Chapter 287
-No. 138 has responded to the demon call.
-No. 84 has responded to the demon call.
I appreciate your coming despite being busy. There is no time, so I’ll get to the point. Where did my contract book go?
-The contract book?
Demon No. 84 sounded like he didn’t know what his master was talking about.
The demon constellation realized that he had phrased it the wrong way. His household members weren’t aware of how valuable the treasures were. Even if he called the book by its name, they still wouldn’t understand.
Tell me the whereabouts of Treasure No. 1.
-A contractor has taken Treasure No. 1.
......
The demon constellation couldn’t believe it. He must have misheard it.
What? It was taken by a contractor?
-Yes.
What type of nonsense is that, you... No. There’s no point in being angry with you guys. You were just doing your jobs.
The demon constellation was different from other evil god constellations. In a situation like that, other constellations would’ve torn apart their household members just to vent their anger. However, just like his name suggested, the Demon of Contract and Order refrained from unnecessary anger. After all, his household members had merely been faithful to the contract.
Who took it?
As the demon constellation asked about the contractor, the figures of the orc and the goblin materialized in the air, and he looked incredulously at both of their faces. Putting aside the goblin, he hadn’t expected an orc, out of all races, to find his way through the forest maze.
The surprise didn’t end there.
No matter the cost, it should be impossible for a mortal to take my contract book. What type of contract did you make?
-In exchange for a secret of his... Uhm, he said that if he can’t pay it back in ten thousand years, he will let us in on his secret.
?????
The demon constellation was even more bewildered. He would’ve been befuddled even if it had been a fair exchange, but since the demon had made such an unprofitable contract, the demon constellation was at a loss for words.
Was there something wrong with the constellation’s contract?
[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ is asking for a conversation.]
I think I know who it is.
The demon constellation muttered that he had an idea as to who the culprit was. On second thoughts, he had heard rumors that the incarnation of training was leading the orcs. He had also heard some ridiculous rumors that the orcs were surprisingly clever...
‘What exactly are you planning, Undefeated Incarnation of Training? You want to go against me?’
Even though the Demon of Contract and Order had chosen to become an evil god constellation, he wasn’t as violent as other evil god constellations. He wasn’t really interested in driving out the good god constellations and taking over Earth.
In fact, it didn’t matter to him who the master of Earth was. The Demon of Contract and Order was satisfied by just extorting mortals through contracts like he was currently doing.
If he wished for something, it was for Earth to run smoothly without being destroyed, since he still had a lot to learn from the systems created by humans.
However, to be provoked by the incarnation of training… The demon constellation wasn’t aggressive, but that didn’t mean he would just stand by and not answer the provocation.
***
‘I’m glad it worked out better than I expected.’
Choi Yeonseung was currently in his realm, holding the Book of Great Contracts in one hand as he waited for an answer from the demon constellation.
-It’s an offer I never thought of.
The goddess of sloth praised Choi Yeonseung. The secret that he had offered for the book… Only Choi Yeonseung could tell that secret. It was the secret that he was a constellation.
The secret was related to a constellation’s identity, thus setting it apart from the secrets of mortals. Naturally, the value of such a secret was immeasurable.
The demon constellation could never even imagine what Choi Yeonseung’s real identity was! After all, who could predict that a constellation would pretend to be a mortal, sneak into a realm, and steal a holy relic?
Such scheming went beyond the imagination of a constellation.
-Well... There will be a solution within ten thousand years.
Choi Yeonseung didn’t think that the fight over the rulership of Earth would last for ten thousand years. The fighting between constellations had gradually become fiercer. With each passing day, all kinds of changes occurred.
The master of Earth would be decided before ten thousand years passed.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ has responded to the conversation.]
[He praises the orcs of the constellation for being unexpectedly shrewd.]
‘Huh?’
Choi Yeonseung was puzzled, but quickly understood the meaning of the message. The demon constellation seemed to think that the orc who had come to his realm was an actual orc from a tribe, not Choi Yeonseung.
-...My orcs are very smart.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ is curious about the secret.]
[He asks the incarnation of training if he also realized the secret of the humans on Earth.]
‘What is he talking about?’
-Speaking of which, it seems that he has learnt a lot from the humans of Earth...?
Choi Yeonseung was taken aback by what the goddess of sloth had said. A constellation of the Abyss had learnt something from the humans of Earth.
-What could he have learnt? The political system? Technology? Constellations don’t need much, do they?
-I think... It’s probably the system that organizes subordinates within a business...
‘...’
Choi Yeonseung was befuddled, but on second thoughts, it actually made sense. The building of the demon constellation bore an uncanny resemblance to the office buildings on Earth. What if it wasn’t a coincidence? What if the demon constellation was actually mimicking the design of office buildings on Earth?
‘Isn’t he crazy?’
Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded.
This constellation didn’t have anything to admire and draw inspiration from, so he just copied the business systems from Earth.
Come to think of it, that should’ve been an issue from the beginning with corporate CEOs, rather than with the demon constellation. Hadn’t the demon constellation gotten stronger because the CEOs on Earth had unwittingly taught him a lot of things?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says that he understands your being silent. He promises not to tell the other constellations.]
