Negai o Kanaete Moraou to Akuma o Shōkan Shitakedo, Kawaikattanode Kekkonshimashita ~ Akuma no Nīdzu

“I am a devil.”

Wings suddenly sprouted from Helvi’s back, and horns of the same color appeared on her head.

They seemed real, and not something that belonged on a human body.

Judging by her appearance and these characteristics… She truly did seem to be a devil. A being only told about in legends.

“Devils really exist…!?”

She was surprised, excited… And a little frightened.

Meeting an unknown being was very exciting for Idea, but she never thought she would ever speak directly to something like a devil.

Devils were unknown beings, but also symbols of fear.

Idea was not too familiar with them, but she did hear the legend of devils granting wishes in return for the life of the one making the wish.

If that was true… No…

(Mister Theo most likely made a contract with her. Does that mean she won’t take his life? Or does it mean she is planning to do so in the future?)

“Hm, I see you are thinking calmly, but I should clarify one thing. Theo did form a contract with me, but I have no intention of ever taking his life.”

“…Can you read my mind, miss Helvi?”

“Yes, I can.”

Idea noticed that earlier it seemed as though Helvi had answered a question Idea asked only in her mind, but she was too shaken at the time to notice.

“I am the peak even among devils. There is no one in this world more powerful than me.”

“…I see, that is good to hear. I would have a hard time sleeping at night if there were more devils as powerful as yourself lurking around.”

“Yes. You can sleep easy knowing I have no intention of destroying this planet either.”

Helvi took a sip of her black tea and continued.

“I told Xena and Celia they could tell you, but it seems they did not inform you that I am a devil.”

“Yes, they did not. I assume they did so because it would be easier to believe it if I heard directly from you.”

Idea was indeed glad she heard it straight from the source.

If they mentioned in the letter that the woman she was going to meet was actually a devil, she would not have believed it.

Idea would probably even assume Xena and Celia had seen some sort of illusion, or were forced to write the letter.

Having no prior knowledge meant this came as a big shock to her, but it was still the best way to go about it.

“Are devils actually summoned by humans to form contracts with them?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, what was your contract with mister Theo about?”

Idea was curious about why Theo summoned a devil, and what contract they formed.

Depending on the contract, Idea’s actions could be antagonistic.

She had no intention to harm Theo, but if she perceived something as hostile behavior…

Idea asked the question with this in mind, but Helvi’s cheeks turned a little red.

“…His original reason for summoning me was to become stronger.”

“I see. And what did he end up wishing for?”

“…Marriage.”

“…Eh?”

Idea heard it well, but asked again both because she did not believe it, and also because she wanted to see Helvi’s cute reaction one more time.

“…Did I not just tell you I can read your thoughts!?”

“Oh my, I completely forgot.”

Helvi angrily glared, but her cheeks were still red.

Idea would be lying if she said she was not the least bit frightened, but it did cut the scariness factor in half.

“Still, marriage… Mister Theo truly made a momentous decision.”

“Fufu, yes, I agree. I also doubted how serious he was at first.”

Helvi smiled as she remembered it.

“Most humans would be at least a little scared when they learned I am a devil, much like what happened just moments ago.”

“…Yes.”

There was no denying it.

Helvi could read Idea’s mind, so the fear Idea felt was clearly transmitted to Helvi.

“But when Theo summoned a devil, there was not a hint of fright.”

Part of it was obviously because he performed the ritual to summon a devil, and was expecting one to appear. However, he was not fully convinced it would work, and it would still be hard for someone not to be scared when a devil appeared before them.

But when Theo asked Helvi to marry her, she peeked into his mind and saw he was not the least bit scared.

“That is impressive… He will be great someday.”

“Fufu, he is already great. He is my husband after all.”

“Haha, of course, of course.”

Was there a bigger role than the husband of Helvi, the strongest devil and the peak of power?

If there was, it was meaningless before Helvi and Theo.