A/N: Don't forget to comment, review, collect and send me those beautiful powerstones for motivation so I never drop the book š
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Back in the Underworld, after their fierce battle, Haru and Agera walked side by side, still catching their breath.
Haru spoke first.
"Your sword style is clearly superior to mineā¦ and it even has magic mixed into it. That Double Cherry Blossoms ā Eight Petals Flashā¦ it's extremely dangerous. You have to teach me."
Agera nodded casually.
"It's not that hard to learn, especially since you already have swordsmanship experience. You should pick it up pretty fast. Besides" he smirked lightly, "there are some things you need to teach me as well."
Haru smiled.
"Of course. Andā¦ can I think of you as a friend now?"
Agera gave a soft smile in return.
"I'd like nothing more."
At that moment, Diablo approached with his hands behind his back, smiling as if nothing in the world could ever bother him.
"You two look like you had fun," he said. "So, where are we going next?"
Haru blinked.
"Yes, I had a lot of funā¦ but what do you mean 'where are we going next'?"
Agera added,
"Where did Jaune-sama and that girl go?"
Diablo shrugged.
"Jaune went to piss off Leonā¦ again. As for that disrespectful girl" he waved dismissively, "I don't care where she went."
"I see," Agera replied simply.
In a blink, Diablo appeared directly in front of Haru.
"Don't you have anyone else you want to fight? I have a few in mind."
Haru screamed internally:
I don't want anything else to do with you!
But outwardly, he forced a polite smile.
"Thanks for your help earlier, Niorā¦ but I think I'll be fine on my own from now on."
Diablo placed a hand over his chest, feigning heartbreak.
"Using me and then throwing me awayā¦ how cruel of you."
Haru stumbled over his words, unsure how to respond, but then suddenly froze.
A strange sensation washed over him.
A pulling force. His expression changed.
Agera noticed immediately.
"What is it? Are you okay?"
Haru nodded slowly.
"I'm fine. I justā¦ feel a pulling force. It's strange."
Diablo's smile widened.
"Someone must be attempting to summon you. How strong is the pull?"
"Not too strong," Haru replied. "Justā¦ odd. Summoning? Me?"
Agera crossed his arms.
"If the pull isn't strong, you can ignore it. It's probably not a high-level summoner."
But Diablo leaned in with obvious curiosity.
"Haruā¦ don't you want to see the Cardinal World? It's very interesting."
Haru exhaled, then smiled faintly.
"You know whatā¦ this might be interesting. Let's see what the Cardinal World has to offer."
He stopped resisting.
A glowing summoning circle formed beneath him and in an instant, the force pulled him downward into a dimensional vortex.
With a flash of light, Haru vanished.
Agera and Diablo were left standing together.
Diablo turned casually.
"Soā¦ do you want to go get some tea?"
Agera stared at him, utterly speechless at his question.
---
Back in Dorugen Village, the summoning circle ignited with crimson light as a figure slowly materialized within it.
Haru descended into existence with his eyes closed, levitating calmly in the center of the circle with his legs crossed. His maroon hair was neat, his outfit immaculate: a maroon suit, black shoes, black shirt, white tie, and black gloves. A katana hung at his waist. Two sharp black-and-brown horns curved from his forehead.
Even amidst the burning ruins of the village, he appeared impossibly composed, regal, handsome, and terrifying all at once.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
His maroon sclera and golden pupils gleamed with curiosity.
Still lightly levitating, he smiled and spoke:
"Who dares summon me? You'd better have enough sacrifices prepared."
Internally, Haru was thrilled.
This line shows up in every animeā¦ and I finally get to say it myself.
Reina fell backward in horror.
"A D-Demonā¦" she whispered. "Fatherā¦ what have you done?"
She had never seen a demon before. The terror consumed her.
The Commander stared wide-eyed. Summoning a demon, could they even control one? What kind of recklessness was this?
The soldiers panicked behind him.
This wasn't a bandit.
This wasn't a monster.
This was a Demon.
The Village Chief ignored his daughter. Bloodied and barely standing, he looked directly at Haru.
"Demon-samaā¦ please help us. We men of the village are prepared to sacrifice ourselves."
The remaining injured men voiced their agreement.
"Father! What are you talking about!?" Reina shouted.
She stared at the smiling demon. His gentlemanly posture and friendly expression fooled her for not even a moment.
Haru responded with faint amusement.
"All the men are willing to sacrifice themselves, you say? Then who will protect the women and children afterward? Humansā¦ such short-thoughted creatures."
He shrugged.
"But your decisions don't concern me. Tell me, why do you desire my help?"
Reina stuttered desperately,
"D-Demon-sama, is there any way we can cancel the summoning? It was a mistakeā"
Haru cut her off sharply.
"Don't anger me. The summoning is complete. State your purpose and don't waste my time."
Haru thought I just came into the Cardinal World and she wants to send me back. What joke is that?
Reina flinched, shrinking back.
The Village Chief forced himself upright and explained everything, the attack, the slaughter, the demand for Magic Ore.
Haru listened, then sighed.
"I see."
He laughed.
"Alright then, I'll help you. Falmuth Kingdom, huh? That country keeps causing trouble no matter the era."
Haru had said that just to sound like a waaaay older demon. When someone says no matter the era it shows that person has lived for a very long time.
Then he added,
"And there's no need for a blood sacrifice. There's a ridiculous amount of magicules here already. I'm assuming that's thanks to the Magic Ore. That alone is enough for the contract."
Reina, the Village Chief, and Garron froze.
A demonā¦ not demanding sacrifices?
The Chief asked cautiously,
"Demon-samaā¦ are you sure?"
Haru descended gracefully, landing on both feet.
He smiled.
"What? Do you want me to take sacrifices instead?"
Reina jumped forward in panic.
"N-No! The magicule contract is fine!"
She had no idea what kind of demon that had materialized was, but this was the best outcome they could hope for.
Haru clapped once and turned to Garron.
"You're the one who summoned me, correct? Then we need to form a demon contract. State what you want from me and the form of payment. I'll accept, and the contract will be forged."
Garron nodded.
"I want the summoned demon to kill every Falmuth soldier here. Payment shall be in magicules, you may take as much as you need."
Haru smiled.
"Very well. I accept."
A black sigil burned itself onto the back of his right hand. A show of the contract being successfully formed.
Haru then turned toward the Falmuth army, resting his hand on his katana as he walked forward.
The soldiers trembled in fear.
Haru stopped a short distance away.
"Well thenā¦ shall we begin?"
Sweat rolled down the Commander's forehead as he stepped forward. Fear all over his face.
"I'm Lark, Iā¦ I fear no demon. You don't scare me."
Haru's smile widened.
"How interesting. I love your resolve, Commander Lark-san."
Behind Haru, Reina exhaled in relief.
Thank goodness, she thought. We're savedā¦
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