'Thought'

"Speech"

System text

"Book, note, or projected speech"


Rolling to the side I dodged yet another strike from the incredibly fast pair of daggers lashing out for my torso. Quickly I created some distance between myself and a slightly smirking Jasmine.

Right now the two of us were in the middle of a friendly spar while the others sat around camp watching us. We'll arrive in Orario tomorrow and had decided to set up camp for the night.

More than a few of us were feeling restless that our journey was finally almost over and decided to burn some energy. This was what led us to now, Jasmine and I were currently sparring and since we didn't have training weapons we decided to use our regular weapons, but with the sheaths attached.

She used her daggers while I used a kukri knife I had bought in the markets at Melen. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was something that I could use in close quarters.

Jasmine gave me no time to catch my breath as she charged at me once again. "Gust!" throwing out my hand I concentrate a large amount of mind enhancing the spell enough to throw her backwards.

"Lightning Lure!" Before she could right herself I created a whip of lighting that ripped her back towards me. "Summon: Emperor Cobra!" I felt a large portion of mind drain as a green magic circle appeared. Out of the circle a sixteen foot long, silver hooded cobra was summoned. As Jasmine landed the cobra swiftly coiled around Jasmine trapping her. I offer a slight smirk as I put my weapon away.

"Well, looks like I win."

"Fine, can you let me go now?" She asked.

I nodded, mentally ordering the cobra to release her. As Jasmine was released I couldn't help but mentally nod to myself as I looked the Cobra over. It was one of the two summons I had gotten from that book, unfortunately it was the only summon I could use regularly.

Shaking my head I help Jasmine up and we start walking over towards the others.

"Your getting better at using that spell." Jasmine stated in her normal stoicism.

"Thanks, it's really helping that I'm finally figuring out some uses for it. Well you know, uses other than straight up killing my opponent."

Jasmine nodded while putting her weapons on her belt. "Agreed, I look forward to using the grimoire you gave me."

Ah yes, I almost forgot. As thanks for all the help the Dia familia have given me over this trip I gave my first few successful grimoire creations to them. It was also mainly to test out if the grimoires I create work as intended, but that's neither here nor there. For Jasmine I gave her a grimoire containing the gust cantrip for obvious reasons. I gave Adam Krensh, the green-flame blade cantrip to add a little something extra to his spear attacks. Finally for my lovely elven wife I gave her the first level absorb elements spell so she could partially absorb elements and then imbue them into her arrows.

Of course at the moment this is all hypothetical since they need to wait and have Dia update their status. Speaking of the others I look over and smile slightly at what I see.

Helen and Haruhime were sitting together off to the side. They were chatting away as Helen braided Haruhimes hair. The pair had hit it off pretty well when they first met and when one wasn't with me they were with the other. Looking around I frown slightly as I can't seem to locate the exuberant and ever cheerful Lint.

"Hey what happened to Lint?" I asked sitting down beside Helen.

"She went on ahead to Orario, something about seeing the old man." Adam answered from across the campfire before taking another swig of his waterskin.

I nod in understanding, I remember that she had mentioned in passing she would be taking off soon to make sure everything was set for him to meet Ouranos. Unfortunately if she hadn't it would be a good wait, even as someone of his interest the guild would still tie him up with red tape. Honestly, he was definitely going to see about having Roman removed as the guild head. The fat pig of an elf is far to corrupt for the guild to actually do its job, especially when I remember a few stories in Memoria Freese where he was a 'special' patron in one of the casinos.

I mentally shook my head, I shouldn't get too ahead of myself until I actually meet Ouranos. Shelving that for later I grab some rations and start eating while I watch Helen and Haruhime. Speaking of my half-elven wife, we aren't much of a secret at the moment seeing as her familia knows. Apparently she had told them during their day out in Melen, but interestingly enough no one was heavily against it. Other than a few threats to treat her right, like I had any other intentions, nothing really changed even with Jasmine. If anything Jasmine has been hanging out with me more than usual, not that I'm complaining, but it does make me wonder just what Helen talked to her about.

My thoughts then stray to the blonde Renard of our group. Haruhime has been nothing short of a welcome addition to our group. She took to Helen like a fish to water and whenever she isn't with Helen she's at my side. Not that I really mind, Haruhime is pretty nice company once you get her talking, she can be shy sure but I think that adds to her adorableness. My only concern is what happens once we reach Orario, Ouranos or not once in the dungeon there are plenty of Familia that would kill to get her magic. It's not that it will be revealed, we've talked about that at length. When Haruhime decided she would join whatever familia I do I took her aside and spent a good while explaining the dangers of using her magic. Because of that she agreed to only use it in life threatening circumstances to avoid any chance of it getting out.

That brings me to my newest train of thought as of recently, how to help her get stronger. Haruhime is a supporter/sorcerer through and through, she is incapable of learning martial arts or using a weapon as of right now simply because she can't bring herself to physically harm others. That became obvious when we tried to teach her how to wield a dagger against a goblin, not fun.

