Demonic Conqueror [LitRPG, Isekai, Progression]

Energy concentrated on the wall behind him – out of view from Helmund's guards. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the room itself from darkening. Shadows stretched forward, deepening, almost seeming to come alive. Frenzied muttering swirled at the edges of their hearing.

The guardsmen fell deathly silent. They peered through the Barrier and into the room, their morbid fascination plain to see. None had witnessed a Demon's magic in-person before, so without being able to see Simon's arm or the Contract forming, they didn't know what the change in scenery truly meant.

But even then...they could still feel that something was amiss, something was wrong. The mob of armed soldiers all took an automatic step away, pressing further against the opposite wall, as if they'd sensed phantasmal fingers greedily caressing the backs of their necks.

Bastian felt no different than them. Only the unmoving Cyna behind him kept him from fleeing to the farthest corner of the room.

He merely watched, frozen motionless, as blackened words were etched onto the wall above Simon.

Clause 1: This Contract will be between the Contractor, known as Simon Cobblestone, and the Contractee, named Bastian Evergray. Simon Cobblestone is the initiator of this Contract.
Clause 2: Upon Bastian Evergray's acceptance of this Contract, Simon Cobblestone will promptly Grant a demonic Boon to him. This Boon shall vastly increase Bastian's combat prowess.
Clause 3: In exchange, Bastian Evergray will never purposefully reveal Simon Cobblestone's status as a Demon to anyone, whether directly or indirectly.
Clause 4: Additionally, Bastian Evergray will never seek to physically harm or kill Simon Cobblestone or Katarina Cartier.
Clause 5: Lastly, Bastian Evergray will unconditionally obey all commands issued by Simon Cobblestone for a period of one year.

Simon allowed a savage grin to creep up his face as his Fell magic instinctively told him the exact verbiage he wished to use. A cloying sense of satisfaction warmed his bones, like the delight of victory combined with the surety of rightful authority – and not just because forming Contracts felt fantastic.

He was luxuriating in Bastian's expression of astonishment after reading 'Bastian Evergray' clearly spelled out.

"You...know my name?" the rebel mumbled. "I...when–"

"Read fast," Simon repeated. His voice sounded calm, yet his face remained a portrait of manic glee. "The soldiers are growing impatient."

A guard struck out at the Barrier with his longsword. He retreated immediately afterwards, as if afraid the spell would strike back. When no reprisal came, several more guards unsheathed their blades, cautiously stepping forward.

There was still time. The hallway had limited space, so not all the soldiers could attack at once. Furthermore, Barrier seemed more resistant to a multitude of weaker attacks than a single crushing blow – part of why it'd crumpled under the Ravenous Wanderer's colossal strength, yet managed to trap the bandit group for so long. The spell would hold for now.

But for now wasn't forever.

Bastian cursed under his breath. His eyes rapidly shifted left, to right, then left again, hurriedly reading through the Contract.

Clauses 1 through 4 were standard procedure. Establishing identities, confirmation that the Boon would be Granted, and preventative insurance for Simon.

Nothing unusual there. Bastian wasn't like Katarina. Simon had no guarantee that any power he Granted wouldn't immediately be used against him – implementing restrictions was an absolute necessity.

The rebel hesitated when he got to Clause 5. That was fair. Even Kat had raised her eyebrows at Clause 5.

"Unconditionally obey all commands? For one full year?" Bastian shuddered, imagining what those commands might entail. "I can't–"

"Do you think I'm running a charity?"

Simon ignored the sensation of his Barrier weakening as more and more soldiers tentatively attacked it. His poker face was immaculate, exhibiting not a hint of concern or vulnerability. "I asked you a question, Bastian Evergray. You have a habit of demanding much while offering little in return."

The transmigrator's stare pierced through him. "You balk at a vow of servitude? How else am I meant to benefit from saving you and your girlfriend?" He scoffed. "Or had you assumed that your sob story was so effective that I'd taken leave of my senses? Don't be ridiculous."

Even if he'd been more sympathetic to Bastian's plight, this was one thing that Simon wouldn't have felt any guilt over. Unlike with Katarina, there was no foundation of trust built between them. 'Guy' had already tried to take advantage of them by hiding his affiliation with the Hurricane. Taking advantage of him back was simply a matter of course.

When a fisherman threw out a lure, attached with plump, juicy bait...they only had themselves to blame if a shark surfaced to drag them under the waves.

Bastian's breathing grew ragged. Droplets of sweat collected on his brow. His gaze shifted from the Contract to the soldiers – who were now picking up steam, bashing against the flagging Barrier with something akin to fervor. He looked back at Cyna once more, her skin marred by bruises and her clothes stained with blood.

"I can't." He spoke the words like they were a betrayal to both himself and the woman he loved. "You're right. I owe you. Much. But unconditional control...is..."

An absurd request, Simon finished. He'd known that when he added it to the Contract. I wouldn't accept it either.

Subjecting himself to the guards' tender ministrations would've been preferable to placing himself directly under a Demon's thumb. In theory, if Bastian signed this Contract, then Simon could compel him to turn around and lop off Cyna's head.

As the first order of many.

"You desire assurances?" The Demon rubbed his chin in consideration. "Very well. I'm feeling generous today."

By design. Opening with terms you knew would be rejected was a basic tenet of negotiating. Bastian would be more likely to accept a Contract that he'd successfully 'haggled down'. Simon wasn't a fan of straight-up mind control anyway – although what he had in mind was toeing the line.

As if scrawled by an unsteady head, the Contract gradually changed. Clause 5 was rewritten, and two brand-new Clauses appeared below it.

