Chapter 44 : Form a Contract with Me…

“Actually, I’m in a hurry to get back…”
That’s right, her master was still eagerly awaiting her return at the manor!

Aileen had rushed into the forest for more than half a day, but had hopelessly lost her way.

She would either encounter giant monsters that attacked her, or accidentally step into traps and fall into water.

Although those monsters couldn’t do anything to her, when she came to her senses, she was already lost in the forest.

“I was clearly heading towards the center of the forest, but I got lost again.”

Shirley awkwardly lowered her staff. This girl not only had no hostility, but she also seemed a bit dazed.

“Ah, um… it’s in that direction,” Shirley pointed southeast. The sky was getting dark, and she was a little worried if the girl could get out of the forest alone.

Speaking of which, it takes a lot of courage for one person to enter this monster-infested forest!

As if seeing the girl’s hesitation, Aileen gently snapped her fingers, and a ball of fire popped up from her finger.

“Heh heh, how about that, I’m pretty strong, right?”

Shirley decided to retract her previous words. This girl was a true powerhouse.

“Huh? Hmm hmm hmm?” Aileen suddenly looked at the girl in front of her. She had a strange feeling… especially the magic within her body.

It wasn’t the orthodox magic of the major elements, but more like a dark aura.

“Wh-what’s wrong?” Shirley blinked, a little confused by the girl’s intentions.

“Nothing, thank you for pointing the way!”

Aileen put away her doubts. After all, the world was vast and full of wonders. The world she knew was just the tip of the iceberg.

Moreover, she was in a happy mood now. The thought of having shed the parasite that had been clinging to her for so long made her incredibly happy.

The girl bowed slightly and headed in the direction Shirley had pointed.

“In the end, what was she here for…”

Shirley let out a breath, retracting all the magic that had leaked from her body. She felt a little dizzy and supported herself with her staff.

“Shirley! Are you okay?”

“Yes, Evelyna! Thank you, I’m fine now.”

Her gaze drifted to Evelyna, who was being taken care of by Ophelia. It was so good that she seemed okay, so good that she didn’t have to die. This world wasn’t so bad after all—except for one thing.

The moment she became aware of this power, she felt she could never go back.

“How was it?”

“Hmph, it wasn’t that impressive. For example, that maid, I don’t think even this power could defeat her.”

Shirley deliberately beat around the bush with it. She knew well that this power was of unknown origin and probably not something righteous.

The voice paused for a moment:

“No, compared to that thing, I have already shown you great sincerity.”

“Free trial! Is there any more luxurious gift in this world?”

“That’s true… if there really is no price to pay.”

“How about this? Shirley, I won’t say anything more, just…”

“You still have things you want to do, right? You’re very unwilling, right…”

“For example, you want to survive the spider’s attack. Without me, you couldn’t even do that, right?”

“I…”

“Ah! Shirley! Evelyna fainted!” Ophelia’s voice echoed in her ears.

‘Refuse him, and what if the same thing happens next time? Like this time, helplessly giving up everything?’

‘And face the sad ending she least wanted to encounter?’

‘No, no! I will never agree to that.’

The voice whispered further in her mind.

“I am a Demonkin. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world… nor is there free power.”

“What do you need?”

She didn’t want to think about anything anymore. She needed the power to change the situation.

“Sign a contract with me, become my familiar.”

“…Alright, what should I call you?” Shirley didn’t think too much. She had no other choice. If this was the only path to victory, then she would choose it.

“Well, you can call me… BQ.”

“Heh heh… the show is about to end.” BQ’s voice disappeared into the shadows.

Thinking back now, that might have been the turning point in Shirley’s life.

After that, Shirley quickly used a magic called “teleport” on the four of them. Due to her lack of proficiency, they were only teleported to a desolate wilderness not far away.

Little Gavin lost all his memories as a human. He didn’t even know how to speak. However, Shirley planned to find a good buyer for him in the city.

Although it was still a deserted world, they had escaped the danger, and their faces were no longer tense.

That night, after Evelyna woke up, the three of them sat happily by the campfire and talked for a long time. It wasn’t until Shirley leaned against Evelyna and fell into a deep sleep that Ophelia watched them with satisfaction, a relieved smile on her face.

‘How good it would be if everything could continue like this.’

The next morning, Ophelia gently stretched. She knew it was time to part ways. She waited for the two to wake up, and also enjoyed the last moment of this journey that was neither long nor short.

Not long after, when the first ray of dawn hit Shirley’s face, she slowly opened her eyes. This was her first morning of a new life. She felt her body incredibly light. Although the future was still far away, the past had been left behind.

“Opheliel, are you really leaving? We can be together…” Shirley showed a reluctant expression. Although they had only been together for a few days, she had deeply felt Ophelia’s charm.

Ophelia flicked her waterfall-like golden hair. “No, I still have to find myself!” She made a pose as if she were about to set off, which made everyone laugh.

Shirley decided to go up the mountain with Evelyna to hide from the wind for a while. After all, an adventurer team disappearing in the forest was a matter that was neither big nor small.

After that day, Evelyna would only occasionally wake up, and then immediately fall back into a deep sleep. Although her body functions were normal, it seemed to be a tricky strange illness.

Meeting and parting were always brief. Ophelia just stood up and lightly touched Shirley’s arm:

“We’ll meet again. Until then, please be safe.” Ophelia smiled slightly, waving at the girls:

“Goodbye!”

Thus, Ophelia ended her short yet long life in the four-person team.

But no one knew that the gears of fate would not easily let go of anyone.