155 Contract with a Demon

After a series of minor, headache-inducing incidents, everyone was preparing for bed when Kishirika plunged face-first into Ganyu's fur and remarked, "Wow, such fine fur. Just what kind of creature are you...?"

Answering in Ganyu's stead, Paul explained, "She's a Qilin, also known as an Illuminated Beast."

"Hooooo~? I've heard of Qilins before. Aren't they the result of a Dragon breeding with a horse? I've never heard of one possessing cloud-like fur."

"Well, you have now," replied Paul before sprawling out on Ganyu's fur and adding, "Quiet down and try to get some rest. We'll be departing early in the morning..."

Ignoring Paul's remark, a mischievous grin developed across Kishirika's face as she mused, "You're pretty popular, ain'tcha?" in response to Venti and Xinyan snuggling up next to him.

Smiling wryly, Paul replied, "Something like that..." before drawing the two beauties closer and exchanging goodnight kisses. Then, despite Kishirika observing him with an impish expression on her face, Paul closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep. It had been a surprisingly tiring day...

Seeing Paul stop at kissing, Kishirika clicked her tongue before sprawling out and making fur-angels atop Ganyu's back. She was a type of Demon that didn't require sleep, so she wasn't even remotely tired. If not for her agreement with Paul, she would be out drinking and partying until sunrise. It sure as hell beat spending the night alone...

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With the evening passing in a blink for some and painstakingly slow for others, Paul and Party arose a few hours before dawn to prepare for their departure. They had already triple-checked their supplies and equipment, but rather than immediately departing the city, Paul had Ganyu draw their wagon to the outside of an apparel store so he could purchase Kishirika an outfit closer to what a fledgling Adventurer might wear.

Upon learning that they were shopping for her, a shark-toothed smile developed across Kishirika's face as she remarked, "You provide me with nourishment, drink, and now clothing? You won't be satisfied until I owe you an unpayable debt, huh~?"

While resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Paul replied, "Consider this one a freebie. Though I've become pretty desensitized to such things, I'd rather not be seen traveling with a half-naked brat who still has her baby fat..."

Instead of taking offense to Paul's words, Kishirika issued one of her characteristic laughs before exclaiming, "How rude! But at least you're honest! Bwahahahahaha~!"

Taking advantage of Paul's words, Kishirika began grabbing every piece of clothing she found even remotely interesting. She intended to teach Paul a lesson by burning a hole in his pocket. Unfortunately for her, Paul's private reserves made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the entire world, much less the Demon Continent. He could buy out the whole store for less than a tenth of what it would cost him to purchase an outfit from the IOF...

Seeing Paul foot the bill for dozens of outfits without even flinching, a bead of sweat formed on Kishirika's brow. Had he not offered to pay for them in advance, she would have put herself into a bit of a predicament due to her myriad of Curses.

Waiting until they were no longer in earshot of the shop owner and his assistants, Kishirika gestured for Paul to bend down so she could ask, "Just how wealthy are you...?" in an audibly nervous tone.

Instead of revealing the actual amount in his possession, Paul replied, "Enough to establish a small to medium-sized nation...?"

After her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, Kishirika's expression morphed into one of disgust as she remarked, "Ugh...don't tell me you're planning to establish a colony or something in the Demon Continent? We don't need humans meddling in our affairs..."

"Uh...not exactly?"

With Kishirika's expression resembling someone that had swallowed a bug, Paul's smile became wry as he explained, "If anything, I would end up sponsoring someone like you or Atofertofe. I don't even enjoy human politics, so I'm not going to go out of my way to meddle in the affairs of the Demon Continent. Someone I know might, but I won't let her get too carried away..."

Hearing Paul mention supporting her or Atofe, the disgust in Kishirika's expression gave way for a shark-toothed smile as she playfully remarked, "You're either being facetious or a complete idiot. How do you expect to stay detached from Demon Continent politics when you plan to entangle yourself with two of the most influential Demons in existence? And don't even get me started on the implications of you 'sponsoring' either of us..."

Shaking her head in mock admonition, Kishirika theatrically shrugged her shoulders as she added, "Well, not like it matters. With your current forces and wealth, you can already be regarded as a world power. Just try not to stab us in the back too early, okay?"

Furrowing his brows, Paul insisted, "I'm not the type to stab people in the back..."

Adopting an even broader smile, Kishirika replied, "And that's what makes 'Heroes' so dangerous. Those with treacherous natures are relatively easy to predict. Those with virtuous or benevolent characters are a ticking time bomb as it only takes a single significant event or trauma to turn them into complete monsters. I've seen it happen time and against, especially when the Hero in question 'simply' wishes to protect something or someone. But who knows, maybe you're the exception? Bwahahaha~!"

"..."

Though he felt like he was being obstinate, Paul shook his head and said, "Even if someone targetted the people I wished to protect, my retribution would end with them. If I were the type that didn't care about the consequences of his actions, the Asura Kingdom would be on the verge of ruin by now..."

Without needing to consider her response, Kishirika firmly stated, "Then you're either fooling yourself, or you don't have anything you truly wish to protect. When people lose the things that are truly precious to them, they don't react with cold logic or concern themselves with what others might lose. Still, it's a good thing that you've at least considered how you might respond. If that Vision functions as you claimed, it's only a matter of time before you lose something precious."

"..."

