IWMHWD 92

Chapter 92 – A Contract with the Demon

2024.01.31

“What?”

“Half-demon? Is that even possible?”

At Matilda’s bombshell, the room erupted into uproar. Amid the confusion, Hayden was the first to question her.

“What do you mean? Are you saying Atillay’s disciple is half-demon?”

“Not that she is half-demon, but that there’s a possibility of it, Lord Hayden.”

Leonard corrected Hayden’s words with his arms folded.

“But how could that even be possible? Surely Matilda has some grounds for saying so?”

All eyes turned to Matilda. She continued calmly.

“I’ll have to explain from the beginning. The reason I doubt Vasquez’s birth is because of her mother, Grita Manson.”

“Manson? That name sounds familiar… Ah! Manson. She was your student, wasn’t she?”

“I recall her too. Didn’t she excel particularly in summoning magic?”

Even Menupio chimed in, memory returning. It was over twenty years ago, but one never forgets the brilliance of the talented.

“Yes. Grita was a child I cherished deeply. Had she not quit magic due to her family’s opposition, she could have become a high-ranking mage.”

Matilda’s voice softened as she recalled the young Grita, brimming with talent. But Hayden urged her impatiently back to the present.

“And what of Manson? Enough stalling—get to the point.”

“Among my students, Manson was the most gifted in summoning demons. She succeeded several times, but never contracted with any demon. Then, quite suddenly, she gave up magic, married into the Vasquez family, and not long after… bore a child.”

“And what’s strange about that?”

“She was born unable to conceive, by nature. Moreover, about a year before giving birth to Cordelia Vasquez, there was a Collapse in northern Ersche. Is it truly coincidence?”

Matilda swept her gaze slowly over those gathered. Hayden, looking grave, pressed further.

“So you’re saying Manson contracted with a demon in order to have a child?”

“But that’s only circumstantial. Where’s the proof that our Cordelia is half-demon?”

Kaynun frowned, disputing her claim. Matilda accepted the objection without resistance.

“Yes, it’s all circumstantial. But suppose Vasquez can drink demon’s blood mixed in tea without harm, and demons and beasts alike are strangely drawn to her—doesn’t that change things?”

“What are you talking about now?”

Menupio asked. Matilda briefly explained the incident when she had offered Cordelia tea laced with beast’s blood. Hayden leaned forward, grave.

“What was uncovered in the Collapse twenty years ago? Did they find traces of Manson?”

“No. Nothing—not even a trace of her. I checked the records of the investigation, but they were suspiciously brief, as if someone had deliberately buried the incident.”

“That does sound suspicious.”

“Suspicious? Hah. Sounds like conjecture to me. In the end, the only evidence you can point to is that she drank demon’s blood tea unharmed. Is that really enough to brand someone a demon? That’s absurd.”

Kaynun glared around the room, his chest puffed with indignation. Menupio agreed, adding:

“Indeed. Besides, demons and humans are different species. A half-blood couldn’t even exist.”

“You say it can’t happen simply because no one has ever tested it.”

Matilda countered immediately. Kaynun smacked his chest in frustration.

“So what exactly are you saying? That Cordelia is half-demon and should be expelled from the Association?”

“Expelled? No. If she truly is half-demon, she must be killed—to prevent any possible harm.”

“You’re insane! Kill her?!”

Unable to contain his fury, Kaynun shot to his feet, pointing accusingly at Matilda. She didn’t even flinch.

Hayden exhaled sharply and spoke in her defense.

“Matilda isn’t wrong. If someone truly bears demon’s blood, what then? How many times have we seen mages driven mad after contracting with demons?”

“Those were fools who traded their souls for power! There are plenty who didn’t. You can’t condemn someone on that basis! Atillay! Say something! Are you going to sit there while they call your Cordelia half-demon and talk of killing her?”

“I was waiting until you’d all said your piece. Have you finished?”

Leonard, who until then had been silent and aloof, finally straightened his back. That alone made him seem towering.

He swept his arrogant gaze over the four mages in turn. His voice was cold and cutting.

