Chapter 16. Contract with Sylph

"And so it was that the Seraph who rebelled against the great Ilias came to be known as the Monster Lord and—"

"How dare you imply the Dark Goddess was one of your minions!?"

"Ow, ow, oww! Luka, save me!"

The group had escaped San Ilia and had chosen a good spot to camp before entering Sylph's Forest. The story that was told to Alice was about the rise of the Monster Lord, according to how it was conveyed among humans... which was obviously fake, and the degradation of the Dark Goddess made her furious. In addition to coiling her tail around Lolias, Alice also violently pulled on her cheeks.

With a wry smile, Luka rescued Lolias from her predicament, resulting in her hiding behind him again. However, as she was hiding, she was also stealthily writing down the contents of her future revenge in her notebook for divine punishments. Luka did not bother counting how many pages she had already gone through; the notion of how just high the number might be honestly scared him a bit.

"Still, the first generation Monster Lord, Dark Goddess Alipheese... I wonder what she was like."

"She was several times as big as that Monster Lord over there and a hundred times as repulsive. But as much as it pains me to admit, she was only slightly weaker than me."

"No way, the Dark Goddess was definitely stronger!"

"What are you even saying!? I am stronger! Me!"

Their quarrel refused to quiet down, perhaps because it was a sensitive topic. Pushing the noise into the background, Luka imagined what the Dark Goddess may have looked like. Alice's mother, Alipheese the Fifteenth, was certainly sizable. In that case, was the First's appearance even more fearsome? Either way, he had a strange certainty he would come to find out eventually.

"...Whatever. In any case, it is time for today's lesson, Luka."

"By all means."

Whether sick of that specific futile argument or simply tired of quarreling altogether, Alice decided to change the subject. Of course, Luka had no objections. Lolias was grumbling behind his back as usual but couldn't do anything but watch as she had nothing to contribute when it came to the techniques of monsters.

"So this is how to use your magic to appeal to your opponent's mind to calm..."

"...Like this, right!"

Luka learned Demon Eyes of Sleep.

"As quick as ever. There will likely be many cases in which you won't want to hurt your opponents too much, so I am sure it will prove useful."

"Right, thank you, Alice!"

And so he learned the Demon Eyes of Sleep. If anything, it seemed like a technique that would also come in handy outside of combat.

"You know, with the sword techniques that the other me taught you as well as the magic skills that I did... You have learned a considerable number of monster skills. At this point, I doubt anyone would argue were you to call yourself a first-rate Monster Swordsman."

"Uhh... Well, I mean, I did take the Monster Swordsman Job for a time, but..."

"I will not accept that, Luka! You will become a Hero of Light in my service!"

"Hmph, are you fine spending your life in Heaven as nothing but a pet, chained by innumerable restrictions? Life among monsters is far better in comparison. You can live as you please, unbound by ridiculous commandments."

Lolias was infuriated as Alice tempted Luka with a wicked expression. They were akin to an angel and devil on one's shoulder. But their back and forth soon came to an end.

"By the way, Luka. You have yet to pay me. I believe I am due a considerable amount of compensation for today," Alice said, licking her lips.

But before Luka could be captivated by the lascivious display, Lolias glomped onto him from behind, threateningly hissing at Alice as if to claim her ownership.

"I will not permit this, Monster Lord! I have no intention of letting the commandment against intercourse with monsters be violated any further!"

Yet, despite saying that, she was breaking one of her own commandments at the same time. (Thou shalt not disgrace the Goddess.)

"Quiet. Nobody asked you."

But obviously, her demand was ignored by Alice, who sent the disturbance to sleep with a flash of her eyes.

"Alright, she won't be waking up until tomorrow. Luka, hurry up and throw her in the tent. As for us, we shall thoroughly enjoy ourselves tonight.~ This flower of mine also hasn't been... watered recently."

"P-Please be gentle."

There was no escape now. Half in trepidation, half anticipation, Luka slowly approached the Monster Lord's trap.

"AAAHHHiii!?"

The next morning, the Goddes vented her anger on an already emaciated Luka.

