IWMHWD 102

Chapter 102: Contract with the Demon
2024.02.10

Leaving Matilda’s surprise behind, Cordelia refocused her mind. Since she had attempted it once before, the second time felt somewhat easier.

“Ugh…”

But her body didn’t seem to agree. Before long, blood surged up again, filling her mouth with a metallic, fishy taste.

Cordelia spat out the blood and gasped for air. Matilda spoke.

“Stop. That magic consumes an enormous amount of mental energy. If you keep going without rest, your body won’t be able to handle it. I should—”

“No. I can… huff… I can do it. Don’t worry about me. Please go to Master. You’re more needed than I am.”

Matilda couldn’t bring herself to argue. The situation was that dire. Nazabut, fully bonded with the host, was running rampant. Leonard was holding his ground, but even he was struggling.

“Hold on just a little longer.”

“Go quickly.”

With a worried look, Matilda left Cordelia’s side.

Cordelia steadied her trembling knees and focused on the magical design. Then, a faint presence appeared beside her.

Are you okay?

“Roti.”

The gray dog limped over to Cordelia. A glance revealed its front paw soaked in blood and grotesquely twisted, with a sunken rib. The injuries looked severe, yet Roti’s voice remained calm, even expressing concern for Cordelia.

Don’t push yourself too hard.

“I’m fine.”

Suddenly, dozens of fist-sized stones rained down from the sky with a sharp whistle. There was no time to dodge. Fortunately, Roti blocked some with his body, but several struck Cordelia directly.

“Ah!”

She lost her balance and fell. Luckily, the stones hit her arms and legs, so the injuries weren’t severe.

“Hah… haah.”

Cordelia collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Her arm throbbed painfully, making it hard to lift. Naturally, her ongoing spell was interrupted.

Roti glanced at the sky and then hurried to her side.

We have to run. Now.

“No. If I don’t use the magic you taught me, Master… everyone else…”

The demon’s power was unimaginably strong. It wasn’t being pushed back even by four advanced magicians. In fact, it seemed stronger than when first encountered.

Roti cut her off, nudging her urgently with his nose.

That demon is trying to summon ‘Virioqum.’ We must leave immediately!

“What’s Virioqum?”

Floating rocks outside the sky.

“Rocks in the sky?”

The stones that just fell are debris from it and the beginning of the summoning. If they fall here, everyone dies. I can’t stop it either. Move, now!

As if confirming Roti’s words, an immense amount of magical energy began to be drawn toward Nazabut. Even in broad daylight, the air seemed to chill against their skin.

Cordelia planted her feet firmly and rose. But she didn’t move where Roti pointed.

“Master! Master!”

Nazabut seemed to pause at a distance, perhaps preparing for a massive spell. At Cordelia’s call, Leonard reacted immediately. He glanced once at Nazabut, then rushed to her side.

“This place is dangerous. Get inside the magical barrier. What’s with the blood? Are you hurt?”

Seeing the blood on her front, Leonard asked in concern. Cordelia shook her head firmly.

“It’s nothing. Master, Nazabut is trying to summon Virioqum.”

“Nazabut? That’s the demon’s name?”

“Yes. Roti told me. Right now, magical energy around Nazabut is violently fluctuating and being drawn in.”

Leonard’s expression grew grave.

“If that demon actually summons Virioqum, this entire area will be destroyed.”

“What’s going on?”

Matilda, Kainon, and even Rosenbluer approached. Cordelia repeated what Roti had just told her. They looked at her as if to ask how she knew, but Leonard intervened.

“That’s not important right now. If Virioqum falls here, hundreds will die.”

“We must stop it before it’s summoned.”

Matilda brushed dust from her cloak. Kainon winced, holding a wound on his side, and asked,

“How? We can’t even scratch the demon’s finger right now.”

“There is one way,” Matilda said, looking at Cordelia. The others followed her gaze.

“Me?”

“Yes. If you weaken Nazabut with your magic, the four of us can attack at once. Virioqum requires a long time to summon, so if he suffers significant damage mid-summon, he won’t be able to continue.”

“What magic?”

Rosenbluer asked. Matilda gave a brief explanation in Cordelia’s place.

“Such magic exists?”

“I’ve never heard of it either.”

Kainon and Rosenbluer stared at Cordelia. Matilda hesitated slightly, then asked,

“Can you do it?”

“Yes. I’ll try.”

Cordelia nodded without hesitation. If she gave up now, hundreds might die.

Leonard lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

She wasn’t okay at all. Her stomach was a mess, her head felt like it had been smashed with a hammer, and she wanted to vomit. Yet she smiled at him. She felt a little joy, too—after always being protected, now she could help him.

Cordelia sent off her worried Master and repositioned herself. Roti sighed deeply, recognizing her determination instead of stopping her.

Hah… shouldn’t have taught her that magic.

“I’m sorry. But thank you, Roti, for protecting me.”

Promise me you’ll run if the plan fails.

“Okay.”

Cordelia wasn’t planning to die passively. She would do all she could.

She began the third attempt, focusing and carefully structuring her magic.

Her body was unstable, causing the magic to flare unpredictably. She gathered it and placed it precisely. The complex formula could be quickly calculated if observed carefully. Now the pain would come. Cordelia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Hrrgh…”

As expected, the pain was excruciating. A cold, gut-twisting sensation ran through her.

Whenever she wanted to give up and collapse, she pressed her nails into her palms. The subtle pain helped her endure.

As she began distributing her magical energy, intense pain consumed her entire body, making the earlier suffering seem minor.

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!

A horrifying pain gnawed at her insides like worms. Her body shivered as if she had a chill. The sky seemed darker than before. Anxiety gnawed at her heart.

Fortunately, the magical energy being drawn toward Nazabut had significantly decreased. But she couldn’t fully relax—it wasn’t clear if it was because her spell succeeded or if Nazabut no longer required the energy.

The four magicians pressed Nazabut with full force.

Having already used much energy to summon Virioqum, Nazabut’s movements slowed. Previously, they couldn’t even scratch him, but now half their spells landed.

“Ughhh!”

Nazabut suddenly curled up, letting out a roar. Seizing the moment, all four unleashed a barrage of magical energy. Thick smoke rose, obscuring Nazabut from view.

Leonard gathered energy for a final strike. At that moment, Nazabut shot into the sky from the smoke.

Shot up?

Watching from afar, Cordelia followed the streaking figure with her eyes.

Her question of how? was quickly answered. Behind Nazabut were grotesque black wings. Though far away, she felt his gaze on her. And in that instant, he dived toward her.

No!

Roti was the first to react, blocking her path. Nazabut’s claws elongated instantly, and without hesitation, he slashed at Roti. Though lean and small, Roti was hit, blood spraying like a fountain.

“Roti!”

Time seemed to slow. Thanks to Roti buying them time, Cordelia had the chance to cancel the separation spell and cast a protective barrier—but doing so would ruin everything. The fourth attempt might be impossible.

Cordelia made a brief decision.

She closed her eyes and focused on her magic toward Nazabut. Now, she felt no pain—only the resolve to endure what was coming.