Chapter 20

INTERLUDE THEATRE: ACT V The High-Level Demon and the Demonic Girl “Yo, Komekko.” “Yo, Host!” Host, carrying something, came in for a landing where I was standing by the tomb of the Dark God. “It’s been a while… What’s all this anyway? Everything was real torn up around the tomb, including some of the trees. What in the world happened?” “They say the Dark God came back to life. Then it summoned the nameless goddess, and they had a big fight, but the Dark God lost and was destroyed.” Host dropped the thing in his hand. It was a cage with a big hen and some chicks. “No waaaaaaaaay!” “That’s what the grown-ups said.” Host hung his head in disappointment, but I was more worried about the birds in the cage. “H-how did Lady Wolbach’s seal…? Argh, I take my eyes off that thing for one minute…… Huh? It’s weird, though. If Lady Wolbach’s other half was destroyed, I shouldn’t still be here in this world…” I crouched down by the cage and was looking inside when Host exclaimed, “That’s it! That must mean Lady Wolbach’s other half wasn’t destroyed! It’s gotta be wandering around lost somewhere. I better hurry up and find it, keep it safe…” He glanced at me. “…So, uh, well. That’s the story. I guess this is good-bye, kid… I don’t need no more living sacrifices. You can keep those.” “Great, we’ll have the hen for dinner and the chicks can be for Chomusuke!” “You’re gonna eat ’em?! All right, that’d be no good for your, y’know, moral education, so I think I’ll keep these. Who the heck is Chomusuke anyway?” “She’s an inky-black magical creature, ’bout this big. Wanna see her?” “Pass. She, like, a kitten or something? You oughta give her a better name than that… Bah, whaddaya expect from the Crimson Magic Clan…” He spread the wings on his back. “…Are you going somewhere?” “Huh? Weren’t you listening to a word I said? I’m gonna go find Lady Wolbach… Aww, don’t pull that face. I’ve got no choice. Anyway, I… You’re Crimson Magic Clan, right?” I nodded. “Well, I’ve got a feeling you’re gonna be a wizard to watch out for when you grow up. So listen. If I ever end my contract with Lady Wolbach… If you’re able to summon me, then I’d be happy to contract with you as your familiar.” “Really?!” “That’s only if you can summon me! Calling on a high-level demon like the great and wonderful yours truly—it might be darn near impossible for you…” I just cocked my head at him. Host flapped his wings and floated into the sky, but then he settled back down to earth and met my eyes. “Yeah, it might be impossible, but… I do think you have the makings of a Demon Master. You might really be able to summon even the likes of me.” “I’ll do my best!” With another “Maybe, maybe not,” Host mussed my hair. “See ya, Komekko! You go become a great big wizard! My name is Host! High-level demon and servant of Lady Wolbach!” “And my name is Komekko! She who is entrusted with watching the house and slyest demon of the little sisters of the Crimson Magic Clan! And she who plans to one day work with Host!” I threw my cape, which had been dragging on the ground, out behind me, posing for Host. He laughed out loud and then gave a mighty flap of his wings, flying away from the village. He might have complained a lot, but in the end, he always brought me food. He had been my first friend, and now I watched him go until he disappeared in the distance, waving at him all the while.