"So this is the Forest of Spirits?" Alice hummed, looking around with curiosity, whereas Lolias was clearly dissatisfied with Luka intending to borrow the power of the Spirits.

It was impossible to see deep into the forest due to the denseness of the foliage and trees, and, likely due to the abundant power of spirits, it was richer in vitality and mana than any ordinary forest. This was only Luka's second visit, but he acutely picked up on the small differences.

"Hmm, aren't there rather few Chi Pa Pas around?"

"Why, what about those obnoxious little spirits?"

Luka's companions looked at him quizzically, knowing better than to make light of any sense of unease or strangeness he felt. However, Luka wasn't quite sure himself.

"There were Chi Pa Pas all over the place in the other world... maybe that was also caused by the world's anomalies..."

"No use thinking about something that cannot be verified. Is there any danger here?"

"For so many of those things to be born..."

"There was a terrible abomination wandering about over there... but there seems to be no sign of it here."

After thinking about it for a moment, Lolias decided to follow Luka as there seemed to be no great danger nor likelihood of ghosts popping up.

"I see. In that case, you should go by yourselves. I do not wish to startle the fairies with my presence."

"Okay. Don't go picking up anything weird and eating it because you're bored, alright?"

"As if I would!"

With a hiss at their backs, the two entered the forest. Though no humans walked this forest, the pair was able to follow a narrow path trod by elves and animals through the trees. Lolias, her wings stowed away and quite small in general, had no trouble proceeding. Though she had likely often watched from above, this viewpoint was likely a first for her. She looked around, keenly observing the plants she had created.

"It seems plants also evolve a good deal when you leave them alone for a while... Hmm?"

Due to her careful observation, she managed to spot a small figure amidst the trees. A fairy.

"A fairy? Getting involved with them will be annoying; let's just—"

"Ah, a human!"

"...Too late."

The fairy innocently fluttered up to Luka. Though wary of any mischief, he decided to greet her.

"Hello there."

"Hi!~ Wanna play with me, mister?"

"Um, I'm in a bit of a hurry, but... what do you want to play?"

"See this succubus flower? I'll use it to play with your weenie. It'll make you let out lots of white pee. Playing with it till you pass out is really fun~"

"N-No way, you can't do that sort of thing!"

Luka refused the game, which was even worse than expected, with all his might. Lolias, meanwhile, was enraged by her words.

"Such depravity! As expected, a monster remains a monster, even if small! Get out of my sight, or I will put an arrow in you!"

Having several arrowheads shaken in her direction, alongside an angry expression, made the fairy tremble in fright and escape. "Uwaah, scary!"

Luka let out a strained laugh at the sight. However, a set of footsteps could soon be heard approaching from the direction the fairy fled to."

"Aiming arrows at a fairy, how could you!?"

An Elf appeared.

"I am this forest's protector, and I will not show mercy to ruffians like you!"

"Who are you calling a ruffian!? Do you mean to call a fairy who was going to violate a poor boy until he faints innocent!?"

The elf winced at those words but quickly recovered.

"T-That's still no reason to point arrows at her! That's dangerous!"

"A monster wouldn't die from that much! But if you're picking a fight, I'll take you up on it!"

"You're the one who just entered this place without permission! I will get rid of anyone who dares disturb the peace of the forest!"

"Whoa!? Would you two cut it out!?"

The two faced each other with bows drawn. But rather than a tense standoff, they immediately began shooting at each other.

"Ah, geez! Can't you control your bloodlust a little, Iris!?" Luka shouted as he prepared to step in.

Luka used Cyclone Blade!

The sword, swung at extreme speed, created a powerful wind that swept away the numerous arrows released by both sides. The elf couldn't help but shudder after seeing the mastery in that attack.

"W-Why would a swordsman of such skill bother coming to a place like this... There is nothing here but monsters and animals living out their days in peace!"

"I am here to make a contract with Sylph. I don't mean to cause any harm... though I'd still like to protect myself when necessary."