It's just not in her nature to harm other physically even monsters. Helen did attempt to teach Haruhime how to use a bow, only for her to share the same sentiments in her efforts. Of course, I could give Haruhime a grimoire, but that wouldn't be of much help right now. Currently most of my spells are either low end attack spells or utility spells, not to mention adventure's normally only have three spell slots. If she learned say magic missile and then the upgrade to her buff spell down the road she would be made to rely on a very weak version of magic missile for her career as an adventurer.

Seeing as magic isn't the answer I turned to trying to figure out if there are any skills she could develop that are renard specific. It's not unheard of for races to have certain skills that only they can form, but unfortunately so little is known about renards it's been fruitless so far. I of course have one option left...but I'm reluctant to use it. Though seeing as tomorrow we reach Orario I'm left with very little choice, do I risk Haruhime's safety or do I make a deal with the devil.

A few hours later

Quietly I slip out of my sleeping bag and shake Haruhime, it's lucky she insisted on sleeping nearby.

"Haruhime...Haruhime wake up." I say as I softly shake her awake.

She sits up with a slight yawn as she attempts to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

"Dante...what's going on? Is it time to go?" She asks still partly asleep.

"No, I have a way that we could make you stronger, but it's possibly dangerous. I wanted to give you the choice and it had to be after dinner. We have to do this away from the others and they can never know."

She seems to wake up fully as she registers the seriousness in my voice. She looks slightly frightened as she sits up fully.

"W-will it hurt? How dangerous is it?"

For a moment I hesitate to actually answer as I truthfully don't know.

"Truthfully, I don't know the answer to either question. We need to go a good distance away from camp so I can contact the person I want to help you. I'm not going to put you in danger, if you want to come with me we can hear them out and leave if we don't like it."

"I...I think I would like to listen. I don't want to be weak, I want to be able to support you from here forward." She states with a slight blush at the end.

I chuckle a little, leave it to Haruhime to think about others when being offered strength.

"Alright, come with me and do exactly as I say. No matter what you do from here on out don't refer to yourself or me by name."

She nodded and with a quick application of some illusion spells we quickly and silently leave camp. We walk through the woods in silence not willing to disturb anything for fear of being discovered. After about forty-five minutes we find a good clearing.

Stepping ahead of Haruhime I take out a small vile of dark red liquid and begin slowly pouring it out in a circle. What am I doing? I'm preparing to summon the second summon I received from that book.

Summon Demon: Queen of Deals ( true name hidden)

Range: 30 ft

Components: Vile of blood from a humanoid, one diamond worth 500 GP

Duration: Five hours

Summon the queen of deals to your location in her true form. As an Archdemon of the underworld she stands only below the gods of death and the underworld itself. She is neutral towards the summoner unless provoked and for the right price is willing to make any deal.

As part of casting the spell, you can form a circle on the ground with the blood and the diamond in the center. The circle is large enough to encompass your space. While the spell lasts, the summoned demon can't cross the circle or harm it, and it can't target anyone within it. Using the material component in this manner consumes it when the spell ends.

True name: Knowing or deciphering the true name of an archdemon is no small feat as all have shed the shackles of their previous lives. Uttering the true name of an archdemon forces them into your control for approximately one hour. If the demon knows the tire name of any within its summoning circle it may bypass all safety measures of the circle.

It came as a major shock when I first gott the spell, it shouldn't have considering there are gods and monsters but still. Who would have thought demons were a reality in Danmachi?

I shake my head as I finish pouring the vial of blood completing the circle. Finally I walk into the center and place the diamond before I take several steps back. Motioning for Haruhime to join me I notice she's incredibly nervous. Taking one of her hands in mine I give it a comforting squeeze as I raise my other.

"Summon Demon: Queen of Deals."

With that single utterance everything kicks off, the circle of blood alights with violet flames forming a ring around us. Just as it completes the diamond in the middle cracks before more violet flames engulf it. As they die down a woman steps out from the flames. She has black hair tied back in a bun, her milky pale skin reflecting the moonlight. She wears a jet black kimono secured by a black and gold obi. Her most noteable feature however is her crimson red eyes and slitted pupil.

I realized I recognized her almost immediately, she was Muzan the main antagonist in demon slayer. That made me tense slightly wondering if she was anywhere near as evil as her counterpart.

"Mortals? It's been a Millenia since I was last summoned."

She closes her eyes taking a deep breath of air and soon I nearly drop to my knees at the sheer power that radiates off of her as she opens her eyes. She's insanely powerful, that much is more than obvious. If the difference between level one and two is a river then the difference between her and I is a giant chasm. After a few minutes it disappears and she smirks slightly.

"I am Lilith, Archdemon, Queen of deals. My how interesting a renard, I haven't seen your species since we released that nine tailed mutt all those years ago. Then there-"

She pauses as her eyes meet mine and there's something unspoken there, she's smirking, why is she smirking?

"My, my how lucky I am to be witnessing this, D.I.C.E. has finally chosen another."

Alarm bells are ringing in my head as my breath hitches, how does she know about D.I.C.E.?