The demon constellation sounded like he understood. There was no need for many constellations to know that there was something to learn from the humans of Earth. Only those that knew the true value of humans were worthy of this secret.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ insists that you get to the point. He asks why you called him.]
-...Haven’t you lost the Book of Great Contracts?
The demon constellation nodded calmly, not trying to deny it.
-Don’t you want to get it back?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says he wants to get it back. Quickly tell him what you want.]
Seeing how calmly the demon constellation responded, without any bluffs or threats, Choi Yeonseung realized that his opponent was formidable. As an old and experienced constellation of the Abyss, the demon constellation wasn’t easily shaken.
-Well, in the current situation, I have a lot of enemies, so I could use some allies.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says he can consider it. He asks if that is all.]
-Of course not. I was told that the next area in the Abyss that humanity needs to acquire is the fourth realm. Humanity needs that territory.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says that it should be decided in a fair match according to the oath.]
-Don’t you want the book?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says that regardless of what he wants, the contract must be fulfilled, even if he doesn’t get it back!]
Choi Yeonseung frowned. He finally understood why it was tricky to deal with the demon constellation.
Faithful to the title of ‘contract and order,’ the demon constellation was devoted to his own oaths and contracts. Violating them was almost as bad as dying.
He was an enemy, but his integrity was undeniable.
-Then what about information regarding the realm?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says he can tell you that.]
"Is it around this much?’
An alliance and advice.
This wasn’t too bad. Given that Choi Yeonseung had essentially stolen the book, he got a pretty good deal. However, he had one more thing to ask, and in a way, it was the most important question.
-Are there any constellations who have secretly formed alliances?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says there is.]
The demon constellation answered compliantly, and something flashed through Choi Yeonseung’s mind.
-Was that alliance made before the gate incident on Earth?
[...]
The demon constellation, who had previously answered any questions or requests without hesitation, was now quiet.
Choi Yeonseung realized that he guessed correctly.
‘I see. I was wondering how the selfish and distrustful constellations managed to secretly form an alliance... Did the demon constellation make the contract himself?’
If the demon constellation had made that contract himself, the other constellations couldn’t break it.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says he doesn’t know what you mean.]
-It’s too late, demon constellation. Your reaction says everything. Tell me who belongs to the alliance. If you do so, I’ll give you back the book.
There was nothing but silence and a sense of bewilderment. The demon constellation was really flustered for the first time in a really long time. He had been robbed of his holy relic, and his secret had been revealed by a fledgling constellation that he had completely looked down on.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ acknowledges your skills.]
[However, he says he has sworn an oath and can’t reveal anything about their identity.]
‘It’s really tricky.’
Choi Yeonseung had once again hit a brick wall. He was trying to figure out a loophole for that oath.
-Then tell me everything you’re allowed to say. I’ll be satisfied with that.
[...]
The Demon of Contract and Order thought about it for a moment before speaking.
[Several constellations coveted Earth and gathered their strength.]
[I was one of them.]
[Using the power of several constellations wasn’t enough, so I created a way using the power of contracts.]
[In return, Earth’s humans were given the right to advance into the realms of the Abyss.]
“...!”
Choi Yeonseung had sort of guessed about this when talking to the goddess of sloth, but it was shocking to actually hear it in person.
The gate hadn’t appeared naturally; rather, it had been created under the leadership of several constellations.
‘In short, if it wasn’t for the constellations, the monsters wouldn’t have appeared, right?’
-Yeah, the constellations are terrible.
‘Don’t pretend you’re not a constellation yourself.’
-By that logic, you’re also a constellation, Successor.
Choi Yeonseung ignored her and asked again.
-Are those allies still working together on a sinister plot?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says no. He says that such cooperation can’t last long when they compete among themselves.]
“...”
It was a relief. It would’ve been a headache if the constellations had still been working together on a plot.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ asks if that is all.]
-Yeah, I guess so.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says that if the alliance and information is worth the value of the Book of Great Contracts, the contract will automatically be finalized.]
[Will you accept the contract?]
Choi Yeonseung was about to accept, but decided to ask one final question.
-One last thing. If we have an alliance, doesn’t that mean that I also have to help you? What happens in that case?
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order’ says you are too arrogant.]
[If a situation like that ever occurs, he will calculate the value of your help and repay you accordingly.]
The demon constellation was dumbfounded by Choi Yeonseung’s words. In an alliance between a strong and a weak constellation, it was natural for the strong constellation to help the weak constellation.
The incarnation of training helping the demon constellation? It was ridiculous.
He probably said this due to his pride as a constellation, but it was extremely unlikely that the demon constellation would ever need help from the incarnation of training.
-I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.
[The ‘Demon of Contract and Order says that your household member is in charge of the company this time. You’d better advise him well so that he doesn’t ruin it.]
‘...’
It was also a problem when a constellation adapted too well to Earth. Choi Yeonseung was dumbfounded by the fact that the demon constellation was worrying about the company’s operations.
***
-By the way, would you actually be able to help the demon constellation in any way?
-I didn’t say it seriously. I was just curious.
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says that with your brilliant intelligence, you can deal a blow to the demon constellation.]
“...Is that really the case?”
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