The Duke's Offer

31/3/20XX


   It feels that as the days pass by, Maliana's getting stronger. By night, I don't know why but my appetite keeps growing. I'm constantly hungry for a corpse. I suppose the negative energy that radiated from everyone after the captain died didn't help.

  As I was laying around in my room, I felt this unbearable pain. I was all alone in the house and there was nothing that could satisfy my hunger so I piled on my battle gear and drew Astaroth's seal to teleport to the realm that makes you feel like you're walking through a large furnace, Hilganhar. Every time I visit that old bastard, the walk to his palace is just awful. Then again, it is a realm where people go to pay their debts so of course, it's not going to be like Heaven. I knocked on the door, and two familiar faces appeared in front of me. The twin lords, Nesbiros and Sagatana. They knew why I was here so they escorted me to the library.

  Unsurprisingly, the old bastard was lounging near the empty fireplace signing a record while sipping on a glass of chianti. He looked at me with his usual sardonic grin.

 "Hungry again my child?"

 "No shit Sherlock."

 "One of my supporters offered me a cadaver. It's in Erisaundra's food bin. Once you're done, I want to have a talk with you."

 Eating out of that beast's food bin... so humiliating. I suppose if anyone were to look at me eating a body like an animal, they'd probably either laugh or have pity on me that I'm that desperate. Both outcomes would be bothersome if you ask me. The latter especially.

 After my late-night snack, I walked over to the old bastard when I heard Maliana giggling. I rolled my eyes and asked,
 "What now?"

 "Oh, it's nothing Tati. I just wonder what would happen if you let me take the reins. Would they fear you? Would they even like you? Or would they try to kill you like that angel at Granuelle's? If anything Tati, this will just prove to them that you're the monster you're meant to be. I mean, you never let me have any fun."

 "I never let you have any fun you witless brat because you know why!? My cover will be exposed!"

 "Ah, ah, you're right. Silly old me. I forgot about your more... ravenous side." She giggled. "You wouldn't want any of the students selling you to the hunters, would you? I suppose if they've seen the price for your bounty, how could the more dangerous students refuse? Pride, greed, lust. Those three are the deadliest sins after all. Well, I should leave before Miss Elle scolds me for "manipulating you." I do hope you see things my way soon."

 "So annoying." I groaned when she disappeared.

 I suppose the one thing I do enjoy about visiting that senile old cunt is wandering around the library. It's near unending and I can learn so much about different people and what their weaknesses are. For some reason, I never looked up the lives of the people at school. I don't know, I suppose it's best for me that I shouldn't look at them. I suppose the rather archaic look doesn't help with that either.

 "Oi!"

 "Come in, come in my child. I'm at my desk." He purred.

 When I approached him, he was looking through a large tome bound by leather covers. It looked tattered and worn. After placing his signature, he turned to me.

 "Why'd you need to call me?" I asked.

 "You asked for my aid and my aid shall receive. When I went through your record child, you rely too heavily on her for power. Even when you were younger it was like that."

 "It's not just that Astaroth, it's something else."

 "Oh? What is it?"

 "Astaroth, as more events keep happening, Mal is growing stronger. With everyone mourning the captain I have a feeling it's only going to get worse from here. It'll only be a matter of time before she takes over."

 "Ah, that age-old fear of becoming the monster. You do realize that if we go through with that agreement, you're going to be stunted in power right?"

 "I'm aware. But last night... Vic said that I did something I feared she would do..."

 "She tried to attack your children?"

 I nodded. "Now she's saying that they're making me impure."

 "Oh dear. Well... I suppose I can try to help with that on two conditions. One, you reach rank A. Two, you come to training every evening. Three, you try to socialize with the other students."

 "Okay, reaching Rank A and training I can do but why socialize?"

 "Let's say I'm her and you're trying to get menout of my head. I'd want you to be a completely isolated child. You'd be much less of a threat. Besides, there are some, like yourself, that are suffering as well and need a little help."

 He showed me an image I'm far too familiar with. A succubus with green hair crying her eyes out on the bed with a jackal trying his damnedest to comfort his mistress. Her eyes were red and swollen as she repeated the words like a broken record,

 "I failed... I failed..."

 I turned to look at him as if he were joking. "Amunette? Seriously!? That girl's a giant pain in the ass during missions and she doesn't do shit to improve herself! Plus, need I remind you of fucking Utet! You're expecting me to babysit her!?"

 "She'll be an easy target to help with building bonds with the Academy students. At least I didn't mention that oversized chicken, Raven, or the spider that molested you."

 I took out my dagger and held it to his throat. "Don't remind me!"

 "You forgave her yet it's still a sore subject for you. Seems that the concept of forgive and forget is foreign to you."

 "Please Astaroth, I'm neither Jesus nor do I have Alzheimer's. I forgave her but I'll never forget it."

 He chuckled as he pushed my dagger away. "You never hesitate to be so cynical and sarcastic. But at least try to talk to her. Who knows? You may be the person she needs. If not her, force yourself to talk to the others and don't be afraid of looking like an idiot. You did that with Ben."

I had to ponder about it. Me being social with them? Please. That's the last thing I want to do. It'll only add fuel for Maliana if any of them were to get closer to me. However, if I don't accept this Herculean task, it'll be curtains for me and Elarya.

 "Fine. We have a deal."