The Severed Contract, The Saved Precious Childhood Friend

“Phew.”

The pitch-black magic circle that had dragged Zarichu into the darkness vanished, and Jonah let out a light breath.

At the same time, Jonah felt a certain sense of accomplishment.

With the darkness ancient magic 【Dunkelheit】, he could designate a target and bury it in darkness. In that case, unlike other ancient magics, he could suppress both the scale and the damage.

‘This time I got a little angry and used Ancient Magic at full power, but if I refine it a bit more, it should become much more practical.’

Thinking this, Jonah’s face broke into a smile… but.

“…………………………”
“…………………………”
“…………………………”

The expressions on the faces of the Swart Elf were colored with fear.

For five hundred years, they had been unable to do anything about Zarichu, yet this boy—who had lived only what seemed to them a mere instant—had defeated him with ease.

The same was true for Quylindra and Colette, who had been watching.

Especially Quylindra, who knew the strength of the Demon King’s army cadres better than anyone. Even the hero had barely managed to defeat them by combining forces with comrades.

That is precisely why some of the Demon King’s army cadres still remained.

Amidst this.

“Ah, Lady Titancia, we did it… wapuh!?”

“As I thought, Jonah isn’t just a good boy—he’s an incredibly amazing one. Someone who can do this must be even greater than the hero.”

“Ehehe…”

Titancia hugged Jonah and stroked his head.

But noticing that she was trembling slightly, Jonah deliberately smiled shyly and gently stroked her back.

“Um, that…”

Seeing Titancia hugging Jonah, the next to come to her senses was Zeria.

She approached the two and timidly spoke up.

“Ah, that’s right. The demonic contract binding the Swart Elf still hasn’t been broken.”

Indeed… as long as Zarichu lived, the demonic contract would eternally bind the contractors and their descendants.

Zarichu had been dragged into the darkness, but he would not die—only suffer eternally.

Jonah had deliberately used 【Dunkelheit】 to avoid killing the Swart Elf, but it was still not enough to resolve everything.

That said.

“Then let’s quickly erase the demonic contract binding everyone.”

Saying this, he patted Titancia’s back lightly—pon, pon—and slowly pulled away, then raised both hands.

And then.

“O source of light that dances in the heavens. Manifest before me, become the axe that severs causality, and cut the chains binding the proud black ones oppressed by injustice.”

As Jonah swiftly traced with his right index finger pointed toward the sky, a massive light magic circle emerged, covering the entire Stygian Forest.

“【Zerstreuen】”¹

Warm light emitted from the magic circle gently illuminated the Stygian Forest.

It was a healing light for those who had suffered for five hundred years.

But for the unjust contract that had tormented them, it was a merciless light that reduced everything to nothing.

In that divine light, the Swart Elf knelt and bowed their heads.

Offering prayers of gratitude and atonement toward the sky.

“…With this, the demonic contract should be gone.”

The enveloping faint light faded, and the Stygian Forest returned to its original state.

However… in the eyes of everyone present, only the image of the smiling small boy was reflected.

“Um, to confirm it’s properly lifted, try saying something bad about the Demon King or that ugly demon—it should make it clear…”

The demonic contract would activate the moment one turned against the Demon King, leading to the contractor’s death.

They understood that this was the quickest way to confirm the contract was safely undone, but having just witnessed the death of one of their own for doing the same, the Swart Elf exchanged glances and hesitated.

But.

“Then… Please let me be the first to say it.”

The one who said this was Zeria, whose arms were still bound by vines.

Her restraints undone by Quylindra, Zeria looked at Titancia and nodded.

“How dare you… how dare you bind the Swart Elf… bind me! Do you understand, Zarichu!? The suffering of having to accept injustice even knowing it is unjust! The sorrow of having to continually hurt my precious best friend, my childhood friend! How could you… how could you possibly understand!? As if I’d let you understand…!”

Large tears spilled from her amethyst eyes, one after another.

The suffering she had endured all this time, the sorrow of betraying and continually hurting someone precious—all those feelings were released toward the sky.

Carried on Zeria’s voiceless, anguished cry.

“Ha… haha… nothing’s happening… nothing at all…!”

Muttering in a trembling voice, Zeria looked at her precious best friend.

Her best friend… Titancia’s fresh green eyes were also wet with tears.

“Cia… CIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Zeriaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Titancia and Zeria embraced each other, shouting one another’s names.

The names of best friends who, after a long time, could once again connect their feelings.

Watching the two, Jonah’s cheeks softened into a smile.