Chapter 297 – Heavenly Demon Casts Magic (6)

The sparrow-like creature had quite the foul temperament.

Despite the expectation that it wouldn’t be able to use magic, capturing it proved difficult. Even as a mere duplicate, it seemed to have amassed a minimal amount of power. Rumor had it that it was a princess—noble, beautiful, pretty, cute, and incessantly chattering. To my eyes, it was nothing more than a bird covered in fluffy feathers.

Nevertheless, its magical prowess was not to be underestimated. If I had encountered it before traveling to the past, I might have had a tough time dealing with it. I may not even have been able to subdue it.

The methods of forming contracts with spirits generally fall into three categories.

The first involves forming a contract freely with the spirit’s favor. This could occur through love or friendship, often arising when one shares a special bond with the spirit from childhood.

The second entails establishing a formal relationship through mutual agreement. In this case, one pays a sufficient price to borrow the spirit’s power.

Finally, the third method is to overwhelm and subjugate the spirit to the point of enchantment.
Initially, I had intended to choose the second approach.
However, this princess’s audacity exceeds all expectations. The sage had recommended that I subdue her using force.

– Quaang!

A bright yellow sword grazed my cheek as it passed beneath the meadow.
An explosion resounded from behind me.

‘The tree spaniel was strong enough… but this one is even more formidable.’

If the tree spaniel possesses untamed strength but abundant talent,
the woodpecker, though lacking in innate ability, feels like a battle-hardened soldier experienced in skirmishes and all-out warfare.

Thankfully, the sage had teleported us to an uninhabited location, preventing any disturbance.
I stood on the ground without taking flight and observed the woodpecker as it fluttered about.

Dozens of yellow sword tips were aimed directly at me.

“Release the princess!!!”

The enraged voice of the female knight.
It resounded like a commanding officer’s call on the battlefield.

I gazed at the wooden sprite in my grasp.
The wooden sprite, now unable to use magic, was limp in my hand and gasping for air.

The sparrow, who had sworn never to expose its vulnerable underbelly, now lay with its pristine naked form exposed in a daze.

[“I told you to release me!”]
[“…Lucy.”]
[“Your Highness, ah… Princess Eleanor. I will… ensure your safety…”]

The desperate and heartfelt conversation between the two women unfolded with poignant intensity on the battlefield.

– Chirp, chitter! Chirp!
– Chitter… chirp.

It was only because I could eavesdrop on conversations through my spirit sensitivity that I understood the situation at all; otherwise, I would have questioned what was going on. I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.

“What sort of childish game are you playing?”

The chirping of the two birds was amusing but nothing more.
It was cute, but that was the extent of it.

Regardless, that magic was indeed troublesome.
I hadn’t known that spirits had their own kingdom, but if a warrior from there were to arrive, they might conceal their true motives.

“Eleonor. Did you even have a name?”
[Huh… I didn’t want you to know.]

As the battle persisted, he must have deduced there was an escape route. The arrogance returned to the gaze of the one who had been stroking his hair moments ago.

Observe this. He channels magical energy into his fingers and softly stimulates the underside of his wings.

[…Ah, hic! Hah! My goodness…]

– Squelch, squelch.

[No, no, no, no! Cease this foolishness!]

The infuriated woodpecker screamed in convulsions. Anyone seeing this might think I had harmed the creature.

Of course, injecting high-quality mana to an overwhelming degree is effective in subduing spirits. Such a reaction is astonishing.

‘I loathe this so much… Do I really need to fight?’

As the question brushed past my thoughts, I looked at him and raised the corner of my mouth.

“Put away the sword.”
[…What?]

“If you don’t want to see your princess succumb to my power, take it off.”
[Lucy… don’t worry about me… Ah!]
“Quiet, you.”

I tapped her buttocks with my fingers.
The wooden nymph trembled hideously all over. But this time, it wouldn’t end here.

Ten fingers.
Both hands.

With black magical energy emanating from each fingertip, I caressed every inch of the wooden nymph’s body.
The wooden nymph was horrified by the slowly approaching touch.

[No, I don’t want it. Is it not over yet? How much magic…how much… Lucy! Lucy! Oh, please!!! Help me!]
[Stop, stop it! What, what do I need to do?!]

The desperate wooden nymph began to beg.
But it was already too late.
Magic swelled within the delicate creature’s body.

[Ah… the magic, the magic is… too much!]

I stroked every nook and cranny of her chin, buttocks, and back.
Though my words may be clumsy, I’m simply doing my best to caress her.

When you raise a parrot or canary, don’t you find yourself petting it if its feathers are soft? Sometimes birds are more affectionate than puppies, and they are certainly more intelligent.

[How dare you, human!]
“I can barely hear you since it’s a bird speaking.”
[Oh, well then.]

A bird convulses with a brief pause, a woodpecker screaming in a tone tinged with desperation, as if its throat was being torn apart. And yet, it doesn’t stop.

“Withdraw your magic.”
[Eleanor, sir… I am.]

Only then does communication become effective. As the dozens of floating swords vanish, I stop caressing the wooden footbar.

“And come here.”
[Ack.]

Hesitating for a moment, the woodpecker flies toward me as I stretch out my hand toward the wooden footbar once more.

It doesn’t take long for it to land in my grasp. The bird, perched on my palm, gazes at the wooden footbar next to me, its eyes brimming with emotion.

[Lucy, you should escape too…]

[Princess, how can I… leave the princess behind and flee?]

Tears well up in desperation.

