(POV - Daniel)
I arrive at the village in my angel form. Flying as an angel is exhausting since flapping my wings is like jogging—they're an extension of my body. But at least this way, my name and fame as the supposed reincarnation of the demi-humans' God will spread faster across the country, saving me a lot of time on publicity.
Ugh, I'm starving.
Flying with these wings is really tiring, but at least I'm here. I'll ask Rocco to buy me food. Lots of food.
"I'm here."
I land, and my transformation fades.
I have to pretend to be the angel Fransme. If I want them to trust me, I need to act like him… I hate lying, but it's necessary. It's a white lie that'll bring tons of benefits; I can't hesitate.
I put on my shirt and vest.
"Alright."
I look at the people around me and analyze their expressions… Fear, happiness, surprise… No hatred, huh?
It worked faster than I thought. Well, I am pretending to be the reincarnation of their God. What kind of idiot would look at their God with hatred? Especially in a medieval world where the church probably has massive influence over the people.
I enter the guild and see Rocco sitting at a table.
The demi-humans' looks are the same here. Will they finally treat me better? It hurts that they're nice to me because they think I'm someone else, but I have to accept it if I want to achieve my goal in this world.
I approach Rocco's table and stand beside him while he devours a piece of chicken.
He glances at me and gestures with his hand for me to wait while he chews and swallows what's in his mouth.
I just nod and pull out my phone to check missed calls. They're all from my teammates, demanding explanations about my wedding and trying to convince me to cancel it, which is why I stopped answering and only check my phone every five minutes in case my grandma calls—she's the only one I care about.
They want me to cancel it because they know that if I marry royalty—in this case, two princesses—they'll never have a romantic chance with me, since polygamy is forbidden in royalty. The King made an exception for me because I'm supposedly their God, but it's prohibited for a princess or king to marry more than one person or have lovers. I'll be the prince of this country, so that applies to me too.
They're trying to stop my wedding, saying it's wrong, that I can't marry women I barely know, that it might be a trap. Just excuses to avoid losing me forever.
I knew this would happen, but once I marry the princesses, they'll finally give up on me and stop trying anything weird.
Maybe getting married wasn't as bad an idea as I thought at first.
Oh, and Cris called too, bragging that he lost his virginity before me and was having sex with five women at once. I tried to talk more because I was worried, but he hung up and isn't answering my calls.
Did he really do that? Well, it's his life, his choice, but losing his virginity in a brothel without love is… sad.
I was going to call Sonia to tell her, but I didn't. Cris has his own way of thinking. I think what he did is wrong, but virginity is very important to me, and I believe the first time should be after marriage. For Cris, it probably wasn't a big deal, and he prefers to have sex whenever he wants, not caring if it's without love or a special moment.
It's his life, and I have to respect his choices, even if they seem wrong to me based on my own beliefs.
Forcing him to think like me isn't right, because I'm me, and he's him. Let him sleep with whoever he wants; it's his life.
… Is his sister like that? Did her virginity mean so little to her?
I mean, they were born on the same day; they have so much in common… Sonia, I don't want to judge without knowing, but I just hope you're still a virgin, because if you gave your first time to that jerk… Ugh, I don't know what I'd do if I found out. I'd probably lose my mind and do something stupid.
I'll never ask and pretend I never cared about that topic.
Alright, no one's called in 13 minutes; I guess they gave up or realized they were bothering me.
I turn on the call sound so I'll hear if someone calls.
"Done, I'm finished. Hey, Daniel. How'd it go with the King? Did he see you?"
Well, well. I got so lost in thought that Rocco had time to finish his food. I was going to ask for some, but oh well.
I sit at the table across from him and stretch my arms, letting out a big yawn. I'm sleepy.
"Well, let's just say humans and demi-humans will be friends again soon. I'm marrying the King's daughters, a political marriage for blah, blah, blah. Waitress, a plate of food, please! Anything's fine as long as it's not meat…!"
