Chapter 88

When Bullet collapsed, its power retreated to the demon world.

Then, in its place, there lay Dimit, unconscious.

I was worried about whether he would return to normal after transforming into a demon, but I was relieved that he did.

If he had died, it would have been a bad awakening.

However, since multiple people witnessed Dimit's transformation into a demon, some kind of punishment is likely to follow.

When someone transforms into a demon, they are considered to have made a contract with a devil and will be held accountable for a crime.

The people who had fainted due to Bullet's dissonance gradually recovered. After that, external magicians who noticed the anomaly came and worked hard to heal the people.

Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

The issue was whether anyone had seen my demonic power, but fortunately, everything went smoothly.

Everyone had fainted, and even if someone had seen, it seemed that no one had seen my magic as being linked to a demon.

By the way, the "Final Banquet" had a main event left, but it was naturally canceled.

It seems that the results will be based on the preliminary round.

While I wanted to participate in the main event, it couldn't be helped given what happened.

The troublesome part was that an investigation began to determine who had defeated the demon.

The person who defeated the demon was to be rewarded directly by the Marquis, but I decided to keep quiet.

Honestly, I don't like drawing too much attention, and there was a risk that an investigation into how I defeated the demon would reveal my demonic summoning.

As a result, no one claimed to have defeated the demon, so it remained unknown.

A few days after the "Final Banquet," I was accepted into the prestigious Plum Magic Academy, which was my first choice.

Well, I had performed so well in the preliminaries that I expected to be accepted.

As for Bullet:

Bullet had once been defeated by me but did not die.

However, it was forcibly sent back to the demon world as soon as it fell.

So, I plan to summon Bullet again and inform it that I will improve Ourobus's treatment in the demon world.

I can't leave Ourobus in a situation where he can't return to the demon world forever.

Since Bullet has been defeated once, I'm optimistic that it will listen to me this time.

◆

"Norman, it's all my fault!!"

When I opened the door, there was my father, prostrating himself on the floor.

Behind him stood my sister, looking exasperated.

"…Let's talk inside, shall we?"

I could guess why my father had come to this house now.

"So, what's the point of the father who kicked me out?"

When I said this, my father's forehead broke out in sweat.

"Kicking you out was a shallow decision."

"Then?"

"…I want you to return as the heir to the Eslund family."

Of course, that's what I thought.

What should I do…?

"What about Dimit?"

"He will have to pay for the crime of transforming into a demon. It's difficult for a criminal to become an heir."

"Still, it's not impossible. The transformation was partly due to circumstances beyond his control, so it shouldn't be a serious crime. I think he can be an heir."

"But, the Marquis said that only Norman can be recognized as the heir. If Norman doesn't return, the Eslund family will be dissolved."

Father whispered this in a weak voice.

I had never seen my father look so weak.

What should I do…?

I glanced at my sister. She looked exasperated, as if to say, "Oh well."

In this country, only male heirs can inherit the family name.

My sister is already engaged to another family, so even if the Eslund family is dissolved, she will remain a noble.

However, it would be a bad reputation for her to be from a dissolved family. Who would take her in?

Considering my sister, I should become the heir.

But, if I say, "Yes, I understand," it would feel like I'm just following my father's orders, which is annoying.

"Alright, I'll return to the Eslund family as you wish."

"R-Really…!?"

Father's face brightened.

"Is it okay, big brother? You're forgiving him so easily."

My sister said this.

"I need support to attend the academy, so it's fine."

If I couldn't return to nobility, I would have to earn tuition by exploring dungeons, but if I receive support, that's better.

"However, there are conditions."

"Conditions…!?"

I could hear Father swallowing hard.

"I want the authority to decide Dimit's treatment."

"Ah, that's fine."

Dimit has been living as he pleases since he was adopted, so it's necessary to put him in his place.

So, I will take the authority to handle it.

"Also… Nene, could you step outside for a moment?"

"…Alright."

My sister left the room, as if she understood.

I couldn't let her hear what I was about to say to Father.

"I can use magic because I have a secret."

"Secret?"

"Yes."

I took out the grimoire "Goetia" and explained to Father.

I summarized the details about demonic summoning and told him that I was the one who defeated the demon. This should make him fear my demonic power.

"Demonic summoning is, of course, a forbidden art in this country, right?"

"Yes, of course."

Father's expression seemed to show fear, probably because I explained that I control many demons.

"Do you understand why I'm telling you my secret?"

"I, I have no idea."

"I intend to master demonic summoning."

"Y-You do…?"

"I want you to be my backer in this. If you betray me, I will kill you."

"I understand! I would never betray you. I need your power!"

This should be enough of a threat for now.

Next time, I'll show him the full extent of my demonic power. Then, Father won't be able to defy me.

This way, I have successfully made Father a co-conspirator.

"Still, I didn't expect you to have such terrifying power."

Father said this.

"Surprised?"

"No, it makes sense. Your performance in the preliminaries can only be explained by your demonic power."

Well, without the power of the demons, I wouldn't have grown this much.

I am truly grateful to the demons.

I intend to master magic even further.

To reach the pinnacle, I will use any means necessary.

Even if it means using the forbidden art: demonic summoning.

The grimoire "Goetia" can summon 72 demons.

So far, I have only been able to summon a small portion of them.

When I can summon all 72 demons, I will likely reach the pinnacle of magic.

"To start, I will summon Bullet, who is ranked 13th."

Part 2 - End -