Althea gazed at the magic circle etched into the floor, then took a deep breath. She approached it cautiously, making sure her feet didn't cross the engraved lines even slightly. She vividly recalled her grandfather's warnings: the slightest mistake could disrupt the entire ritual.
"Focus," she murmured to herself. She closed her eyes and began to chant. The pressure of mana began to fill the room.
"O heavens, witness to this covenant,
O earth, foundation of worldly law.
The air trembled. Althea's hair rose slowly, followed by the hem of her robe, floating without wind. The pendant around her neck lifted in sync with the mana flowing from her body.
I call beyond the boundaries of space and time,
beyond the annals of written history.
Answer this summon.
The magic circle beneath her glowed.
You who walk between worlds,
You who bear will and power.
From the engravings, thin lines of light emerged—countless delicate threads. These threads rose straight upward, layering and following one another.
In the name of the contract yet to be bound,
In the name of the mana I borrow from fate,
"Come forth, Spirit—Eh, no, that's wrong. I meant... Hero!"
The magic circle responded. Thin lines of light converged and surged upward from the tower floor, piercing the sky like a pillar of light.
Althea's head swam, not from her depleted mana, but from an inescapable thought: "I... mispronounced it."
-
"Conflagration." The Great Sage swung his staff. A massive wave of fire swept across the battlefield, incinerating the Foreign Creatures before him. He then turned toward the tower, squinting at the intense light emanating from it. "...Hmm?"
-
****
Alright. It's time I got out of this hot spring before I turn into a boiled crab. I rose from the water, letting the steam slowly dissipate. But as soon as my foot touched the floor
A magic circle I'd never seen before materialized beneath my foot. "Hm?" The circle glowed. And when I opened my eyes, the world had changed.
High ceilings. Blue light from crystal chandelier. And a massive magic circle beneath my feet. Well, it seems I've been summoned. Eh? Me...? Summoned? Haaaah?!
What kind of madman managed to summon someone like me?! Calm yourself, Malrik. Perhaps this is the one finally worthy of standing before me. I lifted my gaze.
A girl, still bound by lingering mana, stood before me. Her silver hair shimmered, her eyes were puzzled , and her breathing remained unsteady.
...Her? Did she summon me? A girl?! This is bad. She summoned me at the worst possible time. Because right now... I'm completely naked.
A drop of hot water still dripped from my hair onto the stone floor. Sweat began to trickle down my temples. It's alright. Calm yourself, Malrik. There was an old saying:
If someone sees you doing something embarrassing and you feel ashamed, then you are the one who should be embarrassed. But if you continue without shame, then the other person should be the one who feels ashamed.
That's right. There's no need to feel ashamed just because a girl sees the Demon King naked.
Althea whinnied softly and opened her eyes. Damn it. She's awake. Fine. I took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed my right hand on my hip.
"Bastard," I growled, glaring down at her with icy contempt. "What kind of lowlife dares summon the Demon King while he's bathing?" I put on my deep dramatic voice.
Althea regarded Malrik with deep suspicion. "The summoning succeeded...? But... what did he just say? Demon... King...?" Cold sweat trickled down her temples.
"Isn't he supposed to be a hero?" Her breath caught unconsciously as her trembling fingers slowly moved toward the sword hilt at her hip.
I smiled faintly and stepped forward. She swiftly drew her sword, pointing it directly at me. "Hoo..." I stopped just at the tip of the blade. "So you have some nerve." "Why are you here?" she asked tensely. "Where's the hero?"
"Hero?" I tilted my head slightly. "I don't understand what you mean." I looked back at her. "Explain."
Althea swallowed hard, still reluctant to lower her sword. "I performed a hero summoning ritual," she declared firmly. "Not a Demon King summoning."
Ehh... So this was all a mistake? Well, still. The fact remains that this girl successfully summoned me. And that alone is enough proof that something is clearly wrong with her.
"Intriguing." I narrowed my eyes. "Then I'll assume this world is in dire straits."
"...Yes. Our world is currently plagued by Calamities caused by the Demon King. And this time... his assault will be far more devastating than before." She gripped her sword tighter. "We desperately need the hero's strength."
By the way... I've been wondering, I've been feeling my mana slowly being drained this whole time. I shifted my gaze to the pendant around the girl's neck. The green crystal pulsed. That thing, huh... "So that's it. I understand now."
Althea took a breath and looked back at Malrik. "If you understand, return to where you came from. I don't want you causing any more chaos in this world."
"Heh," I chuckled softly. "After summoning me while I was bathing, you're now trying to kick me out? How audacious. You'll have to pay for that."
Althea fell silent. Then, forcing her voice, she replied, "I..." She swallowed hard. "I'll pay... I'll offer myself."
"...And what makes you think I'd accept that?"
"I'll do anything."
Yeah... honestly, I could return to my world anytime. But if I did, nothing would change. And I certainly have no intention of dying of boredom.
Besides, she said she needed a hero's help. So, if I help her... maybe she'll change her mind. I glanced at the girl again. And... I could sense a tremendous potential within her.
"Intriguing." I grinned widely. "Very well. I won't return."
"What—?" Althea gasped, startled. "W-why? Isn't that enough? What more must I offer you?"
"No, that's not it. I won't return. I'll help."
"Help...?" Her sword lowered slightly, unconsciously.
"Exactly. But on one condition. You must fulfill one wish of mine."
"...What is it?" Althea asked.
My smile widened. "Entertain me." Althea's face flushed crimson. "W—what...?" she stammered, blushing deeply. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Don't you want to?" She bit her lip, fighting back her embarrassment, then finally said, "...I'll do it."
"Good." Perhaps, at least this once, things would be a little more interesting. But... why does this girl's face suddenly become so red? Had I said something wrong?
I lowered my gaze to my still—naked body, save for the lower abdomen, which was covered by a light of unknown origin. So that's how it is. Perhaps my appearance was too overwhelming for a girl like her.
I snapped my fingers. From below, a crimson liquid surged from the floor, rising and coalescing around my body, wrapping me from toes to shoulders.
The crimson color faded into deep black, transforming into an elegant tailcoat with a short front and split tails in the back. A crisp white shirt appeared beneath it, paired with a neatly arranged black tie around my neck.
"Alright, now. Just how powerful is the Demon King in this world?"