Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage’s Book

Balram did not answer.

“Is it them?” He spoke to someone.

“Are these the ones Master warned us about?”

The knights murmured, wondering if the corpse had finally lost its mind. However, Binaeril knew he was conversing with a page.

“But these guys aren’t strong enough to worry Master…”

“Aaaaargh! No, I am not doubting! I’m sorry…”

Seeing Balram making a scene alone made Binaeril feel odd.

‘Do I look like that when I talk to Veritas?’

“This isn’t the right group? You’ll talk to them yourself? Yes, understood.”

Balram plunged the red sword he was holding into the ground. Then, the voice of the demon sword echoed in Binaeril and his companions’ heads.

-Who are you?

It was a sinister voice identical to Balram’s. The duke and the knights flinched at the sudden voice echoing in their minds.

Binaeril stepped forward to address the demon sword instead of the bewildered duke.

“Are you the one responsible for killing people and raising the undead?”

-Hehehe.

The demon sword let out a low laugh.

-I only punished humans for their past sins.

This was a confession of his actions.

“Who are you to judge humans? Those events occurred over a century ago.”

-The souls of the dead awakened me. I bear their hatred and am the rightful avenger. You ask who I am? I am the demon sword Mimung!

The name Mimung caused a stir of surprise among the duke and knights.

“Isn’t that just a rumor?”

“Apparently not. The sword is talking to us right now, isn’t it?”

“Then, the souls of the massacred Toin… can this be real?”

The duke let out a sigh.

“Some things in this world are beyond our understanding. Just look at a mage like Sir Binaeril; he defies common sense.”

Having regained his composure, the duke addressed the demon sword.

“Look, it may not mean much to you, but I apologize on behalf of those from the past. The people of that era have all returned to the embrace of the gods. The people remaining here are innocent and have nothing to do with those past sins.”

Mimung gazed into the soul of the advancing duke with interest.

-A warrior with a strong soul. And that young boy is a mage, I see.

“Yes. My name is Duke Torben Dux. Cease this meaningless revenge. This is my final warning as the ruler of this land.”

-A warning? …Hehehehe.

Despite the duke’s words, Mimung continued to sneer.

-Delicious. Simply delicious. The life force of a mage and an exceptional warrior… My mouth waters.

The red aura emanating from Mimung grew thicker. Binaeril pulled the duke back, offering a warning.

“Your Grace, talking is useless. Its purpose is no longer revenge. It’s just a beast craving the lives of people.”

“So it comes to this.”

Mimung’s laughter grew louder. The sight of the intruders preparing to fight, either drawing their weapons or gathering their mana, seemed amusing to him.

“Pathetic fools, thinking they can oppose me. Do you know who I am? Do you know how much life force I’ve absorbed to gain this power?”

The explosive presence Mimung exuded caused the knights’ morale to plummet instantly. His mana carried a daunting intensity.

“Why?”

‘We know the identity of the demon sword, but why does it seem unaware of you?’

Just as Veritas had reacted dramatically upon discovering the demon sword, Mimung should have recognized Veritas and mentioned him if he was aware. But that wasn’t the case. Mimung was clearly underestimating Binaeril and the duke’s party.

– I told you, didn’t I? The sword’s consciousness is likely twisted.

Mimung indeed seemed like a being driven solely by an insatiable desire for life, barely maintaining a grip on sanity.

-He probably can’t recognize us because he’s barely holding onto rationality. It also means my powers are subtle enough to remain unnoticed.

‘Do we have a chance of winning?’

Even at a glance, Mimung’s power appeared much greater than Balram’s.

-It depends on you. Wear him out and grab the sword. I’ll handle the rest.

They were in a space about twenty meters wide, with a cliff behind them. The only escape route was a precarious path across the cliff.

‘It’s difficult to keep the others out of the fight.’

Not to mention the knights, even Duke Dux, though he didn’t show it, was quite exhausted from the battle with the gargoyles. Binaeril noticed the duke’s thick hand, which held the flail, trembling slightly. Age cannot be hidden.

There were two enemies: the demon sword Mimung, likely stronger than the lich Balram. Therefore, Binaeril had to take on Mimung at least.

‘No, I might be able to handle both of them at once.’

Binaeril had something to rely on. He provoked Mimung to draw its attention.

“Hey, you stinking demon sword. If you’re going to go mad, do it gracefully. Why are you talking about revenge while killing innocent people?”

