NOVEL NEXT Episode 2 – The Creepy Demon King (2)
“So, a Magical Girl is…”
[Let’s skip all that. So, it’s possible. Impossible.]
“Hyiyah!”
Maybe I was feeling a bit excited, as I unconsciously wrapped my tentacles around her limbs. I usually enjoyed this kind of play more than I should.
[Ahem, just tell me the conclusion.]
“It’s possible, definitely possible! A Magical Girl uses her own potential! With a Demon King like you, for sure!”
[So you’re saying I can have a human body.]
“Gehak…”
I couldn’t hold back my excitement. The thought that I could obtain a new body—something that was impossible with any magic in the Demon Realm—was exhilarating.
[Oh, sorry.]
I quickly released the tentacles that were around Yuria’s neck. I sometimes got carried away with my choking play.
[Alright. This is a very interesting contract.]
“Please, spare me… spare me…”
[I have to do this.]
I had already made up my mind. This was an opportunity I could not miss.
If I could get a human body and return to Earth—that would be amazing. Of course, in the Earth I knew, Magical Girls only existed in fiction.
But who cares? Even if that Earth wasn’t the same one I originally lived in but a fictional world like this, it still had the internet, people, and delicious food.
That meant all those things I had never forgotten existed.
[I want to hear more about the contract, Head Yuria.]
“Y-You want to make a contract?!”
[Is that a problem?]
“Not really, but…”
Her eyes, looking at me in fear, wavered. After all, a terrifying tentacle monster like me didn’t quite fit the image of a Magical Girl.
Especially since, before possessing this body, she had been an army corporal on vacation. But to me now, a Demon King who had lived for over a century, that didn’t matter at all.
“You… surpass every fairy kingdom and even stand shoulder to shoulder with the Cosmic Tree Yggdrasil. Why would someone like you want to be a Magical Girl?”
[That’s my desire. Is that wrong?]
“Yikes.”
When I glared at her slightly, she flinched and quickly pressed her forehead to the ground. After bowing repeatedly, her forehead was already red.
“Magical Girls are fundamentally in a hired position, moreover, a debtor’s role. Our Fairy Kingdom borrows power from Yggdrasil to pull out their potential, and in return, they face villains. There’s no reason for a great being like you to take on such a role…”
[Isn’t that a cliché? Magical Girl stories oddly have this bleak taste. But what of it? If I contract with you, are you going to propose an unfair contract like everyone else?]
“Of course not…”
She shrank away immediately.
I heard she gambled everything to save a dwindling company, but looking at her actions, she didn’t seem very bold.
[Then what are the terms of the contract you will offer me?]
I leaned closer to her, who was lying flat on the ground. With her eyes tightly shut, she replied that she would employ all her authority to answer me.
[When you leave, you must give me a part of your body infused with your magic. Yes, that hair will do. If you don’t return by the deadline, I will, of course, lead my proud Demon Realm army to invade and butcher all your fairies alive.]
“H-Hii…”
[Now go. I hope you bring good answers.]
I yanked a handful of her hair and kicked her rear, throwing her into the Dimension Gate. Even after she vanished, I felt pretty good.
Surely I wasn’t dreaming, was I?
“Did you call, Your Majesty?”
[Are the princesses awake? Throw them in here. I’m in a good mood now.]
“That’s a relief, Your Majesty. I will send them right away.”
Robert bowed his head and exited the room. For now, I planned to keep quiet about the fairies of this world until the end.
*
[It should be about time… I should have announced the time too.]
A day, two days, three days passed. I anxiously paced around the room waiting for news.
I had threatened them that I would invade, but to be honest, I had no intention of doing so.
I didn’t even know what kind of place it was.
[Hmm?]
Turns out my worries were unfounded. The Dimension Gate opened once again. And there stood Yuria, looking haggard, alongside another fairy.
“I greet the Demon King of this world. I am Rana, the president of Rana Land.”
She adjusted her silver glasses, deeply bowed her head, and introduced herself politely.
I understood the situation roughly. This wasn’t a bad scenario for me. It was quicker to talk directly with the top decision-makers than to drag things out.
[Alright. Then I will treat you as proper envoys, and let’s begin negotiations now.]
