◆ Princess Minne Rasheed
AS far as I could see, a sea of golden sand filled my vision as a temple seemingly popped up out of nowhere. Yet, the building looked eroded from the harsh weather and resembled the massive bone of a beast.
A void hole opened up in the air and I fell out into the temple. The silky sands provided a cushion for me, and it didn’t hurt much, but I was covered in the fine grains. If you’re going to kidnap me, at least take some responsibility! I thought. I should’ve at least been allowed to land gracefully.
“Ow! What’s your problem?!” I demanded in my usual voice as I got up. “You’ve got no manners, I say!”
I was practically scolding my timid heart that was shriveling with fear. My skirt was a mess and I patted it down, trying to get all the dust and sand off as I picked up my staff. I checked and saw that my infinite storage bag was still working. I’ll be fine. I’ve still got my weapon with me. I can fight.
“Unfortunately, I’m not quite used to handling a lady,” Mephisto said, floating in the air in front of me. “We’re finally alone, just the two of us, Chloe.”
He wasn’t flapping his wings, but his feet never touched the ground. An instinctive fear welled up within me, reminding me of the time when I awoke alone in a dark room when I was a child.
“You’re very troublesome,” I said. “Pesky men aren’t popular with the ladies; I’ll have you know.”
“Hatred and repulsion nourish us,” he replied. “Very nice. You tremble in fear, yet your eyes tell a different story—they’re looking to strike at me and fight back. Lovely.” He reached out and tried to touch my face.
“Mephisto,” an adorable voice called out.
The demon quietly flapped his wings and retreated deep within the stone temple. A young lady was standing in the depths of this weathered structure. Enveloped in an eye-catching dress decorated with black roses and long, white sleeves, her silver hair was adorned with beautiful jewels similar to King Shesif’s. Her damp, amethyst eyes were filled with sorrow as she cast a melancholic glance.
“Princess Minne…” I murmured.
I’d only seen her from afar at the palace, but her face resembled Shesif’s—I was certain that Minne Rasheed was standing in front of me. She was beautiful and looked to be about the same age as me and Layla.
I pointed my staff at Mephisto, who descended right next to the princess and shouted, “Get away from her! Is she your hostage?!”
“Certainly not,” Mephisto replied. “Minne is my host, so I can’t have her die. I’m simply not used to changing hosts in quick succession, I’m afraid.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“I’m sorry,” Minne apologized. “I don’t have anything against you, but please…don’t get in my way.”
She placed her trembling hands in front of her chest. Though her eyes were filled with sadness and determination, a passionate flame flickered deep within. She reminded me of Aliza when she had been manipulated by Mephisto. My sister was exploited and used before she was killed. Is the princess Mephisto’s host now?
“Princess Minne!” I shouted. “Mephisto is a demon! Please stand back! I’ll save you!”
I was unable to spare Aliza—my younger sister, who reached out to me and begged for help while she was unable to hide her resentment. I want to save her! A sense of duty and responsibility coursed through my body and warmed my cold fingertips that were shivering with fear.
Minne, however, shook her head. “I know that,” she said. “I know that very well, and I still chose to form a contact with him.”
“Why? What for?” I asked.
“I want to save Salim. The Salim we see now is no longer him, is it? My brother knew that and continued to lie to me!”
“That’s right, Minne,” Mephisto purred as though he was advising a child. He continued to whisper in her ear. “Salim Ivan is no longer with us. He died to save your life by dedicating his to Lord Samael. Inside that man is Lord Samael, the Serpent of Death—a demon simply wearing Salim’s skin like a suit. Only I have the power to call back Salim Ivan’s soul and chase Lord Samael out.”
“That’s a lie,” I firmly declared. “Princess Minne, don’t be fooled by his sweet words! Mephisto is nothing but a liar! Salim can’t possibly be spared!”
Perhaps he had a nugget of truth in his claims, but I couldn’t believe Mephisto to be a demon who would grant another’s wishes. He killed Aliza, after all. Minne placed her hands over her ears to shut my voice out.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” she cried. “I have nothing else that I can cling to. I’m sorry. If you’re going to get in the way of Mephisto, please die!”
“Princess Minne, please be strong!” I shouted. “Don’t be fooled by this demon!”
“You’ll never understand my feelings! If this world doesn’t have Salim, it can shatter to pieces for all I care! If I can save him, even if it’s a spider’s thread that gives me only a small shred of hope, I want to grab onto it! Even if I must rely on a demon!”
“Give me your order, Minne,” Mephisto said, his sweet words poisoning her mind. “What do you want me to do? I am your blade, your puppet. I’ll grant any wish you desire.”
Minne looked up at the demon as though she was grasping onto fragile hope. She said softly, “That child is an obstacle, is she not, Mephisto? If she obstructs your path to save Salim, please make her disappear!”
I bit my lip. Her trembling voice made me painfully aware of her feelings. If I was in her position, and Salim was Mr. Julius… Would I have strayed off the right path, too?
“No,” I told myself. I knew that I wouldn’t.
I could never imagine sacrificing the lives of many for myself. I’d probably struggle and resist until my last breath, even if I turned into a tattered and withered mess. As long as hope was on my side, I’d continue to fight back. And I would never, ever beg for help from a demon.
“I’ve heard that demons cannot stay in this world for long without forming a contract with humans,” I said. “No wonder you’ve been tricking Aliza and Princess Minne.”
“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding, Chloe,” Mephisto replied. “You see, Minne is my third host. When Aliza became of no use to me, I was all alone. It’s difficult to stay in this world by myself, so I quickly searched for a new host. And I easily found one.”
Mephisto elegantly pointed in the air, allowing an Otherworldly Gate to appear. Its white doors, created from layers of human hands and bodies folded on top of each other, slowly started to open as it untangled the fingers with a raucous groan—a horrific grating sound that was unpleasant to the ears.
“There are unexpectedly quite a lot of people who require me,” Mephisto said arrogantly. “What was her name again? She didn’t make much of an impression, so it’s easy to forget. Let’s see… Eliza, was it?”
“Ms. Eliza…” I repeated.
She and her father, Mr. Coldman, had been restrained and thrown into jail following the incident within Astria Kingdom. However, Ms. Eliza and Mr. Coldman had escaped from prison and headed for Rasheed, where she was under the protection of King Shesif.
My stomach twisted into knots as I had a very bad feeling about where this was going. This was the second time I felt this impending dread fill my heart. The first time was with my father—when Mephisto had turned my father into a monster.
“Perhaps this show isn’t too entertaining for you,” Mephisto said. “I’m sure this woman didn’t make a lasting impression on you either, Chloe. Eliza hated you, and I’m sure she meant little to you as well. You might not care at all, but…”
The Otherworldly Gate opened as a monster loomed forth. An ominous and horrific stench of rotting flesh permeated the area, reminiscent of miasma. I gritted my teeth and tried to brace myself, but the ghastly sight caused me to instinctively clap both hands over my mouth.