The blade twisted towards Binaeril. From his experience conversing with Veritas, Binaeril knew it was looking at him.

“You don’t want revenge. Just admit it. You’re just a blood-crazed killer. Should I call you a murder sword?”

-….

“Humans who massacred non-humans in the past were vile, but the worst are those who justify their evil deeds with words like revenge or justice, deluding themselves into thinking they’re righteous. Just look at yourself.”

Binaeril’s harsh criticism silenced everyone. The knights, Duke Dux, Balram, and even Mimung, all remained quiet, listening to Binaeril. Mimung no longer chuckled. Ignoring any reactions, Binaeril continued to drive his point home.

“A ghost of the past like you belongs in this damp, rotten graveyard, rather than continuing your repulsive acts in the name of unwanted revenge.”

It was Balram who reacted instead of Mimung. He attacked Binaeril with black mana.

“How dare you speak such nonsense about my master!”

“Hahaha!”

It was Duke Dux who burst into laughter.

“Well said, Sir Binaeril! That really hits the spot!”

“Sir Binaeril, you’re quite blunt with your words.”

Duke Dux and the knights rushed forward, blocking Balram’s black mana. Binaeril, who had been preparing for a counterattack, adjusted his stance, feeling awkward. 

This wasn’t the plan…

His plan had been to summon Eden, swiftly defeat Balram, and then pressurize Mimung. Unaware of this, the duke called out to him.

“Sir Binaeril! We’ll handle this side. You take care of that one!”

Whether to defeat Balram first or Mimung, the plan essentially remained the same. Binaeril hoped the duke and knights would stay safe while he faced the demon sword. He had no thought of losing.

He called out the spirit’s name. A beam of light shot from the ring, soaring beside Binaeril’s cheek.

“We need to defeat that one.”

[Leave it to me, Binaeril!]

Eden had the power to reject unholy things. Since it had dispersed Balram’s mana, it would undoubtedly work against Mimung, its master.

“Let’s go, fire!”

Chanting the incantation for the magic bullet, Binaeril aimed at the red demon sword embedded in the ground. Mimung still showed no reaction. As Binaeril’s magic bullet and Eden shot towards the sword, a burst of red mana exploded, causing Mimung’s blade to slowly rise.

And then,

[Ack!]

The explosive red mana repelled both the magic bullet and Eden. Eden, struggling in midair, tried to push back Mimung’s mana but was overwhelmed.

-It would be wise to match your skills to your sharp tongue, brat.

Mimung, floating horizontally, swung slowly as if to slice something. The balance of power shifted entirely.

Binaeril saw Eden’s form crumpling in his field of vision.

It was the moment Binaeril’s confidence was utterly shattered. The duke and the knights were in a standoff with Balram. Duke Dux stood at the forefront, with the knights positioned behind him. The duke offered a brief remark to Balram.

“Is it good to see me?”

The eerie voice sent shivers through the knights.

“To be honest, it’s not a welcome sight. That is, if you ever had a face.”

Duke Dux continued the conversation while assessing the condition of his knights. Unlike their opponents, the duke and the knights had just finished a battle. If they clashed now, it was clear which side had the advantage. He decided to buy more time.

The duke stared into Balram’s empty eyes. He wasn’t sure if Balram was even making eye contact.

“Are you human or monster?”

“Human? …There was such a time. But since my master gave me eternal life, such distinctions are meaningless.”

“If you were once human, why serve as a thrall to a demon sword? Why kill humans to feed it power?”

“Is that a real question? My master gave me power. He gave me eternal life. An unrotting body. Isn’t that reason enough?”

The duke shook his head.

“It’s not enough. Were you not a man of principles? Are you content to lick the boots of a demon sword for power? What kind of human were you?”

The duke’s words unsettled Balram.

‘What kind of human was I?’

In truth, Balram did not fully follow Mimung. His life and death were tied to the sword, and as long as he served it, Mimung granted him power. The power to wield magic and harm people. But was that enough?

‘I can’t remember.’

He tried to recall what kind of human he had been. The standoff lengthened as Balram racked his brain. He could remember nothing. It was Mimung who had awakened Balram’s dead soul and made him a minion. Every action Balram had taken since then was under Mimung’s orders. Balram had power, but no freedom.

As doubts began to sprout within Balram, a thunderous command struck his mind.

-Balram! What are you doing?

Balram jerked his head up in surprise. His master was glaring at him.

“I’m sorry, Master!”

-Kill the humans. That is your only task!