I was going to say human meat, but that'd probably be xenophobic… or racist? Better not make that joke.
"No meat, I'm on a diet! Chicken and veggies instead! Thanks!"
Phew. Almost screwed up. Daniel, you idiot, I know you're tired, but that's no excuse to be a jerk. You almost got us lynched.
"By the way, Rocco, how's your day been? I hope I haven't caused you any trouble by talking to you."
Rocco goes quiet, just staring at me intently.
Ugh… This… Well, well… This is awkward. Do I have something on my face?
"Rocco, you okay?"
"… What'd you say?"
"If you're feeling alright. You look kinda weird."
"No, the other thing."
"Oh, yeah. That humans and demi-humans will be friends again soon. I know, it sounds hard to believe, but with good education and patience, it'll happen. Like, you and I barely know each other, and we're already friends. Nothing can stop other humans and demi-humans from being friends too."
"No, the other thing."
"Goo goo ga ga."
"What?"
"Too far back, huh? Sorry, I pretended to be a baby 'cause I thought it was funny. I'm marrying the King's daughters."
"You're marrying the princesses?"
All the adventurers turn to look at us. Well, well. They've got sharp ears. I'm so tired right now I can't even get nervous about their stares. Maybe another time.
"Yeah, it'll show that humans and demi-humans are friends again. A political marriage to unite both races."
"That's one way to achieve your goal. You marrying both?"
"Yeah, to avoid problems later. You know, the classic scenario where one gets so jealous she joins the demons to kill her sister and me. To prevent that, I'm marrying both. I hate polygamy, but I set aside my principles for peace."
The princesses seem nice, so marrying them can't be that bad, but… my heart aches, knowing I'll marry without love.
That's so sad… and painful.
"H-here's your food, Mr. Daniel."
Mr. Daniel? And she stuttered?
The waitress brings my food—white rice with vegetables.
… Wow, rice… Delicious.
I thought she'd ignore me, but she brought me tasty food and even called me "Mr. Daniel." What a nice change in attitude, though it makes me feel guilty for achieving it through lies.
"Well, well. She actually brought me food. Thank you so much, miss. I appreciate it with all my heart."
I give her 20 gold coins.
"Thanks for the food; keep the change."
"T-thank you," she says… blushing.
The waitress leaves. Was she blushing?
… Gotta admit, that's weird… She's not looking at me with disgust anymore? Wait… Is this safe to eat? Did she spit in it?
I know they respect me now because they think I'm the reincarnation of their God, but still, it's suspicious that someone who hated me so much and even laughed when Rocco said he'd kill me is now treating me so nicely and blushing around me.
Is this safe to eat?
I know it's rude to doubt her, but I can't help it after how she treated me before.
"What's up with her? She's not treating me badly now?"
"Everyone in the village heard you're the angel Fransme. No one would dare be rude to the angel Fransme."
Well, well. I see… Guess even she, a girl who hated me and was disgusted by me with all her heart, respects me now.
"Maybe I'm the reincarnation of the angel Fransme or something. Honestly, I don't know anything about this angel Fransme."
I start eating.
It's safe to eat; she respects me, so I don't think she spit in my food… I hope.
"Want to come to the wedding, Rocco? You were the first demi-human to treat me well, and I want to thank you."
"Sure, I'd love to. When is it?"
"No idea, probably soon. The sooner, the better for me."
That way, I can wrap this up and have more time to train.
Huh? Someone's calling? I hope it's important this time.
No, wait, if it's important, it might mean bad news. Whoa! Please, let it be an unimportant call! I'm already scared.
I get a call and pull out my phone. Well, well. It's her.
"Rose?"
Please, let it not be serious.
I answer.
I hope it's not bad news. I just solved one problem; I don't want another. At least let problems start after a few filler chapters.
I mean, I haven't even been in this world a week! This is my sixth day! Let me rest!
"Hey, Rose. First off, I hope you're doing okay. What's up?"