"How-"

"Do I know of your best kept secret, you're not the first. Admittedly you're more appealing than the last, he was so clueless. Anywho all of the older gods, Archangels, and archdemons know, but I digress you wouldn't want to discuss this in present company."

She finishes smirking as I turn to a confused Haruhime. I shake my head and she takes the hint, but I can still see the curiosity is there.

"But how rude of me, who has summoned me?"

This time it's my turn to smirk as I answer her.

"You can call me Magus and my companion is Kitsune."

She frowns, it looks more like a pout, as she waves her hand dismissively.

"Well why have you called me here?"

"We were hoping you would have a way for Kitsune to better protect herself. She is a sorcerer with only a single spell and I do not want to force one of my weaker ones upon her."

At this 'Lilith' turns contemplative as she looks over Haruhime as if inspecting a rare piece of art.

"Hmmm, it's been so long since your kind took up residence in the lower world, but still so much strong magic flows through you yet so much has been lost, very well."

With a snap of her fingers violet flames engulf her hand taking the form of a book. It's red in color with a fox surrounded by nine tails on the cover.

"This is a special grimoire, it will give the girl what she seeks. Now my payment for this book?"

"No souls, other than that what do you want?"

She starts chuckling before it turns into full blown melodious laughter.

Haruhime speaks up for the first time.

"Are you going to try and take our souls?"

The laughter soon stops as 'Lilith' wipes away a tear.

"Oh you poor little children, I am a demon of deals. Souls, while delectable little morsels, wouldn't benefit me if they were my clients. I grow in power the more deals I make successfully. For something truly important I may require a soul, but for a measly book? Oh no no no, but then what would I like for this book hmmmm...ah I know.."

'Lilith' points a finger at myself causing Haruhime to grab my arm with both of hers.

"A conversation with you my dear 'Magus'. Privately of course dear."

I nod my head slowly as I free my arm from Haruhimes grip and give her an assuring smile.

"Okay, give Kitsune the book and I'll stay behind for a chat."

The demoness smiles as she snaps her fingers causing the book to burst into violet flames before it reappeared in a frightened Haruhime's arms.

"Run along now dear, I have much to discuss with your friend."

Haruhime was hesitant, but some confirmation from me and she quickly left the circle heading into the forest. I turn back to 'Lilith' as she continues smirking.

"So...what do you want to talk about?"

"Hmmmm...how about a little deal of our own, as I said I get stronger the more deals I make successfully."

"You also said you haven't been summoned in the equivalent of a thousand years."

"Very true, very true, which is why our little ritual here is less than...efficient. You see the gods don't exactly mind my kind, I'm their creation after all, but some of the holier than thou ones have destroyed the records to summon my kind."

"Leaving you in a very nice position to be the only one to gain some power, right?"

She claps happily, or in mock happiness, honestly she's beginning to freak me out again with the way she expresses herself.

"Oh of course, which is why I'm willing to give you a gift. A little mark of mine and you'll be able to summon me at your beck and call, with the added benefit of no trickery. I wouldn't want to lose my only summoner now would I."

I take few minutes to ponder over her offer, on one hand she's incredibly powerful and would be useful to have around if something unprecedented came up. On the other, she's a literal demon and I don't know hardly enough about her to trust her.

"And what exactly do I get in return, no, I suppose the better question is what's the limit that you can actually take your deals?"

She frowns slightly probably not expecting that particular question.

"I can't interfere with D.I.C.E. if that is your concern. It was made by another outside our little world, I also know only one person at a time may be alive and have it. As for my deals, truthfully whatever you wish so long as you can pay the price, of course killing gods or changing reality itself is forbidden."

"Can you bring the dead back to life?"

"Psh, of course I can so long as they have been dead no longer than fifty years. In exchange for a soul of course."

I nod slowly, honestly that actually creates a few new avenues for me. Of course there's one final thing bugging me, but if all she says is true I'll save it and ask Ouranos tomorrow.

"Alright 'Lilith', you have a deal."

She snaps her fingers and I immediately feel a burning sensation on my wrist. Grabbing my wrist I see a violet flame burning a magic circle with the symbol for conjuration in the middle onto it. Soon the flame sparks one last time before it puts itself out. The magic circle tattooed on his wrist soon disappears as if it never existed.

"There all done, you now have a magic tattoo that will summon me so long as you place some of your blood on it. Oh and don't worry about it disappearing, I did that so no one else would see it. Goodbye for now."

With that she disappeared cutting the spell short and with it the circle around me disappeared into nothingness. Looking around you wouldn't have been able to tell if something had ever happened.

Slowly I turned around and made to find Haruhime. We needed to get back to camp and rest up for the last leg of the trip tomorrow.


A/n: So I'm sorry that this took so long to get out, but I've spent the past few months compiling a list of possible summons from dnd, pathfinder, and several video games. The reason being that I wanted the summons to be completely random, so I made a list knocked it down to twenty creatures/monsters and rolled a d20. Obviously the results were the emperor cobra from pathfinder and 'Lilith' a hombrew I based off of Muzan's female form from demon slayer.

Well other than that thank you to everyone for reading this story and especially those that leave reviews. Until next time thank you.