Chapter 42: Thank you for this encounter
I gently touched the left side of my chest that was pointed at.
My heart was beating faster than usual, thumping loudly.
Is there a hole in my chest, in my heart. . .?
“. . .Why?”
“I want to know.”
“Slayer-san! Do you have any worries? If you do, please tell me! I’ll help you!”
Flare looked at me with a worried expression.
I was perplexed.
Even if she says that. . .
No, there is indeed a significant worry.
The impending doom of a disastrous end, the “Doomed End,” awaiting Slayer’s future.
It is my biggest problem, and it remains unresolved…
“Is it me?”
“. . .Yes.”
The existence of Demon King Satan.
As long as the demon king exists, I cannot feel at ease.
He is cooperative now, but I fear that he may turn on me at any moment.
However. . .
“It’s this person’s fault after all! Causing trouble for Slayer-san. . .I’ll punish him!”
“You can’t do it alone.”
“I won’t know until I try! I’ve become stronger too!”
“Is that so? Then let’s try it here.”
Flare became unusually passionate.
Belfist also showed a combative attitude under that passion.
It almost reached the point of no return, and I hurriedly stop them.
“Calm down, Flare! And you too, Belfist.”
“Slayer-san. . .”
“I am calm.”
“That’s a lie. You were getting heated up, weren’t you?”
“. . .Maybe.”
Belfist relaxed his shoulders.
To Flare, who looked apologetic and downcast, I whispered.
“Thank you. You cared about me. That feeling alone is enough.”
“Slayer-san. . .Are you really okay with this? I’m on your side, you know?”
“Yes.”
I smiled at Flare and turned my gaze to Belfist.
For a while, I stared at his face to confirm.
“Maybe it’s not because of you.”
“Is it not because of me?”
“Yes, there’s no evidence, but. . .I feel like it’s something else. But. . .”
“You still have doubts, right?”
Belfist hit the nail on the head with what I was thinking.
That’s right.
I have doubts.
There’s no guarantee that he won’t betray me.
Is this anxiety the true nature of the gap in my heart?
Belfist proposed to me as I was worrying.
“Then, why don’t we make a soul contract here?”
“A soul contract?”
“It’s a binding agreement between a demon and a human. We connect our souls and make vows. Once the contract is established, neither party can break the promises made.”
“A demon contract. I’ve read about it in books.”
Demons demand an equivalent price in exchange for lending their power to humans.
A contract that bears mutual risks and produces benefits.
Belfist explained calmly, “Here’s the contract. You swear to become my wife, and I vow to protect you for a lifetime. That way, your safety will be guaranteed, right?”
“That’s what it is going to be.”
“It’s dangerous! What if he unilaterally breaks the contract?”
“That’s impossible. Didn’t I mention it? Once it’s formed, it cannot be broken. Demons are more bound by contracts than humans. There is no deceit in a contract sworn not with words, but with our souls.”
Belfist calmly explained and then look at me seriously.
And asks,
“What will you do?”
“. . .”
The decision was left up to me.
If this anxiety is creating a gap in my heart, then it can be resolved with the method he proposed.
On the other hand, if there is another way to feel at ease, there is no other choice but to destroy him.
I had that in mind when I was reincarnated.
However, I understand it again after becoming stronger and able to fight.
The overwhelming power of Demon King Satan.
I have become strong.
I am confident that I have become strong enough to defeat the Demon King.
But I cannot confidently assert that I will definitely win against him. There is an underlying uneasiness.
The hostility with Belfist was a gamble.
Rather than taking such a gamble. . .
“I understand. Let’s make a contract.”
Belfist smiled.
“Is that okay? Slayer-san, once you make a contract, there’s no turning back, you know?”
“I know that.”
“You’re going to become the wife of such a weirdo!”
“Who’s the weirdo?”
“Who else is there besides you!”
While saying “Muu,” Flare looks at Belfist.
Seeing their interaction, I smiled.
“Hehe.”
“Slayer-san?”
“It’s okay, Flare. I think it’s fine for me.”
Even in my past life, I was not blessed with such a partner.
I am a complete amateur when it comes to love.
I only have knowledge based on descriptions in books.
Because of that, I don’t really understand things like love.
“However, if you were to ask me if I like it or not, I don’t particularly dislike it. I’m enjoying this time to some extent. So, surprisingly, I don’t feel bad about it.”
“Haha, I’m honored.”
“Slayer-san. . .”
“You seem frustrated, Flare.”
“Please be quiet, weirdo! I am Slayer-san’s friend! If Slayer-san is happy, that’s the best thing!”
She said that with a bright and kind smile, despite her puzzled expression.
“Thank you. I’m glad I became friends with you.”
Yes, I truly felt that way.
I should be grateful.
For meeting her, and for her saying that she wanted to be my friend.
And. . .
“Let’s make a contract.”
“Alright.”
Also for meeting him.
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