I didn’t declare that I would fry them alive and eat them; even though they’re just a clone, why are they acting like this?

[Now, release the princess.]

A woodpecker glares at me fiercely.

I gripped my hand tightly and seized the woodpecker.

“When did I ever say I would let you go?”

[…You scoundrel!]

I gently stroked the wings with my thumb, infusing a slight touch of magic.

[Ugh, ugh…]

Enduring it. Considering the little lady screamed at the first touch, she’s pretty impressive.
I made a somewhat surprised face.

Not long after, the creature opened its mouth with a voice tinged with resignation.

[…What you desire, I will bear it… Just release the princess.]

It’s a heartrending sacrifice.

After all, if everything had gone according to the original plan, one contracted spirit would have been enough.

Even with a slightly lower level, it was to my advantage to have a woodpecker adept at mana manipulation as my spirit.

“Well, I’ll think about it.”

But isn’t this an excellent opportunity to form contracts with both?

There’s no reason for me to back down here. The well-fighting woodpecker is already bound to me. He can’t even use his sides, spreading his wings wide and revealing his underarms.

“[…Really?]”
“However, if you can withstand my magic.”
“[Lucy, doing that is…]”
“[It’s alright, Princess.]”

The woodpecker gazes determinedly at the tree spaniel. In his sharp eyes, a rather impressive spirit can be discerned. If he helps me, he will certainly become a steadfast spirit.

“[I will never submit to a man like this.]”
“[Lucy…]”

I conjured a pure white mana thread to bind the tree spaniel and set it down on the ground. The tree spaniel, half-exhausted but perhaps worried about this fellow, immediately rises and regards me intently.

I began caressing the woodpecker with one hand brimming with magical energy.

[I won’t let things go your way!]

* * * * * * * *

[…Ah, aah! Oh, no, h-help!]

Three minutes had passed.
A fickle, weak-willed woodpecker unable to maintain its resolve for long.

My magic. Surprisingly, it might be quite versatile.
A rare power, a type of magic I’ve never seen before in my life.
Although there are relatively few instances of black magic, one can find some if they search diligently.
Each individual is said to possess a unique magical trait, so perhaps they identified something slightly different.

When it comes to magic, they are more sensitive than any other race.

[…Ah, Lucy… Why?]

A wooden creature with an expression of despair opens its mouth and gazes upon the harrowing scene.

Initially, it writhed and resisted my touch. But now, it even rubs its body against my hand.

[…I don’t want to… I don’t want to!]
“Now your voice is resembling a bird’s song.”

Just moments ago, the sound wasn’t pleasant due to the anguished cries.
Koreans, connoisseurs of the arts.
There exists a beautiful expression, “chirping,” rather than merely “crying.”

If it weren’t for the context.
One might have mistaken the sound for a melodic song sung in a lovely voice.

“But why do they behave as if they’re in heat?”

Though it was done out of necessity, the moaning is quite the opposite of the intention.
It was meant to be soothing, but it has turned into something akin to an orc humiliating its prey.

“Would you like to form a pact?”
[…With someone like you?]
“Imagine having this magical energy supplied to you for the rest of your life.”
[…For my whole life?]

The woodpecker gazes at me with clouded eyes.
Those damp orbs are engulfed in profound conflict.

What do you think?
Isn’t it worth considering?
I’m not a malicious employer, and I don’t plan to summon and control you at my whim.

When using magic. If needed, he said he’ll provide some magical power instead of just calling upon it briefly.
Is there any reason to refuse?

My sticky voice tickled the woodpecker’s ears.

[For a lifetime. To you…]

– Thump, thump.

A rapidly pounding pulse, as if proving that even birds possess a heart.
Simultaneously, I patted the soft and fluffy rear end, much like patting a cat’s behind.
Then, as if an honest answer had been unleashed, a voice burst forth.

[…Alright! I’ll make a contract. Let me do it, please!]
[Lucy…]
[Your Highness… I’m sorry, but, but…]

– Squeeeze.

This is a catastrophe.

[…To this person, I…]

An inescapable disaster, impossible to reverse or evade.

[…I promised to serve only Your Highness…]
[Lucy!]

Exhausted, I stretched both legs out.
The feathers throughout my body were brimming with luster. The bird’s form had become incredibly beautiful due to the oversupply of magical power.
After all, the majority of the body is composed of magic.

With this much of my power supplied, it’s fair to say it’s completely filled with my essence.

[Uhhe…]
[Ah, Lucy. How much… how much?]

My voice trembles.

As the woodpecker submits to me, a solid black line of magical energy bursts from its neck. Originally, it should have been yellow, but due to receiving my power, the mana radiating from its body is also black.

That solid line connects to me, a symbol of our contract. There’s virtually no cost or anything of the sort. However, I plan to take care of the mana from time to time.

Lastly, I channeled my mana and pressed it as if prodding its belly.

“The contract is sealed. Now there’s no point in resisting. You understand?”
[Uhhhh! I’m sorry…!]
“Well then, moving on.”

I turn my gaze to the tree-legged creature. Unable to move and with vacant eyes, it remains fixated on Lucy. I slowly extend my hand.

[Lucy…]
[Your… Majesty.]

As my hand drew near, it pecked at me with its beak, as if in defiance.
It was a painless act of rebellion.
A wooden creature nestled comfortably in my palm. Intriguingly, its eyes seemed to hold a blend of curiosity and anticipation.

[Ah, ahhhh… I wish to be like that, too.]

And so it shall be.
My magical power enveloped and consumed the wooden creature.