The demon is by my side

lifetime contract

Phyllis took out a contract, with detailed textual explanations written in demonic language. Simultaneously, she began to explain, "Many times, demons agree to and accept summoning without necessarily understanding the entire content of the contract. However, I need to clarify that the contract between us is a temporary one, based on a specific task, not a lifelong commitment. So, don't even think about asking me for things like souls. Even if you want to, I won't give them to you. Understand?"

The soul is the most expensive type of cost among all, often used to summon powerful demons as lifelong familiars. When a summoner dies, the demon has the right to claim the summoner's soul, and premature collection is not ruled out. Both summoner and demon need to be cautious when entering into such contracts.

However, temporary contracts are different. After a demon responds to the summoning, only half of the contract is completed. The other half is finalized when both parties sign the contract after reviewing the task details and the cost the summoner is willing to pay. This is the step Phyllis was currently undertaking.

"What is the task?" The impostor Cassiopeia wasn't interested in the task. His goal had already been achieved – reaching the legendary human world. At this point, he just wanted to stay a bit longer.

Phyllis took out a grooming box, opened it, and inside lay a flower, not a real one but a stone carving, intricately detailed with clear petal patterns and leaf veins. If anyone knowledgeable about history saw this flower, they would be astonished. This flower, called Orchidium, was extinct and only grew in the "Land of Confinement and Loss," which had become a forbidden area.

"I summoned you just to lift a certain kind of magic, and this flower is a sample. If you can undo it, I will take you to my destination, lift the magic there, and your task will be complete," Phyllis explained.

This Orchidium wasn't a mere sculpture; it was a real flower enchanted with magic. Looking at this art-like plant, Phyllis's thoughts drifted into memories. The place in her memories was beautiful and peaceful, but everything changed because of a high-level demon. A dimensional summoner had summoned a high-level familiar, applying magic to the entire area. She was the sole survivor. To undo this magic, she needed a demon from the abyss.

Thus, she thought of the forbidden dimensional summoning. She required a demon that was high-level, knowledgeable, easily summonable, and friendly toward humans. Cassiopeia, with his good summoning record, was an obvious choice.

The demon stared at the flower, then asked, "The cost?"

Phyllis's eyes lit up upon hearing that he would ask for a "cost." It meant he recognized this kind of magic, giving her hope. But what if he looked down on the cost she offered? Phyllis bit her lip. Even if he insisted on a higher cost, she could give him one-third of her soul!

With newfound confidence, Phyllis took out a treat - a bag of Marli Maqi roasted pig's feet, a gift from the village chief of Hawick Village. Marli Maqi was a famous fast-food chain in the Franco Kingdom, known for its delicious roasted pig's feet that had become popular throughout the continent. Afraid of exceeding the weight limit, which could burden her levitation and wind-soaring abilities, Phyllis hadn't eaten it. Instead, she had a clever idea while preparing the summoning magic, deciding to use it as a cost.

Cassiopeia, a demon with a preference for meat, caught a whiff of an extremely enticing aroma when Phyllis took out the treat. In the abyss, where the air was filled with scorching lava, only roasted demon flesh was available. However, this was a meal prepared with spices. Cassiopeia didn't understand what happened to him, but he devoured the pig's feet in one breath. As a naturally carnivorous demon, every part of him, from the stomach to the body and even the soul, felt satisfied. No, he wasn't satisfied; he wanted more!

When Phyllis saw Cassiopeia's eager expression, she knew she had hit the jackpot. Abyssal demons truly couldn't resist the temptation of human world delicacies! While Cassiopeia devoured the pig's feet, their names appeared on the contract. By accepting the offering unilaterally, according to summoning laws, the demon automatically accepted the task. Hence, the contract was established.

Now that the demon had accepted the sacrifice, Phyllis could demand that he complete the task. She had gained the initiative. "If you can unlock the magic on this flower, I'll give you additional pig's feet," she said.

The demon's eyes gleamed, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "If the task is completed, does it mean the contract is over?"

"Yes, this is just a temporary summoning, lasting for the duration of a single task. The task goal is already written in the contract, and the cost has been paid in advance. Once you complete the task, the contract will end. I will send you back according to the rules, and then you will be free."

Send back? Going back? He didn't want that!

He decisively shook his head, pointing at the flower, "No, I won't do it."

Phyllis looked at him in disbelief, her expression turning darker, "You won't? You won't eat pig's feet? You won't even know how to refuse? I could have sent you back in time! Now, this task has turned into a death task! I have to keep you with me forever! Oh my, having an abyss demon on the continent where dimensional summoning is forbidden! My pitiful sixteen-year-old youth, I don't want to waste it in fleeing! Leo God above, do you know the cost of my summoning? It's dragonhide, adult dark dragon hide! And the contract, it's made of materials from the dark dragon's head skin and enchanted with dark dragon bile! For this set of rituals, I killed a dark dragon that already had an owner!" Phyllis pointed behind her, and Cassiopeia finally noticed that what was blocking the passage of light wasn't a massive stone but the corpse of a dark dragon! According to Phyllis, she killed this creature? It seemed he needed to get to know his master again...