Disclaimer: Oh My Goddess belongs to Kōsuke Fujishima
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2nd disclaimer – Ceroxon wrote and sent in this chapter
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The previous question had ended. Mara was sulking in a corner, hoping to ask a question that she thought of for a long time, but she had to wait for permission from the Queen to ask it.
The expression on the face of demon not escaped the Daimakaicho who always took pleasure in teasing her .
"Ma-chan, what's bothering you ?" Hild asked , knowing perfectly well what was the answer, but curious to see how Mara would respond .
Taking courage, Mara answered directly.
"Majesty, with your permission, there's a question I want to ask. This is important to me."
"Really? And what is the question?"
"I wanted to know what would happen if I had granted the wish of Keiichi, instead of Belldandy."
Hild was somewhat surprised by this question. There was virtually no chance that such a thing could happen . Why so much important it has Mara?
"I'm puzzled ... Ma -chan. Keiichi had absolutely no profile to receive a contract from us, not in this dimension anyway. Moreover he was already under contract with the sky, or we do not make contracts with people who are already under contract with the heavens. Why you ask yourself that question? " asked the queen of demons.
Mara took a deep breath before you answer .
" You remember the times I had extracted the demonic side of Urd?"
"Of course . Fact is, I was very happy to see my daughter as well. Pity she regains goddess thereafter, if you succeeds in keeping the demon I would generously rewarded you, perhaps a promotion to class 1 + . "
Mara frowned, she just missed a big promotion.
"The material that I had bought at the relevant time for this plan had me losing all my budget, but there was another plan that I had in mind at this moment : Travel in the time, divert the call Keiichi to "Hell "hot" line" and take him under contract. If he had the same wish, I could have stayed on Earth and to advance the cause of demons . at worst, if he made another vow, Belldandy could not appear as Keiichi would have been under contract with us . "
Mara paused before continuing.
"However , forms to fill for his majesty allows time travel, would have cost me as much as the purchase of equipment to separate Urd . Moreover, nobody but me would know what I won victory by preventing Belldandy down on Earth. In the eyes of my queen, I would simply sign a standard contract with a human. No hope of promotion for it. The choice was therefore the following: Urd back on the side of the demons, or sign a contract with Keiichi ? I chose the separation of Urd . Considering how this story has finished, I want to know what would have happened if I had take the other choice . "
Hild looked up to the sky with a finger on her mouth , Reflective few instants .
"Indeed . Seen like that, it's an interesting question. Very good Ma- chan. I authorize you ask this question to the machine ."
Mara asked the question and the TV crackled for a moment before displaying an image.
Keiichi was in the dormitory , wondering how to spend her evening while he was on duty "demanded" ( muscled ), his sempais when his stomach rumbled .
Noting that he had still a little money, he decided to order a pizza and after making his selection, he picked up the phone.
Mara awaited patiently behind his desk , watching Keiichi on his screen. She had everything set up to intercept the phone call that had rotted his life in recent years.
"Come on. Speed up. I do not expect much from you, Keiichi, " she said , bursting with impatience.
Keiichi dialed the number of the pizza ... and once more the workings of fate marched, but not in the same direction this time .
Hear his phone ringing was like music to the ears of Mara picked up immediately.
"Good evening and thank you for calling the " Hell "hot" line. A partner will come fulfill your desire in a moment," told Mara enthusiastically.
Keiichi was surprised a moment.
'The " Hell "Hot " line "? A partner? My desire ? Probably an erotic phone number...' he thought it before hanging up without even answer .
While he dialed again to order a pizza , the CD player began tembled and began to shake louder. Keiichi backed away and panicked seeing the CD player will bring up in the air, surrounded by all kinds of lights before exploding.
When he opened his eyes and the smoke has been dissipated, Keiichi could see a blonde woman kneeling on the floor, covered with dust and whose eyes ... made him uncomfortable .
" You could buy more modern equipment . It hurts to travel through these antiques," declared the woman.
Keiichi did not answer. He was too surprised to react .
