Chapter The Demon Cult (2)

Episode 31: The Demon Cult (2)

The reason I deceived Lucia and even cast the *Curse of Silence* on myself was simple.

Just like in the previous timeline, I needed to form a contract with the high-ranking demon, **Valak**.

To change the future, there would inevitably be moments when I had to act within **Sancternim** without attracting **Leviya**’s attention.

That’s why I fed Lucia false information—that I had met **Aaron Bayonel** and heard of her origins through him.

I made it so that she had no choice but to induct me into Valak’s cult to silence me.

—

*Shhh…*

The blinding light faded, and my vision slowly came into focus.

The sharp stench of rotting blood, more foul than metallic, filled my nose.

And beneath it all, the stench of a sewer.

The glowing stones embedded in the ceiling gave off a sickly yellow light, enough for visibility.

It was a suffocating space surrounded by stone walls, but large both in height and width.

Dark, musty… and familiar.

Of course it was. This was the place where I had formed my contract with Valak in the previous timeline.

“Ugh, damn teleportation…”

I shook my head, trying to shake off the nausea and dizziness.

This was the side effect of *Forced Teleportation.*

Lucia had used the magical energy of the cultists and the power of a demon priest to transfer me here.

“Wow… Not only did she set up a barrier, but she even used forced teleportation?”

Even though I knew Lucia was the demon cult leader, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

Seriously, her powers were insane no matter how many times I saw them.

She cast a barrier in the middle of a **Sancternim** street without being detected, summoned her followers, and now pulled off forced teleportation.

That’s an effect anyone would want.

*Squelch… Riiip…*

Feeling something strange under my foot, I looked down and frowned.

Scattered flesh, shattered bones, smeared blood, crushed organs.

The stone floor was littered with remnants of life.

At least it wasn’t human bodies. They looked like reptiles—snakes or lizards.

I stood near the edge of a large, square altar.

The floor of the altar was densely carved with complex magical patterns, and reptile corpses were piled across it like small mountains.

Too many to count.

Looking below the altar, dozens of cultists knelt in black robes, their heads bowed.

Their gazes all focused on the center of the altar.

I followed their line of sight.

“Aaron said he would come looking for you.”

Lucia stood at the altar’s center, her expression still calm.

…No, if she could remain so composed atop this horrific altar, that wasn’t calmness.

It was madness.

That woman wasn’t just composed—she was a vessel for madness. No demon worshiper had adapted to this level of insanity like she had.

“Who would’ve thought a demon worshiper would be a second-year student at **Sancternim**. You’ve got more guts than you look.”

“You’re the odd one. I thought you’d be surprised to see a place like this.”

“Of course I was. I didn’t expect a scion of the four houses expelled from the **Dark Empire** to become a dark mage.”

Despite my sarcasm, she didn’t flinch.

“Heh… Will you say the same after seeing this?”

A purple haze flickered around her right foot before she stomped down on the altar with a thud.

That motion was the signal.

The cultists below began chanting in unison in an incomprehensible tongue.

*Fwoooosh…*

The air trembled.

A cold wind swept around the altar from an unknown direction.

Dark magical energy streamed from the cultists’ bodies, absorbed into the altar.

The eerie sight of dozens of people chanting the same words like a single being was more disturbing than devout.

Their murmurs swelled into a resonating harmony.

*Thump… thump… thump…*

The altar beneath my feet vibrated rhythmically.

Purple energy surged along the carved grooves, forming magical arrays over the entire surface.

As Lucia stepped back from the center, the reptilian corpses began rapidly converging.

Bones, flesh, blood—all moved with singular intent. Disgusting every time I saw it.

*Hum…*

The *Stigma* on the back of my hand flared with heat, sensing powerful dark magic.

…A demon was descending.

Goosebumps rose across my body, instinctively.

A primal fear.

The pulsating altar radiated a silent threat.

Warning me.

That something far beyond a human was about to appear.

Even though it wasn’t the demon’s true form but merely an *Incarnated Vessel*, the pressure was immense.

Such is the nature of demons to mortals.

Eventually, the corpses formed a shape like a cocoon.

*Drop.*

The chanting ceased abruptly. The pounding of the altar stopped as if it had never happened.

Silence returned.

Then—

*Rip… Snap!*

Something split the cocoon and stepped onto the altar floor.