Clause 5 (Amended): For a period of one year, Bastian Evergray must kill anyone whom Simon Cobblestone commands. When given the order to kill, Bastian will immediately carry it out to the very best of his ability. Exclusions to this Clause are: Katarina Cartier, Cyna Noname, Bastian Evergray, and any member of the Severed Isles resistance group known as the Hurricane.

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Clause 6: At least once per day, Bastian Evergray must report to Simon Cobblestone for orders, in-person.
Clause 7: All EXP gained by Bastian Evergray shall be transferred to Simon Cobblestone and Katarina Cartier, split evenly between them.

"What is E-X-P?" Bastian asked, slowly sounding out each letter, his tone distracted as he processed the revised Contract.

"It's an aspect of the Boon." Clause 7 was more of a long-term benefit; a bargaining chip that could come in handy weeks or months down the line. "I'll explain in detail after you accept."

Simon leaned an inch closer. "So. Do you?"

"...Cyna Noname," Bastian muttered, as if just now realizing what was written. "The Hurricane. You knew...everything. From the beginning."

He gave Simon an appalled look. "How far did you plan all this out, Demon?"

Less than you'd think.

Oh, to be sure, Simon had fashioned plans. He was also cognizant of the fact that plans tended to veer off-track at the first bump in the road. While he'd predicted the general shape this interaction might take, the specifics of Cyna's condition, where they'd find her, and Bastian's temperament had all been left vague in his mind.

It made things easier. If you were good at improvising, then you always knew what your next step should be.

"Who's to say?" Simon answered, donning a mask of uncaring superiority. Not smug, per se, but feeling no need to explain himself – and tacitly implying that he had everyone in the palm of his hand. "You haven't given me a response, Bastian Evergray. Do you accept this Contract?"

Bastian hesitated. While the amended Clause 5 was a definitive improvement from before, as it now safeguarded Cyna and the Hurricane, it still controlled him to an uncomfortable degree. Hypothetically, the first command he received after they'd escaped the stronghold would be to go forth and murder countless innocent civilians.

Not that Simon had any interest in something like that. He knew precisely where he wanted to direct his new weapon – and his sights were aimed much higher than the streets of Caelryn City. But he also knew that no argument would convince Bastian to put his faith in a Demon.

No logical argument.

"Was it all talk, then?"

Simon's voice was soft. He spoke quietly, his tone free of reproach or criticism.

It made Bastian jerk back like he'd been punched in the gut. "What did you say?" he demanded.

"Your sob story may not have pulled the wool over my eyes," Simon continued, "but I'll admit that it did convince me of one thing: your love for Cyna."

He gestured at the unconscious woman. "You really do care. Deeply. I'm actually a tad envious – not sure I'll ever be able to feel the depth of emotion for someone that you do for her."

A love that was genuine, heartfelt, and sincere. A love that overwrites a person's survival instincts and makes someone else the center of their world.

A love so strong that it became their greatest strength–

Simon let out a sigh. "It's regrettable that you're still choosing to abandon her."

–And their biggest weakness.

Bastian snarled at the transmigrator as if he wanted to rip his throat out. "Don't you dare. You have no right!"

"No right to what? To offer a chance to save your lives? Because that's all I've done since the very first moment we met. You're the one who's stumbling at the finish line, refusing to take an outstretched hand when it would provide the salvation you were begging for mere hours ago."

Katarina remained silent, her crossbow pointed at the Barrier-covered entrance, but she had a disconcerted look on her face. She'd always been aware that Simon softballed her when proposing their alliance, but she seemed to be realizing just how difficult he could've made things if he'd decided to use Gerold's illness as leverage.

"Shut your bastard mouth," Bastian seethed. "Is this what you've been reduced to, Demon? Exploiting my love for Cyna as a verbal bludgeon?"

"That's a mite dramatic, don't you think? I've barely said anything...and you're already burning with guilt. Imagining what will happen when the guards reach us?"

As if on cue – because it was, with Simon having shortened his speech accordingly – the Barrier shattered into dissipating shards of mana. The attacking soldiers had whittled its reserve of MP to 0.

They were so surprised when it vanished that they failed to dodge the exploding Firebolt detonating within their ranks. Katarina had fired her crossbow the instant the Barrier broke.

Simon nodded appreciatively as the guards scrambled in shock and pain. He quickly re-formed his spell before they could charge forward, imbuing the second Barrier with 100 MP, making it half as strong as the original.

Down to 130 out of 430 MP now. "That's the last shield I'll create," Simon told Bastian. "If this one breaks as well, you can consider the Contract rescinded."

He would need every drop of his remaining mana to escape with Kat if negotiations fell through. The two rebels would simply have to fend for themselves in that case.

Bastian, for his part, looked stricken with terror. Seeing the mass of guards without a Barrier blocking their path – even if just for a moment – had driven home how very real his situation was.

Whatever doubts he might have about striking a deal with a Demon, the consequences would likely pale in comparison to dozens of longswords dissecting him within the next minute.

Simon could see the stress mounting on Bastian's face. Between the soldiers, the Demon, and the Contract emblazoned above, he felt surrounded on all sides. Like the walls were closing in. No way out. No time left. Either submit to death, or waltz into the dreaded unknown. Tick-tock. He had to make a decision. Had to–

"...hnn..."

It was a soft utterance. Scarcely even a word. Just the agonized groaning of a slightly conscious mind.

And it had more impact than anything that came before. Bastian glanced back, eyes trembling, as it dawned on him that Cyna was starting to wake.

Simon seized the opportunity like a wolf bounding at a wounded rabbit. He fixed the man with a withering gaze, opened his mouth, and struck the final blow.

"Is this the limit of your affection for her?"

There was a pause.

But not a long one.

"I...accept."