ILJV 03

ILJV

Posted by Arsiii_here, Released on November 4, 2025

Chapter 03

The black ironwood was burning.

Though they said black ironwood was useless as firewood since it never caught fire easily, the demon’s flame was, as expected, far stronger than any ordinary flame.

‘Still, wasn’t it supposed to be blue fire…? It’s not as blue as I thought.’

There was a faint bluish hue at the core of the blaze, but you wouldn’t notice it unless you looked closely.

‘Well, who cares about the color? As long as it burns, that’s all that matters!’

Satisfied, I sank into the sofa and gazed at the flickering fire. The warmth spreading from the fireplace melted away the chill in my body. I wouldn’t have to shiver anymore in Erel’s absurd cold.

‘There’s plenty of black ironwood around, so as long as I keep this flame going, I’ll be fine.’

“Hey.”

Unlike me, who was perfectly content with the situation, the demon looked dissatisfied. But since I’d already gotten everything I wanted from him, I didn’t feel the need to humor him anymore.

“Are you still here?”

I waved my hand lazily in his direction.

“My wish is fulfilled now, so go home.”

“Go home?”

“Yes. Home. Don’t demons have homes? Go back to where you came from.”

I didn’t know what kind of place demons lived in, but since they looked human, their way of living probably wasn’t too different either.

‘He must have a house and maybe a family too.’

But the demon frowned as if I’d said something incomprehensible.

“You’re the one who summoned me.”

“I did.”

“Then you have to take responsibility for me.”

“Responsibility? Why should I?”

“Don’t you know what it means to call a demon by name and form a contract?”

Of course, I knew. When you call a demon’s name, they appear and grant your wish.

‘Isn’t that all there is to it?’

Seeing me just blink dumbly, the demon smacked his chest in frustration.

“This contract is for life!”

“…What? For life?”

“Yeah! I have to stay by your side until you die, fulfilling your wishes endlessly!”

“…Excuse me?”

What was he even talking about? I only wanted to light a fire in my fireplace! I thought demons just granted the wish and went back to their world. A lifelong contract? Did that mean I’d have this thing hanging around me forever? I never signed up for such an annoying deal!

“But you’re a demon, right? Demons are supposed to be super selfish. Why would you agree to something so disadvantageous, a lifelong contract without getting anything in return?”

At my reasonable question, the demon thumped his chest angrily.

“That’s why we do take payment! Or we make deals with interesting humans—those who start wars or kill people!”

But I was neither of those. I’d spoken the demon’s true name, so he couldn’t demand payment, and I wasn’t doing anything remotely entertaining.

“Uh, so if I wished for you to go home, would that count?”

“No. The only way I can return to the demon realm is if you die.”

‘Which probably means he has to wait until I die naturally…’

But he was a demon. The kind who could kill a human without a flicker of remorse. Could he kill me right here and now just to go home?

While I was thinking that, the demon approached, his expression blank. He reached out and wrapped one hand around my throat. Even with the warmth in the room, his hand was chillingly cold. His grip was firm but gentle—tight enough that if he wanted, he could easily snap my neck.

Strangely, though, I didn’t feel afraid.

He chuckled softly when he saw my calm eyes staring back at him.

“You can feel it too, can’t you? That I can’t kill you.”

He let go of my neck and raised both hands.

“From the moment we formed this contract, I lost the ability to harm you. You can relax.”

“But you could still find a way to make me die sooner. Like… hiring someone to kill me?”

“Then just wish that I don’t do that.”

The demon pouted but then froze, tilting his head as if realizing something.

“Wait… are you telling me how you could die faster?”

“Well, you just told me how to stop you from killing me. Seems fair.”

His eyes darted left and right before widening in horror. He clutched his head.

“Damn it! I shouldn’t have said that!”

“Too late.”

I grinned and quickly made my wish.

“You can’t kill me—directly or indirectly. I don’t want to die.”

It was a hard-earned second life, even if only inside a novel.

‘Besides, I was reborn as a pampered noble! I deserve to enjoy some luxury before I die!’

The only problem was this troublesome demon.

“This is a disaster… No payment, no fun, can’t even kill anyone… Why did someone this boring summon me…”

Resting my chin on my hand, I watched the demon muttering “I’m ruined” over and over again.