Luka blocked a pouting Lolias' line of fire with his body, returning his sword to its sheath to show he meant no harm. Though clearly doubtful, the elf also lowered her bow.

"A contract with Sylph? I wonder how long it has been since the last human has come here for such a purpose... Well, it does seem you do not hold any hostile intent. So long as you can keep a leash on that squirt, I won't complain."

"Who are you calling a squirt!?" Lolias hissed again as Luka moved to calm her down.

"I hate to ask this of you, but since you seem rather strong, would you be willing to get rid of an unnatural creature in this forest should you come across it?"

"An unnatural creature!? By any chance, was its entire body a strange color and holding a scary sword like this!?" Luka asked while taking out Angel Halo. Though intimidated by the sword, the elf shook her head.

"I-It didn't have a creepy sword like that... though it certainly was creepy. You will know the moment you see it."

Apparently, it wasn't the same one Luka knew, but that was no reason for him to let down his guard.

"Alright. I'll deal with it if I find it."

"Thank you. That thing devours humans and monsters indiscriminately. Talking to it doesn't work either. I'm not sure if it even has emotions or consciousness."

It seemed to be even more ill-spirited than Luka expected. That thing he found back over there may have seethed with wrath against angels but didn't lay a finger on the elves or fairies. It was probably a different sort of monster.

"Hmm... Was there a monster like that?" Lolias tilted her head, unable to remember. Seeing that, Luka decided to be even more vigilant.

"We'll be off then. Would you mind making sure no other monsters fall victim, Miss Elf?"

"I was planning on it, but it's a bit difficult with the amount of pra— AAankks!?"

The elf made to leave but was promptly swallowed by a trap hole opening below her.

"Hurray~"

"We did it!~"

Two Fairy Twins flew over to peek into the hole while giggling cheerfully.

"Argh! You two and your stupid pranks! That does it, I'm gonna get you!"

"Yay~"

"Time to run~"

"It would seem unless we get rid of that creature, there will be a good deal more victims, after all."

"...Are they gonna be okay?" Luka let out an anxious sigh at the scene.

The two went deeper into the forest, following the increasing mana density. On the way, Luka made friends with some fairies and fixed a Jack O Lantern's flute until, finally, he felt a familiar presence.

"Hmm?... A human... and an angel? What do you want here?"

Sylph appeared!

"I'm here to contract with you."

"Seeing through my disguise... I suppose, despite everything, you are ultimately still the one who governs the wind element."

A slightly dissatisfied Lolias hiding behind his back, Luka began to negotiate. The innocence made him feel a bit nostalgic.

"What for? I'm not gonna lend my power to bad guys, you know?"

"I want to create a world in which monsters and humans can live in harmony. A world of peace. For that reason, I need your power."

"Hmm~ I see..."

She stared at Luka, listening to the whispers of the wind. In the next moment, her eyes went wide, and she turned toward the hiding Lolias.

"Huh?... That tiny angel... That's Ilias?"

"Don't speak my name so casually! And bow when you address me!"

Sylph floated closed, looking her over.

"Haha, you're not scary at all with your body like that~"

"Grrr... Get back here, you dolt of a spirit!" She angrily chased after Sylph but was unable to catch up due to her speed, only resulting in tuckering herself out. Luka watched the commotion with considerable surprise.

"Eh!? You can tell even that much!?"

"Yup. The wind tells me all sorts of things~." She shot Luka a smile while floating about and teasing Lolias.

"Sooo, the power of spirits can't be lent to someone weak, you know?... Or rather, someone weak won't be able to use it. So we'll have to check if you're gonna be able to, right?"

"Luka, Luka! You must render divine punishment upon this monster!"

"Didn't I say I was just here to borrow her power!?... But I suppose if the trial is combat, I will accept!"

Having said that, Luka launched into a blindingly fast Gale Thrust the moment his sword left his sheath. It pierced Sylph's barrier of wind, but he made sure it would stop before striking her actual body. The tip of the sword drew to a halt just before Sylph's eyes, causing her to quiver.

"Waaah! That was scaaary! You're so meeean!"

Sylph was defeated! 2000 experience points obtained!

