Chapter 21: Lifting a curse
MC POV:
Finally! Today I will be able to get rid of Latifa's curse!
It's been a few months since the day I awakened my second innate. During that time, I focused on increasing my base stats, mastering the sloth transformation and the [Indomitable Will]. I also trained in [Swordsmanship] and [Curse Arts], while researching demons and their abilities.
It turns out that the names of the demons representing the seven sins and their form vary from one record to another. However, one of the things shared by most, if not all, is the ability to form contracts, place curses and turn others into demons or create subordinates.
As a result of this research, I obtained a new ability called [Demon's Promise]. With my blood, while transformed, and Origin energy as a medium, I can form a contract with another person. This contract allows me to share knowledge, part of my energy, or skill with another person, with the price up to me.
With my proficiency in [Curse Arts] and the newly acquired [Demon's Promise], I came up with a method of getting rid of Latifa's curse.
"So, please form a contract with me," I told Latifa after some explaining.
"Let me confirm it for the last time," she replied. "You want me to accept a magical contract in which you will 'take' my curse as a price for giving me a shoulder massage?" she continued.
"Yep," I nodded.
"How is such a ridiculous contract even possible?" she asked incredulously.
"Let's just say I am that special," I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
In truth, that was the case. Thanks to the contract being formed with Origin as one of the mediums, its existential level, and grade far exceed anything a demon on my level should be able to do.
"Ok, let's do it. I trust you," Latifa said with a bright smile.
Following her consent, I promptly transformed into my sloth form, eliciting a slight glimmer in her eyes. My apparent age of a ten-year-old boy combined with tiger-like ears and tail made me look, Latifa's words, incredibly cute.
'She is barely holding it in...' I thought to myself while using one of my claws to draw some blood, and using [Telekinesis], in the air, I formed a magic circle containing the details of the contract. Then, I imbued it with my will and the Origin.
Once I was done, I activated [Demon's Promise], and the circle expanded with the two of us at its center, filling the room with a rainbow-reddish glow.
"Do you accept?" I asked and extended my hand toward Latifa, the trigger I set for the contract to activate.
"I do!" she replied while grabbing my hand, and the magic circle disappeared, followed by a final flash of light.
"Did it work...?" Latifa asked with a worried but hopeful voice.
"There is only one way to find out," I stood up and walked behind her, after which I started rubbing her shoulders.
After a moment, I felt energy full of resentment enter my body, but as soon as it did, my [Negative Status Effect Immunity] got rid of it.
*Ping*
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Hidden Quest: Importance of Memory
Status: Fully Completed
Completion Grade: S
Rewards: 100,000 positive karma
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"It's gone," I said and hugged her from behind after transforming back.
Hearing me, she hung her head and started sobbing.
"Thank you*sob*" she started repeating in a quiet voice.
"No problem," I said with a smile.
We stayed like that until she calmed down, after which we gathered the Park staff and spread the good news.
***
Third Person POV:
At the same time, somewhere in Sainan City, in a high-class apartment.
*Crack*
"The curse!" exclaimed a blonde-haired, violet-eyed man(whom many would consider handsome), his face twisted in anger and shock.
His name, at least on earth, was Takaya Kurisu, a member of the management of Amagi Development. It was a group representing the shareholders and beneficiaries of Amagi Brilliant Park. However, his real name was Idena, a powerful wizard and descendant of a fallen magical bloodline, better known in his homeland, Mapleland, for cursing Princess Latifa.
Rising to his feet with a start, Takuya muttered, "Who... Just who could have done it..." while pacing around his apartment.
'Everything was going according to the plan. What could have happened?' he thought, moving fingers through his slicked-back hair. 'The only abnormality so far was the rapid increase in her body's animus every time the reset function of the curse was about to activate or when I drained too much. In both cases, that brat was with her, but my curse couldn't have been broken by a ten-year-old.' Takaya concluded. 'I would be a laughing stock, and even my best analytic spells concluded that he is just a human,' he added.
Takaya Kurisu took a deep breath and sat again in his expensive chair while interlocking his fingers.
'Someone must be behind that brat. The amount of animus he provided to Latifa can't come just from his emotions. He must have had an item with him that I couldn't detect, which allowed him to store and transfer animus. They can't come from Mapleland since the Princess is still here. There would be no need for her to stay here to break the curse.' he thought with a frown. 'The only silver lining is that thanks to these increases, I gathered enough animus to take my revenge on the Mapleland. I will get my hands on the Royal Magic once I deal with that old fart.' he added with a smirk.
Then, he stood up, and, with a single spell, a dark robe enveloped his figure. "It's time to go," he said while a magic circle appeared under his feet. It glowed with a mysterious light, and with a flash, it disappeared together with the wizard.
***
MC POV:
Right now, we are on the platform used by Latifa and the management of Amagi Brilliant Park to make announcements towards the 'true staff', these being people originating from Mapleland, as the park also employs quite a few humans from earth.
In front of the scene stood all the aforementioned 'true staff', gathered there by Latifa. They had curiosity written all over their faces, awaiting the announcement.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering here on such short notice," Latifa started. "I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you put into taking care of the guests and making our park the place it is today." she continued with a warm smile. Her melodious voice and sincerity put similar expressions on the face of all the listeners. "Thanks to your effort, I could avoid dying due to the curse draining my animus. I owe you all my life," she added with tears, then she looked at me and extended a hand. "Today, thanks to Arthur, my curse was finally lifted!" she said with a bright smile, tears still flowing from her eyes.
Silence. Everyone was stunned, unable to utter a single word, as if what they heard was just a dream and any action would cause them to wake up.
"I am so glad, mofu!!!" exclaimed Moffle, Latifas maternal uncle, while hugging her tightly.
Shortly after his words, everyone present started cheering and hugging each other due to overwhelming happiness. All of them loved their princess. She was kind and treated everyone with respect despite belonging to the royal family. She was their idol, as even while cursed, she still kept her smile for the sake of others.
There was also the fact they finally will be able to go back home and see their families and friends. Many of them worked here due to their loyalty toward the country and love for Latifa.
'Though, most will stay. Latifa explained to me that if not for her, the animus gathered here would form crystals and becomes a source of income for her country. Soon, it will become a profitable job, not to mention all of them love to entertain people.' I thought while looking at the heartwarming scene.
After a few minutes, Moffle calmed down. Then after releasing Latifa from his embrace, he directed his steps toward me.
"Are you approaching me?" I asked with a haughty smile.
"I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer, mofu," he replied in kind.
In contrast to our usual exchange, he stopped a few steps away and bowed deeply toward me.
"Truly, thank you. I won't be able to pay you back no matter what I do, so just remember that if you ever need my help, I will do anything I can," Moffle said.
"Don't mind it," I replied dismissively. "Someone as kind as Latifa doesn't deserve to suffer such a nasty curse. We also got rather close over the years so it's only natural I will help her," I continued.
"No. I am honor bound to repay this favor," he said, patting himself on the chest.
"What if I want her to join my future harem, will you help me convince her and her father~?" I asked while smirking.
"You!" he exclaimed while instantly straightening his back. The imaginary fire appeared in his eyes while a vein popped on his face. "I will beat that perverted ass of yours, mofu!!!" he shouted.
What followed was our usual 'conversation' with fists.