He really was breathtakingly handsome—just as a demon of temptation should be. Even the famously beautiful crown prince couldn’t compare.

‘Silver hair and red eyes… Ivria just has plain reddish-brown hair and green eyes.’

His beauty was unreal, almost otherworldly.

‘Even when he’s sulking, he looks like a painting. How unfair.’

I sighed as I stared at the demon who looked too perfect for his own good.

“Fine. So you’re saying I have to take responsibility for you, right? I did summon you, after all. I’ll take responsibility.”

“Responsibility…”

He looked at me, his face full of skepticism.

“And how are you planning to do that?”

“Feed you and give you a place to sleep, I guess?”

After all, I was a duke’s daughter. Money wasn’t an issue. Whatever my inheritance turned out to be, it’d surely be plenty.

‘Feeding one person shouldn’t be that hard.’

But then I remembered—he wasn’t human. Maybe he needed… other kinds of nourishment.

‘Like a vampire who drinks blood?’

That might explain all his talk about blood earlier.

With a cautious look, I asked, “Demons eat normal food, right? You’re not going to make me fetch weird stuff like blood or hearts, are you?”

He frowned, looking deeply offended.

“What do you take us for? We eat bread and meat like civilized beings!”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“No problem? Eating and sleeping isn’t a life! What about pleasure? Demons live for pleasure!”

He practically shouted, indignant. I couldn’t help but laugh. Clearly, this demon had no idea what “boring” really meant.

“Wow, you’re spoiled. Want me to make your life really boring?”

“Hah! And how would you do that?”

“You said you have to grant all my wishes, right? What if I wish that you never eat, never sleep, and just stand facing the wall all day? Wouldn’t that be boring?”

His face drained of color instantly.

‘Ah, that’s the same face he made when I asked him to light the fireplace.’

Looking at his defeated expression, I knew I’d won.

“So, feeding and housing you is enough. You can find your own fun.”

He pouted but nodded reluctantly. He didn’t like it, but he had no choice.

Now that that was settled, the next issue was how to explain him to others. His appearance was far too striking to pass off casually.

‘I’ll have to come up with something…’

Just then, the demon poked my arm.

“Hey, human.”

“Yes?”

“You really don’t plan to start a war or anything?”

“Nope.”

“…Right.”

His shoulders drooped in disappointment.

Even though he had no ears, he somehow looked like a large, dejected dog with its ears drooping. I couldn’t help myself—I reached out and patted his silver hair.

He froze, then looked up at me, utterly confused.

“What was that hand thing?”

“Uh… comfort?”

“Felt more like you were petting a dog.”

Apparently, demons were very good at reading people’s minds. I averted my gaze and changed the subject.

“So what should I call you? I can’t keep saying ‘Mr. Demon,’ and I probably shouldn’t use your real name, right?”

It was just an attempt to shift topics, but it was actually a valid question.

‘I can’t just go around calling him “Demon” in front of people.’

I didn’t need the extra gossip about “the noble who summoned a demon.”

“Do you have a name you prefer? I’ll use that.”

“Doesn’t matter—it’ll be fake anyway. Call me whatever you want.”

“So it’s fine if I call you Dumbass, then? Mr. Dumbass?”

“Hey! No way!”

He shoved my hand away, indignant.

“I’m smart! Not dumb!”

“Then tell me what I should call you. Otherwise, Dumbass it is.”

“Unbelievable. How did I end up with you of all people…”

He grumbled, ruffling his hair again.

‘Ah, here we go again—the regret phase.’

Since he seemed to emit heat like the fire he controlled, I just sat quietly until he calmed down. Eventually, his muttering faded, and after a moment of silence, his low voice reached my ears.

“Harry.”

“Harry?”

“When someone calls me, that’s the name I usually go by. My true name isn’t even used among family.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Your true names are for contracts. So your previous contractors called you Harry too?”

“You’re my second contractor. The first one was some idiot who wanted to be king. He didn’t care what he called me—he only cared about my power.”

“So that means I’m the first human to call you Harry?”

“You—”

His eyes widened, and then his cheeks flushed red. He quickly covered his face with his hands.

“D-don’t make it sound weird!”

“When did I make it weird?”

“You did! Just now!”

“I just stated a fact.”