"Um... sorry?"

Even back over there, her combat ability had been low, as she was unused to fighting. Sure enough, it was the same here. It was hardly a surprise that an encroaching blade piercing through her barrier was incredibly frightening.

Sylph let out a sniff. "I'm... actually really bad at fighting... I've never even used the wind in a fight..."

"R-right..."

She had already become considerably fearsome with her use of the wind in the other world, but it seemed Luka had made a mistake in relying upon that image of her. But while he was reflecting on his actions, Lolias seemed gleeful to see Sylph crying.

"Have you finally understood the gulf in strength? Henceforth, you shall be worked to the bone by Luka akin to a workhorse."

"Waaah!"

"I won't do something cruel like that!"

Luka did his best to soothe the crying Sylph, who gradually began to calm down.

"...You won't do anything mean?"

"I won't, don't worry."

"It looks like you'd be able to make good use of that power... Okay, I'll lend you my strength!"

Sylph smiled, after which a dazzling glow began to emanate from her as she moved inside Luka. At that moment, a forgotten but familiar sensation spread through his entire body. He could feel the breath of the wind inside him once more.

"It seems the contract was a success. Then, let us finally get out of this forest, Luka."

"We have to deal with that creature first... wait, that presence!?"

There was another presence beside the approaching Alice. It was a completely unfamiliar and strange feeling... no, perhaps close to chimera monsters. Facing that direction, Luka drew his custom sword and Angel Halo.

"Luka, it seems you have managed to contract with Sylph... But what is this presence?"

It seemed like Alice had also entered the forest, feeling the repulsive presence within.

"I don't know. This is the first time I'm feeling it, too."

The two became increasingly wary, and Lolias took cover behind them. She must have felt she wasn't yet a match against it in that form. The creature soon appeared; it was a monster that looked like its entire body had been parasitized by plants. Its human part showed no emotion whatsoever, blank, empty eyes facing toward them. There was no doubt this was the creature the elf had been referring to.

"Alice... do you know what this is?"

"No. Even I do not. Hey, Iris! Do you know anything?"

"Um... I think... I did... at some point."

However, her memory capacity had shrunk alongside her body, causing several blank spots to form so she couldn't remember clearly. Clicking her tongue at her uselessness, Alice then had to hurriedly dodge an indiscriminate attack by the monster before them together with Luka.

"...What is the meaning of this? Daring to attack me—"

"At the very least, we can be certain there is no sanity left in her!"

Grabbing Lolias, Alice jumped back to a safe distance, simultaneously condensing her magical power into a whirlpool of flame that she launched against the creature. Yet even in that condition, it still had some strength left over despite being struck with its elemental weakness.

"...What!? How can it still keep going after receiving my attack!?"

"That can't be normal, but it's not an apoptosis either. But then we'll just have to figure out what it is!"

After making sure Lolias was secure, Luka stepped forward as if to swap with Alice. A voice resounded from inside him. "Wind is pretty effective against plant-type enemies~" Heeding Sylph's advice, Luka activated her power. A storm sprung into existence around him, tearing apart any of his opponent's ivy, leaves, and flowers before they could reach him.

"Sylph, lend me your power! Thunder Thrust * Gale!"

Luka's movement was imbued with the power of the wind. With a flash of his blade, petals scattered and danced in the wind, the only thing left in his wake being a strange field of flowers.

"Just what was that thing... it didn't seem to be an Alraune either..."

"It seems like it was a parasitic monster. That woman was a human serving as a host... a living corpse infected with parasitic plants."

As Luka and Alice were carefully studying it, Lolias approached from behind.

"Ah, I remember now. It's a parasitic monster developed by Promestein. Still, I think she didn't use any still-living humans."

"What!?" Luka shouted after hearing that explanation. 'Promestein was the one who did this!?'

"But... But... Ah, I guess she did have that sort of 'What's wrong with using corpses?' kind of attitude when fighting against Chrome... but... no way..."

He once more felt the differences between the worlds. Even the small Promestein was quite the mad scientist herself, but how much worse would a grown-up version be...

