Esdeath's summoning

Rias puffed out her cheeks. "What's wrong with me?"

"I get the feeling you're jealous, President Rias."

"Ha, how could that possibly..."

Rias instinctively tried to argue, then froze, rooted to the spot.

It seemed that really was the case.

She sat down on the sofa in a daze, Lind's face appearing unbidden in her mind.

When did it start?

It must have been a long time ago.

"Oh my, looks like I was right."

Akeno Himejima rested a hand against her cheek, wearing a fond, knowing smile.

Rias came back to her senses, tossed her crimson hair, and smiled. "Fine, I admit it. So what?"

"It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Akeno Himejima smiled. "In that case, President, you've got quite a few rivals."

Rias: "..."

Damn it, she had a point.

She wasn't a jealous woman.

But that guy moved far too fast.

Right.

I have to count Fia, too.

In an instant.

She felt as though the sky had darkened.

"Oh, you've already made breakfast."

Holding a can of ice-cold cola, Lind slowly walked down the stairs.

Akemi Miyano was setting the table. At the sight of Lind, her body stiffened slightly.

Her ears instantly turned crimson, and she stammered, "M-Master, your... your clothes..."

Lind blinked and looked down, then laughed. "What's the problem? It's not like you haven't seen it before."

Akemi Miyano's eyelid twitched at his words.

That remark.

She really couldn't argue with it.

Lind sat down across from Akemi Miyano and smiled. "Actually, I'm rather looking forward to having you join in, too."

Akemi Miyano said ruefully, "Master, aren't you afraid it'll be too much for you?"

Lind patted himself without hesitation. "You've seen for yourself. There's no problem at all."

Akemi Miyano's lips twitched, her face burning.

This master of mine.

How does he manage to be so shameless?

Vermouth is one thing.

But Shiho...

At that thought, Akemi Miyano froze, then shook her head hard.

Wait.

What kind of nonsense am I thinking about?

Watching Akemi Miyano, Lind was about to tease her some more.

Then.

His expression sharpened.

On the translucent panel.

[Demon Summoning] was glowing brightly.

"Looks like someone's taken the bait."

The corners of Lind's mouth lifted slightly.

What kind of world would be waiting for me?

Chapter 19: Esdeath's summoning

The border.

The Imperial army camp.

Esdeath sat in a chair, looking at the military deployment map before her, feeling rather bored.

"How dull."

The so-called Northern Tribes were utterly helpless against her.

At this rate.

The war would probably be over before long.

But.

She hadn't enjoyed the slightest thrill of battle.

She shook her head and prepared to get some rest, only for her gaze to sharpen slightly.

"What is this?"

A sheet of pitch-black parchment appeared before Esdeath, radiating an ominous aura.

Almost instinctively, Esdeath grabbed it.

[Demon Contract Book]

Esdeath raised an eyebrow slightly.

Though she didn't recognize a single word written on it, she understood its contents.

"A demon? How interesting."

Her lips curved into a smile.

A dangerous gleam appeared in her icy eyes.

If it's a demon, could it satisfy my thirst for battle?

She casually picked up a quill and signed her name on it.

"Then, demon, answer my summons."

A flicker of anticipation crossed Esdeath's face.

A legendary demon.

What sort of powerful being would it be?

Those were the only thoughts in her mind.

Nothing else entered her consideration.

Still...

It's probably fake.

Esdeath's eyes flickered.

After all, she'd never heard of demons actually existing.

Then she would have to investigate who had been so bold as to dare play a trick on her.

Just as she was beginning to feel disappointed, a dazzling light suddenly flashed inside the tent.

Hum!

The Demon Contract Book floated out of Esdeath's hand and transformed into a magic circle on the ground, radiating a mysterious aura.

Her pupils contracted, and she sprang to her feet.

Tap, tap, tap!

Crisp footsteps rang out.

A figure stepped out of the Magic Circle and into Esdeath's view.

He was a man with black hair and black eyes, dressed in casual clothes yet possessing an aristocratic air.

"You... really are a demon?"

Esdeath found it hard to believe.

But the Magic Circle before her couldn't be faked.

"You summoned me, yet you still have doubts?"

Lind smiled faintly. With a soft rustle, a pair of pitch-black wings unfurled from his back.

"This should be proof enough, shouldn't it?"

Esdeath's pupils contracted.

Even she was stunned by the sight.

After all, everything about this.

It shook her understanding of the world far too much.

So I've come to this world.

Meanwhile, Lind's eyes flickered slightly as well.

The instant he saw Esdeath, he knew which world he had arrived in.

A world full of beautiful girls, but a thoroughly depressing one.

Still, in his opinion.

This world wasn't bad.

The numerous Danger Beasts should provide plenty of experience.

And there are the Imperial Arms.

Most weren't worth his attention.

But a select few held astonishing potential.

Besides.

If I master the technology behind them, I could make my own.

Most importantly.

This world definitely held plenty of people qualified to become his Familiars.

At that thought, a gleam flashed through his eyes as he looked at Esdeath.

"Then, what is your wish?"

Esdeath fully came back to her senses.

Actually summoning a Demon had been somewhat beyond his expectations.

Her entire understanding of the world had been reshaped.

After all, the existence of Demons was simply too astounding.