Palace — Unknown
Time — Unknown
Snow stretched endlessly beside the Sea of Unity, pale and quiet, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
To the west of the mainland lay the Kingdom of Preservation ,Moon.
To the east, beyond the Sea of Unity, stood the Elven Kingdom of Virelyndor.
To the north, across frozen waters, rose the Land of Hope , Luxterra.
And to the south, where land and sea hardened into unyielding stone, lay the Land of Solidity , Lithara.
Where the snowy field ended, a massive fortress of black stone rose half stronghold, half marketplace.
Inside, life flourished.
Merchants shouted prices. Coins rang against counters. Children ran between stalls, laughing.
"World-famous Gam Stones! Every grade available!"
"Children's clothes! Approved by our Lord!"
"Fruit juice! Safe for all ages!"
"Red ligh—"
The last voice vanished beneath the rumble of passing carts.
At the edge of the bustling square, slightly removed from the noise, an old Archangel sat quietly on a stone bench.
His wings were folded with care. His posture was dignified, but his eyes carried fatigue that no divine healing could erase.
He was waiting.
"Lord Graviel."
A gentle voice called out.
Sister Della approached him, smiling warmly.
"It's been a long time since you visited the orphanage. The children were so happy. After you left, Ron and Rosy cried for hours."
She bowed lightly.
"And thank you for the donation, dear angel."
Graviel chuckled softly.
"Sister Della, it is my honor to serve kind souls."
His smile wavered.
"My daughter wished to come as well… but she caught a fever."
Sister Della gasped.
"Lady Erdaline? But she is an angel too."
Graviel sighed.
"An unknown illness. Healers, doctors, alchemists none can identify it. None can heal her."
"Our Eternal Lady Senna and Lady Sol have asked for help from the Elven Kingdom."
Another pause.
"Lord North's elder brother, Raka, has been afflicted by demonic corruption. Lady Cedar is using all her strength to heal him, so she cannot come."
"I only hope they send someone dependable."
Sister Della clasped her hands.
"Do not worry, Lord Graviel. Lady Erdaline will recover. We will pray."
Graviel nodded slowly.
"Your words ease my heart."
"May the soil bless us."
"May the Lady bless us."
They spoke in unison.
"SISTER DELLA! COME BACK AND PLAY! STOP TALKING TO THE OLD MAN!"
A gray-haired child shouted from across the square.
Sister Della laughed nervously.
"Well… duty calls."
"Go," Graviel said, smiling faintly. "And pinch their cheeks for me."
"As you wish."
She turned to leave.
The world stopped.
Sound vanished.
Wind froze.
Snow hung motionless in midair.
A portal opened behind Sister Della.
Graviel stood up instantly.
I must protect her.
But before he could move,
A stench of blood spilled from the portal.
Old blood. Rotten blood. Blood soaked with regret.
The pressure crushed down on him like a divine hand.
I can't move.
What is happening.
A man stepped out.
His face was blurred, as if reality itself refused to remember it. His eyes were dark, deep, and disturbingly bored.
He yawned.
"Ahhh… I'm so tired. Existence is exhausting."
He looked around.
Then his gaze locked onto Graviel.
Ignoring everything else, he walked over and sat beside him on the bench.
SNAP.
Time resumed.
Snow fell. Merchants shouted. Children laughed.
No one noticed.
The man leaned back casually.
"Old man. I came to fulfill your wish. Sign here."
A pen and paper appeared in his hand.
Strangely Graviel felt no fear.
No killing intent.
His heart was so calm he wondered if it had stopped entirely.
He took the paper.
CONTRACT
A portion of your soul has already been extracted.
The price is non-refundable.
Further discussion is unnecessary.
Wish Holder: Archangel Graviel
Wish: Save my daughter and ??????
Price: A portion of Graviel's soul
Upon signature, your daughter shall be healed.
Validity: Until the moment of your daughter's death.
If signed after death, the contract becomes null.
Graviel stared at the words.
"…A portion of my soul has already been taken?"
The man smiled cheerfully.
"Of course. Imagine if I waited and you changed your mind. That would be inconvenient."
Graviel's fingers trembled.
"What… does '??????' mean?"
"Oh," the man waved his hand, "that's future paperwork. Don't worry about it yet."
Graviel swallowed.
"If I refuse?"
The man tilted his head.
"Then nothing changes."
His smile widened.
"Your daughter dies."
Silence stretched.
The man leaned closer, whispering pleasantly.
"Aren't contracts wonderful? No coercion. No threats. Just… choices."
Graviel's wings quivered.
"You already took part of my soul."
"Yes."
"And if I don't sign… I lose my daughter anyway."
"Yes."
The man nodded approvingly.
"You're very smart for an old man."
He stood up.
"Take your time but don't wait too long."
"A portion of your soul isn't much, right?"
"Hehehe."
"I'm a good god."
Graviel looked up.
"May I know your name?"
The man paused.
"We met once. At the End Court of Wealth."
He shrugged.
"If you remember, good. If not, nothing matter."
He turned toward a forming portal.
"Oh!!,one more thing."
"If the God of Preservation or the Goddess of Nature intervenes, they might extend her life by two or three years."
He smiled sweetly.
"That just gives you more time to suffer before choosing."
"Think carefully."
The portal swallowed him.
"Goodbye, Archangel Graviel. Have a great day."
Graviel remained seated.
Around him, the market bustled.
Children laughed.
Life continued.
In his trembling hands.
A contract waited.
And somewhere deep within his chest something was already missing.