A young boy wearing black overalls and a white T-shirt.

But the horns on his head and the pristine condition of his clothes, free of a single drop of blood, said it all—he wasn’t a normal child.

The boy shook off the blood on his hair and looked at me with bright, innocent eyes.

“Oh… you’re the new follower, huh?”

His voice and tone were that of a young boy.

But such innocence in a place like this was jarringly out of place.

This was the demon **Valak**, in the guise of a child.

A high-ranking demon who would later be known as the *Commander of Dragons*.

Even if this was an incarnated form, not his true body, his consciousness fully resided in it.

Lucia had summoned him in this vessel to bind me into a contract and turn me into a cultist.

“Then let’s make a contract. Lucia explained things to you, right?”

Valak narrowed his eyes at me and tilted his head.

“…Huh? The *Curse of Silence*?”

He saw through it instantly and shot a glare at Lucia.

“Lucia, you brought an amusing one. Why bring me a damaged follower already cursed?”

“Apologies… But this one wasn’t brought in the usual way.”

“You brought him without an explanation?”

“He knows about my background…”

Valak’s face twisted.

“He knows you’re from the **Baskerville** family? How?”

“I think he got caught up with **Aaron Bayonel**…”

“Aaron Bayonel… That runaway from one of the Four Houses in the **Dark Empire**? Tell me everything.”

Lucia calmly explained the situation, just as I’d told her.

Hearing it all, Valak made a face.

“What a lunatic.”

To be unintentionally praised by a demon—what an honor.

“He’s even coming to find you? How’d he learn your origins?”

“Who knows… he put the *Curse of Silence* on him, so it’s unlikely he’ll spread it. We can check later…”

“Hm… So that’s why you brought him?”

Valak’s gaze landed on me. He then covered his mouth with one hand and giggled like a mischievous child.

“Heheh! Look at this guy. He’s completely frozen. Was the summoning too scary for him?”

What a delusion.

In the previous timeline, I was terrified when I first saw Valak.

But now, after regression, I couldn’t care less.

I was merely waiting for him to offer the contract.

“Lucia, since he knows your origins, we couldn’t just leave him be. Good job bringing him.”

Valak opened his right hand, and a grotesque dagger emerged from his palm.

The blade was made of white bone, and the handle resembled dripping flesh.

A horrific crimson dagger crafted from reptilian remains.

“Contracting with someone bearing *Stigma* is unpleasant, but… I guess it’s worth it to avoid Leviya’s notice.”

Twirling the dagger, he casually tossed it at my feet.

It clattered and slid before stopping just at the tip of my shoe.

“What was your name again…? Never mind. It’s not a formal contract—who cares.”

With a bright smile, Valak traced a finger across his palm.

“Just nick your forearm or somewhere with that dagger. That’s all it takes.”

*Slide…*

I reached down and picked up the crimson dagger.

*Hum…*

Maybe because it was forged by a demon, but the *Stigma* burned so hot I nearly thought I was burned.

This dagger was the contract.

If I injured myself with it while willing to form the pact, the contract with Valak would be sealed.

However, this kind of deal wasn’t considered a *Formal Contract.*

Since the contractor offered nothing in return, the demon dictated all terms.

Those who accepted such deals were slowly consumed by madness.

Even if they avoided using the demon’s power, it only delayed the inevitable.

But there was exactly one way to avoid that fate without a formal contract.

“You’re worried about losing your mind to the madness, right?”

Lucia mistook my silence and spoke softly.

“Don’t worry. I’m the high priestess of this cult…”

“The cult leader? You’re the leader of this demon cult?”

I feigned ignorance, and she pointed to the cultists below the altar.

“Why do you think they’re all standing so calmly?”

“…I’ve heard. That a demon priestess can suppress the madness in other followers.”

That’s why this cult could exist within **Sancternim** without its followers running wild.

Lucia was controlling them as their leader.

“Even if you form a contract, I’m here. Your mind won’t collapse. Keep my secret, and I’ll manage your madness.”

“What a creative form of blackmail.”

Sorry, but I didn’t come here for a slave contract.

I returned to make a *Formal Contract* with Valak.

*Fwoooosh!*

The *Stigma* on my hand burst with radiant golden light, scattering across the altar.

At the same time, I summoned *Holy Power* into my right hand.

As holy energy clashed with the demonic dagger, it began corroding.