__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Freya had only just become a demon, and she still wasn't used to it.
She'd already broken the rules once and been dragged back from the brink. Then she slipped again.
Edgar could only sigh and repeat the lesson, hoping she'd finally learn this time.
He focused all his willpower, pouring every forbidden law straight into her mind.
In an instant, Freya's eyes widened as if she were seeing it again—the same visions, the same holy kingdom all around her.
"No… I have to avenge them!"
She screamed inside her heart, the vow tearing at her mind.
But wave after wave of pain and overwhelming emotion drowned her spirit, smothering every thought.
Her hatred, her venom, her rage—all of it melted away into a cold, numbing chill.
In the end, the punishment woven into her demonic contract stripped away the last shred of resistance.
Edgar stood over her like a god, a towering figure ready to seize her soul and crush her will.
Her body twitched, driven by what little reason remained, but his overwhelming will crushed every attempt to break free.
The pressure rose like a storm surge, a tidal wave crashing again and again.
Freya collapsed to her hands and knees, her heart consumed, devoured.
Every moment was like falling from heaven into hell—only to be dragged back up again. Over and over.
Each mark branded into her soul shattered her hatred piece by piece, until at last, she admitted it—deep in her heart, she acknowledged Edgar as her master.
The proud First Princess of Gioiral was gone.
All that remained was a demon kneeling to her master.
[Freya Elgrand Geolarl]
[Race: Demon]
[Master: Edgar Lucifergus]
[Level: 39]
[Skill: Hero of Sorcery]
Hero of Sorcery – You can cast magic above your level, and all magic costs are halved.
"Almost there. Just a little more and she'll break past the limit into a high demon."
Given the speed of her growth, it was nothing short of absurd.
But thinking back on the sleepless days and nights he'd spent grinding her down, Edgar found it perfectly reasonable.
To him, Freya's vicious streak was bone-deep. She'd broken the punishment system's record for most contract penalties endured by a subordinate.
At one point, he even had to relocate just to avoid interruptions while dealing with her.
"What a pain. You've wasted far too much of my time."
"Master, I swear—I won't scheme against you again! Please, spare me!"
Edgar grabbed her face and gave it a shake.
"Still not getting up?"
His patience snapped. He slapped her hard, leaving a bright red mark across her cheek.
He had no interest in treating this woman gently.
The sting shocked Freya back to her senses.
She shot him a resentful look, but the contract burned away any spark of hatred before it could rise.
Moments later, she was fully dressed and bowing low, her forehead pressed to the ground.
"Master, forgive my insolence."
"Enough. Don't waste my time with excuses."
Edgar's tone was flat. "Tell me about your kingdom."
He needed to confirm where exactly in the timeline he'd landed.
Freya didn't dare hold anything back. She spilled everything she knew as quickly as beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.
"Master, my country is called—"
By the end of her story, Edgar nodded to himself.
Perfect timing. He'd arrived just as Freya was supposed to seek out another newly born Hero.
Right at the start of the story.
"Alright. Pack up—we're heading to the town of Lanarita."
"Yes, Master."
After gathering herself and figuring out their current location, Freya led the way.
Edgar didn't particularly care about that so-called Hero.
But… if he remembered right, there were elves around that area. Maybe one of them had the potential to become a follower.
However—
When they reached their destination, Lanarita was already engulfed in flames.
The whole town had become a sea of fire.
Edgar stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded.
Was this part of the plot?
Then he shook his head.
This was a real world. Even the smallest variable could change everything.
And his very existence here was no small variable.
Nothing that happened now would really be surprising.
"Hm?"
Edgar's eyes narrowed as he summoned his system panel.
The skill [Demonic Pact] was glowing faintly.
"So, there's someone here who qualifies as a potential familiar."
Following the skill's guidance, he quickly locked onto his target.
It was a girl with twin pink ponytails, dressed in plain, simple clothes.Her outfit was humble, but her natural beauty was impossible to hide.
Right now though, her eyes were filled with nothing but terror.
Not far behind her, a soldier with a longsword was closing in fast.
Seeing this, Anna's heart sank into despair.
She had lived a quiet life. Who could have imagined the royal knights would accuse her village of being connected to the disappearance of the First Princess—and even order a massacre?
She still didn't understand what it was all for.
The only thing she could do was run for her life.
But in the very next instant—
Two more fully armed soldiers appeared on the road ahead.
Anna froze, then collapsed onto the ground, hopelessness flooding her eyes.
It was over.
Enemies in front, pursuers behind.All that was left was to wait for death.
Shff! Shff! Shff!
Three small magic bullets shot through the air, piercing each soldier cleanly.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Their bodies hit the ground and went still.
"You alright?"
Edgar stepped forward and pulled Anna back onto her feet.
"Th-thank you…"
Looking at his striking face, Anna's cheeks flushed slightly, though she quickly snapped out of it.
"Wait—we have to run! Hurry! The Shield Hero said we were colluding with demons. He's ordered everyone here killed!"
She knew how dangerous this place was, and the last thing she wanted was for her savior to be dragged into it.
"No need to worry. Why don't you tell me the details first?"
Edgar's voice was gentle as he reached out to pat her head.
Anna bit her lip. "It's… all because of Keiya, I think."
A flicker of hatred flashed in her eyes. "The Shield Hero completely changed after meeting him. Before that, at least on the surface, he seemed kind enough."
"Keiya?"
Edgar blinked.
Oh, great.
So this guy had caught someone's eye again. And because of his 'Hero' status, the Shield Hero probably decided the easiest solution was to silence everyone.
"You and Keiya… aren't you childhood friends?" Edgar asked curiously.
"Childhood friends? With that useless weakling?" Anna shook her head. "At best, we just knew each other. Nothing more."
So that part had changed?
Edgar nodded thoughtfully.
"In any case," Anna went on, "I've already told you everything I know. You should leave while you still can."
"Relax," Edgar said, smiling faintly. "No matter how many ants gather together, they're still just ants."
Her benefactor didn't seem afraid at all.
Could it be… he was really that strong?
Something shifted inside Anna's heart.
Slowly, she knelt down on both knees, hands pressed against the earth. Her voice trembled.
"My savior… even if this is only to repay the debt I owe you, I beg you—please save this town. Please save the people here."
Edgar paused for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"Are you sure you want my help?"
"Yes."
"Then before we continue, there's one thing you need to understand."
His gaze darkened as he met Anna's eyes.
"You really want to entrust your hopes… to a demon?"
"…What?"
Anna froze in shock.
"..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________