Entha

Chapter 16: Grief

Just kidding, absorbing every human would turn me into one of the feared demons from a certain book, won't it? Well, even if Earth was full of those shitty people, there are also those who are endearing, like this guy, kudos to your balls of steel, this is my second summon but I can already tell he's not one of the norm because he wasn't as frightened as those humans from Esteroth's and Halen's story of their summons.

“State your name, What is it that you want?”

I inquired of the man on his knees, who appeared haggard, owing to his obvious dedication, which could be seen in this room filled with what could be called an abstract paintings,  paintings that were finished halfway but is obviously ruined by the same painter as the strokes of the artistic design were the same as the strokes that mushed up the picture halfway,

“I want my arms back”

He replied as he showed me his violently shaking fingers, it looked grotesque with countless stitches and some were even missing, it was a bit hilarious actually, cause at first I thought he was giving me the fingers as only his middle finger on the right hand had remained,

I took out the contract and etched his desires together with my plan to repair his arms, just like the last time the contract glowed white and the repayment of my service was written on it.

"I'll be reading out the contract, given that your life force would be absorbed and replaced with the demon mana of the magic Ingrol, which I'm sure you don't understand, but this process will have no effect on you here on Earth, although after you've lived out your life, you'll be converted into a servant and serve the demon world for 15 years before being released"

I explained, which obviously made him crease his eyebrows, he might have expected to burn for eternity thus I continued,

“Fret not, You won’t burn for eternity, just like on Earth the demon world is a place where you could live freely after serving your repayment for your desire”

I smeared the contract with my blood and passed it to him which he openly agreed to do the same, a mana of deep blue shade escaped his body and was contained by the contract, thus it is confirmed that the contract was successful, I drew the magic circle to heal his hand and at the same time embedded a magic circle that would automatically make him undergo the process of Ingrol as he reaches his end, like last time such fulfilling feeling made my heart quiver at the moment of my job’s completion,

“Before I leave, what do you think would be best for a child that had lost both parents?

A look of bewilderment stood obvious at Jeff’s face, of course who wouldn’t be, a demon was asking for something unthinkable of their known nature, but instead of pursuing the matter he shook his head and answered,

“My mother had died when I was young and painting was something that helped me overcome the grief”

“ Is that so then I wish you good luck, Jeff”

I said to this dedicated painter whom had the guts to even summon a demon for the pursuit of his passion before calling out to Gale for the trip home,

-

Mommy and daddy have left me, said the big brother who had brought me here and sat with me when I was crying, I'm scared, I want mommy, mommy, mommy.

“It’s okay, I’m here”

Said a pretty big sister with a red eyes and red long hair, she hugged me gently, she was warm just like mommy,

“Why don’t we go out?”

She said, she held my hand and we went out, It was beautiful, there were so many stars and they were so bright, daddy said that mommy went to the stars, did daddy go to the stars too,

“Is mommy and daddy up there?”

“Yes Anna, I’m sure they are, after all those stars are what you call Angels”

Said the big sister, she looked sad and tears were flowing from her eyes”

-

“MiLord welcome back”

-Argh

This is deliberate, I faced towards the door this time where Gale usually stood to avoid those subtle surprises but,

“Why did you stand there this time Gale”

I asked Gale, as the Gale countermeasure I had come with wasn’t in the slightest effective,

“Cause you have said so Milord”

He replied, did I say such things? Yup I might have, to think that my countermeasure backfired with something I had ask of Gale,

“Ahm, is that so, well I’m back Gale, How’s Anna?”

I asked, it’s been a day by now since the last time I saw Anna and I couldn’t help but worry, leaving a grieving child doesn’t feel that pleasant but I had to, my Entha aside I need additional information in caring for her.

“She’s at the dining hall right now with lady Esteroth”

“Huh? With Esteroth?”

I exclaimed that was surprising thus After sending the contract to the vault and writing a report of the summon, I quickly made my way to the dining room that is large enough for a family of 20, inside the room was a 20 seater long table made of something akin to gold and reflected on its shiny surface were three chandeliers illuminating the place along with the flower designed sconce burning brightly with white colored flames,

At the right side of the far end of the table seated Anna eating downcast, with Esteroth continuously putting food in her, along with… Heather!?

Well I’m feeling a bit hungry too, I wonder what they’re eating, I walked closer to where they are and sat in front of Anna who took notice of me and stared for a bit before eating more food from the plate, peculiar I thought, thus I motioned Heather as to what was going on but he simply waved his hand implying that he had no idea, that’s why, left with no choice I turned to Esteroth, but she only gave a wide smile and continued in slicing an apple like fruit of the demon world, instead I turned my gaze to Anna,

“How are you Anna?”

I asked, genuinely worried about this child’s well being, to be honest I don’t even know what she’s going through right now but I can at least try to understand,

“I’m okay, mommy and daddy are with the stars now”

Anna replied softly with no hesitation or even a hint of emotions changing, I wonder if this is an act,

“Stars?”

“Yes, mommy told me a long time ago”

“Is that so, then you’d be living here from now on, along with us then”

She meekly nodded before continuing to munch her food, I don’t know if this is a natural reaction as she seem much more mature than her age but this is a step towards the goal I had arranged for her, taking care of her and teaching her skills she would need when she chose to venture out the demon world, it was fine in all except for the smug on Esteroths face, which I ignored and instead brought out something I took from the previous summon,

“Anna, Do you like painting?”

I asked as I pass her a paint brush and a set of painting materials, which made Esteroth and Heather pause for a bit, I am sure this woman is thinking of ways to tease me later as for Heather I have no idea,

“Let’s ask Elena for a papers later”