Realizing there was nothing he could say to oppose the logic of a being that had lived for well over ten thousand years, Paul promptly decided to let the matter rest. This version of Kishirika was a lot less 'comedic' than the version he had witnessed on-screen and read about in his previous life. She certainly acted the fool, but you only had to converse with her for more than a few minutes to glimpse the unfathomable life experience she had accumulated.

Understanding that Paul was backing down the moment he averted his eyes and looked towards the shop entrance, Kishirika's smile gained a mischievous overtone as she questioned, "Are you regretting asking for my wisdom?"

Shaking his head, Paul answered, "Not really. If anything, it's a relief to know you're not a complete idiot. In most of the 'glimpses' I got of you, you either in trouble or causing it..."

Crossing her arms over her non-existent breasts, Kishirika snickered in a 'Kishishishi~' fashion before commenting, "It's been less than a day, and you're already becoming more brazen. Though I suppose that's the kind of mentality you would need to consider 'sponsoring' a former and future Demon Empress! Bwahahahaha~!"

Smiling wryly, Paul was about to suggest they return to the others when Kishirika's expression suddenly became serious. Then, in a tone filled with solemnity, she said, "I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully. I am bound by a series of Curses, two of which combine to make me reliant on others and obligated to repay debts. Those same Curses more or less prohibit me from making requests or taking care of myself, so you'll need to consider that if others attempt to approach me or if you choose to give me something..."

Though he was briefly confused by Kishirika's words, Paul's expression became equally serious as he asked, "You're unable to refuse people's assistance...?"

Nodding her head, Kishirika maintained her serious expression as she answered, "That's right. So for every piece of food or drink you give me, you need to preface it with something like 'this is free' or 'I don't expect a reward.' If you forget, I'll have no choice but to compensate you."

Furrowing his brows even further, Paul was about to ask why Kishirika was revealing such a dangerous piece of information when the answer readily appeared in his mind. It was pretty much the only way she could ask him to protect and not take advantage of her. It also gave him a pretty good idea...

Removing the ruby ring his father had given him to detect poisons, Paul proferred it toward Kishirika and said, "Here, take this. It will glow in the presence of most toxins. In exchange, I ask that you become our friend, relying on us without thoughts of having to repay our's or anyone else's kindness. Unless, of course, you want to..."

Surprised by Paul's words, Kishirika's eyes became as round as saucers. When she first saw him pull off the ring, she half-expected him to propose to her. Instead, Paul had effectively freed her without asking for anything substantial in return...

Accepting the ring from Paul's hand, Kishirika felt a giddiness swelling from the pit of her stomach as she muttered, "You...do you realize what you've done?" in a trembling tone.

Shrugging his shoulders, Paul said, "I honestly hate forcing people to do things against their will. I also doubt you'll cross me so long as we're after that shitty god's head. That buys me at least a hundred or two years be-"

Interrupting before Paul could finish, Kishirika raised her head to reveal an enormous grin as she pointed at his face and declared, "I've decided! You will battle Badi for my hand in marriage! It might only be for a single lifetime, but there's no way I can just let you go after this! Become mine, Paul Greyrat...!"

Before Paul could refuse, Kishirika waggled her finger from side-to-side and said, "As I said, I've already made my decision. Besides, it was only ever a matter of time before Badi attempted to kill you. That man likes to play the part of an approachable and easy-going person, but he is highly vindictive and prone to jealousy! You said it yourself, right? He was bound to hunt you to the ends of the world at some point! And don't even get me started on what he would do to your women! Bwahahahahahaha~!"

"..."

Seeing Paul's grim expression, Kishirika controlled her laughter and said, "I'm serious. I've had this Curse for more than four thousand years, and you're the first to offer an exchange that grants me even a semblance of freedom. Also, Badi and I can't be wed until that shitty God is dealt with. I mean, we've literally been engaged twenty-nine times. Something's got to give eventually."

Suppressing his sigh, Paul surprised Kishirika by answering, "Fine. Just don't blame me for 'cheating' during our battle. My death would cause some serious problems for a lot of people, so I can't afford to fight such a monster fairly..."

Instead of reacting negatively to Paul's words, Kishirika snickered and said, "That's fine by me. After all, I would also be pretty inconvenienced if you died. As the person who established the 'contract' between us, it will persist so long as you live. That means you're forbidden from dying for at least a hundred—no, make that five hundred years, okay~?"

Though five hundred years sounded a little excessive, Paul had no idea how long it would take his group to defeat Hitogami. He vaguely recalled that Orsted's time loops lasted two hundred years, so, unless something unexpected happened, they should be able to defeat him shortly after the battle with Laplace.

Shrugging his shoulders, Paul replied, "Sure. I mean, I can't do anything about it if I'm killed, so I don't mind making such a promise. Just keep in mind that you're far from the only woman I'll be sharing a bed with..."

Offering a shrug of her own, Kishirika retorted, "Isn't that to be expected? Even Atofe's husband married eight others. That's one of the privileges of possessing a power others can't hope to oppose. With your unique power, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you took a wife from every race."

"Ah..."

Recalling Kishirika's speculations about his apparent ability, Paul would be lying if he said he hadn't considered something similar. He wasn't going to go around fucking literal animals and monsters, but there were quite a few humanoids with racial traits, special abilities, and unique powers he could benefit from. Kishirika's Myriad Demon Eyes and Atofe's immortality were good examples...

Seeing the possessing glimmer in Paul's eyes, a snicker emanated from Kishirika's throat as she playfully mused, "We'll make a Demon out of you yet~."

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