was a demon, and a powerful one at that.
"By the way, aren't you afraid to tell her? She is the Demon Lord, after all, you've only just met, and you wanted a quiet life," Ddraig's arguments were reasonable, but Castor had a few facts that outweighed the dragon's opinion. For a peaceful life, you need to have a certain foundation and reputation among the mystical side of the world. Preferably, a deadly dangerous reputation. Then the number of attempts to prevent him from resting would tragically drop to almost zero.
"Forcing the Lord, and even more so a girl wizard, to go out for pizza, blackmailing them with information... Which one of us is the demon here, Magus-Kun?"
Brinel ignored the woman's deliberately offensive tone and continued his musings. So, information. There is no one in this world who could use the data about him. An archmage from another world, the only representative of his kind. And? What could hypothetically be done with that? Find his original world? Good luck with that. The mage would like to see the face of whoever finds the icy remnants of his planet. Find his enemies? That's what fools who want to destroy their own home would do."Allow me to introduce myself properly," the mage nodded gracefully. "Castor Brinel. Archmage of Gildam Arcanum, the last of my kind, and holder of several other titles related to the killing of many enemies of my kind.
"Gildam Arcanum?" The woman's offended expression changed to one of interest, and the piece of pizza was instantly devoured. "I don't know of any guilds or academies with that name... Oh, I'm sorry!" The demoness started and smiled foolishly. "Judging by your appearance, you don't know me! I am Serapholl Leviathan, nice to meet you! But you can call me Levi-chan!"
Castor's eyes widened in surprise, and his smile twitched slightly downward, but quickly returned to normal. Leviathan... Leviathan? Leviathan?! LEVIATHAN?! Brine needed almost all the self-control he had accumulated over the years to keep from bursting into hysterical laughter or trying to kill the little thing on the spot! Leviathan! That's not even funny! How can this spawn of chaos be called that name?!
"Whoa, whoa, partner! Take it easy! What's the storm in your mind?!" exclaimed Ddraig, sensing the magician's inner world tremble.
"Leviathan is a great cosmic serpent that devours stars and brings the coolness of night. At least, that's what the legends say," replied the archmage to the dragon, trying not to lose his smile of irritation and malice.
"And for us, it's a sea serpent. And also the founder of a demonic race."
"That's just a pathetic parody of my old friend. My Leviathan is old, wise, and kind, and he doesn't leave any descendants who could tarnish his good name."
"The Guilds of Arcanum are a huge organisation that unites many magic schools, academies, seminars and boarding schools throughout Erulan. In theory, only they can teach mages, conduct experiments, and write books on the subject," Castor explained the purpose of the Guild of Arcanum once his thoughts had cooled and settled into relative order.
"Erulan? I've never heard of it," Serafall said in surprise. Brinel would have been shocked if the woman had known about it. "Is this some kind of other plan? A code name for an organisation?" Leviathan's gaze (how difficult it was to perceive her under such a surname) became slightly clouded, but she quickly regained her composure. "No, I've never heard of anything like that..." the demon whispered so that Castor wouldn't hear. At least, she hoped so, but he heard everything.
"I come from another world, which is mostly different from yours.
A playful smile lingered on the Lord's face as he stared intently at Brinel. The mage just kept smiling while the woman sat with an unchanging expression. The young man glanced silently at his watch, counting the seconds it would take for Seraphall to return to reality.
"Do you think she'll believe it?" Ddraig asked lazily, receiving an affirmative nod in response. Brinel had never been good at lying, so he chose the path of absolute openness and honesty. Yes, it could cause problems, but people usually appreciated such qualities. Usually. Or rather, in twelve percent of cases... No, people find it easier to believe sweet lies. Everyone loves a pathological liar for their ability to flatter or hide the ugly truth behind beautiful words and constructions. But Castor quickly pulled his thoughts out of this rut and returned to reality.
"Yes? And how will you prove it?" Serafall continued to smile and speak in a soft, even slightly childish voice, but her eyes betrayed an unhealthy interest. The kind that some insane individuals can have.
"The proof is right in front of you. I am the last representative of a species that was destroyed by other beings, unholy rituals, and my own arrogance. A mystical power unknown to this world runs through my veins," Brinel said calmly and coldly, and Leviathan lost her bright smile, replacing it with a straight line.
"And you're not afraid to say that? To the Lord of Hell himself?"
"Fear is a logical emotion for any living creature. I was deprived of that important instinct long ago. And besides..." The archmage allowed himself a warmer smile. "You cannot defeat me."
"Oh?"
***
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