Chapter 7: The Merchant's Dilemma

The sorcerer set out on his quest to find the unfaithful merchant. He knew the man's reputation well, as he had seen him in the market buying expensive gifts for his mistresses.

After a long search, the sorcerer finally found the merchant in a seedy tavern, drinking his sorrows away. He approached the man cautiously, trying to hide his true intentions.

"Excuse me, sir," he said, trying to sound friendly. "May I have a word with you?"

The merchant looked up, his eyes bloodshot from the alcohol. "What do you want?" he slurred.

The sorcerer took a deep breath. "I know about your affairs, sir. And I know that you would do anything to keep them a secret."

The merchant's eyes widened in fear. "What do you want from me?"

"I want your soul," the sorcerer said bluntly. "In exchange for my own."

The merchant laughed incredulously. "You expect me to just give you my soul? What kind of nonsense is this?"

The sorcerer explained the situation to the merchant, telling him about the demon and the deal he had made. He promised the merchant that he would find a way to break the deal once he had his soul.

The merchant was hesitant at first, but as the sorcerer laid out his plan, he began to see the wisdom in it. He knew he had done wrong, and he was willing to do anything to make it right.

"Alright," he said finally. "I'll do it. But you have to promise me that you'll find a way to release me from this curse."

The sorcerer nodded solemnly. "I swear it. I will find a way to break the deal."

The merchant closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Alright then. Let's do this."

The sorcerer took out his wand and began to chant a spell. The room grew dark, and the air grew thick with magic. The merchant felt a strange sensation in his chest, as if something was being pulled out of him.

And then it was over. The sorcerer opened his eyes, and the merchant fell to the floor, unconscious.

The sorcerer picked up the merchant's soul and hid it in a jar. He knew he had to take it to the demon as soon as possible, before the merchant woke up and changed his mind.

He set out for the demon's lair, hoping that this plan would work. He knew that if it didn't, he would be doomed to an eternity of servitude to the demon.

To be continued...