I extended my tentacles to pull the desk and chairs to ourselves. We sat facing each other to engage in the serious business of contract discussions.
“First of all, I must inform you that this large-scale recruitment is something neither we nor any fairy kingdom has ever attempted before.”
[Good. I understand.]
“Thank you, Demon King. Therefore, please note that the terms of this contract are all unprecedented.”
She carefully presented the documents she had prepared. I took them. Even if I was seeing the characters and language of another world for the first time, it wouldn’t be a problem with translation magic.
“As you can see, the fact that the contract with the Demon King must be conducted in extreme secrecy means we have no choice but to use the standard contract. However, we can add additional clauses as per each company’s policy.”
[What exactly do you mean by “villains”? Witches? Monsters from other worlds? Terrorists? Aliens? Criminals?]
“All of the above.”
I made a joke, but Rana remained serious, her glasses gleaming.
The contract stated that Magical Girls must actively eliminate villains and transfer the wealth energy they possess to the fairies.
On top of that, there was a clause that obligated them to attack enemies designated by the fairies.
What kind of Magical Girl would be like this? More like a hired thug.
[Remove that conscription obligation. I will do my basic duties. But I have no reason to follow your orders. Why? Because you are weaker than me.]
“But…”
“He’s right, Your Majesty.”
Rana covered Yuria’s mouth. I commanded the abolition of the conscription clause.
Honestly, besides that, there wasn’t much else. Real-time tracking and not causing harm to regular people — those were just basic things. The rest were formalities like not disclosing the contract details to other companies.
[In that case, let’s talk about the special clauses. The problem is that this type of contract is new to us, so we are admittedly ignorant of your side. Therefore, let’s begin with the unavoidable rules.]
First, my identity must remain a secret, acting like an ordinary Magical Girl.
And because the Magical Girl’s contract must go through the Cosmic Tree Yggdrasil, a maximum limit is set. This limit being just a fraction of my actual power was somewhat unsatisfying.
“But as for the maximum, the SSS-ranked Magical Girls recognized by the Fairy Kingdom throughout Earth’s history have been less than five.”
[Understood, let’s skip that part.]
I didn’t think I would need great power. In fact, as long as I knew the coordinates of Earth through these fairies, I could directly open the Dimension Gate.
The power wasn’t an issue.
“This is the connector that helps an ordinary girl transform into a Magical Girl.”
She pulled out what looked like an ordinary red jewel.
[A magical enchantment resides within it. It’s a spell to store the target’s power.]
“The laws of the Cosmic Tree…”
“Usually, it’s worn as a necklace, bracelet, ring, etc.”
Yet again, Rana covered Yuria’s mouth, who looked horrified. I smirked as I accepted the jewel.
[Lets discuss special terms. First, I will not be subject to any interference from you, your fellow fairies, or anyone else.]
“As long as you follow the regulations, we will cover you. So, it’s feasible.”
[Next, you also must remain silent about this matter.]
“…That’s feasible.”
[Lastly, it’s about renewing our contract every certain period.]
My eyes widened. Did she grasp the meaning? Rana’s face hardened.
[Is this contract solely benefiting me? I don’t think so at all.]
“It… is.”
[I’ve heard the recruitment competition among fairy companies is quite fierce. If an SSS-ranked individual appears in your company during this, the benefits would be significant, right? Not just in terms of performance but beyond that.]
“…That’s correct.”
[So, do I really have to keep signing contracts with you?]
Upon a quick glance, I spotted plenty of shady tricks by these fairy companies in the fine print.
Essentially, once you sign, it’s a lifelong contract—no freedom to transfer. They thoroughly ignore the less productive ones under a strict performance system. And there’s zero basic welfare? No regulations for minimal safety or pay? Absolute chaos of a contract.
[You might trick others, but if you try to con me again… you’ll all die.]
I didn’t bother hiding my murderous intent. Rana gasped, and Yuria, standing nearby, staggered and fell over.
[Well, it seems like we’ve reached an agreement. Let’s proceed with the contract.]
I shifted the atmosphere. Honestly, as long as there was a clause allowing me to break the contract if needed, that was enough.
After all, my purpose here isn’t to realize justice with dreams and hope, but rather, to simply enjoy life while indulging in nostalgia for home.