"'I hope you're doing okay'? You worried? Something bad happen?"
"Just being polite; everything's fine here, at least for now."
"I see. Good. I was just calling to let you know I sent you a wedding gift. My familiar will be there in a few hours with it."
"Tha…"
Huh? A familiar from Rose?
"Familiar? Is Liz coming? That's dangerous; they'll attack her! Is she alone?! Why'd you send her alone?! Arghhh! Tell her to go back!"
"You don't know what a familiar is?"
"Don't know?"
That word must mean something else in this world. Ugh, world, you just make my life complicated.
But hey, at least I have an excellent memory; I'll get used to this stuff faster.
"Is it a family member, or does that word mean something else?"
"It's a magical being you can summon to be your servant. You sign a magical contract with a being, and in exchange for some of your magical power, it'll obey you."
"Summon? Well, well."
"You met Louise, right? She's Sato's familiar."
She's his magical familiar?! Can I summon a dragon too?! Awesome!!
I've got huge magical power; I might be able to summon a much bigger dragon, or maybe a powerful demon who obeys me reluctantly but slowly trusts me!
Arghhh! This would make my life so much easier; it'd help a ton in fights! Why am I just learning about this?! I need to research this world better!
"Incredible! How do I summon my familiar?! I want to try! Is there some kind of ritual or something?"
"Oh, you know, I sometimes forget you're not from this world. I thought you knew. Alright, repeat what I say. Normally, you'd need a huge magical circle with complex formulas that are hard to describe, but knowing your immense magical power, I think you can activate it without a circle. The circle just strengthens the spell, so you don't need it."
True, my magical power is super high… Maybe my familiar will be huge! If I try this here, I'll wreck the guild! I need to get away from here so I don't scare them.
"Wait, let me leave the village in case my familiar's a dragon. I'll be back, Rocco."
"I'll wait here. Can I eat what you left?"
Ugh, I was going to take it, but I guess he's still hungry.
"Yeah, sure."
I'll buy more later when I'm done.
Alright, Daniel, you're getting a new companion! Let it be a good demon or a dragon, God. Or a legendary beast! Something helpful.
Just please, don't let it be a woman, but if it's a powerful woman, I'll accept it. If I order her not to fall for me, she'll have to obey, and I won't worry about that. Nothing can go wrong!
•
•
I leave the village and go far enough to avoid drawing too much attention.
Alright, this distance should be fine. Come on, give me something good and useful. I don't know, maybe a monster that joins me and unlocks an awesome transformation or something.
"Ready. Tell me the spell, please."
"Put your hand on the ground."
"Which one?"
"Either."
I place my right hand on the ground.
"Repeat what I say: 'Ancestral spirit, I ask you to grant me a familiar. Espiris inocation!'"
… Well, I'm still disappointed that spells are so simple to say, but that's just for me, since I only need the spell's name to use it. Still, I'm disappointed.
I expected more from a magical world where people don't have private bathrooms in their homes.
"Ancestral spirit, I ask you to grant me a familiar. Espiris inocation!"
I feel a tingle in my hand. It's working!
A bright white circle appears on the ground. And something's coming out of it! Are those… wings? N-no way… Is it real?!
Slowly, a… a… An angel is emerging from the circle! A real angel!
Awesome! I was hoping for a huge dragon or even the typical summoned human, but this is still great.
A real angel! An angel from paradise is my familiar! Thank you, God!! This'll make my life so much easier! Rose, thank you for being in my life!
A real angel… Awesome!
Are they as powerful as demons? I hope so.
"Incredible!"
The circle vanishes. My familiar is an angel girl.
She's so adorable!
Her wings are simply beautiful, full of elegance. That cold gaze, combined with those wings and the wind moving her blue hair, makes her look so… awesome… This angel is just perfect.
Her mere presence radiates not only elegance but also commands respect.
This angel is definitely someone powerful.
"It worked, thanks, Rose!"
