Chapter 748
Sign! You Have to Sign, Whether You Want To or Not!
At this moment, on the other side.
Eivass gave Alistair an “OK” reply.
Alistair responded with a “1”.
Alistair looked at the mirror and replied briskly, “Done. Everything is arranged here. Within an hour, a bishop-level priest will arrive to personally preside over the funeral and inter his soul. If you don’t want to be discovered as a demon and risk your life being dispersed by Lord Bishop, you’d best leave now.”
“…I’ve already seen it. It’s Bishop Mia Müller, isn’t it.”
The Mirror Demon responded, “I just saw her suddenly get out of bed and turn on the lights in the room.”
Its deep voice was filled with admiration, “You are truly magnificent, beyond my expectations. To actually command a bishop… These devotees are tough nuts to crack. Even my previous master, and even Count Leipzig, found it difficult to bribe them.”
“Is that so?”
Alistair chuckled lightly, “I don’t think so.”
Unlike the Mirror Demon, Alistair believed devotees were the easiest to bribe. This was because devotees possessed a strong spirit of “selflessness,” making them less vigilant. Many devotees, or ordinary people with an aptitude for the Path of Devotion, would fall prey to deception for this very reason.
The only difference was that a devotee who had awakened their true heart… could certainly not be bought with “wealth” or “fame.” Wealth would only benefit them directly, which was precisely what devotees needed to cast aside.
“To win over a devotee, all you need to offer them is splendor and glory,” Alistair stated. “Tell them you’ll genuinely turn to good because of their great deeds; assure them that all the profits from this endeavor will be donated to so-and-so group and how it will improve their lives; or simply prove that your path is the right one, even if the journey is arduous… With that, devotees will follow and sacrifice themselves without you having to lift a finger.”
“You even know this taboo knowledge! Astonishing!”
The Mirror Demon flattered with practiced ease, “I dare not imagine what kind of evil deeds you’ve committed to so skillfully grasp the human heart!”
It seems that for its former master, “evil” was a term of endearment. Thus, the Mirror Demon unhesitatingly attributed this word to Alistair.
The crow on Alistair’s shoulder displayed a humanized expression of disgust, glaring at the mirror with a frown. It looked as if it were contemplating which claw to use to destroy it.
…Because that guy was exactly like that.
Alistair didn’t argue, instead thinking to herself with a hint of melancholy.
She had now noticed that the cutting of the Hourglass seemed to possess a rather artistic style. They were truly split into yin and yang – yin containing yang, and yang containing yin. Even as an individual Transcendent, the lingering glow of the Path of Devotion remained in her heart; similarly, as a devoted follower, Eivass still harbored a shred of the Soul of Transcendence.
She glanced at the Mirror Demon and spoke slowly, “Why are you flattering me so much… my dear little mirror. Don’t you want to return to the Dream Realm?”
“More friends mean more paths, Master. My former master didn’t feed me many souls, but he taught me a lot about how to conduct myself.” The Mirror Demon replied with practiced ease, “I do want to return to the Dream Realm to rest for a while. After all, eighty years of non-stop work has been unbearable. But you possess such great talent and such a strong desire for transcendence, I believe we may meet again in the Dream Realm. That day may not be too far off, perhaps when you still remember me and I’m still grateful for you.
“When that time comes, I can even act as a host and show you the wonders of the Dream Realm. If you still have nostalgia, I can even take you back to the Material Realm… This is a unique advantage of being a Mirror Demon. As Mirror Demons, we can briefly enter the Material Realm without relying on contracts with Demon Scholars. I am very familiar with all the terrains of Star Antinomy, and the apostles of the Hourglass here absolutely won’t be able to catch us.”
“Pfft…”
Alistair couldn’t help but laugh.
She covered her mouth, her eyes curved into beautiful crescents as she smiled.
Alistair understood the Mirror Demon’s words perfectly. To put it simply: “Sister, I suspect you, with your extreme wickedness and lack of restraint, are not far from death. Given your intensity, you’ll likely ascend into some powerful demon upon death. I’m just trying to get acquainted now, so please don’t eat me when that happens. If you’re that powerful, I’ll gladly be your subordinate – we can even sneak back into the Material Realm together. I’m good at opening doors, and I know this place like the back of my hand. So, please don’t eat me.”
More than the fear of being an Extraordinary or even a Transcendent, the Mirror Demon was clearly more afraid of Alistair’s state after death. It was like the classic joke – what am I afraid of? I already have so much resentment; if I’m killed by a ghost, won’t my resentment grow even larger? It’s hard to say who would be stronger then. As Pac-Man says, Pac-Man. Chased by ghosts when alive, but chasing ghosts back when dead.
“I think you’re right,” Alistair said slowly. “You’re too right – more friends mean more paths, don’t they?
“I may descend into the Dream Realm not long from now. Perhaps next month, or perhaps next year. But no matter what… I believe our relationship needs to be maintained more closely.”
“…What do you mean?” the Mirror Demon asked cautiously.
The little crow on Alistair’s shoulder menacingly sharpened its claws.
“Let’s sign a temporary contract.”
Alistair finally revealed her purpose: “It won’t be binding in any way, just a meaningless contract. The contract’s content will be that we mutually know each other’s True Name. That way, if I want to find you in the future, I can locate you through a ritual… won’t I?”
“…I don’t think that’s really necessary, Master. If you have any other questions, I can tell you – do you need to go to Alphonse von Piloty’s residence? I can teleport you there directly and save you the walking time!”
The Mirror Demon’s voice became even more obsequious. Its originally deep and resonant male voice now squeaked like a eunuch’s.
“That’s not urgent,” Alistair replied calmly.
She stared at the mirror and said slowly, “I suggest it’s best to sign it – as proof of our friendship.
“It’s a truly blank contract; feel free to set the terms yourself if you don’t believe me.”
The little crow immediately perked up. It stared intently at the mirror, its scarlet gaze like an abyss – this seemed like a good excuse. If the other party refused again, she could simply smash that damned mirror.
—It’s just a Mirror Demon, don’t be too arrogant!
“…Alright, Master.”
The Mirror Demon fell silent for a moment before relenting, “I’ll write it, I’ll write it…” It was still wary of Alistair tampering with the contract. Humans these days are more devious than demons!
(End of Chapter)