".Anyway, it's not so bad. I present . My name is Mara , demoness First Class . I am here to offer you a deal," Said thedemon when she presented her business card to Keiichi, who took a trembling hand .
Mara saw that Keiichi did not feel at ease. She was polished and professional however.
" Who ... who are you? " Keiichi asked to see a frightened .
"I am a demon . Me and and some others meet with humans like you to do business," Replied the sultry blonde.
"Humans like me? "
"Yes. The losers who have a really bad luck but have great potential."
Keiichi, of course, did not really believe in this story. For him, it was either a joke of his sempai, or he was in front of a crazy person. As in the other case, it was better to play the game.
"You were talking about a deal . What kind of deal? " he asked you .
"It's simple. EVERYTHING You can ask me, because I can do ANYTHING . Become the master of the world, or just be rich . Having all the women you desire, all happily ready to satisfy your most perverse fantasies, or just find a girlfriend. You can even ask you even become a demon if you want. It is very nice but the work can be very hard . The boss is very demanding . However, there are two limitations to the wish . Firstly, except under certain conditions , you only have a right to one contract. Secondly, whatever your wishes, you must offer something of same value . For example if you ask to win the super jackpot in the lottery, I would realize this wish, but in exchange you have to invest and grow half of the money in some companies that I would indicate to you. Or if you want immortality, you will in return give support and assistance to demons when they come to Earth until the end of time," Mara explained without spoiling his smile .
Keiichi was unable to determine if it was a friendly smile or that of a shark.
Without believing that so far has said the woman, Keiichi was no less distrustful.
"Okay okay. And ... uh ... If I have nothing to ask? "
"In this case I would stay by your side until you need my services. "
While Keiichi was thinking about the situation and how to get rid of the lady, Mara read his thoughts. She then saw that Keiichi did not believe at all. She was not surprised, it was very frequent in this profession.
" Keiichi , look under your feet ," she said .
Keiichi looked in and saw his feet ... floating in the air.
" OOOOUUUUAAAAHHHH!" he cried out as he panicked.
Mara did allow Keiichi to descend to the ground and then approached him again.
"Sorry for the scare, but I saw clearly that you do not believe me . So I had to prove to you that this is real . Absolutely, totally, perfectly real," Mara explained.
This time Keiichi was really terrorized . He understood that this woman was really a demon, or at least she had powers that he couldn't understand.
While he was recovering from his emotions, Mara spoken again.
" Keiichi , do not be afraid . There is no trap. This is an honest deal that I'm offering. In exchange for your help, I can change your life in all ways that you can imagine. You are right now before the chance of your life, do not waste it. "
" You ... you are a demon . If I make a vow you fulfill it in an abominable manner " screamed Keiichi in a tone that mingled fear and resolution .
Mara sighed. Why this could not be easier? Yet she showed nice to him. It was not however forget all the times Keiichi had ruined his plans. Certainly she could only remember, but they were not good memories, obviously.
"No Keiichi . We, demons , we are, by nature, very serious in our contracts . If you ask to be rich, I 'm not going to transform you into gold, or make you into an international drug traffickers. I will make a transfer to your bank account from one of our societies on Earth. I would not try to trap you. But I would ask for a return to the same extent. This is how we operate in hell. If somebody was doing you a favor, you must help him later, even if it is difficult for you. Conversely, if you serve to someone you can count on him the day you will need help. "
Keiichi felt somewhat reassured. Demon or not , the woman seemed sincere.
"You said that under certain conditions, I can take several contracts... Can you tell me more? " he asked you .
Mara smiled inwardly . The situation changed in his desires .
"This is what we call a partnership contract . You want me to stay by your side for a while. Then I fulfill all your wishes, in exchange for compensation even level, against, my power is much limit. Needless to seek wealth or immortality. By consequence, I can do many little things. Allow you to find work, to find a lost object, chase the bad weather during your vacation ... etc. I can still do magic, but nothing too important. " Mara explained .