"I've got things to do, so I gotta go. Bye. I have some diplomatic matters to handle. Tell me all about your familiar later."
"Alright, take care."
She hangs up, and I pocket my phone.
Well, well… Ugh… Guess I should introduce myself.
She just stares at me, completely still, like she's waiting for my orders to move.
If that's the case, it makes me feel like a villain. I don't want a slave; I want her to be my friend. She's free, so I won't abuse her by treating her like an object.
"Hey, my name's Daniel, miss. Pleasure to meet you."
She's barefoot, wearing a white dress like the one my grandma had when I revived her, with huge white wings, short light-blue hair, blood-red eyes, and she's completely flat-chested.
Blood-red eyes. Always wanted to say that.
She's super flat. Is she a guy? She's wearing a dress, but… Ugh, I'll just ask her… or him.
But aside from that, how adorable she/he is!
She looks my age, but I guess she's hundreds of years old, being a divine angel.
"You'll be my familiar?"
She blinks a couple of times, lowers her gaze, and slowly raises it, like she's analyzing me.
Like a robot scanning a human. Is she checking if I'm worthy of being her master or something? Hope I pass the test.
She stops when her gaze meets my eyes and blinks a couple more times.
"This is the first time someone's summoned me."
The first time? Well, well. Is it that hard to summon her? She's definitely powerful! I hit the jackpot!
"Well, well. It's a pleasure to be your first… Huh? W-wait, wait, that sounded wrong! S-sorry if I made you uncomfortable; I meant it's a pleasure to be the first person to summon you. Ugh, I made a terrible first impression. I-I'm not a pervert, don't worry; I said that 'first time' thing without thinking!"
She extends her right hand.
"I want to test your power."
Huh? Wasn't she analyzing me for that? Guess she was just curious about me since I managed to summon her.
"S-sure."
Hope I'm worthy.
I take her hand with my right hand, and after a few seconds, she blinks several times.
"This… is incredible…"
"What's up?"
"You have a pure heart and immense magical power. You're more than worthy to have me as your familiar."
Yes, I passed the test!
"So, you're my familiar now?"
"You need to complete the ritual."
"Sure. How do I do that?"
"You have to kiss me."
…
…
…
"What?"
"You have to kiss me."
Kiss her, huh? Well, well. I see… Why?!
My face turns bright red from embarrassment after hearing that. I knew this would happen! Arghhh! Why not just sign a magical contract or seal the ritual with a blood pact?! Why do we have to kiss?! Do all rituals end like this?!
"Huh?! W-wait, seriously, that's how you complete the ritual?!"
"That's how the ritual ends, and I'll be your familiar… Or so I was told I must do. I've never kissed, but I've seen people do it. Don't worry, trust me, I'll do it well. I'm great at mimicking people I observe."
"That's what they told you? You sure?"
"Magical contracts for a human-like familiar must be sealed with a kiss to better bind the souls. Or so the supreme God, the God of Gods, told me."
The God of Gods told her? Then she's right.
K-kissing a girl I barely know… It's wrong, but if I want her as my familiar, I have to do it.
Daniel, you don't have a girlfriend right now. Yes, you're engaged, but… Ugh…
Sorry, princesses, but it's for the world's sake. I have to kiss her to have an angel as my familiar!
It's just a kiss, Daniel, not sex. Just a kiss.
Stop being a coward and do it! The world depends on you!
Wait, she said kiss, but didn't specify it has to be on the lips. I'm a genius!
"S-sure."
I kiss her right cheek.
Wow, such soft skin, and she smells nice.
"Done?"
"No, it has to be a kiss on the lips, with tongue."
Damn… But it's just to complete the ritual… I guess I can do it.
I don't guess I can—I have to!
Come on, Daniel, drop the shyness and do it!
"A-alright… I'll do it."
Here I go.
I move my lips toward hers.
I'm about to kiss a girl who isn't Sonia by choice.
Come on, Daniel… Do it.
Our lips meet.
I kiss her and… Huh?
