Stray

The gray parrot was tied into a spindle by the vines and looked pitiful. It seemed to have suffered a major blow. After all, no one would think that normal vines could trap an intermediate demon. It swayed around without saying a word while staring at them.

“An expert?” Nemo hung the grey parrot firmly on the top of his staff and rubbed the vine debris on the palm of his hands onto his clothes as he tried to continue the conversation.

Ann, who silently witnessed the whole process of Nemo packing up the grey parrot, was momentarily stunned. “Oh… Oh, I mean you need to ask an experienced cleric. Demon worshippers only know about the demons that have served them. You’ll also run into those who will try to steal other people’s demons. Your demon is relatively rare, so it may cause trouble.” She glanced at the gray parrot, which exuded a lifeless aura. “Besides, I have never heard of a contracted demon who can attack its own master*.”

*Clarity: this is not to be confused with when one first summons the demon to be contracted. They can still attack and test their summoner before a contract is form, like in the (supposed) case of the deadwood jellyfish.

Only God knows if the contract between them was still valid. Nemo wiped his face.

“Won’t the clergy just kill me?” he asked cautiously.

“Hailam has a confessional church,” Ann said. “The most wildly spread religion in Alban is the old sect of the Laddism Church, and they are the most hostile to demons. The Woden Sect is more popular in Garland, and they will give demon worshippers a chance to repent. After all, some people do not voluntarily cooperate with demons.”

‘Like me,’ Nemo thought bitterly.

“If things goes well today, you can choose a mission near Hailam tomorrow. Hailam is the capital, so getting there is easy, but you have to note that the first task is also part of the test. If you fail, you’ll need to take the test again next quarter.”