Keiichi thought for a few minutes. There was a temptation to make a big wish, but having to pay a very high price worried him a bit. More it did not really make a great deal. Of course, he did not spit on the money, but wealth , power or all women he could ever want did not really trying. Good just for women, he confessed it in silence. For cons , the idea of having a beautiful woman by his side who could help him often in exchange for similar services in egalitarian relationship, a woman who could do magic and make his life more exciting ... . was really interesting.
"I ... I think I 'll take the partnership agreement ... if ... if it does not bother you."
At that moment, Mara bowed to the ground, head downwards, the red symbols on his forehead began to shine before a kind of laser beam goes through the floor ... without damaging the floor though.
However if the floor was still intact, all the furniture in the room was being overthrown, carried by a mini-tornado.
Someone ask why the gods and demons did not rule this problem since the time they began to fulfill vows. Yes, many people asked ... except the gods and demons.
When it was finally finished , Mara sat up with a smile ... demonic before Keiichi once again looked fright.
"I got a phone call to make," said the demoness.
One minute later, Mara was on the phone with one of her colleagues.
"It is confirmed ? Everything is in good standing ? Perfect, thank you."
Turning to Keiichi after having hung up the phone , Mara told him.
"Good news. The contract is valid. You and I are going to team up henceforth."
"Team? " Keiichi asked that all of a sudden had a doubt as to the nature of his vow.
"Yes . As I'll explain , we are partners henceforth . I will help you for your projects, and you will help me to mine. I'm sure we will do great things together."
It was not quite what Keiichi understood when the demon had told her about a partnership contract. While the deal seemed fair , even when he had the feeling of having to be done.
" He well ... better. But right now, I need you to go away if you like it because ... "
"For here is a dormitory for men and women are prohibited, is that it? Keiichi , Keiichi , Keiichi . Kind little boy. I 'm afraid leaving you is a vow that I can not fulfill. We are together now. A supreme power, the hell power we now legally bound . It is impossible to separate us. Moreover, if you do this kind of wish, you risk having problems," Mara explained.
Mara knew very well after the events. She had studied the issue of Keiichi from Belldandy with his vow .
Before Keiichi could do or say anything, he found himself out in the rain with Mara and his business, hunting dormitory by its sempais .
"What can we do? Engine my bike is broken and more I do not know where to go . " Keiichi lamented .
"This is where I stand. We are partners. Remember? I can repair your bike and we find a decent place to sleep. In exchange, you're driving and once at the place is you who make the basic facilities," explained Mara, who had all the trouble in the world to hide her joy at the success of her plan.
"I accept with pleasure." told Keiichi, totally unaware that the demon stolen his relationship with Belldandy . Forever, if it happened as she hoped .
Mara took a few hand gestures, chanting a mantra that Keiichi couldn't understand.
At once , the bike started to vibrate strongly. The engine seemed purring .
"Here. Now on track , I'll tell you the way," said Mara at his new " driver " .
Shortly after, the human and the demon disappeared into the night .
At one point, they passed a Buddhist temple. Mara insulted and screamed at the edifice, remembering all the problems that this temple had caused her in the past .
About 20 minutes later, they arrived at a building A place that seemed gloomy and deserted. Even Keiichi could feel that the place had something aggressive.
"Is this it? Are you sure? I do not feel very at ease," said the boy .
"This is normal. This place is haunted by a ghost . An earth spirit exactly. He frightens everyone since he is trapped here," Explained the demon , who knew the place and the spirit that lived there since the day she possesses the body of the little sister to Keiichi for trap Belldandy . She had imprisoned the spirit in a teddy bear. This time, she had other plans for him.
"Why did you brings in a place like if you knew it haunted ? " Keiichi asked .
" Keiichi . This is a ghost ? I am a demon . Even with limited power, I 'll settle this without any problems. This is a matter of 10 minutes at most. Wait for me here please."
Keiichi waited patiently for half an hour. At the beginning everything seemed very quiet, and then it was as if the war had broken out . He could see strange lights in the house and the roar of thunder from the inside.
When everything was calm, he ran in the building , worried about Mara .