She grabs my head with her hands, keeping me from pulling away. Isn't she overdoing it?! Her tongue's swirling in my mouth! Is this a French kiss?! It's too wild! Is this really her first kiss?!
"Hmmm!"
I'll say it again… Is this really her first kiss?!
Even Sonia didn't kiss me this…
…
…
…
No… Sonia kissed me more passionately than this… Don't think about her, idiot!
A minute later, it's over.
After a minute, she stops kissing me and lets go.
I-I need to catch my breath. What a wild kiss.
Huh? Arghhh! Down, buddy, down! Don't get up, you idiot! It was just a kiss, that's all; don't get excited, moron!
I hope she doesn't notice.
"Ritual complete."
Huh? Wow. A star-shaped mark appears on her forehead.
The mark of a familiar? I see.
Branded like cattle. Don't worry, angel, I won't treat you like an object. You'll be my new friend, and I'll treat you like a human… Well, angel… Whatever.
"What's my name, master?"
"I have to name you? You don't have a name?"
"No, you must give me a name."
I think for a few seconds.
A name, a name… Hmm…
Got it!
"How about 'Daniela'? It's a beautiful name. Fufu."
We'll even match. And it's easy to remember.
"I like it. Thank you, master."
"You can call me Daniel; I don't like being called master."
"Alright, Daniel."
She's pretty cold with her words and her gaze, like a robot. Are all familiars like this? I'll ask later; I'm starving and want to eat before I pass out.
"Well, I'm heading home; it was great meeting you."
"I'll wait here, Daniel, or would you like me to come with you?"
"Here? You don't vanish like other summons?"
"No, a familiar stays with their master to await orders."
"Well, well. Alright, let's go to the guild."
"Okay."
We enter the village, and everyone stares in awe… Probably because of Daniela's wings.
Drawing attention with an angel is good at other times, but right now, it's unnecessary; my fame's already spread, and they won't treat us badly anymore. It'd be best to avoid unwanted attention to be more comfortable.
"Daniela, can you hide your wings?"
"Please wait."
Daniela's wings vanish, and for some reason, her dress isn't torn at the back… Guess it repairs itself magically. I'll ask later what it's made of and if she can make it. It's annoying to keep taking off my clothes to use my angel form.
"Done, Daniel."
"Thanks."
An angel as my familiar. Well, well. Thank you, God; I promise to treat her well.
We enter the guild, and I head to Rocco, who's still eating. This guy's got some appetite. I don't judge; I just find it curious. I'd do the same, eat a ton all the time, but I can't gain weight; it'd mess up my movements.
"Hey, Rocco."
"Hey again, Daniel. Who's she?" he says, mouth full of food.
My grandma would be scolding you if she saw that, but I won't say anything; demi-humans probably have different common sense than humans. Even the humans in this world have different common sense than me. I still can't believe men and women here are so open about sex, that it's fine to sleep with someone you just met because you found them attractive.
At least here, women aren't offering me their bodies. That'd be too awkward.
Wait, if I fall for the princesses and sleep with them, does that count as bestiality?
Ugh, better not think about that. I don't even know if I'll fall for them yet.
"She's my familiar, named Daniela. Pretty name, right? Daniel, Daniela, like twins. Should I dye my hair blue to match?"
"Your familiar's a human?"
"Actually, she's an angel, a real one."
"An angel, you say?"
"Yeah, isn't it awesome?"
I turn to Daniela.
"Daniela, you hungry?"
"If Daniel orders me to, I'll eat."
"Don't think like that; you're my familiar, but we're friends now, don't worry. You're not my slave; you're my friend."
"Friends?"
"Yeah, I won't boss you around all the time; I'll just ask for help now and then, okay?"
"Mr. Daniel is very kind. Thank you. I'm a bit hungry."
"Just Daniel, please. What would you like to eat?"
"Anything's fine. Thank you."
"Waitress, two plates of food, please!"
Time to celebrate getting a powerful new companion!