Tenth author's journal 2: Mikhail

17_Cursing empathy

Chapter 17: Comrades

Two hours have passed since the last time any of us spoke, and I can't tell the difference between morning and night on this unholy ground. Because of how much mana flows into the air, snow on the ground begins to melt. I'm not sure how much mana I have left. My body isn't that close to light or dark magic, so whether it adapts to harm or heal me has little impact.

After the whole declaration of his and my titles, Andromalius is rather calm. If he chose to ask at that time, I would respond without hesitation. So, what was keeping that thousand-year-old mind going?

"I believe you have no ill will toward us, or at least toward me." Finally, Andromalius breaks the silence between us. Excellent timing, as I am feeling weakened in my ability to maintain the unholy ground. I'm wondering if Kryos has finally awakened; standing on the sidelines has made me feel guilty for not intervening sooner.

"So you're done with healing?" "Shall we call a truce right now, sir Andromalius?" The sky of the unholy ground shatters into pieces of black glass, which slowly pierce into the earth, creating a dark mana field. The presence of new mana causes the pine trees to take on a sinister appearance, and the area becomes extremely rowdy.

"If you so desire." But I feel compelled to inform you of the reason. For allegedly "attacking" the king you serve." Andromalius speaks just as I'm about to collect the Kryos and Blood Claw from my imprisonment spell.

"I came here to request that he break the contract he had with my people." When refusal meets, killing the broker is another option for destroying the contract; I simply hold onto my weapon in order to free myself. Wasn't it strange?" The agreement? What exactly was he saying? Kryos hasn't made any with Ars Goetia's demon...unless it's his father's.

"No, I read all of the contracts before coming here." "Didn't you make a deal with Kryos's father?" I'm guessing while searching my memory. Was that in the golden box on the bookshelf? Aside from the contracts of the seven demons, there is one that faded from mana's condensation or any specific marking of contractors.

"Do you know what it is?" The answer to Andriomalius' question confirms it. Saudade's protector's contract.

"The surrounding details were murky, and the simple "protection in exchange for tribute" is one of fealty, not dependence." The contract itself is a contradiction; as long as the "Saudade kingdom" exists under the rule of Lysander Asmodeus, the trade will continue." I remembered the previous king's name as the last mention...a soul-binding contract. It's no surprise that I can't detect any condensed mana; only those whose souls are still burning must the contract be drawn from. In the event of betrayal, a firm grip on the souls of the dealers is required.

"However, the tribute..." Andromalius ponders, surely he did not thoroughly read the contract. In no way, shape, or form, the two contractors' souls are equivalent. There would be no need for a tribute, and Andromalius' protection would be motivated by a sense of duty rather than the contract. How foolish but pitiful he must have been not to realize it; Kryos must not have intended to reveal the contract's expired status. If that is the reason for this needless bloodshed, I will defuse this misunderstanding. After all, if I'm Kryos equal, I must have the authority to do so.

"Hasn't brought anything in at least three years." Kryos' father died the same year. The contract had already expired at that point." I explain as slowly as I can, but it's not enough for the "ancient" Andromalius to comprehend.

"Expired? What exactly are you saying, Mikhail? "The contract Lysander requested that I sign is that-" He still insists on a dead one's words, how frustrated! How did he command so many legions of demons and yet not understand how contracts work?

"In the case of soul binding, the soul of the two signed wagers at the point where both signatures are signed." Now I ask, "Can you bet the soul of an unborn demon?" I'm glad Kryos is still inside the dark cocoon beside me, I think. I'm not sure if being called "an unborn baby" is an insult, but serve him right for gambling his life on an expired contract.

"That is not possible..." The ancient demon collapses, his mind so shattered that 'Illusio' disperse, causing his tail to reappear. Shivering in the snow, muttering nonstop about apologies... Those first lessons with "Pa"... no, I dare not think about it. Those haunting images aren't appropriate for my mind right now; I need to concentrate. At the very least, he stops; this isn't going well for either of us. Consider enemies passing by to see if we are vulnerable.

"The fact that you continued to perform that duty despite receiving tribute is an obligation that is not contractually bound." My goodness, the entire time Kryos has been making empty threats at someone, his entire existence can be erased." What was I thinking? This is just fanning the flames.

I can't just console someone when I'm in the same situation; the words written in books are now meaningless. "...It's all my fault, those children..." The eerie whining reverberates through the desolate forest.

I just sit near the big gorgon as I tiredly hold my head up.  As irritating as it is, and as terrifying as it may be, this is the only way Gabriel was treating me. I just sit there and listen to the gorgon make his lament.

"What are you up to?" Aren't we enemies? You've finally decided to cut off my head? Do it, the being who deserves to die for what the tragedies have been done. Not only to my people but to Saudade as a whole." He starts berating himself at me after waking up from his grief. How similar that is to mine is suffocating. I lost focus as the cocoon slowly released Kryos and Bloodclaw.

"Sir, I'm just trying to listen." Making another excuse, but the likeness of his face improves just from my lie. So it's just someone to listen to? And those lies were wasting my time with Gabriel. How regretful to be reminded, another needle pierces deep into my heart, as the hypnosis is undone by the sheer sadness that has risen in my heart.

"You listened to it and made comments as well." What else is keeping you from making the decision?" Another self-inflicted wound, empathy is a curse when you are close to someone who has given himself too much justice. Andromalius' underlings are drawn to his bloodshot eyes and point their weapons in my direction.

"Your story appears to be similar to mine. I'd like to hear it straight from the source." I say calmly, but my lung appears to be malfunctioning as a result of all of those mental destabilizations. Oh, I haven't had a chance to perfect my vessel state before escaping, not to mention the mental exhaustion I've been suffering since arriving at this landscape. I intended to take a break to activate "rebirth" and change the vessel to the environment. Change of plans, I'm going to resign right now.

"Little angel!" "What are you doing to them?" Kryos yells as he rushes to the side of my car. Andromalius surrenders my body to him. Those words he screams and cries have all gone deafeningly silent under the ringing bell of death. What a waste it was for my first death in this land to be so...pitiful. "Your Majesty, I am fine. Just a little..." Those words did not reach Kryos. Because…

[ Subject M******* has died ]

[ Law of life and death has been overwritten]

[Commenrce rebirth ]

The end

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Life gives meaning to death.

As the sand of time run out.

One lament of what should have been.