The sight that met him was a rather surprising : the demon was trying to attach a guy with long white hair on the ground with a rope. Obviously , not everything had been as simple as expected. The blonde was completely disheveled, some of her clothes torn and as a bonus, it was covered with dust .
"Mara, are you okay? " Keiichi asked in a worried tone.
Turning to him, the demon replied, "Yes, but it was much tougher than I thought."
"Cursed demon" belched the ghost.
"Idiot , if you were listening to me instead of attacking me , you would have known that I wanted to help you," Mara retorted .
The spirit then ceased to be talk, surprised by the declaration.
"Help me? Why would a demon help me? " he asked.
"Because I want in exchange for you to do me service. Will you listen to my proposal or not?" explained Mara.
"I'm listening," replied the spirit , taken curiosity .
"I know you're bound to this place and that the flow of telluric energies was blocked , which will pose problems. So here's my offer: I fix the flow up if you agree to protect this house and this boy. "
The ghost thought a moment . He was not in the habit of negotiating with demons . However, protecting this place and be free was much more tempting than to be trapped and to suffer like now.
"I agree ."
Shortly after , the telluric flow was replaced and the ghost once again became the invisible guardian of the place . The terrifying atmosphere disappeared.
Of course, it was not even a problemadjust the small details of rent to the owner of the apartment. The owner was delighted to finally rent the place, although Mara , accustomed to negotiate contracts, was reached down a rent below the legal minimum and obtained a stay of three months.
Keiichi, in accordance with its commitments , had begun to proceed to the facilities that Mara requested. The boy felt good. The apartment was much more pleasant than his bed dormitory. No more sempais to use him and his weakness. A pretty girl at his side with magical powers he was beginning to appreciate, demon or not. In short, the future looked promising.
Mara , for his part, was blissfully happy . her plan had succeeded perfectly . Belldandy could not appear to Keiichi and could do more, now that he was under contract with the demons. This apartment was much more pleasant than the construction building where she had lived previously .
No more Hild to hang in schedule that went wrong and that Mara ended up paying (Of course, Mara admired , even revered , her boss , but she PREFERRED anyway that Daimakaicho attention is focused elsewhere than on her).
Keiichi was no longer the source of all his problem , but a good partner that would help to advance the cause of demons in the human world and, indirectly, the career of Mara .
Yes, lots of good projects turned in the head to the demoness. The future looked promising.
Meanwhile, in heaven. A goddess was in full depression.
Belldandy watched Keiichi for a long time. She had never really lost sight of since she had met as a child, even if he had forgotten .
She was so excited at the idea of the review and to grant him a wish. Now , Urd's childhood friend, Mara , had appeared and had placed Keiichi under contract with the demons. Belldandy was inconsolable. If only she had taken one of his earlier calls, she lamented ...
The TV turned itself off.
"It seems that you should have done this trip back in time instead of trying to bring Urd into a demon, Mara . What do you think?" Mokkurkalfi asked in a mocking tone.
Mara got into a bad mood.
"Are you sure that your invention works correctly? All that seems a little too good. Belldandy will not stay without reacting. Moreover, me live with Keiichi ? But of course. And we'll fall in love , get married , and make full of little devils together, " Mara replied in a sarcastic tone .
Before Mokkurkalfi can argue anything more, Hild raised her hand.
"No argument you two," she said severely.
"Yes majesty," The two demons said in in same voice, while prostrating in sudden fear.
"I prefer this. It is true that at the moment is story going well, too well for my taste. And I think Belldandy will do something, but I wonder what? What concerns me most is that goddess or demon, Keiichi always seems to have roughly the same vow. It is true that, alone, it is normal to want a beautiful woman at his side. however , whether Belldandy , Skuld , Urd , Lind, or Mara, myself , this still seems to evolve a love relationship. Besides the day I met Keiichi, I had a great desire to keep him just for me. Shame that was already under contract with Bell-chan. Yet, when you look, he has nothing really fabulous. He is nice, but it does not explain everything. Could it be some form of power, or is that I'm thinking too hard about it? I wonder..." Hild said.
Hotelkatz's notes – Ceroxon sent in the chapter and I beta-read it.