"...This is not a pleasant sight to behold for me either."

"Indeed. Sheesh, best I throw her back into that cave once I regain my power."

A silence settled over the three of them, but the residents of the forest were quick to shatter the solemn atmosphere.

"Did they get that scary thing?" A face exiting the undergrowth asked, followed by several more risking cautious peeks.

"That flower monster was really scary. It would eat you if it ever found you..."

"But it's gone now!"

A large group of fairies began gathering from the trees and grass; even the elf from earlier showed her face.

"Thank you, mister!"

"You too, scary lady!"

"...S-Scary?"

Alice received some mental damage from those words, and the elf went pale when she saw her. She must have realized Alice's identity.

"H-Hey, you are being very ru—"

"Let's go play!"

"Listen to me, would you!?"

But there was no way the free-spirited and mischievous fairies would listen to such a thing.

"Hey, there's this big castle close by!"

"Yay, let's go play some pranks there!"

Hearing their conversation made Luka's head hurt a bit.

"S-Stop it right there, you pranksters! The holy city is off limits!" Lolias shouted, but a considerable group of fairies left the forest one by one.

"Aaah... My head hurts... M-My apologies, Monster Lord... and thank you for getting rid of that creature for us."

"...Mhm. That is one of the Monster Lord's duties. Pay it no mind."

Mindful of Alice, who was still bothered by being called scary, the other two spoke in hushed whispers.

"A nearby castle that's probably..."

"San Ilia. We have to go check, Luka!"

And so, they visited San Ilia once more. In addition to the ghosts, one could now see fairies playing pranks all over the city.

"One would be hard-pressed to think of this city as holy."

"Aahhh... such tragedy..."

Just as Alice said, this kind of havoc wasn't exactly fitting to be called holy. Even the Pope was a target of the fairies' pranks. But... ultimately, a form of coexistence had begun to sprout... sort of.

"Uuuh... has the faith already been lost so soon?"

"No, that's not the case."

Taking the crying Lolias' hand, Luka led her to the church inside the castle of San Ilia. There, young, old, ghosts, and even fairies were praying to the statue of the Goddess. And on the way, there was also an avid theologist engaged in a passionate debate with a ghostly priest who had maintained his faith even in death.

"Maybe the total amount of faithful has decreased. Still, there are lots of passionate believers. Even ghosts and some monsters pray to Ilias."

"..." What exactly it was that the Goddess thought while seeing this scene, none could tell.

"Um. In the other world, it's been thirty years since Ilias' disappearance, but even still, there are many people fervently praying... so there's no reason to be so down, okay?"

Luka seemed to be trying his hardest to comfort her. And when she thought back on it, he had always been devoted, even back when Ilias was still watching from up high.

"...You may be right. A different point of view just means another perspective... Luka, continue serving me well in the future, too."

"Yes, Lady Iris."

The answer was without any hesitation, sparking joy inside the little Goddess.

"...Are you done talking? If so, let us finally leave this place."

"...I believe I shall concur to that sentiment."

"You two are still scared, huh..."

The pair was still desperately trying to hold their body back from trembling.

A dream. Adventures of Heroes from other worlds, called forth by a rabbit. Memories of battles against a terrifying alliance.

A fleeting dream. Another world together with Alice and Kazuya...

A connection to somewhere. Standing against him... Hakunen?

"AAA■AA■AA!?■"

Luka jolted awake. He clearly remembered the first dream. In fact, it wasn't a dream but a memory of himself progressing further. The other two, he could not remember. What were those dreams? When he tried to recall, a flash of pain went through his head.

However, some things remained with him. The memories of battles, the skills taught to him by the Heroes of the other worlds, and most importantly...

"The sexual techniques taught to me by Lars, Novissa, and Lauratt... With those, I can even win against monsters!" (He won't.)

What would tomorrow hold for Luka, who had awakened to new powers and became even more delicious as prey!?

TN: We're quickly approaching the (current) end of this tale. There are two untranslated chapters left. After that... well, there is only hoping that the original author will continue at some point.