“You seem to forget—Cordelia is my one and only disciple, and heir to Acheron. If anyone so much as lays a finger on her, I will erase the offending faction from existence. Let that be clear.”

“Atillay, think rationally. The one you’ve taken as your disciple might not even be human—she could be a demon…”

“Who was Trisca’s successor again? Ah, Amelie Pachel. She’d be the first to die.”

“You… Are you threatening me?”

Matilda’s black eyes flashed. Leonard neither mocked nor raged; he simply spoke as if stating fact.

“This isn’t a threat. I’m merely telling you the order in which things will happen. If you insist on branding my disciple a demon and declaring she must die, I’ll respond in kind.”

“You’re blinded by her. Tch. All this fuss—for a mere disciple!”

“Did you say ‘mere disciple’? Then I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I killed your most prized pupil, Lytton, Lord Hayden?”

“Atillay! Watch your tongue! Do you know where you are?”

Hayden slammed the table, enraged. Leonard dropped his formal speech and answered in his true voice.

“Don’t flatter yourselves. I only speak respectfully to the other Seirius because I trained under sixteen of them—not because I consider you my teachers.”

“…”

“I am Seirius of Acheron, head of House Atillay, and Court Mage of Ersche. And you dare—you dare to speak of killing my disciple in front of me?”

The oppressive force of his words silenced the chamber.

“This is your only warning: if I hear one more word about my disciple being a demon or needing to die, that faction will lose its successor. Don’t believe me? Try it—I will.”

“Do you think the Roepel Association would stand idly by if you did something like that?”

Matilda asked, sitting straight-backed. Leonard gave a faint smile.

“The question should be reversed, Lady Matilda. If you dare lay a hand on my disciple, do you think I’ll leave the Association standing?”

He rose from his seat. The air was so heavy not even eyes dared to move.

Just before leaving, Matilda called after him.

“Even so, I’ll continue investigating whether your disciple is truly human. You can’t stop me.”

“Do as you like. It won’t change a thing.”

He tossed the words aside, and left. Only after the door shut did Kaynun release his held breath.

“That lunatic. I knew he was mad, but the way he talks…”

“I expected resistance, but such ferocity?”

Menupio clicked his tongue. Hayden merely glared at the seat Leonard had vacated, saying nothing more.

The calmest of all was Matilda.

“In any case, we must verify if Vasquez truly is half-demon. I’ll continue investigating and share the results.”

“And what good will that do us? He’ll shield her regardless.”

“If she’s human, no matter. But if demon’s blood runs in her, she must be killed—whatever it takes.”

“Matilda, did you already forget what that bastard just said? He wasn’t bluffing—he’ll do it. If you touch Cordelia, what disaster will you bring on us?”

Kaynun struck his chest in frustration. Matilda remained unmoved.

“If something that should not exist in the human world does exist, it must be erased.”

“Talking to you is like talking to a rock. Fine. But know this—I stand with Atillay. Don’t you dare scheme against our Cordelia. I’ll be watching.”

Shaking his head, Kaynun left with that warning. Matilda too departed slowly, heading for her laboratory.

Her mind was filled with the memory of Grita’s final moments twenty years ago.

“Master… I’m sorry for leaving like this. I truly am sorry.”

Grita had wept bitterly, begging forgiveness. Matilda had embraced her tightly, saying:

“You are my most beloved student. Don’t cry. Wherever you go, I’ll always be with you.”

“Lady Matilda.”

“Greetings, Lady Matilda.”

Outside her laboratory, Rosenbloor and Cordelia were waiting for her.

Matilda studied Cordelia’s face. She didn’t much resemble Grita. Grita had hair like pale gold and light brown eyes, and unlike lively Cordelia, she had been quiet and timid.

“What is it?”

“We came to ask you about Lydia. If you don’t mind, may I trouble you with a few questions?”

“Very well. Come in.”

“I’ll be going then.”

Cordelia stepped back, bowing lightly.

“Thank you for waiting with me, Cordelia.”

“Not at all. I was happy to see Lord Rosenbloor again, after so long.”

“If you have time, why don’t you come in as well?”

“Eh? Me too?”